Defect Analysis and Reliability Characteristics of (HfZrO4)1−x(SiO2)x High-κ Dielectrics

Abstract

Hafnium zirconium silicon oxide ((HfZrO4)1−x(SiO2)x) materials were investigated through the defect analysis and reliability characterization for next generation high-κ dielectric. Silicate doped hafnium zirconium oxide (HfZrO4) films showed a reduction of negative flat-band voltage (Vfb) shift compared to pure HfZrO4. This result was caused by a decrease in donor-like interface traps (Dit) and positive border traps (Nbt). As the silicon oxide (SiO2) content increased, the Vfb was shifted in the positive direction from −1.23 to −1.10 to −0.91 V and the slope of the capacitance–voltage (C–V) curve increased. The nonparallel shift of the C–V characteristics was affected by the Dit, while the Nbt was responsible for the parallel C–V curve shift. The values of Dit reduced from 4.3 × 1011, 3.5 × 1011, and 3.0 × 1011 cm−2eV−1, as well as the values of Nbt were decreased from 5.24, 3.90 to 2.26 × 1012 cm−2. Finally, reduction of defects in the HfZrO4-base film with an addition of SiO2 affected the gate oxide reliability characteristics, such as gate leakage current (JG), bias temperature stress instability (BTSI), and time dependent gate dielectric breakdown (TDDB).