Abstract:
An electronic device can include a field isolation region (22) and a first insulating layer (42) having a first strain and having a portion (421), which from a top view, lies entirely within the field isolation region (22). The electronic device can also include a second insulating layer (72) having a second strain different from the first strain and including an opening. From a top view, the portion (421) of the first insulating layer (72) can lie within the opening in the second insulating layer (72). In one embodiment, the field isolation region (22) can include a dummy structure (241) and the portion of the first insulating layer (421) can overlie the dummy structure (241). A process of forming the electronic device can include forming an island portion (421) of an insulating layer (72) wherein from a top view, the island portion (421) lies entirely within the field isolation region (22).
Abstract:
A semiconductor fabrication process includes forming isolation structures (106) on either side of a transistor region, forming a gate structure (110) overlying the transistor region, removing source/drain regions (107) to form source/drain recesses (120), removing portions of the isolation structures to form recessed isolation structures (126), and filling the source/drain recesses with a source/drain stressor such as an epitaxially formed semiconductor. A lower surface of the source/drain recess is preferably deeper than an upper surface of the recessed isolation structure by approximately 10 to 30 nm. Filling the source/drain recesses may precede or follow forming the recessed isolation structures. An ILD stressor (140) is then deposited over the transistor region such that the ILD stressor is adjacent to sidewalls of the source/drain structure thereby coupling the ILD stressor to the source/drain stressor. The ILD stressor is preferably compressive or tensile silicon nitride and the source/drain structure is preferably silicon germanium or silicon carbon.
Abstract:
A semiconductor fabrication process includes forming isolation structures (106) on either side of a transistor region, forming a gate structure (110) overlying the transistor region, removing source/drain regions (107) to form source/drain recesses (120), removing portions of the isolation structures to form recessed isolation structures (126), and filling the source/drain recesses with a source/drain stressor such as an epitaxially formed semiconductor. A lower surface of the source/drain recess is preferably deeper than an upper surface of the recessed isolation structure by approximately 10 to 30 nm. Filling the source/drain recesses may precede or follow forming the recessed isolation structures. An ILD stressor (140) is then deposited over the transistor region such that the ILD stressor is adjacent to sidewalls of the source/drain structure thereby coupling the ILD stressor to the source/drain stressor. The ILD stressor is preferably compressive or tensile silicon nitride and the source/drain structure is preferably silicon germanium or silicon carbon.
Abstract:
A method is provided for making a semiconductor device. In accordance with the method, a substrate (203) is provided which has first (205) and second (207) gate structures thereon. A first stressor layer (215) is formed over the substrate, and a sacrificial layer (216) is formed over the first stressor layer. A second stressor layer (219) is formed over the sacrificial layer.
Abstract:
A method of forming an electronic device (100) includes etching a portion of a first gate dielectric layer (104) to reduce a thickness of the gate dielectric layer (304) within that portion. In one embodiment, portions not being etched may be covered by mask (206). In another embodiment, different portions may be etched during different times to give different thicknesses for the first gate dielectric layer. In a particular embodiment, a second gate dielectric layer (402) may be formed over the first gate dielectric layer (104, 504, 304) after etching the portion. The second gate dielectric layer (402) can have a dielectric constant greater than the dielectric constant of the first gate dielectric layer (104, 504. 304). Subsequent gate electrode (606) and source/drain region formation can be performed to form a transistor structure (20, 22, 24).
Abstract:
A semiconductor device (10) is formed in a semiconductor layer (16). A gate dielectric (20) is formed over a top surface of the semiconductor layer (16). A gate stack (18) is over the gate dielectric (20). A sidewall spacer (24) is formed around the gate stack (18). Using the sidewall spacer (24) as a mask, an implant is performed to form deep source/drain regions (28, 30) in the semiconductor layer. Silicon carbon regions (32, 36, 34) are formed on the deep source/drain regions (28, 30) and a top surface of the gate stack. The silicon carbon regions (32, 34, 36) are silicided with nickel.
Abstract:
An electronic device (10) can include a transistor structure (50) of a first conductivity type, a field isolation region (22), and a layer (130) of a first stress type overlying the field isolation region. For example, the transistor structure (50) may be a p-channel transistor structure (50) and the first stress type may be tensile, or the transistor structure (60) may be an n- channel transistor structure and the first stress type (70) may be compressive. The transistor structure (50) can include a channel region (54) that lies within an active region. An edge of the active region includes the interface between the channel region (54) and the field isolation region (22). From a top view, the layer can include an edge that lies near the edge of the active region. The positional relationship between the edges can affect carrier mobility within the channel region (54) of the transistor structure (50).
Abstract:
A gate dielectric (14) is treated with a nitridation step (16) and an anneal. After this, an additional nitridation step (20) and anneal is performed. The second nitridation (20) and anneal results in an improvement in the relationship between gate leakage current density and current drive of the transistors (60) that are ultimately formed.
Abstract:
N channel (113, 115) and P channel (111) transistors are enhanced by applying stressor layers of tensile (128) and compressive (126), respectively, over them. A previously unknown problem was discovered concerning the two stressor layers, which both may conveniently be nitride but made somewhat differently. The two stressors have different etch rates which results in deleterious effects when etching a contact hole at the interface between the two stressors. A contact to a gate is often preferably half way between N and P channel transistors which is also the seemingly best location for the border between the two stressor layers. The contact etch at the border can result in pitting of the underlying gate structure or in residual nitride in the contact hole. Therefore, it has been found beneficial to ensure that each contact (154) is at least some predetermined distance from the stressor of the opposite type from the one the contact is passing through.
Abstract:
A method is provided for making a semiconductor device. In accordance with the method, a substrate (203) is provided which has first (205) and second (207) gate structures thereon. A first stressor layer (215) is formed over the substrate, and a sacrificial layer (216) is formed over the first stressor layer. A second stressor layer (219) is formed over the sacrificial layer.