Abstract: A method for fabricating a stress enhanced CMOS circuit includes forming a first plurality of MOS transistors at a first pitch and forming a second plurality of MOS transistors at a second pitch. The second pitch is larger than the first pitch. The method further includes depositing a single stress liner overlying the first and second plurality of MOS transistors. The single stress liner is the only stress liner deposited in the fabrication of the stress enhanced CMOS circuit. A stress enhanced CMOS circuit includes a first plurality of MOS transistors formed at a first pitch and a second plurality of MOS transistors formed at a second pitch. The second pitch is larger than the first pitch. The circuit further includes a single stress liner overlying the first and second plurality of MOS transistors. The single stress liner is the only stress liner formed on the stress enhanced CMOS circuit.

Abstract: A substrate which has at least one component, such as a semiconductor chip, arranged on it is manufactured from a film made of plastic material laminated onto a surface of the substrate and of the at least one component, where the surface has at least one contact area. First, the film to be laminated onto the surface of the substrate and the at least one component, or a film composite including the film, is arranged in a chamber such that the chamber is split by the film or film composite into a first chamber section and a second chamber section, which is isolated from the first chamber section so as to be gastight. A higher atmospheric pressure is provided or produced in the first chamber section than in the second chamber section; and contact is made between the surface of the substrate arranged in the second chamber section and the at least one component and the film or the film composite, which contact brings about the lamination of the film onto the surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multiple-workfunction FinFET structure includes depositing a first workfunction material in a layer in a plurality of trenches of the FinFET structure and etching the first workfunction material layer so as to completely remove the first workfunction material layer from all but a first trench of the plurality of trenches. Further, the method includes depositing a second workfunction material in a layer in the plurality of trenches and etching the second workfunction material layer so as to completely remove the second workfunction material layer from all but a second trench of the plurality of trenches. Still further, the method includes depositing a third workfunction material in a layer in the plurality of trenches.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a board; a power wire formed on the board; a signal wire formed on the board; a ground wire formed on the board; an insulating layer covering the signal wire, the power wire and the ground wire; and a metal film formed on the insulating layer, wherein a thickness of the insulating layer covering the power wire is different from a thickness of the insulating layer covering the signal wire, and the metal film is connected to a ground potential.

Abstract: Techniques related to nanocomposite dielectric materials are generally described herein. These techniques may be embodied in apparatuses, systems, methods and/or processes for making and using such material. An example process may include: providing a film having a plurality of nanoparticles and an organic medium; comminuting the film to form a particulate; and applying the particulate to a substrate. The example process may also include providing a nanoparticle film having nanoparticles and voids located between the nanoparticles; contacting the film with a vapor containing an organic material; and curing the organic material to form the nanocomposite dielectric film. Various described techniques may provide nanocomposite dielectric materials with superior nanoparticle dispersion which may result in improved dielectric properties.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate. The gate includes a high-k dielectric material. In the method, a fluorine-containing liquid is contacted with the high-k dielectric material and fluorine is incorporated into the high-k dielectric material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method includes forming first and second cores on a processed material, forming a covering material having a stacked layer includes first and second layers, the covering material covering an upper surface and a side surface of the first and second cores, removing the second layer covering the first core, forming a first sidewall mask having the first layer on the side surface of the first core and a second sidewall mask having the first and second layers on the side surface of the second core by etching the covering material, removing the first and second cores, and forming first and second patterns having different width in parallel by etching the processed material in condition of using the first and second sidewall masks.

Abstract: A dielectric stack and method of depositing the stack to a substrate using a single step deposition process. The dielectric stack includes a dense layer and a porous layer of the same elemental compound with different compositional atomic percentage, density, and porosity. The stack enhances mechanical modulus strength and enhances oxidation and copper diffusion barrier properties. The dielectric stack has inorganic or hybrid inorganic-organic random three-dimensional covalent bonding throughout the network, which contain different regions of different chemical compositions such as a cap component adjacent to a low-k component of the same type of material but with higher porosity.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a substrate; forming a first hard mask layer over the substrate; forming a second hard mask layer over the first hard mask layer; patterning the second hard mask layer to form a hard mask; and, after the step of patterning the second hard mask layer, baking the substrate, the first hard mask layer, and the hard mask. After the step of baking, a spacer layer is formed, which includes a first portion on a top of the hard mask, and a second portion and a third portion on opposite sidewalls of the hard mask. The method further includes removing the first portion of the spacer layer; removing the hard mask; and using the second portion and the third portion of the spacer layer as masks to pattern the first hard mask layer.

Abstract: A method for producing semiconductor device includes: performing first, second and third exposures of a photoresist film formed on a semiconductor wafer via a mask; wherein: first, second and third shot regions respectively defined by the first, second and third exposures are aligned in a first direction; the mask has a shot region including a peripheral scribe region having a first and second side crossing the first direction; the photoresist film is of positive type, a first pattern is formed as a light shielding pattern disposed on the first side, and a second pattern is formed as a light transmitting region disposed on the second side; the first and second exposures are performed in such a manner that the first and second patterns do not overlap each other; and the second and third exposures are performed in such a manner that the first and second patterns overlap each other.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a substrate for a subsequent film formation process are described. Methods for preparing a substrate for a subsequent film formation process, without immersion in an aqueous solution, are also described. A process is described that includes disposing a substrate into a process chamber, the substrate having a thermal oxide surface with substantially no reactive surface terminations. The thermal oxide surface is exposed to a partial pressure of water below the saturated vapor pressure at a temperature of the substrate to convert the dense thermal oxide with substantially no reactive surface terminations to a surface with hydroxyl surface terminations. This can occur in the presence of a Lewis base such as ammonia.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides manufacturing techniques and semiconductor devices in which performance of P-channel transistors may be enhanced on the basis of a stress mechanism that involves the deposition of a dielectric bi-layer system. Contrary to conventional strategies, an additional pre-treatment may be performed prior to the deposition of an adhesion layer in a plasma-free process atmosphere, thereby enabling a reduced thickness of the adhesion layer and a higher internal stress level of the subsequent top layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon nitride film on the surface of an object to be processed, the method including forming a seed layer functioning as a seed of the silicon nitride film on the surface of the object to be processed by using at least an aminosilane-based gas, prior to forming the silicon nitride film on the surface of the object to be processed.

Abstract: A first nanoscale self-aligned self-assembled nested line structure having a sublithographic width and a sublithographic spacing and running along a first direction is formed from first self-assembling block copolymers within a first layer. The first layer is filled with a filler material and a second layer is deposited above the first layer containing the first nanoscale nested line structure. A second nanoscale self-aligned self-assembled nested line structure having a sublithographic width and a sublithographic spacing and running in a second direction is formed from second self-assembling block copolymers within the second layer. The composite pattern of the first nanoscale nested line structure and the second nanoscale nested line structure is transferred into an underlayer beneath the first layer to form an array of structures containing periodicity in two directions.

Abstract: An amorphous carbon film, which has excellent etching resistance and is capable of reducing reflectance when a resist film is exposed to light, is form. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an object film to be etched on a wafer, supplying a process gas containing a CO gas and an N2 gas into a processing container, forming an amorphous carbon nitride film from the supplied CO gas and N2 gas, forming a silicon oxide film on the amorphous carbon nitride film, forming an ArF resist film on the silicon oxide film, patterning the ArF resist film, etching the silicon oxide film by using the ArF resist film as a mask, etching the amorphous carbon nitride film by using the silicon oxide film as a mask, and etching the object film to be etched by using the amorphous carbon nitride film as a mask.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing three-dimensional semiconductor devices that may include forming a first spacer on a sidewall inside a first opening formed in a first stack structure, forming a sacrificial filling pattern on the spacer to fill the first opening, forming a second stack structure including a second opening exposing the sacrificial filling pattern on the first stack structure, forming a second spacer on a sidewall inside the second opening, removing the sacrificial filling pattern and removing the first spacer and the second spacer.

Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric film including a zirconium oxide film includes: forming a zirconium oxide film on a substrate to be processed by supplying a zirconium material and an oxidant, the zirconium material including a Zr compound which includes a cyclopentadienyl ring in a structure, and forming a titanium oxide film on the zirconium oxide film by supplying a titanium material and an oxidant, the titanium material including a Ti compound which includes a cyclopentadienyl ring in a structure.

Abstract: A method of depositing a film on a substrate surface includes providing a substrate in a reaction chamber; selecting a silicon-containing reactant from a precursor group consisting of di-tert-butyl diazidosilane, bis(ethylmethylamido)silane, bis(diisopropylamino)silane, bis(tert-butylhydrazido)diethylsilane, tris(dimethylamido)silylazide, tris(dimethylamido)silylamide, ethylsilicon triazide, diisopropylaminosilane, and hexakis(dimethylamido)disilazane; introducing the silicon-containing reactant in vapor phase into the reaction chamber under conditions allowing the silicon-containing reactant to adsorb onto the substrate surface; introducing a second reactant in vapor phase into the reaction chamber while the silicon-containing reactant is adsorbed on the substrate surface, and wherein the second reactant is introduced without first sweeping the silicon-containing reactant out of the reaction chamber; and exposing the substrate surface to plasma to drive a reaction between the silicon-containing reactant and

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to: a semiconductor structure extending upwardly; a first insulating film covering at least a side surface of the semiconductor structure; a gate electrode extending upwardly, the gate electrode being adjacent to the first insulating film; and an insulating structure extending upwardly, the insulating structure being adjacent to the gate electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a resist underlayer film having heat resistance that is used for a lithography process in the production of semiconductor devices, and a high refractive index film having transparency that is used for an electronic device. A polymer comprising a unit structure of Formula (1): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, and R5 may be a hydrogen atom, R4 may be phenyl group or naphthyl group. A resist underlayer film forming composition comprising the polymer, and a resist underlayer film formed from the composition. A high refractive index film forming composition comprising the polymer, and a high refractive index film formed from the composition.

Abstract: A passivation layer and a method of making a passivation layer are disclosed. In one embodiment the method for manufacturing a passivation layer includes depositing a first silicon based dielectric layer on a workpiece, the first silicon based dielectric layer comprising nitrogen, and depositing in-situ a second silicon based dielectric layer on the first silicon based dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer comprising oxygen.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber housing defining a process chamber, a platen positioned in the process chamber for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate plasma in the process chamber, and a biasing system. The biasing system is configured to bias the platen to attract ions from the plasma towards the workpiece during a first processing time interval and configured to bias the platen to repel ions from the platen towards interior surfaces of the process chamber housing during a cleaning time interval. The cleaning time interval is separate from the first processing time interval and occurring after the first processing time interval.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured by, inter alia: forming second gate lines, arranged at wider intervals than each of first gate lines and first gate lines, over a semiconductor substrate; forming a multi-layered insulating layer over the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate including the first and the second gate lines; etching the multi-layered insulating layer so that a part of the multi-layered insulating layer remains between the first gate lines and the first and the second gate lines; forming mask patterns formed on the respective remaining multi-layered insulating layers and each formed to cover the multi-layered insulating layer between the second gate lines; and etching the multi-layered insulating layers remaining between the first gate lines and between the first and the second gate lines and not covered by the mask patterns so that the first and the second gate lines are exposed.

Abstract: Provided is a trench filling method, which includes: forming a silicon oxide liner on a semiconductor substrate with trenches formed therein, the trenches including narrow-width portions having a first minimum isolation width and wide-width portions having a second minimum isolation width being wider than the first minimum isolation width; forming an oxidation-barrier film on the silicon oxide liner; forming a silicon liner on the oxidation-barrier film; filling the narrow-width portions with a first filling material; filling the wide-width portions with a second filling material; and oxidizing the silicon liner.

Abstract: A method includes forming a passivation layer over an electrically conductive pad. A stress buffer layer is formed over the passivation layer. An opening is formed through the stress buffer layer over the electrically conductive pad wherein the opening does not reach the electrically conductive pad. The stress buffer layer is cured. The opening is extended through the passivation layer to reach the electrically conductive pad after the curing.

Abstract: There is provided a resist underlayer film having heat resistance that is used for a lithography process in the production of semiconductor devices, and a high refractive index film having transparency that is used for an electronic device. A polymer comprising a unit structure of Formula (1): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, and R5 may be a hydrogen atom, R4 may be phenyl group or naphthyl group. A resist underlayer film forming composition comprising the polymer, and a resist underlayer film formed from the composition. A high refractive index film forming composition comprising the polymer, and a high refractive index film formed from the composition.

Abstract: Embodiments related to hardware and methods for processing a semiconductor substrate are disclosed. One example film deposition reactor includes a process gas distributor including a plasma gas-feed inlet located to supply plasma gas to a plasma generation region within the film deposition reactor and a precursor gas-feed inlet located to supply film precursor gas downstream of the plasma generation region; an insulating confinement vessel configured to maintain a plasma generation region at a reduced pressure within the film deposition reactor and an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) coil arranged around a portion of a sidewall of the insulating confinement vessel and positioned so that the sidewall separates the plasma generation region from the ICP coil; and a susceptor configured to support the semiconductor substrate so that a film deposition surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed to a reaction region formed downstream of the process gas distributor.

Abstract: A method for the formation of an Ni film is herein disclosed, which comprises the steps of maintaining the temperature of an Si substrate at a desired level in a vacuum chamber; introducing, into the vacuum chamber, a nickel alkylamidinate (in this organometal compound, the alkyl group is a member selected from the group consisting of a methyl group, an ethyl group, a butyl group and a propyl group), H2 gas and NH3 gas; and then forming an Ni film according to the CVD technique, wherein the film-forming temperature is set at a level between higher than 280° C. and not higher than 350° C.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a transistor thereon; a multi-layer contact etching stop layer (CESL) structure covering the transistor, the multi-layer CESL structure comprising a first CESL and a second CESL; and a dielectric layer on the second CESL. The first CESL is made of a material different from that of the second CESL, and the second CESL is made of a material different from that of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a photoresist layer on a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary includes providing a wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a first cycle at a first speed, while a pre-wet material is dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the first cycle at a second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a second cycle at the first speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the second cycle at the second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer at a third speed, while a photoresist material is dispensed over the wafer including the pre-wet material.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure comprises forming at least one reflective structure comprising at least two dielectric materials having different refractive indices over at least one radiation-sensitive structure, the at least one reflective structure configured to substantially reflect therefrom radiation within a predetermined wavelength range and to substantially transmit therethrough radiation within a different predetermined wavelength range. Additional methods of forming a semiconductor device structure are described. Semiconductor device structures are also described.

Abstract: An anti spacer process, which comprises: (a) providing a resist layer including a non-uniform shape; (b) coating a target layer above the resist layer; (c) providing anti spacer trenches (spa) between the target layer and the resist layer; and (d) connecting at least part of the anti spacer trenches (spa) together to isolate a first part of the target layer and a second part of the target layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides manufacturing techniques and semiconductor devices in which performance of P-channel transistors may be enhanced on the basis of a stress mechanism that involves the deposition of a dielectric bi-layer system. Contrary to conventional strategies, an additional pre-treatment may be performed prior to the deposition of an adhesion layer in a plasma-free process atmosphere, thereby enabling a reduced thickness of the adhesion layer and a higher internal stress level of the subsequent top layer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a nitride semiconductor layer, including the steps of firstly providing a substrate on which a patterned epitaxy layer with a pier structure is formed. A protective layer is then formed on the patterned epitaxy layer, exposing a top surface of the pier structure. Next, a nitride semiconductor layer is formed over the patterned epitaxy layer connected to the nitride semiconductor layer through the pier structure, wherein the nitride semiconductor layer, the pier structure, and the patterned epitaxy layer together form a space exposing a bottom surface of the nitride semiconductor layer. Thereafter, a weakening process is performed to remove a portion of the bottom surface of the nitride semiconductor layer and to weaken a connection point between the top surface of the pier structure and the nitride semiconductor layer. Finally, the substrate is separated from the nitride semiconductor layer through the connection point.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and at least one integrated circuit formed on a frontside of the semiconductor substrate. A shielding layer is formed on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. The shielding layer includes one or more elements having a high thermal neutron absorption cross section.

Abstract: A method is provided for depositing a dielectric barrier film including a precursor with silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen with improved barrier dielectric properties including lower dielectric constant and superior electrical properties. This method will be important for barrier layers used in a damascene or dual damascene integration for interconnect structures or in other dielectric barrier applications. In this example, specific structural properties are noted that improve the barrier performance.

Abstract: Methods for formation and treatment of pure metal layers using CVD and ALD techniques are provided. In one or more embodiments, the method includes forming a metal precursor layer and treating the metal precursor layer to a hydrogen plasma to reduce the metal precursor layer to form a metal layer. In one or more embodiments, treating the metal precursor layer includes exposing the metal precursor layer to a high frequency-generated hydrogen plasma. Methods of preventing a hydrogen plasma from penetrating a metal precursor layer are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming different structures of a semiconductor device using a single mask and a hybrid photoresist. The method includes: applying a first photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first photoresist layer using a photomask to form a first patterned photoresist layer; using the first patterned photoresist layer to form a first structure of a semiconductor device; removing the first patterned photoresist layer; applying a second photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate; patterning the second photoresist layer using the photomask to form a second patterned photoresist layer; using the second patterned photoresist layer to form a second structure of a semiconductor device; removing the second patterned photoresist layer; and wherein either the first or the second photoresist layer is a hybrid photoresist layer comprising a hybrid photoresist.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell having an effective minority charge carrier lifetime (?eff) of at least 500 ?s, said method comprising: providing a semiconductor wafer; and passivating a surface of said wafer by ALD-depositing a metal oxide layer on said surface by sequentially and alternatingly: (iii) exposing said surface to a first precursor, resulting in a coverage of the surface with the first precursor, and (iv) exposing said surface to a second precursor, resulting in a coverage of the surface with the second precursor, wherein at least one of steps (i) and (ii) is stopped before the coverage of the surface reaches a saturation level.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a different gate structure in each of a plurality of device regions is described. The method may include a replacement gate process. The method includes forming a hard mask layer on oxide layers formed on one or more regions of the substrate. A high-k gate dielectric layer is formed on each of the first, second and third device regions. The high-k gate dielectric layer may be formed directly on the hard mask layer in a first and second device regions and directly on an interfacial layer formed in a third device region. A semiconductor device including a plurality of devices (e.g., transistors) having different gate dielectrics formed on the same substrate is also described.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating interconnect structures for semiconductor dice comprise forming conductive elements in contact with bond pads on an active surface over a full pillar diameter of the conductive elements, followed by application of a photodefinable material comprising a photoresist to the active surface and over the conductive elements. The polymide material is selectively exposed and developed to remove photodefinable material covering at least tops of the conductive elements. Semiconductor dice and semiconductor die assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first surface. In the method, a stress is applied to the semiconductor substrate to change inter-atomic spacing at the first surface of the semiconductor substrate to a stressed inter-atomic spacing. Then, the semiconductor substrate is processed. Thereafter, the stress is released and the first surface of the processed semiconductor substrate retains the stressed inter-atomic spacing.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a stress enhanced CMOS circuit includes forming a first plurality of MOS transistors at a first pitch and forming a second plurality of MOS transistors at a second pitch. The second pitch is larger than the first pitch. The method further includes depositing a single stress liner overlying the first and second plurality of MOS transistors. The single stress liner is the only stress liner deposited in the fabrication of the stress enhanced CMOS circuit. A stress enhanced CMOS circuit includes a first plurality of MOS transistors formed at a first pitch and a second plurality of MOS transistors formed at a second pitch. The second pitch is larger than the first pitch. The circuit further includes a single stress liner overlying the first and second plurality of MOS transistors. The single stress liner is the only stress liner formed on the stress enhanced CMOS circuit.

Abstract: A chuck, a system including a chuck and a method for making a semiconductor device are disclosed. In one embodiment the chuck includes a first conductive region configured to be capacitively coupled to a first RF power generator, a second conductive region configured to be capacitively coupled to a second RF power generator and an insulation region that electrically insulates the first conductive region from the second conductive region.

Abstract: A composite high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric includes a stack of a doped high-k gate dielectric and an undoped high-k gate dielectric. The doped high-k gate dielectric can be formed by providing a stack of a first high-k dielectric material layer and a dopant metal layer and annealing the stack to induce the diffusion of the dopant metal into the first high-k dielectric material layer. The undoped high-k gate dielectric is formed by subsequently depositing a second high-k dielectric material layer. The composite high-k gate dielectric can provide an increased gate-leakage oxide thickness without increasing inversion oxide thickness.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate. The gate includes a high-k dielectric material. In the method, a fluorine-containing liquid is contacted with the high-k dielectric material and fluorine is incorporated into the high-k dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of producing a layer of cavities in a structure comprises at least one substrate formed from a material that can be oxidized or nitrided, the method comprising the following steps: implanting ions into the substrate in order to form an implanted ion concentration zone at a predetermined mean depth; heat treating the implanted substrate to form a layer of cavities at the implanted ion concentration zone; and forming an insulating layer in the substrate by thermochemical treatment from one surface of the substrate, the insulating layer that is formed extending at least partially into the layer of cavities.

Abstract: Methods of forming rutile titanium dioxide. The method comprises exposing a transition metal (such as V, Cr, W, Mn, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pt, Ge, Sn, or Pb) to oxygen gas (O2) to oxidize the transition metal. Rutile titanium dioxide is formed over the oxidized transition metal. The rutile titanium dioxide is formed by atomic layer deposition by introducing a gaseous titanium halide precursor and water to the oxidized transition metal. Methods of forming semiconductor structures having rutile titanium dioxide are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a body region of a first conductivity type and a gate pattern disposed on the body region. The gate pattern has a linear portion extending in a first direction and having a uniform width and a bending portion extending from one end of the linear portion. The portion of a channel region located beneath the bending portion constitutes a channel whose length is greater than the length of the channel constituted by the portion of the channel region located beneath the linear portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method includes forming a gate dielectric stack on a semiconductor substrate and annealing the gate dielectric stack. Forming the stack may include depositing a first layer of a metal-oxide dielectric on the substrate, forming a refractory metal silicon nitride on the first layer, and depositing a second layer of the metal-oxide dielectric on the refractory metal silicon nitride. Depositing the first layer may include depositing a metal-oxide dielectric, such as HfO2, using atomic layer deposition. Forming the refractory metal silicon nitride film may include forming a film of tantalum silicon nitride using a physical vapor deposition process. Annealing the gate dielectric stack may include annealing the gate dielectric stack in an oxygen-bearing ambient at approximately 750 C for 10 minutes or less. In one embodiment, annealing the dielectric stack includes annealing the dielectric stack for approximately 60 seconds at a temperature of approximately 500 C.