Methods for forming metal oxide layers with enhanced purity

Abstract

Within: (1) a method for purifying a metal oxide layer; and (2) a method for forming with enhanced purity a metal oxide layer, there is employed an irradiation of either: (1) a metal oxide layer; or (2) a substrate in the presence of at least one of an oxidant and a metal source material, such as to either: (1) reduce a concentration of a contaminant material within a metal oxide base material from which is formed a metal oxide layer; or (2) inhibit in a first instance formation of a contaminant material within a metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer having incorporated therein the reduced concentration of contaminant material is particularly useful as a capacitive dielectric layer within a capacitive device within a microelectronic fabrication.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.