Abstract: An amorphous carbon layer of an antireflective bi-layer hardmask is processed to increase its density prior to patterning of an underlying polysilicon layer using the bi-layer hardmask. The increased density of the layer increases its resistance to polysilicon etch chemistry, thus reducing the likelihood of patterning inaccuracies resulting from amorphous carbon depletion during polysilicon etch, and enabling the patterning of thicker polysilicon layers than can be reliably patterned without densification. The increased density also reduces stresses, thus reducing the likelihood of delamination. Densification may be performed by UV or e-beam irradiation after formation of an overlying protective layer. Densification may also be performed by annealing the amorphous carbon layer in situ prior to formation of the overlying protective layer. In the latter case, annealing reduces the amount of outgassing that occurs during formation of the protective layer, thus reducing the formation of pin holes.

Abstract: A method of producing an integrated circuit eliminates the need to re-oxidize polysilicon gate conductors and lines prior to removal of a hard mask used to form the gate conductors. A layer of polysilicon is provided above a semiconductor substrate. The layer of polysilicon is then doped. A mask material comprising amorphous carbon is provided above the layer of polysilicon, and the layer of mask material is patterned to form a mask. A portion of the layer of polysilicon is removed according to the mask, and the mask is removed.

Abstract: Aspects for notched gate structure fabrication are described. The notched gate fabrication includes forming spacers of hard mask material on a gate conductor, and utilizing the spacers during etching to form notches in the gate conductor and provide a notched gate structure. In a further aspect, notched gate fabrication includes performing a timed etch of masked gate conductive material to maintain a portion of a gate conductive layer and provide gate structure areas in the gate conductive layer. Anisotropically etching the gate structure areas provides spacers on the gate structure areas. Isotropically etching the portion of the gate conductive layer provides notched gates in the gate structure areas.

Abstract: A bottom anti-reflective coating comprising an organic polymer layer having substantially no nitrogen and a low compressive stress in relation to a polysilicon layer is employed as the lower layer of a bi-layer antireflective coating/hardmask structure to reduce deformation of a pattern to be formed in a patternable layer. The organic polymer layer is substantially transparent to visible radiation, enabling better detection of alignment marks during a semiconductor device fabrication process and improving overlay accuracy. The organic polymer layer provides excellent step coverage and may be advantageously used in the fabrication of structures such as FinFETs.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment relates to a method of using an amorphous carbon layer to prevent photoresist poisoning. The method includes doping a first amorphous carbon layer located above a substrate, providing an oxide layer above the first amorphous carbon layer where the oxide layer has a pinhole, and providing a second amorphous carbon layer adjacent to the oxide layer. The second amorphous carbon layer is undoped and the second amorphous carbon layer helps prevent photoresist poisoning.

Abstract: Security for a system and process for programming electronic devices, such as electronic monitors for replaceable modules for a printing apparatus is provided by combinations of the elements controlling the installation of device programming software onto the programming system by verifying installation permissions and installing the programming software only if the installation permissions are verified. In addition, refilling the programming system with new or additional programming permissions is controlled by verifying refill permissions by reading installation card information from an installation security card and electronically verifying that the installation card information contains a predetermined installation security code.

Abstract: To reduce the width of a MOSFET gate, the gate is formed with a hardmask formed thereupon. An isotropic etch is then performed to trim the gate in order to reduce the width of the gate. The resulting gate may be formed with a width that is narrower than a minimum width achievable solely through conventional projection lithography techniques.

Abstract: To reduce the width of a MOSFET gate, the gate is formed with a hardmask formed thereupon. An isotropic etch is then performed to trim the gate in order to reduce the width of the gate. The resulting gate may be formed with a width that is narrower than a minimum width achievable solely through conventional projection lithography techniques.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making plurality of features in a first layer. A photoresist layer is formed over the first layer. Dense regions in the photoresist layer are exposed through a first mask under a first set of illumination conditions. Isolated regions in the photoresist layer are exposed through a second mask different from the first mask under a second set of illumination conditions different from the first set of illumination conditions. The exposed photoresist layer is patterned and then the first layer is patterned using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask.

Abstract: A layer of material is patterned anisotropically using a bi-layer hardmask structure. Residual photoresist from a photoresist mask used to pattern an upper layer of the bi-layer hardmask is removed prior to patterning of the polysilicon layer. Passivation agents are later introduced from an external source during patterning of the layer of material. This provides a substantially uniform supply of passivation agents to all parts of the layer of material as it is being etched, rather than relying on the generation of passivation agents from consumption of photoresist during etching, which can produce local non-uniformities of passivation agent availability owing to differences in photoresist thickness remaining on different sized features.

Abstract: A method for an integrated circuit includes the use of an amorphous carbon ARC mask. A layer of amorphous carbon material is deposited above a layer of conductive material, and a layer of anti-reflective coating (ARC) material is deposited over the layer of amorphous carbon material. The layer of amorphous carbon material and the layer of ARC material are etched to form a mask comprising an ARC material portion and an amorphous carbon portion. A feature may then be formed in the layer of conductive material by etching the layer of conductive material in accordance with the mask.

Abstract: A silicon oxide stress relief portion is provided between an amorphous carbon hardmask and a polysilicon layer to be etched to form a gate line. The stress relief portion relieves stress between the hardmask and the polysilicon, thereby reducing the risk of delamination of the hardmask prior to patterning of the polysilicon. The stress relief portion may be trimmed prior to patterning and used as an etch mask for patterning the polysilicon. The amorphous carbon hardmasked may be trimmed prior to patterning the stress relief portion to achieve a further reduction in gate line width.

Abstract: A hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of doped amorphous carbon and undoped amorphous carbon. The undoped amorphous carbon layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the doped amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The stack is provided with a top capping layer. The layer beneath the capping layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning. An alternative hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of capping material and amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon layers may be doped or undoped. The capping material layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The top layer of the stack is formed of a capping material. The layer beneath the top layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning.

Abstract: An exemplary method of fabricating an integrated circuit can include depositing a reflective metal material layer over a layer of polysilicon, depositing an anti-reflective coating over the reflective metal material layer, trim etching the anti-reflective coating to form a pattern, etching the reflective metal material layer according to the pattern, and removing portions of the polysilicon layer using the pattern formed from the removed portions of anti-reflective coating.

Abstract: An amorphous carbon layer is implanted with one or more dopants that enhance the etch resistivity of the amorphous carbon to etchants such as chlorine and HBr that are typically used to etch polysilicon. Such a layer may be pattern to form a handmask for etching polysilicon that provides improved pattern transfer accuracy compared to conventional undoped amorphous carbon.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of forming a shallow trench, involving the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a barrier oxide layer over at the semiconductor substrate and a nitride layer over the barrier oxide layer; depositing an ultra-thin photoresist over the nitride layer, the ultra-thin photoresist having a thickness of about 2,000 Å or less; patterning the ultra-thin photoresist to expose a portion of the nitride layer and to define a pattern for the shallow trench; etching the exposed portion of the nitride layer with an etchant having a nitride:photoresist selectivity of at least about 10:1 to expose a portion of the barrier oxide layer; etching the exposed portion of the barrier oxide layer to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate; and etching the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate to provide the shallow trench.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a multilayer photoresist to form contact holes and/or conductors utilizing a dual damascene process includes utilizing layered photoresists. A contact in a conductive line can be formed in a single deposition step or in a two-stage deposition step. Image layers can remain as part of the interconnect structure or be removed by a polishing technique. The process can be utilized for any conductive structures provided above a substrate of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: To reduce the width of a MOSFET gate, the gate is formed with a hardmask formed thereupon. An isotropic etch is then performed to trim the gate in order to reduce the width of the gate. The resulting gate may be formed with a width that is narrower than a minimum width achievable solely through conventional projection lithography techniques.

Abstract: In a process for forming a photoresist mask, a photoresist layer is applied to a substrate. A silyated layer is formed in the photoresist layer. The features of the silyated area correspond to the features of a photoresist mask to be formed. The photoresist layer is then etched to form a photoresist base beneath the silyated area. The photoresist base is etched to remove material from its sides such that it becomes narrower than the silyated area. The silyated area is then removed, leaving a photoresist mask on the substrate.

Abstract: A hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of doped amorphous carbon and undoped amorphous carbon. The undoped amorphous carbon layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the doped amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The stack is provided with a top capping layer. The layer beneath the capping layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning. An alternative hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of capping material and amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon layers may be doped or undoped. The capping material layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The top layer of the stack is formed of a capping material. The layer beneath the top layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning.