Abstract: In general, aspects of the present invention relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a FET with reduced gate stack height variance. Specifically, when a gate stack height variance is detected/identified between a set of gate stacks, a hard mask layer and sets of spacers are removed from the uneven gate stacks leaving behind (among other things) a set of dummy gates. A liner layer and an inter-layer dielectric are formed over the set of dummy gates. The liner layer is then removed from a top surface (or at least a portion thereof) of the set of dummy gates, and the set of dummy gates are then removed. The result is a set of gate regions having less height variance/disparity.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein involves forming an etch stop layer above a plurality of sacrificial gate structures, performing an angled ion implant process to implant an etch-inhibiting species into less than an entirety of the etch stop layer, and forming a layer of insulating material above the etch stop layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial gate structures, forming replacement gate structures, forming a hard mask layer above the replacement gate structures and layer of insulating material, forming a patterned hard mask layer, performing another etching process through the patterned hard mask layer to define an opening in the layer of insulating material to expose a portion of the etch stop layer, performing another etching process on the exposed portion to define a contact opening therethrough that exposes a doped region and forming a conductive contact in the opening that is conductively coupled to the doped region.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a NMOS gate structure over a substrate. The method further includes forming an amorphized region in the substrate adjacent to the NMOS gate structure. The method also includes forming a lightly doped source/drain (LDD) region in the amorphized region. The method further includes depositing a stress film over the NMOS gate structure, performing an annealing process, and removing the stress film.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are fabricated using a plasma process with a non-silane gas that includes deuterium, and which may result in improved device reliability and/or other improved device operational characteristics. One such method can include forming a gate oxide layer on a transistor region, which is defined on a substrate, and forming a gate electrode on the gate oxide layer. An etch stop layer is formed on the gate oxide layer and the gate electrode. A plasma process is performed on the interface between the gate oxide layer and the substrate using a non-silane treatment gas including deuterium. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A bottom metal line is formed on the interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming replacement gate structures and conductive contacts on semiconductor devices and devices incorporating the same. One exemplary device includes a plurality of gate structures positioned above a semiconducting substrate, at least one sidewall spacer positioned proximate respective sidewalls of the gate structures, and a metal silicide region in a source/drain region of the semiconducting substrate, the metal silicide region extending laterally so as to contact the sidewall spacer positioned proximate each of the gate structures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes forming first and second gate patterns, forming first and second sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the first and second gate patterns respectively, implanting a first impurity into the semiconductor substrate, forming a third sidewall spacer on the first sidewall spacer and a fourth sidewall spacer on the second sidewall spacer in such a manner that the third sidewall spacer is in contact with the fourth sidewall spacer between the first and second gate patterns, implanting a second impurity into the semiconductor substrate, and removing the third and the fourth sidewall spacers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are a FinFET device, and methods of forming a FinFET device. An embodiment is a method for forming a FinFET device, the method comprising forming a semiconductor strip over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor strip is disposed in a dielectric layer, forming a gate over the semiconductor strip and the dielectric layer, and forming a first recess and a second recess in the semiconductor strip, wherein the first recess is on an opposite side of the gate from the second recess. The method further comprises forming a source region in the first recess and a drain region in the second recess, and recessing the dielectric layer, wherein a first portion of the semiconductor strip extends above a top surface of the dielectric layer forming a semiconductor fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a major surface; a p-type Field Effect Transistor (pFET) comprising: a P-gate stack over the major surface, a P-strained region in the substrate adjacent to one side of the P-gate stack, wherein a lattice constant of the P-strained region is different from a lattice constant of the substrate, wherein the P-strained region has a first top surface higher than the major surface; and a P-silicide region on the P-strained region; and an n-type Field Effect Transistor (nFET) comprising: an N-gate stack over the major surface, an N-strained region in the substrate adjacent to one side of the N-gate stack, wherein a lattice constant of the N-strained region is different from a lattice constant of the substrate, wherein the N-strained region has a second top surface lower than the major surface and a N-silicide region on the N-strained region.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. A method comprises forming a layer of a first semiconductor material overlying the bulk substrate and forming a layer of a second semiconductor material overlying the layer of the first semiconductor material. The method further comprises creating a fin pattern mask on the layer of the second semiconductor material and anisotropically etching the layer of the second semiconductor material and the layer of the first semiconductor material using the fin pattern mask as an etch mask. The anisotropic etching results in a fin formed from the second semiconductor material and an exposed region of first semiconductor material underlying the fin. The method further comprises forming an isolation layer in the exposed region of first semiconductor material underlying the fin.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are formed without zipper defects or channeling and through-implantation and with different silicide thicknesses in the gates and source/drain regions, Embodiments include forming a gate on a substrate, forming a nitride cap on the gate, forming a source/drain region in the substrate on each side of the gate, forming a wet cap fill layer on the source/drain region on each side of the gate, removing the nitride cap from the gate, and forming an amorphized layer in a top portion of the gate. Embodiments include forming the amorphized layer by implanting low energy ions.

Abstract: A method of forming stressed-channel NMOS transistors and strained-channel PMOS transistors forms p-type source and drain regions before an n-type source and drain dopant is implanted and a stress memorization layer is formed, thereby reducing the stress imparted to the n-channel of the PMOS transistors. In addition, a non-conductive layer is formed after the p-type source and drain regions are formed, but before the n-type dopant is implanted. The non-conductive layer allows shallower n-type implants to be realized, and also serves as a buffer layer for the stress memorization layer.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device including: a first source and a first drain of a first-channel-type MISFET formed on a first semiconductor crystal layer, which are made of a compound having an atom constituting the first semiconductor crystal layer and a nickel atom, a compound having an atom constituting the first semiconductor crystal layer and a cobalt atom, or a compound having an atom constituting the first semiconductor crystal layer, a nickel atom, and a cobalt atom; and a second source and a second drain of a second-channel-type MISFET formed on a second semiconductor crystal layer, which are made of a compound having an atom constituting the second semiconductor crystal layer and a nickel atom, a compound having an atom constituting the second semiconductor crystal layer and a cobalt atom, or a compound having an atom constituting the second semiconductor crystal layer, a nickel atom, and a cobalt atom.

Abstract: A non-conformal metal silicide in a transistor of recessed drain and source configuration may provide enhanced efficiency with respect to strain-inducing mechanisms, drain/source resistance and the like. For this purpose, in some cases, an amorphizing implantation process may be performed prior to the silicidation process, while in other cases an anisotropic deposition of the refractory metal may be used.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a first region and a second region; a first gate structure disposed on the first region, wherein the first gate structure comprises a first high-k dielectric layer, a first work function metal layer, and a first metal layer disposed between the first high-k dielectric layer and the first work function metal layer; and a second gate structure disposed on the second region, wherein the second gate structure comprises a second high-k dielectric layer, a second work function metal layer, and a second metal layer disposed between the second high-k dielectric layer and the second work function metal layer, wherein the thickness of the second metal layer is lower than the thickness of the first metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming first and second gate structures over first and second regions of a substrate, respectively, forming spacers on sidewalls of the first and second gate structures, the spacers being formed of a first material, forming a capping layer over the first and second gate structures, the capping layer being formed of a second material different from the first material, forming a protection layer over the second region to protect the second gate structure, removing the capping layer over the first gate structure; removing the protection layer over the second region, epitaxially (epi) growing a semiconductor material on exposed portions of the substrate in the first region, and removing the capping layer over the second gate structure by an etching process that exhibits an etching selectivity of the second material to the first material.

Abstract: A hybrid channel semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of fabricating the same comprising the steps of providing a substrate, forming at least one fin structure on said substrate, forming a gate covering said fin structure, forming a plurality of epitaxial structures covering said fin structures, performing a gate pullback process to reduce the critical dimension (CD) of said gate and separate said gate and said epitaxial structures, forming lightly doped drains (LDD) in said fin structures, and forming a spacer on said gate and said fin structures.

Abstract: The drain and source regions may at least be partially formed by in situ doped epitaxially grown semiconductor materials for complementary transistors in sophisticated semiconductor devices designed for low power and high performance applications. To this end, cavities may be refilled with in situ doped semiconductor material, which in some illustrative embodiments also provides a desired strain in the channel regions of the complementary transistors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate which comprises a dummy gate formed thereon, a spacer surrounding the dummy gate, source and drain regions formed on two sides of the dummy gate, respectively, and a channel region formed in the semiconductor substrate and below the dummy gate; removing the dummy gate to form a gate opening; forming a stressed material layer in the gate opening; performing an annealing to the semiconductor substrate, the stressed material layer having tensile stress characteristics during the annealing; removing the stressed material layer in the gate opening; and forming a gate in the gate opening. By the above steps, the stress memorization technique can be applied to the pMOSFET.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure begins by forming a layer of oxide material overlying a first gate structure having a first silicon nitride cap and overlying a second gate structure having a second silicon nitride cap. The first gate structure corresponds to a p-type transistor to be fabricated, and the second gate structure corresponds to an n-type transistor to be fabricated. The method continues by performing a tilted ion implantation procedure to implant ions of an impurity species in a channel region of semiconductor material underlying the first gate structure, during which an ion implantation mask protects the second gate structure. Thereafter, the ion implantation mask and the layer of oxide material are removed, and regions of epitaxial semiconductor material are formed corresponding to source and drain regions for the first gate structure. Thereafter, the first silicon nitride cap and the second silicon nitride cap are removed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with NMOS and PMOS transistors is provided. The semiconductor device can lessen a short channel effect, can reduce gate-drain current leakage, and can reduce parasitic capacitance due to gate overlaps, thereby inhibiting a reduction in the operating speed of circuits. An N-type impurity such as arsenic is ion implanted to a relatively low concentration in the surface of a silicon substrate (1) in a low-voltage NMOS region (LNR) thereby to form extension layers (61). Then, a silicon oxide film (OX2) is formed to cover the whole surface of the silicon substrate (1). The silicon oxide film (OX2) on the side surfaces of gate electrodes (51-54) is used as an offset sidewall. Then, boron is ion implanted to a relatively low concentration in the surface of the silicon substrate (1) in a low-voltage PMOS region (LPR) thereby to form P-type impurity layers (621) later to be extension layers (62).

Abstract: A structure includes a tensilely strained nFET region including a strained silicon layer of a silicon on insulator wafer. A relaxed nFET region includes one of an ion implanted silicon and an ion implanted silicon dioxide interface layer of a tensilely strained silicon layer of the silicon on insulator wafer. A compressively strained pFET region includes a SiGe layer which was converted from a tensilely strained silicon layer of the silicon on insulator wafer. A relaxed pFET region includes one of an ion implanted silicon and an ion implanted silicon dioxide interface layer of a tensilely strained silicon layer of the silicon on insulator wafer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming a semiconductor device using sacrificial gate electrodes and sacrificial self-aligned contacts. In one example, the method includes forming two spaced-apart sacrificial gate electrodes comprised of a first material, forming a sacrificial contact structure comprised of a second material, wherein the second material is selectively etchable with respect to said first material, and performing an etching process on the two spaced-apart sacrificial gate electrodes and the sacrificial contact structure to selectively remove the two spaced-apart sacrificial gate electrode structures selectively relative to the sacrificial contact structure.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate stack of a first device over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a second gate stack of a second MOS device over the semiconductor substrate. A first epitaxy is performed to form a source/drain stressor for the second MOS device, wherein the source/drain stressor is adjacent to the second gate stack. A second epitaxy is performed to form a first silicon layer and a second silicon layer simultaneously, wherein the first silicon layer is over a first portion of the semiconductor substrate, and is adjacent the first gate stack. The second silicon layer overlaps the source/drain stressor.

Abstract: A vertical DMOS device implements one or more deep silicon via (DSV) plugs, thereby significantly reducing the layout area and on-resistance (RDSON) of the device. The DSV plugs extend through a semiconductor substrate to contact a conductively doped buried diffusion region, which forms the drain of the vertical DMOS device. Methods for fabricating the vertical DMOS device are compatible with conventional sub-micron VLSI processes, such that the vertical DMOS device can be readily fabricated on the same integrated circuit as CMOS devices and analog devices, such as lateral double-diffused MOS (LDMOS) devices.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrical device that includes forming a high-k gate dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate that is patterned to separate a first portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer that is present on a first conductivity device region from a second portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer that is present on a second conductivity device region. A connecting gate conductor is formed on the first portion and the second portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer. The connecting gate conductor extends from the first conductivity device region over the isolation region to the second conductivity device region. One of the first conductivity device region and the second conductivity device region may then be exposed to an oxygen containing atmosphere. Exposure with the oxygen containing atmosphere modifies a threshold voltage of the semiconductor device that is exposed.

Abstract: A method of replacing semiconductor material with metal, Replacement Metal Gate Field Effect Transistors (RMG FETs) and Contacts (RMCs), and Integrated Circuit (IC) chips including the FETs and/or RMCs. A patterned semiconductor layer, e.g., silicon, is formed on a dielectric layer, e.g., a layered gate dielectric. A field dielectric layer fills between shapes in the patterned semiconductor layer. Metal is deposited on the shapes. The wafer is annealed to replace semiconductor in each shape with metal to form metal FET gates or contacts.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for forming low contact resistance transistor devices. A p-type germanium layer is provided between p-type source/drain regions and their respective contact metals, and an n-type III-V semiconductor material layer is provided between n-type source/drain regions and their respective contact metals. The n-type III-V semiconductor material layer may have a small bandgap (e.g., <0.5 eV) and/or otherwise be doped to provide desired conductivity, and the p-type germanium layer can be doped, for example, with boron. After deposition of the III-V material over both the n-type source/drain regions and the germanium covered p-type source/drain regions, an etch-back process can be performed to take advantage of the height differential between n and p type regions to self-align contact types and expose the p-type germanium over p-type regions and thin the n-type III-V material over the n-type regions. The techniques can be used on planar and non-planar transistor architectures.

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

Abstract: A method of forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device including an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) and an p-type field effect transistor (PFET) having fully silicided gates electrode in which an improved dual stress buried insulator is employed to incorporate and advantageous mechanical stress into the device channel of the NFET and PFET. The method can be imposed on a bulk substrate or extremely thin silicon on insulator (ETSOI) substrate. The device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of shallow trench isolations structures formed in the ETSOI layer, NFET having a source and drain region and a gate formation, a PFET having a source and drain region, and a gate formation, an insulator layer, including a stressed oxide or nitride, deposited inside the substrate of the NFET, and a second insulator layer, including either an stressed oxide or nitride, deposited inside the substrate of the PFET.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with NMOS and PMOS transistors is provided. The semiconductor device can lessen a short channel effect, can reduce gate-drain current leakage, and can reduce parasitic capacitance due to gate overlaps, thereby inhibiting a reduction in the operating speed of circuits. An N-type impurity such as arsenic is ion implanted to a relatively low concentration in the surface of a silicon substrate (1) in a low-voltage NMOS region (LNR) thereby to form extension layers (61). Then, a silicon oxide film (OX2) is formed to cover the whole surface of the silicon substrate (1). The silicon oxide film (OX2) on the side surfaces of gate electrodes (51-54) is used as an offset sidewall. Then, boron is ion implanted to a relatively low concentration in the surface of the silicon substrate (1) in a low-voltage PMOS region (LPR) thereby to form P-type impurity layers (621) later to be extension layers (62).

Abstract: A semiconductor device (10) comprising a bipolar transistor and a field effect transistor within a semiconductor body (1) comprising a projecting mesa (5) within which are at least a portion of a collector region (22d and 22e) and a base region (33d) of the bipolar transistor. The bipolar transistor is provided with a first insulating cavity (92) provided in the collector region (22d and 22e). The base region (33d) is narrower in the plane of the substrate than the collector region (22d and 22e) due to a second insulating cavity (94) provided around the base region (33d) and between the collector region (22d and 22e) and the emitter region (4). By blocking diffusion from the base region the first insulating cavity (92) provides a reduction in the base collector capacitance and can be described as defining the base contact.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region defined therein, forming a first gate and a first source and drain region in the first region and forming a second gate and a second source and drain region in the second region, forming an epitaxial layer in the second source and drain region, forming a first metal silicide layer in the first source and drain region, forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the first region and the second region, forming a plurality of contact holes exposing the first metal silicide layer and the epitaxial layer while penetrating the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a second metal silicide layer in the exposed epitaxial layer, and forming a plurality of contacts contacting the first and second metal silicide layers by filling the plurality of contact holes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device using a PVD method and enabling achievement of a desired effective work function and reduction in leak current without increasing an equivalent oxide thickness. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device in an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a substrate on which an insulating film having a relative permittivity higher than that of a silicon oxide film is formed; and depositing a metal nitride film on the insulating film. The metal nitride depositing step is a step of sputtering deposition in an evacuatable chamber using a metal target and a cusp magnetic field formed over a surface of the metal target by a magnet mechanism in which magnet pieces are arranged as grid points in such a grid form that the adjacent magnet pieces have their polarities reversed from each other.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming interconnects on a substrate includes etching patterns in ultra-low k dielectric and removing moisture from the ultra-low k dielectric using active energy assist baking. During active energy assist baking, the ultra-low k dielectric is heated and exposed to light having only wavelengths greater than 400 nm for about 1 to about 20 minutes at a temperature of about 300 to about 400 degrees Celsius. The active energy assist baking is performed after wet-cleaning or after chemical mechanical polishing, or both.

Abstract: A CMOS FinFET device and method for fabricating a CMOS FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary CMOS FinFET device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region. The CMOS FinFET further includes a fin structure disposed over the substrate including a first fin in the first region and a second fin in the second region. The CMOS FinFET further includes a first portion of the first fin comprising a material that is the same material as the substrate and a second portion of the first fin comprising a III-V semiconductor material deposited over the first portion of the first fin. The CMOS FinFET further includes a first portion of the second fin comprising a material that is the same material as the substrate and a second portion of the second fin comprising a germanium (Ge) material deposited over the first portion of the second fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (10) comprising a bipolar transistor and a field 5 effect transistor within a semiconductor body (1) comprising a projecting mesa (5) within which are at least a portion of a collector region (22c and 22d) and a base region (33c) of the bipolar transistor. The bipolar transistor is provided with an insulating cavity (92b) provided in the collector region (22c and 22d). The insulating cavity (92b) may be provided by providing a layer (33a) in the collector region (22c), creating an access path, for example by selectively etching polysilicon towards monocrystalline, and removing a portion of the layer (33a) to provide the cavity using the access path. The layer (33a) provided in the collector region may be of SiGe:C. By blocking diffusion from the base region the insulating cavity (92b) provides a reduction in the base collector capacitance and can be described as defining the base contact.

Abstract: A dual polysilicon gate is fabricated by, inter alia, forming a polysilicon layer doped with impurities of a first conductivity type on a substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a mask pattern that covers the polysilicon layer in the first region and leaves the polysilicon layer in the second region, injecting impurities of a second conductivity type into the polysilicon layer in the second region left exposed by the mask pattern. Removing the mask pattern, and patterning the polysilicon layer to form a first polysilicon pattern in the first region and a second polysilicon pattern in the second region. The second polysilicon pattern is formed to have protrusions that laterally protrude from sidewalls thereof. Subsequently, impurities of the second conductivity type are injected into the substrate in the second region and into the protrusions of the second polysilicon pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device in which an n-channel type first thin film transistor and a p-channel type second thin film transistor are provided on the same substrate. The first thin film transistor has a first semiconductor layer (11), and the second thin film transistor has a second semiconductor layer (20), a third semiconductor layer (21), and a fourth semiconductor layer (22). The first semiconductor layer (11), the second semiconductor layer (20), the third semiconductor layer (21) and the fourth semiconductor layer (22) are formed of the same film, and the first and second semiconductor layers (11, 20) respectively have slanted portions (11e, 20e) positioned at respective peripheries, and main portions (11m, 20m) made of portions other than the slanted portions.

Abstract: A method for forming a CMOS integrated circuit device, the method including; providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, patterning the gate layer to form NMOS and PMOS gate structures including edges; forming a first dielectric layer overlying the NMOS and PMOS gate structures to protect the NMOS and PMOS gate structures including the edges, forming a first masking layer overlying a first region adjacent the NMOS gate structure; etching a first source region and a first drain region adjacent to the PMOS gate structure using the first masking layer as a protective layer for the first region adjacent the NMOS gate structure, and depositing a silicon germanium material into the first source and drain regions to cause the channel region between the first source and drain regions of the PMOS gate structure to be strained in a compressive mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and the method uses the mode of thermal annealing the source/drain regions and performing Halo ion implantation to form a Halo ion-implanted region by: first removing the dummy gate to expose the gate dielectric layer to form an opening; then performing a tilted Halo ion implantation to the device from the opening to form a Halo ion-implanted region on both sides of the channel of the semiconductor device; and then annealing to activate the dopants in the Halo ion-implanted region; finally performing subsequent process to the device according to the requirement of the manufacture process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with NMOS and PMOS transistors is provided. The semiconductor device can lessen a short channel effect, can reduce gate-drain current leakage, and can reduce parasitic capacitance due to gate overlaps, thereby inhibiting a reduction in the operating speed of circuits. An N-type impurity such as arsenic is ion implanted to a relatively low concentration in the surface of a silicon substrate (1) in a low-voltage NMOS region (LNR) thereby to form extension layers (61). Then, a silicon oxide film (OX2) is formed to cover the whole surface of the silicon substrate (1). The silicon oxide film (OX2) on the side surfaces of gate electrodes (51-54) is used as an offset sidewall. Then, boron is ion implanted to a relatively low concentration in the surface of the silicon substrate (1) in a low-voltage PMOS region (LPR) thereby to form P-type impurity layers (621) later to be extension layers (62).

Abstract: Provided is a simplified method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a stress creating layer. A first conductive first impurity region is formed on a semiconductor substrate on both sides of a first gate of a first area of the semiconductor substrate, and a second conductive second impurity region is formed on the semiconductor substrate on both sides of a second gate of a second area. First and second spacers are formed on sidewalls of the first and second gates, respectively. First and second semiconductor layers are formed in portions of the semiconductor substrate so as to contact the first and second impurity regions, respectively. The second semiconductor layer is removed. First and second barrier layers are formed in the first and second contact holes of the insulation layer, respectively.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a CMOS FET comprises forming a first interfacial SiO2 layer on a semiconductor substrate after formation a conventional dielectric isolation; forming a stack a first high-K gate dielectric/a first metal gate; depositing a first hard mask; patterning the first hard mask by lithography and etching; etching the portions of the first metal gate and the first high-K gate dielectric that are not covered by the first hard mask. A second interfacial SiO2 layer and a stack of a second high-K gate dielectric/a second metal gate are then formed; a second hard mask is deposited and patterned by lithograph and etching; the portions of the second metal gate and the second high-K gate dielectric that are not covered by the second hard mask are etched to expose the first hard mask on the first metal gate.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate comprising a substrate material, a gate dielectric film above the substrate, and a first spacer adjacent the gate dielectric film. The spacer has a first portion in contact with a surface of the substrate and a second portion in contact with a side of the gate dielectric film. A recess is formed in a region of the substrate adjacent to the spacer. The recess is defined by a first sidewall of the substrate material. At least a portion of the first sidewall underlies at least a portion of the spacer. The substrate material beneath the first portion of the spacer is reflowed, so that a top portion of the first sidewall of the substrate material defining the recess is substantially aligned with a boundary between the gate dielectric film and the spacer. The recess is filled with a stressor material.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a carbon material on a substrate, forming a gate stack on the carbon material, removing a portion of the substrate to form at least one cavity defined by a portion of the carbon material and the substrate, and forming a conductive contact in the at least one cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device using a PVD method and enabling achievement of a desired effective work function and reduction in leak current without increasing an equivalent oxide thickness. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device in an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a substrate on which an insulating film having a relative permittivity higher than that of a silicon oxide film is formed; and depositing a metal nitride film on the insulating film. The metal nitride depositing step is a step of sputtering deposition in an evacuatable chamber using a metal target and a cusp magnetic field formed over a surface of the metal target by a magnet mechanism in which magnet pieces are arranged as grid points in such a grid form that the adjacent magnet pieces have their polarities reversed from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various semiconductor devices with dual metal silicide regions and to various methods of making such devices. In one example, the device includes a gate electrode and a plurality of source/drain regions formed in a substrate proximate the gate electrode structure. The device further includes a first metal silicide region formed in each of the source/drain regions, wherein the first metal silicide region has an inner boundary and a second metal silicide region formed in each of the source/drain regions, wherein the second metal silicide region is positioned laterally between the inner boundary of the first metal silicide region and an edge of the gate electrode structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure begins by forming a layer of oxide material overlying a first gate structure having a first silicon nitride cap and overlying a second gate structure having a second silicon nitride cap. The first gate structure corresponds to a p-type transistor to be fabricated, and the second gate structure corresponds to an n-type transistor to be fabricated. The method continues by performing a tilted ion implantation procedure to implant ions of an impurity species in a channel region of semiconductor material underlying the first gate structure, during which an ion implantation mask protects the second gate structure. Thereafter, the ion implantation mask and the layer of oxide material are removed, and regions of epitaxial semiconductor material are formed corresponding to source and drain regions for the first gate structure. Thereafter, the first silicon nitride cap and the second silicon nitride cap are removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; gates, spacers on both sides of the respective gates, and source and gain regions on both sides of the respective spacers, which are formed on the semiconductor substrate; lower contacts located on the respective source and gain regions and abutting outer-sidewalls of the spacers, with bottoms covering at least a portion of the respective source and gain regions; an inter-layer dielectric layer formed on the gates, the spacers, the source and gain regions, and the lower contacts, wherein the respective source and gain regions of each of the transistor structures are isolated from each other by the inter-layer dielectric layer; and upper contacts formed in the inter-layer dielectric layer and corresponding to the lower contacts. Methods for fabricating such a semiconductor device and for manufacturing contacts for semiconductor devices.