Patent ID: 7023043
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An integrated circuit comprising an improved conductor-insulator-conductor (CIC) sandwich, wherein the CIC sandwich comprises: a first conducting layer; a first insulating layer deposited over the first conducting layer, wherein the first insulating layer comprises a structure having a plurality of oxygen cites partially filled by a plurality of oxygen atoms, wherein the unfilled oxygen cites define a concentration of oxygen vacancies; a second conducting layer formed of IrOx deposited over the first insulating layer wherein the second conducting layer is oxidized such that the quantity of oxygen atoms within the upper electrode is greater than that which is required for stoicheometric stability such that oxygen atoms in the second conducting layer absorb oxygen vacancies that migrate into the second conducting layer wherein x is greater than 2.0 and less than 2.5 wherein the first conducting layer, the first insulating layer and the second conducting layer define a three-dimensional contour; an oxygen-rich interface layer interposed between the first insulating layer and the second conducting layer, wherein the oxygen-rich interface layer acts a sink for absorbing oxygen vacancies that migrate from the first insulating layer so as to reduce the buildup of oxygen vacancies at the interface layer and so as to reduce the concentration of oxygen vacancies of the first insulating layer.