Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of fabricating semiconductor structures are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing an initial semiconductor structure; forming a non-silicon layer overlying the initial semiconductor structure, the non-silicon layer having an extinction coefficient greater than zero at wavelengths below about 300 nanometers; and performing a plasma-based process to form a layer overlying the non-silicon layer, the non-silicon layer preventing the ultraviolet radiation generated during the plasma-based process from damaging the initial semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with an unlanded via having an air gap dielectric layer and a silicon-rich oxide (SRO) inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer, and a method of making the same are provided. The SRO layer acts as an etch-stop layer to prevent unlanded via penetration completely through the IMD layer. In addition, the SRO has a higher extinction coefficient (k) than conventional high-density plasma (HDP) oxide layers, thereby preventing plasma etch damage and excessive void formation in an unlanded via.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductors, and more specifically to semiconductor memory device structures and an improved fabrication process for making the same. The improved fabrication process allows the self-aligned contacts and local interconnects to the processed simultaneously. The process allows the minimal distance requirement between the self-aligned contacts and the local interconnects to be widened, which makes the patterning of self-aligned contacts and local interconnects easier. The widened minimal distance requirement also allows further memory cell shrinkage. The improved structures of self-aligned contacts and local interconnects also have excellent isolation characteristic.

Abstract: A nitride read only memory comprises a selectively grown, epitaxial, shunt silicon layer (shunt layer) that reduces the bit line sheet resistance and increases bit line mobility. The shunt layer can be grown by a in situ, P-doped deposit at high temperature. A bit line interface without native oxide and excellent electron mobility can be achieved using the methods for selective epitaxial growth described herein.

Abstract: A novel cleaning method for preventing defects and particles resulting from post tungsten etch back or tungsten chemical mechanical polish is provided. The cleaning method comprises providing a stack structure of a semiconductor device including a tungsten plug in a dielectric layer. The tungsten plug has a top excess portion. A surface of the stack structure is then contacted with a cleaning solution comprising hydrogen peroxide. Next, the surface of the stack structure is contacted with dilute hydrofluoric acid. The cleaning solution and hydrofluoric acid are capable of removing the top excess portion and particles on the surface of the stack structure.

Abstract: A method for symmetric deposition of metal layer over a metal layer registration key comprises using MOCVD to form the metal layer. Once the symmetric metal layer is formed, a metal layer registration key can be accurately detected and the metal layer registration key overlay shift can be improved.

Abstract: A process for forming an ARC layer in the fabrication of a semiconductor device comprises forming a modified ARC layer that increases the resistance to crown defects and bridging and also provides better adhesion for the ARC layer with the underlying metal layer. The modified ARC layer can comprise two titanium nitride ARC layers, a titanium nitride/titanium/titanium nitride sandwich structure, a modified titanium nitride layer, or an extended thickness titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure comprises a trapping layer that includes a plurality of silicon-rich, silicon nitride layers. Each of the plurality of silicon-rich, silicon nitride layers can trap charge and thereby increase the density of memory structures formed using the methods described herein. In one aspect, the plurality of silicon-rich, silicon nitride layers are fabricated by converting an amorphous silicon layer by remote plasma nitrogen (RPN).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a first layer over a wafer substrate, providing a polysilicon layer over the first layer, implanting nitrogen ions into the polysilicon layer, forming a polycide layer over the polysilicon layer, and forming source and drain regions.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a first insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a floating gate over the first insulating layer with a reaction gas, wherein the floating gate comprises a microcrystalline material having a grain size of about 50–300 ?, forming a second insulating layer over the floating gate, and forming a control gate over the second insulating layer.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a flash memory, a tunneling dielectric layer, a first conductive layer and a mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate to form a gate structure. Buried source/drain regions are then formed in the substrate between the strips. The strips are further patterned into floating gate structures. An insulation layer is formed sideways adjacent to the gate structure. The insulation layer has a top surface lower than a top surface of the first conductive layer of the gate structure. The mask layer is removed, and an additional conductive layer is formed on the first conductive layer in a manner to extend over the adjacent insulation layer. The first and additional conductive layers form a floating gate. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the floating gate, and a control gate is formed on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A fabrication method for a shallow trench isolation region is described. A part of the trench is filled with a first insulation layer, followed by performing a surface treatment process to form a surface treated layer on the surface of a part of the first insulation layer. The surface treated layer is then removed, followed by forming a second insulation layer on the first insulation layer and filling the trench to form a shallow trench isolation region. Since a part of the trench is first filled with the first insulation layer, followed by removing a portion of the first insulation layer, the aspect ratio of the trench is lower before the filling of the second insulation in the trench. The adverse result, such as, void formation in the shallow trench isolation region due to a high aspect ratio, is thus prevented.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a first insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a floating gate over the first insulating layer with a reaction gas, wherein the floating gate comprises a microcrystalline material having a grain size of about 50-300 ?, forming a second insulating layer over the floating gate, and forming a control gate over the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a flash memory device is provided. First, a substrate partitioned into a memory cell region and a peripheral circuit region is provided. A tunnel dielectric layer is formed over the memory cell region and a liner layer is formed over the peripheral circuit region. Thereafter, a patterned gate conductive layer is formed over the substrate. An inter-gate dielectric layer and a passivation layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. The passivation layer, the inter-gate dielectric layer, the gate conductive layer and the liner layer over the peripheral circuit region are removed. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the peripheral circuit region while the passivation layer over the memory cell region is converted into an oxide layer. Another conductive layer is formed over the substrate. The conductive layer, the oxide layer, the inter-gate dielectric layer and the gate conductive layer over the memory cell region are patterned to form a memory gate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises the steps of providing a semiconductor wafer including a patterned layer, forming a first insulating layer over the patterned layer of the semiconductor wafer, the first insulating layer including a first index of refraction, forming a second insulating layer over the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer including a second index of refraction smaller than the first index of refraction, removing the second insulating layer by a planarizing process, and detecting a change in index of refraction during the planarizing process.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a flash memory, a tunneling dielectric layer, a first conductive layer and a mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate to form a gate structure. Buried source/drain regions are then formed in the substrate between the strips. The strips are further patterned into floating gate structures. An insulation layer is formed sideways adjacent to the gate structure. The insulation layer has a top surface lower than a top surface of the first conductive layer of the gate structure. The mask layer is removed, and an additional conductive layer is formed on the first conductive layer in a manner to extend over the adjacent insulation layer. The first and additional conductive layers form a floating gate. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the floating gate, and a control gate is formed on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a flash memory. A tunneling dielectric layer, a conductive layer and a mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. The mask layer, the conductive layer and the tunneling dielectric layer are patterned to form longitudinally arranged strips on the substrate. Buried drain regions are then formed in the substrate between the strips. The strips are further patterned into floating gate structures. An insulation layer is formed on perimeters of the floating gate structures. The insulation layer has a top surface lower than a top surface of the conductive layer of the floating gate structures, such that a part of sidewalls of the conductive layer is exposed. The mask layer is removed, a gate dielectric layer is formed on the exposed conductive layer, and a control gate is formed on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for mitigating defect formation in a phosphosilicate glass layer of a semiconductor device includes forming an oxide cap upon the phosphosilicate glass layer via a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a silicon oxide/silicon nitride/silicon oxide stacked layer structure is described. A bottom oxide layer is formed over a substrate. A surface treatment is then performed on the first silicon oxide layer to form an interface layer over the bottom oxide layer. The surface treatment is conducted in a nitrogen ambient. Thereafter, a silicon nitride layer is formed over the interface layer, followed by forming an upper silicon oxide layer over the silicon nitride layer.

Abstract: A method of filling intervals between protruding structures is provided. A substrate with a plurality of protruding structures thereon is provided. The protruding structures are distributed over the substrate such that intervals are formed between adjacent protruding structures. A first dielectric layer is formed over the substrate so that the dielectric material fills the intervals between the protruding structures and covers the protruding structures as well. The first dielectric layer has a plurality of apertures therein located at a level above a top section of the protruding structures. A chemical/mechanical polishing operation is performed to remove a portion of the dielectric layer and expose the apertures to form a plurality of openings. An anisotropic etching operation is performed to increase the width of these openings. Finally, a second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer to fill the openings completely.