Abstract:
For an integrated circuit product comprising a non-tapered FinFET device formed in a first region of the substrate and a tapered FinFET device in a second region of the substrate, the method includes, among other things, forming the fins for the non-tapered FinFET device in the first region by performing a fin-cut-last process and forming the fins for the tapered FinFET by performing a fin-cut-first process.
Abstract:
ALD of HfxAlyCz films using hafnium chloride (HfCl4) and Trimethylaluminum (TMA) precursors can be combined with post-deposition anneal processes and ALD liners to control the device characteristics in high-k metal-gate devices. Variation of the HfCl4 pulse time allows for control of the Al % incorporation in the HfxAlyCz film in the range of 10-13%. Combinatorial process tools can be employed for rapid electrical and materials characterization of various materials stacks. The effective work function (EWF) in metal oxide semiconductor capacitor (MOSCAP) devices with the HfxAlyCz work function layer coupled with ALD deposited HfO2 high-k gate dielectric layers was quantified to be mid-gap at ˜4.6 eV. Thus, HfxAlyCz is a promising metal gate work function material allowing for the tuning of device threshold voltages (Vth) for anticipated multi-Vth integrated circuit (IC) devices.
Abstract:
A method for forming FinFETs having a capping layer for reducing punch through leakage includes providing an intermediate semiconductor structure having a semiconductor substrate and a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A capping layer is disposed over the fin, and an isolation fill is disposed over the capping layer. A portion of the isolation fill and the capping layer is removed to expose an upper surface portion of the fin. Tapping layer and a lower portion of the fin define an interface dipole layer barrier, a portion of the capping layer operable to provide an increased negative charge or an increased positive charge adjacent to the fin, to reduce punch-through leakage compared to a fin without the capping layer.
Abstract:
Co-fabricating non-planar (i.e., three-dimensional) semiconductor devices with different threshold voltages includes providing a starting semiconductor structure, the structure including a semiconductor substrate, multiple raised semiconductor structures coupled to the substrate, at least two gate structures encompassing a portion of the raised structures, each gate structure including a gate opening lined with dielectric material and partially filled with work function material, a portion of the work function material being recessed. The co-fabrication further includes creating at least one conformal barrier layer in one or more and less than all of the gate openings, filling the gate openings with conductive material, and modifying the work function of at least one and less than all of the filled gate structures.
Abstract:
An improved method and structure for fabrication of replacement metal gate (RMG) field effect transistors is disclosed. P-type field effect transistor (PFET) gate cavities are protected while N work function metals are deposited in N-type field effect transistor (NFET) gate cavities.
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:
One method disclosed includes forming a replacement gate structure for a device. The method includes forming a gate cavity above a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a first bulk metal layer in the gate cavity above a work function metal layer. The method further includes forming a conductive etch stop layer in the gate cavity above the first bulk metal layer. The method further includes forming a second bulk metal layer in the gate cavity above the conductive etch stop layer. The method further includes performing at least one etching process to recess the first and second bulk metal layers selectively relative to the conductive etch stop layer. The method further includes performing at least one etching process to recess at least the conductive etch stop layer.
Abstract:
One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a gate structure above an active region of a semiconductor substrate, wherein a first portion of the gate structure is positioned above the active region and second portions of the gate structure are positioned above an isolation region formed in the substrate, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent opposite sides of the first portion of the gate structure so as to define first and second continuous epi formation trenches comprised of the spacer that extend for less than the axial length of the gate structure, and forming an epi semiconductor material on the active region within each of the first and second continuous epi formation trenches.
Abstract:
One method includes forming a barrier layer in a trench/opening in an insulating material, forming a first region of a copper material above the barrier layer, forming a metal layer in the trench/opening on the first region of copper material, forming a second region of copper material on the metal layer, performing at least one CMP process to remove any materials positioned above a planarized upper surface of the layer of insulating material outside of the trench/opening so as to thereby define a structure comprised of the metal layer positioned between the first and second regions of copper material, forming a dielectric cap layer above the layer of insulating material and above the structure, and performing a metal diffusion anneal process to form a metal cap layer adjacent at least the upper surface of a conductive copper structure.
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.