Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd (corporation)

Dong Zhong

Jia Zhen Zheng

Chew Hoe Ang

Yun Ling Tan

DPN (decoupled plasma nitridation) is used to improve robustness of ultra thin gate oxides. Conventionally, this is followed by an anneal in pure helium to remove structural defects in the oxide. However, annealing under these conditions has been found to cause a deterioration of the electrical performance of devices. This problem has been overcome by annealing, in a 1:4 oxygen-nitrogen mixture (1,050&#xb0; C. at about 10 torr) instead of in helium or nitrogen oxide. This results in a gate oxide that is resistant to boron contamination without suffering any loss in its electrical properties.

Ultra-thin gate oxide through post decoupled plasma nitridation anneal

A method of fabricating multiple thickness gate oxide layers, comprising the following steps. A silicon substrate having at least a first and second gate oxide region is provided. A first gate oxide layer is formed over the silicon substrate within the first gate oxide region. The first gate oxide layer having a first predetermined thickness. A first layer of polysilicon is deposited and planarized over the first gate oxide layer. The first planarized layer of polysilicon and the first gate oxide layer are masked and etched within the second gate oxide region, exposing the silicon substrate within the second gate oxide region. A second gate oxide layer is formed over the exposed silicon substrate within the second gate oxide region. The second gate oxide layer having a second predetermined thickness. A second layer of polysilicon is selectively deposited over the second gate oxide layer. The first and second layers of polysilicon are planarized to a uniform thickness. Whereby the second gate oxide layer predetermined thickness is less than the first gate oxide layer predetermined thickness.

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Dong Zhong