Patent ID: 6426308
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
A method for forming a dielectric film on a microelectronic substrate, said method comprising the steps of:placing said substrate on a susceptor in a process chamber wherein said substrate is isolated from an external environment; depositing said dielectric film on said substrate in said processing chamber; after depositing said dielectric film, annealing said dielectric film in said process chamber wherein said substrate is maintained in said process chamber during and between said depositing and annealing steps so that exposure to air is limited during and between said deposition and annealing steps; and controlling a height of the substrate relative to the susceptor to control a temperature of the substrate; wherein said step of depositing said dielectric film includes raising the temperature of said substrate on the susceptor to a first temperature and depositing the dielectric film and wherein depositing the dielectric film includes depositing the dielectric film with oxygen vacancies therein; and wherein said step of annealing the dielectric film includes lowering the temperature of the substrate on the susceptor from said first temperature to a second temperature and annealing the dielectric film to fill at least a portion of the oxygen vacancies therein wherein the temperature of the substrate is lowered from said first temperature to said second temperature by lifting the substrate from the susceptor; wherein said first temperature is in the range of 350 to 450 degrees C, and wherein said second temperature is in the range of 250 to 350 degrees C.