Abstract: A method includes forming first and second fins of a finFET extending above a semiconductor substrate, with a shallow trench isolation (STI) region in between, and a distance between a top surface of the STI region and top surfaces of the first and second fins. First and second fin extensions are provided on top and side surfaces of the first and second fins above the top surface of the STI region. Material is removed from the STI region, to increase the distance between the top surface of the STI region and top surfaces of the first and second fins. A conformal stressor dielectric material is deposited over the fins and STI region. The conformal dielectric stressor material is reflowed, to flow into a space between the first and second fins above a top surface of the STI region, to apply stress to a channel of the finFET.

Abstract: A fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET structure includes a first fin structure that protrudes from a first region of a substrate. A second fin structure protrudes from a second region of the substrate. Isolation regions cover lower portions of the first fin structure and the second fin structure and leave upper portions of the first fin structure and the second fin structure above the isolation regions. A first liner layer is positioned between the lower portion of the first fin structure and the isolation regions in the first region. A second liner layer covers the lower portion of the second fin structure and is positioned between the second fin structure and the isolation regions in the second region. The first liner layer and the second liner layer are formed of different materials.

Abstract: A gate structure, a semiconductor device, and the method of forming a semiconductor device are provided. In various embodiments, the gate structure includes a gate stack and a doped spacer overlying a sidewall of the gate stack. The gate stack contains a doped work function metal (WFM) stack and a metal gate electrode overlying the doped WFM stack.

Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a FinFET device includes a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack across the at least one fin, a strained layer aside the gate stack and a silicide layer over the strained layer. The strained layer has a boron surface concentration greater than about 2E20 atom/cm3 within a depth range of about 0-5 nm from a surface of the strained layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming dislocations in source and drain regions of finFET devices are provided. The mechanisms involve recessing fins and removing the dielectric material in the isolation structures neighboring fins to increase epitaxial regions for dislocation formation. The mechanisms also involve performing a pre-amorphous implantation (PAI) process either before or after the epitaxial growth in the recessed source and drain regions. An anneal process after the PAI process enables consistent growth of the dislocations in the source and drain regions. The dislocations in the source and drain regions (or stressor regions) can form consistently to produce targeted strain in the source and drain regions to improve carrier mobility and device performance for NMOS devices.

Abstract: A gate structure, a semiconductor device, and the method of forming a semiconductor device are provided. In various embodiments, the gate structure includes a gate stack and a doped spacer overlying a sidewall of the gate stack. The gate stack contains a doped work function metal (WFM) stack and a metal gate electrode overlying the doped WFM stack.

Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a FinFET device includes a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack across the at least one fin, a strained layer aside the gate stack and a silicide layer over the strained layer. The strained layer has a boron surface concentration greater than about 2E20 atom/cm3 within a depth range of about 0-5 nm from a surface of the strained layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gate electrode and spacers along sidewalls of the gate electrode. The integrated circuit further includes a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a diffusion barrier structure at least partially in a recess of the substrate. The diffusion barrier structure includes an epitaxial layer having a first region and a second region. The first region is thinner than the second region, and the first region is misaligned with respect to the sidewalls of the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a doped silicon-containing structure over the diffusion barrier structure. The first region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to partially prevent dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate. The second region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to substantially completely prevent the dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming dislocations in source and drain regions of finFET devices are provided. The mechanisms involve recessing fins and removing the dielectric material in the isolation structures neighboring fins to increase epitaxial regions for dislocation formation. The mechanisms also involve performing a pre-amorphous implantation (PAI) process either before or after the epitaxial growth in the recessed source and drain regions. An anneal process after the PAI process enables consistent growth of the dislocations in the source and drain regions. The dislocations in the source and drain regions (or stressor regions) can form consistently to produce targeted strain in the source and drain regions to improve carrier mobility and device performance for NMOS devices.

Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a FinFET device includes a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack across the at least one fin, a strained layer aside the gate stack and a silicide layer over the strained layer. The strained layer has a boron surface concentration greater than about 2E20 atom/cm3 within a depth range of about 0-5 nm from a surface of the strained layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming dislocations in source and drain regions of finFET devices are provided. The mechanisms involve recessing fins and removing the dielectric material in the isolation structures neighboring fins to increase epitaxial regions for dislocation formation. The mechanisms also involve performing a pre-amorphous implantation (PAI) process either before or after the epitaxial growth in the recessed source and drain regions. An anneal process after the PAI process enables consistent growth of the dislocations in the source and drain regions. The dislocations in the source and drain regions (or stressor regions) can form consistently to produce targeted strain in the source and drain regions to improve carrier mobility and device performance for NMOS devices.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) is provided. The FinFET includes a substrate, a gate stack, and strained source and drain regions. The substrate has a semiconductor fin. The gate stack is disposed across the semiconductor fin. Moreover, the strained source and drain regions are located within recesses of the semiconductor fin beside the gate stack. Moreover, at least one of the strained source and drain regions has a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion is connected to the top portion, and a bottom width of the top portion is greater than a top width of the bottom portion.

Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a FinFET device includes a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack across the at least one fin, a strained layer aside the gate stack and a silicide layer over the strained layer. The strained layer has a boron surface concentration greater than about 2E20 atom/cm3 within a depth range of about 0-5 nm from a surface of the strained layer.

Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a FinFET device includes a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack across the at least one fin, a strained layer aside the gate stack and a silicide layer over the strained layer. The strained layer has a boron surface concentration greater than about 2E20 atom/cm3 within a depth range of about 0-5 nm from a surface of the strained layer.

Abstract: First and second fins are formed extending from a substrate. A first layer is formed over the first fin. The first layer comprises a first dopant. A portion of the first layer is removed from a tip portion of the first fin. A second layer is formed over the second fin. The second layer comprises a second dopant. One of the first and second dopants is a p-type dopant, and the other of the first and second dopants is an n-type dopant. A portion of the second layer is removed from a tip portion of the second fin. A solid phase diffusion process is performed to diffuse the first dopant into a non-tip portion of the first fin, and to diffuse the second dopant into a non-tip portion of the second fin.

Abstract: A gate structure, a semiconductor device, and the method of forming a semiconductor device are provided. In various embodiments, the gate structure includes a gate stack and a doped spacer overlying a sidewall of the gate stack. The gate stack contains a doped work function metal (WFM) stack and a metal gate electrode overlying the doped WFM stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a doped region in an upper portion of the substrate. The doped region is doped with first dopants of a first conduction type. The semiconductor device structure includes one fin structure over the substrate. A first dopant concentration of the doped region exposed by the fin structure is greater than a second dopant concentration of the doped region covered by the fin structure. The semiconductor device structure includes an isolation layer over the substrate and at two opposite sides of the fin structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate over the isolation layer and the fin structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) is provided. The method includes steps as follows. A gate stack is formed over a substrate having a semiconductor fin. Recesses are formed in the semiconductor fin beside the gate stack. A pre-clean process is performed to remove native oxides on surfaces of the recesses. After the pre-clean process, a selectivity proximity push process is performed using a fluorine-containing gas and a first hydrogen gas to the recesses. Strained layers are formed in the recesses.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gate electrode and spacers along sidewalls of the gate electrode. The integrated circuit further includes a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a diffusion barrier structure at least partially in a recess of the substrate. The diffusion barrier structure includes an epitaxial layer having a first region and a second region. The first region is thinner than the second region, and the first region is misaligned with respect to the sidewalls of the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a doped silicon-containing structure over the diffusion barrier structure. The first region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to partially prevent dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate. The second region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to substantially completely prevent the dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate.

Abstract: First and second fins are formed extending from a substrate. A first layer is formed over the first fin. The first layer comprises a first dopant. A portion of the first layer is removed from a tip portion of the first fin. A second layer is formed over the second fin. The second layer comprises a second dopant. One of the first and second dopants is a p-type dopant, and the other of the first and second dopants is an n-type dopant. A portion of the second layer is removed from a tip portion of the second fin. A solid phase diffusion process is performed to diffuse the first dopant into a non-tip portion of the first fin, and to diffuse the second dopant into a non-tip portion of the second fin.