Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for fabricating a composite dielectric layer over a first conductive layer in an integrated circuit fabrication, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a first conductive layer over said substrate, said first conductive layer being polycrystalline and comprising doped silicon; forming a silicon dioxide layer over said first conductive layer; forming a silicon nitride layer over said silicon dioxide layer; forming a bottom capacitor plate by selectively clearing areas of said silicon substrate where a plurality of transistors are to be formed; oxidizing said cleared areas of said silicon to form a plurality of gate oxides, and simultaneously partially oxidizing said nitride layer, whereby a composite oxide/nitride/oxide dielectric is provided over said first conductive layer; and depositing a second conductive layer selectively over said locations of said plurality of transistors and over portions of said first conductive layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for fabricating a composite dielectric layer over a first conductive layer in an integrated circuit fabrication, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a first conductive layer over said substrate, said first conductive layer being polycrystalline and comprising doped silicon; forming a silicon dioxide layer over said first conductive layer; forming a silicon nitride layer over said silicon dioxide layer; forming a bottom capacitor plate by selectively clearing areas of said silicon substrate where a plurality of transistors are to be formed; oxidizing said cleared areas of said silicon to form a plurality of gate oxides, and simultaneously partially oxidizing said nitride layer, whereby a composite oxide/nitride/oxide dielectric is provided over said first conductive layer; and depositing a second conductive layer selectively over said locations of said plurality of transistors and over portions of said first conductive layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said formation of said first oxide over said first conductive layer comprises growth of said oxide by oxidation of said polysilicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said second conductive layer comprises doped polysilicon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said second conductive layer comprises doped polysilicon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said dielectric is formed with thickness which is preselected independently of the thickness to which said gate oxides are grown, whereby sad dielectric retains approximately said preselected thickness.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said oxide formation and said nitride formation steps are performed as a single furnace operation in a furnace of a constant temperature without removing said substrate from said furnace.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said oxide and nitride formation steps and said oxidation steps are performed in a single furnace operation in a furnace held at a constant temperature without removing said substrate from said furnace.