Patent ID: 8216913
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; removing a portion of said semiconductor substrate to form shallow trench isolation (STI) trenches in said semiconductor substrate; forming surface embedded nitrogen atoms in sidewalls of said STI trenches, at a density of 1.0·10 forming an STI liner oxide on said STI trench sidewalls by a process of thermal oxidation that includes nitrogen in an oxidation ambient during growth of the STI liner oxide, such that the density of said surface embedded nitrogen atoms is 2.0·10 providing an oxidation furnace; situating said integrated circuit in said oxidation furnace; flowing nitrogen-containing and oxygen-containing gases into said oxidation furnace; adjusting a pressure in said oxidation furnace to be 50 to 760 torr; heating said integrated circuit to 750 C to 1150 C using heaters in said oxidation furnace; growing an oxide 1 nanometer to 15 nanometers thick on said STI trench sidewalls in said oxidation furnace; and removing said integrated circuit from said oxidation furnace.