Abstract: A method of fabricating a transistor having shallow source and drain extensions utilizes a self-aligned contact. The drain extensions are provided through an opening between a contact area and the gate structure. A high-K gate dielectric material can be utilized. P-MOS and N-MOS transistors can be created according to the disclosed method.

Abstract: A method for providing partially depleted and fully depleted transistor devices on the same semiconductor wafer. A semiconductive layer is provided having an oxide layer thereon. At least one trench is then etched into the oxide layer. The oxide layer is then filled with a substrate material layer and then ground and polished down to form a generally planar upper surface. The trench filled regions of the oxide layer form an oxide layer having regions of a first thickness and the remaining regions of the oxide layer are of a second thickness. The semiconductor wafer can then be flipped and partially depleted transistor devices formed over the regions of the first thickness and fully depleted transistor devices formed over regions of the second thickness.

Abstract: High quality dielectric layers, e.g., high-k dielectric layers comprised of at least one refractory or lanthanum series transition metal oxide or silicate, for use as gate insulator layers in in-laid metal gate MOS transistors and CMOS devices, are formed by electrolytically plating a metal or metal-based dielectric precursor layer comprising at least one refractory or lanthanum series transition metal, on a semiconductor substrate, typically a silicon-based substrate, and then reacting the precursor layer with oxygen or with oxygen and the semiconductor substrate to form the at least one refractory or lanthanum series transition metal oxide or silicate. The inventive methodology prevents, or at least substantially reduces, oxygen access to the substrate surface during at least the initial stage(s) of formation of the gate insulator layer, thereby minimizing deleterious formation of oxygen-induced surface states at the semiconductor substrate/gate insulator interface.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming conductive layers in semiconductor vias by using forward and reverse pulses during the electroplating process which have time intervals between pulses which increase with time and for forming conductive layers in semiconductor channels by using forward pulses during the electroplating process which have time intervals between pulses which also increase with time. This allows fast deposition while reducing the deposition stress to eliminate voids and speeds up the overall manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a transistor having shallow source and drain extensions utilizes a self-aligned contact. The drain extensions are provided through an opening between a contact area and the gate structure. A high-K gate dielectric material can be utilized. P-MOS and N-MOS transistors can be created according to the disclosed method.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of making a test mask, involving the steps of providing an existing product mask pattern having a first pattern thereon; removing a portion of the first pattern from the existing product mask pattern; and forming a test pattern in the portion of the existing product mask pattern to provide the test mask, wherein the first pattern of the existing product mask pattern is substantially similar in at least one of pattern density, pattern variability, pattern size, pattern shape, preferential direction, and pattern scribe with the test pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a transistor having shallow source and drain extensions utilizes a self-aligned contact. The drain extensions are provided through an opening between a contact area and the gate structure. A high-k gate dielectric material can be utilized. P-MOS and N-MOS transistors can be created according to the disclosed method.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices of different conductivity types with optimized junction locations are formed on a semiconductor substrate using a minimal number of critical masks. Embodiments include forming conductive gates on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, sidewall spacers on side surfaces of the gates, and aluminum disposable spacers on the sidewall spacers. A photoresist mask is then formed on gates and portions of the main surface intended to be implanted with impurities of a first conductivity type. Moderate or heavy source/drain implants of a second impurity type are then formed in the substrate, the aluminum disposable spacers on the sidewall spacers on the unmasked gates removed, and lightly or moderately doped source/drain extension implants of the second impurity type formed in the substrate. The first mask is then removed and a second photoresist mask is formed on the previously uncovered gates and implanted portions of the main surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a narrow circuit component on a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate includes silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate including forming a mask over the surface of a device layer to define an island region surrounded by a peripheral trench region. The mask is trimmed to reduce the size of the island and increase the size of the peripheral trench region.

Abstract: Submicron-dimensioned metallization patterns are formed on a substrate surface by a photolytic process wherein portions of a metal-compound containing fluid layer on the substrate surface which are exposed through a pattern of submicron-sized openings in an overlying exposure mask are irradiated with UV to near X-ray radiation. Photo-decomposition of the metal-containing compound results in selective metal deposition on the substrate surface according to the exposure mask pattern. When liquid, the fluid layer is prevented from contacting the mask surfaces during photolysis in order to prevent closing off of the very small apertures by deposition thereon. The inventive method is of particular utility in forming multi-level, in-laid, “back-end” metallization of high density integrated circuit semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Multi-level semiconductor devices are formed with reduced parasitic capacitance without sacrificing structural integrity or electromigration performance by removing the inter-layer dielectrics and supporting the interconnection system with a metal silicide lining. Embodiments include depositing a dielectric sealing layer, e.g., silicon nitride, before forming the first metallization level, removing the inter-layer dielectrics after forming the last metallization level, electroplating or electroless plating a metal, such as cobalt or nickel, to line the interconnection system, depositing a thin layer of polycrystalline silicon on the metal, heating to form the metal silicide lining on the interconnection system, and forming dielectric protective layers, e.g. a silane derived oxide bottommost protective layer, on the uppermost metallization level.

Abstract: Multi-level semiconductor devices are formed with reduced parasitic capacitance without sacrificing structural integrity or electromigration performance by removing the inter-layer dielectrics and supporting the interconnection system with a rigid, conductive lining, such as, a hard metal, e.g., W, Mo, Os, Ir or alloys thereof. Embodiments include depositing a dielectric sealing layer, e.g., silicon nitride, before forming the first metallization level, removing the inter-layer dielectrics after forming the last metallization level, electroplating or electroless plating the hard metal to line the interconnection system and forming dielectric protective layers, e.g., a silane derived oxide bottommost protective layer, on the uppermost metallization level.

Abstract: Chemical mechanical polishing for removing a hardened surface layer of photoresist in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. The use of chemical mechanical polishing allows for the removal of a hardened surface layer of photoresist that has been hardened through ion beam implantation or plasma etching. The chemical mechanical polishing process places a semiconductor wafer with a photoresist layer on a polishing pad. The photoresist layer is placed close to the polishing pad, so that the hardened surface layer of the photoresist layer is removed. A slurry is added to the polishing pad to aid in the removal of the hardened surface layer of the photoresist layer. Conventional chemical stripping is then used to remove the remaining photoresist layer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a narrow photoresist line by first forming a resist pattern on a substrate, wherein a resist line is designed to have a width “w” in excess of a desired width “w1” The resist is then subjected to ionic bombardment with ionized particles in a direction normal to the planar surface of a resistant substrate. The ionic bombardment causes formation of a hardened “chemically less reactive” skin on the exposed top surface of the photoresist. The resist is then subjected to an isotropic etch procedure. Due to the hardened top surface of the narrow pattern, the side wall erode at a faster rate than the top, causing a narrowing of the line width, while retaining a more substantial photoresist thickness than would occur if the top surface would not be hardened in advance of the etch procedure.

Abstract: A silicon on insulator (SOI) device includes an electrically-conducting interface region along a portion of the interface between the insulator and a semiconductor layer atop the insulator. The electrically-conducting interface region provides a “leaky” electrical coupling between the body and source regions of a transistor device such as a “MOSFET”, thereby reducing floating body effects of the device. A method of forming such a semiconductor device includes forming the electrically-conducting interface region by damaging or implanting materials in the insulator and/or the semiconductor in the vicinity of the interface therebetween. The method may include producing a stepped interface region, such as by etching, in order to aid properly locating the transistor device relative to the electrically-conducting interface region.

Abstract: MOS semiconductor devices of different conductivity types are formed on a semiconductor substrate using a minimal number of critical masks. Embodiments include forming conductive gates on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and disposable aluminum sidewall spacers on the side surfaces of the gates. A photoresist mask is then formed on gates and portions of the main surface intended to be implanted with impurities of a first conductivity type. Moderate or heavy source/drain implants of a second impurity type are then formed in the substrate, the aluminum sidewall spacers on the unmasked gates are then removed, and lightly or moderately doped source/drain extension implants of the second impurity type are formed in the substrate. The first mask is then removed and a second photoresist mask is formed on the previously uncovered gates and implanted portions of the main surface.

Abstract: Multi-level semiconductor devices are formed with reduced parasitic capacitance without sacrificing structural integrity or electromigration performance by removing the inter-layer dielectrics and chemical vapor depositing W to line the interconnection system. Embodiments include depositing a dielectric sealing layer, e.g., silicon nitride, before forming the first metallization level, removing the inter-layer dielectrics after forming the last metallization level, depositing W by CVD to line the interconnection system and forming dielectric protective layers, e.g. a silane derived oxide bottommost protective layer, on the uppermost metallization level.

Abstract: Submicron-dimensioned metallization patterns are formed on a substrate surface by a photo-activated selective, anisotropic etching process, wherein selective portions of a metal layer are exposed to collimated UV passing through a pattern of submicron-sized openings in an overlying exposure mask. At least one photo-activatable etching material contained in a gas flowed through the space between the substrate surface and the mask selectively and anisotropically etches the exposed portions of the metal layer in thereby avoiding numerous masking and etching steps as in conventional photolithographic methodology. The inventive method is of particular utility in performing multi-level, in-laid, “back-end” metallization processing of high-density integrated circuit semiconductor devices.

Abstract: High density, multi-metal layer semiconductor devices are formed with accurate and uniform polysilicon gates and underlying gate oxides. Embodiments include etching the photoresist mask to reduce the horizontal layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for fabricating a gate of a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) with the gate having low resistivity. The MOSFET has a drain region, a source region, and a channel region fabricated within a semiconductor substrate, and the MOSFET initially has a gate comprised of silicide on polysilicon disposed on a gate dielectric over the channel region. Generally, the method of the present invention includes a step of depositing a first dielectric layer over the drain region, the source region, and the gate of the MOSFET. The present invention also includes steps of polishing down the first dielectric layer over the drain region and the source region, and of polishing down the first dielectric layer over the gate until the silicide over the polysilicon or the polysilicon of the gate is exposed.