Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a one-step process for forming a transition metal aluminum oxynitride layer over a transition metal aluminum nitride layer. The transition metal aluminum nitride layer is sputter deposited using a transition metal/aluminum target in an atmosphere containing nitrogen. Subsequently, the oxygen content of the atmosphere is increased, whereby the transition metal aluminum oxynitride layer can be deposited without interrupting the process or otherwise reconditioning the target. Another aspect of the invention relates to depositing a transition metal aluminum nitride layer over a transition metal aluminum oxynitride layer by reducing the oxygen content of the atmosphere. The invention provides a one-step process for depositing a hard mask layer and upper diffusion barrier layer for the capacitor stack of a FeRAM. A top electrode, such as an Ir/IrO electrode, can be deposited as part of the one-step process.

Abstract: A method for etching a feature in a platinum layer 834 overlying a second material 818 without substantially etching the second material. The method includes the the steps of: forming an adhesion-promoting layer 824 between the platinum layer and the second material; forming a hardmask layer 829 over the platinum layer; patterning and etching the hardmask layer in accordance with desired dimensions of the feature; and etching portions of the platinum layer not covered by the hardmask layer 832, the etching stopping on the adhesion-promoting layer. In further embodiments the adhesion-promoting and hardmask layers are Ti—Al—N including at least 1% of aluminum.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a method of fabricating a ferroelectric capacitor which is situated over a structure, the method comprising the steps of: forming a bottom electrode on the structure (124 of FIG. 1), the bottom electrode having a top surface and sides; forming a capacitor dielectric (126 of FIG. 1) comprised of a ferroelectric material on the bottom electrode, the capacitor dielectric having a top surface and sides; forming a top electrode (128 and 130 of FIG. 1) on the capacitor dielectric, the top electrode having a top surface and sides, the ferroelectric capacitor is comprised of the bottom electrode, the capacitor dielectric, and the top electrode; forming a barrier layer (118 and 120 of FIG.

Abstract: A via etch to contact a capacitor with ferroelectric between electrodes together with dielectric on an insulating diffusion barrier includes two-step etch with F-based dielectric etch and Cl- and F-based barrier etch.

Abstract: A versatile system for forming diffusion barriers in semiconductor processing that simplifies device processing, utilizing existing production compounds and materials while resulting in uniform and proper device structuring, is disclosed, providing a system using a reactive plasma to selectively form diffusion barriers and provide selective oxidation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a ferroelectric capacitor formed over a semiconductor substrate, the ferroelectric capacitor comprising: a bottom electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate, the bottom electrode comprised of a bottom electrode material (304 of FIG. 4a); a top electrode formed over the bottom electrode and comprised of a first electrode material (306and 308 of FIG. 4a); a ferroelectric material (306 of FIG. 4a) situated between the top electrode and the bottom electrode; and a hardmask formed on the top electrode and comprising a bottom hardmask layer (402 of FIG. 4a) and a top hardmask layer (408 of FIG.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric capacitor is disclosed. The method comprises the patterning of a top electrode layer and a dielectric layer to form a capacitor stack structure having sidewalls associated therewith. Prior to patterning the bottom electrode layer, a protective film is formed on the sidewalls of the capacitor stack structure in order to protect the dielectric material from conductive contaminants associated with a subsequent patterning of the bottom electrode layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric capacitor is disclosed. The method comprises the decreases a reduction in a bottom electrode material during formation of the ferroelectric dielectric portion of the capacitor. In the above manner, a fatigue resistance of the ferroelectric capacitor is increased substantially.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ferroelectric capacitor is disclosed. The method comprises the decreases a reduction in a bottom electrode material during formation of the ferroelectric dielectric portion of the capacitor. In the above manner, a fatigue resistance of the ferroelectric capacitor is increased substantially.

Abstract: A structure for, and method of forming, a metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor in an integrated circuit is disclosed. The disclosed method comprises forming a germanium layer 52 on a semiconductor substrate (e.g. silicon 20), depositing a large-permittivity gate dielectric (e.g. tantalum pentoxide 56) on the germanium layer, and forming a gate electrode (e.g., titanium nitride 60) on the gate dielectric. The method may comprise forming source and drain regions 64 in the substrate on either side of the gate dielectric. The germanium layer, which is preferably epitaxially grown, generally prevents formation of a low dielectric constant layer between the gate dielectric and the semiconductor substrate. The disclosed structure comprises a germanium layer 52 disposed on a semiconductor substrate (e.g. silicon 20), a large-permittivity gate dielectric (e.g. tantalum pentoxide 56) disposed on the germanium layer, and a gate electrode (e.g., titanium nitride 60) disposed on the gate dielectric.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a method of forming a conductive contact to a top electrode (308 and 310 of FIG. 4d) of a ferroelectric capacitor comprised of a bottom electrode (304 of FIG. 4d) situated under the top electrode and a ferroelectric material (306 of FIG. 4d) situated between the top electrode and the bottom electrode, the method comprising the steps of: forming a layer (408 or 312 of FIG. 4) over the top electrode; forming an opening (414 of FIG. 4d) in the layer to expose a portion of the top electrode by etching the opening into the layer using a hydrogen-free etchant; and depositing conductive material (432 of FIG. 4d) in the opening to form an electrical connection with the top electrode.

Abstract: A via etch to contact a capacitor with ferroelectric between electrodes together with dielectric on an insulating diffusion barrier includes two-step etch with F-based dielectric etch and Cl- and F-based barrier etch.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously producing areas of paraelectric states and areas of ferroelectric states on a single thin film layer, thereby reducing the number of processing steps required to produce integrated chips containing both standard capacitors and non-volatile memory devices from the number of steps needed using the conventional approach. A device containing both ferroelectric capacitors and non-ferroelectric capacitors using a single thin film as the dielectric.

Abstract: The invention described is a method of forming an improved dielectric material by adding lead to an original perovskite material having an original critical grain size to form a lead enhanced perovskite material, then forming a layer of the lead enhanced perovskite material having an average grain size less than the original critical grain size whereby the dielectric constant of the layer is substantially greater than the dielectric constant of the original perovskite material with an average grain size similar to the average grain size of the layer. The critical grain size, as used herein, means the largest grain size such that the dielectric constant starts to rapidly decrease with decreasing grain sizes. Preferably, the lead enhanced perovskite material is further doped with one or more acceptor dopants whereby the resistivity is substantially increased and/or the loss tangent is substantially decreased.

Abstract: A capacitor dielectric with multiple layers of differing high dielectric constant materials such as SrTiO3 and BaSrTiO3 in which an inner layer has a higher dielectric constant but also higher leakage current than outer layers on each side of the inner layer which have lower leakage currents but also lower dielectric constants.

Abstract: A ferroelectric structure on an integrated circuit and methods of making and using the same are disclosed, which may be used, for instance, in a high-speed, non-volatile, non-destructive readout random-access memory device. Generally, the ferroelectric structure combines a thin film ferroelectric variable resistor and a substrate (e.g. silicon) transistor, using a semiconducting film which is common to both. A field effect transistor 26 integrated into substrate 30 has a gate oxide 36 and a semiconducting gate electrode 38 with electrical connections at a first end 44 and a second end 46. Overlying gate electrode 38 is a ferroelectric thin film 40 and a conductive electrode 42. The polarization of ferroelectric thin film 40 is set by applying an appropriate voltage between gate electrode 38 and conductive electrode 42.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a method of forming a conductive contact to a top electrode (308 and 310 of FIG. 4d) of a ferroelectric capacitor comprised of a bottom electrode (304 of FIG. 4d) situated under the top electrode and a ferroelectric material (306 of FIG. 4d) situated between the top electrode and the bottom electrode, the method comprising the steps of: forming a layer (408 or 312 of FIG. 4) over the top electrode; forming an opening (414 of FIG. 4d) in the layer to expose a portion of the top electrode by etching the opening into the layer using a hydrogen-free etchant; and depositing conductive material (432 of FIG. 4d) in the opening to form an electrical connection with the top electrode.

Abstract: A via etch to contact a capacitor with ferroelectric between electrodes together with dielectric on an insulating diffusion barrier includes two-step etch with F-based dielectric etch and Cl- and F-based barrier etch.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory device (100) includes storage capacitors using a high dielectric constant material, such as, BaSrTiO3, SrBi2Ta2O9 and PbZrTiO3, for the capacitors' insulator. The device includes a conductive plug (106) formed over and connecting with a semiconductor substrate (102). A buffer layer (107) of titanium silicide lays over the plug, and this layer serves to trap “dangling” bonds and to passivate the underlying surface. A first diffusion barrier layer (108), e.g., titanium aluminum nitride, covers the titanium silicide. A capacitor first electrode (110) lays over the diffusion barrier layer. The high dielectric constant material (112) is laid over the capacitor first electrode. A capacitor second electrode (116) is laid over the high dielectric constant material. A second diffusion barrier layer (120) is deposited on the capacitor second electrode. A conductor, such as aluminum (130), is laid over the second diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a conductive lightly donor doped perovskite layer (e.g. lightly La doped BST 34), and a high-dielectric-constant material layer (e.g. undoped BST 36) overlaying the conductive lightly donor doped perovskite layer. The conductive lightly donor doped perovskite layer provides a substantially chemically and structurally stable electrical connection to the high-dielectric-constant material layer. A lightly donor doped perovskite generally has much less resistance than undoped, acceptor doped, or heavily donor doped HDC materials. The amount of donor doping to make the material conductive (or resistive) is normally dependent on the process conditions (e.g. temperature, atmosphere, grain size, film thickness and composition). This resistivity may be further decreased if the perovskite is exposed to reducing conditions.