Abstract: A method for shrinking a semiconductor device and minimizing auto-doping problem is disclosed. An etch stop layer is eliminated and is replaced with a consumable liner oxide layer so that stacked gate structures of the device can be positioned closer together, thus permitting shrinking of the device. The liner oxide layer is formed directly over a substrate and in contact with stacked gate structures, sidewall spacers, and sources and drains formed on the substrate, and serves as an auto-doping barrier for the dielectric layer to prevent boron and phosphorous formed in the dielectric layer from auto-doping into the sources and drains.

Abstract: An exemplary method of forming integrated circuit device features by oxidization of titanium hard mask is described. This method can include providing a photoresist pattern of photoresist features over a first layer of material deposited over a second layer of material; etching the first layer of material according to the photoresist pattern to form material features; oxidizing exposed portions of the material features where the material features are made of a material which expands during oxidation; and etching the second layer of material according to the material features which have expanded as a result of oxidation. Advantageously, the expansion of the material features results in a smaller distance between material features than the distance between photoresist features.

Abstract: An integrated circuit wafer and a manufacturing process for etching low K spin-on dielectrics such as HSQ in a High Density Plasma etch reactor utilizes roof and wall temperature to improve across-the-wafer uniformity, and a mixture of C4F8 and C2F6 etch gases to eliminate mid via etch stop and to maintain selectivity over underlying etch-stop layers.

Abstract: An improved flash memory device having core stacks and periphery stacks which are protected by first and second thin side walls, side spacers over the side walls, and an HTO layer over the stacks, and side spacer. The flash memory device has an intermetallic dielectric layer placed over the HTO layer. A tungsten plug is placed in the intermetallic dielectric layer to provide an electrical connection to the drain of the flash memory device. The additional first and second side walls reduce current leakage between core stacks and the tungsten plug and help to protect the stacks during fabrication.

Abstract: Sub-micron dimensioned, ultra-shallow junction MOS and/or CMOS transistor devices having reduced or minimal junction leakage are formed by a salicide process wherein silicon substrate surfaces intended to be subjected to ion implantation for source/drain formation are protected from damage resulting from reactive plasma etching of a blanket insulative layer for sidewall spacer formation by leaving a residual thickness of the insulative layer thereon. The residual layer is retained during ion implantation and removed prior to salicide processing to provide an undamaged surface for optimal contact formation thereon. Embodiments include anisotropically plasma etching a major amount of the thickness of the blanket insulative layer during a preselected interval for sidewall spacer formation and removing the residual thickness thereof after source/drain implantation by etching with dilute aqueous HF.

Abstract: A method for forming high quality oxide layers having different thicknesses by eliminating descum induced defects is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate is subjected to reactive ion etching. The semiconductor substrate includes a wafer, an oxide layer on the wafer, a developed photoresist mask on the oxide layer. The oxide layer is then etched, and the remaining photoresist is stripped before another layer of oxide is grown on the substrate.

Abstract: A plurality of core gate stacks and periphery gates on the substrate, each core gate stack and periphery gate having at least one side and first and second protective shoulders formed on said plurality of core gate stacks and periphery gates, such that a dopant can be implanted sequentially into source and drain regions of a substrate supporting the stacks to establish transistors and such that charge migration into said at least one side of the gate stacks during interlayer dielectric (ILD) formation and device metallization is prevented, at least the second shoulder being frabricated from at least one material selected from a group consisting essentially of nitride and silicon oxynitride (SiON).

Abstract: An improved flash memory device, which comprises core stacks and periphery stacks which are protected with an oxide layer, a protective layer and an insulating layer. A high energy dopant implant is used to pass the dopant through the insulating layer, the protective layer, and oxide layer into the substrate to create source and drain regions, without using a self aligned etch. The flash memory device has an intermetallic dielectric layer placed over the core stacks and the periphery stacks. A tungsten plug is placed in the intermetallic dielectric layer to provide an electrical connection to the drain of the flash memory device.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus and method for producing shallow trench isolation. The method includes the steps providing a semiconductor substrate member fabricated having a thin barrier oxide layer on which are fabricated a plurality of spaced apart silicon nitride pads. The regions between the spaced apart nitride pads delineate U-shaped regions for forming shallow isolation trenches and are layered with silicon oxide and polysilicon. The U-shaped regions provide a buffer region of oxide and polysilicon material adjacent opposing silicon nitride pads that prevent erosion of the nitride during etch formation of the isolation trench. The polysilicon is further etched to form a wider, second U-shaped region having sloped sidewalls that provide opposing spacer-forming buffer material that facilitates forming a V-shaped isolation trench region into the semiconductor substrate member a predetermined depth without eroding the silicon nitride pads.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a plurality of contacts in a flash memory device is disclosed. The flash memory device includes a plurality of gate stacks and a plurality of field insulating regions adjacent to a portion of the plurality of gate stacks. The method and system include providing an etch stop layer covering the plurality of field insulating regions. The etch stop layer has an etch selectivity different from a field insulating region etch selectivity of the plurality of field insulating regions. The method and system also include providing an insulating layer covering the plurality of gate stacks, the plurality of field insulating regions and the etch stop layer. The method and system further include etching the insulating layer to provide a plurality of contact holes. The insulating layer etching step uses the etch stop layer to ensure that the insulating etching step does not etch through the plurality of field insulating regions.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture of a via in a semiconductor layered device. The method can include applying an OH/H containing plasma, such as H2O or O2 or a forming gas, to a via which has been etched in a layer of the device. A mixture of oxygen and fluorine-based plasma is applied to complete cleaning of the via to provide a clean via with very little loss of dimensional and surface quality. In another aspect the OH/H containing plasma and the oxygen and fluorine-based plasma are applied together to clean the via.

Abstract: A method for forming high quality oxide layers having different thicknesses by eliminating descum induced defects. The method includes forming an oxide layer, masking the oxide layer with a photoresist layer, developing the photoresist layer to expose a region of the oxide layer. The substrate is then descummed to remove any residue resulting from the development of the photoresist. Following the descum process, the substrate is rinsed in water. The oxide layer is then etched, and the remaining photoresist is stripped before another layer of oxide is grown on the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for minimizing auto-doping problems is disclosed. An etch stop layer is eliminated and is replaced with a consumable liner oxide layer so that stacked gate structures of the device can be positioned closer together, thus permitting shrinking of the device. The liner oxide layer is formed directly over a substrate and in contact with stacked gate structures, sidewall spacers, and sources and drains formed on the substrate, and serves as an auto-doping barrier for the dielectric layer to prevent boron and phosphorous formed in the dielectric layer from auto-doping into the sources and drains.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first layer to be etched. The method and system include depositing an antireflective coating (ARC). At least a portion of the ARC layer is on the first layer. The method and system also include patterning a resist layer. The resist layer includes a pattern having a plurality of apertures therein. The resist layer is for etching the first layer. A first portion of the first layer and a second portion of the ARC layer are exposed by the pattern. The method and system also include etching the first portion of the first layer and the second portion of the ARC layer and removing the resist layer utilizing a plasma etch. The ARC layer is resistant to the plasma etch.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having semiconductor devices is connected by a first conductive channel damascened into a first oxide layer above the devices. A stop nitride layer, a via oxide layer, a via nitride layer, and a via resist are sequentially deposited on the first channel and the first oxide layer. The via resist is photolithographically developed with rectangular cross-section vias greater than the width of the channels and the via nitride layer is etched to the rectangular cross-section. A second channel oxide layer and a second channel resist are sequentially deposited on the via nitride layer and the exposed via oxide layer. The second channel resist is photolithographically developed with the second channels and an anisotropic oxide etch etches the second channels and rectangular box vias down to the stop nitride layer.

Abstract: A method for forming high quality oxide layers having different thicknesses by eliminating descum induced defects is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate is subjected to reactive ion etching. The semiconductor substrate includes a wafer, an oxide layer on the wafer, a developed photoresist mask on the oxide layer. The oxide layer is then etched, and the remaining photoresist is stripped before another layer of oxide is grown on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductor memory devices and more particularly to multi-bit flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) devices that employ charge trapping within a floating gate to indicate a 0 or 1 bit state. A memory device is provided, according to an aspect of the invention, comprising a floating gate transistor having dual polysilicon floating gates with an isolation opening between floating gates. Processes for making the memory device according to the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a contact in a semiconductor device including a plurality of gates is disclosed. The method and system include providing an insulating layer substantially surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of gates and providing at least one contact within the insulating layer. The contact has a side defining a sloped profile. The sloped profile includes an angle between the side of the contact and a surface of the substrate that is less than approximately eighty-eight degrees.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a contact in a semiconductor device including a plurality of gates is disclosed. The method and system include providing an insulating layer substantially surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of gates and providing at least one contact within the insulating layer. The at least one contact has a reduced width that is less than approximately 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively removing anti-reflective coating (ARC) from the surface of an dielectric layer over the surface of a substrate without scratching the dielectric layer and/or tungsten contacts formed therein. In one embodiment, a fluoromethane (CH3F)/oxygen (O2) etch chemistry is used to selectively remove the ARC layer without scratching and/or degradation of the dielectric layer, source/drain regions formed over the substrate, and a silicide layer formed atop stacked gate structures. The CH3F/O2 etch chemistry etches the ARC layer at a rate which is significantly faster than the etch rates of the dielectric layer, the source/drain regions and the silicide layer. In addition, by removing the ARC layer prior to the formation of tungsten contacts by filling of contact openings formed in the dielectric layer with tungsten, potential scratching of tungsten contacts due to ARC layer removal is eliminated.