摘要:
When forming transistor elements on the basis of sophisticated high-k metal gate structures, the efficiency of a replacement gate approach may be enhanced by more efficiently adjusting the gate height of transistors of different conductivity type when the dielectric cap layers of transistors may have experienced a different process history and may thus require a subsequent adaptation of the final cap layer thickness in one type of the transistors. For this purpose, a hard mask material may be used during a process sequence for forming offset spacer elements in one gate electrode structure while covering another gate electrode structure.
摘要:
In a replacement gate approach in sophisticated semiconductor devices, a tantalum nitride etch stop material may be efficiently removed on the basis of a wet chemical etch recipe using ammonium hydroxide. Consequently, a further work function adjusting material may be formed with superior uniformity, while the efficiency of the subsequent adjusting of the work function may also be increased. Thus, superior uniformity, i.e., less pronounced transistor variability, may be accomplished on the basis of a replacement gate approach in which the work function of the gate electrodes of P-channel transistors and N-channel transistors is adjusted after completing the basic transistor configuration.
摘要:
In advanced semiconductor devices, spacer elements may be formed on the basis of a multi-station deposition technique, wherein a certain degree of variability of the various sub-layers of the spacer materials, such as a different thickness, may be applied in order to enhance etch conditions during the subsequent anisotropic etch process. Consequently, spacer elements of improved shape may result in superior deposition conditions when using a stress-inducing dielectric material. Consequently, yield losses due to contact failures in densely packed device areas, such as static RAM areas, may be reduced.
摘要:
A strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be formed on the basis of cavities which may have a non-rectangular shape, which may be maintained even during corresponding high temperature treatments by providing an appropriate protection layer, such as a silicon dioxide material. Consequently, a lateral offset of the strain-inducing semiconductor material may be reduced, while nevertheless providing a sufficient thickness of corresponding offset spacers during the cavity etch process, thereby preserving gate electrode integrity. For instance, P-channel transistors may have a silicon/germanium alloy with a hexagonal shape, thereby significantly enhancing the overall strain transfer efficiency.
摘要:
By providing a test structure for evaluating the patterning process and/or the epitaxial growth process for forming embedded semiconductor alloys in sophisticated semiconductor devices, enhanced statistical relevance in combination with reduced test time may be accomplished.
摘要:
A substrate comprising a first transistor element and a second transistor element is provided. A layer of a material is deposited over the first transistor element and the second transistor element. A portion of the layer of material is modified, which may be done, e.g., by irradiating the portion with ions or performing an isotropic etching process to reduce its thickness. An etching process adapted to remove the modified portion of the layer of material more quickly than an unmodified portion of the layer located over the second transistor element is performed.
摘要:
In advanced semiconductor devices, spacer elements may be formed on the basis of a multi-station deposition technique, wherein a certain degree of variability of the various sub-layers of the spacer materials, such as a different thickness, may be applied in order to enhance etch conditions during the subsequent anisotropic etch process. Consequently, spacer elements of improved shape may result in superior deposition conditions when using a stress-inducing dielectric material. Consequently, yield losses due to contact failures in densely packed device areas, such as static RAM areas, may be reduced.
摘要:
When forming sophisticated semiconductor devices including complementary transistors having a reduced gate length, the individual transistor characteristics may be adjusted on the basis of individually provided semiconductor alloys, such as a silicon/germanium alloy for P-channel transistors and a silicon/phosphorous semiconductor alloy for N-channel transistors. To this end, a superior hard mask patterning regime may be applied in order to provide compatibility with sophisticated replacement gate approaches, while avoiding undue process non-uniformities, in particular with respect to the removal of a dielectric cap layer.
摘要:
When forming sophisticated transistors on the basis of a high-k metal gate electrode structure and a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy, a superior wet cleaning process strategy is applied after forming cavities in order to reduce undue modification of sensitive gate materials, such as high-k dielectric materials, metal-containing electrode materials and the like, and modification of a threshold voltage adjusting semiconductor alloy. Thus, the pronounced dependence of the threshold voltage of transistors of different width may be significantly reduced compared to conventional strategies.
摘要:
By providing heat dissipation elements or heat pipes in temperature critical areas of a semiconductor device, enhanced performance, reliability and packing density may be achieved. The heat dissipation elements may be formed on the basis of standard manufacturing techniques and may be positioned in close proximity to individual transistor elements and/or may be used for shielding particular circuit portions.