Abstract:
Structures for a liner replacement in an interconnect structure and methods for forming a liner replacement in an interconnect structure. A metallization level is formed that includes a conductive feature. A dielectric layer is formed on the metallization level. The dielectric layer includes an opening that extends vertically through the dielectric layer to the conductive feature. An adhesion layer is formed on area of the conductive feature exposed at a base of the opening. The adhesion layer has a thickness equal to a monolayer or a fraction of a monolayer. Another layer (e.g., barrier layer) of a different composition (e.g., TiN) may be deposited on the adhesion layer before the opening is filled with metal deposited by chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming fin-type transistors. The method includes forming a finFET structure having a fin channel region underneath a gate structure, and a source region and a drain region directly adjacent to the fin channel region at two opposing sides of the gate structure; and subjecting the source region and the drain region to a compressive strain; thereby causing the source region and the drain region to exert a tensile strain to the fin channel region. A finFET transistor formed thereby is also provided, which includes a channel region of fin shape covered by a gate on top thereof; a source next to a first end of the channel region on a first side of the gate; and a drain next to a second end of the channel region on a second side of the gate, wherein the source and drain are made of epitaxially grown silicon-germanium (SiGe) having a Ge concentration level of at least 50% atomic percentage covered with silicon cap.
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:
An inline dark field holographic method for measuring strain in a semiconductor or other crystalline material using a transmission electron microscope having an electron gun for passing an electron beam through strained and unstrained specimens. A condenser mini-lens between the magnetic tilting coil and the specimens increases defection of the beam at an angle with prior to passing through the pair of specimens. The first objective lens forms a virtual image of each of the specimens and the second objective lens focuses the virtual images of each of the specimens at an intermediate image plane to form intermediate images of each of the specimens. The biprism creates the interference pattern between the specimens is formed at the image plane, which may then be viewed to determine the degree of strain of the strained specimen and provides a coma-free strain map with minimal optical distortion.
Abstract:
Methods of improving hot carrier parameters in a field-effect transistor by hydrogen reduction. A gate structure of the field-effect transistor is formed on a substrate, and the substrate is heated inside a deposition chamber to a given process temperature for a given time period. After the time period concludes, a conformal layer is deposited at the given process temperature over the gate structure, and is subsequently etched to form sidewall spacers on the gate structure. After the sidewall spacers are formed, a capping layer is conformally deposited over the gate structure and the sidewall spacers, and cured with an ultraviolet light treatment. An interconnect structure may be formed over the field-effect transistor and the capping layer, and a moisture barrier layer may be formed over the interconnect structure. The moisture barrier layer is composed of a material that is permeable to hydrogen and impermeable to water molecules.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming fin-type transistors. The method includes forming a finFET structure having a fin channel region underneath a gate structure, and a source region and a drain region directly adjacent to the fin channel region at two opposing sides of the gate structure; and subjecting the source region and the drain region to a compressive strain; thereby causing the source region and the drain region to exert a tensile strain to the fin channel region. A finFET transistor formed thereby is also provided, which includes a channel region of fin shape covered by a gate on top thereof; a source next to a first end of the channel region on a first side of the gate; and a drain next to a second end of the channel region on a second side of the gate, wherein the source and drain are made of epitaxially grown silicon-germanium (SiGe) having a Ge concentration level of at least 50% atomic percentage covered with silicon cap.
Abstract:
A SRAM-like electron beam inspection (EBI) structure and method for determining defects in integrated circuits inline during the production process at a level that enables earlier detection during fabrication. Initial layers, such as active layer, poly gate and contact of an IC are first fabricated, and a conductive mesh with horizontal components is provided above the contact layers connecting contact nodes of the contact layers. Voltage contrast is observed during EBI to detect short-circuits, open-circuits, or leakage currents formed between the horizontal components of the conductive mesh and metallized islands placed therebetween.
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:
Methods of improving hot carrier parameters in a field-effect transistor by hydrogen reduction. A gate structure of the field-effect transistor is formed on a substrate, and the substrate is heated inside a deposition chamber to a given process temperature for a given time period. After the time period concludes, a conformal layer is deposited at the given process temperature over the gate structure, and is subsequently etched to form sidewall spacers on the gate structure. After the sidewall spacers are formed, a capping layer is conformally deposited over the gate structure and the sidewall spacers, and cured with an ultraviolet light treatment. An interconnect structure may be formed over the field-effect transistor and the capping layer, and a moisture barrier layer may be formed over the interconnect structure. The moisture barrier layer is composed of a material that is permeable to hydrogen and impermeable to water molecules.