Abstract:
In various aspects, methods of forming a semiconductor device and semiconductor devices are provided. In some illustrative embodiments herein, a silicon/germanium layer is provided on a semiconductor substrate. On the silicon/germanium layer, at least one insulating material layer is formed. After having performed a thermal annealing process, the at least one insulating material layer is removed in subsequent process sequences such that the silicon/germanium layer is at least partially exposed. In further processing sequences which are to be subsequently applied, a gate electrode is formed on the exposed silicon/germanium layer.
Abstract:
A method of forming an inductor in a crystal semiconductor layer is provided, including generating an ion beam, directing the ion beam to a surface of the crystal semiconductor layer, applying a magnetic field to the ion beam to generate a helical motion of the ions and forming a three-dimensional helical structure in the crystal semiconductor layer by means of the ions of the ion beam.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a gate electrode structure thereon and sidewall spacers along sidewalls of the gate electrode structure to a first height along the sidewalls, forming a planarizing carbon-based polymer layer over the gate electrode structure and over the sidewall spacers, and etching a portion of the optical planarization layer to expose a top portion the gate electrode structure. Further, the method includes etching an upper portion of the sidewall spacers selective to the gate electrode structure so as to expose the sidewalls of the upper portion of the gate electrode structure and depositing a silicide-forming material over the top portion of the gate electrode structure and the sidewalls of the upper portion of the gate electrode structure. Still further, the method includes annealing the silicide-forming material.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a gate electrode structure thereon and sidewall spacers along sidewalls of the gate electrode structure to a first height along the sidewalls, forming a planarizing carbon-based polymer layer over the gate electrode structure and over the sidewall spacers, and etching a portion of the optical planarization layer to expose a top portion the gate electrode structure. Further, the method includes etching an upper portion of the sidewall spacers selective to the gate electrode structure so as to expose the sidewalls of the upper portion of the gate electrode structure and depositing a silicide-forming material over the top portion of the gate electrode structure and the sidewalls of the upper portion of the gate electrode structure. Still further, the method includes annealing the silicide-forming material.
Abstract:
A structure comprises a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor-on-insulator region and a bulk region. The semiconductor-on-insulator region comprises a first semiconductor region, a dielectric layer provided between the semiconductor substrate and the first semiconductor region, and a first transistor comprising an active region provided in the first semiconductor region. The dielectric layer provides electrical isolation between the first semiconductor region and the semiconductor substrate. The bulk region comprises a second semiconductor region provided directly on the semiconductor substrate.
Abstract:
When forming field-effect transistors, a common problem is the formation of a Schottky barrier at the interface between a metal thin film in the gate electrode and a semiconductor material, typically polysilicon, formed thereupon. Fully silicided gates are known in the state of the art, which may overcome this problem. However, formation of a fully silicided gate is hindered by the fact that silicidation of the source and drain regions and of the gate electrode are normally performed simultaneously. The claimed method proposes two consecutive silicidation processes which are decoupled with respect to each other. During the first silicidation process, a metal silicide is formed forming an interface with the source and drain regions and without affecting the gate electrode. During the second silicidation, a metal silicide layer having an interface with the gate electrode is formed, without affecting the transistor source and drain regions.
Abstract:
Apparatus and related fabrication methods are provided for semiconductor device structures having silicon-encapsulated stressor regions. One semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure overlying the semiconductor substrate, stressor regions formed in the semiconductor substrate proximate the gate structure, and a silicon material overlying the stressor regions, the silicon material encapsulating the stressor regions.
Abstract:
In aspects of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed, wherein amorphous regions are formed at an early stage during fabrication and the amorphous regions are conserved during subsequent processing sequences, and an intermediate semiconductor device structure with amorphous regions are provided at an early stage during fabrication. Herein a gate structure is provided over a semiconductor substrate and amorphous regions are formed adjacent the gate structure. Source/drain extension regions or source/drain regions are formed in the amorphous regions. In some illustrative embodiments, fluorine may be implanted into the amorphous regions. After the source/drain extension regions and/or the source/drain regions are formed, a rapid thermal anneal process is performed.
Abstract:
When forming cavities in active regions of semiconductor devices in order to incorporate a strain-inducing semiconductor material, an improved shape of the cavities may be achieved by using an amorphization process and a heat treatment so as to selectively modify the etch behavior of exposed portions of the active regions and to adjust the shape of the amorphous regions. In this manner, the basic configuration of the cavities may be adjusted with a high degree of flexibility. Consequently, the efficiency of the strain-inducing technique may be improved.
Abstract:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, replacement gate approaches may be applied in combination with a process strategy for implementing a strain-inducing semiconductor material, wherein superior proximity of the strain-inducing semiconductor material and/or superior robustness of the replacement gate approach may be achieved by forming the initial gate electrode structures with superior uniformity and providing at least one cavity for implementing the strained channel regions in a very advanced manufacturing stage, i.e., after completing the basic transistor configuration.