Abstract: Within a method for forming a metal-silicon layer there is first provided a reactor chamber. There is then positioned within the reactor chamber a substrate spaced from a metal source target. There is also provided within the reactor chamber a minimum of a sputter material and a reactive silicon material. There is then sputtered the metal source target positioned within the reactor chamber with the sputter material provided within the reactor chamber in the presence of the reactive silicon material provided within the reactor chamber to form a metal-silicon layer over the substrate. The method is particularly useful for forming metal silicate layers, metal silicon nitride layers and metal silicon oxynitride layers within microelectronic fabrications. An alternative method employs: (1) a silicon source target rather than a metal source target; and (2) a reactive metal material rather than a reactive silicon material.

Abstract: Within: (1) a method for purifying a metal oxide layer; and (2) a method for forming with enhanced purity a metal oxide layer, there is employed an irradiation of either: (1) a metal oxide layer; or (2) a substrate in the presence of at least one of an oxidant and a metal source material, such as to either: (1) reduce a concentration of a contaminant material within a metal oxide base material from which is formed a metal oxide layer; or (2) inhibit in a first instance formation of a contaminant material within a metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer having incorporated therein the reduced concentration of contaminant material is particularly useful as a capacitive dielectric layer within a capacitive device within a microelectronic fabrication.