Patent ID: 6514879
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of forming a dielectric having a thickness of approximately 1.0 nm or less on a silicon substrate, comprising:pushing a container of silicon wafers into a vertically oriented furnace at a controlled rate; rotating the wafers at a predetermined rate; ramping the furnace from about 500Â° C. to approximately 625Â° C.; maintaining the furnace at approximately 625Â° C.; producing a dry gas mixture including HCl, CO2, and O2 in a first reaction chamber; combining the dry gas mixture with a diluting gas to dilute the concentration of the dry gas mixture after the dry gas mixture exits the first reaction chamber; introducing the diluted dry gas mixture including HCl, CO2, and O2 into the furnace from the first reaction chamber to perform a dry oxidation process for a first time period; catalytically combining H2 and O2 in a second reaction chamber to form steam; and introducing the steam into the furnace to perform a wet oxidation process for a second time period.