Abstract: A nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer completely covers the surface area over a memory capacitor and a MOSFET switch of an integrated circuit memory cell. The nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer and a conductive diffusion barrier beneath the capacitor together provide a continuous diffusion barrier between the capacitor and a switch. Also, the nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer and the conductive diffusion barrier continuously envelop the capacitor, in particular a ferroelectric thin film in the capacitor. Preferably, a nonconductive “buried” diffusion barrier layer is disposed over an extended area, providing a continuous diffusion barrier between the capacitor and the switch. A preferred fabrication method comprises forming a thin stack-electrode layer on a capacitor dielectric layer, and then etching the substrate to form self-aligning capacitor stacks.

Abstract: A first reactant gas is flowed into a CVD reaction chamber containing a heated integrated circuit substrate. The first reactant gas contains a first precursor compound or a plurality of first precursor compounds, and the first precursor compound or compounds decompose in the CVD reaction chamber to deposit a coating containing metal atoms on the heated integrated circuit substrate. The coating is treated by RTP. Thereafter, a second reactant gas is flowed into a CVD reaction chamber containing the heated substrate. The second reactant gas contains a second precursor compound or a plurality of second precursor compounds, which decompose in the CVD reaction chamber to deposit more metal atoms on the substrate. Heat for reaction and crystallization of the deposited metal atoms to form a thin film of layered superlattice material is provided by heating the substrate during CVD deposition, as well as by selected rapid thermal processing (“RTP”) and furnace annealing steps.

Abstract: A nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer is deposited on a substrate and completely covers the surface area over a memory capacitor and a MOSFET switch of an integrated circuit memory cell. A portion of an insulator layer adjacent to the bottom electrode of a memory capacitor is removed by etching to form a moat region. A nonconductive oxygen barrier layer is deposited to cover the sidewall and bottom of the moat. The nonconductive oxygen barrier layer and a conductive diffusion barrier beneath the capacitor together provide a substantially continuous diffusion barrier between the capacitor and a switch. Also, the nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer, the nonconductive oxygen barrier, and the conductive diffusion barrier substantially completely envelop the capacitor, in particular a ferroelectric thin film in the capacitor.

Abstract: A first reactant gas is flowed into a CVD reaction chamber containing a heated integrated circuit substrate. The first reactant gas contains a first precursor compound or a plurality of first precursor compounds, and the first precursor compound or compounds decompose in the CVD reaction chamber to deposit a coating containing metal atoms on the heated integrated circuit substrate. The coating is treated by RTP. Thereafter, a second reactant gas is flowed into a CVD reaction chamber containing the heated substrate. The second reactant gas contains a second precursor compound or a plurality of second precursor compounds, which decompose in the CVD reaction chamber to deposit more metal atoms on the substrate. Heat for reaction and crystallization of the deposited metal atoms to form a thin film of layered superlattice material is provided by heating the substrate during CVD deposition, as well as by selected rapid thermal processing (“RTP”) and furnace annealing steps.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a layered superlattice material including one or more of the elements cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. These elements may either be A-site elements or superlattice generator elements in the layered superlattice material. In one embodiment, one or more of these elements substitute for bismuth in a bismuth layered material. They also are preferably used in combination with one or more of the following elements: strontium, calcium, barium, bismuth, cadmium, lead, titanium, tantalum, hafnium, tungsten, niobium, zirconium, bismuth, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, antimony, chromium, thallium, oxygen, chlorine, and fluorine. Some of these materials are ferroelectrics that crystallize at relatively low temperatures and are applied in ferroelectric non-volatile memories.

Abstract: A nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer is deposited on a substrate and completely covers the surface area over a memory capacitor and a MOSFET switch of an integrated circuit memory cell. A portion of an insulator layer adjacent to the bottom electrode of a memory capacitor is removed by etching to form a moat region. A nonconductive oxygen barrier layer is deposited to cover the sidewall and bottom of the moat. The nonconductive oxygen barrier layer and a conductive diffusion barrier beneath the capacitor together provide a substantially continuous diffusion barrier between the capacitor and a switch. Also, the nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer, the nonconductive oxygen barrier, and the conductive diffusion barrier substantially completely envelop the capacitor, in particular a ferroelectric thin film in the capacitor.

Abstract: A thin film of precursor for forming a layered superlattice material is applied to an integrated circuit substrate, then a strong oxidizing agent is applied at low temperature in a range of from 100° C. to 300° C. to the precursor thin film, thereby forming a metal oxide thin film. The strong oxidizing agent may be liquid or gaseous. An example of a liquid strong oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide. An example of a gaseous strong oxidizing agent is ozone. The metal oxide thin film is crystallized by annealing at elevated temperature in a range of from 500° C. to 700° C., preferably not exceeding 650° C., for a time period in a range of from 30 minutes to two hours. Annealing is conducted in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, preferably including water vapor. Treatment by ultraviolet (UV) radiation may precede annealing. RTP in a range of from 500° C. to 700° C. may precede annealing.

Abstract: A nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer completely covers the surface area over a memory capacitor and a MOSFET switch of an integrated circuit memory cell. The nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer and a conductive diffusion barrier beneath the capacitor together provide a continuous diffusion barrier between the capacitor and a switch. Also, the nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer and the conductive diffusion barrier continuously envelop the capacitor, in particular a ferroelectric thin film in the capacitor. Preferably, a nonconductive “buried” diffusion barrier layer is disposed over an extended area, providing a continuous diffusion barrier between the capacitor and the switch. A preferred fabrication method comprises forming a thin stack-electrode layer on a capacitor dielectric layer, and then etching the substrate to form self-aligning capacitor stacks.

Abstract: A hydrogen diffusion barrier in an integrated circuit is located to inhibit diffusion of hydrogen to a thin film of a metal oxide, such as a ferroelectric layered superlattice material, in an integrated circuit. The hydrogen diffusion barrier comprises at least one of the following chemical compounds: strontium tantalate, bismuth tantalate, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide and aluminum oxide. The hydrogen barrier layer is amorphous and is made by a MOCVD process at a temperature of 450° C. or less. A supplemental hydrogen barrier layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride and a crystalline form of one of said hydrogen barrier layer materials is formed adjacent to said hydrogen diffusion barrier.

Abstract: A first reactant gas is flowed into a CVD reaction chamber containing a heated integrated circuit substrate. The first reactant gas contains a first precursor compound or a plurality of first precursor compounds, and the first precursor compound or compounds decompose in the CVD reaction chamber to deposit a coating containing metal atoms on the heated integrated circuit substrate. The coating is treated by RTP. Thereafter, a second reactant gas is flowed into a CVD reaction chamber containing the heated substrate. The second reactant gas contains a second precursor compound or a plurality of second precursor compounds, which decompose in the CVD reaction chamber to deposit more metal atoms on the substrate. Heat for reaction and crystallization of the deposited metal atoms to form a thin film of layered superlattice material is provided by heating the substrate during CVD deposition, as well as by selected rapid thermal processing (“RTP”) and furnace annealing steps.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a layered superlattice material having the formula A1w1+a1A2w2+a2 . . . Ajwj+ajS1x1+s1S2x2+s2 . . . Skxk+skB1y1+b1B2y2+b2 . . . Blyl+blQz−q, where A1, A2 . . . Aj represent A-site elements in a perovskite-like structure, S1, S2 . . . Sk represent superlattice generator elements, B1, B2 . . . B1 represent B-site elements in a perovskite-like structure, Q represents an anion, the superscripts indicate the valences of the respective elements, the subscripts indicate the number of atoms of the element in the unit cell, and at least w1 and y1 are non-zero. Some of these materials are extremely low fatigue ferroelectrics and are applied in ferroelectric FETs in non-volatile memories. Others are high dielectric constant materials that do not degrade or break down over long periods of use and are applied as the gate insulator in volatile memories.

Abstract: A method of forming a Bi-layered superlattice material on a substrate using chemical vapor deposition of a precursor solution of trimethylbismuth and a metal compound dissolved in an organic solvent. The precursor solution is heated and vaporized prior to deposition of the precursor solution on an integrated circuit substrate by chemical vapor deposition. No heating steps including a temperature of 650° C. or higher are used.

Abstract: A high dielectric constant insulator including a thin film of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of tungsten-bronze-type oxides, pyrochlore-type oxides, and combinations of Bi2O3 with an oxide selected from the group consisting of perovskites and pyrochlore-type oxides. An embodiment contains metal oxides represented by the general stoichiometric formulas AB2O6, A2B2O7 and A2Bi2B2O10, wherein A represents A-site atoms selected from the group of metals consisting of Ba, Bi, Sr, Pb, Ca, K, Na and La; and B represents B-site atoms selected from the group of metals consisting of Ti, Zr, Ta, Hf, Mo, W and Nb. Preferably, the metal oxides are (BaxSr1−x)(TayNb1−y)2O6, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0; (BaxSr1−x)2(TayNb1−y)2O7, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0; and (BaxSr1−x)2Bi2(TayNby−1)2O10, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0. Thin films according to the invention have a relative dielectric constant ≧40, and preferably about 100.

Abstract: A high dielectric constant insulator including a thin film of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of tungsten-bronze-type oxides, pyrochlore-type oxides, and combinations of Bi2O3 with an oxide selected from the group consisting of perovskites and pyrochlore-type oxides. An embodiment contains metal oxides represented by the general stoichiometric formulas AB2O6, A2B2O7 and A2Bi2B2O10, wherein A represents A-site atoms selected from the group of metals consisting of Ba, Bi, Sr, Pb, Ca, K, Na and La; and B represents B-site atoms selected from the group of metals consisting of Ti, Zr, Ta, Hf, Mo, W and Nb. Preferably, the metal oxides are (BaxSr1−x)(TayNb1−y)2O6, where 0≦y≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0; (BaxSr1−x)2(TayNB1−y)2O7, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0; and (BaxSr1−x)2(TayNb1−y)2O10, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0. Thin films according to the invention have a relative dielectric constant ≳40, and preferably about 100.

Abstract: A venturi mist generator creates a mist comprising droplets having a mean diameter less than one micron from liquid precursors containing multi-metal polyalkoxide compounds. The mist is mixed and then passed into a gasifier where the mist droplets are gasified at a temperature of between 100° C. and 250° C., which is lower than the temperature at which the precursor compounds decompose. The gasified precursor compounds are transported by carrier gas through insulated tubing at ambient temperature to prevent both condensation and premature decomposition. The gasified precursors are mixed with oxidant gas, and the gaseous reactant mixture is injected through a showerhead inlet into a deposition reactor in which a substrate is heated at a temperature of from 300° C. to 600 ° C. The gasified precursors decompose at the substrate and form a thin film of solid material on the substrate. The thin film is treated at elevated temperatures of from 500° C. to 900° C.

Abstract: A high dielectric constant insulator including a thin film of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of tungsten-bronze-type oxides, pyrochlore-type oxides, and combinations of Bi2O3 with an oxide selected from the group consisting of perovskites and pyrochlore-type oxides. An embodiment contains metal oxides represented by the general stoichiometric formulas AB2O6, A2B2O7 and A2Bi2B2O10, wherein A represents A-site atoms selected from the group of metals consisting of Ba, Bi, Sr, Pb, Ca, K, Na and La; and B represents B-site atoms selected from the group of metals consisting of Ti, Zr, Ta, Hf, Mo, W and Nb. Preferably, the metal oxides are (BaxSr1−x)(TayNb1−y)2O6, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0; (BaxSr1−x)2(TayNb1−Y)2O7, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0; and (BaxSr1−x)2Bi2(TayNb1−y)2O10, where 0≦x≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1.0. Thin films according to the invention have a relative dielectric constant ≧40, and preferably about 100.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory includes a plurality of memory cells each containing a ferroelectric thin film including a microscopically composite material having a ferroelectric material component and a fluxor material component, the fluxor material being a different chemical compound than the ferroelectric material. The fluxor is a material having a higher crystallization velocity than the ferroelectric material. The addition of the fluxor permits a ferroelectric thin film to be crystalized at a temperature of between 400° C. and 550° C.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a thin film of bismuth-containing layered superlattice material having a thickness not exceeding 100 nm, a capping layer thin film of bismuth tantalate, and an electrode. The capping layer has a thickness in a range of from 3 nm to 30 nm and is deposited between the thin film of layered superlattice material and the electrode to increase dielectric breakdown voltage. Preferably the capping layer contains an excess amount of bismuth relative to the stoichiometrically balanced amount represented by the balanced stoichiometric formula BiTaO4. Preferably, the layered superlattice material is ferroelectric SBT or SBTN. Preferably, the integrated circuit device is a nonvolatile ferroelectric memory. Heating treatments for fabrication of the integrated circuit device containing the bismuth tantalate capping layerare conducted at temperatures not exceeding 700° C., preferably in a range of from 650° C. to 700° C.

Abstract: A liquid precursor for forming a layered superlattice material is applied to an integrated circuit substrate. The precursor coating is annealed in oxygen using a rapid ramping anneal (“RRA”) technique with a ramping rate of 50° C./second at a hold temperature of 650° C. for a holding time of 30 minutes.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed containing a metal-oxide ferroelectric thin film. An inert-gas recovery anneal is conducted to reverse the degradation of ferroelectric properties caused by hydrogen. The inert-gas recovery anneal is conducted in an unreactive gas atmosphere at a temperature range from 300° to 1000° C. for a time period from one minute to two hours. Preferably, the metal-oxide thin film comprises layered superlattice material. Preferably, the layered superlattice material comprises strontium bismuth tantalate or strontium bismuth tantalum niobate. If the integrated circuit manufacture includes a forming-gas anneal, then the inert-gas recovery anneal is performed after the forming-gas anneal, preferably at or near the same temperature and for the same time duration as the forming-gas anneal.