The present invention relates to low-dielectric constant cryptocrystals that may be used in conjunction with future generation integrated circuits and devices. The cryptocrystal stands for a material that is so finely grained that no distinct particles are discerned under optical microscope and even under electron microscope. State of matter arranged in this way with such minute crystals is said to be cryptocrystal This type of crystals can exhibit extraordinary dielectric properties which can be used in various fields.
The invention relates to cryptocrystals and particularly to Ammonium Silicon Fluoride (ASIF), which have been derived from state-of-the-art wafers and having a general formula (NH4)2XF6—(wherein X=Si, Ge, C) named as ‘ammonium X-fluoride’.
There is no report in literature on the above mentioned optical quality dielectric Ammonium X-Fluoride cryptocrystals.
Ammonium Silicon Fluoride (ASiF) material was shown to be formed on Silicon wafers when Ammonium Fluoride NH4F is reacted with Si on the wafer surface [M. Niwano, K. Kurita, Y. Takeda and N. Miyamoto, Applied Physics Letters 62, 1003(1993)].
As explained in another document, Ammonium Silicon Fluoride has been found on the walls of vacuum chambers and in the vacuum exhaust lines during plasma assisted semiconductor cleaning and deposition processing [S. Munley, I. McNaught, D. Mrotek, and C. Y. Lin, Semiconductor International, 10/1,(2001)].
It has also been shown that a light emitting powders of Ammonium Silicon Fluoride can be derived from porous Silicon using HF/HNO3 [M. Saadoun, B. Bessais, N. Mliki, M. Ferid, H. Ezzaouia, and R. Bennaceur, Applied Surface Science 210, 240(2003)].
Similarly, [H. Ogawa, T. Arai, M. Yanagisawa, T. Ichiki and Y. Horiike, Jpn. J. Applied Physics 41, 5349(2002)] have shown that Ammonium Silicon Fluoride was formed on Silicon wafers when residual natural oxide reacts with hot Ammonium(NH3) and Nitrogen Fluoride(NF3) on the wafer surface.
Also, It was reported that ammonium silicon fluoride has been formed when HF and NH3 gases are reacted on SiO2 under vacuum. [P. D. Agnello, IBM J. of Research and Development 46, Number 2/3, 2002)].
There is no application quality cryptocrystal structure in the above mentioned works. Moreover, in these works ammonium silicon fluoride has been obtained as an unintentional, irregular, disordered and contaminated by product.
There is no report in literature on Ammonium X-Fluoride micro- and nanowires.(X=Silicon, Germanium, Diamond)
There is no report on the fact that the dielectric constant of Ammonium X-Fluoride cryptocrystals can be tuned over a large scale and they can be used as insulator.
Micro and nano-electronics are the most important fields of application of this invention. According to International Road Map for Semiconductors(ITRS) [C. Case, Solid State Technology, January, 47(2004)][P. Zeitzoff, R. W. Murto, H. R. Huff, Solid State Technology, 71(2002)], semiconductor industry needs a low-dielectric constant(k) intermetal insulators with dielectric constant which is well under k=3.0.for hi-performance interconnections. Therefore, it is very important to develop low-k di-electrics which are compatible for future integrated circuitry(IC) production. On the other hand, there is a continuing effort in finding a high-k dielectrics for CMOS gate insulation under 1 nanometer for 50 nanometer fabrication node. Our invention also offers a solution to high-k issue with cryptocrystal layers whose dielectric constant can be set at a desired value by diffusion.
In accordance with historical Moore law [G. E. Moore, Electronics 38, 114(1965)[G. E. Moore, IEDM Technical Digest, Washington DC, 11(1975)], down-scaling continues in CMOS technology. Multi-level metallisation is required to accommodate signal integration of a number of active elements. Electrical resistance and parasitic capacitances in these metal interconnects are important factors limiting the IC performance in next generation systems. This causes the industry to move from Aluminum/SiO2 to Cupper/low-k configuration. While the cupper decreases the line resistance, the low-k dielectric decreases the parasitic capacitance between metal lines.
In order to overcome difficulties in downscaling of transistor dimensions, the capacitance per unit area is to be kept constant. Therefore, there is a need for high-k value dielectrics. These dielectrics can be oxides and silicates such as Al2O3, ZrO2, HFO2. C. J. Parker, G. Lucovsky and J. R. Hauser, IEEE Electron. Device Lett. (1998); Y. Wu and G. Lucovsky, IEEE Electron. Device Lett. (1998); and H. Yang and G. Lucovsky, IEDM Digest, (1999) have suggested solutions in using these materials. However, there are very tough challenges to overcome concerning the economic cost and number of interfacial defects. Our cryptocrystal technology can offer potential solutions in this field. For example, maintaining advantages of native gate oxide, a high-k dielectric can be formed using cryptocrystals.
The metal lines in integrated circuits are electrically insulated from each other by dielectric insulators. As the IC size becomes smaller, distances between metal lines are decreased, thus leading to an increased capacitance. This causes RC delays, power loss, capacitively induced signals or cross-talks. There is a need for low-dielectric constant insulation layers in lieu of SiO2.
Polymers with dielectric constant lower than that of SiO2 are used as interconnect insulator. But, the fact that the polymers are not strong, is an important disadvantage.
Oxides doped with Carbon can be a solution for the low-k dielectrics. It is possible to obtain oxides with dielectric constant smaller than 3.0. However, they present great disadvantages concerning durability.
The performance characteristics gained by down sizing active circuit elements in IC production can be lost in interconnects and packaging elements. In this case, not the speed of transistor but the RC delays at interconnects become important. Moreover, with decreasing dimensions, deeper metal lines are required, thus making intermetal capacitance more important than the interlevel capacitance. In order to overcome these difficulties superior low-k dielectrics and new fabrication methods are required. Current low-k dielectrics consist of oxides and polymers. Cryptocrystals can be a potential solution. Thus, high performance IC's can be realized by avoiding cross-talks among adjacent electric circuits.
One of the approaches is a method using air gaps to lower capacitances [B. Shieh et. al., IEEE Electron Device Letters, 19, no. 1, p. 16-18(1998) [D. L. Wollesen, Low capacitance interconnection, U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,668, issued May 4, 1999]. In these approaches SiO2 has been used as interlevel and intermetal dielectric. U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,802, U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,858, U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,042 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,615 patents relate to the possibility of decreasing capacity by using air gaps. But, in these methods, harsh chemicals should be used to form air-gaps. Cryptocrystal technology can offer easier, damage free, low cost solutions in fabricating air-gaps.
This invention relates to ASiF cryptocrystals whose dielectric value can be tuned by several methods and can be synthesized on Si and Si-based wafers. By diffusion, the dielectric constant of ASiF cryptocrystals can be tuned from its minimum value of 1.50 to much higher values(desired). Thus, other properties such as ferroelectric and optical emission can be possed by cryptocrystals.
This invention offers an important alternative to low-cost and high performance low-k technology. Because, it is derived from potential integrated circuit wafers and has a dielectric constant lower than 2.00. This value is smaller than that predicted by ITRS for the year 2007 and beyond.
This invention has important applications in Si CMOS technology and GaAs technology, in increasing the performance of heterojunction bipolar transistors(HBT), high density information storage and information security, microelectronics packaging, photonic component production, IC system cooling, technology integration and sensor production.
The following figures relate to cryptocrystal properties, methods of cryptocrystal layer production and devices in which cryptocrystal layers can be used.
The numbers in figures and their correspondance are given below:
A method for synthesizing ammonium silicon fluoride(ASiF) on Silicon (Si) and Si based wafers has been developed. In this method, we have used the vapor phase growth technique that we have already developed [S. Kalem and O. Yavuz, OPTICS EXPRESS 6, 7(2000)]. With this method, we have grown cryptocrystal layers by having the vapors of Hidrofluoric Acid (HF) and Nitric Acid (HNO3) reacted on wafer surface. Cryptocrystal layers having white granular color were synthesized on wafers at 1 μm/hour growth rates.
The advantages of this technique are: i) no electrical contacts are required, ii)possibility of writing on surfaces selectively, iii) layers are homogeneous, iv) thickness can be controlled, v) possibility of forming diffusion barrier in etching processes, vi) cost effective compared to other conventional techniques vii) has a cryptoclrystalline property.
Cryptocrystal ammonium silicon fluoride layers (NH4)2SiF6(ASiF) are formed on state-of-the-art-wafers when vapor of a mixture of conventional chemicals are reacted on wafers. This method is called as Chemical Vapor Processing (CVP) and involves the following steps:
a) The preparation of teflon growth chamber and ultrasound cleaning processes;
b) Preparation of a chemical mixture containing HF:HNO3 with ratios (4-10):(1-8) and 25-50% hidrofluoric acid (HF) and 55-75% nitric acid (HNO3);
c) Flushing the mixure with Nitrogen and priming the mixture for 10 second with a piece of wafer;
d) Closing entirely the orifice with a wafer to be processed;
e) Making sure that the reaction products are evacuated from the chamber through exhaust channels;
f) Controlling Ph and temperature;
g) Cryptocrystal layers are formed on the wafer by Silicon mediated coupling reactions between HF and HNO3 species on the wafer following the equation
X+6HF+2HNO3→(NH4)2XF6+3O2
Wherein X can be Si, Ge or C.
h) Wafer is transformed into a cryptocrystal layer at a rate of 1 μm;
i) Cryptocrystal layers can be annealed and their strength and density can be enhanced;
j) Transformation of cryptocrystals into nanostructures and particularly to micro- and nano-wires at above 50° C. under nitrogen atmosphere.
Here are the properties of wafers used in cryptocrystal layer production:
1. Resistivities between 5-10 Ohm-cm
2. p-type, Boron doped, (100) and (111) oriented Si
3. n-type, Phosphor doped, (100) and (111) oriented Si
4. Silicon native oxide(thermal oxide) on Silicon SiO2/Si
5. Stochiometric Si3N4 on Silicon (Si/Si3N4)
6. Si1-xGex, x<0.3 (Si1-xGex on Si)
Cryptocrystal production apparatus consists of a substrate(1), gas exhaust channel for reaction by products(2), teflon container (3), vapor processing chamber(4), chemical liquid mixture(5), Ph meter (7), chemical liquid extraction gate (9), heater block(8) and temperature controller(6), orifice and sample holder(11) and nitrogen flashing(10).
Cryptocrystal layers are formed of undiscernable particles(12) as evidenced by optical polarization microscope and even by scanning electron microscope(SEM). In addition, they have smooth interfaces(13) and are well integrated to wafer as evidenced SEM interfacial studies.
X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that the cryptocrystals grown preferentially in the <111> direction(14). Diffraction peaks and their relative intensitis are summarized in Table-1.
Cryptocrystals(12) having white color, are formed on wafers(1) in the form of regular thin layers. The annealing experiments indicatate that ASiF stays on the surfaceM up to about 150° C. It is decomposed above this temperature.
Depending on annealing temperature, bulk crystals(15) of ASiF are formed on the surface. The dimensions of these crystals can be up to 15 μm×30 μm.
Cryptocrystal can be selectively realized as dots(16) on wafers,
Nanowires(17) with dimensions ranging from few nanometers up to one micrometer and lengths up to 50 μm were produced. Moreover, variety of nanometer structures and particularly nanobranches were produced.
Room temperature optical properties of ASiF cryptocrystals exhibit the vibrational peaks as summarized in Table-2. The frequencies are associated with vibrations of various bonding configurations of N—H(18), Si—O(19) ve Si—F(20) modes in ASiF. The Si—O vibrations are related to the presence of a native oxide layer at the interface.
Table 2, A summary of FTIR data for ASiF cryptocrystals, wherein, VS:Very Strong, S:Strong, M:Medium, W:Weak, VW:Very Weak.
FTIR analysis indicate that ASiF has strong absorption notches at 3 μm(18), 7 μm(18), 13.6 μm(20) and 20.8 μm(21), and thus they can be used in optical applications.
This invention relates to the use of cryptocrystals in integrated circuits. In Field Effect Transistors (FET) the Source(24) and Drain (26) regions are located in the first surface and within the wafer and transistor gate(22) or channel insulating layer(12) is in between these regions. Channel insulating layer(12) is formed of cryptocrystalline material. ASiF cryptocrystal with its tunable dielectric constant value can minimize leakage currents in FET's thus leading to an advantage. In FET's, Cryptocrystal dielectric can directly form an interface with wafer thus reducing leakage currents. In other case, a thin native oxide(27) can be kept between cryptocrystal and wafer. The latter configuration is effective in reducing density of states at the interface.
In another application of this invention, cryptocrystal layer is placed in between Source(23)-Collector(28) and Drain (25)-Collector(28) in (Hetero Bipolar Transistor, HBT) transistors to reduce capacitances and thus increasing high frequency performance of HBT's. Above mentioned capacitances play an important role in III-V compound semiconductor based (GaAs/AlGaAs bazli) HBT's [M. Mochizuki, T. Nakamura, T. Tanoue and H. Masuda, Solid State Electronics 38, 1619(1995) and SiGe based HBT's [U. König and H. Dambkes, Solid State Electronics 38, 1595(1995)]. In such a device, cryptocrystal layers are located in both sides of the Base region(31) and underneath of the Source(29) and the Drain(30) regions. In this structure, after transistor structure formed, both sides of the Base have been transformed into law dielectric constant cryptocrystal regions using above mentioned methods.
With increasing demand for ultra high density and high speed applications, there is an increasing interest for new high performance information storage systems [H. Coufal and G. W. Burr, International Trends in Optics, 2002] [U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,434]. In another application of this invention, we offer alternative solutions to solve high performance information storage. Using cryptocrystals, it would be possible to obtain ultra high density memory cells(20) on electronic wafers. In this application it has been possible to write selectively on Silicon based wafers by forming cryptocrystal cells(16). The fact that cryptocrystals can have phase change(16) at relatively low temperatures, offers the possibility of erasing and rewriting. Thus, the fast phase change feature at low temperatures enables fast writing applications. Moreover, with 8.5 nm unit cell dimension of ASiF cryptocrystals, information storage densities of the order of Th/cm2 can be possible. Novelties brought by cryptocrystal technology in this field are: i) possibility of writing on microelectronic wafers without photolithography, ii) offer of high density information storage at Tb/cm2 range, iii) high speed erasing and rewriting.
In information security applications, cryptocrystals are used in vertical cavity lasers or LED's [A. C. Tpper, H. D. Foreman, A. Garnache, K. G. Wilcox, S. H. Hoogland, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 37, R75(2004)], right above the active region(32) and top Bragg reflector (35) forming a cryptocrystal window (37). Thus, the laser or LED surface has been transformed into a transparent window. Here the ASiF has to be protected by a cap layer(33). Physical one-way functions can be produced with such a laser/LED chip. The scattering of a He—Ne laser from ASiF (38) shows the feasibility. The scattering indicates the presence of a random structure. This proves that cryptocrystals can be used in generating secure keys in information security. This method is more cost effective and can be beter integrated to IC's compared to CMOS applications [A. Fort, F. Cortigiani, S. Rocchi, and V. Vignoli, Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing 34, 97(2003) and other optical applications using passive elements [R. Pappu, B. Recht, J. Taylor and N. Gershenfeld, Science 297, 2026(2002)].
This invention can be used to bind two wafers together. The method includes the formation of cryptocrystal layers on the surfaces of both wafers by CVP and pressing two wafers together under H2O, Nitrogen or Hidrogen(H2) at high temperature.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2005/00923 | Mar 2005 | TR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB06/50406 | 2/8/2006 | WO | 00 | 9/14/2007 |