摘要:
Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to modern sophisticated semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same, wherein electrical interconnects between circuit elements based on a buried sublevel metallization may provide improved transistor density. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a contact dielectric layer above first and second transistor elements of a semiconductor device, and after forming the contact dielectric layer, forming a buried conductive element below an upper surface of the contact dielectric layer, the conductive element providing an electrical connection between the first and second transistor elements.
摘要:
When forming a metal silicide within contact openings in complex semiconductor devices, a silicidation of sidewall surface areas of the contact openings may be initiated by forming a silicon layer therein, thereby reducing unwanted diffusion of the refractory metal species into the laterally adjacent dielectric material. In this manner, superior reliability and electrical performance of the resulting contact elements may be achieved on the basis of a late silicide process.
摘要:
When forming metal silicide regions, such as nickel silicide regions, in sophisticated transistors requiring a shallow drain and source dopant profile, superior controllability may be achieved by incorporating a silicide stop layer. To this end, in some illustrative embodiments, a carbon species may be incorporated on the basis of an implantation process in order to significantly modify the metal diffusion during the silicidation process. Consequently, an increased thickness of the metal silicide may be provided, while not unduly increasing the probability of creating contact failures.
摘要:
By forming metal capacitors in the metallization structures of semiconductor devices, complex manufacturing sequences in the device level may be avoided. The process of manufacturing the metal capacitors may be performed on the basis of well-established patterning regimes of modern metallization systems by using appropriately selected etch stop materials, which may enable a high degree of compatibility for forming via openings in a metallization layer while providing a capacitor dielectric of a desired high dielectric constant in the capacitor.
摘要:
By encoding process-related non-uniformities, such as different height levels, which may be caused by CMP or other processes during the fabrication of complex device levels, such as metallization structures, respective focus parameter settings may be efficiently evaluated on the basis of well-established CD measurement techniques.
摘要:
In sophisticated SOI devices, circuit elements, such as substrate diodes, may be formed in the crystalline substrate material on the basis of a substrate window, wherein the pronounced surface topography may be compensated for or at least reduced by performing additional planarization processes, such as the deposition of a planarization material, and a subsequent etch process when forming the contact level of the semiconductor device.
摘要:
In an SOI semiconductor device, substrate diodes may be formed on the basis of a superior design of the contact level and the metallization layer, thereby avoiding the presence of metal lines connecting to both diode electrodes in the critical substrate diode area. To this end, contact trenches may be provided so as to locally connect one type of diode electrodes within the contact level. Consequently, additional process steps for planarizing the surface topography upon forming the contact level may be avoided.
摘要:
When forming a complex metallization system in which vias of different lateral size have to be provided, a split patterning sequence may be applied. For this purpose, a lithography process may be specifically designed for the critical via openings and a subsequent second patterning process may be applied for forming the vias of increased lateral dimensions, while the critical vias are masked. In this manner, superior process conditions may be established for each of the patterning sequences.
摘要:
Contact elements of sophisticated semiconductor devices may be formed for gate electrode structures and for drain and source regions in separate process sequences in order to apply electroless plating techniques without causing undue overfill of one type of contact opening. Consequently, superior process uniformity in combination with a reduced overall contact resistance may be accomplished. In some illustrative embodiments, cobalt may be used as a contact metal without any additional conductive barrier materials.
摘要:
In a replacement gate approach for forming high-k metal gate electrodes in semiconductor devices, a tapered configuration of the gate openings may be accomplished by using a tensile stressed dielectric material provided laterally adjacent to the gate electrode structure. Consequently, superior deposition conditions may be achieved while the tensile stress component may be efficiently used for the strain engineering in one type of transistor. Furthermore, an additional compressively stressed dielectric material may be applied after providing the replacement gate electrode structures.