摘要:
In sophisticated transistor elements, enhanced profile uniformity along the transistor width direction may be accomplished by using a gate material in an amorphous state, thereby reducing channeling effects and line edge roughness. In sophisticated high-k metal gate approaches, an appropriate sequence may be applied to avoid a change of the amorphous state prior to performing the critical implantation processes for forming drain and source extension regions and halo regions.
摘要:
When forming sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures on the basis of a replacement gate approach, superior process uniformity may be achieved by implementing at least one planarization process after the deposition of the placeholder material, such as the polysilicon material, and prior to actually patterning the gate electrode structures.
摘要:
Non-planar transistors, such as FinFETs, may be formed in a bulk configuration in the context of a replacement gate approach, wherein the semiconductor fins are formed during the replacement gate sequence. To this end, in some illustrative embodiments, a buried etch mask may be formed in an early manufacturing stage on the basis of superior process conditions.
摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be positioned close to the channel region by forming cavities on the basis of a wet chemical etch process, which may have an anisotropic etch behavior with respect to different crystallographic orientations. In one embodiment, TMAH may be used which exhibits, in addition to the anisotropic etch behavior, a high etch selectivity with respect to silicon dioxide, thereby enabling extremely thin etch stop layers which additionally provide the possibility of further reducing the offset from the channel region while not unduly contributing to overall process variability.
摘要:
When forming cavities in active regions of semiconductor devices in order to incorporate a strain\-inducing semiconductor material, superior uniformity may be achieved by using an implantation process so as to selectively modify the etch behavior of exposed portions of the active region. In this manner, the basic configuration of the cavities may be adjusted with a high degree of flexibility, while at the same time the dependence on pattern loading effect may be reduced. Consequently, a significantly reduced variability of transistor characteristics may be achieved.
摘要:
Three-dimensional transistors in a bulk configuration may be formed on the basis of gate openings or gate trenches provided in a mask material. Hence, self-aligned semiconductor fins may be efficiently patterned in the underlying active region in a portion defined by the gate opening, while other gate openings may be efficiently masked, in which planar transistors are to be provided. After patterning the semiconductor fins and adjusting the effective height thereof, the further processing may be continued on the basis of process techniques that may be commonly applied to the planar transistors and the three-dimensional transistors.
摘要:
A silicon/carbon alloy may be formed in drain and source regions, wherein another portion may be provided as an in situ doped material with a reduced offset with respect to the gate electrode material. For this purpose, in one illustrative embodiment, a cyclic epitaxial growth process including a plurality of growth/etch cycles may be used at low temperatures in an ultra-high vacuum ambient, thereby obtaining a substantially bottom to top fill behavior.
摘要:
By appropriately orienting the channel length direction with respect to the crystallographic characteristics of the silicon layer, the stress-inducing effects of strained silicon/carbon material may be significantly enhanced compared to conventional techniques. In one illustrative embodiment, the channel may be oriented along the direction for a (100) surface orientation, thereby providing an electron mobility increase of approximately a factor of four.
摘要:
In a strained SOI semiconductor layer, the stress relaxation which may typically occur during the patterning of trench isolation structures may be reduced by selecting an appropriate reduced target height of the active regions, thereby enabling the formation of transistor elements on the active region of reduced height, which may still include a significant amount of the initial strain component. The active regions of reduced height may be advantageously used for forming fully depleted field effect transistors.
摘要:
A non-conformal metal silicide in a transistor of recessed drain and source configuration may provide enhanced efficiency with respect to strain-inducing mechanisms, drain/source resistance and the like. For this purpose, in some cases, an amorphizing implantation process may be performed prior to the silicidation process, while in other cases an anisotropic deposition of the refractory metal may be used.