Abstract:
One method includes forming a plurality of first trenches in a semiconductor substrate to thereby define a plurality of initial fins in the substrate, removing at least one, but less than all, of the plurality of initial fins, forming a fin protection layer on at least the sidewalls of the remaining initial fins, with the fin protection layer in position, performing an etching process to extend a depth of the first trenches to thereby define a plurality of final trenches with a final trench depth, wherein the final trenches define a plurality of final fin structures that each comprise an initial fin, removing the fin protection layer, and forming a recessed layer of insulating material in the final trenches, wherein the recessed layer of insulating material has a recessed surface that exposes a portion of the final fin structures.
Abstract:
A device includes a first dielectric layer having at least one conductive feature embedded therein. A first plurality of conductive lines are embedded in a second dielectric layer disposed above the first dielectric layer. A first conductive line in the first plurality of conductive lines contacts the conductive feature and includes a conductive via portion and a recessed line portion. A second plurality of conductive lines are embedded in a third dielectric layer disposed above the second dielectric layer. A second conductive line in the second plurality of conductive lines contacts the conductive via portion and the conductive via portion has a first cross-sectional dimension corresponding to a width of the first conductive line and a second cross-sectional dimension corresponding to a width of the second conductive line.
Abstract:
A device disclosed herein includes a plurality of spaced-apart fin structures formed in a semiconductor substrate so as to define an alignment/overlay mark trench. An alignment/overlay mark includes at least one insulating material positioned within the alignment/overlay mark trench. The alignment/overlay mark is devoid of any of the fin structures.
Abstract:
A method includes forming a first dielectric layer having at least one conductive feature embedded therein. A first plurality of conductive lines embedded in a second dielectric layer disposed above the first dielectric layer is formed. A first conductive line in the plurality of conductive lines contacts the conductive feature. The first conductive line is etched using a first etch mask to define a conductive via portion and a recessed line portion in the first conductive line. A second plurality of conductive lines embedded in a third dielectric layer disposed above the second dielectric layer is formed. A second conductive line in the second plurality of conductive lines contacts the conductive via portion and the third dielectric layer directly contacts the second dielectric layer.
Abstract:
A method of forming a nanowire device includes patterning a plurality of semiconductor material layers such that each layer has first and second exposed end surfaces. The method further includes forming doped extension regions in the first and second exposed end surfaces of the semiconductor material layers. The method further includes, after forming the doped extension regions, forming epi semiconductor material in source and drain regions of the device.
Abstract:
A device disclosed herein includes a plurality of spaced-apart fin structures formed in a semiconductor substrate so as to define an alignment/overlay mark trench. An alignment/overlay mark includes at least one insulating material positioned within the alignment/overlay mark trench. The alignment/overlay mark is devoid of any of the fin structures.
Abstract:
A method of forming a nanowire device includes forming semiconductor material layers above a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate structure above the semiconductor material layers, forming a first sidewall spacer adjacent to the gate structure and forming a second sidewall spacer adjacent to the first sidewall spacer. The method further includes patterning the semiconductor material layers such that each layer has first and second exposed end surfaces. The gate structure, the first sidewall spacer, and the second sidewall spacer are used in combination as an etch mask during the patterning process. The method further includes removing the first and second sidewall spacers, thereby exposing at least a portion of the patterned semiconductor material layers. The method further includes forming doped extension regions in at least the exposed portions of the patterned semiconductor material layers after removing the first and second sidewall spacers.
Abstract:
Integrated circuits having metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) contact structures and methods for fabricating integrated circuits having metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) contact structures are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a fin structure formed from semiconductor material overlying a semiconductor substrate. The method includes depositing a layer of high-k dielectric material over the fin structure. Further, the method includes forming a metal layer or layers over the layer of high-k dielectric material to provide the fin structure with a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) contact structure.
Abstract:
Integrated circuits having silicide contacts with reduced contact resistance and methods for fabricating integrated circuits having silicide contacts with reduced contact resistance are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate having selected source/drain regions and non-selected source/drain regions. The method forms a contact resistance modulation material over the selected source/drain regions. Further, the method forms a metal layer over the selected and non-selected source/drain regions. The method includes annealing the metal layer to form silicide contacts on the selected and non-selected source/drain regions.
Abstract:
Various methods of forming conductive contacts to the source/drain regions of FinFET devices that involves forming a region comprised of a Schottkky barrier lowering material are disclosed. The method disclosed herein includes forming at least one fin for an N-type FinFET device (or a P-type FinFET device) in a semiconducting substrate, performing at least one process operation to form a region in the at least one fin that contains a Schottky barrier lowering material, depositing a layer of a valence band metal (for an N-type device) or a conduction band metal (for a P-type device) on the region and forming a metal silicide region on the fin, wherein the metal silicide is comprised of the valance band metal (for the N-type device) or a conduction band metal (for the P-type device).