Rapid Thermal Processing of Gate Dielectric Films and their Characterization

Abstract

ABSTRACTRapid thermal processing has been used to grow high quality, low defect density, low mobile charge, dielectric films of oxide and nitrided oxide. Suitable annealing can lower the fixed charge and interfacial trap density present in these filmsto acceptably low levels. Both RTA and RTN were shown to improve the dielectric properties of the grown oxides. These filmsshould be strong candidates for use in high density, shallow junction, integrated circuits where a minimal time/temperature constraint is imposed on further processing after diffusion.