Abstract: A method for fabricating a DRAM capacitor stack is described wherein the dielectric material is a multi-layer stack formed from a highly-doped material combined with a lightly or non-doped material. The highly-doped material remains amorphous with a crystalline content of less than 30% after an annealing step. The lightly or non-doped material becomes crystalline with a crystalline content of equal to or greater than 30% after an annealing step. The dielectric multi-layer stack maintains a high k-value while minimizing the leakage current and the EOT value.

Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.

Abstract: A method for forming and protecting high quality bismuth oxide films comprises depositing a transparent thin film on a substrate comprising one of Si, alkali metals, or alkaline earth metals. The transparent thin film is stable at room temperature and at higher temperatures and serves as a diffusion barrier for the diffusion of impurities from the substrate into the bismuth oxide. Reactive sputtering, sputtering from a compound target, or reactive evaporation are used to deposit a bismuth oxide film above the diffusion barrier.

Abstract: A method for cleaning platinum residues from a surface of a substrate is provided. The method initiates with exposing the surface to a first solution containing a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. Then, the surface is exposed to a second solution containing hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current and low EOT involves the use of an compound high k dielectric material. The dielectric material further comprises a dopant. One component of the compound high k dielectric material is present in a concentration between about 30 atomic % and about 80 atomic and more preferably between about 40 atomic % and about 60 atomic %. In some embodiments, the compound high k dielectric material comprises an alloy of TiO2 and ZrO2 and further comprises a dopant of Al2O3. In some embodiments, the compound high k dielectric material comprises an admixture of TiO2 and HfO2 and further comprises a dopant of Al2O3.

Abstract: A method for doping a dielectric material by pulsing a first dopant precursor, purging the non-adsorbed precursor, pulsing a second precursor, purging the non-adsorbed precursor, and pulsing a oxidant to form an intermixed layer of two (or more) metal oxide dielectric dopant materials. The method may also be used to form a blocking layer between a bulk dielectric layer and a second electrode layer. The method improves the control of the composition and the control of the uniformity of the dopants throughout the thickness of the doped dielectric material.

Abstract: A method and system includes a first substrate and a second substrate, each substrate comprising a predetermined baseline transmittance value at a predetermine wavelength of light, processing regions on the first substrate by combinatorially varying at least one of materials, process conditions, unit processes, and process sequences associated with the graphene production, performing a first characterization test on the processed regions on the first substrate to generate first results, processing regions on a second substrate in a combinatorial manner by varying at least one of materials, process conditions, unit processes, and process sequences associated with the graphene production based on the first results of the first characterization test, performing a second characterization test on the processed regions on the second substrate to generate second results, and determining whether at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate meet a predetermined quality threshold based on the second res

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the deposition of thin films is described. In embodiments, systems and methods for epitaxial thin film formation are provided, including systems and methods for forming binary compound epitaxial thin films. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may be used to form direct bandgap semiconducting binary compound epitaxial thin films, such as, for example, GaN, InN and AlN, and the mixed alloys of these compounds, e.g., (In, Ga)N, (Al, Ga)N, (In, Ga, Al)N. Methods and apparatuses include a multistage deposition process and system which enables rapid repetition of sub-monolayer deposition of thin films.

Abstract: Methods for forming Cu—In—Ga—N (CIGN) layers for use in TFPV solar panels are described using reactive PVD deposition in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as an absorber layer and eliminate the need of a selenization step. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as a protective layer to decrease the sensitivity of the CIG layer to oxygen or moisture before the selenization step. In some embodiments, the CIGN layers can be used as an adhesion layer to improve the adhesion between the back contact layer and the absorber layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current involves the use of a first electrode that serves as a template for promoting the high k phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. The high k dielectric layer comprises a doped material that can be crystallized after a subsequent annealing treatment. A metal oxide second electrode layer is formed above the dielectric layer. The metal oxide second electrode layer has a crystal structure that is compatible with the crystal structure of the dielectric layer. Optionally, a second electrode bulk layer is formed above the metal oxide second electrode layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current involves the use of a first electrode that serves as a template for promoting the high k phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. The high k dielectric layer comprises a doped material that can be crystallized after a subsequent annealing treatment. An amorphous blocking is formed on the dielectric layer. The thickness of the blocking layer is chosen such that the blocking layer remains amorphous after a subsequent annealing treatment. A second electrode layer compatible with the blocking layer is formed on the blocking layer.

Abstract: A method for high temperature selenization of Cu—In—Ga metal precursor films comprises a partial selenization at a temperature between about 350 C and about 450 C in a Se-containing atmosphere followed by a more fully selenization step at a temperature between about 550 C and about 650 C in a Se-containing atmosphere. The Se-containing component of the atmosphere is removed through a rapid gas exchange process and the CIGS film is annealed to influence the Ga distribution throughout the depth of the film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) capacitor includes forming a first electrode film. The first electrode film comprises a conductive binary metal compound and a dopant. The dopant may have a uniform or non-uniform concentration within the first electrode film. A high-k dielectric film is formed over the first electrode film. A second electrode film is formed over the dielectric film. The second electrode film comprises a conductive binary metal compound and a dopant. The dopant may have a uniform or non-uniform concentration within the second electrode film. The dopants and their distribution are chosen so that the crystal structure of the surface of the electrode is not degraded if the electrode is to be used as a templating structure for subsequent layer formation. Additionally, the dopants and their distribution are chosen so that the work function of the electrodes is not degraded.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention discloses sealing mechanisms for generating site isolated regions on a substrate, allowing combinatorial processing without cross contamination between regions. The sealing mechanism can include a thin sharp edge ring for pressing on the substrate surface with small contact area. The small sealing area can concentrate the sealing force, generating higher contact pressure to guard against fluid leakage across the sealing surface, for example, eliminating fluid wicking at the seal interface through capillary action. The sealing mechanism can include multiple protrusions, which contacts the substrate leaving a small gap at the remaining portion of the sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism can include minimal contact points with the substrate, which can significantly reduce the particle generation during processing. A pressure differential can be established across the sealing surface to prevent fluid leakage.

Abstract: A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current involves the use of a first electrode that serves as a template for promoting the high k phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. The high k dielectric layer comprises a doped material that can be crystallized after a subsequent annealing treatment. An amorphous blocking is formed on the dielectric layer. The thickness of the blocking layer is chosen such that the blocking layer remains amorphous after a subsequent annealing treatment. A second electrode layer compatible with the blocking layer is formed on the blocking layer.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a resistive-switching memory element and memory element array that uses a bipolar switching includes a select element comprising only a single diode that is not a Zener diode. The resistive-switching memory elements described herein can switch even when a switching voltage less than the breakdown voltage of the diode is applied in the reverse-bias direction of the diode. The memory elements are able to switch during the very brief period when a transient pulse voltage is visible to the memory element, and therefore can use a single diode per memory cell.

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed from resistive-switching metal oxide layers. Metal oxide layers may be formed using sputter deposition at relatively low sputtering powers, relatively low duty cycles, and relatively high sputtering gas pressures. Dopants may be incorporated into a base oxide layer at an atomic concentration that is less than the solubility limit of the dopant in the base oxide. At least one oxidation state of the metal in the base oxide is preferably different than at least one oxidation sate of the dopant. The ionic radius of the dopant and the ionic radius of the metal may be selected to be close to each other. Annealing and oxidation operations may be performed on the resistive switching metal oxides. Bistable metal oxides with relatively large resistivities and large high-state-to-low state resistivity ratios may be produced.

Abstract: Resistive-switching memory elements having improved switching characteristics are described, including a memory element having a first electrode and a second electrode, a switching layer between the first electrode and the second electrode comprising hafnium oxide and having a first thickness, and a coupling layer between the switching layer and the second electrode, the coupling layer comprising a material including metal titanium and having a second thickness that is less than 25 percent of the first thickness.

Abstract: Methods for sealing a porous dielectric are presented including: receiving a substrate, the substrate including the porous dielectric; exposing the substrate to an organosilane, where the organosilane includes a hydrolysable group for facilitating attachment with the porous dielectric, and where the organosilane does not include an alkyl group; and forming a layer as a result of the exposing to seal the porous dielectric. In some embodiments, methods are presented where the organosilane includes: alkynyl groups, aryl groups, fluoroalkyl groups, heteroaryl groups, alcohol groups, thiol groups, amine groups, thiocarbamate groups, ester groups, ether groups, sulfide groups, and nitrile groups. In some embodiments, method further include: removing contamination from the porous dielectric and a conductive region of the substrate prior to the exposing; and removing contamination from the conductive region after the forming.

Abstract: A bilayer second electrode for a MIM DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the layer of the electrode that is in contact with the dielectric layer (i.e. bottom layer) has a composition that is resistant to oxidation during subsequent anneal steps and have rutile templating capability. Examples include SnO2 and RuO2. The capacitor stack including the bottom layer is subjected to a PMA treatment to reduce the oxygen vacancies in the dielectric layer and reduce the interface states at the dielectric/second electrode interface. The other component of the bilayer (i.e. top layer) is a high work function, high conductivity metal or conductive metal compound.