Comparison between ultra-thin ZrO/sub 2/ and ZrO/sub x/N/sub y/ gate dielectrics in TaN or poly-gated NMOSCAP and NMOSFET devices

Both NMOSCAP and self-aligned NMOSFET devices using TaN gates were fabricated and characterized in order to compare ZrO/sub 2/ and nitrogen-incorporated ZrO/sub 2/ (ZrO/sub x/N/sub y/) gate dielectrics (EOT/spl sim/10.3/spl Aring/). ZrO/sub x/N/sub y/ devices demonstrated excellent thermal stability, comparable leakage current, higher breakdown field, decreased subthreshold swing, and improved drive current over ZrO/sub x/ devices. Polysilicon-gated NMOSCAPs were also fabricated to investigate the compatibility of ZrO/sub x/N/sub y/ with the poly process (EOT/spl sim/19/spl Aring/), but high leakage and TEM analysis revealed interaction between the poly and ZrO/sub x/N/sub y/.