Abstract: An integrated circuit device, and a method of manufacturing the same, comprises an epitaxial nickel silicide on (100) Si, or a stable nickel silicide on amorphous Si, fabricated with a cobalt interlayer. In one embodiment the method comprises depositing a cobalt (Co) interface layer between the Ni and Si layers prior to the silicidation reaction. The cobalt interlayer regulates the flux of the Ni atoms through the cobalt/nickel/silicon alloy layer formed from the reaction of the cobalt interlayer with the nickel and the silicon so that the Ni atoms reach the Si interface at a similar rate, i.e., without any orientation preference, so as to form a uniform layer of nickel silicide. The nickel silicide may be annealed to form a uniform crystalline nickel disilicide. Accordingly, a single crystal nickel silicide on (100) Si or on amorphous Si is achieved wherein the nickel silicide has improved stability and may be utilized in ultra-shallow junction devices.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a relaxed silicon germanium layer with a high germanium content on a silicon substrate. The method comprises: depositing a single-crystal silicon (Si) buffer layer overlying the silicon substrate; depositing a layer of single-crystal silicon germanium (Si1−xGex) overlying the Si buffer layer having a thickness of 1000 to 5000 Å; implanting the Si1−xGex layer with ionized molecular hydrogen (H2+) a projected range of approximately 100 to 300 Å into the underlying Si buffer layer; optionally, implanting the Si1−xGex layer with a species selected such as boron, He, or Si; annealing; and, in response to the annealing, converting the Si1−xGex layer to a relaxed Si1−xGex layer. Optionally, after annealing, an additional layer of single-crystal Si1−xGex having a thickness of greater than 1000 Å can be deposited overlying the relaxed layer of Si1−xGex.

Abstract: A conductive barrier, useful as a ferroelectric capacitor electrode, having high temperature stability has been provided. This conductive barrier permits the use of iridium (Ir) metal in IC processes involving annealing. Separating silicon substrate from Ir film with an intervening, adjacent, tantalum (Ta) film has been found to very effective in suppressing diffusion between layers. The Ir prevents the interdiffusion of oxygen into the silicon during annealing. A Ta or TaN layer prevents the diffusion of Ir into the silicon. This Ir/TaN structure protects the silicon interface so that adhesion, conductance, hillock, and peeling problems are minimized. The use of Ti overlying the Ir/TaN structure also helps prevent hillock formation during annealing. A method of forming a multilayer Ir conductive structure and Ir ferroelectric electrode are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode in an integrated circuit includes preparing a silicon-base substrate, including forming semiconductor structures on the substrate to form an integrated substrate structure; depositing a layer of electrode material on a substrate structure; patterning the layer of electrode material to form electrode elements, wherein said patterning includes plasma etching the layer of electrode material in a plasma reactor in an etching gas atmosphere having a fluorine component therein; and cleaning the substrate structure and electrode elements in a distilled water bath.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a PGO spin-coating precursor solution includes utilizing the starting materials of lead acetate trihydrate (Pb(OAc)2•3H2O) and germanium alkoxide (Ge(OR)4(R=C2H5 and CH(CH3)2)). The organic solvent is di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether. The mixed solution of lead and di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether is heated in an atmosphere of air at a temperature no greater than 185° C., and preferably no greater than 190° C. for a time period in a range of thirty minutes to four hours. During the heating step the color of the solution is monitored to determine when the reaction is complete and when decomposition of the desired product begins to take place. The solution is then added to germanium di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether to make the PGO spin-coating solution. This second step also entails heating the solution to a temperature no greater than 190° C. for a time period in a range of 0.5 to 2.0 hours.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, and a method of manufacturing the same, comprises an epitaxial nickel silicide on (100) Si, or a stable nickel silicide on amorphous Si, fabricated with a cobalt interlayer. In one embodiment the method comprises depositing a cobalt (Co) interface layer between the Ni and Si layers prior to the silicidation reaction. The cobalt interlayer regulates the flux of the Ni atoms through the cobalt/nickel/silicon alloy layer formed from the reaction of the cobalt interlayer with the nickel and the silicon so that the Ni atoms reach the Si interface at a similar rate, i.e., without any orientation preference, so as to form a uniform layer of nickel silicide. The nickel silicide may be annealed to form a uniform crystalline nickel disilicide. Accordingly, a single crystal nickel silicide on (100) Si or on amorphous Si is achieved wherein the nickel silicide has improved stability and may be utilized in ultra-shallow junction devices.

Abstract: A thermally stable nickel germanosilicide on SiGe integrated circuit device, and a method of making the same, is disclosed. During fabrication of the device iridium or cobalt is added at the Ni/SiGe interface to decrease the sheet resistance of the device. The device comprising nickel silicide with iridium on SiGe shows thermal stability at temperatures up to 800° C. The device comprising nickel silicide with cobalt on SiGe shows a decrease in the sheet resistance with temperature, i.e., the resistance remains low when annealing temperatures extend up to and beyond 800° C.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode in an integrated circuit includes preparing a silicon-base substrate, including forming semiconductor structures on the substrate to form an integrated substrate structure; depositing a layer of electrode material on a substrate structure; patterning the layer of electrode material to form electrode elements, wherein said patterning includes plasma etching the layer of electrode material in a plasma reactor in an etching gas atmosphere having a fluorine component therein; and cleaning the substrate structure and electrode elements in a distilled water bath.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, and a method of manufacturing the same, comprises an epitaxial nickel silicide on (100) Si, or a stable nickel silicide on amorphous Si, fabricated with a cobalt interlayer. In one embodiment the method comprises depositing a cobalt (Co) interface layer between the Ni and Si layers prior to the silicidation reaction. The cobalt interlayer regulates the flux of the Ni atoms through the cobalt/nickel/silicon alloy layer formed from the reaction of the cobalt interlayer with the nickel and the silicon so that the Ni atoms reach the Si interface at a similar rate, i.e., without any orientation preference, so as to form a uniform layer of nickel silicide. The nickel silicide may be annealed to form a uniform crystalline nickel disilicide. Accordingly, a single crystal nickel silicide on (100) Si or on amorphous Si is achieved wherein the nickel silicide has improved stability and may be utilized in ultra-shallow junction devices.

Abstract: An Ir combination film has been provided that is useful in forming an electrode of a ferroelectric capacitor. The combination film includes tantalum and oxygen, as well as iridium. The Ir combination film effectively prevents oxygen diffusion, and is resistant to high temperature annealing in oxygen environments. When used with an underlying Ta or TaN layer, the resulting conductive barrier also suppresses to diffusion of Ir into any underlying Si substrates. As a result, Ir silicide products are not formed, which degrade the electrode interface characteristics. That is, the Ir combination film remains conductive, not peeling or forming hillocks, during high temperature annealing processes, even in oxygen. A method for forming an Ir composite film barrier layer and Ir composite film ferroelectric electrode are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, and a method of manufacturing the same, including nickel silicide on a silicon substrate fabricated with an iridium interlayer. In one embodiment the method comprises depositing an iridium (Ir) interface layer between the Ni and Si layers prior to the silicidation reaction. The thermal stability is much improved by adding the thin iridium layer. This is shown by the low junction leakage current of the ultra-shallow junction, and by the low sheet resistance of the silicide, even after annealing at 850° C.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric memory transistor using a lithographic process having an alignment tolerance of &dgr;, includes preparing a silicon substrate for construction of a ferroelectric gate unit; implanting boron ions to form a p-well in the substrate; isolating plural device areas on the substrate; forming a FE gate stack surround structure; etching the FE gate stack surround structure to form an opening having a width of L1 to expose the substrate in a gate region; depositing oxide to a thickness of between about 10 nm to 40 nm over the exposed substrate; forming a FE gate stack over the gate region, wherein the FE gate stack has a width of L2, wherein L2≧L1+2&dgr;; depositing a first insulating layer over the structure; implanting arsenic or phosphorous ions to form a source region and a drain region; annealing the structure; depositing a second insulating layer; and metallizing the structure.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a PGO spin-coating precursor solution includes utilizing the starting materials of lead acetate trihydrate (Pb(OAc)2.3H2O) and germanium alkoxide (Ge(OR)4(R=C2H5 and CH(CH3)2)). The organic solvent is di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether. The mixed solution of lead and di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether is heated in an atmosphere of air at a temperature no greater than 185° C., and preferably no greater than 190° C. for a time period in a range of thirty minutes to four hours. During the heating step the color of the solution is monitored to determine when the reaction is complete and when decomposition of the desired product begins to take place. The solution is then added to germanium di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether to make the PGO spin-coating solution. This second step also entails heating the solution to a temperature no greater than 190° C. for a time period in a range of 0.5 to 2.0 hours.

Abstract: A thin film structure includes a substantially single-phase, c-axis PGO film on an insulator for use in metal ferroelectric insulator semiconductor single transistor nonvolatile memory applications. The PGO on insulator structure can also be used in capacitors, pyroelectric infrared sensors, optical displays, optical switches, piezoelectric transducers, and surface acoustic wave devices. In a preferred embodiment, the PGO film is deposited on a Zirconium Oxide insulator layer.

Abstract: A rapid thermal process (RTP) provides steps wherein silicon wafers that are pre-coated with barrier metal films by either in-situ or ex-situ CVD or physical vapor deposition (PVD) are pre-treated, prior to deposition of a Cu film thereon, in a temperature range of between 250 and 550 degrees Celsius in a non-reactive gas such as hHydrogen gas (H2), argon (Ar), or helium (He), or in an ambient vacuum. The chamber pressure typically is between 0.1 mTorr and 20 Torr, and the RTP time typically is between 30 to 100 seconds. Performing this rapid thermal process before deposition of the Cu film results in a thin, shiny, densely nucleated, and adhesive Cu film deposited on a variety of barrier metal surfaces. The pre-treatment process eliminates variations in the deposited Cu film caused by Cu precursors and is insensitive to variation in precursor composition, volatility, and other precursor variables.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode and a ferroelectric thin film thereon, includes preparing a substrate; depositing an electrode on the substrate, wherein the electrode is formed of a material taken from the group of materials consisting of iridium and iridium composites; and forming a single-phase, c-axis PGO ferroelectric thin film thereon, wherein the ferroelectric thin film exhibits surface smoothness and uniform thickness.

Abstract: A thermally stable nickel germanosilicide on SiGe integrated circuit device, and a method of making the same, is disclosed. During fabrication of the device iridium or cobalt is added at the Ni/SiGe interface to decrease the sheet resistance of the device. The device comprising nickel silicide with iridium on SiGe shows thermal stability at temperatures up to 800° C. The device comprising nickel silicide with cobalt on SiGe shows a decrease in the sheet resistance with temperature, i.e., the resistance remains low when annealing temperatures extend up to and beyond 800° C.

Abstract: A thin film structure includes a substantially single-phase, c-axis PGO film on an insulator for use in metal ferroelectric insulator semiconductor single transistor non-volatile memory applications. The PGO on insulator structure can also be used in capacitors, pyroelectric infrared sensors, optical displays, optical switches, piezoelectric transducers, and surface acoustic wave devices. In a preferred embodiment, the PGO film is deposited on a Zirconium Oxide insulator layer.

Abstract: A conductive barrier, useful as a ferroelectric capacitor electrode, having high temperature stability has been provided. This conductive barrier permits the use of iridium (Ir) metal in IC processes involving annealing. Separating silicon substrate from Ir film with an intervening, adjacent, tantalum (Ta) film has been found to very effective in suppressing diffusion between layers. The Ir prevents the interdiffusion of oxygen into the silicon during annealing. A Ta or TaN layer prevents the diffusion of Ir into the silicon. This Ir/TaN structure protects the silicon interface so that adhesion, conductance, hillock, and peeling problems are minimized. The use of Ti overlying the Ir/TaN structure also helps prevent hillock formation during annealing. A method of forming a multilayer Ir conductive structure and Ir ferroelectric electrode are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a MOS or CMOS device on a silicon substrate, includes preparing a substrate to contain conductive regions having device active areas therein; forming a gate electrode on the active areas; depositing and forming a gate electrode sidewall insulator layer on each gate electrode; implanting ions of a first type to form a source region and a drain region in one active area and implanting ions of a second type to form a source region and a drain region in the other active area.