Improvement on 1/f noise properties of nitrided n-MOSFETs by backsurface argon bombardment

The 1/f noise properties of nitrided MOSFETs bombarded by low-energy (550 eV) argon-ion beam are investigated. It is found that after bombardment, 1/f noise, and its degradation under hot-carrier stress are reduced, and both exhibit a turnaround behavior with bombardment time for a given ion energy and intensity. The physical mechanism involved is probably enhanced interface hardness resulting from bombardment-induced stress relief in the vicinity of the oxide/Si interface. Moreover, from the frequency dependence of the noise, it is revealed that the nitrided devices have a nonuniform trap distribution increasing toward the oxide/Si interface which can be modified by the backsurface bombardment.