Oxide thickness dependence of plasma charging damage

Horng-Chih Lin*, C. C. Chen, M. F. Wang, S. K. Hsien, Chao-Hsin Chien, T. Y. Huang, C. Y. Chang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Charging damage induced in oxides with thickness ranging from 8.7 to 2.5 nm is investigated. Results of charge-to-breakdown (Qbd) measurements performed on control devices indicate that the polarity dependence increases with decreasing oxide thickness at both room and elevated temperature (180 °C) conditions. As the oxide thickness is thinned down below 3 nm, the Qbd becomes very sensitive to the stressing current density and temperature. Experimental results show that severe antenna effect would occur during plasma ashing treatment in devices with gate oxides as thin as 2.6 nm. It is concluded that high stressing current level, negative plasma charging, and high process temperature are key factors responsible for the damage.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)357-364
Number of pages8
JournalMicroelectronics Reliability
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1999

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