Abstract:
One illustrative device disclosed includes, among other things, first and second active regions that are separated by an isolation region, first and second replacement gate structures positioned above the first and second active regions, respectively, and a gate registration structure positioned above the isolation region, wherein the gate registration structure comprises a layer of insulating material positioned above the isolation region and a polish-stop layer and wherein a first end surface of the first replacement gate structure abuts and engages a first side surface of the gate registration structure and a second end surface of the second replacement gate structure abuts and engages a second side surface of the gate registration structure.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are various methods of forming spacers on FinFETs and other semiconductor devices. In one example, the method includes forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate that defines a fin, forming a first layer of insulating material in the trenches that covers a lower portion of the fin but exposes an upper portion of the fin, and forming a second layer of insulating material on the exposed upper portion of the fin. The method further comprises selectively forming a dielectric material above an upper surface of the fin and in a bottom of the trench, depositing a layer of spacer material above a gate structure of the device and above the dielectric material above the fin and in the trench, and performing an etching process on the layer of spacer material to define sidewall spacers positioned adjacent the gate structure.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and structures for protecting gates during epitaxial growth. An inner spacer of a first material is deposited adjacent a transistor gate. An outer spacer of a different material is deposited adjacent the inner spacer. Stressor cavities are formed adjacent the transistor gate. The inner spacer is recessed, forming a divot. The divot is filled with a material to protect the transistor gate. The stressor cavities are then filled. As the gate is safely protected, unwanted epitaxial growth (“mouse ears”) on the transistor gate is prevented.
Abstract:
One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming an overall fin structure having a stepped cross-sectional profile, the fin structure having an upper part and a lower part positioned under the upper part, wherein the upper part has a first width and the lower part has a second width that is less than the first width, forming a layer of insulating material in trenches adjacent the overall fin structure such that the upper part of the overall fin structure and a portion of the lower part of the overall fin structure are exposed above an upper surface of the layer of insulating material, and forming a gate structure around the exposed upper part of the overall fin structure and the exposed portion of the lower part of the overall fin structure.
Abstract:
A dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin prior to formation of a disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner protects the semiconductor fin during the pattering of the disposable gate structure and a gate spacer. The dielectric metal compound liner can be removed prior to formation of source and drain regions and a replacement gate structure. Alternately, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a gate stack, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer. Further, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a disposable gate structure, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer and removal of the disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner can protect the semiconductor fin during formation of the gate spacer in each embodiment.
Abstract:
One method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming sidewall spacers adjacent opposite sides of a sacrificial gate electrode of a sacrificial gate structure, forming a tensile-stressed layer of insulating material adjacent the sidewall spacers, removing the sacrificial gate structure to define a replacement gate cavity positioned between the sidewall spacers, forming a replacement gate structure in the replacement gate cavity, forming a tensile-stressed gate cap layer above the replacement gate structure and within the replacement gate cavity and, after forming the tensile-stressed gate cap layer, removing the tensile-stressed layer of insulating material.
Abstract:
One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a gate registration structure above an isolation region, wherein the gate registration structure comprises a plurality of layers of material, the uppermost layer of which is a polish-stop layer, forming first and second sacrificial gate structures above first and second active regions, respectively, wherein the first and second sacrificial gate structures abut and engage opposite sides of the gate registration structure, and performing at least one first chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process to remove the gate cap layer so as to thereby expose a sacrificial gate electrode in each of the first and second sacrificial gate structures, wherein the uppermost layer of the gate registration structure serves as a polish-stop layer during the at least one first CMP process.
Abstract:
One method disclosed includes, among other things, covering a top surface and a portion of the sidewalls of a fin with etch stop material, forming a sacrificial gate structure above and around the fin, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the sacrificial gate structure, performing at least one process operation to remove the sacrificial gate structure and thereby define a replacement gate cavity, forming a counter-doped region in the fin below an upper surface of the fin and below the channel region of the device, wherein the counter-doped region is doped with a second type of dopant material that is of an opposite type relative to the first type of dopant material, and forming a replacement gate structure in the replacement gate cavity.
Abstract:
One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming an initial fin structure comprised of portions of a substrate, a first epi semiconductor material and a second epi semiconductor material, forming a layer of insulating material so as to over-fill the trenches that define the fin, recessing a layer of insulating material such that a portion, but not all, of the second epi semiconductor portion of the final fin structure is exposed, forming a gate structure around the final fin structure, further recessing the layer of insulating material such that the first epi semiconductor material is exposed, removing the first epi semiconductor material to thereby define an under-fin cavity and substantially filling the under-fin cavity with a stressed material.
Abstract:
One method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming sidewall spacers adjacent opposite sides of a sacrificial gate electrode of a sacrificial gate structure, forming a tensile-stressed layer of insulating material adjacent the sidewall spacers, removing the sacrificial gate structure to define a replacement gate cavity positioned between the sidewall spacers, forming a replacement gate structure in the replacement gate cavity, forming a tensile-stressed gate cap layer above the replacement gate structure and within the replacement gate cavity and, after forming the tensile-stressed gate cap layer, removing the tensile-stressed layer of insulating material.