Abstract
When a $Ta_O_5$ dielectric film is deposited on a bare silicon, the growth of $SiO_2$ at the $Ta_O_5$/Si interface cannot be avoided. Even though the $SiO_2$ layer is ultrathin (a few nm), it has great effects on the electrical properties of the capacitor. The concentration depth profiles of the ultrathin interfacial $SiO_2$ and $SiO_2/Si_3N_4$ layers were obtained using an Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) equipped with a cylindrical mirror analyzer (CMA). These AES depth profiles were quantitatively analyzed by comparing with the theoretical depth profiles which were obtained by considering the inelastic mean free path of Auger electrons and the angular acceptance function of CMA. The direct measurement of the interfacial layer thicknesses by using a high resolution cross-sectional TEM confirmed the accuracy of the AES depth analysis. The $SiO_2/Si_3N_4$ double layers, which were not distinguishable from each other under the TEM observation, could be effectively analyzed by the AES depth profiling technique.
