Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2011
A scaled-down MOS transistor requires high-quality thin gate oxide (∼100 Å) as in tunnel oxide for an EEPROM device. Instead of investigating the lower (SiO2/Si) interface properties, we study the upper (poly-Si/SiO2) interface as affected by poly deposition conditions, phosphorus doping, and thermal cycling. The results show that prolonged or high-temperature heat treatment will degrade thin oxide quality. The initial V-t slope derived from constant-current stressing data is used to assess oxide quality.