An improved charge storing device and methods for providing the same, the charge
storing device comprising a conductor-insulator-conductor (CIC) sandwich. The CIC
sandwich comprises a first conducting layer deposited on a semiconductor integrated
circuit. The CIC sandwich further comprises a first insulating layer deposited
over the first conducting layer in a flush manner. The first insulating layer comprises
a structure having a plurality of oxygen cites and a plurality of oxygen atoms
that partially fill the oxygen cites, wherein the unfilled oxygen cites define
a concentration of oxygen vacancies. The CIC sandwich further comprises a second
conducting layer deposited over the first insulating layer in a strongly oxidizing
ambient so as to reduce the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the first insulating
layer, so as to provide an oxygen-rich interface layer between the first insulating
layer and the second conducting layer, and so as to trap a plurality of oxygen
atoms within the second conducting layer. The oxygen-rich interface layer and second
conducting layer act as oxygen vacancy sinks for absorbing migrating oxygen vacancies
that originate from the first insulating layer to thereby reduce the concentration
of oxygen vacancies in the first insulating layer and to thereby reduce the buildup
of oxygen vacancies at the interface layer. Thus, the first insulating layer provides
an increased dielectric constant and an increased resistance to current flowing
therethrough so as to increase the capacitance of the CIC sandwich and so as to
reduce leakage currents flowing through the CIC sandwich.