Although the incorporation of a SiN capping layer could dramatically enhance device performance, the accompanying hydrogen species contained in the capping layer may aggravate hot-carrier reliability. In order to alleviate this shortcoming, we vary the precursor flow conditions and deposition temperature of SiN film during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and study their impacts on the device performance and reliability. We found that SiN film with higher nitrogen content depicts larger tensile stress and therefore better mobility. More importantly, the resistance to hot-carrier degradation is also improved by increasing N-2 gas flow rate and deposition temperature because of less hydrogen diffusion from the capping layer. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.