Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a portion of a transistor structure. A substrate is provided, and a transistor gate is formed over the substrate. The transistor gate has a sidewall. A silicon oxide is deposited over a portion of the substrate proximate the transistor gate by high density plasma deposition. A spacer is formed over the silicon oxide and along the sidewall of the transistor gate. The invention also encompasses a method of oxidizing a portion of a conductive structure. Additionally, the invention encompasses transistor gate structures, as well as structures comprising memory array and peripheral circuitry.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.

Abstract: A double blanket ion implant method for forming diffusion regions in memory array devices, such as a MOSFET access device is disclosed. The method provides a semiconductor substrate with a gate structure formed on its surface. Next, a first pair of diffusion regions are formed in a region adjacent to the channel region by a first blanket ion implantation process. The first blanket ion implantation process has a first energy level and dose. The device is subjected to oxidizing conditions, which form oxidized sidewalls on the gate structure. A second blanket ion implantation process is conducted at the same location as the first ion implantation process adding additional dopant to the diffusion regions. The second blanket ion implantation process has a second energy level and dose. The resultant diffusion regions provide the device with improved static refresh performance over prior art devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.

Abstract: The invention is a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate, a method of forming DRAM circuitry, DRAM circuitry, a method of forming a field emission device, and a field emission device. In one aspect, a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate includes positioning a semiconductor substrate within a chemical vapor deposition reactor. Ammonia and at least one of triethylaluminum and trimethylaluminum are fed to the reactor while the substrate is at a temperature of about 500° C. or less and at a reactor pressure from about 100 mTorr to about 725 Torr effective to deposit a layer comprising aluminum nitride over the substrate at such temperature and reactor pressure. In one aspect, such layer is utilized as a cell dielectric layer in DRAM circuitry. In one aspect, such layer is deposited over emitters of a field emission display.

Abstract: This invention embodies an improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. Ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduce the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: This invention embodies an improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. Ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduce the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An electropolishing process for high resolution patterning of noble metals, such as platinum, for forming various semiconductor devices, such as capacitors or wiring patterns is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for removing material from discrete areas on a semiconductor wafer are described. In one implementation, an etchant applicator is provided having a tip portion. Liquid etchant material is suspended proximate the tip portion and the etchant applicator is moved, together with the suspended liquid, sufficiently close to a discrete area on a wafer to transfer liquid etchant onto the discrete area. In various embodiments the tip portion can comprise fluid permeable materials, fluid-absorbent materials, and/or wick assemblies. An exhaust outlet can be provided operably proximate the tip portion for removing material from over the wafer. The tip portion can be moved to touch the discrete area.

Abstract: The invention is a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate, a method of forming DRAM circuitry, DRAM circuitry, a method of forming a field emission device, and a field emission device. In one aspect, a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate includes positioning a semiconductor substrate within a chemical vapor deposition reactor. Ammonia and at least one of triethylaluminum and trimethylaluminum are fed to the reactor while the substrate is at a temperature of about 500° C. or less and at a reactor pressure from about 100 mTorr to about 725 Torr effective to deposit a layer comprising aluminum nitride over the substrate at such temperature and reactor pressure. In one aspect, such layer is utilized as a cell dielectric layer in DRAM circuitry. In one aspect, such layer is deposited over emitters of a field emission display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for removing material from discrete areas on a semiconductor wafer are described. In one implementation, an etchant applicator is provided having a tip portion. Liquid etchant material is suspended proximate the tip portion and the etchant applicator is moved, together with the suspended liquid, sufficiently close to a discrete area on a wafer to transfer liquid etchant onto the discrete area. In various embodiments the tip portion can comprise fluid permeable materials, fluid-absorbent materials, and/or wick assemblies. An exhaust outlet can be provided operably proximate the tip portion for removing material from over the wafer. The tip portion can be moved to touch the discrete area.

Abstract: A method of patterning a metal layer includes masking a first portion of a metal layer while leaving a second portion of the metal layer unmasked over a substrate. With the masking in place, the second portion is reacted with silicon to form a metal silicide from the metal layer. The metal silicide is removed from the substrate while substantially leaving the first portion on the substrate. The masking is removed from the substrate. A method of patterning a metal layer includes depositing and patterning a silicon comprising layer over a substrate. A metal layer is formed over the patterned silicon comprising layer, and includes a portion extending to elevationally inward of the metal layer. Metal of the metal layer is reacted with silicon of the silicon layer to form a metal silicide and leave at least some of the portion unreacted. The metal silicide is removed from the substrate while substantially leaving the unreacted portion of the metal layer on the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.

Abstract: The invention is a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate, a method of forming DRAM circuitry, DRAM circuitry, a method of forming a field emission device, and a field emission device. In one aspect, a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate includes positioning a semiconductor substrate within a chemical vapor deposition reactor. Ammonia and at least one of triethylaluminum and trimethylaluminum are fed to the reactor while the substrate is at a temperature of about 500° C. or less and at a reactor pressure from about 100 mTorr to about 725 Torr effective to deposit a layer comprising aluminum nitride over the substrate at such temperature and reactor pressure. In one aspect, such layer is utilized as a cell dielectric layer in DRAM circuitry. In one aspect, such layer is deposited over emitters of a field emission display.

Abstract: This invention embodies an improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. Ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduce the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a portion of a transistor structure. A substrate is provided, and a transistor gate is formed over the substrate. The transistor gate has a sidewall. A silicon oxide is deposited over a portion of the substrate proximate the transistor gate by high density plasma deposition. A spacer is formed over the silicon oxide and along the sidewall of the transistor gate. The invention also encompasses a method of oxidizing a portion of a conductive structure. Additionally, the invention encompasses transistor gate structures, as well as structures comprising memory array and peripheral circuitry.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuitry memory device. In one preferred implementation, a conductive layer is formed over both memory array areas and peripheral circuitry areas. A refractory metal layer is formed over the conductive layer to provide conductive structure in both areas. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer which is formed over the memory array provides an electrical contact for a capacitor container to be formed. According to another preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer formed over the peripheral circuitry area constitutes a conductive line which includes at least some of the silicide. In another preferred implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a capacitor container over a substrate. According to a preferred aspect of this is implementation, a conductive layer is elevationally interposed between an upper insulating layer and a lower conductive layer over the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuitry memory device. In one preferred implementation, a conductive layer is formed over both memory array areas and peripheral circuitry areas. A refractory metal layer is formed over the conductive layer to provide conductive structure in both areas. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer which is formed over the memory array provides an electrical contact for a capacitor container to be formed. According to another preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer formed over the peripheral circuitry area constitutes a conductive line which includes at least some of the silicide. In another preferred implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a capacitor container over a substrate. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, a conductive layer is elevationally interposed between an upper insulating layer and a lower conductive layer over the substrate.