Patent ID: 7238625

Claim:
A method for processing a semiconductor device comprising a silicon oxide control electrode dielectric layer and a control electrode, the method comprising: forming a control electrode dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, the control electrode dielectric layer comprising a silicon oxide, wherein at least a portion of the silicon oxide has an atomic silicon to oxygen ratio that is greater than 0.5, the step of forming the control electrode dielectric layer comprising: forming a first region of the control electrode dielectric layer, wherein the first region is positioned adjacent to an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the control electrode dielectric layer, and wherein the first region has an atomic silicon to oxygen ratio substantially equal to ½; forming a second region of the control electrode dielectric layer, wherein the second region is positioned adjacent to a surface of the control electrode dielectric layer, wherein the second region has an atomic silicon to oxygen ratio larger than ½; forming a third region of the control electrode dielectric layer with an atomic silicon to oxygen ratio substantially equal to ½ atop the control electrode dielectric layer; incorporating additional silicon atoms into the control electrode dielectric layer by implantation; converting a portion of the control electrode dielectric layer into a silicon-oxy-nitride layer by incorporating nitrogen atoms into the control electrode dielectric layer; and thereafter forming the control electrode on top of the control electrode dielectric layer.