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Improved charge storage characteristics of the tetralayer non-volatile memory structure using nickel nanocrystal trapping layer

Debashis Panda1, Achintya Dhar and Samit K Ray1

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Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors with a tetralayer structure consisting of nickel nanocrystals sandwiched between SiO2 and HfO2 tunnel and Al2O3 cap oxides were fabricated on p-Si substrates. Cross-sectional transmission electron micrographs revealed the formation of nickel nanocrystals having size 5–7 nm. The maximum charge injection capability (ΔVFB ~ 7.8 V; @ ± 15 V) of nanocrystals was observed for the device RTA annealed at 950 °C for a minute. Charge storage and leakage current characteristics of the nanocrystal memory structures were studied through capacitance–voltage and current–voltage measurements, respectively. The improved retention properties with good thermal stability and endurance properties were also studied.


PACS

84.30.Sk Pulse and digital circuits

73.40.Gk Tunneling

85.30.Tv Field effect devices

73.40.Qv Metal-insulator-semiconductor structures (including semiconductor-to-insulator)

84.32.Tt Capacitors

85.35.-p Nanoelectronic devices

Subjects

Electronics and devices

Semiconductors

Surfaces, interfaces and thin films

Nanoscale science and low-D systems

Dates

Issue 11 (November 2009)

Received 16 July 2009, in final form 19 August 2009

Published 27 October 2009



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