Abstract: A low dielectric constant material having a first fluorine concentration in a near-surface portion and a second fluorine concentration in an interior portion provides an insulator suitable for use in integrated circuits. In a further aspect of the present invention, fluorine is depleted from a near-surface portion of a fluorine containing dielectric material by a reducing plasma. Fluorine in fluorinated low-k dielectric materials, such as SiOF, amorphous fluorinated carbon (a-F:C) and parylene-AF4, can react with surrounding materials such as metals and Si3N4, causing blisters and delamination. Treatment of these fluorinated low-k dielectric materials in a reducing plasma, which may be produced from precursor gases such as H2 or NH3, depletes the surface region of fluorine and hence reduces reaction with surrounding materials and F outgassing. By selecting an appropriate point in the integration flow, specific interfaces which are most susceptible to F-attack can be targeted for depletion.

Abstract: A dual gate transistor device and method for fabricating the same. First, a doped substrate is prepared with a patterned oxide layer on the doped substrate defining a channel. Next, a silicon layer is deposited to form the channel, with a gate oxide layer then grown adjacent the channel. Subsequently, a plurality of gate electrodes are formed next to the gate oxide layer and a drain is formed on the channel. After the drain is formed, an ILD layer sited. This ILD layer is etched to form a source region contact, a drain region contact, a first gate electrode contact, and a second gate electrode contact.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a novel spacer structure and method of fabrication. The present invention describes a semiconductor device which has an electrode with a first thickness. A silicide layer having a second thickness is formed on the electrode. A sidewall spacer which is formed adjacent to the electrode has a height which is greater than the sum of the thickness of the electrode and the thickness of the silicide layer.

Abstract: Microelectronic structures embodying the present invention include a silicon pillar contiguous with a bulk semiconductor, the pillar being surrounded by a shallow trench isolation insulator, which has been recessed to receive polysilicon and a superjacent layer of silicon deposited thereon. Source and drain (S/D) terminals are formed in the silicon of the recessed portions of the shallow trench isolation insulator. In this way the S/D terminals are substantially isolated from the body, thereby substantially reducing both parasitic junction capacitance and junction leakage currents. Isolation of S/D terminals in this way also reduces the degradation of effective channel length that can otherwise occur in MOSFETs.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device and method for making it. That semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer, having a low-k dielectric constant that preferably comprises a carbon doped oxide, that is formed on a substrate. The device further includes a second layer, which is formed on the first layer, that has a relatively high dielectric constant and superior mechanical strength. The second layer is preferably under compressive stress. A third layer may be formed on the second layer, which has a relatively low dielectric constant and relatively poor mechanical strength, and a fourth layer may be formed on the third layer, which has a relatively high dielectric constant and superior mechanical strength.

Abstract: A dual gate transistor device and method for fabricating the same. First, a doped substrate is prepared with a patterned oxide layer on the doped substrate defining a channel. Next, a silicon layer is deposited to form the channel, with a gate oxide layer then grown adjacent the channel. Subsequently, a plurality of gate electrodes are formed next to the gate oxide layer and a drain is formed on the channel. After the drain is formed, an ILD layer is deposited. This ILD layer is etched to form a source region, a drain region, a first gate electrode, and a second gate electrode.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a semiconductor device that has a carbon doped oxide insulating layer. The method comprises forming a first insulating layer that includes a carbon doped oxide, then forming on the surface of the first insulating layer a second insulating layer that comprises silicon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for creating a differential polish rate across a semiconductor wafer. The profile or topography of the semiconductor wafer is determined by locating the high points and low points of the wafer profile. The groove pattern of a polish pad is then adjusted to optimize the polish rate with respect to the particular wafer profile. By increasing the groove depth, width, and/or density of the groove pattern of the polish pad the polish rate may be increased in the areas that correspond to the high points of the wafer profile. By decreasing the groove depth, width, and/or density of the groove pattern of the polish pad the polish rate may be decreased in the areas that correspond to the low points of the wafer profile. A combination of these effects may be desirable in order to stabilize the polish rate across the wafer surface in order to improve the planarization of the polishing process.

Abstract: A method for forming carbon doped oxide layers by chemical vapor deposition using a source gas that includes: (a) an alkyl-alkoxysilane having the formula (R1)n(R2O)4−nSi where R1 and R2 are lower alkyl groups and n is an integer between 0 and 3, inclusive, with the proviso that when R1 and R2 are methyl groups, n is not equal to 2; (b) a fluorinated alkoxysilane having the formula (R3O)nSiF4−n where R3 is a lower alkyl group and n is an integer between 1 and 3, inclusive, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Microelectronic structures embodying the present invention include a silicon pillar contiguous with a bulk semiconductor, the pillar being surrounded by a shallow trench isolation insulator, which has been recessed to receive polysilicon and a superjacent layer of silicon deposited thereon. Source and drain (SID) terminals are formed in the silicon of the recessed portions of the shallow trench isolation insulator. In this way the S/D terminals are substantially isolated from the body, thereby substantially reducing both parasitic junction capacitance and junction leakage currents. Isolation of S/D terminals in this way also reduces the degradation of effective channel length that can otherwise occur in MOSFETs.

Abstract: Microelectronic structures embodying the present invention include a silicon pillar contiguous with a bulk semiconductor, the pillar being surrounded by a shallow trench isolation insulator, which has been recessed to receive polysilicon and a superjacent layer of silicon deposited thereon. Source and drain (S/D) terminals are formed in the silicon of the recessed portions of the shallow trench isolation insulator. In this way the S/D terminals are substantially isolated from the body, thereby substantially reducing both parasitic junction capacitance and junction leakage currents. Isolation of S/D terminals in this way also reduces the degradation of effective channel length that can otherwise occur in MOSFETs.

Abstract: The present invention describes an MOS device having deposited silicon regions and its a method of fabrication. In one embodiment of the present invention a substrate having a thin oxide layer formed on a silicon surface is heated and exposed to an ambient comprising germane (GeH4) to remove the thin oxide from the silicon surface. A silicon or silicon alloy film can then be deposited onto the silicon surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming an interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor device is disclosed. First, a phosphorous doped oxide layer is deposited on the semiconductor device to fill gaps and provide phosphorous for gettering. Then, an undoped oxide layer is deposited and planarized using chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The undoped oxide layer is denser than the phosphorous doped oxide layer, so the undoped oxide layer can be polished more uniformly than the phosphorous doped oxide layer and can serve as a polish stop for a subsequent tungsten plug polish. Also, the denser undoped oxide layer serves as a more effective moisture barrier than the doped oxide layer. Overall fabrication process complexity can be reduced by performing both oxide depositions in a single operation with no intervening densification or CMP steps.

Abstract: A method of forming an interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor device is disclosed. First, a phosphorous doped oxide layer is deposited on the semiconductor device to fill gaps and provide phosphorous for gettering. Then, an undoped oxide layer is deposited and planarized using chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The undoped oxide layer is denser than the phosphorous doped oxide layer, so the undoped oxide layer can be polished more uniformly than the phosphorous doped oxide layer and can serve as a polish stop for a subsequent tungsten plug polish. Also, the denser undoped oxide layer serves as a more effective moisture barrier than the doped oxide layer. Overall fabrication process complexity can be reduced by performing both oxide depositions in a single operation with no intervening densification or CMP steps.

Abstract: A method of forming a MOS transistor. According to the method of the present invention, a pair of source/drain contact regions are formed on opposite sides of a gate electrode. After forming the pair of source/drain contact regions, semiconductor material is deposited onto opposite sides of the gate electrode. Dopants are then diffused from the semiconductor material into the substrate beneath the gate electrode to form a pair of source/drain extensions.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for creating a differential polish rate across a semiconductor wafer. The profile or topography of the semiconductor wafer is determined by locating the high points and low points of the wafer profile. The groove pattern of a polish pad is then adjusted to optimize the polish rate with respect to the particular wafer profile. By increasing the groove depth, width, and/or density of the groove pattern of the polish pad the polish rate may be increased in the areas that correspond to the high points of the wafer profile. By decreasing the groove depth, width, and/or density of the groove pattern of the polish pad the polish rate may be decreased in the areas that correspond to the low points of the wafer profile. A combination of these effects may be desirable in order to stabilize the polish rate across the wafer surface in order to improve the planarization of the polishing process.

Abstract: A method of forming an interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor device is disclosed. First, a phosphorous doped oxide layer is deposited on the semiconductor device to fill gaps and provide phosphorous for gettering. Then, an undoped oxide layer is deposited and planarized using chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The undoped oxide layer is denser than the phosphorous doped oxide layer, so the undoped oxide layer can be polished more uniformly than the phosphorous doped oxide layer and can serve as a polish stop for a subsequent tungsten plug polish. Also, the denser undoped oxide layer serves as a more effective moisture barrier than the doped oxide layer. Overall fabrication process complexity can be reduced by performing both oxide depositions in a single operation with no intervening densification or CMP steps.

Abstract: A process for doping a region in a substrate from a solid phase source. An inert gas is bubbled through a dopant containing ester and supplied to a chamber along with the gases used to form a silicon dioxide layer such as a TEOS formed layer. The flow of the inert gas can be modulated to grade the dopant concentration in the silicon dioxide layer. The dopant is diffused from the silicon dioxide layer into the substrate to form, for instance, source and drain regions in field-effect transistors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for polishing a film formed over a semiconductor substrate. The substrate is pressed up against an abrasive pad so that the film contacts the pad. The pad has a diameter which is less than approximately two times a diameter of the substrate. While pressure is applied to the back of the substrate, the pad is rotated with respect to the wafer and an abrasive ceria slurry is introduced onto the pad to polish the film.

Abstract: A process for filling submicron, high aspect ratio gaps, that may have reentrant angles, with a high quality ILD. A first ILD layer is deposited using PECVD to partially fill the gap. Medium-pressure sputter etching is then used to remove the bread-loaf edges and redeposit the etched material in the gaps, thereby allowing small gaps with high aspect ratios and reentrant angles to be completely filled. Finally, a second ILD layer that completely fills the gap is deposited using PECVD.