Abstract: A semiconductor structure having a high-k dielectric and its method of manufacture is provided. A method includes forming a first dielectric layer over the substrate, a metal layer over the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer over the metal layer. A method further includes annealing the substrate in an oxidizing ambient until the three layers form a homogenous high-k dielectric layer. Forming the first and second dielectric layers comprises a non-plasma deposition process such atomic layer deposition (ALD), or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A semiconductor device having a high-k dielectric comprises an amorphous high-k dielectric layer, wherein the amorphous high-k dielectric layer comprises a first oxidized metal and a second oxidized metal. The atomic ratios of all oxidized metals are substantially uniformly within the amorphous high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A new and improved liner modification method for a liner oxide layer in an STI trench is disclosed. According to the method, an STI trench is etched in a substrate and a liner oxide layer is formed on the trench surfaces by oxidation techniques. The method further includes pre-treatment of the trench surfaces using a nitrogen-containing gas prior to formation of the liner oxide layer, post-formation nitridation of the liner oxide layer, or both pre-treatment of the trench surfaces and post-formation nitridation of the liner oxide layer. The liner modification method of the present invention optimizes the inverse narrow width effect (INWE) and gate oxide integrity (GOI) of STI structures and prevents diffusion of dopant into the liner oxide layer during subsequent processing.

Abstract: A new and improved liner modification method for a liner oxide layer in an STI trench is disclosed. According to the method, an STI trench is etched in a substrate and a liner oxide layer is formed on the trench surfaces by oxidation techniques. The method further includes pre-treatment of the trench surfaces using a nitrogen-containing gas prior to formation of the liner oxide layer, post-formation nitridation of the liner oxide layer, or both pre-treatment of the trench surfaces and post-formation nitridation of the liner oxide layer. The liner modification method of the present invention optimizes the inverse narrow width effect (INWE) and gate oxide integrity (GOI) of STI structures and prevents diffusion of dopant into the liner oxide layer during subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method for forming a divot free nitride lined shallow trench isolation (STI) feature including providing a substrate including an STI trench extending through an uppermost hardmask layer into a thickness of the substrate exposing the substrate portions; selectively forming a first insulating layer lining the STI trench over said exposed substrate portions only; backfilling the STI trench with a second insulating layer; planarizing the second insulating layer; and, carrying out a wet etching process to remove the uppermost hardmask layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device having a substrate, an interfacial layer formed on said substrate, a nitrogen-containing high dielectric constant (high-k) layer formed on said interfacial layer, and a metal electrode on said nitrogen-containing high-k layer. Also disclosed is a method of forming a transistor including forming on a substrate an interfacial layer comprising silicon and oxygen, depositing on the interfacial layer a high-k dielectric material, nitriding the high-k dielectric material, depositing a metal layer on the high-k dielectric material, and patterning the metal layer, the high-k dielectric material, and the interfacial layer to form a gate stack.

Abstract: A method for forming a divot free nitride lined shallow trench isolation (STI) feature including providing a substrate including an STI trench extending through an uppermost hardmask layer into a thickness of the substrate exposing the substrate portions; selectively forming a first insulating layer lining the STI trench over said exposed substrate portions only; backfilling the STI trench with a second insulating layer; planarizing the second insulating layer; and, carrying out a wet etching process to remove the uppermost hardmask layer.

Abstract: A method of defining a conductive gate structure for a MOSFET device wherein the etch rate selectivity of the conductive gate material to an underlying insulator layer is optimized, has been developed. After formation of a nitrided silicon dioxide layer, to be used as for the MOSFET gate insulator layer, a high temperature hydrogen anneal procedure is performed. The high temperature anneal procedure replaces nitrogen components in a top portion of the nitrided silicon dioxide gate insulator layer with hydrogen components. The etch rate of the hydrogen annealed layer in specific dry etch ambients is now decreased when compared to the non-hydrogen annealed nitrided silicon dioxide counterpart. Thus the etch rate selectivity of conductive gate material to underlying gate insulator material is increased when employing the slower etching hydrogen annealed nitrided silicon dioxide layer.

Abstract: A method of determining a composition of an integrated circuit feature, including collecting intensity data representative of spectral wavelengths of radiant energy generated by a plasma during plasma nitridation of an integrated circuit feature disposed on a substrate, analysing the in intensity data to determine a peak intensity at one of the wavelengths, and determining a component concentration of the feature based on the peak intensity.