Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a transistor with a metal gate electrode and a gate dielectric layer includes forming a protective layer on the gate dielectric layer and forming a metal gate electrode over the protective layer. The protective layer has a graded composition between the gate dielectric layer and the metal gate electrode.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a transistor with a metal gate electrode and a gate dielectric layer includes forming a protective layer on the gate dielectric layer and forming a metal gate electrode over the protective layer. The protective layer has a graded composition between the gate dielectric layer and the metal gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, and a metal gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes an oxide layer having a dielectric constant (k) greater than 4, and silicon concentrated at interfaces of the oxide layer with the substrate and with the metal gate electrode. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a removable gate over a substrate with a gate dielectric layer between the removable gate and the substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and exposing an upper surface of the removable gate, removing the removable gate leaving an opening in the dielectric layer, forming a protective layer on the gate dielectric layer and lining the opening, and forming a metal gate electrode in the opening. The protective layer has a graded composition between the gate dielectric layer and the metal gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, and a metal gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes an oxide layer having a dielectric constant (k) greater than 4, and silicon concentrated at interfaces of the oxide layer with the substrate and with the metal gate electrode. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a removable gate over a substrate with a gate dielectric layer between the removable gate and the substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and exposing an upper surface of the removable gate, removing the removable gate leaving an opening in the dielectric layer, forming a protective layer on the gate dielectric layer and lining the opening, and forming a metal gate electrode in the opening. The protective layer has a graded composition between the gate dielectric layer and the metal gate electrode.

Abstract: Thin effective gate oxide thickness with reduced leakage for replacement metal gate transistors is achieved by forming a protective layer between the gate oxide layer and metal gate electrode, thereby reducing stress. Embodiments include forming a protective layer of amorphous carbon containing metal carbides decreasing in concentration from the metal gate electrode toward the gate oxide layer across the protective layer. Embodiments of methodology include removing the removable gate, depositing a layer of amorphous carbon on the gate oxide layer, forming the metal gate electrode and then heating at an elevated temperature to diffuse metal from the metal gate electrode into the amorphous carbon layer, thereby forming the metal carbides. Embodiments also include metal gate transistors with a gate oxide layer having a high dielectric constant and silicon concentrated at the interfaces with the metal gate electrode and substrate.

Abstract: A multiple operating mode transistor is provided in which multiple channels having different respective operational characteristics are employed. Multiple channels have threshold voltages that are independently adjustable. The independent adjustment of the threshold voltage includes providing at least one of different respective doping concentrations in the different channels, different respective gate dielectric thicknesses for the different gate dielectrics separating the channels, and different respective silicon channel thicknesses for the different channels.

Abstract: A multiple operating mode transistor is provided in which multiple channels having different respective operational characteristics are employed. Multiple channels have threshold voltages that are independently adjustable. The independent adjustment of the threshold voltage includes providing at least one of different respective doping concentrations in the different channels, different respective gate dielectric thicknesses for the different gate dielectrics separating the channels, and different respective silicon channel thicknesses for the different channels.

Abstract: Thin effective gate oxide thickness with reduced leakage for replacement metal gate transistors is achieved by forming a protective layer between the gate oxide layer and metal gate electrode, thereby reducing stress. Embodiments include forming a protective layer of amorphous carbon containing metal carbides decreasing in concentration from the metal gate electrode toward the gate oxide layer across the protective layer. Embodiments of methodology include removing the removable gate, depositing a layer of amorphous carbon on the gate oxide layer, forming the metal gate electrode and then heating at an elevated temperature to diffuse metal from the metal gate electrode into the amorphous carbon layer, thereby forming the metal carbides. Embodiments also include metal gate transistors with a gate oxide layer having a high dielectric constant and silicon concentrated at the interfaces with the metal gate electrode and substrate.

Abstract: A multiple-channel semiconductor device has fully or partially depleted quantum wells and is especially useful in ultra large scale integration devices, such as CMOSFETs. Multiple channel regions are provided on a substrate with a gate electrode formed on the uppermost channel region, separated by a gate oxide, for example. The vertical stacking of multiple channels and the gate electrode permit increased drive current in a semiconductor device without increasing the silicon area occupied by the device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a replacement metal gate and the process for making the same removes a dummy gate from a semiconductor device. Within the recess left by the dummy gate is a silicon layer on a gate dielectric layer. A replacement metal is deposited on the thin silicon layer and then reacted with the silicon layer to form a metal-rich silicon layer on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: STI divot formation is eliminated or substantially reduced by employing a very thin nitride polish stop layer, e.g., no thicker than 400 ?. The very thin nitride polish stop layer is retained in place during subsequent masking, implanting and cleaning steps to form dopant regions, and is removed prior to gate oxide and gate electrode formation.

Abstract: A multiple-channel semiconductor device has fully or partially depleted quantum wells and is especially useful in ultra large scale integration devices, such as CMOSFETs. Multiple channel regions are provided on a substrate with a gate electrode formed on the uppermost channel region, separated by a gate oxide, for example. The vertical stacking of multiple channels and the gate electrode permit increased drive current in a semiconductor device without increasing the silicon area occupied by the device.

Abstract: This invention describes improved apparatus and methods for spin-on deposition of semiconductor thin films. The improved apparatus provides for controlled temperature, pressure and gas compositions within the deposition chamber. The improved methods comprise dispensing of solutions containing thin film precursor via a moveable dispensing device and the careful regulation of the pattern of deposition of the precursor solution onto the wafer. The invention also comprises the careful regulation of deposition variables including dispensation time, wafer rpm, stop time and rates of wafer rotation. In one embodiment, the precursor solution is dispensed from the outer edge of the wafer toward the center. In alternative embodiments, processors regulate the movement of the dispensing arm and the precursor pump to provide an evenly dispensed layer of precursor solution. The invention also describes improved methods for evaporating solvents and curing thin films.