Abstract: A process for fabricating a graded-channel MOS device includes the formation of a masking layer (16) on the surface of a semiconductor substrate (10) and separated from the surface by a gate oxide layer (12). A first doped region (22) is formed in a channel region (20) of the semiconductor substrate (10) using the masking layer (16) as a doping mask. A second doped region (24) is formed in the channel region (20) and extends from the principal surface (14) of the semiconductor substrate (10) to the first doped region (22). A gate electrode (34) is formed within an opening (18) in the masking layer (16) and aligned to the channel region (20). Upon removal of the masking layer (16) source and drain regions (36, 38) are formed in the semiconductor substrate (10) and aligned to the gate electrode (34).

Abstract: A metal-semiconductor compound (72, 74, 76) is formed after a step that introduces nitrogen into regions (52, 54, 56) of the device (100). In one embodiment, a nitrogen-containing gas is exposed to surfaces (42, 44, 46) before forming a titanium layer (62) is deposited. A one-step anneal is performed to form titanium disilicide regions (72, 72, 76) that are in the C54 phase without thermal agglomeration or forming electrical shorts between the titanium disilicide regions (72, 74, 76).

Abstract: An insulating layer is formed over a first substrate. Trenches are formed within a second substrate, and those trenches are filled with an insulating layer. The two substrate are bonded at their insulating layers. The portion of the second substrate away from the trenches is removed to form semiconductor regions over the insulating layer of the first substrate. Embodiments of the present invention allow better thickness control for SOI regions and lower leakage current compared to SOI layers that use LOCOS-type field isolation.

Abstract: An input/output protection device for an integrated circuit is formed using a trench (22). A first electrode region (46) is formed adjacent a first portion of the trench sidewall (24), and a second electrode region (48) is formed adjacent a second portion of the trench sidewall (24). One of the electrode regions is then electrically coupled to an input/output pad, while the other electrode region is electrically coupled to ground. Excessive voltages on the input/output pad are then discharged when the electrode, which is electrically coupled to the input/output pad, punches through to the electrode that is electrically coupled to ground.

Abstract: A mixed thin-film and bulk semiconductor substrate (10, 30) for integrated circuit applications is made with two different processes. In the first process, a standard wafer (11) is masked around its periphery (14). The internal unmasked portion (16) is implanted with an insulating species to form a buried dielectric layer (18), thus forming a mixed thin-film and bulk semiconductor substrate. Alternatively, a thin-film wafer may be masked on an internal portion (36) and then etched to expose a portion (40) of the underlying bulk substrate (11') around the periphery of the wafer. An epitaxial layer (50) is then grown to build up the exposed bulk portion to form the mixed substrate. An isolation region (24, 52, 46, 54) is formed at a boundary between the thin-film portion and the bulk portion. Devices (27, 28, 28') having different voltage requirements may then be formed overlying appropriate portions of the mixed substrate.

Abstract: Dual field oxide isolation (34 & 42) is formed by oxidizing through a portion (44) of a silicon nitride layer (30), through an exposed portion (43) of a remaining portion (18) of a masking layer (16), and through an exposed portion (42) of a buffer layer (28), all of which overlie isolation regions (22) of the silicon substrate (12). The different portions vary the diffusion rate of oxygen so that different field oxide thicknesses are created in a single field oxidation cycle. Therefore, integrated circuits having both low voltage densely packed devices and high voltage devices can be fabricated on the same circuit.

Abstract: A shielding structure (10) and method of formation. The shielding structure (10) has a substrate (12). A first dielectric layer (14) overlies the substrate (12). A conductive layer (16) is formed overlying the dielectric layer (14), is patterned, and is etched to form electrically isolated conductive regions from conductive layer (16). The electrically isolated conductive regions have sidewalls and the etching of conductive layer (16) exposes portions of dielectric layer (14). The exposed portions of dielectric layer (14) are etched to form trenched portions of dielectric layer (14). A second dielectric layer (18) is formed overlying the electrically isolated conductive regions, including the sidewalls, and overlying the trenched portions to create recessed regions that separate the electrically isolated conductive regions.

Abstract: A shielding structure (10) and method of formation. The shielding structure (10) has a substrate (12). A first dielectric layer (14) overlies the substrate (12). A conductive layer (16) is formed overlying the dielectric layer (14), is patterned, and is etched to form electrically isolated conductive regions from conductive layer (16). The electrically isolated conductive regions have sidewalls and the etching of conductive layer (16) exposes portions of dielectric layer (14). The exposed portions of dielectric layer (14) are etched to form trenched portions of dielectric layer (14). A second dielectric layer (18) is formed overlying the electrically isolated conductive regions, including the sidewalls, and overlying the trenched portions to create recessed regions that separate the electrically isolated conductive regions.

Abstract: A process for forming a feature on a substrate without etching into the surface of the substrate and causing recessed regions. A first layer of material is deposited to overlie the substrate and is formed of a different material to the substrate. The first layer is patterned, using conventional photolithography, to form windows in the first layer of material which expose a substrate surface. The etch selectively etches the first layer of material without substantially etching into the substrate material. A second layer of material, which is the same material as the substrate, is deposited to overlie the first layer of material and makes physical contact with the substrate through the windows patterned in the first layer. The second layer is blanket etched so that isolated regions are formed in regions defined by the windows patterned in the first layer.

Abstract: An improved LOCOS device isolation method for forming a field oxide is disclosed having the advantage of controllable and uniform sidewall framing of a nutride oxidation mask. This advantage is achieved by the use of a polysilicon layer overlying a nitride mask with the polysilicon providing an etching endpoint during the anisotropic etching used for sidewall formation. In one embodiment of the invention a silicon substrate is provided having a pad oxide formed on its surface and a first polysilicon stress-relief buffer layer formed overlying the pad oxide. A first nitride layer, to be used for oxidation masking during field oxide growth, is deposited overlying the first polysilicon layer. Next, a second polysilicon, etch-resistant buffer layer is deposited overlying the first nitride layer.The first nitride layer and second polysilicon layer are patterned by conventional lithography while the first polysilicon and pad oxide layers remained unpatterned.