Abstract: The invention discloses a method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process, comprising using an aqua regia cleaning solution (comprising a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid) with microwave assisted heating. Low boiling temperature of hydrochloric acid prevents heating the aqua regia solution to a high temperature, impeding the effectiveness of post silicidation nickel and platinum residue removal. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide a microwave assisted heating of the substrate in an aqua regia solution, selectively heating platinum residues without significantly increasing the temperature of the aqua regia solution, rendering platinum residues to be more soluble in aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and structures are described for determining contact resistivities and Schottky barrier heights for conductors deposited on semiconductor wafers that can be combined with combinatorial processing, allowing thereby numerous processing conditions and materials to be tested concurrently. Methods for using multi-ring as well as single-ring CTLM structures to cancel parasitic resistance are also described, as well as structures and processes for inline monitoring of properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable-size bed (10) comprising a mattress core (16) and a base (14), which base is adapted to support at least a portion of the mattress core, wherein the mattress core and base have adjustable widths or lengths and each of the mattress core and base is changeable between an expanded state and a contracted state corresponding to an expanded state and a contracted state of the bed, respectively, and wherein the bed further comprises a cover means adapted to provide covering over the mattress core in both the expanded state and the contracted state of the bed. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a variable-size bed.

Abstract: A method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process is disclosed, including a multi-step residue cleaning, including exposing the substrate to an aqua regia solution, followed by an exposure to a solution having hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The SC2 solution can further react with remaining platinum residues, rendering it more soluble in an aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Metal gate high-k capacitor structures with lithography patterning are used to extract gate work function using a combinatorial workflow. Oxide terracing, together with high productivity combinatorial process flow for metal deposition can provide optimum high-k gate dielectric and metal gate solutions for high performance logic transistors. The high productivity combinatorial technique can provide an evaluation of effective work function for given high-k dielectric metal gate stacks for PMOS and NMOS transistors, which is critical in identifying and selecting the right materials.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process. Post silicidation residues of nickel and platinum may not be removed adequately just by an aqua regia solution (comprising a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid). Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide a multi-step residue cleaning, comprising exposing the substrate to an aqua regia solution, followed by an exposure to a chlorine gas or a solution comprising dissolved chlorine gas, which may further react with remaining platinum residues, rendering it more soluble in aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process is disclosed, including a multi-step residue cleaning, including exposing the substrate to an aqua regia solution, followed by an exposure to a solution having hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The SC2 solution can further react with remaining platinum residues, rendering it more soluble in an aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process. Embodiments of the invention provide a multi-step cleaning process, comprising exposing the substrate to a nitric acid solution after a first anneal, followed by an aqua regia solution after a second anneal. The substrate can be optionally exposed to a hydrochloric acid solution afterward to completely remove any remaining platinum residues.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process. Post silicidation residues of nickel and platinum may not be removed adequately just by an aqua regia solution (comprising a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid). Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide a multi-step residue cleaning, comprising exposing the substrate to an aqua regia solution, followed by an exposure to a chlorine gas or a solution comprising dissolved chlorine gas, which may further react with remaining platinum residues, rendering it more soluble in aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process. Post silicidation residues of nickel and platinum may not be removed adequately just by an aqua regia solution (comprising a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid). Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide a multi-step residue cleaning, comprising exposing the substrate to an aqua regia solution, followed by an exposure to a chlorine gas or a solution comprising dissolved chlorine gas, which may further react with remaining platinum residues, rendering it more soluble in aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process. Embodiments of the invention provide a multi-step cleaning process, comprising exposing the substrate to a nitric acid solution after a first anneal, followed by an aqua regia solution after a second anneal. The substrate can be optionally exposed to a hydrochloric acid solution afterward to completely remove any remaining platinum residues.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process, comprising using an aqua regia cleaning solution (comprising a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid) with microwave assisted heating. Low boiling temperature of hydrochloric acid prevents heating the aqua regia solution to a high temperature, impeding the effectiveness of post silicidation nickel and platinum residue removal. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide a microwave assisted heating of the substrate in an aqua regia solution, selectively heating platinum residues without significantly increasing the temperature of the aqua regia solution, rendering platinum residues to be more soluble in aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for cleaning platinum residues from a surface of a substrate is provided. The method initiates with exposing the surface to a first solution containing a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. Then, the surface is exposed to a second solution containing hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable-size bed (10) comprising a mattress core (16) and a base (14), which base is adapted to support at least a portion of the mattress core, wherein the mattress core and base have adjustable widths or lengths and each of the mattress core and base is changeable between an expanded state and a contracted state corresponding to an expanded state and a contracted state of the bed, respectively, and wherein the bed further comprises a cover means adapted to provide covering over the mattress core in both the expanded state and the contracted state of the bed. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a variable-size bed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of activated fibres or particles having self-binding properties comprising the steps of treating fibers or particles of lignocellulose containing material by contacting them with an oxidant during a time sufficient for the formation of water soluble reaction products with binding properties and retaining at least a significant part of said water soluble reaction products with the treated fibers or particles. The invention further concerns activated fibers or particles obtainable by the process, a press molded product and a process for the production thereof from activated fibers or particles.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture. The semiconductor device having a silicide source and a silicide drain; a semiconductor body disposed between the source and the drain; a gate electrode disposed over the body and defining a channel interposed between the source and the drain; and a gate dielectric made from a high-K material and separating the gate electrode and the body.

Abstract: A shallow trench isolation region formed in a layer of semiconductor material. The shallow trench isolation region includes a trench formed in the layer of semiconductor material, the trench being defined by sidewalls and a bottom; a liner within the trench formed from a high-K material, the liner conforming to the sidewalls and bottom of the trench; and a fill section made from isolating material, and disposed within and conforming to the high-K liner. A method of forming the shallow trench isolation region is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of activated fibres or particles having self-binding properties comprising the steps of treating fibres or particles of lignocellulose containing material by contacting them with an oxidant during a time sufficient for the formation of water soluble reaction products with binding properties and retaining at least a significant part of said water soluble reaction products with the treated fibres or particles. The invention further concerns activated fibres or particles obtainable by the process, a press moulded product and a process for the production thereof from activated fibres or particles.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, a semiconductor wafer and a method of forming a semiconductor wafer where a barrier layer is used to inhibit P-type ion-penetration into a dielectric layer made from a high-K material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabrication are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a liner composed of a high-K material. The liner has a portion separating a sidewall spacer from a gate and a portion separating the sidewall spacer from a layer of semiconductor material. The liner functions as an etch stop during formation of the sidewall spacer. The liner is removable by an etch process that has substantially no reaction with an isolation region formed in the layer of semiconductor material.