Abstract: A method for fabricating a integrated circuit is disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a substrate; forming a hard mask layer over the substrate; forming a patterned photoresist layer over the hard mask layer, such that portions of the hard mask layer are exposed; performing a dry etching process to remove the exposed portions of the hard mask layer; removing the patterned photoresist layer using at least one of a nitrogen plasma ashing and a hydrogen plasma ashing; and performing a wet etching process to remove remaining portions of the hard mask layer.

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: 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: 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.