Abstract: A method of removing a silicon nitride or a nitride-based bottom etch stop layer in a copper damascene structure by etching the bottom etch stop layer is disclosed, with the method using a high density, high radical concentration plasma containing fluorine and oxygen and further optionally N2 and any one of inert gases, to minimize back sputtering of copper underlying the bottom etch stop layer and surface roughening of the low-k interlayer dielectric caused by the plasma.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: a substrate; a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate and formed of a first high-k material, the first high-k material selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; a second dielectric layer formed over the first dielectric layer and formed of a second high-k material, the second high-k material being different than the first high-k material and selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; and a metal gate formed over the second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer includes ions selected from the group consisting of N, O, and Si.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes performing a multiple-time flash anneal process to a wafer, wherein the multiple-time flash anneal process comprises preheating the wafer to a first preheat temperature; performing a first flash on the wafer with a first flash energy; preheating the wafer to a second preheat temperature; and performing a second flash on the wafer with a second flash energy.

Abstract: A plasma processing operation uses a gas mixture of N2 and H2 to both remove a photoresist film and treat a low-k dielectric material. The plasma processing operation prevents degradation of the low-k material by forming a protective layer on the low-k dielectric material. Carbon from the photoresist layer is activated and caused to complex with the low-k dielectric, maintaining a suitably high carbon content and a suitably low dielectric constant. The plasma processing operation uses a gas mixture with H2 constituting at least 10%, by volume, of the gas mixture.

Abstract: A method for improving uniformity of stressors of MOS devices is provided. The method includes forming a gate dielectric over a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate electrode on the gate dielectric, forming a spacer on respective sidewalls of the gate electrode and the gate dielectric, forming a recess in the semiconductor adjacent the spacer, and depositing SiGe in the recess to form a SiGe stressor. The method further includes etching the SiGe stressor to improve the uniformity of SiGe stressors.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: a substrate; a first high-k dielectric layer; a second high-k dielectric layer formed of a different high-k material; and a metal gate. In another form, a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: providing a substrate; forming a first high-k dielectric layer above the substrate; forming a second dielectric layer of a different high-k material above the first dielectric layer; and forming a gate structure above the second dielectric layer. In yet another form, a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: providing a substrate; forming an interfacial layer above the substrate; forming a first high-k dielectric layer above the interfacial layer; performing a nitridation technique; performing an anneal; forming a second high-k dielectric layer of a different high-k material above the first dielectric layer; and forming a metal gate structure above the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising forming a gate oxide layer over a substrate subjecting the gate oxide layer to a first nitridation process, subjecting the gate oxide layer to a first anneal process after the first nitridation process, subjecting the gate oxide layer to a second nitridation process after the first anneal process, subjecting the gate oxide layer to a second anneal process after the second nitridation process, and forming a gate electrode over the gate oxide.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate. A gate formed on the substrate. The gate includes a sidewall. A spacer formed on the substrate and adjacent the sidewall of the gate. The spacer has a substantially triangular geometry. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) is formed on the first gate and the first spacer. The thickness of the CESL to the width of the first spacer is between approximately 0.625 and 16.

Abstract: An n-FET and a p-FET each have elevated source/drain structures. Optionally, the p-FET elevated-SOURCE/DRAIN structure is epitaxially grown from a p-FET recess formed in the substrate. Optionally, the n-FET elevated-SOURCE/DRAIN structure is epitaxially grown from an n-FET recess formed in the substrate. The n-FET and p-FET elevated-source/drain structures are both silicided, even though the structures may have different materials and/or different structure heights. At least a thermal treatment portion of the source/drain structure siliciding is performed simultaneously for the n-FET and p-FET elevated source/drain structures. Also, the p-FET gate electrode, the n-FET gate electrode, or both, may optionally be silicided simultaneously (same metal and/or same thermal treatment step) with the n-FET and p-FET elevated-source/drain structures, respectively; even though the gate electrodes may have different materials, different silicide metal, and/or different electrode heights.

Abstract: Via hole and trench structures and fabrication methods are disclosed. The structure includes a conductive layer in a dielectric layer, and a via structure in the dielectric layer contacting a portion of a surface of the conductive layer. The via structure includes the conductive liner contacting the portion of the surface of the first conductive layer. A trench structure is formed on the via structure in the dielectric without the conductive liner layer in the trench.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are connected by a pressure differential unit, for depositing a metallic film over a substrate in the first chamber, transferring the substrate to the second chamber via the pressure differential unit without exposing the substrate to the ambient environment, and depositing a silicon-containing film on the metallic film in the second chamber.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor device employs a self-aligned etching of a semiconductor substrate to form a recessed channel region in conjunction with a pair of raised source/drain regions. The method also provides for forming and thermally annealing the pair of source/drain regions prior to forming a pair of lightly doped extension regions within the field effect transistor device. In accord with the foregoing features, the field effect transistor device is fabricated with enhanced performance.

Abstract: Generally disclosed is a method of a device comprising forming a polysilicon stack including a first and a second polysilicon layer with an intervening etch stop layer, wherein the first polysilicon layer height is at least one third a height of the polysilicon stack height, removing the second polysilicon layer and the etch stop layer, and reacting the first polysilicon layer with a metal to fully silicide the first polysilicon layer. Fully silicided (FUSI) gates can hence be formed with uniform gate height. The thin first polysilicon layer allows for siliciding with a lower thermal budge and with better uniformity of the silicide concentration throughout the layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with dual-metal gate structures and fabrication methods thereof. A semiconductor substrate with a first doped region and a second doped region separated by an insulation layer is provided. A first metal gate stack is formed on the first doped region, and a second metal gate stack is formed on the second doped region. A sealing layer is disposed on sidewalls of the first gate stack and the second gate stack. The first metal gate stack comprises an interfacial layer, a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, a first metal layer on the high-k dielectric layer, a metal insertion layer on the first metal layer, a second metal layer on the metal insertion layer, and a polysilicon layer on the second metal layer. The second metal gate stack comprises an interfacial layer, a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, a second metal layer on the high-k dielectric layer, and a polysilicon layer on the second metal layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes performing a multiple-time flash anneal process to a wafer, wherein the multiple-time flash anneal process comprises preheating the wafer to a first preheat temperature; performing a first flash on the wafer with a first flash energy; preheating the wafer to a second preheat temperature; and performing a second flash on the wafer with a second flash energy.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a gate dielectric over the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode over the gate dielectric, a source/drain region having at least a portion in the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface wherein the first surface of the dielectric layer adjoins the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a contact plug in the dielectric layer, wherein the contact plug extends from a bottom side of the source/drain region to the second surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the dielectric constant of a low-k dielectric film on a production substrate include measuring the electronic component of the dielectric constant using an ellipsometer, measuring the ionic component of the dielectric constant using an IR spectrometer, measuring the overall dielectric constant using a microwave spectrometer and deriving the dipolar component of the dielectric constant. The measurements and determination are non-contact and may be carried out on a production device that is further processed following the measurements.

Abstract: A novel, in-situ plasma treatment method for eliminating or reducing striations caused by standing waves in a photoresist mask, is disclosed. The method includes providing a photoresist mask on a BARC (bottom anti-reflective coating) layer that is deposited on a feature layer to be etched, etching the BARC layer and the underlying feature layer according to the pattern defined by the photoresist mask, and subjecting the photoresist mask to a typically argon or hydrogen bromide plasma before, after, or both before and after etching of the BARC layer prior to etching of the feature layer. Preferably, the photoresist mask is subjected to the plasma both before and after etching of the BARC layer.

Abstract: A method of forming tensile stress films for NFET Performance enhancement, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a gate structure patterned thereon; (b) performing a deposition process to form a first dielectric film overlying the semiconductor substrate and covering the gate structure; (c) performing a curing process on the first dielectric film; (d) successively repeating the step (b) of deposition process and the step (c) of curing process at least once to form at least one second dielectric film on the first dielectric film until the total thickness of the first dielectric film and the at least one second dielectric film reaches a target thickness.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with dual-metal gate structures and fabrication methods thereof. A semiconductor substrate with a first doped region and a second doped region separated by an insulation layer is provided. A first metal gate stack is formed on the first doped region, and a second metal gate stack is formed on the second doped region. A sealing layer is disposed on sidewalls of the first gate stack and the second gate stack. The first metal gate stack comprises an interfacial layer, a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, a first metal layer on the high-k dielectric layer, a metal insertion layer on the first metal layer, a second metal layer on the metal insertion layer, and a polysilicon layer on the second metal layer. The second metal gate stack comprises an interfacial layer, a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, a second metal layer on the high-k dielectric layer, and a polysilicon layer on the second metal layer.