Abstract:
Methods of forming doped transition regions of transistor structures are provided herein. The methods include, for instance: providing a first semiconductor material including a dopant over a source/drain region of the transistor structure; providing a second semiconductor material including the dopant over the first semiconductor material, where the second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material; and, where providing the second semiconductor material is performed at a temperature sufficient to diffuse the dopant from the first semiconductor material through the source/drain region into a portion of a channel region of the transistor structure. The portion of the channel region into which the dopant from the first semiconductor material diffuses forms the doped transition region.
Abstract:
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, removing at least one, but not all, of a plurality of first features in a first patterned mask layer so as to define a modified first patterned masking layer, wherein removed first feature(s) correspond to a location where a final isolation structure will be formed, performing an etching process though the modified first patterned masking layer to form an initial isolation trench in the substrate, and performing another etching process through the modified first patterned mask layer to thereby define a plurality of fin-formation trenches in the substrate and to extend a depth of the initial isolation trench so as to define a final isolation trench for the final isolation structure.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for fabricating fin structures. The methods include: fabricating at least one fin structure, the at least one fin structure having a doped middle portion separating an upper portion from a lower portion, and the fabricating comprising: providing an isolation layer in contact with the lower portion of the at least one fin structure; forming a doping layer above the isolation layer and in contact with the at least one fin structure; and annealing the doping layer to diffuse dopants therefrom into the at least one fin structure to form the doped middle portion thereof, wherein the isolation layer inhibits diffusion of dopants from the doping layer into the lower portion of the at least one fin structure.
Abstract:
A transistor, planar or non-planar (e.g., FinFET), includes T-shaped contacts to the source, drain and gate. The top portion of the T-shaped contact is wider than the bottom portion, the bottom portion complying with design rule limits. A conductor-material filled trench through a multi-layer etching stack above the transistor provides the top portions of the T-shaped contacts. Tapered spacers along inner sidewalls of the top contact portion prior to filling allow for etching a narrower bottom trench down to the gate, and to the source/drain for silicidation prior to filling.
Abstract:
Structures for field-effect transistors and methods for forming field-effect transistors. A sidewall spacer is arranged adjacent to a sidewall of a gate structure. The sidewall spacer includes a first section and a second section arranged over the first section. The first section of the sidewall spacer is composed of a first dielectric material, and the second section of the sidewall spacer is composed of a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material. A source/drain region includes a first section arranged adjacent to the first section of the sidewall spacer and a second section arranged adjacent to the second section of the sidewall spacer. The second section of the source/drain region is spaced by a gap from the second section of the sidewall spacer.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to selective shallow trench isolation (STI) fill material for stress engineering in semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a single diffusion break (SDB) region having at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) region with a stress fill material within a recess of the at least one STI region. The stress fill material imparts a stress on a gate structure adjacent to the at least one STI region.
Abstract:
A composite etch stop layer includes an oxide layer formed over a sacrificial gate structure and a nitride layer formed over the oxide layer. The oxide layer is disposed over only lower portions of the sacrificial gate structure while the nitride layer envelops the oxide layer and is disposed directly over a top surface of the sacrificial gate structure. Sensitivity of the nitride layer to oxidation, such as during the formation of an interlayer dielectric over the composite etch stop layer, is decreased by eliminating the oxide layer from upper portions of the sacrificial gate layer.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure with robust metal plugs and the resulting IC structure. In the method, openings are formed in an interlayer dielectric layer to expose semiconductor device surfaces. The openings are lined with a two-layer liner, which includes conformal metal and barrier layers, and subsequently filled with a metal layer. However, instead of waiting until after the liner is formed to perform a silicidation anneal, as is conventionally done, the silicidation anneal is performed between deposition of the two liner layers. This is particularly useful because, as determined by the inventors, performing the silicidation anneal prior to depositing the conformal barrier layer prevents the formation of microcracks in the conformal barrier layer. Prevention of such microcracks, in turn, prevents any metal from the metal layer from protruding into the area between the two liner layers and/or completely through the liner.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a method of forming vertical field effect transistor(s) and the resulting structure. In the method, five semiconductor layers are formed in a stack by epitaxial deposition. The first and fifth layers are one semiconductor material, the second and fourth layers are another and the third layer is yet another. The stack is patterned into fin(s). Vertical surfaces of the second and fourth layers of the fin(s) are etched to form upper and lower spacer cavities and these cavities are filled with upper and lower spacers. Vertical surfaces of the third layer of the fin(s) are etched to form a gate cavity and this cavity is filled with a gate. Since epitaxial deposition is used to form the semiconductor layers, the thicknesses of these layers and thereby the heights of the spacer cavities and gate cavity and the corresponding lengths of the spacers and gate can be precisely controlled.
Abstract:
Methods of forming a structure for a vertical-transport field-effect transistor. A semiconductor fin is formed over a sacrificial layer. A support structure is connected with the semiconductor fin. After forming the support structure, the sacrificial layer is removed to form a cavity extending beneath the semiconductor fin. A semiconductor material is epitaxially grown in the cavity to form a source/drain region of the vertical-transport field-effect transistor.