Abstract: A semiconductor device having a graded source/drain region for use in CMOS devices is provided. The semiconductor device is formed by utilizing a spacer and a sacrificial spacer as masks. The sacrificial spacer is formed over an etch stop layer, which acts as an etch stop and protects underlying structures from becoming damaged during the etching process. In particular, the present invention may be used, for example, to protect the edge or corner of a shallow trench isolation from becoming damaged during etching.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing capacitance and thickness of an insulating layer constructed between a conductive gate and a substrate has at least one test structure formed at a surface of a substrate. Each test structure has a bulk region formed of a semiconductor within the surface. Further the test structure has at least one source region and one drain region within the bulk region. A thin insulating layer is placed above the each source region, each drain region, and the bulk region. A conductive gate is placed above the thin insulating layer. A capacitance-voltage measuring device measures a capacitance value of the test structure, while forcing the bulk region between the source region and the drain region to be floating. An insulating layer thickness calculator determines the thickness of the insulating layer from the capacitance.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing capacitance and thickness of an insulating layer constructed between a conductive gate and a substrate has at least one test structure formed at a surface of a substrate. Each test structure has a bulk region formed of a semiconductor within the surface. Further the test structure has at least one source region and one drain region within the bulk region. A thin insulating layer is placed above the each source region, each drain region, and the bulk region. A conductive gate is placed above the thin insulating layer. A capacitance-voltage measuring device measures a capacitance value of the test structure, while forcing the bulk region between the source region and the drain region to be floating. An insulating layer thickness calculator determines the thickness of the insulating layer from the capacitance.

Abstract: A method for preventing boron segregation and out diffusion to form PMOS devices is disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrates and the formation of a gate oxider layer as well as a gate layer on top of the semiconductor substrate. Next, a photoresist layer is formed on a top surface of the gate layer, moreover, a pattern is transferred onto the photoresist layer after being put through an exposure and a development. Furthermore, the gate layer and the oxide layer are then etched using the photoresist layer as a mask, and the photoresist layer is removed afterward. In succession, a thin silicon nitride layer is grown utilizing RTCVD processing. Thereafter, high doped drain regions of boron ion shallow junctions are formed by carrying out ion implantation. A silicon oxide layer is deposited using LPCVD, and forming spacers by etching the silicon oxide layer. Next, a heavy doping of boron ions proceeds, as well as an annealing process.