Abstract:
Disclosed are methods of forming improved fin-type field effect transistor (FINFET) structures and, particularly, relatively tall single-fin FINFET structures that provide increased drive current over conventional single-fin FINFET structures. The use of such a tall single-fin FINFET provides significant area savings over a FINFET that requires multiple semiconductor fins to achieve the same amount of drive current. Furthermore, since only a single fin is used, only a single leakage path is present at the bottom of the device. Thus, the disclosed FINFET structures can be incorporated into a cell in place of multi-fin FINFETs in order to allow for cell height scaling without violating critical design rules or sacrificing performance.
Abstract:
Structures for the isolation of a fin-type field-effect transistor and methods of forming isolation for a fin-type field-effect transistor. A first dielectric layer is formed that encapsulates a plurality of fins. A second dielectric layer is formed that surrounds the first dielectric layer and the plurality of fins. A surface of the second dielectric layer relative to a surface of the first dielectric layer. A liner is conformally deposited on the surface of the first dielectric layer and on the recessed surface of the second dielectric layer. A section of the liner is removed to expose the surface of the first dielectric layer. The exposed surface of the first dielectric layer is recessed to reveal a portion of each of the plurality of fins.
Abstract:
A method of forming defect-free relaxed SiGe fins is provided. Embodiments include forming fully strained defect-free SiGe fins on a first portion of a Si substrate; forming Si fins on a second portion of the Si substrate; forming STI regions between adjacent SiGe fins and Si fins; forming a cladding layer over top and side surfaces of the SiGe fins and the Si fins and over the STI regions in the second portion of the Si substrate; recessing the STI regions on the first portion of the Si substrate, revealing a bottom portion of the SiGe fins; implanting dopant into the Si substrate below the SiGe fins; and annealing.
Abstract:
Commonly fabricated FinFET type semiconductor devices with different (i.e., both taller and shorter) heights of an entirety of or only the channel region of some of the fins. Where only the channel of some of the fins has a different height, the sources and drains have a common height higher than those channels. The different fin heights are created by recessing some of the fins, and where only the channels have different heights, the difference is created by exposing a top surface of each channel intended to be shorter, the other channels being masked, and partially recessing the exposed channel(s). In both cases, the mask(s) may then be removed and conventional FinFET processing may proceed.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating transistor structures are provided, the methods including: forming a fin structure with an upper fin portion and a lower fin portion, the upper fin portion including a sacrificial material; forming a gate structure over the fin; selectively removing the upper fin portion to form a tunnel between the gate structure and lower fin portion; and providing a channel material in the tunnel to define the channel region of the gate structure. The sacrificial material may be a material that can be selectively etched without etching the material of the lower fin portion. The channel material may further be provided to form source and drain regions of the transistor structure, which may result in a junctionless FinFET structure.
Abstract:
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of a vertical height of portions of an overall fin structure that are not covered by a gate structure so as to result in the definition of a fin cavity in a layer of insulating material and the definition of a remaining portion of the overall fin structure that is positioned under the gate structure, wherein the remaining portion comprises a channel portion and a lower portion located under the channel portion. The method continues with the formation of a first semiconductor material within at least the fin cavity and the formation of a second semiconductor material on the first semiconductor material and on exposed edges of the channel portion.
Abstract:
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a plurality of initial fins that have the same initial axial length and the same initial strain above a substrate, performing at least one etching process so as to cut a first fin to a first axial length and to cut a second fin to a second axial length that is less than the first axial length, wherein the cut first fin retains a first amount of the initial strain and the cut second fin retains about zero of the initial strain or a second amount of the initial strain that is less than the first amount, and forming gate structures around the first and second cut fins to form FinFET devices.
Abstract:
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming at least one layer of insulating material with a substantially planar upper surface that is positioned above the upper surface of the fin, forming a layer of sacrificial gate material on the layer of insulating material, the layer of sacrificial gate material having an as-deposited upper surface and a substantially uniform thickness, forming a layer of gate cap material on the as-deposited upper surface of the layer of sacrificial gate material, forming a patterned sacrificial gate structure comprised of at least the gate cap material and the sacrificial gate material, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the patterned sacrificial gate structure, removing the patterned sacrificial gate structure and replacing it with a replacement gate structure.
Abstract:
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a composite fin structure that is comprised of a first germanium-containing semiconductor material having a first concentration of germanium and a tensile-strained second semiconductor material (having a lesser germanium concentration) positioned on the first germanium-containing semiconductor material and performing a thermal anneal process to convert the first germanium-containing semiconductor material portion of the composite fin structure into a germanium-containing oxide isolation region positioned under the second semiconductor material that is a tensile-strained final fin for an NMOS FinFET device.
Abstract:
A method includes forming at least one fin on a semiconductor substrate. A silicon alloy material is formed on the fin and on exposed surface portions of the substrate. A thermal process is performed to define a silicon alloy fin from the silicon alloy material and the fin and to define silicon alloy surface portions from the silicon alloy material and the exposed surface portions of the substrate. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a fin defined on the substrate, the fin comprising a silicon alloy and having a substantially vertical sidewall, and silicon alloy surface portions on the substrate adjacent the fin.