Patent ID: 8735302
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: G01N,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for screening effective work functions, the method comprising providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a first oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; defining a plurality of site isolated regions on the first oxide layer; patterning the first oxide layer in each site isolated region to form active areas on the semiconductor substrate by a first patterning process; forming a second oxide layer on the active areas; etching the second oxide layer in each site isolated region, wherein a thickness of the first oxide layer is varied in a combinatorial manner; forming a high-k dielectric layer on the second oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a metal layer on the high-k dielectric layer in each site isolated region, wherein at least one characteristic of the metal layer is varied in a combinatorial manner; patterning the metal layer to form metal electrodes by a second patterning process, wherein the metal electrode, the high-k dielectric layer, and the semiconductor substrate form a capacitor device in an active area; measuring an effective work function of the capacitor device formed within each site isolated region.