Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming a first layer cap at ends of layers of first channel material in a stack of alternating layers of first channel material and second channel material. A second layer cap is formed at ends of the layers of second channel material. The first layer caps are etched away in a first device region. The second layer caps are etched away in a second device region. First source/drain regions are grown in the first device region from exposed ends of the layers of the first channel material. Second source/drain regions are grown in the second device region from exposed ends of the layers of the second channel material.

Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor chip (100) is provided, in which, during a growth process for growing a first semiconductor layer (1), an inhomogeneous lateral temperature distribution is created along at least one direction of extent of the growing first semiconductor layer (1), such that a lateral variation of a material composition of the first semiconductor layer (1) is produced. A semiconductor chip (100) is additionally provided.

Abstract: A stacked nanowire field effect transistor (FET) including a plurality of vertically stacked nanowire channels. Each nanowire channel is vertically separated from one another by sacrificial segment. A gate stack is on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack includes a conductive element that wraps around the nanowire channels. Source/drain regions are on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The source/drain regions directly contact the ends of the nanowire channel. The stacked nanowire FET further includes nanowire channel spacers that encapsulate the ends of the nanowire channel such that the source/drain regions are separated from the gate stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate stack arranged about a first nanowire and a second nanowire, the first nanowire is arranged above a second nanowire, the first nanowire is connected to a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. A second gate stack is arranged about a third nanowire and a fourth nanowire, the third nanowire is arranged above a fourth nanowire, the third nanowire is connected to a third source/drain region and a fourth source/drain region. An insulator layer having a first thickness is arranged adjacent to the first gate stack.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of making the same include forming a stack of alternating layers of channel material and sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is etched away to free the layers of channel material. A gate stack is formed around the layers of channel material. At least one layer of channel material is deactivated. Source and drain regions are formed in contact with the at least one layer of active channel material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a device isolation region configured to define an active region in a substrate, an active gate structure disposed in the active region, and a field gate structure disposed in the device isolation region. The field gate structure may include a gate conductive layer. The active gate structure may include an upper active gate structure including a gate conductive layer and a lower active gate structure formed under the upper active gate structure and vertically spaced apart from the upper active gate structure. The lower active gate structure may include a gate conductive layer. A top surface of the gate conductive layer of the field gate structure is located at a lower level than a bottom surface of the gate conductive layer of the upper active gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a nanowire arranged over a substrate, a gate stack arranged around the nanowire, a spacer arranged along a sidewall of the gate stack, a cavity defined by a distal end of the nanowire and the spacer, and a source/drain region partially disposed in the cavity and in contact with the distal end of the nanowire.

Abstract: A method for forming active regions of a semiconductor device comprising forming a nanosheet stack on a substrate, forming the nanosheet stack comprising forming a sacrificial nanosheet layer on the substrate, and forming a nanosheet layer on the sacrificial nanosheet layer, forming an etch stop layer on the nanosheet stack, forming a mandrel layer on the etch stop layer, removing portions of the mandrel layer to form a mandrel on the etch stop layer, forming sidewalls adjacent to sidewalls of the mandrel, depositing a fill layer on exposed portions of the etch stop layer, removing the sidewalls and removing exposed portions of the etch stop layer and the nanosheet stack to expose portions of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer having a buried oxide layer. The buried oxide layer includes therein opposing etch barrier regions and a gate region between the etch barrier regions. The semiconductor device further includes at least one nanowire having a channel portion interposed between opposing source/drain portions. The channel portion is suspended in the gate region. A gate electrode is formed in the gate region, and completely surrounds all surfaces of the suspended nanowire. The buried oxide layer comprises a first electrical insulating material, and the etch barrier regions comprising a second electrical insulating material different from the first electrical insulating material.

Abstract: A multiple heat source-type preheating device for a machining apparatus is provided. The multiple heat source-type preheating device for a machining apparatus includes a first heat source provision module and a second heat source provision module. The first heat source provision module is installed to be moved along a portion of a material to be machined along with a spindle adapted to rotate a tool at high speed, and is configured to preheat the portion of the material to be machined by providing a heat source thereto. The second heat source provision module is installed to be moved along with the first heat source provision module, and is configured to preheat the portion of the material to be machined by providing a heat source thereto while preceding or following the first heat source provision module.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a nanowire arranged over a substrate, a gate stack arranged around the nanowire, a spacer arranged along a sidewall of the gate stack, a cavity defined by a distal end of the nanowire and the spacer, and a source/drain region partially disposed in the cavity and in contact with the distal end of the nanowire.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, the resulting structure, and a method for using the resulting structure. A substrate is provided. A hard mask layer is patterned over at least a portion of the substrate. Regions of the substrate not protected by the hard mask are doped to form a source region and a drain region. The hard mask layer is removed. A dielectric layer is deposited on the substrate. An insulative layer is deposited on the dielectric layer. A nano-channel is created by etching a portion of the insulative layer which passes over the source region and the drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer having a buried oxide layer. The buried oxide layer includes therein opposing etch barrier regions and a gate region between the etch barrier regions. The semiconductor device further includes at least one nanowire having a channel portion interposed between opposing source/drain portions. The channel portion is suspended in the gate region. A gate electrode is formed in the gate region, and completely surrounds all surfaces of the suspended nanowire. The buried oxide layer comprises a first electrical insulating material, and the etch barrier regions comprising a second electrical insulating material different from the first electrical insulating material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a device isolation region configured to define an active region in a substrate, an active gate structure disposed in the active region, and a field gate structure disposed in the device isolation region. The field gate structure may include a gate conductive layer. The active gate structure may include an upper active gate structure including a gate conductive layer and a lower active gate structure formed under the upper active gate structure and vertically spaced apart from the upper active gate structure. The lower active gate structure may include a gate conductive layer. A top surface of the gate conductive layer of the field gate structure is located at a lower level than a bottom surface of the gate conductive layer of the upper active gate structure.

Abstract: The plasma-assisted method of precise alignment and pre-bonding for microstructure of glass and quartz microchip belongs to micromachining and bonding technologies of the microchip. The steps of which are as follows: photoresist and chromium layers on glass or quartz microchip are completely removed followed by sufficient cleaning of the surface with nonionic surfactant and quantities of ultra-pure water. Then the surface treatment is proceeded for an equipping surface with high hydrophily with the usage of plasma cleaning device. Under the drying condition, the precise alignment is accomplished through moving substrate and cover plate after being washed with the help of microscope observation. Further on, to achieve precise alignment and pre-bonding of the microstructure of glass and quartz microchip, a minute quantity of ultrapure water is instilled into a limbic crevice for adhesion, and entire water is completely wiped out by vacuum drying following sufficient squeezing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for stress memorization techniques and transistor devices prepared by such methods. In one illustrative embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method involving fabricating an NMOS transistor device having a substrate and a gate structure disposed over the substrate, the substrate having a channel region underlying, at least partially, the gate structure, the fabricating involving: performing a nitrogen ion implantation process by implanting nitrogen ions into the substrate to thereby form a stress region in the substrate, the stress region separated by the channel region, wherein the stress region has a stress region depth; forming a capping material layer above the NMOS transistor device; and, with the capping material layer in position, performing a stress forming anneal process to thereby form stacking faults in the stress region. In another embodiment, an amorphization ion implantation is performed prior to, after or along with the nitrogen ion implantation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer having a buried oxide layer. The buried oxide layer includes therein opposing etch barrier regions and a gate region between the etch barrier regions. The semiconductor device further includes at least one nanowire having a channel portion interposed between opposing source/drain portions. The channel portion is suspended in the gate region. A gate electrode is formed in the gate region, and completely surrounds all surfaces of the suspended nanowire. The buried oxide layer comprises a first electrical insulating material, and the etch barrier regions comprising a second electrical insulating material different from the first electrical insulating material.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including a circuit region and a scribe lane region, an active fin protruding from the substrate in the circuit region, a first gate structure extending over the active fin in the circuit region, and a second gate structure formed in the scribe lane region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first fin-shaped silicon layer on a substrate and a second fin-shaped silicon layer on the substrate, each corresponding to the dimensions of a sidewall pattern around a dummy pattern. A silicide in upper portions of n-type and p-type diffusion layers in the upper portions of the first and second fin-shaped silicon layers. A metal gate line is connected to first and second metal gate electrodes and extends in a direction perpendicular to the first fin-shaped silicon layer and the second fin-shaped silicon layer. A first contact is in direct contact with the n-type diffusion layer in the upper portion of the first pillar-shaped silicon layer, and a second contact is in direct contact with the p-type diffusion layer in the upper portion of the second pillar-shaped silicon layer.

Abstract: A two terminal device which can be used for the rectification of the current. Internally it has a regenerative coupling between MOS gates of opposite type and probe regions. This regenerative coupling allows to achieve performance better than that of ideal diode.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating a graphene structure, there is formed on a fabrication substrate a pattern of a plurality of distinct graphene catalyst materials. In one graphene synthesis step, different numbers of graphene layers are formed on the catalyst materials in the formed pattern. In a method for fabricating a graphene transistor, on a fabrication substrate at least one graphene catalyst material is provided at a substrate region specified for synthesizing a graphene transistor channel and at least one graphene catalyst material is provided at a substrate region specified for synthesizing a graphene transistor source, and at a substrate region specified for synthesizing a graphene transistor drain. Then in one graphene synthesis step, at least one layer of graphene is formed at the substrate region for the graphene transistor channel, and at the regions for the transistor source and drain there are formed a plurality of layers of graphene.

Abstract: Merged active devices on a common substrate are presented. Methods for operating and fabricating such merged active devices are also presented.

Abstract: Some structures and methods to reduce power consumption in devices can be implemented largely by reusing existing bulk CMOS process flows and manufacturing technology, allowing the semiconductor industry as well as the broader electronics industry to avoid a costly and risky switch to alternative technologies. Some of the structures and methods relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced sVT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. Additional structures, configurations, and methods presented herein can be used alone or in conjunction with the DDC to yield additional and different benefits.

Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor having a photodiode and a first transistor in a sensor region and located in a first substrate, with the first transistor electrically coupled to the photodiode. The image sensor has logic circuits formed in a second substrate. The second substrate is stacked on the first substrate and the logic circuits are coupled to the first transistor through bonding pads, the bonding pads disposed outside of the sensor region.

Abstract: A device and method for fabrication includes providing a first substrate assembly including a first substrate and a first metal layer formed on the first substrate and a second substrate assembly including a second substrate and a second metal layer formed on the second substrate. The first metal layer is joined to the second metal layer using a cold welding process wherein one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes a semiconductor channel layer for forming a transistor device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for fabricating a complementary tunneling field effect transistor based on a standard CMOS IC process, which belongs to the field of logic devices and circuits of field effect transistors in ultra large scaled integrated (ULSI) circuits. In the method, an intrinsic channel and body region of a TFET are formed by means of complementary P-well and N-well masks in the standard CMOS IC process to form a well doping, a channel doping and a threshold adjustment by implantation. Further, a bipolar effect in the TFET can be inhibited via a distance between a gate and a drain on a layout so that a complementary TFET is formed. In the method according to the invention, the complementary tunneling field effect transistor (TFET) can be fabricated by virtue of existing processes in the standard CMOS IC process without any additional masks and process steps.

Abstract: A CMOS SGT manufacturing method includes a step of forming first and second fin-shaped silicon layers on a substrate, forming a first insulating film around the first and second fin-shaped silicon layers, and forming first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers; a step of forming n-type diffusion layers; a step of forming p-type diffusion layers; a step of forming a gate insulating film and first and second polysilicon gate electrodes; a step of forming a silicide in upper portions of the diffusion layers in upper portions of the first and second fin-shaped silicon layers; and a step of depositing an interlayer insulating film, exposing the first and second polysilicon gate electrodes, etching the first and second polysilicon gate electrodes, and then depositing a metal to form first and second metal gate electrodes.

Abstract: A device and method for device fabrication includes forming a buried gate electrode in a dielectric substrate and patterning a stack that includes a high dielectric constant layer, a carbon-based semi-conductive layer and a protection layer over the buried gate electrode. An isolation dielectric layer formed over the stack is opened to define recesses in regions adjacent to the stack. The recesses are etched to form cavities and remove a portion of the high dielectric constant layer to expose the carbon-based semi-conductive layer on opposite sides of the buried gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited in the cavities to form self-aligned source and drain regions.

Abstract: A silicon/carbon alloy may be formed in drain and source regions, wherein another portion may be provided as an in situ doped material with a reduced offset with respect to the gate electrode material. For this purpose, in one illustrative embodiment, a cyclic epitaxial growth process including a plurality of growth/etch cycles may be used at low temperatures in an ultra-high vacuum ambient, thereby obtaining a substantially bottom to top fill behavior.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor layer; a charge accumulation region configured to be formed inside the semiconductor layer and serve as part of a photodiode; and a reflective surface configured to be disposed inside or under the charge accumulation region and be so formed as to reflect light that has passed through the charge accumulation region and direct the light toward a center part of the charge accumulation region.

Abstract: A system in package and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. The system in package comprises a laminate body having a substrate arranged inside a laminate body. A semiconductor die is embedded in the laminate body and the semiconductor is bonded to contact pads of the substrate by help of a sintered bonding layer, which is made from a sinter paste. Lamination of the substrate and further layers providing the laminate body and sintering of the sinter paste may be performed in a single and common curing step.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a channel region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric disposed on the channel region and a drift region disposed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the channel region. The apparatus can further include a field plate having an end portion disposed between a top surface of the semiconductor substrate and the gate dielectric The end portion can include a surface in contact with the gate dielectric, the surface having a first portion aligned along a first plane non-parallel to a second plane along which a second portion of the surface is aligned, the first plane being non-parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second plane being non-parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A production method for a liquid crystal display device having a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) including reflection sections disposed to correspond to a plurality of pixels includes: a step of forming on a substrate a metal layer having apertures; a step of forming a semiconductor layer on the metal layer; a step of forming a protection layer on the semiconductor layer; a step of forming a resist layer on the protection layer; a photolithography step of irradiating the resist layer with light through the metal layer to pattern the protection layer by photolithography technique; and a step of stacking a reflective layer on the patterned protection layer. A plurality of bumps are formed from the protection layer in the photolithography step, and a plurality of bumps corresponding to the plurality of bumps of the protection layer are formed on the reflective layer.

Abstract: An approach for controlling a critical dimension (CD) of a RMG of a semiconductor device is provided. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention allow for CD consistency between a dummy gate and a subsequent RMG. In a typical embodiment, a dummy gate having a cap layer is formed over a substrate. A re-oxide layer is then formed over the substrate and around the dummy gate. A set of doping implants will then be implanted in the substrate, and the re-oxide layer will subsequently be removed (after the set of doping implants have been implanted). A set of spacers will then be formed along a set of side walls of the dummy gate and an epitaxial layer will be formed around the set of side walls. Thereafter, the dummy gate will be replaced with a metal gate (e.g., an aluminum or tungsten body having a high-k metal liner there-around).

Abstract: In one implementation, a chemical sensor is described. The chemical sensor includes a chemically-sensitive field effect transistor including a floating gate conductor having an upper surface. A dielectric material defines an opening extending to the upper surface of the floating gate conductor. A conductive element on a sidewall of the opening and extending over an upper surface of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A sensor array for detecting particles, the sensor array comprising a substrate having a plurality of holes, a plurality of electronic sensor chips each having a sensor active region being sensitive to the presence of particles to be detected, and an electric contacting structure adapted for electrically contacting the plurality of electronic sensor chips, wherein the plurality of electronic sensor chips and/or the electric contacting structure are connected to the substrate in such a manner that the plurality of holes in combination with the plurality of electronic sensor chips and/or the electric contacting structure form a plurality of wells with integrated particle sensors.

Abstract: An array substrate for an IPS mode LCD device comprises a substrate; a gate line along a first direction; a data line along a second direction; a TFT connected to the gate and data lines; a common electrode having a plate shape on the substrate and formed of a first transparent conductive material; and a pixel electrode formed of a second transparent conductive material on the common electrode and including first and second portions and a plurality of third portions combining the first portion with the second portion. The first and second portions are parallel to the second direction and separated from each other and the plurality of third portions are oblique to the first and second portions and separated from one another.

Abstract: Embodiments include semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrates having SOI layers strained by oxidation of the base substrate layer and methods of forming the same. The method may include forming a strained channel region in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate including a buried insulator (BOX) layer above a base substrate layer and a SOI layer above the BOX layer by first etching the SOI layer and the BOX layer to form a first isolation recess region and a second isolation recess region. A portion of the SOI layer between the first isolation recess region and the second isolation recess region defines a channel region in the SOI layer. A portion of the base substrate layer below the first isolation recess region and below the second isolation recess region may then be oxidized to form a first oxide region and a second oxide region, respectively, that apply compressive strain to the channel region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: irradiating a growth substrate with laser light to focus the laser light into a prescribed position inside a crystal for a semiconductor device or inside the growth substrate, the crystal for the semiconductor device being formed on a first major surface of the growth substrate; moving the laser light in a direction parallel to the first major surface; and peeling off a thin layer including the crystal for the semiconductor device from the growth substrate, a wavelength of the laser light being longer than an absorption end wavelength of the crystal for the semiconductor device or the growth substrate, the laser light being irradiated inside a crystal for the semiconductor device or inside the growth substrate.

Abstract: A capping layer may be deposited over the active channel of a thin film transistor (TFT) in order to protect the active channel from contamination. The capping layer may affect the performance of the TFT. If the capping layer contains too much hydrogen, nitrogen, or oxygen, the threshold voltage, sub threshold slope, and mobility of the TFT may be negatively impacted. By controlling the ratio of the flow rates of the nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen containing gases, the performance of the TFT may be optimized. Additionally, the power density, capping layer deposition pressure, and the temperature may also be controlled to optimize the TFT performance.

Abstract: A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer having a first band gap, and a second III-V compound layer having a second band gap over the first III-V compound layer. The second band gap is greater than the first band gap. A crystalline interfacial layer is overlying and in contact with the second III-V compound layer. A gate dielectric is over the crystalline interfacial layer. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric. A source region and a drain region are over the second III-V compound layer, and are on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: Transistor devices having a self-aligned gate structure on transparent substrates and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a transistor device includes the following steps. A channel material is formed on a transparent substrate. Source and drain electrodes are formed in contact with the channel material. A dielectric layer is deposited on the channel material. A photoresist is deposited on the dielectric layer and developed using UV light exposure through the transparent substrate. A gate metal(s) is deposited on the exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the undeveloped portions of the photoresist. The undeveloped portions of the photoresist are removed along with portions of the gate metal over the source and drain regions to form a gate of the device on the dielectric layer over the channel material which is self-aligned to the source and drain electrodes.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices, replacement gate approaches may be applied in combination with a process strategy for implementing a strain-inducing semiconductor material, wherein superior proximity of the strain-inducing semiconductor material and/or superior robustness of the replacement gate approach may be achieved by forming the initial gate electrode structures with superior uniformity and providing at least one cavity for implementing the strained channel regions in a very advanced manufacturing stage, i.e., after completing the basic transistor configuration.

Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure. A semiconductor device includes a first transistor, which includes a channel formation region provided in a substrate including a semiconductor material, impurity regions, a first gate insulating layer, a first gate electrode, and a first source electrode and a first drain electrode, and a second transistor, which includes an oxide semiconductor layer over the substrate including the semiconductor material, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode, a second gate insulating layer, and a second gate electrode. The second source electrode and the second drain electrode include an oxide region formed by oxidizing a side surface thereof, and at least one of the first gate electrode, the first source electrode, and the first drain electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the second gate electrode, the second source electrode, and the second drain electrode.

Abstract: A CMOS SGT manufacturing method includes a step of forming first and second fin-shaped silicon layers on a substrate, forming a first insulating film around the first and second fin-shaped silicon layers, and forming first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers; a step of forming n-type diffusion layers; a step of forming p-type diffusion layers; a step of forming a gate insulating film and first and second polysilicon gate electrodes; a step of forming a silicide in upper portions of the diffusion layers in upper portions of the first and second fin-shaped silicon layers; and a step of depositing an interlayer insulating film, exposing the first and second polysilicon gate electrodes, etching the first and second polysilicon gate electrodes, and then depositing a metal to form first and second metal gate electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method therefor, wherein, during lift-off, no cracks due to internal stresses occur in the compound semiconductor layer. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a structure in which a semiconductor layer is bonded on a supporting substrate, including: a device region formation step of forming a device region including the semiconductor layer on a growth substrate through a lift-off layer; a columnar member formation step of forming a columnar member on the growth substrate; a bonding step of bonding the tops of the semiconductor layer and the columnar member to a supporting substrate; a lift-off step of separating the bottom face of the semiconductor layer from the growth substrate by removing the lift-off layer, and not separating the columnar member from the growth substrate; and a step of separating the columnar member from the supporting substrate.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an integral imaging device, a layer of curable adhesive is first applied on a flexible substrate and half cured such that the curable adhesive is solidified but is capable of deforming under external forces. Then the curable adhesive is printed into a lenticular lens having a predetermined shape and size using a roll-to-roll processing device and fully cured such that the curable adhesive is capable of withstanding external forces to hold the predetermined shape and size. Last, a light emitting diode display is applied on the flexible substrate opposite to the lenticular lens such that an image plane of the light emitting diode display coincides with a focal plane of the lenticular lens.

Abstract: A method of forming a transistor structure is provided. The method includes forming a graphene layer on an insulating layer; forming a stack of a first metal portion and a second metal portion over the graphene layer, wherein sidewalls of the first metal portion are vertically coincident with sidewalls of the second metal portion; and laterally offsetting the sidewalls of the first metal portion relative to the sidewalls of the second metal portion by a lateral distance.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device in which a plurality of pixels is two-dimensionally arranged in a pixel region. Each of the pixels is formed in an island-shaped semiconductor. In this island-shaped semiconductor, a signal line N+ region and a P region are formed from the bottom. On an upper side surface of this P region, an N region and a P+ region are formed from an inner side of the island-shaped semiconductor. Above the P region, a P+ region is formed. By setting the P+ region and the P+ region to have a low-level voltage and setting the signal line N+ region to have a high-level voltage that is higher than the low-level voltage, signal charges accumulated in the N region are discharged to the signal line N+ region via the P region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming nickel-silicide. The method may include depositing first and second metal layers over at least one of a gate, a source, and a drain region of a field-effect-transistor (FET) through a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, wherein the first metal layer is deposited using a first nickel target material containing platinum (Pt), and the second metal layer is deposited on top of the first metal layer using a second nickel target material containing no or less platinum than that in the first nickel target material; and annealing the first and second metal layers covering the FET to form a platinum-containing nickel-silicide layer at a top surface of the gate, source, and drain regions.