Method of manufacturing an insulated gate field effect transistor

Abstract

A Field Effect Transistor (FET) and a method of forming FETs on a silicon wafer. First, trenches are formed in a surface of the silicon wafer. An ONO layer is formed on the surface, lining the trenches. Potassium is diffused along the ONO layer. Part of the ONO layer is removed to expose the wafer surface with the ONO layer remaining in the trenches. A gate oxide is formed on the exposed wafer surface. Finally, FET gates are formed on the gate oxide. Preferably, potassium is introduced during Chem-Mech polish when the trenches are filled with polysilicon. A slurry containing KOH is used to polish the polysilicon and the potassium diffuses from the slurry along the ONO layer. After Chem-Mech polish, the poly in the trenches is recessed by Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) it below the wafer surface. Optionally, after RIE, the wafer may be dipped in a KOH solution. Next, an oxide collar is formed along the ONO layer in the trenches above the recessed polysilicon. The recesses are filled by a second layer of polysilicon that is Chem-Mech polished with the same slurry to remove polysilicon from the wafer surface. The polished polysilicon may be Reactive Ion etched until it is essentially coplanar with the wafer surface. The resulting FET has thicker gate oxide along its sides than in the center of its channel.