Abstract:
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming at least one semiconductor fin on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of gate formation layers is formed on an etch stop layer disposed on the fin. The plurality of gate formation layers include a dummy gate layer formed from a dielectric material. The plurality of gate formation layers is patterned to form a plurality of dummy gate elements on the etch stop layer. Each dummy gate element is formed from the dielectric material. A spacer layer formed on the dummy gate elements is etched to form a spacer on each sidewall of dummy gate elements. A portion of the etch stop layer located between each dummy gate element is etched to expose a portion the semiconductor fin. A semiconductor material is epitaxially grown from the exposed portion of the semiconductor fin to form source/drain regions.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a multiple gate width structure for an integrated circuit is described. A fin on a semiconductor substrate with a first hard mask layer is covered by a first and second sacrificial gate each of which includes a second hard mask layer. Spacer layers and a dielectric layer are formed over the first and second sacrificial gate structures. The resulting structure is planarized so that the first and second sacrificial gate structures and the dielectric layer have coplanar top surfaces. The first and second sacrificial gate structures are removed to respectively form first and second trench recesses in the dielectric layer. The trench recesses are filled with a conductor to form permanent gate structures. A first permanent gate structure is formed in the first trench recess has a first length and a second permanent gate structure is formed in the second trench recess has a second length greater than the first length.
Abstract:
Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices with chamfer-less via multi-patterning are disclosed. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device; performing a trench etch into a portion of the intermediate semiconductor device to form a trench pattern; depositing an etching stack; performing at least one via patterning process; and forming at least one via opening into a portion of the intermediate semiconductor device. An intermediate semiconductor device is also disclosed.
Abstract:
After semiconductor material portions and gate structures are formed on a substrate, a dielectric material layer is deposited on the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures. An anisotropic etch is performed on the dielectric material layer to form gate spacers, while a mask layer protects peripheral portions of the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures to avoid unwanted physical exposure of semiconductor surfaces. A selective epitaxy can be performed to form raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions. Formation of semiconductor growth defects during the selective epitaxy is prevented by the dielectric material layer. Alternately, a selective semiconductor deposition process can be performed after formation of dielectric gate spacers on gate structures overlying semiconductor material portions. Semiconductor growth defects can be removed by an etch while a mask layer protects raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions.
Abstract:
After semiconductor material portions and gate structures are formed on a substrate, a dielectric material layer is deposited on the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures. An anisotropic etch is performed on the dielectric material layer to form gate spacers, while a mask layer protects peripheral portions of the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures to avoid unwanted physical exposure of semiconductor surfaces. A selective epitaxy can be performed to form raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions. Formation of semiconductor growth defects during the selective epitaxy is prevented by the dielectric material layer. Alternately, a selective semiconductor deposition process can be performed after formation of dielectric gate spacers on gate structures overlying semiconductor material portions. Semiconductor growth defects can be removed by an etch while a mask layer protects raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions.
Abstract:
An aspect of the invention includes a freestanding spacer having a sub-lithographic dimension for a sidewall image transfer process. The freestanding spacer comprises: a first spacer layer having a first portion disposed on the semiconductor layer; and a second spacer layer having a first surface disposed on the first portion of the first spacer layer, wherein the first spacer layer has a first dielectric constant and the second spacer layer has a second dielectric constant, the first dielectric constant being greater than the second dielectric constant, and wherein a dimension of each of the first and second spacer layers collectively determine the sub-lithographic lateral dimension of the freestanding spacer.
Abstract:
Methods of forming features having differing pitch spacing and critical dimensions are disclosed herein. One method includes forming an underlying layer of material above a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a masking layer above the underlying layer of material. The masking layer includes features positioned above a first region of the substrate and features positioned above a second region of the substrate. The features have different pitch spacing and critical dimensions. The method further includes performing at least one etching process on the underlying layer of material through the masking layer.
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:
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming fin structures in a selected area of a semiconductor substrate. The method includes covering the fin structures and the semiconductor substrate with a mask and forming a trench in the mask to define no more than two exposed fin structures in the selected area. Further, the method includes removing the exposed fin structures to provide the selected area with a desired number of fin structures.
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.