At the International Electron Devices Meeting in San Francisco imec’s
advanced CMOS research program reports promising advances in scaling logic,
DRAM and non-volatile memory. A new device based on non-silicon channels was
realized to scale high-performance logic towards the sub-20nm node. Moreover,
imec developed low-leakage capacitors allowing DRAM to be pushed to the 2x nm
node. And the switching mechanism of resistive RAM for next-generation flash
memories (RRAM) has been unraveled.
Implant-free SiGe channels to scale logic ICs towards the sub-20nm
node
Further scaling of CMOS towards the sub-20nm node requires higher mobility
channels and novel device structures to boost transistor performance. Imec developed
a new implant-free SiGe (silicon germanium) quantum well pFET device featuring
a high-mobility SiGe channel with raised SiGe source/drains using bulk-Si substrates.
This high-electron mobility transistor with an EOT (effective oxide thickness)
of 0.85 achieves a 50% higher saturation drive current compared to Si-controlled
pFETs. The device concept is compatible with additional strain boosters paving
the way to deep-submicron scaling achieving high performance.
Low-leakage MIM (metal insulator metal) capacitors enabling 2x nm node
DRAM
Imec reports as the world first a viable path to scale DRAM to the 2x node
by using novel stack engineering. To scale DRAM to the 2x nm node, low leakage
at an EOT of 0.4nm and less is required, deposited with highly conformal atomic
layer deposition (ALD) processes for compatibility with large aspect ratio structures.
Up to now, this was indicated in red as “manufacturable solutions not
known” by the international roadmap for semiconductors (ITRS). Imec today
reports record low-leakage MIM capacitors, JG of 10-6 A/cm2 at 0.4nm EOT, enabling
to scale DRAM to the 2x nm node. The capacitors were realized using a novel
TiN/RuOx/TiOx/STO/TiN stack fabricated in a 300mm line with DRAM compatible
processes.
Fundamental understanding of switching mechanism of RRAM
RRAM is a promising alternative concept for future flash memory, indicated
on the roadmap to be in production within 3 to 4 years. To realize a RRAM technology
ready for mass production, fundamental understanding of the switching mechanism
is required. The operation of RRAM relies on the voltage-controlled resistance
change of a MIM capacitor. Many stacks of combinations of materials need a forming
step to create a small conductive filament connecting the electrodes. In the
reliability community, this is known as dielectric breakdown. RRAM operation
is thus based on the repetitive opening and closing of a dielectric breakdown
path. Imec applied its reliability knowledge of logic to RRAM, resulting in
fundamental understanding of the switching mechanism of RRAM. By finding synergies
between conventional logic ICs and RRAM, imec succeeded in setting out the theory
for predicting the maximum applicable Vset and revealed that the reset operation
corresponds to a pinch off of the filament at its narrowest point.
These results were obtained in cooperation with imec’s key partners in
its core CMOS programs: Intel, Micron, Panasonic, Samsung, TSMC, Sony, Fujitsu,
Infineon, Qualcomm, ST Microelectronic and Amkor.