Abstract: A semiconductor device adopting an interlayer contact structure between upper and lower conductive layers and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device adopting the structure are provided. The lower conductive layer includes a first conductive layer and a first silicide layer stacked together. The upper conductive layer includes a second conductive layer doped with impurities and a second silicide layer stacked together. In the interlayer contact structure, the first and second conductive layers are in direct contact with each other. This decreases the contact resistance between the two conductive layers and improves the electrical properties of the device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor of a semiconductor device is provided. In the capacitor fabricating method, the step of forming a lower electrode by using gas including chlorine is included after the step of forming hemispherical grained silicon (HSG-Si) seeds. Also, after the step of selectively growing only HSG-Si seeds formed on the lower electrode, the step of removing the HSG-Si seeds formed on an insulation layer pattern through an etching process using a gas including chlorine is included. Thus, the surface area of the lower electrode is increased, so that capacitance is increased. Also, an electrical short between the lower electrodes of each adjacent capacitor can be prevented without decreasing capacitance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device adopting an interlayer contact structure between upper and lower conductive layers and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device adopting the structure are provided. The lower conductive layer includes a first conductive layer and a first silicide layer stacked together. The upper conductive layer includes a second conductive layer doped with impurities and a second silicide layer stacked together. In the interlayer contact structure, the first and second conductive layers are in direct contact with each other. This decreases the contact resistance between the two conductive layers and improves the electrical properties of the device.

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: An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device having cooling jackets for preventing a gas from being exuded in a reaction chamber, thereby minimizing the generation of contaminating particles. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber having four cooling jackets respectively mounted on a first side wall adjacent to a wafer transfer chamber, a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, an upper wall and a bottom wall. A gate valve is disposed between the reaction chamber and the wafer transfer chamber and has a fifth cooling jacket. While fabricating a polysilicon film using the above apparatus, a pressure of a cassette chamber is controlled to be less than about 0.05 mtorr. Alternatively, a pressure of a cooling chamber and the wafer transfer are both controlled to be less than about 1.0 &mgr;torr.

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 method for forming an electrode structure includes the steps of forming a conductive electrode on the microelectronic substrate, forming HSG-silicon seeds on the surface of the conductive electrode, and etching the conductive electrode using the HSG-silicon seeds as a mask so that pits are formed between the HSG-silicon seeds. In addition, the HSG-silicon seeds on the conductive electrode can be grown to form enlarged HSG-silicon bumps on the conductive electrode further increasing the surface area thereof. Related structures are also discussed.

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.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon layer includes the step of calibrating the heater temperature so that a predetermined temperature is maintained when a microelectronic substrate is subsequently heated despite a number of processing runs previously performed. This calibrating step includes loading a test substrate into the reaction chamber, subjecting the test substrate to the predetermined reaction recipe wherein the test substrate is heated according to the predetermined recipe, measuring the temperature of the substrate, and removing the test substrate from the reaction chamber. The heater temperature is then adjusted according to the measured temperature of the test substrate. A microelectronic substrate is then loaded into the reaction chamber, and a hemispherical grained silicon seed layer is formed on the microelectronic substrate according to the predetermined recipe.

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 microelectronic device includes the step of forming an impurity doped amorphous silicon layer on a microelectronic substrate using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The impurity doped amorphous silicon layer is patterned so that portions of the microelectronic substrate are exposed adjacent the patterned amorphous silicon layer. A hemispherical grained silicon layer is then formed on the patterned amorphous silicon layer. Moreover, the step of forming the impurity doped amorphous silicon layer can be performed at a temperature of 400.degree. C. or less.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device having cooling jackets for preventing a gas from being exuded in a reaction chamber, thereby minimizing the generation of contaminating particles. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber having four cooling jackets respectively mounted on a first side wall adjacent to a wafer transfer chamber, a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, an upper wall and a bottom wall. A gate valve is disposed between the reaction chamber and the wafer transfer chamber and has a fifth cooling jacket. While fabricating a polysilicon film using the above apparatus, a pressure of a cassette chamber is controlled to be less than about 0.05 mtorr. Alternatively, a pressure of a cooling chamber and the wafer transfer are both controlled to be less than about 1.0 .mu.torr.

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: An electrode structure is fabricated on a microelectronic substrate by forming an amorphous silicon electrode on the microelectronic substrate and cleaning the surface of the amorphous silicon electrode to remove contaminants and surface oxides therefrom. A thin amorphous silicon layer is formed on the clean surface of the amorphous silicon electrode. Silicon crystal nuclei are then formed and grown on the thin amorphous silicon layer. The electrode structure may be used as a bottom electrode for an integrated circuit capacitor, such as the storage capacitor for an integrated circuit DRAM.

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 forming a microelectronic capacitor includes the steps of forming a first conductive layer on a substrate and forming an oxide reducing layer on the first conductive layer opposite the substrate wherein the oxide reducing layer reduces oxidation of the first conductive layer. An oxide layer is formed on the oxide reducing layer opposite the substrate, and a dielectric layer is formed on the oxide layer opposite the substrate wherein the dielectric layer has a dielectric constant that is higher than a dielectric constant of the oxide reducing layer, and higher than a dielectric constant of the oxide layer. In addition, a second conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer opposite the substrate. Related structures are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provide a liquid crystal polyester represented by the formula I ##STR1## wherein A is ##STR2## B is ##STR3## R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, independently to each other, are hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, andR.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently to each other, are hydrogen, halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl,which is prepared by using aliphatic fumaric acid as diacid.The liquid crystal polyester according to the present invention can be prepared in a simple manner, processed directly without separate modification and used in the form of high strength fiber and plastic.

Abstract: A method form forming a dielectric film on a substrate includes the steps of placing the substrate in a process chamber wherein said substrate is isolated from an external environment, depositing the dielectric film on the substrate in the process chamber, and annealing the dielectric film in said process chamber. In particular, the dielectric film can be formed from Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5. Systems for forming the dielectric film are also disclosed.