Patent ID: 8802577
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a patterned gate structure over a substrate, the patterned gate structure including a polysilicon gate electrode located over a nitrided gate dielectric; the nitrided gate dielectric having a substantially same nitrogen concentration at edges as at a center; prior to oxidation of the polysilicon gate electrode, subjecting the patterned gate structure to nitridation using a nitrogen containing plasma to incorporate additional nitrogen atoms into edges of the nitrided gate dielectric, wherein the nitride region is located along all of the sidewalls of the gate dielectric and also along all of the sidewalls of the polysilicon gate electrode and along the top surface of the substrate; after subjecting the gate structure to the nitridation, subjecting the patterned gate structure to an oxidant containing nitrogen gas for oxidation of the polysilicon gate electrode to generate a nitrogen containing oxide layer along all of the sidewalls of the nitride gate dielectric and along the top surface of the substrate; after oxidation of the polysilicon gate electrode, forming sidewalls on the patterned gate structure; and forming source/drain implants in the substrate adjacent the sidewalls, the nitridation serving to compensate for loss of nitrogen atoms at the edges of the nitrided gate dielectric during oxidation.