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US4882649A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Nitride/oxide/nitride capacitor dielectric

Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-29
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2008-03-29
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Abstract

Abstract An integrated circuit capacitor is disclosed which has improved leakage and storage characteristics. The dielectric material for the capacitor consists of a first layer of silicon nitride adjacent the lower plate, such as a silicon substrate, upon which a layer of silicon dioxide is formed. A second layer of silicon nitride is formed over the silicon dioxide layer, above which the second plate is formed. The layer of silicon dioxide may be formed by the partial oxidation of the first silicon nitride layer. The capacitor may be a planar capacitor, may be formed in a trench, or may be formed between two layers above the surface of the substrate.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ih-Chin Chen
  • 👤 Bing W. Shen
  • 👤 Robert R. Doering

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 05:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G4/00; H01G4/002; H01G4/018; H01G4/20; H10; H10B; H10B12/00; H10B12/30; H10B12/37; H10D; H10D1/00; H10D1/60; H10D1/62; H10D1/66; H10D1/665; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/43; Y10T29/435

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 75 words
A method for forming a capacitor at a surface of a semiconductor body, comprising the steps of: chemically vapor depositing a first layer of silicon nitride at said surface; forming a layer of silicon dioxide completely overlying said first layer of silicon nitride; forming a second layer of silicon nitride completely overlying said layer of silicon dioxide; forming a conductive capacitor plate completely overlying said second layer of silicon nitride and in direct contact therewith.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 75 words
A method for forming a capacitor at a surface of a semiconductor body, comprising the steps of: chemically vapor depositing a first layer of silicon nitride at said surface; forming a layer of silicon dioxide completely overlying said first layer of silicon nitride; forming a second layer of silicon nitride completely overlying said layer of silicon dioxide; forming a conductive capacitor plate completely overlying said second layer of silicon nitride and in direct contact therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of depositing said first layer of silicon nitride comprises low pressure chemical vapor deposition of silicon nitride.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming said second layer of silicon nitride comprises low pressure chemical vapor deposition of silicon nitride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming said layer of silicon dioxide comprises oxidization of a portion of said first layer of silicon nitride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a trench at said surface prior to said step of forming said first layer of silicon nitride.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 85 words
A method for forming a capacitor at a surface of a semiconductor body, comprising: forming an insulating layer at said surface; forming a semiconductor layer over said insulating layer after said step of forming a semiconductor layer, depositing a first layer of silicon nitride at said surface; forming a layer of silicon dioxide overlying said first layer of silicon nitride; forming a second layer of silicon nitride overlying said layer of silicon dioxide; and forming a capacitor plate overlying said second layer of silicon nitride.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 85 words
A method for forming a capacitor at a surface of a semiconductor body, comprising: forming an insulating layer at said surface; forming a semiconductor layer over said insulating layer after said step of forming a semiconductor layer, depositing a first layer of silicon nitride at said surface; forming a layer of silicon dioxide overlying said first layer of silicon nitride; forming a second layer of silicon nitride overlying said layer of silicon dioxide; and forming a capacitor plate overlying said second layer of silicon nitride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said step of depositing said first layer of silicon nitride comprises low pressure chemical vapor deposition of silicon nitride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said step of forming said second layer of silicon nitride comprises low pressure chemical vapor deposition of silicon nitride.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said step of forming said layer of silicon dioxide comprises oxidization of a portion of said first layer of silicon nitride.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3113253A Cited
US4621277A Cited
US4360900A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-11-20 1993-05-22 1993-11-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-11-20 1997-05-22 1997-11-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-11-20 2001-05-22 2001-11-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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