Abstract:
An integrated circuit that includes a substrate having first and second active regions is disclosed. A first transistor of a first type and a second transistor of a second type are disposed in the first and second active regions respectively. Each transistor includes a gate stack having a metal gate electrode over a gate dielectric layer. First and second gate threshold voltage adjusting (GTVA) layers contacting first and second gate dielectric layer of the first and second transistors are provided. The first GTVA layer tunes a gate threshold voltage of the first transistor. A channel of the second transistor includes dopants to tune the gate threshold voltage of the second transistor.
Abstract:
A method of forming shallow trench isolation (STI) structures using a multi-step etch process is disclosed. The first etch step is performed by selectively etching the substrate at a substantially higher etching rate than the mask layer to form preliminary openings having steep taper angles. The second etch step is performed by non-selectively etching the substrate to deepen the preliminary openings to form STI gaps with substantially flat bottoms.
Abstract:
A processing layer, such as silicon, is formed on a metal silicide contact followed by a metal layer. The silicon and metal layers are annealed to increase the thickness of the metal silicide contact. By selectively increasing the thickness of silicide contacts, Rs of transistors in iso and nested regions can be matched.
Abstract:
A method for forming a gate dielectric having regions with different dielectric constants. A low-K dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor structure. A dummy dielectric layer is formed over the low-K dielectric layer. The dummy dielectric layer and low-K dielectric layer are patterned to form an opening. The dummy dielectric layer is isontropically etched selectively to the low-K dielectric layer to form a stepped gate opening. A high-K dielectric layer is formed over the dummy dielectric and in the stepped gate opening. A gate electrode is formed on the high-K dielectric layer.
Abstract:
A new method is provided for the creation of ultra-thin gate oxide layers. Under the first embodiment, sacrificial oxide and nitride are deposited, openings are created in the layer of nitride where the ultra-thin layer of gate oxide is to be created. A layer of poly is deposited over the layer of nitride. The layer of polysilicon is polished, leaving the poly deposited inside the openings. The nitride is removed leaving the gate structure in place overlying the grown gate oxide. Under the second embodiment, sacrificial oxide and nitride are deposited followed by the deposition of TEOS oxide. The layers of TEOS, oxide and nitride are patterned creating openings that expose the surface areas of the layer of sacrificial oxide where the ultra-thin layers of gate oxide are to be grown. A thin conformal layer of nitride is deposited over the structure, this thin layer of conformal nitride is etched to form thin spacers on the sidewalls of the openings in the layers of TEOS oxide and nitride. Pre-gate clean is performed that removes the TEOS oxide and the sacrificial oxide on the bottom of the openings, gate oxidation is performed creating the ultra-thin layers of gate oxide. Poly is deposited, polished back followed by removal of the nitride leaving the poly gate structure in place and overlying the ultra-thin layer of gate oxide.
Abstract:
A method for a self aligned TX with elevated source/drain (S/D) regions on an insulated layer (oxide) by forming a trench along side the STI and filling the trench with oxide. STI regions are formed in a substrate. A gate structure is formed. LDD regions are formed adjacent to the gate structure in the substrate. Spacers are formed on the sidewall of the gate structure. We etch S/D trenches between the STI regions and the first spacers. The S/D trenches are filled with a S/D insulating layer. Elevated S/D regions are formed over the S/D insulating layer and the LDD regions. A top isolation layer is formed over the STI regions. The invention builds the raised source/drain (S/D) regions on an insulating layer and reduces junction leakage and hot carrier degradation to gate oxide.
Abstract:
An improved MOS transistor and method of making an improved MOS transistor. An MOS transistor having a recessed source drain on a trench sidewall with a replacement gate technique. Holes are formed in the shallow trench isolations, which exposes sidewall of the substrate in the active area. Sidewalls of the substrate are doped in the active area where holes are. Conductive material is then formed in the holes and the conductive material becomes the source and drain regions. The etch stop layer is then removed exposing sidewalls of the conductive material, and oxidizing exposed sidewalls of the conductive material is preformed. Spacers are formed on top of the pad oxide and on the sidewalls of the oxidized portions of the conductive material. The pad oxide layer is removed from the structure but not from under the spacers. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the substrate in the active area between the spacers; and a gate electrode is formed on said gate dielectric layer.
Abstract:
A buffer layer and a gate dielectric layer overlying a substrate having at least one active area is provided. A sacrificial oxide layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A nitride layer is formed over the sacrificial oxide layer. The nitride layer is patterned to form an opening therein within the active area exposing a portion of the sacrificial oxide layer within the opening. The portion of the sacrificial oxide layer within the opening is stripped, exposing a portion of the underlying gate dielectric layer within the opening. A gate electrode is formed within opening over the portion of the gate dielectric layer. The remaining nitride layer is selectively removed. The remaining sacrificial oxide layer is then stripped and removed.
Abstract:
A method to form a MOS transistor with a narrow channel regions and a wide top (second) gate portion. A gate dielectic layer and a first gate layer are formed over a substrate. A second gate portion is formed over the first gate layer. Spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the second gate portion. In a critical step, we isotropically etch the first gate layer to undercut the second gate portion to form a first gate portion so that the first portion has a width less than the second gate portion. The spacers are removed. Lightly doped drains, sidewall spacers and source/drain regions are formed to complete the device.
Abstract:
A method of forming a gate electrode, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor substrate having an overlying patterned layer exposing a portion of the substrate within active area and patterned layer opening. The patterned layer having exposed sidewalls. Internal spacers are formed over a portion of the exposed substrate portion within the patterned layer opening on the patterned layer exposed sidewalls. The internal spacers being comprised of a WF1 material having a first work function. A planarized gate electrode body is formed within the remaining portion of the patterned layer opening and adjacent to the internal spacers. The gate electrode body being comprised of a WF2 material having a second work function. The internal spacers and the gate electrode body forming the gate electrode.