Patent · US Expired

Methods and devices to reduce defects in dielectric stack structures

US7608300B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
29References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 2003
Grant dateOct 27, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 5, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C16/56
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A variety of techniques may be employed alone or in combination to reduce the incidence of defects arising in dielectric stack structures formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Incidence of a first defect type attributable to reaction between an unreacted species of a prior CVD step and reactants of a subsequent CVD step, is reduced by exposing a freshly-deposited dielectric layer to a plasma before any additional layers are deposited. Incidence of a second defect type attributable to the presence of incompletely vaporized CVD liquid precursor material, is reduced by exposing the freshly-deposited dielectric layer to a plasma, and/or by continuing the flow of carrier gas through an injection valve for a period beyond the conclusion of the CVD step.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.