Patent ID: 9355849
Filing Date: 2016-05-31
CPC Classification: C23C,G11C,H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising: forming a multi-layer charge storing layer comprising depositing on a substrate an oxygen-rich, first oxynitride layer and depositing directly on the first oxynitride layer an oxygen-lean and silicon-rich second oxynitride layer, wherein a stoichiometric composition of the first oxynitride layer comprises a high concentration of oxygen selected to increase retention performance of the multi-layer charge storing layer by acting as a barrier between charge trapped in the second oxynitride layer and the substrate; steam annealing the second oxynitride layer to reduce a number of traps formed near a top surface thereof; and forming a blocking oxide layer directly on the second oxynitride layer, wherein forming the blocking oxide layer comprises steam annealing the blocking oxide layer to reduce back streaming of charge carriers through the blocking oxide layer.