Atomic layer deposition and characterization of hafnium oxide grown on silicon from tetrakis(diethylamino)hafnium and water vapor

In this work thin films of hafnium oxide are deposited on Si(100) substrates by means of atomic layer deposition (ALD) using tetrakis(diethylamino)hafnium and water vapor at substrate temperatures of 250-350degreesC. Our system capabilities include fast transient delivery of reactive fluids, real-time vapor phase detection (in situ tunable diode laser hygrometer), precursor thermochemical capabilities, and ppt level elemental analysis by inductive coupling plasma mass spectrometry. The composition, purity, and other properties of the films and resulting interfaces are determined using x-ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, Z-contrast imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope with A scale resolution, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The observed ALD rate is similar to1.4 Angstrom per cycle. The nonuniformity across the film is less than 4%. Negligible carbon contamination is found in the resulting stoichiometric films under all conditions studied. The pulse sequence was optimized to prevent disastrous particulate problems while still minimizing purge times. The film deposition is investigated as a function of substrate temperature and reagent pulsing characteristics. A mild inverse temperature dependence of the ALD rate is observed. The initial stage of the HfO2 growth is investigated in detail. (C) 2004 American Vacuum Society.