This book presents the fundamentals of novel gate dielectrics that are being introduced into semiconductor manufacturing to ensure the continuous scaling of CMOS devices. As this is a rapidly evolving field of research we choose to focus on the materials that determine the performance of device applications. Most of these materials are transition metal oxides. Ironically, the d-orbitals responsible for the high dielectric constant cause severe integration difficulties, thus intrinsically limiting high-k dielectrics. Though new in the electronics industry many of these materials are well-known in the field of ceramics, and we describe this unique connection. The complexity of the structure-property relations in TM oxides requires the use of state-of-the-art first-principles calculations. Several chapters give a detailed description of the modern theory of polarization, and heterojunction band discontinuity within the framework of the density functional theory. Experimental methods include oxide melt solution calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, Raman scattering and other optical characterization techniques, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Many of the problems encountered in the world of CMOS are also relevant for other semiconductors such as GaAs. A comprehensive review of recent developments in this field is thus also given. The book will be of interest to those actively engaged in gate dielectric research, and to graduate students in Materials Science, Materials Physics, Materials Chemistry, and Electrical Engineering.

This book describes the basic physical principles of the oxide/semiconductor epitaxy and offers a view of the current state of the field. It shows how this technology enables large-scale integration of oxide electronic and photonic devices and describes possible hybrid semiconductor/oxide systems. The book incorporates both theoretical and experimental advances to explore the heteroepitaxy of tuned functional oxides and semiconductors to identify material, device and characterization challenges and to present the incredible potential in the realization of multifunctional devices and monolithic integration of materials and devices. Intended for a multidisciplined audience, Integration of Functional Oxides with Semiconductors describes processing techniques that enable atomic-level control of stoichiometry and structure and reviews characterization techniques for films, interfaces and device performance parameters. Fundamental challenges involved in joining covalent and ionic systems, chemical interactions at interfaces, multi-element materials that are sensitive to atomic-level compositional and structural changes are discussed in the context of the latest literature. Magnetic, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials and the coupling between them will also be discussed. GaN, SiC, Si, GaAs and Ge semiconductors are covered within the context of optimizing next-generation device performance for monolithic device processing.

This volume provides a broad overview of the fundamental materials science of thin films that use silicon as an active substrate or passive template, with an emphasis on opportunities and challenges for practical applications in electronics and photonics. It covers three materials classes on silicon: Semiconductors such as undoped and doped Si and SiGe, SiC, GaN, and III-V arsenides and phosphides; dielectrics including silicon nitride and high-k, low-k, and electro-optically active oxides; and metals, in particular silicide alloys. The impact of film growth and integration on physical, electrical, and optical properties, and ultimately device performance, is highlighted.

To address the increasing demands of device scaling, new materials are being introduced into conventional Si CMOS processing at an unprecedented rate. Presentations collected here focus on understanding, from a chemistry and materials perspective, the mechanism of interface formation and defects at interfaces, for both conventional Si and alternative channel (Ge or III-V) systems. Several papers address reliability concerns for high-k/metal gate (basic physical models, charge trapping, etc.), while others cover characterization of the thin films and interfaces which comprise the gate stack. Topics include: advanced Si-based gate stacks; and alternate channel materials.

To address the increasing demands of device scaling, new materials are being introduced into conventional Si CMOS processing at an unprecedented rate. Presentations collected here focus on understanding, from a chemistry and materials perspective, the mechanism of interface formation and defects at interfaces, for both conventional Si and alternative channel (Ge or III-V) systems. Several papers address reliability concerns for high-k/metal gate (basic physical models, charge trapping, etc.), while others cover characterization of the thin films and interfaces which comprise the gate stack. Topics include: advanced Si-based gate stacks; and alternate channel materials.

According to Bernie Meyerson, IBM's chief technology of?cer, the traditional sc- ing of semiconductor manufacturing processes died somewhere between the 1- and 90-nanometer nodes. One of the prime reasons is the low dielectric constant of SiO - thechoice dielectricof all modern electronics. This book presents materials 2 fundamentals of the novel gate dielectrics that are being introduced into semic- ductor manufacturing to ensure the Moore's law scaling of CMOS devices. This is a very rapidly evolving?eld of research and we try to focus on the basicundersta- ing of structure, thermodynamics, and electronic properties of these materials that determine their performance in the device applications. Thevolume was conceivedin 2001 afteraSymposium on Alternative Gate - electrics we had at the American Physical Society March Meeting in Seattle, upon the suggestion of the Kluwer editor Sabine Freisem. After several discussions we decided that such a bookindeed would be useful as long as we could focus on the fundamental side of the problem and keep the level of the discussion accessible to graduate students andavariety of professionals from different ?elds. The problem of?nding a replacement for SiO asa gate dielectric bringstogether inaunique way 2 many fundamental disciplines. At the same time this problem is truly applied and practical. It looked unlikelythat the perfect new material would be foundfast; rather there would be a series of evolving candidate materialsand approaches.