Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having first and second active regions, first and second active patterns on the first and second active regions, first and second gate electrodes running across the first and second active patterns, and a high-k dielectric layer between the first active pattern and the first gate electrode and between the second active pattern and the second gate electrode. The first gate electrode includes a work function metal pattern and an electrode pattern. The second gate electrode includes a first work function metal pattern, a second work function metal pattern, and an electrode pattern. The first work function metal pattern contains the same impurity as that of the high-k dielectric layer. An impurity concentration of the first work function metal pattern of the second gate electrode is greater than that of the work function metal pattern of the first gate electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array. The memory array includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure and contact enhancement sidewall spacers. The semiconductor substrate has a trench defining laterally separate active areas formed of surface regions of the semiconductor substrate. Top surfaces of a first group of the active areas are recessed with respect to top surfaces of a second group of the active areas. The isolation structure is filled in the trench and in lateral contact with bottom portions of the active areas. The contact enhancement sidewall spacers laterally surround top portions of the active areas, respectively.

Abstract: A light emitting device including a first electrode, a second electrode, a quantum dot layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and a first auxiliary layer disposed between the quantum dot layer and the first electrode, wherein the first auxiliary layer includes nickel oxide nanoparticles having an average particle diameter of less than or equal to about nanometers (nm) and an organic ligand, a method of manufacturing the light emitting device, and a display device including the same.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric layer conformally over a plurality of fins on a substrate, forming a first high-k layer conformally over the dielectric layer, and forming a flowable oxide over the first high-k layer. Forming the flowable oxide includes filling first trenches adjacent fins of the plurality of fins. The method further includes recessing the flow able oxide to form second trenches between adjacent fins of the plurality of fins, forming a second high-k layer over the first high-k layer and the flowable oxide, performing a planarization that exposes top surfaces of the plurality of fins, and recessing the dielectric layer to form a plurality of dummy fins that include remaining portions of the first and second high-k layers and the flowable oxide.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a plurality of nanostructures vertically stacked and separated from one another. The semiconductor structure also includes a gate stack wrapping around the plurality of nanostructures. The semiconductor structure also includes a source/drain feature adjacent to the plurality of nanostructures. The semiconductor structure also includes a semiconductor inner spacer layer interposing between the gate stack and the source/drain feature and interposing between the plurality of nanostructures and the source/drain feature.

Abstract: Tensile strained germanium is provided that can be sufficiently strained to provide a nearly direct band gap material or a direct band gap material. Compressively stressed or tensile stressed stressor materials in contact with germanium regions induce uniaxial or biaxial tensile strain in the germanium regions. Stressor materials may include silicon nitride or silicon germanium. The resulting strained germanium structure can be used to emit or detect photons including, for example, generating photons within a resonant cavity to provide a laser.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor devices including a double gate metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor and methods for fabricating the same. The double gate MOS transistor includes a first back gate, a second back gate, and a first dielectric layer disposed on the first back gate and on the second back gate. An MX2 material layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer disposed on the MX2 material layer, and a work function metal (WFM) is disposed on the second dielectric layer. A front gate is disposed on the WFM, which fills a space between the first back gate and the second back.

Abstract: A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductors, and more particularly, to a structure and method of minimizing shorting between epitaxial regions in small pitch fin field effect transistors (FinFETs). In an embodiment, a dielectric region may be formed in a middle portion of a gate structure. The gate structure be formed using a gate replacement process, and may cover a middle portion of a first fin group, a middle portion of a second fin group and an intermediate region of the substrate between the first fin group and the second fin group. The dielectric region may be surrounded by the gate structure in the intermediate region. The gate structure and the dielectric region may physically separate epitaxial regions formed on the first fin group and the second fin group from one another.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) device comprises a semiconductor substrate, an isolation region and an active region disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack disposed over the active region, and a source and a drain disposed in the active region and interposed by the gate stack in a first direction. The active region is at least partially surrounded by the isolation region. A middle portion of the active region laterally extends beyond the gate stack in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: In a method for forming a semiconductor device, an epitaxial layer stack is formed over a substrate. The epitaxial layer stack includes intermediate layers, one or more first nano layers with a first bandgap value and one or more second nano layers with a second bandgap value. Trenches are formed in the epitaxial layer stack to separate the epitaxial layer stack into sub-stacks such that the one or more first nano layers are separated into first nano-channels, and the one or more second nano layers are separated into second nano-channels. The intermediate layers are recessed so that the first nano-channels and the second nano-channels in each of the sub-stacks protrude from sidewalls of the intermediate layers. Top source/drain (S/D) regions are formed in the trenches and in direct contact with the first nano-channels. Bottom source/drain (S/D) regions are formed in the trenches and in direct contact with the second nano-channels.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising: providing a substrate, wherein a first gate structure corresponding to a dense area transistor and a second gate structure corresponding to an isolated area transistor are formed on the substrate, and the first gate structure is higher than the second gate structure; forming a buffer layer over the second gate structure, wherein the upper surface of the buffer layer is flush with the upper surface of the first gate structure; and removing the top of the first gate structure, and forming a hard mask filling layer on a top area of the first gate structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices include a first active pattern including a first lower pattern extending in a first direction and a first sheet pattern spaced apart from the first lower pattern; and a first gate electrode on the first lower pattern, the first gate electrode extending in a second direction different from the first direction and surrounding the first sheet pattern, wherein the first lower pattern includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to each other, each of the first sidewall of the first lower pattern and the second sidewall of the first lower pattern extends in the first direction, the first gate electrode overlaps the first sidewall of the first lower pattern in the second direction by a first depth, the first gate electrode overlaps the second sidewall of the first lower pattern in the second direction by a second depth, and the first depth is different from the second depth.

Abstract: Methods of forming a self-aligned gate (SAG) and self-aligned source (SAD) device for high Ecrit semiconductors are presented. A dielectric layer is deposited on a high Ecrit substrate. The dielectric layer is etched to form a drift region. A refractory material is deposited on the substrate and dielectric layer. The refractory material is etched to form a gate length. Implant ionization is applied to form high-conductivity and high-critical field strength source with SAG and SAD features. The device is annealed to activate the contact regions. Alternately, a refractory material may be deposited on a high Ecrit substrate. The refractory material is etched to form a channel region. Implant ionization is applied to form high-conductivity and high Ecrit source and drain contact regions with SAG and SAD features. The refractory material is selectively removed to form the gate length and drift regions. The device is annealed to activate the contact regions.

Abstract: A method and system utilizes ink jetting or printing of surface work function modification material or solution to form modified p-type and/or n-type electrodes. The proposed method is suitable for making complementary OTFT circuits in roll-to-roll fabrication environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure on a substrate; a first gate stack and a second gate stack formed on the fin structure; a dielectric material layer disposed on the first and second gate stacks, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first portion disposed on a sidewall of the first gate stack with a first thickness and a second portion disposed on a sidewall of the second gate stack with a second thickness greater than the first thickness; a first gate spacer disposed on the first portion of the dielectric material layer; and a second gate spacer disposed on the second portion of the dielectric material layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure for a Field Effect Transistor includes providing a semiconductor. A dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor with an opening therein over a selected portion of the semiconductor. A deposition process is used to selectively deposit a gate metal over the dielectric layer and into the opening, the gate metal being deposited being non-adherent to the dielectric layer by the gate metal deposition process.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming a device are presented. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with at least a first region for accommodating an anti-fuse based memory cell. A fin structure is formed in the first region. The fin structure includes top and bottom fin portions and includes channel and non-channel regions defined along the length of the fin structure. An isolation layer is formed on the substrate. The isolation layer has a top isolation surface disposed below a top fin surface, leaving the top fin portion exposed. At least a portion of the exposed top fin portion in the channel region is processed to form a sharpened tip profile at top of the fin. A gate having a gate dielectric and a metal gate electrode is formed over the substrate. The gate wraps around the channel region of the fin structure.

Abstract: Transistors including doped heteroepitaxial III-N source/drain crystals. In embodiments, transistors including a group IV or group III-V channel crystal employ n+ doped III-N source/drain structures on either side of a gate stack. Lateral tensile strain of the channel crystal may result from lattice mismatch between the channel crystal and the III-N source/drain crystals. In embodiments, an amorphous material is employed to limit growth of III-N material to only a single channel crystal facet, allowing a high quality monocrystalline source/drain to form that is capable of sustaining significant stress. In some embodiments, an n+ III-N source/drain crystal is grown on a (110) or (111) surface of a silicon channel crystal fabricated into a fin structure to form a tensile strained NMOS finFET.

Abstract: A method of forming vertical fin field effect transistors, including, forming a silicon-germanium cap layer on a substrate, forming at least four vertical fins and silicon-germanium caps from the silicon-germanium cap layer and the substrate, where at least two of the at least four vertical fins is in a first subset and at least two of the at least four vertical fins is in a second subset, forming a silicon-germanium doping layer on the plurality of vertical fins and silicon-germanium caps, removing the silicon-germanium doping layer from the at least two of the at least four vertical fins in the second subset, and removing the silicon-germanium cap from at least one of the at least two vertical fins in the first subset, and at least one of the at least two vertical fins in the second subset.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate, a fin shaped structure and a shallow trench isolation. The fin shaped structure includes a top portion which protrudes from a bottom surface of the fin shaped structure and the fin shaped structure is directly disposed on the silicon substrate. The bottom surface of the fin shaped structure covers an entire top surface of the silicon substrate. The fin shaped structure further includes a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer extending within the fin shaped structure and occupying the whole top portion of the shaped structure. The fin shaped structure is a semiconductor fin shaped structure, and the material of the silicon substrate is different from the material of the silicon germanium layer The shallow trench isolation is disposed on the top portion and the bottom surface of the fin shaped structure.

Abstract: A bulk finFET with partial dielectric isolation is disclosed. The dielectric isolation is disposed underneath the channel, and essentially bounded by the channel, such that it does not extend laterally beyond the channel under the source and drain regions. This allows increased volume of SiGe source and drain stressor regions placed adjacent to the channel, allowing for a more strained channel, which improves carrier mobility. An N+ doped silicon region is disposed below the dielectric isolation and extends laterally beyond the channel and underneath the stressor source and drain regions, forming a reverse-biased p/n junction with the P+ doped source and drain SiGe stressor to minimize leakage currents from under the insulator.

Abstract: An electrical device comprising a base semiconductor layer of a silicon including material; a dielectric layer present on the base semiconductor layer; a first III-V semiconductor material area present in a trench in the dielectric layer, wherein a via of the III-V semiconductor material extends from the trench through the dielectric layer into contact with the base semiconductor layer; a second III-V semiconductor material area present in the trench in the dielectric layer wherein the second III-V semiconductor material area does not have a via extending through the dielectric layer into contact with the base semiconductor layer; and a semiconductor device present on the second III-V semiconductor material area, wherein the first III-V semiconductor material area and the second III-V semiconductor material area are separated by a low aspect ratio trench extending to the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a buffer layer on a semiconductor substrate including first and second regions, a first channel layer on the buffer layer of the first region, a second channel layer on the buffer layer of the second region, and a spacer layer between the second channel layer and the buffer layer. The buffer layer, the first and second channel layers, and the spacer layer are formed of semiconductor materials including germanium. A germanium concentration difference between the first and second channel layers is greater than a germanium concentration difference between the buffer layer and the second channel layer. The spacer layer has a germanium concentration gradient.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include providing a substrate comprising a cell region and a peripheral region, wherein the peripheral region comprises an NMOS region and a PMOS region; performing a well forming ion implantation over the substrate in the cell region and the NMOS region; performing a threshold voltage adjusting ion implantation over a surface of the substrate in the cell region and the NMOS region; forming a gate pattern comprising a floating gate electrode in the cell region and the peripheral region; and performing a junction ion implantation over a surface of the cell region, wherein the floating gate electrode may have P-type conductivity.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a horizontal structure by using a double STI recess method. The double STI recess method includes: forming a plurality of fins on the substrate; forming shallow trench isolation between the fins; performing first etch-back on the shallow trench isolation; forming source and drain regions adjacent to channels of the fins; and performing second etch-back on the shallow trench isolations to expose a lower portion of the fins as a larger process window for forming gates of the fins. Accordingly, compared to conventional methods limited by fin height from the STI, the double STI recess method provides greater fin height, which is a larger process window for HGAA nanowire formation, to easily produce multi-stack HGAA nanowires with high current density. The number of layers used in the multi-stack HGAA nanowires is not limited and may vary based on different designs.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing density mismatch is disclosed. An embodiment comprises determining a conductor density and an active area density in a high density area and a low density area of a semiconductor device. Dummy material may be added to the low density area in order to raise the conductor density and the active area density, thereby reducing the internal density mismatches between the high density area and the low density area. Additionally, a similar process may be used to reduce external mismatches between different regions on the semiconductor substrate. Once these mismatches have been reduced, empty regions surrounding the different regions may additionally be filled in order to reduce the conductor density mismatch and the active area density mismatches.

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: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a semiconductor device. In one example, the method includes performing a first process operation to form a first etch stop layer above a first region of a semiconducting substrate where a first type of transistor device will be formed, and forming a first stress inducing layer at least above the first etch stop layer in the first region, wherein the first stress inducing layer is adapted to induce a stress in a channel region of the first type of transistor. The method further includes, after forming the first etch stop layer, performing a second process operation form a second etch stop layer above a second region of the substrate where a second type of transistor device will be formed, and forming a second stress inducing layer at least above the second etch stop layer in the second region, wherein the second stress inducing layer is adapted to induce a stress in a channel region of the second type of transistor.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for customization of nanowire transistor devices to provide a diverse range of channel configurations and/or material systems within the same integrated circuit die. In accordance with one example embodiment, sacrificial fins are removed and replaced with custom material stacks of arbitrary composition and strain suitable for a given application. In one such case, each of a first set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with a p-type layer stack, and each of a second set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with an n-type layer stack. The p-type layer stack can be completely independent of the process for the n-type layer stack, and vice-versa. Numerous other circuit configurations and device variations are enabled using the techniques provided herein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for forming a logic device, including forming an n-type semiconductor device over a silicon (Si) substrate that includes an indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs)-based stack including a first buffer layer, a second buffer layer formed over the first buffer layer, a first device layer formed over the second buffer layer. Further, the method may include forming a p-type semiconductor device over the Si substrate from the InGaAs-based stack and forming an isolation between the n-type semiconductor device and the p-type semiconductor device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A vertically stacked, planar junction Zener diode is concurrently formed with epitaxially grown FET raised S/D terminals. The structure and process of the Zener diode are compatible with Gate-Last high-k FET structures and processes. Lateral separation of diode and transistor structures is provided by modified STI masking. No additional photolithography steps are required. In some embodiments, the non-junction face of the uppermost diode terminal is silicided with nickel to additionally perform as a copper diffusion barrier.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprises the following steps. First, a substrate is provided, at least one fin structure is formed on the substrate, and a metal layer is then deposited on the fin structure to form a salicide layer. After depositing the metal layer, the metal layer is removed but no RTP is performed before the metal layer is removed. Then a RTP is performed after the metal layer is removed.

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

Abstract: Provided are methods for making metal gates suitable for FinFET structures. The methods described herein generally involve forming a high-k dielectric material on a semiconductor substrate; depositing a high-k dielectric cap layer over the high-k dielectric material; depositing a PMOS work function layer having a positive work function value; depositing an NMOS work function layer; depositing an NMOS work function cap layer over the NMOS work function layer; removing at least a portion of the PMOS work function layer or at least a portion of the NMOS work function layer; and depositing a fill layer. Depositing a high-k dielectric cap layer, depositing a PMOS work function layer or depositing a NMOS work function cap layer may comprise atomic layer deposition of TiN, TiSiN, or TiAlN. Either PMOS or NMOS may be deposited first.

Abstract: Methods of reducing dislocation in a semiconductor substrate between asymmetrical trenches are described. The methods may include etching a plurality of trenches on a semiconductor substrate and may include two adjacent trenches of unequal width separated by an unetched portion of the substrate. The methods may include forming a layer of dielectric material on the substrate. The dielectric material may form a layer in the trenches located adjacent to each other of substantially equivalent height on both sides of the unetched portion of the substrate separating the two trenches. The methods may include densifying the layer of dielectric material so that the densified dielectric within the two trenches of unequal width exerts a substantially similar stress on the unetched portion of the substrate that separates them.

Abstract: A HKMG device with PMOS eSiGe source/drain regions is provided. Embodiments include forming first and second HKMG gate stacks on a substrate, each including a SiO2 cap, forming extension regions at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, forming a nitride liner and oxide spacers on each side of HKMG gate stack; forming a hardmask over the second HKMG gate stack; forming eSiGe at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, removing the hardmask, forming a conformal liner and nitride spacers on the oxide spacers of each of the first and second HKMG gate stacks, and forming deep source/drain regions at opposite sides of the second HKMG gate stack.

Abstract: A process of forming a CMOS integrated circuit by forming a first stressor layer over two MOS transistors of opposite polarity, removing a portion of the first stressor layer from the first transistor, and forming a second stressor layer over the two transistors. A source/drain anneal is performed, crystallizing amorphous regions of silicon in the gates of the two transistors, and subsequently removing the stressor layers. A process of forming a CMOS integrated circuit by forming two transistors of opposite polarity, forming a two stressor layers over the transistors, annealing the integrated circuit, removing the stressor layers, and siliciding the transistors. A process of forming a CMOS integrated circuit with an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor using a stress memorization technique, by removing the stressor layers with wet etch processes.

Abstract: A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a high-leakage dielectric formed over an active region of a FET and a low-leakage dielectric formed on the active region and adjacent the high-leakage dielectric. The low-leakage dielectric has a lower leakage than the high-leakage dielectric. Also provided is a structure and method of fabricating the structure.

Abstract: Design structures, structures and methods of manufacturing structures for providing latch-up immunity for mixed voltage integrated circuits. The structure includes a diffused N-Tub structure embedded in a P-wafer and provided below a retrograde N-well to a non-isolated CMOS logic.

Abstract: Methods of forming gates of semiconductor devices are provided. The methods may include forming a first recess in a first substrate region having a first conductivity type and forming a second recess in a second substrate region having a second conductivity type. The methods may also include forming a high-k layer in the first and second recesses. The methods may further include providing a first metal on the high-k layer in the first and second substrate regions, the first metal being provided within the second recess. The methods may additionally include removing at least portions of the first metal from the second recess while protecting materials within the first recess from removal. The methods may also include, after removing at least portions of the first metal from the second recess, providing a second metal within the second recess.

Abstract: In aspects of the present disclosure, a reliable encapsulation of a gate dielectric is provided at very early stages during fabrication. In other aspects, a semiconductor device is provided wherein a reliable encapsulation of a gate dielectric material is maintained, the reliable encapsulation being present at early stages during fabrication. In embodiments, a semiconductor device having a plurality of gate structures is provided over a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Sidewall spacers are formed over the surface and adjacent to each of the plurality of gate structures, wherein the sidewall spacers cover sidewall surfaces of each of the plurality of gate structures.

Abstract: A first transistor and a second transistor are formed with different threshold voltages. A first gate is formed over the first region of a substrate for a first transistor and a second gate over the second region for a second transistor. The first region is masked. A threshold voltage of the second transistor is adjusted by implanting through the second gate while masking the first region. Current electrode regions are formed on opposing sides of the first gate and current electrode regions on opposing sides of the second gate.

Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same. Compared with conventional approaches to form contacts, the present disclosure reduces contact resistance and avoids a short circuit between a gate and contact plugs, while simplifying manufacturing process, increasing integration density, and lowering manufacture cost. According to the manufacturing method of the present disclosure, second shallow trench isolations are formed with an upper surface higher than an upper surface of the source/drain regions. Regions defined by sidewall spacers of the gate, sidewall spacers of the second shallow trench isolations, and the upper surface of the source/drain regions are formed as contact holes. The contacts are formed by filling the contact holes with a conductive material. The method omits the steps of etching for providing the contact holes, which lowers manufacture cost.

Abstract: Techniques are described to form a low-noise, high-gain semiconductor device. In one or more implementations, the device includes a substrate including a first dopant material having a concentration ranging from about 1×1010/cm3 to about 1×1019/cm3. The substrate also includes at least two active regions formed proximate to a surface of the substrate. The at least two active regions include a second dopant material, which is different than the first dopant material. The device further includes a gate structure formed over the surface of the substrate between the active regions. The gate structure includes a doped polycrystalline layer and an oxide layer formed over the surface between the surface and the doped polycrystalline layer. The doped polycrystalline layer includes the first dopant material having a concentration ranging from about 1×1019/cm3 to about 1×1021/cm3.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention include apparatuses and methods relating to NMOS and PMOS transistor strain.

Abstract: A device having a substrate prepared with a memory cell region having a memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell includes an access transistor and a storage transistor. The access transistor includes first and second source/drain (S/D) regions and the storage transistor includes first and second storage S/D regions. The access and storage transistors are coupled in series and the second S/D regions being a common S/D region. An erase gate is disposed over the common S/D region. A program gate is disposed over the first storage S/D region. Such an arrangement of the memory cell decouples a program channel and an erase channel.

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: A buried-channel field-effect transistor includes a semiconductor layer formed on a substrate. The semiconductor layer includes doped source and drain regions and an undoped channel region. the transistor further includes a gate dielectric formed over the channel region and partially overlapping the source and drain regions; a gate formed over the gate dielectric; and a doped shielding layer between the gate dielectric and the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes the following steps of: providing a substrate with at least one isolation structure formed therein so as to separate the substrate into a first active region with a first stacked structure formed thereon and a second active region with a second stacked structure formed thereon; forming an interlayer dielectric layer covering the first stacked structure and the second stacked structure; and planarizing the interlayer dielectric layer to expose the top surface of the first stacked structure, wherein the second stacked structure is still covered by the interlayer dielectric layer after planarizing.