Patent ID: 6423617
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A process for simultaneously strengthening and gettering a semiconductor dielectric comprising:producing a gaseous gettering agent selected to getter contaminants in the dielectric; producing a gaseous strengthening agent so as to strengthen the dielectric while producing the gettering agent wherein the gaseous strengthening agent is selected so as to inhibit rapid oxidation of the gaseous strengthening agent by the gettering agent wherein producing the gaseous gettering agent and producing the gaseous strengthening agent comprise providing a mixture comprising dichloroethene, ammonia, water wherein the volume percent of ammonia is at least twice the volume percent of dichloroethene wherein a substitution reaction is induced between dichloroethene and a first portion of ammonia to release chlorine as the gettering agent and a decomposition reaction is induced in a second portion of ammonia to release nitrogen as the strengthening agent; and simultaneously exposing the dielectric to the gaseous gettering agent and the gaseous strengthening agent so as to strengthen the dielectric while simultaneously gettering the dielectric.