Abstract: A solar cell structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side. A pyramid structure is disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate. The pyramid structure has an aspect ratio between 0.5-1.2. A front passivation layer is disposed on the pyramid structure. A first anti-reflection layer is disposed on the pyramid structure. The first anti-reflection layer is a multi-layered, graded anti-reflection layer having at least three coating layers. The at least three coating layers comprise a silicon oxynitride layer having a thickness of 15-30 nm and a refractive index between 1.65 and 1.75. The silicon oxynitride layer is an outermost layer of the multi-layered, graded anti-reflection layer.

Abstract: A solar cell structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side; a pyramid structure disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate; a front passivation layer disposed on the pyramid structure; and a first anti-reflection layer disposed on the pyramid structure. The first reflective layer is a multi-layered anti-reflection layer having at least three coating layers. A front electrode is provided on the first anti-reflection layer. A rear passivation layer is provided on the back side of the semiconductor substrate. A second anti-reflection layer is disposed on the rear passivation layer. A back electrode is disposed on the second anti-reflection layer.

Abstract: A solar cell structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side; a pyramid structure disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate; a anti-reflection layer disposed on the pyramid structure; a front electrode provided on the anti-reflection layer; a passivation layer provided on the back side of the semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the passivation layer; and a back electrode disposed on the dielectric layer. The reflective layer is a multi-layer anti-reflection layer having at least three coating layers.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a semiconductor structure includes rotating a semiconductor structure. The method of cleaning further includes cleaning the semiconductor structure with a hydrogen fluoride (HF)-containing gas. A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a recess in a source/drain (S/D) region of a transistor. The method of forming further includes cleaning the recess with a HF-containing gas, the HF-containing gas having an oxide removing rate of about 2 nanometer/minute (nm/min) or less. The method of forming further includes epitaxially forming a strain structure in the recess after the cleaning the recess, the strain structure providing a strain to a channel region of the transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a top surface; a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate; and a stressor in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the gate stack. The stressor comprises at least a first portion with a first top surface lower than the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a semiconductor structure includes rotating a semiconductor structure. The method of cleaning further includes cleaning the semiconductor structure with a hydrogen fluoride (HF)-containing gas. A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a recess in a source/drain (S/D) region of a transistor. The method of forming further includes cleaning the recess with a HF-containing gas, the HF-containing gas having an oxide removing rate of about 2 nanometer/minute (nm/min) or less. The method of forming further includes epitaxially forming a strain structure in the recess after the cleaning the recess, the strain structure providing a strain to a channel region of the transistor.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes chemically cleaning a surface of a substrate to form a chemical oxide material on the surface. At least a portion of the chemical oxide material is removed at a removing rate of about 2 nanometer/minute (nm/min) or less. Thereafter, a gate dielectric layer is formed over the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a top surface; a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate; and a stressor in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the gate stack. The stressor comprises at least a first portion with a first top surface lower than the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode over the gate dielectric; a deep source/drain region adjacent the gate electrode; a silicide region over the deep source/drain region; and an elevated metallized source/drain region between the silicide region and the gate electrode. The elevated metallized source/drain region adjoins the silicide region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a top surface; a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate; and a stressor in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the gate stack. The stressor comprises at least a first portion with a first top surface lower than the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device providing reduced short channel effects is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate comprising a first material; forming at least one gate stack over the substrate; forming one or more recesses in the substrate, wherein the one or more recesses define at least one source region and at least one drain region; and forming a pocket, a first layer comprising a second material, and a second layer comprising a third material in the one or more recesses, the pocket being disposed between the first layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS transistor, having localized stressors is provided. Recesses are formed on opposing sides of gate electrodes such that the recesses are offset from the gate electrode by dummy spacers. The recesses are filled with a stress-inducing layer. The dummy recesses are removed and lightly-doped drains are formed. Thereafter, new spacers are formed and the stress-inducing layer is recessed. One or more additional implants may be performed to complete source/drain regions. In an embodiment, the PMOS transistor may be formed on the same substrate as one or more NMOS transistors. Dual etch stop layers may also be formed over the PMOS and/or the NMOS transistors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus of fluorine passivation in IC device fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate and passivating a surface of the substrate with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and alcohol to form a fluorine-passivated surface. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer over the fluorine-passivated surface, and then forming a metal gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer. A semiconductor device fabricated by such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes chemically cleaning a surface of a substrate to form a chemical oxide material on the surface. At least a portion of the chemical oxide material is removed at a removing rate of about 2 nanometer/minute (nm/min) or less. Thereafter, a gate dielectric layer is formed over the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a tensile strained NMOS and a compressive strained PMOS transistor pair, wherein a stressor material is sacrificial is disclosed. The method provides for a substrate, which includes a source/drain for an NMOS transistor, and a PMOS transistor. A first barrier layer is formed on the substrate and a first stressor material is formed on the first barrier layer. The first barrier layer is selectively removed from the PMOS transistor. The substrate is flash annealed and the remaining first stressor material and barrier layer is removed from the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus of fluorine passivation in IC device fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate and passivating a surface of the substrate with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and alcohol to form a fluorine-passivated surface. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer over the fluorine-passivated surface, and then forming a metal gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer. A semiconductor device fabricated by such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS transistor, having localized stressors is provided. Recesses are formed on opposing sides of gate electrodes such that the recesses are offset from the gate electrode by dummy spacers. The recesses are filled with a stress-inducing layer. The dummy recesses are removed and lightly-doped drains are formed. Thereafter, new spacers are formed and the stress-inducing layer is recessed. One or more additional implants may be performed to complete source/drain regions. In an embodiment, the PMOS transistor may be formed on the same substrate as one or more NMOS transistors. Dual etch stop layers may also be formed over the PMOS and/or the NMOS transistors.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device providing reduced short channel effects is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate comprising a first material; forming at least one gate stack over the substrate; forming one or more recesses in the substrate, wherein the one or more recesses define at least one source region and at least one drain region; and forming a pocket, a first layer comprising a second material, and a second layer comprising a third material in the one or more recesses, the pocket being disposed between the first layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS transistor, having localized stressors is provided. Recesses are formed on opposing sides of gate electrodes such that the recesses are offset from the gate electrode by dummy spacers. The recesses are filled with a stress-inducing layer. The dummy recesses are removed and lightly-doped drains are formed. Thereafter, new spacers are formed and the stress-inducing layer is recessed. One or more additional implants may be performed to complete source/drain regions. In an embodiment, the PMOS transistor may be formed on the same substrate as one or more NMOS transistors. Dual etch stop layers may also be formed over the PMOS and/or the NMOS transistors.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a tensile strained NMOS and a compressive strained PMOS transistor pair, wherein a stressor material is sacrificial is disclosed. The method provides for a substrate, which includes a source/drain for an NMOS transistor, and a PMOS transistor. A first barrier layer is formed on the substrate and a first stressor material is formed on the first barrier layer. The first barrier layer is selectively removed from the PMOS transistor. The substrate is flash annealed and the remaining first stressor material and barrier layer is removed from the substrate.