Abstract: A nanowire transistor is provided that includes a well implant having a local isolation region for insulating a replacement metal gate from a parasitic channel. In addition, the nanowire transistor includes oxidized caps in the extension regions that inhibit parasitic gate-to-source and gate-to-drain capacitances.

Abstract: Selectively recessing trench isolation in three-dimensional (3D) transistors to vary channel structure exposures from trench isolation to control drive strength is disclosed. The ability to vary the exposures of channel structures in 3D transistors from trench isolation allows the drive strengths of the 3D transistors to be varied. Varying the drive strengths of 3D transistors may be advantageous in certain circuit applications to reduce power consumption and/or control drive strength ratios between transistors, as examples. In this regard, in exemplary aspects disclosed herein, during the fabrication of 3D transistors, a trench isolation material is disposed adjacent to channel structures formed from a substrate. The amount of trench isolation material disposed adjacent to each channel structure determines the amount of channel structure surface area exposed to a gate. The amount of channel structure surface area of the 3D transistor exposed to the gate affects the drive strength of the 3D transistor.

Abstract: Standard cell circuits employing high aspect ratio voltage rails for reduced resistance are disclosed. In one aspect, a standard cell circuit is provided that employs a first high aspect ratio voltage rail configured to receive a first supply voltage. A second high aspect ratio voltage rail is employed that is disposed substantially parallel to the first high aspect ratio voltage rail. A voltage differential between the first and second high aspect ratio voltage rails is used to power a circuit device in the standard cell circuit. The first and second high aspect ratio voltage rails each have a height-to-width ratio greater than 1.0. The height of each respective first and second high aspect ratio voltage rail is greater than each respective width. Employing the first and second high aspect ratio voltage rails allows each to have a cross-sectional area that limits the resistance and corresponding IR drop.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first spacer structure on a dummy gate of a semiconductor device and forming a sacrificial spacer on the first spacer structure. The method also includes etching a structure of the semiconductor device to create an opening, removing the sacrificial spacer via the opening, and depositing a material to close to define a gap.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a first nanowire field effect transistor (FET), and a second nanowire FET positioned between the substrate and the first nanowire FET. The device also includes a first nanowire electrically coupled to the first nanowire FET and to the second nanowire FET.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices employing reduced area conformal contacts for reducing parasitic capacitance and improving performance, and related methods are disclosed. The area of the source/drain contacts for providing an electrical contract to a source/drain is reduced in size to reduce parasitic capacitance between a gate and the source/drain contacts for improved performance. To mitigate or avoid increase in contact resistance between the source/drain contacts and source/drain, a conformal contact layer of a desired thickness is disposed adjacent to the source/drain to reduce the source/drain contact resistance. Thus, the source/drain contacts may only have to extend down adjacent to an upper region of the source/drain to still achieve a desired, lower contact resistance with the source/drain contacts, which results in a reduced area source/drain contact for reducing parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: Nanowire channel structures of continuously stacked nanowires for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an exemplary CMOS device includes a nanowire channel structure that includes a plurality of continuously stacked nanowires. Vertically adjacent nanowires are connected at narrow top and bottom end portions of each nanowire. Thus, the nanowire channel structure comprises a plurality of narrow portions that are narrower than a corresponding plurality of central portions. A wrap-around gate material is disposed around the nanowire channel structure, including the plurality of narrow portions, without entirely wrapping around any nanowire therein. The exemplary CMOS device provides, for example, a larger effective channel width and better gate control than a conventional fin field-effect transistor (FET) (FinFET) of a similar footprint. The exemplary CMOS device further provides, for example, a shorter nanowire channel structure than a conventional nanowire FET.

Abstract: Standard cell circuits employing voltage rails electrically coupled to metal shunts for reducing or avoiding increases in voltage drop are disclosed. In one aspect, a standard cell circuit is provided that employs active devices that include corresponding gates disposed with a gate pitch. First and second voltage rails having a line width are disposed in a first metal layer. Employing the first and second voltage rails having substantially a same line width reduces the height of the standard cell circuit as compared to conventional standard cell circuits. Metal lines are disposed in a second metal layer with a metal pitch less than the gate pitch such that the number of metal lines exceeds the number of gates. Electrically coupling the first and second voltage rails to the metal shunts increases the conductive area of each voltage rail, which reduces a voltage drop across each voltage rail.

Abstract: Minimum track standard cell circuits for reduced area are provided. In one aspect, a minimum track standard cell circuit employs a first high aspect ratio voltage rail disposed over a first one-half track and configured to provide a first voltage (e.g., VDD) to the minimum track standard cell circuit. A second high aspect ratio voltage rail is disposed over a second one-half track substantially parallel to the first high aspect ratio voltage rail. The second high aspect ratio voltage rail is configured to provide a second voltage less than the first voltage (e.g., VSS) to the minimum track standard cell circuit. The minimum track standard cell circuit employs multiple tracks disposed between the first and second one-half tracks. The number of tracks can be limited based on particular factors. Minimizing tracks reduces area compared to conventional standard cell circuits.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first spacer structure on a dummy gate of a semiconductor device and forming a sacrificial spacer on the first spacer structure. The method also includes etching a structure of the semiconductor device to create an opening, removing the sacrificial spacer via the opening, and depositing a material to close to define a gap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate stack. The semiconductor device also includes a wrap-around contact arranged around and contacting substantially all surface area of a regrown source/drain region of the semiconductor device proximate to the gate stack.

Abstract: Minimum track standard cell circuits for reduced area are provided. In one aspect, a minimum track standard cell circuit employs a first high aspect ratio voltage rail disposed over a first one-half track and configured to provide a first voltage (e.g., VDD) to the minimum track standard cell circuit. A second high aspect ratio voltage rail is disposed over a second one-half track substantially parallel to the first high aspect ratio voltage rail. The second high aspect ratio voltage rail is configured to provide a second voltage less than the first voltage (e.g., VSS) to the minimum track standard cell circuit. The minimum track standard cell circuit employs multiple tracks disposed between the first and second one-half tracks. The number of tracks can be limited based on particular factors. Minimizing tracks reduces area compared to conventional standard cell circuits.

Abstract: Standard cell circuits employing high aspect ratio voltage rails for reduced resistance are disclosed. In one aspect, a standard cell circuit is provided that employs a first high aspect ratio voltage rail configured to receive a first supply voltage. A second high aspect ratio voltage rail is employed that is disposed substantially parallel to the first high aspect ratio voltage rail. A voltage differential between the first and second high aspect ratio voltage rails is used to power a circuit device in the standard cell circuit. The first and second high aspect ratio voltage rails each have a height-to-width ratio greater than 1.0. The height of each respective first and second high aspect ratio voltage rail is greater than each respective width. Employing the first and second high aspect ratio voltage rails allows each to have a cross-sectional area that limits the resistance and corresponding IR drop.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes forming a first spacer structure on a dummy gate of a semiconductor device and forming a sacrificial spacer on the first spacer structure. The method also includes etching a structure of the semiconductor device to create an opening, removing the sacrificial spacer via the opening, and depositing a material to close to define a gap.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device may include a first active transistor of a first-type in a first-type region. The first active transistor may have a first-type work function material and a low channel dopant concentration in an active portion of the first active transistor. The IC device may also include a first isolation transistor of the first-type in the first-type region. The second active transistor may have a second-type work function material and the low channel dopant concentration in an active portion of the first isolation transistor. The first isolation transistor may be arranged adjacent to the first active transistor.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to a gate structure for a semiconductor device, and to methods of forming the same. In an aspect a method for forming a gate structure includes forming a first set of one or more semiconductor features and a second set of one or more semiconductor features. The method additionally includes forming a sacrificial gate extending across the semiconductor features of the first set and the semiconductor features of the second set.

Abstract: A fin-type semiconductor device includes a gate structure and a source/drain structure. The fin-type semiconductor device also includes a gate hardmask structure coupled to the gate structure. The gate hardmask structure comprises a first material. The fin-type semiconductor device further includes a source/drain hardmask structure coupled to the source/drain structure. The source/drain hardmask structure comprises a second material.

Abstract: Self-aligned metal cut and via for Back-End-Of-Line (BEOL) processes for semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) fabrication, and related processes and devices, is disclosed. In this manner, mask placement overlay requirements can be relaxed. This relaxation can be multiples of that allowed by conventional BEOL techniques. This is enabled through application of different fill materials for alternating lines in which a conductor will later be placed. With these different fill materials in place, a print cut and via mask is used, with the mask allowed to overlap other adjacent fill lines to that of the desired line. Etching is then applied that is selective to the desired line but not adjacent lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device, a second MTJ device, and a top electrode. The first MTJ device includes a barrier layer. The second MTJ device includes the barrier layer. The top electrode is coupled to the first MTJ device and the second MTJ device.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a first nanowire field effect transistor (FET), and a second nanowire FET positioned between the substrate and the first nanowire FET. The device also includes a first nanowire electrically coupled to the first nanowire FET and to the second nanowire FET.