Lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based thin film capacitors for embedded passive applications

Investigations on the key processing parameters and properties relationship for lead zirconate titanate (PZT, 52/48) based thin film capacitors for embedded passive capacitor application were performed using electroless Ni coated Cu foils as substrates.; Undoped and Ca-doped PZT (52/48) thin film capacitors were prepared on electroless Ni coated Cu foil by chemical solution deposition.; For PZT (52/48) thin film capacitors on electroless Ni coated Cu foil, voltage independent (zero tunability) capacitance behavior was observed. Dielectric constant reduced to more than half of the identical capacitor processed on Pt/SiO2/Si. Dielectric properties of the capacitors were mostly dependent on the crystallization temperature. Capacitance densities of almost 350 nF/cm2 and 0.02∼0.03 of loss tangent were routinely measured for capacitors crystallized at 575∼600°C. Leakage current showed dependence on film thickness and crystallization temperature.; From a two-capacitor model, the existence of a low permittivity interface layer (permittivity ∼30) was suggested.; For Ca-doped PZT (52/48) thin film capacitors prepared on Pt, typical ferroelectric and dielectric properties were measured up to 5 mol% Ca doping.; When Ca-doped PZT (52/48) thin film capacitors were prepared on electroless Ni coated Cu foil, phase stability was influenced by Ca doping and phosphorous content. Dielectric properties showed dependence on the crystallization temperature and phosphorous content. Capacitance density of ∼400 nF/cm2 was achieved, which is an improvement by more than 30% compared to undoped composition. Ca doping also reduced the temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) less than 10%, all of them were consistent in satisfying the requirements of embedded passive capacitor. Leakage current density was not affected significantly by doping.; To tailor the dielectric and reliability properties, ZrO2 was selected as buffer layer between PZT and electroless Ni. Only RF magnetron sputtering process could yield stable ZrO2 layers on electroless Ni coated Cu foil. Other processes resulted in secondary phase formation, which supports the reaction between PZT capacitor and electroless Ni might be dominated by phosphorous component. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...