Patent ID: 6864125

Claim:
A process for forming a dielectric film on an exposed surface of a layer containing silicon in a chamber, the process comprising: determining a desired thickness of the dielectric film, the dielectric film including silicon dioxide and silicon nitride therein when formed on the exposed surface of the layer containing silicon when the layer is maintained at a temperature in the range of at least 600° C. to 1100° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere; introducing into the chamber a gaseous mixture including nitrous oxide exhibiting a partial pressure, ozone exhibiting a partial pressure, at least one compound containing a halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl 2 , Br 2 , HCl and HBr, and steam, the partial pressure of the ozone being at least one tenth the partial pressure of the nitrous oxide in the gaseous mixture, the gaseous mixture being substantially free of fluorine-containing gases; and forming the dielectric film of the desired thickness by contacting the exposed surface of the layer containing silicon with the gaseous mixture including nitrous oxide, ozone, at least one compound containing a halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl 2 , Br 2 , HCl and HBr, and steam.