Abstract:
One method and device disclosed includes, among other things, forming a recessed sacrificial gate electrode having a recessed upper surface, performing at least one second etching process to define recessed sidewall spacers positioned adjacent the recessed sacrificial gate electrode, forming a plurality of sidewall spacers within a gate opening above the recessed sidewall spacers, wherein one of the spacers comprises a low-k insulating material that is positioned laterally between two other spacers and a gate cap layer, removing the recessed sacrificial gate electrode and forming a replacement gate structure in its place.
Abstract:
An improved field effect transistor and method of fabrication are disclosed. A barrier layer stack is formed in the base and sidewalls of a gate cavity. The barrier layer stack has a first metal layer and a second metal layer. A gate electrode metal is deposited in the cavity. The barrier layer stack is thinned or removed on the sidewalls of the gate cavity, to more precisely control the voltage threshold of the field effect transistor.
Abstract:
A transistor device includes a gate structure positioned above a semiconductor substrate, and spaced-apart sidewall spacers positioned above the substrate and adjacent sidewalls of the gate structure. An internal sidewall surface of each of the spaced-apart sidewall spacers includes an upper sidewall surface portion and a lower sidewall surface portion positioned between the upper sidewall surface portion and a surface of the substrate, wherein a first lateral width between first upper ends of the upper sidewall surface portions is greater than a second lateral width between second upper ends of the lower sidewall surface portions.
Abstract:
One method and device disclosed includes, among other things, forming a recessed sacrificial gate electrode having a recessed upper surface, performing at least one second etching process to define recessed sidewall spacers positioned adjacent the recessed sacrificial gate electrode, forming a plurality of sidewall spacers within a gate opening above the recessed sidewall spacers, wherein one of the spacers comprises a low-k insulating material that is positioned laterally between two other spacers and a gate cap layer, removing the recessed sacrificial gate electrode and forming a replacement gate structure in its place.
Abstract:
Methods of scaling thickness of a gate dielectric structure that overlies a semiconductor substrate, methods of forming an integrated circuit, and integrated circuits are provided. A method of scaling thickness of a gate dielectric structure that overlies a semiconductor substrate includes providing the semiconductor substrate. An interfacial oxide layer is formed in or on the semiconductor substrate. A high-k dielectric layer is formed over the interfacial oxide layer. An oxygen reservoir is formed over at least a portion of the high-k dielectric layer. A sealant layer is formed over the oxygen reservoir. The semiconductor substrate including the oxygen reservoir disposed thereon is annealed to diffuse oxygen through the high-k dielectric layer and the interfacial oxide layer from the oxygen reservoir. Annealing extends the interfacial oxide layer into the semiconductor substrate at portions of the semiconductor substrate that underlie the oxygen reservoir to form a regrown interfacial region in or on the semiconductor substrate.
Abstract:
One method for forming replacement gate structures for NMOS and PMOS transistors includes performing an etching process to remove a sacrificial gate structure for the NMOS and PMOS transistors to thereby define NMOS and PMOS gate cavities, depositing a gate insulation layer in the gate cavities, depositing a first metal layer on the gate insulation layer in the gate cavities, performing at least one process operation to form (1) an NMOS metal silicide material above the first metal layer within the NMOS gate cavity, the NMOS metal silicide material having a first amount of atomic silicon, and (2) a PMOS metal silicide material above the first metal layer within the PMOS gate cavity, the PMOS metal silicide material having a second amount of atomic silicon, and wherein the first and second amounts of atomic silicon are different, and forming gate cap layers within the NMOS and PMOS gate cavities.
Abstract:
A semiconductor comprising a multilayer structure which prevents oxidization of the titanium nitride layer that protects a high-K dielectric layer is provided. Replacement metal gates are over the multilayer structure. A sacrificial polysilicon gate structure is deposited first. The sacrificial polysilicon gate structure is then removed, and the various layers of the replacement metal gate structure are deposited in the space previously occupied by the sacrificial polysilicon gate structure.
Abstract:
A gate structure of a semiconductor device having a NFET and a PFET, includes a lower layer of a hafnium-based dielectric over the gates of the NFET and PFET, and an upper layer of a lanthanide dielectric. The dielectrics are annealed to mix them above the NFET resulting in a lowered work function, and corresponding threshold voltage reduction. An annealed, relatively thick titanium nitride cap over the mixed dielectric above the NFET gate also lowers the work function and threshold voltage. Above the TiN cap and the hafnium-based dielectric over the PFET gate, is another layer of titanium nitride that has not been annealed. A conducting layer of tungsten covers the structure.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a replacement gate stack for a semiconductor device includes the following steps after removal of a dummy gate: growing a high-k dielectric layer over the area vacated by the dummy gate; depositing a thin metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer; depositing a sacrificial layer over the thin metal layer; performing a first rapid thermal anneal; removing the sacrificial layer; and depositing a metal layer of low resistivity metal for gap fill.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a replacement gate stack for a semiconductor device includes the following steps after removal of a dummy gate: growing a high-k dielectric layer over the area vacated by the dummy gate; depositing a thin metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer; depositing a sacrificial layer over the thin metal layer; performing a first rapid thermal anneal; removing the sacrificial layer; and depositing a metal layer of low resistivity metal for gap fill.