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U.S. Department of Energy
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Issues on oxynitride films

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6946494

Compositions and related properties for oxynitride films formed by various methods are reviewed. In chemical-vapor-deposited films, Si-N vibrational absorption is sensitive to changes in local bonding introduced by small percentages of oxygen in silicon nitride. Elemental analysis and infrared absorption indicate that nitridation of thin oxide films produces oxynitride layers with compositions approaching Si/sub 2/N/sub 2/O. Hydrogen is an important constituent in films and film stacks. In nitride oxide films, hydrogen in the presence of N is associated with electron traps. Optimization of nonvolatile memory characteristics of oxynitride-oxide-Si stacks by hydrogenation involves alteration of the near interface region in the oxynitride, passivation of Si/Si/sub 2/O interface states, and possible regrowth of the Si/Si/sub 2/O interface. Consistent trends involving diffusion chemical changes and layer differentiation during high temperature processing occur for films of different origins and compositions. 41 refs., 13 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6946494
Report Number(s):
SAND-88-1248C; CONF-881061-7; ON: DE89002363
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English