Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe capacitor stacks and methods for forming capacitor stacks. A first electrode is formed above a substrate. A dielectric layer is formed above the first electrode. The dielectric layer includes zirconium. A second electrode is formed above the dielectric layer. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes iridium.

Abstract: Methods for producing RRAM resistive switching elements having reduced forming voltage include doping to create oxygen deficiencies in the dielectric film. Oxygen deficiencies in a dielectric film promote formation of conductive pathways.

Abstract: Methods for producing RRAM resistive switching elements having reduced forming voltage include doping to create oxygen deficiencies in the dielectric film. Oxygen deficiencies in a dielectric film promote formation of conductive pathways.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to nonvolatile memory devices and methods for manufacturing such memory devices. The methods for forming improved memory devices, such as a ReRAM cells, provide optimized, atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming a metal oxide film stack which contains at least one hard metal oxide film (e.g., metal is completely oxidized or substantially oxidized) and at least one soft metal oxide film (e.g., metal is less oxidized than hard metal oxide). The soft metal oxide film is less electrically resistive than the hard metal oxide film since the soft metal oxide film is less oxidized or more metallic than the hard metal oxide film. In one example, the hard metal oxide film is formed by an ALD process utilizing ozone as the oxidizing agent while the soft metal oxide film is formed by another ALD process utilizing water vapor as the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Methods for producing RRAM resistive switching elements having reduced forming voltage include doping to create oxygen deficiencies in the dielectric film. Oxygen deficiencies in a dielectric film promote formation of conductive pathways.

Abstract: A nonvolatile resistive memory element includes a host oxide formed from an interfacial oxide layer. The interfacial oxide layer is formed on the surface of a deposited electrode layer via in situ or post-deposition surface oxidation treatments.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be used to form a dielectric layer of zirconium oxide for use in a variety of electronic devices. Forming the dielectric layer includes depositing zirconium oxide using atomic layer deposition. A method of atomic layer deposition to produce a metal-rich metal oxide comprises the steps of providing a silicon substrate in a reaction chamber, pulsing a zirconium precursor for a predetermined time to deposit a first layer, and oxidizing the first layer with water vapor to produce the metal-rich metal oxide. The metal-rich metal oxide has superior properties for non-volatile resistive-switching memories.

Abstract: A nonvolatile resistive memory element includes a host oxide formed from an interfacial oxide layer. The interfacial oxide layer is formed on the surface of a deposited electrode layer via in situ or post-deposition surface oxidation treatments. The switching performance of a resistive memory device based on such an interfacial oxide layer is equivalent or superior to the performance of a conventional resistive memory element.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be used to form a dielectric layer of zirconium oxide for use in a variety of electronic devices. Forming the dielectric layer includes depositing zirconium oxide using atomic layer deposition. A method of atomic layer deposition to produce a metal-rich metal oxide comprises the steps of providing a silicon substrate in a reaction chamber, pulsing a zirconium precursor for a predetermined time to deposit a first layer, and oxidizing the first layer with water vapor to produce the metal-rich metal oxide. The metal-rich metal oxide has superior properties for non-volatile resistive-switching memories.

Abstract: Methods for producing RRAM resistive switching elements having reduced forming voltage include doping to create oxygen deficiencies in the dielectric film. Oxygen deficiencies in a dielectric film promote formation of conductive pathways.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to nonvolatile memory devices and methods for manufacturing such memory devices. The methods for forming improved memory devices, such as a ReRAM cells, provide optimized, atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming a metal oxide film stack which contains at least one hard metal oxide film (e.g., metal is completely oxidized or substantially oxidized) and at least one soft metal oxide film (e.g., metal is less oxidized than hard metal oxide). The soft metal oxide film is less electrically resistive than the hard metal oxide film since the soft metal oxide film is less oxidized or more metallic than the hard metal oxide film. In one example, the hard metal oxide film is formed by an ALD process utilizing ozone as the oxidizing agent while the soft metal oxide film is formed by another ALD process utilizing water vapor as the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A method of making high-k dielectrics is provided. The method comprises providing a substrate having a high-k dielectric layer deposited thereon in a process chamber and introducing a nitrogen containing gas into the process chamber to incorporate nitrogen into the high-k dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the nitrogen containing gas is a nitrogen plasma gas from a source disposed outside the process chamber. The nitrogen plasma gas is introduced into the process chamber at a flow rate from 0 to about 5000 sccm over a time period of about 20 to 1800 seconds. In another embodiment, the process chamber is maintained at a pressure of about 1 to 100 Torr, and at a wafer temperature in the range of about 200° C.-700° C. The high-k dielectric film pre-deposited on the substrate can be formed by atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), jet vapor deposition (JVD), aerosol pyrolysis, and spin-coating.