Reliability of thin gate oxides irradiated under X-ray lithography conditions

Abstract

The effect of X-ray lithography (XRL) process on the reliability of thin gate oxide has been investigated. A large increase in the low-field excess leakage current was observed on irradiated oxides, which was very similar to the electrical stress-induced leakage currents. However, it has been found that the long-term reliability of ultra-thin gate oxide is not affected by XRL process. The excess leakage current could be eliminated by thermal annealing at 400 degreesC and above and no residual damages in the oxide were observed after the annealing.