In a DRAM fabrication process, a first oxide is provided over a transistor
gate and over a substrate extending from under the gate. The deposition
is non-conformal in that the oxide is thicker over the gate and over the
substrate than it is on the side of the gate. A second non-conformal
oxide is provided over the first non-conformal oxide. The second oxide is
annealed in a boron-containing atmosphere, and the first oxide prevents
boron diffusion from the second oxide into the gate and substrate. The
second oxide may then serve as an etch stop, a CMP stop, or both.