Abstract:
A modified soft output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA) detector receives a sequence of soft information values and determines a best path and an alternate path for each soft information value and further determines, when the best and alternate paths lead to the same value for a given soft information value, whether there is a third path departing from the alternate path that leads to an opposite decision with respect to the best path for a given soft information value. The SOVA detector then considers this third path when updating the reliability of the best path. The modified SOVA detector achieves max-log-map equivalence effectively through the Fossorier approach and includes modified reliability metric units for the first N stages of the SOVA detector, where N is the memory depth of a given path, and includes conventional reliability metric units for the remaining stages of the detector.
Abstract:
A method that allows effective removal of a silicon-containing antireflective coating (SiARC) layer in a block mask after defining an unblock area in a sidewall image transfer (SIT) patterning process without causing a height loss of the SIT spacers is provided. The method includes first modifying the SiARC layer with a dry etch utilizing an etching gas comprising a nitrogen gas followed by treating the modified SiARC layer with a wet chemical etch utilizing an aqueous solution including dilute hydrofluoric acid and citric acid.
Abstract:
A shallow trench is formed to extend into a handle substrate of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer. A dielectric liner stack of a dielectric metal oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer is formed in the shallow trench, followed by deposition of a shallow trench isolation fill portion. The dielectric liner stack is removed from above a top surface of a top semiconductor portion, followed by removal of a silicon nitride pad layer and an upper vertical portion of the dielectric metal oxide layer. A divot laterally surrounding a stack of a top semiconductor portion and a buried insulator portion is filled with a silicon nitride portion. Gate structures and source/drain structures are subsequently formed. The silicon nitride portion or the dielectric metal oxide layer functions as a stopping layer during formation of source/drain contact via holes, thereby preventing electrical shorts between source/drain contact via structures and the handle substrate.
Abstract:
Processes and overturned thin film device structures generally include a metal gate having a concave shape defined by three faces. The processes generally include forming the overturned thin film device structures such that the channel self-aligns to the metal gate and the contacts can be self-aligned to the sacrificial material.
Abstract:
A method of forming a via to an underlying layer of a semiconductor device is provided. The method may include forming a pillar over the underlying layer using a sidewall image transfer process. A dielectric layer is formed over the pillar and the underlying layer; and a via mask patterned over the dielectric layer, the via mask having a mask opening at least partially overlapping the pillar. A via opening is etched in the dielectric layer using the via mask, the mask opening defining a first lateral dimension of the via opening in a first direction and the pillar defining a second lateral dimension of the via opening in a second direction different than the first direction. The via opening is filled with a conductor to form the via. A semiconductor device and via structure are also provided.
Abstract:
A resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure is formed on a supporting substrate and includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is made of a silicided fin on the supporting substrate and a first metal liner layer covering the silicided fin. A layer of dielectric material having a configurable resistive property covers at least a portion of the first metal liner. The second electrode is made of a second metal liner layer covering the layer of dielectric material and a metal fill in contact with the second metal liner layer. A non-volatile memory cell includes the RRAM structure electrically connected between an access transistor and a bit line.
Abstract:
A junctionless field effect transistor on an insulating layer of a substrate includes a fin made of semiconductor material doped with a dopant of a first conductivity type. A channel made of an epitaxial semiconductor material region doped with a dopant of a second conductivity type is in contact with a top surface of the fin. An insulated metal gate straddles the channel. A source connection is made to the epitaxial semiconductor material region on one side of said insulated metal gate, and a drain connection is made to the epitaxial semiconductor material region on an opposite side of said insulated metal gate. The epitaxial channel may further be grown from and be in contact with opposed side surfaces of the fin.
Abstract:
An integrated transistor in the form of a nanoscale electromechanical switch eliminates CMOS current leakage and increases switching speed. The nanoscale electromechanical switch features a semiconducting cantilever that extends from a portion of the substrate into a cavity. The cantilever flexes in response to a voltage applied to the transistor gate thus forming a conducting channel underneath the gate. When the device is off, the cantilever returns to its resting position. Such motion of the cantilever breaks the circuit, restoring a void underneath the gate that blocks current flow, thus solving the problem of leakage. Fabrication of the nano-electromechanical switch is compatible with existing CMOS transistor fabrication processes. By doping the cantilever and using a back bias and a metallic cantilever tip, sensitivity of the switch can be further improved. A footprint of the nano-electromechanical switch can be as small as 0.1×0.1 μm2.
Abstract:
A dual width SOI FinFET is disclosed in which different portions of a strained fin have different widths. A method of fabrication of such a dual width FinFET entails laterally recessing the strained fin in the source and drain regions using a wet chemical etching process so as to maintain a high degree of strain in the fin while trimming the widths of fin portions in the source and drain regions to less than 5 nm. The resulting FinFET features a wide portion of the fin in the channel region underneath the gate, and a narrower portion of the fin in the source and drain regions. An advantage of the narrower fin is that it can be more easily doped during the growth of the epitaxial raised source and drain regions.
Abstract:
A vertical junction field effect transistor (JFET) is supported by a semiconductor substrate that includes a source region within the semiconductor substrate doped with a first conductivity-type dopant. A fin of semiconductor material doped with the first conductivity-type dopant has a first end in contact with the source region and further includes a second end and sidewalls between the first and second ends. A drain region is formed of first epitaxial material grown from the second end of the fin and doped with the first conductivity-type dopant. A gate structure is formed of second epitaxial material grown from the sidewalls of the fin and doped with a second conductivity-type dopant.