Abstract: A semiconductor substrate having a main surface, first and second floating gates formed spaced apart from each other on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, first and second control gates respectively located on the first and second floating gates, a first insulation film formed on the first control gate, a second insulation film formed on the second control gate to contact the first insulation film, and a gap portion formed at least between the first floating gate and the second floating gate by achieving contact between the first insulation film and the second insulation film are included. With this, a function of a nonvolatile semiconductor device can be ensured and a variation in a threshold voltage of a floating gate can be suppressed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for semiconductor device having metal gate includes providing a substrate having a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device formed thereon, the first semiconductor device having a first gate trench and the second semiconductor device having a second gate trench; sequentially forming a high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric layer and a multiple metal layer on the substrate; forming a first work function metal layer in the first gate trench; performing a first pull back step to remove a portion of the first work function metal layer from the first gate trench; forming a second work function metal layer in the first gate trench and the second gate trench; and performing a second pull back step to remove a portion of the second work function metal layer from the first gate trench and the second gate trench.

Abstract: A method for enabling fabrication of RMG devices having a low gate height variation and a substantially planar topography and resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: providing on a substrate two dummy gate electrodes, each between a pair of spacers; providing a source/drain region between the two dummy gate electrodes; and forming a first nitride layer over the two dummy gate electrodes and the source/drain region, wherein the first nitride layer comprises a first portion over the dummy gate electrodes and a second portion over the source/drain region, and the second portion has an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the dummy gate electrodes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to integrated circuit fabrication, and more particularly to a metal gate structure. An exemplary structure for a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising an isolation region separating and surrounding both a P-active region and an N-active region; a P-work function metal layer in a P-gate structure over the P-active region, wherein the P-work function metal layer comprises a first bottom portion and first sidewalls, wherein the first bottom portion comprises a first layer of metallic compound with a first thickness; and an N-work function metal layer in an N-gate structure over the N-active region, wherein the N-work function metal layer comprises a second bottom portion and second sidewalls, wherein the second bottom portion comprises a second layer of the metallic compound with a second thickness less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first gate pattern and a dummy gate pattern on a first active area and a second active area of a substrate, respectively, the first gate pattern including a first gate insulating layer and a silicon gate electrode, removing the dummy gate pattern to expose a surface of the substrate in the second active area, forming a second gate pattern including a second gate insulating layer and a metal gate electrode on the exposed surface of the substrate, the first gate insulating layer having a thickness larger than a thickness of the second gate insulating layer, and forming a gate silicide on the silicon gate electrode after forming the second gate pattern.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a capacitance type tri-axial accelerometer comprises of preparing a wafer having an upper layer, an intermediate layer and a lower layer, etching the lower layer of the wafer to form an isolated proof mass having a core and four segments extending from the core, etching the upper layer of the wafer to form a suspension and four separating plates, etching away a portion of the intermediate layer located between the four segments of the proof mass and the plates of the upper layer, and disposing an electrical conducting means to pass through the intermediate layer from the suspension to the core of the proof mass.

Abstract: A device isolation region is made of a silicon oxide film embedded in a trench, an upper portion thereof is protruded from a semiconductor substrate, and a sidewall insulating film made of silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride is formed on a sidewall of a portion of the device isolation region which is protruded from the semiconductor substrate. A gate insulating film of a MISFET is made of an Hf-containing insulating film containing hafnium, oxygen and an element for threshold reduction as main components, and a gate electrode that is a metal gate electrode extends on an active region, the sidewall insulating film and the device isolation region. The element for threshold reduction is a rare earth or Mg when the MISFET is an n-channel MISFET, and the element for threshold reduction is Al, Ti or Ta when the MISFET is a p-channel MISFET.

Abstract: An element using a semiconductor layer is formed between wiring layers and, at the same time, a gate electrode is formed using a conductive material other than a material for wirings. A first wiring is embedded in a surface of a first wiring layer. A gate electrode is formed over the first wiring. The gate electrode is coupled to the first wiring. The gate electrode is formed by a process different from a process for the first wiring. Therefore, the gate electrode can be formed using a material other than a material for the first wiring. Further, a gate insulating film and a semiconductor layer are formed over the gate electrode.

Abstract: A substrate is provided, having formed thereon a first region and a second region of a complementary type to the first region. A gate dielectric is deposited over the substrate, and a first full metal gate stack is deposited over the gate dielectric. The first full metal gate stack is removed over the first region to produce a resulting structure. Over the resulting structure, a second full metal gate stack is deposited, in contact with the gate dielectric over the first region. The first and second full metal gate stacks are encapsulated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide dual workfunction semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing thereof. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate containing first and second device regions, depositing a dielectric film on the substrate, and forming a first metal-containing gate electrode film on the dielectric film, wherein a thickness of the first metal-containing gate electrode film is less over the first device region than over the second device region. The method further includes depositing a second metal-containing gate electrode film on the first metal-containing gate electrode film, patterning the second metal-containing gate electrode film, the first metal-containing gate electrode film, and the dielectric film to form a first gate stack above the first device region and a second gate stack above the second device region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming a replacement gate structure with a gate electrode comprised of a deposited intermetallic compound material. In one example, the method includes removing at least a sacrificial gate electrode structure to define a gate cavity, forming a gate insulation layer in the gate cavity, performing a deposition process to deposit an intermetallic compound material in the gate cavity above the gate insulation layer, and performing at least one process operation to remove portions of intermetallic compound material positioned outside of the gate cavity.

Abstract: A transistor is fabricated by removing a polysilicon gate over a doped region of a substrate and forming a mask layer over the substrate such that the doped region is exposed through a hole within the mask layer. An interfacial layer is deposited on top and side surfaces of the mask layer and on a top surface of the doped region. A layer adapted to reduce a threshold voltage of the transistor and/or reduce a thickness of an inversion layer of the transistor is deposited on the interfacial layer. The layer includes metal, such as aluminum or lanthanum, which diffuses into the interfacial layer, and also includes oxide, such as hafnium oxide. A conductive plug, such as a metal plug, is formed within the hole of the mask layer. The interfacial layer, the layer on the interfacial layer, and the conductive plug are a replacement gate of the transistor.

Abstract: In a replacement gate approach in sophisticated semiconductor devices, the placeholder material of gate electrode structures of different type are separately removed. Furthermore, electrode metal may be selectively formed in the resulting gate opening, thereby providing superior process conditions in adjusting a respective work function of gate electrode structures of different type. In one illustrative embodiment, the separate forming of gate openings in gate electrode structures of different type may be based on a mask material that is provided in a gate layer stack.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating an integrated circuit that includes metal filled narrow openings. In accordance with one embodiment a method includes forming a dummy gate overlying a semiconductor substrate and subsequently removing the dummy gate to form a narrow opening. A layer of high dielectric constant insulator and a layer of work function-determining material are deposited overlying the semiconductor substrate. The layer of work function-determining material is exposed to a nitrogen ambient in a first chamber. A layer of titanium is deposited into the narrow opening in the first chamber in the presence of the nitrogen ambient to cause the first portion of the layer of titanium to be nitrided. The deposition of titanium continues, and the remaining portion of the layer of titanium is deposited as substantially pure titanium. Aluminum is deposited overlying the layer of titanium to fill the narrow opening and to form a gate electrode.

Abstract: SRAM ICs and methods for their fabrication are provided. One method includes depositing photoresist on a first oxide layer overlying a silicon substrate, forming a pattern of locations, using said photoresist, for the formation of two inverters, each having a pull up transistor, a pull down transistor, and a pass gate transistor on said oxide layer. The method involves anisotropically etching U-shaped channels in the oxide layer corresponding to pattern, and thereafter isotropically etching U-shaped channels in the silicon layer to form saddle-shaped fins in the silicon. A second oxide layer is deposited over the saddle-shaped fins, and a first metal layer is deposited over the second oxide layer. A contact metal layer is formed over the first metal layer and planarized to form local interconnections coupling the gate electrodes of one inverter to a node between the pull up and pull down transistors of the other inverter and to a source/drain of one of the pass gate transistors.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a semiconductor substrate having an upper surface with a source region and drain region proximate thereto. A channel region is disposed in the substrate between the source region and the drain region. A gate electrode is disposed over the channel region and separated from the channel region by a gate dielectric. Sidewall spacers are formed about opposing sidewalls of the gate electrode. Upper outer edges of the sidewall spacers extend outward beyond corresponding lower outer edges of the sidewall spacers. A liner is disposed about opposing sidewalls of the sidewall spacers and has a first thickness at an upper portion of liner and a second thickness at a lower portion of the liner. The first thickness is less than the second thickness. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to sophisticated semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same, wherein the pitch between adjacent gate electrodes is aggressively scaled, and wherein self-aligning contact elements may be utilized to avoid the high electrical resistance levels commonly associated with narrow contact elements formed using typically available photolithography techniques. One illustrative embodiment includes forming first and second gate electrode structures above a semiconductor substrate, then forming a first layer of a first dielectric material adjacent to or in contact with the sidewalls of each of the first and second gate electrode structures.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a temporary gate structure on a semiconductor substrate. The temporary gate structure includes a temporary gate material disposed between two spacer structures. The method further includes forming a first directional silicon nitride liner overlying the temporary gate structure and the semiconductor substrate, etching the first directional silicon nitride liner overlying the temporary gate structure and the temporary gate material to form a trench between the spacer structures, while leaving the directional silicon nitride liner overlying the semiconductor substrate in place, and forming a replacement metal gate structure in the trench.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods for depositing metal-containing materials and compositions thereof. The methods include deposition processes that form metal, metal carbide, metal silicide, metal nitride, and metal carbide derivatives by a vapor deposition process, including thermal decomposition, CVD, pulsed-CVD, or ALD.

Abstract: Method of forming transistor devices is disclosed that includes forming a first layer of high-k insulating material and a sacrificial protection layer above first and second active regions, removing the first layer of insulating material and the protection layer from above the second active region, removing the protection layer from above the first layer of insulating material positioned above the first active region, forming a second layer of high-k insulating material above the first layer of insulating material and the second active region, forming a layer of metal above the second layer of insulating material, and removing portions of the first and second layers of insulating material and the metal layer to form a first gate stack (comprised of the first and second layers of high-k material and the layer of metal) and a second gate stack (comprised of the second layer of high-k material and the layer of metal).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The method includes receiving a semiconductor device. The method also includes forming a step-forming-hard-mask (SFHM) on the MG stack in a predetermined area on the semiconductor substrate, performing MG recessing, depositing a MG hard mask over the semiconductor substrate and recessing the MG hard mask to fully remove the MG hard mask from the MG stack in the predetermined area.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques for enhancing device (e.g., transistor) performance are provided herein. In one embodiment, device performance is enhanced by forming an extended dummy region at an edge of a region of a device and forming an active region at a non-edge of the region. Limitations associated with semiconductor fabrication processing present in the extended dummy region more so than in non-edge regions. Accordingly, a device exhibiting enhanced performance is formed by connecting a gate to the active region, where the active region has a desired profile because it is comprised within a non-edge of the region. A dummy device (e.g., that may be less responsive) may be formed to include the extended dummy region, where the extended dummy region has a less than desired profile due to limitations associated with semiconductor fabrication processing, for example.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating a FINFET integrated circuit that includes epitaxially growing a first silicon germanium layer and a second silicon layer overlying a silicon substrate. The second silicon layer is etched to form a silicon fin using the first silicon germanium layer as an etch stop. The first silicon germanium layer underlying the fin is removed to form a void underlying the fin and the void is filled with an insulating material. A gate structure is then formed overlying the fin.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode structure includes an insulating layer of a dielectric material on the semiconductor substrate, an oxygen barrier layer on the insulating layer, and a tungsten (W) metal layer on the oxygen barrier layer. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating the device.

Abstract: A method of forming multiple different width dimension features simultaneously. The method includes forming multiple sidewall spacers of different widths formed from different combinations of conformal layers on different mandrels, removing the mandrels, and simultaneously transferring the pattern of the different sidewall spacers into an underlying layer.

Abstract: Methods for forming thin metal and semi-metal layers by thermal remote oxygen scavenging are described. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an oxide layer containing a metal or a semi-metal on a substrate, where the semi-metal excludes silicon, forming a diffusion layer on the oxide layer, forming an oxygen scavenging layer on the diffusion layer, and performing an anneal that reduces the oxide layer to a corresponding metal or semi-metal layer by oxygen diffusion from the oxide layer to the oxygen scavenging layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor manufacturing. The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which comprises: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an interface layer, a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode on the substrate; forming a metal oxygen absorption layer on the gate electrode; performing a thermal annealing process on the semiconductor device so that the metal oxygen absorption layer absorbs oxygen in the interface layer and the thickness of the interface layer is reduced. By means of the present invention, the thickness of the interface layer can be reduced on one hand, and on the other hand the metal in the metal oxygen absorption layer is made to diffuse into the gate electrode and/or the gate dielectric layer through the annealing process, which further achieves the effects of adjusting the effective work function and controlling the threshold voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power MOSFET device having a relatively low resistance hybrid gate electrode that enables good switching performance. In some embodiments, the power MOSFET device has a semiconductor body. An epitaxial layer is disposed on the semiconductor body. A hybrid gate electrode, which controls the flow of electrons between a source electrode and a drain electrode, is located within a trench extending into the epitaxial layer. The hybrid gate electrode has an inner region having a low resistance metal, an outer region having a polysilicon material, and a barrier region disposed between the inner region and the outer region. The low resistance of the inner region provides for a low resistance to the hybrid gate electrode that enables good switching performance for the power MOSFET device.

Abstract: The likelihood of forming silicon germanium abnormal growths, which can be undesirably formed on the gate electrode of a strained-channel PMOS transistor at the same time that silicon germanium source and drain regions are formed, is substantially reduced by using protection materials that reduce the likelihood that the gate electrode is exposed during the formation of the silicon germanium source and drain regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with bi-layer dislocation and method of fabricating the semiconductor device is disclosed. The exemplary semiconductor device and method for fabricating the semiconductor device enhance carrier mobility. The method includes providing a substrate having a gate stack. The method further includes performing a first pre-amorphous implantation process on the substrate and forming a first stress film over the substrate. The method also includes performing a first annealing process on the substrate and the first stress film. The method further includes performing a second pre-amorphous implantation process on the annealed substrate, forming a second stress film over the substrate and performing a second annealing process on the substrate and the second stress film.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed (FIGS. 1-2). The method comprises providing a substrate (200) having an isolation region (202) and etching a trench in the isolation region. A first conductive layer (214) is formed within the trench. A first transistor having a first conductivity type (n-channel) is formed at a face of the substrate. The first transistor has a gate (216) formed of the first conductive layer. A second transistor having a second conductivity type (p-channel) is formed at the face of the substrate. The second transistor has a gate (224) formed of the first conductive layer. The method further comprises replacing the first conductive layer of the first transistor with a first metal gate (132) and replacing the first conductive layer of the second transistor with a second metal gate (134).

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a primary side. A first pillar extends vertically with respect to the primary side of the substrate, the first pillar defining first and second conductive regions and a channel region that is provided between the first and second conductive regions. A first gate is provided over the channel region of the first pillar. A buried word line extends along a first direction below the first pillar, the buried word line configured to provide a first control signal to the first gate. A first interposer is coupled with the buried word line and the first gate to enable the first control signal to be applied to the first gate via the buried word line.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a semiconductor material and a gate dielectric having a high dielectric constant dielectric layer with a dielectric constant greater than silicon. The gate dielectric is located on the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode abuts the gate dielectric. The gate electrodes includes a lower metal layer abutting the gate dielectric, a scavenging metal layer abutting the lower metal layer, an upper metal layer abutting the scavenging metal layer, and a silicon layer abutting the upper metal layer. The scavenging metal layer reduces an oxidized layer at an interface between the upper metal layer and the silicon layer responsive to annealing.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. One method includes forming first and second FET trenches in an interlayer dielectric material on a semiconductor substrate. The first FET trench is partially filled with a first work function metal to define an inner cavity in the first FET trench. The first work function metal is a N-type work function metal or a P-type work function metal. The N-type work function metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, tantalum, hafnium, ytterbium silicide, erbium silicide, and titanium silicide. The P-type work function metal is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, and tungsten silicide. The inner cavity and the second FET trench are filled with a second work function metal to form corresponding metal gate structures. The second work function metal is the other of the N-type work function metal or the P-type work function metal.

Abstract: High voltage three-dimensional devices having dielectric liners and methods of forming high voltage three-dimensional devices having dielectric liners are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a first fin active region and a second fin active region disposed above a substrate. A first gate structure is disposed above a top surface of, and along sidewalls of, the first fin active region. The first gate structure includes a first gate dielectric composed of a first dielectric layer disposed on the first fin active region, and a second, different, dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure also includes a second gate structure disposed above a top surface of, and along sidewalls of, the second fin active region. The second gate structure includes a second gate dielectric composed of the second dielectric layer disposed on the second fin active region.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dummy gate electrode of a semiconductor device. An embodiment comprises a substrate comprising a first surface; an insulation region covering a portion of the first surface, wherein the top of the insulation region defines a second surface; and a dummy gate electrode over the second surface, wherein the dummy gate electrode comprises a bottom and a base broader than the bottom, wherein a ratio of a width of the bottom to a width of the base is from about 0.5 to about 0.9.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric film that has first and second trenches on first and second regions of a substrate, respectively, forming a first metal layer along a sidewall and a bottom surface of the first trench and along a top surface of the interlayer dielectric film in the first region, forming a second metal layer along a sidewall and a bottom surface of the second trench and along a top surface of the interlayer dielectric film in the second region, forming a first sacrificial layer pattern on the first metal layer such that the first sacrificial layer fills a portion of the first trench, forming a first electrode layer by etching the first metal layer and the second metal layer using the first sacrificial layer pattern, and removing the first sacrificial layer pattern.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a FinFET structure includes fabricating a plurality of parallel fins overlying a semiconductor substrate, each of the plurality of parallel fins having sidewalls and forming an electrode over the semiconductor substrate and between the parallel fins. The electrode is configured to direct an electrical field into the fins, thereby affecting the threshold voltage of the FinFET structure.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate. The gate includes a high-k dielectric material. In the method, a fluorine-containing liquid is contacted with the high-k dielectric material and fluorine is incorporated into the high-k dielectric material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming first and second gate structures overlying the semiconductor substrate, and depositing a layer of a silicide-resistant material over the first and second gate structures and over the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming sidewall spacers from the layer of silicide-resistant material adjacent the first gate structure and removing the silicide-resistant material adjacent the sidewall spacers to expose the silicon substrate in a source and drain region. Still further, the method includes implanting conductivity determining impurities in the source and drain region, depositing a silicide forming metal, and annealing the semiconductor device to form a silicide in the source and drain region. The silicide-resistant material is not removed from over the second gate structure so as to prevent silicide formation at the second gate structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device and a method of forming the memory device. One such memory device includes a string of stacked memory cells. Each of the memory cells in the string includes a charge storage structure and a recessed control gate. The recessed control gate has a substantially smooth surface separated from the charge storage structure by dielectric material. One such method includes etching heavily boron doped polysilicon selective to oxide to form a recessed control gate having a surface with nubs. A smoothing solution is applied to the surface of the recessed control gate to smoothen the nubs. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene metal interconnect for a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a layer of low-k dielectric, forming vias through the low-k dielectric layer, depositing a sacrificial layer, forming trenches through the sacrificial layer, filling the vias and trenches with metal, removing the sacrificial layer, then depositing an extremely low-k dielectric layer to fill between the trenches. The method allows the formation of an extremely low-k dielectric layer for the second level of the dual damascene structure while avoiding damage to that layer by such processes as trench etching and trench metal deposition. The method has the additional advantage of avoiding an etch stop layer between the via level dielectric and the trench level dielectric.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The FET includes a substrate, a fin bump, an insulating layer, a charge trapping structure and a gate structure. The fin bump is disposed on the substrate. The insulating layer is disposed on the substrate and located at two sides of the fin bump. The charge trapping structure is disposed on the insulating layer and located at at least one side of the fin bump. A cross-section of the charge trapping structure is L-shaped. The gate structure covers the fin bump and the charge trapping structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming on a semiconductor surface a temporary gate structure including a polysilicon gate and a cap. A spacer is formed around the temporary gate structure. The cap and a portion of the spacer are removed. A uniform liner is deposited overlying the polysilicon gate. The method removes a portion of the uniform liner overlying the polysilicon gate and the polysilicon gate to form a gate trench. Then, a replacement metal gate is formed in the gate trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method includes forming a gate dielectric stack on a semiconductor substrate and annealing the gate dielectric stack. Forming the stack may include depositing a first layer of a metal-oxide dielectric on the substrate, forming a refractory metal silicon nitride on the first layer, and depositing a second layer of the metal-oxide dielectric on the refractory metal silicon nitride. Depositing the first layer may include depositing a metal-oxide dielectric, such as HfO2, using atomic layer deposition. Forming the refractory metal silicon nitride film may include forming a film of tantalum silicon nitride using a physical vapor deposition process. Annealing the gate dielectric stack may include annealing the gate dielectric stack in an oxygen-bearing ambient at approximately 750 C for 10 minutes or less. In one embodiment, annealing the dielectric stack includes annealing the dielectric stack for approximately 60 seconds at a temperature of approximately 500 C.

Abstract: A method for recessing and capping metal gate structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: forming a dummy gate electrode on a substrate; forming a hard mask over the dummy gate electrode; forming spacers on opposite sides of the dummy gate electrode and the hard mask; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the substrate adjacent the spacers; forming a first trench in the ILD down to the dummy gate electrode; removing the dummy gate electrode to form a second trench below the first trench; forming a metal gate structure in the first and second trenches; and forming a gate cap over the metal gate structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a recess pattern by selectively etching a substrate; forming a gate dielectric layer filling the recess pattern on the substrate; forming a groove by selectively etching the gate dielectric layer; forming a polysilicon electrode filling the groove; forming an electrode metal layer on the polysilicon electrode and the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate pattern by etching the electrode metal layer and the gate dielectric layer. The recess pattern is formed along an edge portion of the gate pattern as a quadrilateral periphery.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for forming a gate structure comprising an insulative portion, whereby the insulative portion is utilized to electrically isolate an electrically conductive portion of the gate structure from a conductive element located in the vicinity of the gate structure. The insulative portion is formed by chemically modifying a conductive portion of the gate. Chemical modification is an oxidation process, converting aluminum conductor to aluminum oxide insulator material. Utilizing a chemically modified gate structure enables self aligning contact technique(s) to be utilized with semiconductor devices comprising a replacement metal gate(s). The chemical modification process can be performed prior or after forming a contact opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to integrated circuit fabrication, and more particularly to a metal gate electrode. An exemplary structure for a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a major surface; a first rectangular gate electrode on the major surface comprising a first layer of multi-layer material; a first dielectric material adjacent to one side of the first rectangular gate electrode; and a second dielectric material adjacent to the other 3 sides of the first rectangular gate electrode, wherein the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material collectively surround the first rectangular gate electrode.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a gate structure. An atomic layer deposition (ALD) process is performed to deposit a spacer around the gate structure. The ALD process includes alternating flowing ionized radicals of a first precursor across the semiconductor substrate and flowing a chlorosilane precursor across the semiconductor substrate to deposit the spacer.