US5963805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for forming integrated circuit capacitors including dual layer electrodes
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1997-06-27
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Granted: 1999-10-05
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Expires: 2017-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming an integrated circuit capacitor includes the steps of forming a first electrode layer on a substrate wherein the first electrode has a first dopant concentration, and forming a second electrode layer on the first electrode layer opposite the substrate. The second electrode layer has a second dopant concentration different from the first dopant concentration. In addition, a portion of the second electrode layer is converted to a hemispherical grain layer. More particularly, the first dopant concentration is greater than the second dopant concentration. Related structures are also discussed.
Inventors
- 👤 Man-sug Kang
- 👤 Seung-joon Ahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:25
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10B; H10B12/00; H10B12/01; H10B12/02; H10B12/03; H10B12/033; H10D; H10D1/00; H10D1/60; H10D1/68; H10D1/692; H10D1/711; H10D1/712
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for forming an integrated circuit capacitor, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first electrode layer on a substrate wherein said first electrode layer has a first dopant concentration; forming a second electrode layer on said first electrode layer opposite said substrate wherein said second electrode layer has a second dopant concentration different from said first dopant concentration; converting a portion of said second electrode layer having said second dopant concentration to a hemispherical grain layer; forming a second hemispherical grain layer on sidewalls of said first electrode layer having said first dopant concentration wherein grains of said second hemispherical grain layer are smaller than those of said first hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for forming an integrated circuit capacitor, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first electrode layer on a substrate wherein said first electrode layer has a first dopant concentration; forming a second electrode layer on said first electrode layer opposite said substrate wherein said second electrode layer has a second dopant concentration different from said first dopant concentration; converting a portion of said second electrode layer having said second dopant concentration to a hemispherical grain layer; forming a second hemispherical grain layer on sidewalls of said first electrode layer having said first dopant concentration wherein grains of said second hemispherical grain layer are smaller than those of said first hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: forming a dielectric layer on said hemispherical grain layer; and forming a conductive layer on said dielectric layer opposite said hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first dopant concentration is greater than said second dopant concentration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of forming said first electrode layer is preceded by the step of: forming an insulating layer on said substrate having a contact hole therein exposing said substrate wherein said first electrode layer fills said contact hole making electrical contact with said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said converting step is followed by the step of increasing a dopant concentration of said hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said increasing step comprises heating said hemispherical grain layer to a temperature in the range of 750 to 950° C. in a nitrogen (N 2 ) atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said increasing step comprises implanting dopant ions into said hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said secondidopant concentration is less than 10 19 atoms per cm 3 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second electrode layer has a thickness in the range of 10 to 1,000 Angstroms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said converting step comprises: forming grain seedlings on said second electrode layer; and annealing said grain seedlings on said second electrode layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said steps of forming and annealing said grain seedlings are performed in situ.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said step of forming said grain seedlings comprises exposing said second electrode layer to a predetermined gas selected from the group consisting of silane (SiH 4 ) and disilane (Si 2 H 6 ) at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said predetermined gas flows at a rate of 18 sccm, wherein said predetermined temperature is approximately 600° C., and wherein said predetermined period of time is approximately 185 seconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said annealing step comprises heating said grain seedlings to approximately 600° C. for approximately 420 seconds.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first and second electrode layers comprise first and second silicon layers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said steps of forming said first and second electrode layers comprises doping said first and second electrode layer in situ.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein said steps of forming said first and second electrode layers each comprise using a source gas selected from the group consisting of silane (SiH 4 ) and disilane (Si 2 H 6 ).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein said first and second electrode layers are doped with a dopant selected from the group consisting of phosphorous (P), arsenic (As), and boron (B).
Claim 20
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for forming an integrated circuit capacitor, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first electrode layer on a substrate wherein said first electrode layer has a first dopant concentration; forming a second electrode layer on said first electrode layer opposite said substrate wherein said second electrode layer has a second dopant concentration different from said first dopant concentration; converting a portion of said second electrode layer to a hemispherical grain layer; and forming a spacer along sidewalls of said first electrode layer wherein said spacer has a third dopant concentration different from said first dopant concentration, and wherein said converting step comprises converting a portion of said spacer to said hemispherical grain layer, wherein said first dopant concentration is greater than said second and third dopant concentrations.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for forming an integrated circuit capacitor, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first electrode layer on a substrate wherein said first electrode layer has a first dopant concentration; forming a second electrode layer on said first electrode layer opposite said substrate wherein said second electrode layer has a second dopant concentration different from said first dopant concentration; converting a portion of said second electrode layer to a hemispherical grain layer; and forming a spacer along sidewalls of said first electrode layer wherein said spacer has a third dopant concentration different from said first dopant concentration, and wherein said converting step comprises converting a portion of said spacer to said hemispherical grain layer, wherein said first dopant concentration is greater than said second and third dopant concentrations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said second and third dopant concentrations are less than approximately 10 19 atoms per cm 3 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said second electrode layer and said spacer each have a thickness in the range of 10 to 1000 Angstroms.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said converting step is followed by the step of increasing a dopant concentration of said hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said increasing step comprises implanting dopant ions into said hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein said implanting step comprises implanting said dopant ions at an angle with respect to a surface of said substrate of less than 90°.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said first electrode layer, said second electrode layer, and said spacer comprise doped silicon.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for forming an integrated circuit capacitor, said method comprising the steps of: forming an electrode layer on a substrate wherein said electrode layer has a surface opposite said substrate and sidewalls; forming a first hemispherical grain layer on said surface of said electrode layer wherein said first hemispherical grain layer has a first grain size; and forming a second hemispherical grain layer on said sidewalls of said electrode layer wherein said second hemispherical grain layer has a second grain size different from said first grain size wherein said first and second hemispherical grain silicon layers are formed simultaneously.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for forming an integrated circuit capacitor, said method comprising the steps of: forming an electrode layer on a substrate wherein said electrode layer has a surface opposite said substrate and sidewalls; forming a first hemispherical grain layer on said surface of said electrode layer wherein said first hemispherical grain layer has a first grain size; and forming a second hemispherical grain layer on said sidewalls of said electrode layer wherein said second hemispherical grain layer has a second grain size different from said first grain size wherein said first and second hemispherical grain silicon layers are formed simultaneously.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein said first grain size is greater than said second grain size.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
124 words
A method according to claim 26: wherein said step of forming said electrode layer comprises; forming a first electrode layer on said substrate wherein said first electrode layer has a first dopant concentration, and forming a second electrode layer on said first electrode layer opposite said substrate wherein said second electrode layer has a second dopant concentration different from said first dopant concentration; and wherein said step of forming said first hemispherical grain layer comprises converting a portion of said second electrode layer having said second dopant concentration to said first hemispherical grain layer; and wherein said step of forming said second hemispherical grain layer comprises converting sidewalls of said first electrode layer having said first dopant concentration to said second hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 28 wherein said first dopant concentration is greater than said second dopant concentration.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein said converting step is followed by the step of increasing a dopant concentration of said hemispherical grain layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 26 further comprising the steps of: forming a dielectric layer on said first and second hemispherical grain layers; and forming a conductive layer on said dielectric layer opposite said hemispherical grain layers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein said substrate comprises a semiconductor substrate and wherein said step of forming said electrode layer is preceded by the step of: forming an insulating layer on said substrate having a contact hole therein exposing said semiconductor substrate wherein said electrode layer fills said contact hole making electrical contact with said semiconductor substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first and second hemispherical grained layers are formed simulneously.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |