摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the initial strain component of a globally strained semiconductor layer may be substantially preserved during the formation of shallow trench isolations by using a rigid mask material, which may efficiently avoid or reduce a deformation of the semiconductor islands upon patterning the isolation trenches. Consequently, selected regions with high internal stress levels may be provided, irrespective of the height-to-length aspect ratio, which may limit the application of globally strained semiconductor layers in conventional approaches. Furthermore, in some illustrative embodiments, active regions of substantially relaxed strain state or of inverse strain type may be provided in addition to the highly strained active regions, thereby enabling an efficient process strategy for forming complementary transistors.
摘要:
In a stacked semiconductor device, a Peltier element may be incorporated as a distributed element so as to provide active heat transfer from a high power device into a low power device, thereby achieving superior temperature control in stacked device configurations. For example, a CPU and a dynamic RAM device may be provided as a stacked configuration, wherein waste heat of the CPU may be efficiently distributed into the low power memory device.
摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the contact structure may be formed on the basis of contact bars formed in a lower portion of an interlayer dielectric material, which may then be contacted by contact elements having reduced lateral dimensions so as to preserve a desired low overall fringing capacitance. The concept of contact bars of reduced height level may be efficiently combined with sophisticated replacement gate approaches.
摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, replacement gate approaches may be applied in combination with a process strategy for implementing a strain-inducing semiconductor material, wherein superior proximity of the strain-inducing semiconductor material and/or superior robustness of the replacement gate approach may be achieved by forming the initial gate electrode structures with superior uniformity and providing at least one cavity for implementing the strained channel regions in a very advanced manufacturing stage, i.e., after completing the basic transistor configuration.
摘要:
In a replacement gate approach, a spacer may be formed in the gate opening after the removal of the placeholder material, thereby providing a superior cross-sectional shape upon forming any electrode metals in the gate opening. Moreover, the spacer may be used for reducing the gate length, while not requiring more complex gate patterning strategies.
摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, a replacement gate approach may be applied, in which a channel semiconductor material may be provided through the gate opening prior to forming the gate dielectric material and the electrode metal. In this manner, specific channel materials may be provided in a late manufacturing stage for different transistor types, thereby providing superior transistor performance and superior flexibility in adjusting the electronic characteristics of the transistors.
摘要:
A buried gate electrode structures may be formed in the active regions of sophisticated transistors by providing a recess in the active region and incorporating appropriate gate materials, such as a high-k dielectric material and a metal-containing electrode material. Due to the recessed configuration, the channel length and thus the channel controllability may be increased, without increasing the overall lateral dimensions of the transistor structure.
摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the contact structure may be formed on the basis of contact bars formed in a lower portion of an interlayer dielectric material, which may then be contacted by contact elements having reduced lateral dimensions so as to preserve a desired low overall fringing capacitance. The concept of contact bars of reduced height level may be efficiently combined with sophisticated replacement gate approaches.
摘要:
In sophisticated transistor elements, integrity of sensitive gate materials may be enhanced while, at the same time, the lateral offset of extension regions may be reduced. To this end, at least a portion of the extension regions may be implanted at an early manufacturing stage, i.e., in the presence of a protective liner material, which may, after forming the extension regions, be patterned into a protective spacer structure used for preserving integrity of the sensitive gate electrode structure.
摘要:
Sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures are provided on the basis of a hybrid process strategy in which the work function of certain gate electrode structures is adjusted in an early manufacturing stage, while, in other gate electrode structures, the initial gate stack is used as a dummy material and is replaced in a very advanced manufacturing stage. In this manner, superior overall process robustness in combination with enhanced device performance may be achieved.