Abstract:
Methods of self-aligned double patterning and improved interconnect structures formed by self-aligned double patterning. A mandrel line including an upper layer and a lower layer is formed over a hardmask. A non-mandrel cut block is formed over a portion of a non-mandrel line, after which the upper layer of the mandrel line is removed. An etch mask is formed over a first section of the lower layer of the mandrel line defining a mandrel cut block over a first portion of the hardmask. The first section of the lower layer is arranged between adjacent second sections of the lower layer. The second sections of the lower layer of the mandrel line are removed to expose respective second portions of the hardmask, and the second portions of the hardmask are removed to form a trench. The mandrel cut block masks the first portion of the hardmask during the etching process.
Abstract:
At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein fin field effect transistor (finFET) comprising a tall fin having a plurality of epitaxial regions. A first fin of a transistor is formed. The first fin comprising a first portion comprising silicon, a second portion comprising silicon germanium and a third portion comprising silicon. A gate structure above the third portion is formed. An etching process is performed for removing the silicon germanium of the second portion that is not below the gate structure. A first epitaxy region is formed above the first portion. A second epitaxy region is formed vertically aligned with the first epitaxy region and above the silicon germanium of the second portion that is below the gate structure.
Abstract:
Methods of MOL S/D contact patterning of RMG devices without gouging of the Rx area or replacement of the dielectric are provided. Embodiments include forming a SOG layer around a RMG structure, the RMG structure having a contact etch stop layer and a gate cap layer; forming a lithography stack over the SOG and gate cap layers; patterning first and second TS openings through the lithography stack down to the SOG layer; removing a portion of the SOG layer through the first and second TS openings, the removing selective to the contact etch stop layer; converting the SOG layer to a SiO2 layer; forming a metal layer over the SiO2 layer; and planarizing the metal and SiO2 layers down to the gate cap layer.
Abstract:
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming first and second fins, forming a liner layer above at least a first upper surface of the first fin and a second upper surface of the second fin, and forming an ion-containing region in the first portion of the liner layer while not forming the ion-containing region in second portion of the liner layer. The method also includes performing a liner etching process so as to remove the second portion of the liner layer while leaving at least a portion of the first portion of the liner layer positioned above the first fin, and performing at least one etching process to define a reduced-height second fin that is less than an initial first height of the first fin.
Abstract:
Integrated circuits and methods for producing the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment a method of producing an integrated circuit includes forming a trench defined by a first material. The trench is filled with a second material to produce a gap defined within the second material, where the second material is in a solid state. The second material is reflowed within the trench to reduce a volume of the gap, and the second material is then solidified within the trench.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; and a gate structure disposed directly on the substrate, the gate structure including: a graded region with a varied material concentration profile; and a metal layer disposed on the graded region.
Abstract:
Approaches for forming a set of contact openings in a semiconductor device (e.g., a FinFET device) are provided. Specifically, the semiconductor device includes a set of fins formed in a substrate, a gate structure (e.g., replacement metal gate (RMG)) formed over the substrate, and a set of contact openings adjacent the gate structure, each of the set of contact openings having a top section and a bottom section, wherein a width of the bottom section, along a length of the gate structure, is greater than a width of the top section. The semiconductor device further includes a set of metal contacts formed within the set of contact openings.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved contact formation process for a finFET. Epitaxial semiconductor regions are formed on the fins. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) is deposited on the epitaxial regions. A nitride-oxide conversion process converts a portion of the nitride CESL into oxide. The oxide-converted portions are removed using a selective etch process, and a fill metal is deposited which is in direct physical contact with the epitaxial regions. Damage, such as gouging, of the epitaxial regions is minimized during this process, resulting in an improved contact for finFETs.
Abstract:
One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a fin defined in a semiconductor substrate having a crystalline structure, wherein at least a sidewall of the fin is positioned substantially in a crystallographic direction of the substrate, a gate structure positioned around the fin, an outermost sidewall spacer positioned adjacent opposite sides of the gate structure, and an epi semiconductor material formed around portions of the fin positioned laterally outside of the outermost sidewall spacers in the source/drain regions of the device, wherein the epi semiconductor material has a substantially uniform thickness along the sidewalls of the fin.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, an active region and a dummy gate structure disposed over the active region. A sacrificial conformal layer, including a bottom oxide layer and a top nitride layer are provided over the dummy gate structure and active region to protect the dummy gate during source and drain implantation. The active region is implanted using dopants such as, a n-type dopant or a p-type dopant to create a source region and a drain region in the active region, after which the sacrificial conformal layer is removed.