Abstract: A semiconductor device having multiple fin heights is provided. Multiple fin heights are provided by using multiple masks to recess a dielectric layer within a trench formed in a substrate. In another embodiment, an implant mold or e-beam lithography are utilized to form a pattern of trenches in a photoresist material. Subsequent etching steps form corresponding trenches in the underlying substrate. In yet another embodiment, multiple masking layers are used to etch trenches of different heights separately. A dielectric region may be formed along the bottom of the trenches to isolate the fins by performing an ion implant and a subsequent anneal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having multiple fin heights is provided. Multiple fin heights are provided by using multiple masks to recess a dielectric layer within a trench formed in a substrate. In another embodiment, an implant mold or e-beam lithography are utilized to form a pattern of trenches in a photoresist material. Subsequent etching steps form corresponding trenches in the underlying substrate. In yet another embodiment, multiple masking layers are used to etch trenches of different heights separately. A dielectric region may be formed along the bottom of the trenches to isolate the fins by performing an ion implant and a subsequent anneal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having multiple fin heights is provided. Multiple fin heights are provided by using multiple masks to recess a dielectric layer within a trench formed in a substrate. In another embodiment, an implant mold or e-beam lithography are utilized to form a pattern of trenches in a photoresist material. Subsequent etching steps form corresponding trenches in the underlying substrate. In yet another embodiment, multiple masking layers are used to etch trenches of different heights separately. A dielectric region may be formed along the bottom of the trenches to isolate the fins by performing an ion implant and a subsequent anneal.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene opening comprising the following steps. A structure having an overlying exposed conductive layer formed thereover is provided. A dielectric layer is formed over the exposed conductive layer. An anti-reflective coating layer is formed over the dielectric layer. The anti-reflective layer and the dielectric layer are etched using a via opening process to form an initial via exposing a portion of the conductive layer. A protective film portion is formed over at least the exposed portion of the conductive layer. The anti-reflective coating layer and the dielectric layer are patterned to reduce the initial via to a reduced via and to form a trench opening substantially centered over the reduced via. The trench opening and the reduced via comprising the dual damascene opening.

Abstract: System and method for reducing contact resistance and prevent variations due to misalignment of contacts is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a non-planar transistor with source/drain regions located within a fin. An inter-layer dielectric overlies the non-planar transistor, and contacts are formed to the source/drain region through the inter-layer dielectric. The contacts preferably come into contact with multiple surfaces of the fin so as to increase the contact area between the contacts and the fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin on a top surface of a substrate, wherein the semiconductor fin includes a middle section having a first width; and a first and a second end section connected to opposite ends of the middle section, wherein the first and the second end sections each comprises at least a top portion having a second width greater than the first width. The semiconductor structure further includes a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the middle section of the semiconductor fin; and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and system for a hybrid metal fully silicided (FUSI) gate structure is disclosed. The semiconductor system comprises a PMOS gate structure, the PMOS gate structure including a first high-? dielectric layer, a P-metal layer, a mid-gap metal layer, wherein the mid-gap metal layer is formed between the high-? dielectric layer, the P-metal layer and a fully silicided layer formed on the P-metal layer. The semiconductor system further comprises an NMOS gate structure, the NMOS gate structure includes a second high-? dielectric layer, the fully silicided layer, and the mid-gap metal layer, wherein the mid-gap metal layer is formed between the high-? dielectric and the fully silicided layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a dual-gate semiconductor device. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a gate stack having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion including a different composition of layers, forming photoresist structures on the gate stack to protect the material to be used for the gate structures, etching away a portion of the unprotected material, forming recesses adjacent to at least one of the gate structures in the substrate upon which the gate structures are disposed, and forming a source region and the drained region in the respective recesses. The remaining portions of the gate stack layers that are not a part of a gate structure are then removed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an oxide is formed on the vertical sides of the gate structures prior to etching to create the source and drain regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a FinFET element including providing a substrate including a first fin and a second fin. A first layer is formed on the first fin. The first layer comprises a dopant of a first type. A dopant of a second type is provided to the second fin. High temperature processing of the substrate is performed on the substrate including the formed first layer and the dopant of the second type.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including reentrant isolation structures and a method for making such a device. A preferred embodiment comprises a substrate of semiconductor material forming at least one isolation structure having a reentrant profile and isolating one or more adjacent operational components. The reentrant profile of the at least one isolation structure is formed of substrate material and is created by ion implantation, preferably using oxygen ions applied at a number of different angles and energy levels. In another embodiment the present invention is a method of forming an isolation structure for a semiconductor device performing at least one oxygen ion implantation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having multiple fin heights is provided. Multiple fin heights are provided by using multiple masks to recess a dielectric layer within a trench formed in a substrate. In another embodiment, an implant mold or e-beam lithography are utilized to form a pattern of trenches in a photoresist material. Subsequent etching steps form corresponding trenches in the underlying substrate. In yet another embodiment, multiple masking layers are used to etch trenches of different heights separately. A dielectric region may be formed along the bottom of the trenches to isolate the fins by performing an ion implant and a subsequent anneal.

Abstract: A fin field-effect transistor (finFET) with improved source/drain regions is provided. In an embodiment, the source/drain regions of the fin are removed while spacers adjacent to the fin remain. An angled implant is used to implant the source/drain regions near a gate electrode, thereby allowing for a more uniform lightly doped drain. The fin may be re-formed by either epitaxial growth or a metallization process. In another embodiment, the spacers adjacent the fin in the source/drain regions are removed and the fin is silicided along the sides and the top of the fin. In yet another embodiment, the fin and the spacers are removed in the source/drain regions. The fins are then re-formed via an epitaxial growth process or a metallization process. Combinations of these embodiments may also be used.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a semiconductor device with a reduced source/drain extension parasitic resistance is provided. An embodiment comprises implanting two metals (such as ytterbium and nickel for an NMOS transistor or platinum and nickel for a PMOS transistor) into the source/drain extensions after silicide contacts have been formed. An anneal is then performed to create a second silicide region within the source/drain extension. Optionally, a second anneal could be performed on the second silicide region to force a further reaction. This process could be performed to multiple semiconductor devices on the same substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor strip extending from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first semiconductor strip has a first height. A first insulating region is formed in the semiconductor substrate and surrounding a bottom portion of the first semiconductor strip, wherein the first insulating region has a first top surface lower than a top surface of the first semiconductor strip. A second semiconductor strip extends from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second semiconductor strip has a second height greater than the first height. A second insulating region is formed in the semiconductor substrate and surrounding a bottom portion of the second semiconductor strip, wherein the second insulating region has a second top surface lower than the first top surface, and wherein the first and the second insulating regions have substantially same thicknesses.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a dual-gate semiconductor device. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a gate stack having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion including a different composition of layers, forming photoresist structures on the gate stack to protect the material to be used for the gate structures, etching away a portion of the unprotected material, forming recesses adjacent to at least one of the gate structures in the substrate upon which the gate structures are disposed, and forming a source region and the drained region in the respective recesses. The remaining portions of the gate stack layers that are not a part of a gate structure are then removed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an oxide is formed on the vertical sides of the gate structures prior to etching to create the source and drain regions.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a first silicon-containing layer on the gate dielectric layer, wherein the first silicon-containing layer is substantially free from p-type and n-type impurities; forming a second silicon-containing layer over the first silicon-containing layer, wherein the second silicon-containing layer comprises an impurity; and performing an annealing to diffuse the impurity in the second silicon-containing layer into the first silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate; a first dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer; a second dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer, wherein the second dielectric layer is over the first dielectric layer; and a contact plug with an upper portion substantially in the second dielectric layer and a lower portion substantially in the first dielectric layer. The contact plug is electrically connected to a metal line in the metallization layer. The contact plug is discontinuous at an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a first silicon-containing layer on the gate dielectric layer, wherein the first silicon-containing layer is substantially free from p-type and n-type impurities; forming a second silicon-containing layer over the first silicon-containing layer, wherein the second silicon-containing layer comprises an impurity; and performing an annealing to diffuse the impurity in the second silicon-containing layer into the first silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: A method for post-etch copper cleaning uses a hydrogen plasma with a trace gas additive constituting about 3-10 percent of the plasma by volume to clean a copper surface exposed by etching. The trace gas may be atomic nitrogen or other species having an atomic mass of 15 or greater. The trace gas adds a sputtering aspect to the plasma cleaning and removes polymeric etch by-products and polymeric and other residuals formed during the deposition of dielectric materials or etch stop layers over the copper surface. An anti-corrosion solvent may be used to passivate the copper surface prior to formation of the dielectric materials or etch stop layers.

Abstract: A method for forming a dual damascene including providing a first dielectric insulating layer including a via opening; forming an organic dielectric layer over the first IMD layer to include filling the via opening; forming a hardmask layer over the organic dielectric layer; photolithographically patterning and dry etching the hardmask layer and organic dielectric layer to leave a dummy portion overlying the via opening; forming an oxide liner over the dummy portion; forming a second dielectric insulating layer over the oxide liner to surround the dummy portion; planarizing the second dielectric insulating layer to expose the upper portion of the dummy portion; and, removing the organic dielectric layer to form a dual damascene opening including the oxide liner lining trench line portion sidewalls.