Abstract:
Structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a structure for a field-effect transistor. A first channel region containing a first semiconductor material and a second channel region containing a second semiconductor material are formed over a buried insulating layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate. A first gate electrode of a first field-effect transistor is formed over the first channel region. A second gate electrode of a second field-effect transistor is formed over the second channel region. The first semiconductor material of the first channel region has a first germanium concentration. The second semiconductor material of the second channel region has a second germanium concentration that is greater than the first germanium concentration in the first semiconductor material of the first channel region.
Abstract:
One method disclosed includes forming a sidewall spacer proximate a gate structure, forming a sacrificial layer of material above a protective cap layer, the sidewall spacer and a substrate, forming a sacrificial protection layer above the sacrificial layer, reducing a thickness of the sacrificial protection layer such that its upper surface is positioned at a level that is below the upper surface of the protective cap layer, performing a first etching process to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer and thereby expose the protective cap layer for further processing, performing a wet acid etching process that includes diluted HF acid in the etch chemistry to remove the protective cap layer and performing at least one process operation to remove at least one of the reduced-thickness sacrificial protection layer or the sacrificial layer from above the surface of the substrate.
Abstract:
A method disclosed herein includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising a transistor, the transistor comprising a gate electrode and a silicon nitride sidewall spacer formed at the gate electrode. A wet etch process is performed. The wet etch process removes at least a portion of the silicon nitride sidewall spacer. The wet etch process comprises applying an etchant comprising at least one of hydrofluoric acid and phosphoric acid.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer having a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) configuration, the method including providing a semiconductor starting wafer, the semiconductor starting wafer having a base substrate, a semiconductor layer formed over the base substrate and a buried insulating material layer formed between the semiconductor substrate and the base substrate, exposing the semiconductor starting wafer to a first oxidization process, wherein an oxide surface region is formed by oxidizing an upper surface region of the semiconductor layer, thinning the oxide surface region, exposing the semiconductor starting wafer to a second oxidization process, wherein a thickness of the oxide surface region is locally increased, and removing the oxide surface region, wherein the semiconductor layer is exposed.
Abstract:
A transistor device includes a gate electrode structure. The gate electrode structure includes a high-k gate insulation layer, a metal-containing first electrode material positioned above the high-k gate insulation layer, and a second electrode material positioned above the metal-containing first electrode material. The high-k gate insulation layer has a length that is less than a length of the second electrode material.
Abstract:
One method disclosed includes forming a sidewall spacer proximate a gate structure, forming a sacrificial layer of material above a protective cap layer, the sidewall spacer and a substrate, forming a sacrificial protection layer above the sacrificial layer, reducing a thickness of the sacrificial protection layer such that its upper surface is positioned at a level that is below the upper surface of the protective cap layer, performing a first etching process to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer and thereby expose the protective cap layer for further processing, performing a wet acid etching process that includes diluted HF acid in the etch chemistry to remove the protective cap layer and performing at least one process operation to remove at least one of the reduced-thickness sacrificial protection layer or the sacrificial layer from above the surface of the substrate.
Abstract:
A method disclosed herein includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising a transistor, the transistor comprising a gate electrode and a silicon nitride sidewall spacer formed at the gate electrode. A wet etch process is performed. The wet etch process removes at least a portion of the silicon nitride sidewall spacer. The wet etch process comprises applying an etchant comprising at least one of hydrofluoric acid and phosphoric acid.
Abstract:
Methods for etching dielectric materials in the fabrication of integrated circuits are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a layer of a first dielectric material over a gate electrode structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode structure includes a horizontal top surface and sidewall vertical surfaces adjacent to the horizontal top surface. The method further includes forming a layer of a second dielectric material over the layer of the first dielectric material. The first dielectric material is different than the second dielectric material. Still further, the method includes applying an etchant to the second material that fully removes the second material from the sidewall vertical surfaces while only partially removing the second material from the horizontal top surface and while substantially not removing any of the layer of the first dielectric material.
Abstract:
Structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a structure for a field-effect transistor. A first channel region containing a first semiconductor material and a second channel region containing a second semiconductor material are formed over a buried insulating layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate. A first gate electrode of a first field-effect transistor is formed over the first channel region. A second gate electrode of a second field-effect transistor is formed over the second channel region. The first semiconductor material of the first channel region has a first germanium concentration. The second semiconductor material of the second channel region has a second germanium concentration that is greater than the first germanium concentration in the first semiconductor material of the first channel region.
Abstract:
Methods for etching dielectric materials in the fabrication of integrated circuits are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a layer of a first dielectric material over a gate electrode structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode structure includes a horizontal top surface and sidewall vertical surfaces adjacent to the horizontal top surface. The method further includes forming a layer of a second dielectric material over the layer of the first dielectric material. The first dielectric material is different than the second dielectric material. Still further, the method includes applying an etchant to the second material that fully removes the second material from the sidewall vertical surfaces while only partially removing the second material from the horizontal top surface and while substantially not removing any of the layer of the first dielectric material.