Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the steps of: forming an insulating layer having an opening region on a semiconductor substrate; forming a first ruthenium layer on the insulating layer and the opening region by sputtering at a first pressure; forming a second ruthenium layer on the first ruthenium layer by first chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at a first flow rate of oxygen gas and at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure; and forming a third ruthenium layer on the second ruthenium layer by second CVD at a second flow rate of oxygen gas and at a third pressure, wherein the third pressure is greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: The effective area of a MIM capacitor is increased by forming a lower electrode that includes hemispherical grain lumps. The hemispherical grain lumps are formed by heat-treating a metal layer in an oxygen and/or nitrogen atmosphere, thus oxidizing the surface of the metal layer or growing the crystal grains of the metal layer. The MIM capacitor may be formed of Pt, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir, or Pd, and the hemispherical grain lumps may be formed of Pt, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir, or Pd. Since the metal layer is primarily heat-treated during the formation of the lower electrode, it is possible to reduce the degree to which the surface morphology of the lower electrode is rapidly changed due to a heat treatment subsequent to forming a dielectric layer and an upper electrode.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device by a two-step thermal treatment is provided. A lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the lower electrode. An upper electrode formed of a noble metal is formed over the dielectric layer. The resultant having the upper electrode undergoes a first thermal treatment under a first atmosphere including oxygen at a first temperature which is selected to be within a range of 200-600° C., which is lower than the oxidation temperature of the upper electrode. The first thermally treated resultant undergoes a second thermal treatment under a second atmosphere without oxygen at a second temperature which is selected to be within a range of 300-900° C., which is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A layer is formed by chemical vapor depositing a seeding layer of ruthenium oxide on a substrate at a chemical vapor deposition flow rate ratio of a ruthenium source to oxygen gas. A main layer of ruthenium is chemical vapor deposited on the seeding layer by increasing the chemical vapor deposition flow rate ratio of the ruthenium source to the oxygen gas.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming an integrated circuit device including a resistor pattern having a desired resistance value. A low resistive layer is formed on an integrated circuit substrate. An insulating layer is formed on the low resistive layer opposite the integrated circuit substrate. A high resistive layer, which may have a specific resistance of at least about a hundred &mgr;&OHgr;·cm, is formed on the insulating layer opposite the low resistive layer. The low resistive layer, the insulating layer and the high resistive layer define the resistor pattern in a region of the integrated circuit substrate. Integrated circuit devices including resistor patterns as provided by the methods are also provided and methods for forming metal contacts to the resistor pattern are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a film includes forming the film on a substrate, followed by performing a first annealing of the film at a temperature lower than a crystallization temperature of the film. A second annealing of the film is performed at a temperature higher that the crystallization temperature. Forming the film and the first annealing of the film are performed in situ in a chamber. Alternatively, the first and second annealing are performed in situ in an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a film on a substrate includes a reaction chamber and gas supply lines. The gas supply lines supply gases for depositing and annealing the film. Depositing a dielectric film and annealing the dielectric film are performed in situ using the reaction chamber. Thus, the time required for forming the dielectric film is shortened, improving the productivity. Also, deposition and annealing of the dielectric film are performed in the same reaction chamber, so that less area is required for manufacturing equipment.

Abstract: Integrated circuit capacitors and methods of fabricating integrated circuit capacitors, according to the present invention, provide an electrically insulating electrode support layer having an opening therein, on an integrated circuit substrate. A U-shaped lower electrode is provided in the opening and a first capacitor dielectric layer extends on an inner surface and an outer portion of the U-shaped lower electrode. A second capacitor dielectric layer extends between the outer portion of the U-shaped lower electrode and the first capacitor dielectric and also extends between the outer portion of the U-shaped lower electrode and an inner sidewall of the opening. An upper electrode extends on the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor memory device by a two-step thermal treatment is provided. A lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the lower electrode. An upper electrode formed of a noble metal is formed over the dielectric layer. The resultant having the upper electrode undergoes a first thermal treatment under a first atmosphere including oxygen at a first temperature which is selected to be within a range of 200-600° C., which is lower than the oxidation temperature of the upper electrode. The first thermally treated resultant undergoes a second thermal treatment under a second atmosphere without oxygen at a second temperature which is selected to be within a range of 300-900° C., which is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing integrated circuit capacitors having low equivalent oxide thickness (Toxeq) and excellent leakage current characteristics include forming a lower capacitor electrode on a semiconductor substrate and then forming a capacitor dielectric layer on the lower capacitor electrode. An upper capacitor electrode, comprising ruthenium (Ru), is then formed on the capacitor dielectric layer. The step of forming an upper capacitor electrode is preceded by the step of heat treating the metal oxide dielectric layer in an oxygen containing ambient at a temperature in a range between about 100° C. and about 600° C. This heat treatment step is preferably performed in order to incorporate additional quantities of oxygen into the metal oxide dielectric layer, so that the metal oxide dielectric layer is enriched with oxygen.

Abstract: The semiconductor memory device includes an interlevel dielectric pattern and an adhesive pattern, wherein both the interlevel dielectric and adhesive patterns include a contact hole to expose a semiconductor substrate. The adhesive pattern sufficiently adheres a lower electrode of a capacitor to the interlevel dielectric pattern, and thus prevents damage to the interlevel dielectric pattern during the formation of the capacitor. A conductive plug is disposed within the contact hole and may project higher than the top surface of the adhesive pattern. A leakage current preventive pattern is formed on top of the adhesive pattern and prevents a capacitor dielectric layer from directly contacting the plug to prevent occurrences of leakage current. A lower electrode of a capacitor electrically connected to the plug is formed on the plug.

Abstract: A dielectric region for a device such as a memory cell capacitor is formed by depositing a metal oxide, such as tantalum oxide, on a substrate at a first deposition rate in a first atmosphere maintained within a first temperature range and a first pressure range that produce a first tantalum oxide layer with a desirable step coverage. Metal oxide is subsequently deposited on the first metal oxide layer in a second atmosphere maintained within a second temperature range and a second pressure range that produce a second deposition rate greater than the first deposition rate to form a second tantalum oxide layer on the first tantalum oxide layer. For example, the first atmosphere may be maintained at a temperature in a range from about 350° C. to about 460° C. and a pressure in a range from about 0.01 Torr to about 2.0 Torr during formation of a first tantalum oxide layer, and the second atmosphere may be maintained at a temperature in a range from about 400° C. to about 500° C.

Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor of a semiconductor device, and a manufacturing method thereof, includes a lower electrode formed of a refractory metal or a conductive compound including the refractory metal, a dielectric film formed of a high dielectric material, and an upper electrode formed of a platinum-family metal or a platinum-family metal oxide. Accordingly, the MIM capacitor satisfies the criteria of step coverage, electrical characteristics and manufacturing costs, as compared to a conventional MIM capacitor in which the upper and lower electrodes are formed of the same material such as a platinum-family metal, a refractory metal or a conductive compound including the refractory metal. The capacitor is especially suitable for mass production in semiconductor fabrication processes.

Abstract: A ruthenium (Ru) film is formed on a substrate as part of a two-stage methodology. During the first stage, the Ru film is formed on the substrate in a manner in which the Ru nucleation rate is greater than the Ru growth rate. During the second stage, the Ru film is formed on the substrate in a manner in which the Ru growth rate is greater than the Ru nucleation rate.

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 for manufacturing a capacitor having a dielectric film formed of a tantalum oxide film. The method includes forming a lower electrode that is electrically connected to an active region of a semiconductor substrate. A pre-treatment film including a component selected from a group consisting of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and combinations thereof, is formed on the surface of the lower electrode. A dielectric film is formed on the pre-treatment film using a Ta precursor. The dielectric film includes a first dielectric layer deposited at a first temperature selected from a designated temperature range, and a second dielectric layer deposited at a second temperature different from the first temperature and selected from the same designated temperature range. A thermal treatment is thereafter performed on the dielectric film in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: A capacitor fabricating method for a semiconductor device where a dielectric film is thermally treated under hydrogen atmosphere to improve interface characteristics between the dielectric film and an electrode. In the method, a lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric film is formed on the lower electrode. The dielectric film is thermally treated under hydrogen atmosphere. An upper electrode is formed on the dielectric film, thereby completing formation of the capacitor. The thermal treatment under the hydrogen atmosphere is performed at a temperature of 300 to 600.degree. C. using H.sub.2 gas or H.sub.2 plasma for 5 to 60 minutes. Thus, the density of an interface trap between the electrode and the dielectric film of the capacitor is reduced.

Abstract: A method of depositing a thin film for a semiconductor device using a lamp heating type apparatus. In the method, a wafer is loaded into a processing chamber of the apparatus, and the pressure of the chamber and the temperature of a susceptor installed in the chamber are increased to a level higher than a deposition pressure and a deposition temperature, respectively. Then, the pressure of the chamber and the temperature of the susceptor are decreased to the deposition pressure and the deposition temperature, respectively, and a film is deposited on the wafer. The vacuum of the chamber is then released and the gas remaining in the chamber and a source gas injection tube is purged.