Abstract:
Methods of using a nitride to protect source/drain regions during dummy gate removal and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments include forming an oxide layer on a substrate; forming a nitride protection layer on the oxide layer; forming a dummy gate layer on the nitride protection layer; patterning the oxide, nitride, and dummy gate layers forming first and second dummy gate stacks on first and second portions of the substrate, each dummy gate stack comprising a dummy gate, the nitride protection layer, and the oxide layer, wherein a portion of the oxide layer extends along the substrate beyond side edges of the dummy gate; forming first and second source/drain cavities in the substrate at opposite sides of the first and second dummy gate stacks, respectively; growing first and second eSiGe source/drain regions in the first and second source/drain cavities, respectively; and removing the first dummy gate and the second dummy gate stack.
Abstract:
A transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate structure positioned above a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The gate structure includes a high-k gate insulation layer positioned above the surface of the semiconductor substrate and at least one work-function adjusting layer of material positioned above the high-k gate insulation layer, wherein an upper surface of the at least one work-function adjusting layer of material has a stepped profile when viewed in cross-section taken in a gate-width direction of the transistor device. The gate structure further includes a layer of conductive material positioned on the stepped upper surface of the at least one work-function adjusting layer of material.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for fabrication of finFETs. During finFET fabrication, a film, such as amorphous silicon, is deposited on a semiconductor substrate which has regions with fins and regions without fins. A fill layer is deposited on the film and planarized to form a flush surface. A recess or etch process is used to form a planar surface with all portions of the fill layer removed. A finishing process such as a gas cluster ion beam process may be used to further smooth the substrate surface. This results in a film having a very uniform thickness across the structure (e.g. a semiconductor wafer), resulting in improved within-wafer (WiW) uniformity and improved within-chip (WiC) uniformity.
Abstract:
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes growing an epitaxial doped layer over an exposed portion of a plurality of fins. The epitaxial doped layer combines the exposed portion of the fins to form a merged source and drain region. An implantation process occurs in the fins through the epitaxial doped layer to change the crystal lattice of the fins to form amorphized fins. A nitride layer is deposited over the semiconductor structure. The nitride layer covers the merged source and drain regions. A thermal treatment is performed in the semiconductor structure to re-crystallize the amorphized fins to form re-crystallized fins. The re-crystallized fins, the epitaxial doped layer and the nitride layer form a strained source and drain region which induces stress to a channel region.
Abstract:
Approaches for enabling uniform epitaxial (epi) growth in an epi junction area of a semiconductor device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor device) are provided. Specifically, a semiconductor device is provided including a dummy gate and a set of fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) formed over a substrate; a spacer layer formed over the dummy gate and each of the set of FinFETs; and an epi material formed within a set of recesses in the substrate, the set of recesses formed prior to removal of an epi block layer over the dummy gate.
Abstract:
Approaches for enabling uniform epitaxial (epi) growth in an epi junction area of a semiconductor device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor device) are provided. Specifically, a semiconductor device is provided including a dummy gate and a set of fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) formed over a substrate; a spacer layer formed over the dummy gate and each of the set of FinFETs; and an epi material formed within a set of recesses in the substrate, the set of recesses formed prior to removal of an epi block layer over the dummy gate.
Abstract:
Approaches for improving overlay performance for an integrated circuit (IC) device are provided. Specifically, the IC device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor (FinFET)) is provided with an oxide layer and a pad layer formed over a substrate, wherein the oxide layer comprises an alignment and overlay mark, an oxide deposited in a set of openings formed through the pad layer and into the substrate, a mandrel layer deposited over the oxide material and the pad layer, and a set of fins patterned in the IC device without etching the alignment and overlay mark. With this approach, the alignment and overlay mark is provided with the fin cut (FC) layer and, therefore, avoids finification.
Abstract:
Methods for forming a narrow isolation region are disclosed. The narrow isolation region may serve as an extra narrow diffusion break, suitable for use in 3D FinFET technologies. A pad nitride layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A cavity is formed in the pad nitride layer. A conformal spacer liner is deposited in the cavity. An anisotropic etch process then forms a trench in the semiconductor substrate. The trench is narrow enough such that a dummy gate completely covers the trench. Epitaxial stressor regions may then be formed adjacent to the dummy gate. The trench is narrow enough such that there is a gap between the epitaxial stressor regions and the trench.
Abstract:
Approaches for enabling uniform epitaxial (epi) growth in an epi junction area of a semiconductor device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor device) are provided. Specifically, a semiconductor device is provided including a dummy gate and a set of fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) formed over a substrate; a spacer layer formed over the dummy gate and each of the set of FinFETs; and an epi material formed within a set of recesses in the substrate, the set of recesses formed prior to removal of an epi block layer over the dummy gate.
Abstract:
Approaches for providing a narrow diffusion break in a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device are disclosed. Specifically, the FinFET device is provided with a set of fins formed from a substrate, and an opening formed through the set of fins, the opening oriented substantially perpendicular to an orientation of the set of fins. This provides a FinFET device capable of achieving cross-the-fins insulation with an opening size that is adjustable from approximately 20-30 nm.