Abstract:
By performing a tilted amorphization implantation (208, 308P, 308N) and a subsequent re-crystallization on the basis of a stressed overlying material (209, 211, 309, 311, 319S), a highly efficient strain-inducing mechanism is provided. The tilted amorphization implantation (208, 308P, 308N) may result in a significantly reduced defect rate during the re-crystallization process, thereby substantially reducing leakage currents in sophisticated transistor elements (200, 300N, 300P).
Abstract:
A method is disclosed which includes implanting an inert species in a layer of a gate electrode material (205A), the gate electrode material being formed above a substrate (201) and having a P-doped layer portion and an N-doped layer portion, forming a first gate electrode (205P) from the P-doped layer portion and a second gate electrode (205N) from the N-doped layer portion, performing a wet chemical cleaning process, and forming a first transistor (200B) on the basis of the first gate electrode (205P) and a second transistor (200A) on the basis of the second gate electrode (205N).
Abstract:
By forming isolation trenches (102 A, 102B) of different types of intrinsic stress on the basis of separate process sequences, the strain characteristics of adjacent active semiconductor regions (105A, 105B) may be adjusted so as to obtain overall device performance. For example, highly stressed dielectric fill material (107A, 107B) including compressive and tensile stress may be appropriately provided in the respective isolation trenches (102A, 102B) in order to correspondingly adapt the charge carrier mobility of respective channel regions (121 A, 121B).
Abstract:
In a static memory cell, the failure rate upon forming contact elements connecting an active region (202C) with a gate electrode structure (210A) formed above an isolation region (203) may be significantly reduced by incorporating an implantation species at a tip portion of the active region (202C) through a sidewalS (203S) of the isolation trench (203T) prior to filling the same with an insulating material. The implantation species may represent a P-type dopant species and/or an inert species for significantly modifying the material characteristics at the tip portion of the active region (202C),
Abstract:
By forming isolation trenches (102 A, 102B) of different types of intrinsic stress on the basis of separate process sequences, the strain characteristics of adjacent active semiconductor regions (105A, 105B) may be adjusted so as to obtain overall device performance. For example, highly stressed dielectric fill material (107A, 107B) including compressive and tensile stress may be appropriately provided in the respective isolation trenches (102A, 102B) in order to correspondingly adapt the charge carrier mobility of respective channel regions (121 A, 121B).
Abstract:
By recessing (112D, 212D) drain and source regions (114, 214), a highly stressed layer (118, 218), such as a contact etch stop layer, may be formed in the recess (112, 212) in order to enhance the strain generation in the adjacent channel region (104, 204) of a field effect transistor (100, 200). Moreover, a strained semiconductor material (230) may be positioned in close proximity to the channel region (104, 204) by reducing or avoiding undue relaxation effects of metal suicides (217), thereby also providing enhanced efficiency for the strain generation. In some aspects, both effects may be combined to obtain an even more efficient strain- inducing mechanism.