Abstract: A dielectric fill layer within source/drain metallization trenches limits the depth of an inlaid metallization layer over isolation regions of a semiconductor device. The modified geometry decreases parasitic capacitance as well as the propensity for electrical short circuits between the source/drain metallization and adjacent conductive structures, which improves device reliability and performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to middle of line structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of gate structures comprising source and/or drain metallization features; spacers on sidewalls of the gate structures and composed of a first material and a second material; and contacts in electrical contact with the source and/or drain metallization features, and separated from the gate structures by the spacers.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a FinFET device, an isolation architecture is provided between gate and source/drain contact locations. The isolation architecture may include a low-k spacer layer and a contact etch stop layer. The isolation architecture further includes a high-k, etch-selective layer that is adapted to resist degradation during an etch to open the source/drain contact locations. The high-k layer, in conjunction with a self-aligned contact (SAC) capping layer disposed over the gate, forms an improved isolation structure that inhibits short circuits or parasitic capacitance between the gate and source/drain contacts.

Abstract: A dielectric fill layer within source/drain metallization trenches limits the depth of an inlaid metallization layer over isolation regions of a semiconductor device. The modified geometry decreases parasitic capacitance as well as the propensity for electrical short circuits between the source/drain metallization and adjacent conductive structures, which improves device reliability and performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to middle of line structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of gate structures comprising source and/or drain metallization features; spacers on sidewalls of the gate structures and composed of a first material and a second material; and contacts in electrical contact with the source and/or drain metallization features, and separated from the gate structures by the spacers.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to middle of line structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of gate structures comprising source and/or drain metallization features; spacers on sidewalls of the gate structures and composed of a first material and a second material; and contacts in electrical contact with the source and/or drain metallization features, and separated from the gate structures by the spacers.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a FinFET device, an isolation architecture is provided between gate and source/drain contact locations. The isolation architecture may include a low-k spacer layer and a contact etch stop layer. The isolation architecture further includes a high-k, etch-selective layer that is adapted to resist degradation during an etch to open the source/drain contact locations. The high-k layer, in conjunction with a self-aligned contact (SAC) capping layer disposed over the gate, forms an improved isolation structure that inhibits short circuits or parasitic capacitance between the gate and source/drain contacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to middle of line structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of gate structures comprising source and/or drain metallization features; spacers on sidewalls of the gate structures and composed of a first material and a second material; and contacts in electrical contact with the source and/or drain metallization features, and separated from the gate structures by the spacers.

Abstract: Various novel methods of forming a gate-to-source/drain conductive contact structure and the resulting novel device structures are disclosed. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes performing at least one first etching process to form a recess in a gate structure of a gate of a transistor device so as to expose an innermost surface of a portion of a sidewall spacer positioned adjacent a first sidewall of the gate structure and performing at least one second etching process through at least the recess in the gate structure so as to remove at least a portion of the portion of the sidewall spacer with the exposed innermost surface.

Abstract: Various novel methods of forming a gate-to-source/drain conductive contact structure and the resulting novel device structures are disclosed. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes performing at least one first etching process to form a recess in a gate structure of a gate of a transistor device so as to expose an innermost surface of a portion of a sidewall spacer positioned adjacent a first sidewall of the gate structure and performing at least one second etching process through at least the recess in the gate structure so as to remove at least a portion of the portion of the sidewall spacer with the exposed innermost surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a robust low-k sidewall spacer by exposing an upper portion of the spacer to a thermal and plasma treatment prior to downstream processes and resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing a pair of gates separated by a canyon trench over a substrate, an EPI layer in a bottom of the canyon trench, respectively, and a low-k spacer on each opposing sidewall of the pair; forming a masking layer in a bottom portion of the canyon trench, an upper portion of the low-k spacers exposed; and treating the upper portion of the low-k spacers with a thermal and plasma treatment.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes performing a plurality of conformal deposition processes to form first, second and third layers of material within a contact opening, wherein the first layer comprises a contact insulating material, the second layer comprises a metal-containing material and the third layer comprises a conductive cap material, wherein the third layer is positioned above the second layer. The method further includes forming a contact ion implant region that is positioned at least partially in at least one of the first, second or third layers of material, forming a conductive material above the third layer and removing portions of the layers of material positioned outside of the contact opening.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes performing a plurality of conformal deposition processes to form first, second and third layers of material within a contact opening, wherein the first layer comprises a contact insulating material, the second layer comprises a metal-containing material and the third layer comprises a conductive cap material, wherein the third layer is positioned above the second layer. The method further includes forming a contact ion implant region that is positioned at least partially in at least one of the first, second or third layers of material, forming a conductive material above the third layer and removing portions of the layers of material positioned outside of the contact opening.

Abstract: A method that includes, among other things, forming first and second contact openings in a layer of insulating material that respectively expose a portion of first and second source/drain (S/D) regions of first and second transistors that are of the opposite type, forming first, second and third layers of material within each of the first and second contact openings, and forming an implant masking layer that masks the first contact opening while leaving the second contact opening exposed for further processing. The method also includes forming a contact ion implant region that is positioned at least partially in at least one of the first, second or third layers of material, removing the implant masking layer and forming a conductive material in both the first and second contact openings so as to define first and second MIS contact structures positioned in the first and second contact openings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, by etching a region of an SOI substrate so that only a portion of the original semiconductor is present above the insulator layer. After etching has occurred, a different semiconductor material is grown in the etched region, and fins are formed. An isolation layer is deposited to a height above that the base semiconductor of the etched region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, by etching a region of an SOI substrate so that only a portion of the original semiconductor is present above the insulator layer. After etching has occurred, a different semiconductor material is grown in the etched region, and fins are formed. An isolation layer is deposited to a height above that the base semiconductor of the etched region.

Abstract: A method of performing measurement sampling in a production process includes passing a lot through a manufacturing process, employing a set of combinational logistics to determine if sampling is indicated and, if sampling is indicated, establishing a sampling decision. The method further requires querying a set of lot sampling rules to evaluate the sampling decision, evaluating a statistical quality of the process if no lot sampling rules exist, and automatically determining whether the lot passing through the production process requires sampling based on the combinational logistics, statistical quality and lot sampling rules.

Abstract: A computing system, method, and computer program product facilitates data mining of information, for example image data, relating to a surface of a manufactured product when the manufactured product is processed using a tool relative to which the manufactured product may be randomly oriented. For each manufactured object, data pertaining to the surface is converted into a weight distribution. A rotational axis along which each surface would tend to rotate under the action of gravity with the surface supported at its geometric centroid is determined. The sets of data can then be properly oriented relative to one another for data mining by aligning the rotational axis of each set of data.

Abstract: A method of performing measurement sampling in a production process includes passing a lot through a manufacturing process, employing a set of combinational logistics to determine if sampling is indicated and, if sampling is indicated, establishing a sampling decision. The method further requires querying a set of lot sampling rules to evaluate the sampling decision, evaluating a statistical quality of the process if no lot sampling rules exist, and automatically determining whether the lot passing through the production process requires sampling based on the combinational logistics, statistical quality and lot sampling rules.

Abstract: A computing system, method, and computer program product facilitates data mining of information, for example image data, relating to a surface of a manufactured product when the manufactured product is processed using a tool relative to which the manufactured product may be randomly oriented. For each manufactured object, data pertaining to the surface is converted into a weight distribution. A rotational axis along which each surface would tend to rotate under the action of gravity with the surface supported at its geometric centroid is determined. The sets of data can then be properly oriented relative to one another for data mining by aligning the rotational axis of each set of data.