Analysis of Si–SiO2 Interface Using Charge Pumping Method with Various Capping Materials between Gate Stacks and Inter Layer Dielectric in NAND Flash Memory

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We report the dependence of Si–SiO2 interface trap density after Fowler–Nordheim (F/N) stress on various capping materials between gate stacks and an inter layer dielectric (ILD) in a NAND Flash memory cell. The interface trap density was characterized by charge pumping method (CPM). When the capping layer is an oxide, the $N_{\text{it}}$ after F/N stress is approximately $2\times 10^{11}$ cm-2, which is about 50% smaller than that with a nitride layer. We found that the oxide layer causes compressive stress whereas the nitride layer causes a relatively high tensile stress in the underlying substrate by measuring the warp change of the substrate. To correlate the interface state density and data retention characteristics, we measured $V_{\text{t}}$ shift after high-temperature baking. When an oxide capping layer is used, the retention characteristics of memory devices are greatly improved compared to the nitride capping case. These results show a good correlation between the interface characteristics and mechanical stress behaviors.
2006-09-15