Abstract: The channels of first and second CMOS transistors can be selectively stressed. A gate structure of the first transistor includes a stressor that produces stress in the channel of the first transistor. A gate structure of the second transistor is disposed in contact with a layer of material that produces stress in the channel of the second transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a tensile strained NMOS and a compressive strained PMOS transistor pair, wherein a stressor material is sacrificial is disclosed. The method provides for a substrate, which includes a source/drain for an NMOS transistor, and a PMOS transistor. A first barrier layer is formed on the substrate and a first stressor material is formed on the first barrier layer. The first barrier layer is selectively removed from the PMOS transistor. The substrate is flash annealed and the remaining first stressor material and barrier layer is removed from the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a semiconductor source/drain contact structure, which comprises a substrate, a source/drain region disposed in the substrate, at least one non-silicided conductive layer including a barrier layer disposed over and in contact with the source/ drain region, and one or more contact hole filling metals disposed over and in contact with the at least one non-silicided conductive layer, wherein a first contact area between the at least one non-silicided conductive layer and the source/drain region is substantially larger than a second contact area between the one or more contact hole filling metals and the at least one non-silicided conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of improving the carrier mobility of a transistor is presented. A trench is formed in a substrate. The trench is filled with a dielectric. A CMOS transistor is formed adjacent to the trench. A silicide layer is formed on the source/drain region. After the step of forming the silicide layer, a recess is formed by etching the dielectric so that the surface of the dielectric is substantially lower than the surface of the substrate. Recessing the STI causes the removal of the compressive stress applied to the channel region by the STI material. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) is formed over the gate electrode, spacers, source/drain region and the dielectric. The CESL applies a desired stress to the channel region. Trench liners may optionally be formed to provide a stress to the channel region. A trench spacer may optionally be formed in the STI recess.

Abstract: A BiCMOS device with enhanced performance by mechanical uniaxial strain is provided. A first embodiment of the present invention includes an NMOS transistor, a PMOS transistor, and a bipolar transistor formed on different areas of the substrate. A first contact etch stop layer with tensile stress is formed over the NMOS transistor, and a second contact etch stop layer with compressive stress is formed over the PMOS transistor and the bipolar transistor, allowing for an enhancement of each device. Another embodiment has, in addition to the stressed contact etch stop layers, strained channel regions in the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor, and a strained base in the BJT.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode over the gate dielectric; a source/drain region adjacent the gate dielectric; a silicide region on the source/drain region; a metal layer on top of, and physical contacting, the silicide region; an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) over the metal layer; and a contact opening in the ILD. The metal layer is exposed through the contact opening. The metal layer further extends under the ILD. The semiconductor structure further includes a contact in the contact opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode over the gate dielectric; a deep source/drain region adjacent the gate electrode; a silicide region over the deep source/drain region; and an elevated metallized source/drain region between the silicide region and the gate electrode. The elevated metallized source/drain region adjoins the silicide region.

Abstract: The channels of first and second CMOS transistors can be selectively stressed. A gate structure of the first transistor includes a stressor that produces stress in the channel of the first transistor. A gate structure of the second transistor is disposed in contact with a layer of material that produces stress in the channel of the second transistor.

Abstract: A BiCMOS device with enhanced performance by mechanical uniaxial strain is provided. A first embodiment of the present invention includes an NMOS transistor, a PMOS transistor, and a bipolar transistor formed on different areas of the substrate. A first contact etch stop layer with tensile stress is formed over the NMOS transistor, and a second contact etch stop layer with compressive stress is formed over the PMOS transistor and the bipolar transistor, allowing for an enhancement of each device. Another embodiment has, in addition to the stressed contact etch stop layers, strained channel regions in the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor, and a strained base in the BJT.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and an NMOS device at a surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the NMOS device comprises a Schottky source/drain extension region. The semiconductor structure further includes a PMOS device at the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the PMOS device comprises a source/drain extension region comprising only non-metal materials. Schottky source/drain extension regions may be formed for both PMOS and NMOS devices, wherein the Schottky barrier height of the PMOS device are reduced by forming the PMOS device over a semiconductor layer having a low valence band.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having at least one transistor covered by an ultra-stressor layer, and method for fabricating such a device. In an NMOS device, the ultra-stressor layer includes a tensile stress film over the source and drain regions, and a compressive stress film over the poly region. In a PMOS device, the ultra-stressor layer includes a compressive stress film over the source and drain regions and a tensile stress film over the poly region. In a preferred embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor forming a CMOS device and covered with an ultra stressor layer.

Abstract: A high performance semiconductor device and the method for making same is disclosed with an improved drive current. The semiconductor device has source and drain regions built on an active region, a length of the device being different than a width thereof. One or more isolation regions are fabricated surrounding the active region, the isolation regions are then filled with an predetermined isolation material whose volume shrinkage exceeds 0.5% after an anneal process. A gate electrode is formed over the active region, and one or more dielectric spacers are made next to the gate electrode. Then, a contact etch stopper layer is put over the device, wherein the isolation regions, spacers and contact etch layer contribute to modulating a net strain imposed on the active region so as to improve the drive current.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an NMOS device at a surface of the semiconductor substrate, which comprises forming a first source/drain electrode on a first source/drain region of the NMOS device, wherein the first source/drain electrode has a first barrier height; forming a PMOS device at the surface of the semiconductor substrate comprising forming a second source/drain electrode on a second source/drain region of the PMOS device, wherein the second source/drain electrode has a second barrier height, and wherein the first barrier height is different from the second barrier height; forming a first stressed film having a first intrinsic stress over the NMOS device; and forming a second stressed film having a second intrinsic stress over the PMOS device, wherein the first intrinsic stress is more tensile than the second intrinsic stress.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor mesa overlying a dielectric layer, a gate stack formed overlying the semiconductor mesa, and an isolation spacer formed surrounding the semiconductor mesa and filling any undercut region at edges of the semiconductor mesa.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor mesa overlying a dielectric layer, a gate stack formed overlying the semiconductor mesa, and an isolation spacer formed surrounding the semiconductor mesa and filling any undercut region at edges of the semiconductor mesa.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor mesa overlying a dielectric layer, a gate stack formed overlying the semiconductor mesa, and an isolation spacer formed surrounding the semiconductor mesa and filling any undercut region at edges of the semiconductor mesa.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are formed using diffusion topography engineering (DTE). A preferred method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming trench isolation regions that define a diffusion region, performing a DTE in a hydrogen-containing ambient on the semiconductor substrate, and forming a MOS device in the diffusion region. The DTE causes silicon migration, forming a rounded or a T-shaped surface of the diffusion regions. The method may further include recessing a portion of the diffusion region before performing the DTE. The diffusion region has a slanted surface after performing the DTE.

Abstract: A MOS device having optimized stress in the channel region and a method for forming the same are provided. The MOS device includes a gate over a substrate, a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate wherein a non-silicide region exists under the gate spacer, a source/drain region comprising a recess in the substrate, and a silicide region on the source/drain region. A step height is formed between a higher portion of the silicide region and a lower portion of the silicide region. The recess is spaced apart from a respective edge of a non-silicide region by a spacing. The step height and the spacing preferably have a ratio of less than or equal to about 3. The width of the non-silicide region and the step height preferably have a ratio of less than or equal to about 3. The MOS device is preferably an NMOS device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device provides a transistor adjacent an isolation trench. The device may be formed by producing isolation trenches in a semiconductor substrate, filling the trenches with a filler material, creating voids near top edges of the trenches and annealing by a gaseous ambient to reflow the edges of the trenches causing the edges to become rounded and overhang the trench. The filler material may be a dielectric. The transistors which are then formed in close proximity to the trenches may include source/drain regions formed in the rounded portion of the semiconductor substrate that overhangs the trench.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are formed using diffusion topography engineering (DTE). A preferred method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming trench isolation regions that define a diffusion region, performing a DTE in a hydrogen-containing ambient on the semiconductor substrate, and forming a MOS device in the diffusion region. The DTE causes silicon migration, forming a rounded or a T-shaped surface of the diffusion regions. The method may further include recessing a portion of the diffusion region before performing the DTE. The diffusion region has a slanted surface after performing the DTE.