Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for depositing an oxide layer onto a semiconductor device during fabrication by using a deposition chamber, the method comprising the steps of providing a temperature of less than approximately 450 degrees Celsius in the deposition chamber; allowing the semiconductor wafer to soak up the temperature of less than approximately 450 degrees Celsius for approximately 30 seconds; and depositing a layer of oxide onto a semiconductor wafer, wherein a thickness of the oxide layer is not greater than approximately 200 Angstroms.

Abstract: A method for forming integrated circuits having multiple gate oxide thicknesses. A high density plasma is used for selective plasma nitridation to reduce the effective gate dielectric thickness in selected areas only. In one embodiment, a pattern (12) is formed over a substrate (10) and a high density plasma nitridation is used to form a thin nitride or oxynitride layer (18) on the surface of the substrate (10) . The pattern (12) is removed and oxidation takes place. The nitride (or oxynitride) layer (18) retards oxidation (20b), whereas, in the areas (20a) where the nitride (or oxynitride) layer (18) is not present, oxidation is not retarded. In another embodiment, a thermal oxide is grown. A pattern is then placed that exposes areas where a thinner effective gate oxide is desired. The high density plasma nitridation is performed converting a portion of the gate oxide to nitride or oxynitride. The effective thickness of the combined gate dielectric is reduced.

Abstract: HSQ is employed for gap filling patterned metal layers. The surface of the deposited HSQ gap fill layer is modified to decrease its plasma etching rate. Embodiments include modifying the HSQ surface by exposure to a plasma, such as a nitrogen-containing plasma, e.g., a plasma containing ammonia or hydrogen/nitrogen, to form a nitrided surface region. Reduction of the plasma etching rate of HSQ enables formation of reliable low resistance borderless vias.

Abstract: A method of forming a region of impurity in a semiconductor substrate with minimal damage. The method includes the steps of: forming a reaction-inhibiting impurity region in the semiconductor substrate to a depth below the semiconductor substrate; and applying laser energy to the semiconductor substrate at a sufficient magnitude to liquify the semiconductor substrate in the region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a copper interconnect structure, in a damascene type opening, comprised a thick copper layer, obtained via an electro-chemical deposition procedure, and comprised of an underlying, copper seed layer, featuring a smooth top surface topography, has been developed. The smooth top surface topography, of the underlying copper seed layer, is needed to allow the voidless deposition of the overlying, thick copper layer, and is also needed to allow the deposition of the overlying thick copper layer to be realized, with a surface that can survive a chemical mechanical polishing procedure, without the risk of unwanted dishing or spooning phenomena. The desirable, copper seed layer, is obtained via a process sequence that features: a plasma vapor deposition of a first copper seed layer; an argon purge procedure; and a second plasma vapor deposition of a second copper seed layer.

Abstract: An element isolator is formed in a silicon substrate. A gate oxide film and a gate electrode are formed overlying the silicon substrate. Subsequently, a four-step large-tilted-angle ion implant is performed in which ions of nitrogen are implanted at an angle of tilt of 25 degrees, to form an oxynitride layer at each edge of the gate oxide film and to form a nitrogen diffusion layer in the silicon substrate. This is followed by formation of a lightly-doped source/drain region by means of impurity doping. A sidewall is formed on each side surface of the gate electrode, which is followed by formation of a heavily-doped source/drain region by impurity doping. The present invention provides an improved semiconductor device having high-performance, highly-reliable MOS field effect transistors and a method for fabricating the same.

Abstract: A side-wall film of a gate electrode is fabricated as a two-layer structure including an underlying thin silicon nitride film and a relatively thick silicon oxide film. The silicon nitride film covers and protects the edge of the gate oxide film against formation of a gate bird's beak at the edge of the gate oxide film. The side-wall contacts with the silicon substrate substantially at the thick silicon oxide film of the side-wall, which prevents formation of a carrier trap area adjacent to the channel area. The bottom of the side-wall may be a nitride-doped silicon oxide instead.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming silicon nitride stacks. A semiconductor substrate is cleaned to remove any native oxide, and an insulative material is disposed thereon. A plurality of films are deposited superjacent the insulative material, and each of the plurality of films converted into a dielectric to form a multi-layered stack. A fill layer is formed superjacent the multi-layered stack to seal any pinholes. The fill layer is formed by at least one of low temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of oxide, low temperature deposition of nitride, low temperature re-oxidation of ozone, the low temperature is at least 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for forming a uniform and reliable oxide layer on the surface of a semiconductor substrate using projection gas immersion laser doping (P-GILD) is provided. A semiconductor substrate is immersed in an oxide enhancing compound containing atmosphere. The oxide enhancing compound containing atmosphere may include phosphorus, arsenic, boron or an equivalent. A 308 nm excimer laser is then applied to a portion of the substrate to induce incorporation of the oxide enhancing compound into a portion of the substrate. The deposition depth is dependent upon the strength of the laser energy directed at the surface of the substrate. A uniform and reliable oxide layer is then formed on the surface of the substrate by heating the substrate. The laser may be applied with a reflective reticle or mask formed on the substrate. An E.sup.2 PROM memory cell having a program junction region in a silicon substrate is also provided. An oxide layer is positioned between a program junction and a floating gate.

Abstract: A wafer holder for maintaining a semiconductor wafer at a constant temperature during film deposition is disclosed. The wafer holder is configured to have one or more quartz arms. Affixed to each arm is at least one quartz support, whose top end is adapted for holding the semiconductor wafer. The top end of each support is tapered to have a diameter smaller than that of the quartz support and is optionally tapered to a point. A thermal mass element is optionally supported on the arms of the wafer holder, to keep uniform, the temperature at the perimeter of the wafer with respect to the rest of the semiconductor wafer during a material layer deposition. Also, a quartz backstop is optionally attached to each support arm to keep the semiconductor wafer positioned on top of the quartz supports when the wafer holder is rotated.