Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit capacitors include the steps of forming a lower electrode of a capacitor by forming a conductive layer pattern (e.g., silicon layer) on a semiconductor substrate and then forming a hemispherical grain (HSG) silicon surface layer of first conductivity type on the conductive layer pattern. The inclusion of a HSG silicon surface layer on an outer surface of the conductive layer pattern increases the effective surface area of the lower electrode for a given lateral dimension. The HSG silicon surface layer is also preferably sufficiently doped with first conductivity type dopants (e.g., N-type) to minimize the size of any depletion layer which may be formed in the lower electrode when the capacitor is reverse biased and thereby improve the capacitor's characteristic Cmin/Cmax ratio. A diffusion barrier layer (e.g., silicon nitride) is also formed on the lower electrode and then a dielectric layer is formed on the diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit capacitors include the steps of forming a lower electrode of a capacitor by forming a conductive layer pattern (e.g., silicon layer) on a semiconductor substrate and then forming a hemispherical grain (HSG) silicon surface layer of first conductivity type on the conductive layer pattern. The inclusion of a HSG silicon surface layer on an outer surface of the conductive layer pattern increases the effective surface area of the lower electrode for a given lateral dimension. The HSG silicon surface layer is also preferably sufficiently doped with first conductivity type dopants (e.g., N-type) to minimize the size of any depletion layer which may be formed in the lower electrode when the capacitor is reverse biased and thereby improve the capacitor's characteristic Cmin/Cmax ratio. A diffusion barrier layer (e.g., silicon nitride) is also formed on the lower electrode and then a dielectric layer is formed on the diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit capacitors include the steps of forming a lower electrode of a capacitor by forming a conductive layer pattern (e.g., silicon layer) on a semiconductor substrate and then forming a hemispherical grain (HSG) silicon surface layer of first conductivity type on the conductive layer pattern. The inclusion of a HSG silicon surface layer on an outer surface of the conductive layer pattern increases the effective surface area of the lower electrode for a given lateral dimension. The HSG silicon surface layer is also preferably sufficiently doped with first conductivity type dopants (e.g., N-type) to minimize the size of any depletion layer which may be formed in the lower electrode when the capacitor is reverse biased and thereby improve the capacitor's characteristic Cmin/Cmax ratio. A diffusion barrier layer (e.g., silicon nitride) is also formed on the lower electrode and then a dielectric layer is formed on the diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a hemispherical grained silicon layer includes the steps of providing a microelectronic substrate including a conductive layer thereon, and heating the conductive layer to a first predetermined temperature. Hemispherical grained silicon seeds are formed on the conductive layer while maintaining the conductive layer and the substrate at a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature. The hemispherical grained silicon seeds are annealed at a third predetermined temperature which is lower than the second predetermined temperature thereby growing the seeds to form a hemispherical grained silicon layer on the conductive layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit capacitors include the steps of forming a lower electrode of a capacitor by forming a conductive layer pattern (e.g., silicon layer) on a semiconductor substrate and then forming a hemispherical grain (HSG) silicon surface layer of first conductivity type on the conductive layer pattern. The inclusion of a HSG silicon surface layer on an outer surface of the conductive layer pattern increases the effective surface area of the lower electrode for a given lateral dimension. The HSG silicon surface layer is also preferably sufficiently doped with first conductivity type dopants (e.g., N-type) to minimize the size of any depletion layer which may be formed in the lower electrode when the capacitor is reverse biased and thereby improve the capacitor's characteristic Cmin/Cmax ratio. A diffusion barrier layer (e.g., silicon nitride) is also formed on the lower electrode and then a dielectric layer is formed on the diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit capacitors include the steps of forming a lower electrode of a capacitor by forming a conductive layer pattern (e.g., silicon layer) on a semiconductor substrate and then forming a hemispherical grain (HSG) silicon surface layer of first conductivity type on the conductive layer pattern. The inclusion of a HSG silicon surface layer on an outer surface of the conductive layer pattern increases the effective surface area of the lower electrode for a given lateral dimension. The HSG silicon surface layer is also preferably sufficiently doped with first conductivity type dopants (e.g., N-type) to minimize the size of any depletion layer which may be formed in the lower electrode when the capacitor is reverse biased and thereby improve the capacitor's characteristic Cmin/Cmax ratio. A diffusion barrier layer (e.g., silicon nitride) is also formed on the lower electrode and then a dielectric layer is formed on the diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit device includes forming a conductive layer on an integrated circuit substrate, and forming a buffer layer on the conductive layer opposite the integrated circuit substrate. The buffer layer and the conductive layer are patterned to provide a mesa structure including the patterned buffer and conductive layers. A conductive spacer is formed along a sidewall of the mesa structure, and a hemispherical grained silicon layer is formed on the conductive spacer opposite the sidewall of the mesa structure. The patterned buffer layer is then removed after the step of forming the hemispherical grained silicon layer. Related structures are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor structure includes the steps of forming a conductive layer on a microelectronic substrate, and forming a first hemispherical grained silicon layer on the conductive layer opposite the substrate. A protective layer is formed on the hemispherical grained silicon layer. The protective layer, the first hemispherical grained silicon layer, and the conductive layer are then patterned so that portions of the microelectronic substrate are exposed adjacent the patterned conductive layer. A second hemispherical grained silicon layer is formed on the surface of the protective layer opposite the first hemispherical grained silicon layer, on sidewalls of the patterned conductive layer, and on the exposed portions of the microelectronic substrate. Portions of the second hemispherical grained silicon layer are removed from the exposed portions of the microelectronic substrate, and the patterned protective layer is then removed.

Abstract: A method of doping a surface portion of a layer of an integrated circuit device includes the steps of forming a layer of a semiconductor material on an integrated circuit substrate and annealing the layer of the semiconductor material at a predetermined temperature while flowing a dopant gas over the layer of the semiconductor material. More particularly, the step of forming the layer of the semiconductor material can include forming a first sub-layer of the semiconductor material on the integrated circuit substrate and forming a second sublayer of the semiconductor material on the first sublayer where the second sublayer has an increased surface area. For example, the second sublayer can be a hemispherical grained silicon layer.

Abstract: A capacitor for a semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A lower electrode of a capacitor according to the present invention has a structure in which a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are sequentially deposited and an HSG is selectively formed on the surface thereof. The first conductive layer is composed of an amorphous or a polycrystalline silicon film having a low concentration of impurities. The second conductive layer is composed of an amorphous silicon film having a high concentration of impurities. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a desirable Cmin/Cmax ratio in the lower electrode of the capacitor having an HSG silicon layer and to prevent diffusion of impurities from the lower electrode of the capacitor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high capacitance capacitor having an HSG film formed on a stack-structured lower storage node, includes the step of forming insulating films for protecting the HSG film. In the present invention the lower storage node and the HSG film formed thereon are not damaged during an etch-back process. The HSG film formed on the lower storage node is protected by means of the insulating films, thereby preventing a decrease in capacitor capacitance.