Abstract: A memory cell system including providing a substrate, forming a charge-storing stack having silicon-rich nitride on the substrate, and forming a gate on the charge-storing stack.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a semiconductor FIN structure with smooth sidewalls and rounded top corners and edges is disclosed. A method includes forming a plurality of semiconductor FIN structures. A sacrificial oxide layer is formed on the top surface and the sidewall surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor FIN structures for rounding the corners and edges between the top surfaces and the sidewall surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor FIN structures. The sacrificial oxide layer is removed with a high selectivity oxide etchant. The plurality of semiconductor FIN structures are annealed in a hydrogen environment. A tunnel oxide is formed over the plurality of semiconductor FIN structures.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing a zero angstrom oxide interface dual poly gate structure for a flash memory device. An exemplary method can include removing an oxide on a surface of a first poly layer and forming a second poly layer on the first poly layer in a same processing chamber. A transfer of the structure is not needed from an oxide removal tool to, for example, a poly layer formation tool, an implant tool, and the like. As a result, impurities containing a silicon oxide caused by exposure of the first poly layer to an oxygen-containing atmosphere do not form at the interface of the first and second poly layers.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a semiconductor FIN structure with smooth sidewalls and rounded top corners and edges is disclosed. A method includes forming a plurality of semiconductor FIN structures. A sacrificial oxide layer is formed on the top surface and the sidewall surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor FIN structures for rounding the corners and edges between the top surfaces and the sidewall surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor FIN structures. The sacrificial oxide layer is removed with a high selectivity oxide etchant. The plurality of semiconductor FIN structures are annealed in a hydrogen environment. A tunnel oxide is formed over the plurality of semiconductor FIN structures.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing a zero angstrom oxide interface dual poly gate structure for a flash memory device. An exemplary method can include removing an oxide on a surface of a first poly layer and forming a second poly layer on the first poly layer in a same processing chamber. A transfer of the structure is not needed from an oxide removal tool to, for example, a poly layer formation tool, an implant tool, and the like. As a result, impurities containing a silicon oxide caused by exposure of the first poly layer to an oxygen-containing atmosphere do not form at the interface of the first and second poly layers.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing a zero angstrom oxide interface dual poly gate structure for a semiconductor device. An exemplary method can include removing an oxide from a surface of a first poly layer and forming a second poly layer on the first poly layer in a processing chamber. A transfer of the structure is not needed from an oxide removal tool to, for example, a poly layer formation tool, an implant tool, and the like. As a result, impurities containing a silicon oxide caused by exposure of the first poly layer to an oxygen-containing atmosphere do not form at the interface of the first and second poly layers.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a structure, for example a flash memory cell, comprises a transistor gate dielectric stack situated on a semiconductor substrate. The transistor gate dielectric stack includes a bottom oxide layer, a silicon-rich nitride layer situated on the bottom oxide layer, a low silicon-rich nitride layer situated on the silicon-rich nitride layer, and a top oxide layer situated on the low silicon-rich nitride layer. This embodiment results in a nitride based flash memory cell having improved program speed and retention while maintaining a high erase speed. In another embodiment, a flash memory cell may further comprise a high-K dielectric layer situated on the transistor gate dielectric stack.

Abstract: A process to deposit a silicon dioxide layer on a silicon nitride layer for an ONO stack of a floating gate transistor. Silicon dioxide is deposited on a silicon nitride layer and annealed in a batch furnace or a single wafer rapid thermal anneal tool in a nitrogen oxide (NO) or nitrous oxide (N2O) ambient environment.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a semiconductor device, including providing a semiconductor substrate; depositing on the semiconductor substrate a layer of a high-K gate dielectric material; depositing on the gate dielectric material layer a polysilicon or polysilicon-germanium gate electrode layer, in which the step of depositing the polysilicon or polysilicon-germanium gate electrode layer includes providing non-reducing conditions in a CVD apparatus.

Abstract: A process for growing an ultra-thin dielelctric layer for use as a MOSFET gate or a tunnel oxide for EEPROM's is described. A silicon oxynitride layer, with peaks in nitrogen concentration at the wafer-oxynitride interface and at the oxynitride surface and with low nitrogen concentration in the oxynitride bulk, is formed by a series of anneals in nitric oxide and nitrous oxide gas. This process provides precise thickness control, improved interface structure, low density electron traps, and impedes dopant impurity diffusion from/to the dielelctric and substrate. The process is easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes, and adds little increased costs.

Abstract: A process for growing an ultra-thin dielectric layer for use as a MOSFET gate oxide or a tunnel oxide for EEPROM's is described. A silicon oxynitride layer, with peaks in nitrogen concentration at the wafer-oxynitride interface and at the oxynitride surface and with low nitrogen concentration in the oxynitride bulk, is formed by a series of anneals in nitric oxide and nitrous oxide gas. This process provides precise thickness control, improved interface structure, low density of electron traps, and impedes dopant impurity diffusion from/to the dielectric and substrate. The process is easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes, and adds little increased costs.