Proximity rapid (3 min) thermal diffusion has been investigated as a techni
que for fabricating shallow p-type junctions in submicron metal oxide semic
onductor field effect transistors. A layer of spin-on dopant, deposited on
a silicon wafer, was used as a dopant source for boron. Sheet resistance me
asurements, secondary ion mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy were used to evaluate the spin-on dopant and rapid thermal dif
fusion efficiency. Spin-on dopant post-spin baking process was optimised to
avoid organic contamination during rapid thermal diffusion. Oxygen content
in the rapid thermal diffusion ambient was essential to ensure successful
deglazing of the doped oxide and spin-on dopant layers. The oxygen content
also affected the doping efficiency of the product and source wafers. For p
rocess times less than 2 min, the doping level in the source wafer is less
than in the product wafer. For process times greater than or equal to 3 min
however, the doping efficiency for both wafers is the same. (C) 1999 Elsev
ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.