Abstract: A method for using intermediate transfer layers for transferring nanoscale patterns to substrates and forming nanostructures on substrates. An intermediate transfer layer is applied to a substrate surface, and one or more mask templates are then applied to the intermediate transfer layer. Holes are etched through the intermediate transfer layer, and material may be deposited into the etched holes.

Abstract: A number of small wells under the isolation layer are formed using the same mask made of photoresist and implant step that is used for the regular wells. The small wells are formed close enough together so that they merge during normal subsequent semiconductor processing to form a merged well. The normal wells and the small wells have a concentration that is greater than that of the merged well. The desired merging of the small wells is ensured by making sure that the small wells are sufficiently close together that the normal diffusion of well implants, which occurs from the particular semiconductor process that is being used, results in the merging. One desirable use of the merged well, with its lower doping concentration, is as a resistor that has more resistance than that of the regular well without requiring an additional implant.

Abstract: A process for producing a self-aligned contact comprises the steps of forming leads on a substrate, forming an etching stop layer on the leads by depositing, then forming a sacrificed oxide layer; after the structure of the leads is defined, a spacer is formed on both sides of the structure; a sacrificed oxide layer is formed, allowing the spacer to protrude in the form of horn. Next, a dielectric layer having a flat upper surface is deposited on the substrate and the structure of leads, a contact hole being formed between the leads so as to connect the substrate, a conductive material being filled in the contact hole to form a plug.

Abstract: Semiconductor processing methods include forming a plurality of patterned device outlines over a semiconductor substrate, forming electrically insulative partitions or spacers on at least a portion of the patterned device outlines, and forming a plurality of substantially identically shaped devices relative to the patterned device outlines. Individual formed devices are spaced from at least one other of the devices by a distance no more than a width of one of the electrically insulative spacers. In such manner, device pitch is reduced by almost fifty percent. According to one aspect, elongated electrically conductive lines are formed. According to another aspect, capacitors are formed which, according to a preferred embodiment form part of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array.

Abstract: A method used during the formation of a semiconductor device comprises the steps of forming a polycrystalline silicon layer over a semiconductor substrate assembly and forming a silicon nitride layer over the polycrystalline silicon layer. A silicon dioxide layer is formed over the silicon nitride layer and the silicon dioxide and silicon nitride layers are patterned using a patterned mask having a width, thereby forming sidewalls in the two layers. The nitride and oxide layers are subjected to an oxygen plasma which treats the sidewalls and leaves a portion of the silicon nitride layer between the sidewalls untreated. The silicon dioxide and the untreated portion of the silicon nitride layer are removed thereby resulting in pillars of treated silicon nitride. Finally, the polycrystalline silicon is etched using the pillars as a mask. The patterned polycrystalline silicon layer thereby comprises features having widths narrower than the width of the original mask.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reflective masks and their use for reflecting extreme ultraviolet soft x-ray photons to enable the use of extreme ultraviolet soft x-ray radiation projection lithographic methods and systems for producing integrated circuits and forming patterns with extremely small feature dimensions. The projection lithographic method includes providing an illumination sub-system for producing and directing an extreme ultraviolet soft x-ray radiation &lgr; from an extreme ultraviolet soft x-ray source; providing a mask sub-system illuminated by the extreme ultraviolet soft x-ray radiation &lgr; produced by the illumination sub-system and providing the mask sub-system includes providing a patterned reflective mask for forming a projected mask pattern when illuminated by radiation &lgr;.

Abstract: A metal gate structure and method of forming the same introduces metal impurities into a first metal layer, made of TiN, for example. The impurities create a surface region of greater etch selectivity that prevents overetching of the TiN during the etching of an overlying tungsten gate during the formation of the metal gate structure. The prevention of the overetching of the TiN protects the gate oxide from undesirable degradation. The provision of aluminum or tantalum as the metal impurities provides adequate etch stopping capability and does not undesirably affect the work function of the TiN.

Abstract: A germanium and silicon alloy is employed as an antireflective coating material for use in active area lithography and gate area lithography steps in the formation of a semiconductor integrated circuit. A layer composed of an alloy of germanium-silicon is deposited over an active area nitride layer or over a gate area nitride layer, and a photoresist layer is then formed on the germanium-silicon alloy layer. The photoresist layer is than exposed and developed. During exposure, the germanium-silicon alloy layer substantially reduces reflection from the underlying nitride layer, thereby relieving the dependency of exposure energy and resulting line width on the underlying nitride layer thickness.

Abstract: A cost-competitive, dense, CMOS compatible ZPROM memory array design and method of manufacture is disclosed. The method of manufacture includes a novel method for forming extremely thin diodes and thin strips of other materials such as conductors by using oxide spacers as an etching mask.

Abstract: A honeycomb/webbed, high surface area capacitor formed by etching a storage poly using an etch mask having a plurality, of micro vias. The etch mask is preferably formed by applying an HSG polysilicon layer on a surface of the storage poly with a mask layer being deposited over the HSG polysilicon layer. An upper portion of the mask layer is removed to expose the uppermost portions of the HSG polysilicon layer and the exposed HSG polysilicon layer portions are then etched, which translates the pattern of the exposed HSG polysilicon layer portions into the storage poly. The capacitor is completed by depositing a dielectric material layer over the storage poly layer and depositing a cell poly layer over the dielectric material layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure begins by preparing a semiconductor substrate provided with an isolation region formed therein. An ultra thin SiO2 layer is thermally grown on top of the semiconductor device by using a wet H2/O2 or a dry O2 at a temperature ranging from approximately 650° C. to approximately 900° C. And then, an Al layer is deposited on top of the semiconductor substrate and annealed in the presence of oxygen gas or nitrous oxygen to convert the Al layer into an Al2O3 layer. Thereafter, a conductive layer is formed on top of the Al2O3 layer. Finally, the conductive layer is patterned into the gate structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a DRAM capacitor comprises the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having a source/drain region thereon, and then forming an insulating layer over the substrate. Next, a storage node opening that exposes the source/drain region is formed in the insulating layer, and then a conductive layer is formed above the storage node opening and the insulating layer. Thereafter, porous insulating material is deposited over the first conductive layer. The porous material includes porous oxide, NanoPorous Silica or Xerogel Sol-Gel, for example. Subsequently, the porous insulating layer is used as a mask to carry out a plasma-etching operation so that a portion of the conductive layer is etched away to form a plurality of long and narrow crevices. Hence, a fork-shaped conductive layer is formed. The fork-shaped first conductive layer serves as the lower electrode of a capacitor.

Abstract: An improved series and/or parallel connection of transistors within a logic gate is presented. The improved connection is brought about by a sacrificial structure on which gate conductors are formed adjacent sidewall surfaces of the sacrificial structure. The sacrificial structure thereby provides spacing between the series-connected or parallel-connected transistors. Upon removal of each sacrificial structure, a pair of transistors can be formed by implanting dopant species into the substrate on opposite sides of the spaced conductors. Beneath what was once a sacrificial structure is a shared implant area to which two transistors are coupled either in series or in parallel. By depositing the gate conductor material and then anisotropically removing the material except adjacent the vertical sidewall surfaces, an ultra short gate conductor can be formed concurrent with other gate conductors within a logic gate.

Abstract: A conductive layer (14) and a dummy feature (16) are formed over a semiconductor substrate (10) doped with a first dopant type. A spacer (42) is then formed adjacent the dummy feature (16) and is used to define a first patterned feature (92). In one embodiment, substrate regions (90) are doped with a second dopant type that is a same dopant type as the first dopant type. In an alternative embodiment, substrate regions (90) are doped with a second dopant type that is opposite the first dopant type. The dummy feature (16) is then removed and remaining portions of the spacer (100) are used to define a gate electrode (120). The substrate (10) is then doped optionally with a third dopant type and then with a fourth dopant type, the third and fourth dopant types being opposite the first dopant type, to form asymmetrically doped source (172) and drain regions (174) in the semiconductor substrate (10).

Abstract: An integrated circuit (10, 60, 110, 210) is fabricated according to a method which includes the steps of providing a structure (12, 112, 212) having a top surface (13, 113, 213), and forming spaced first and second sections (16-18, 67-69, 72-73, 126-127, 231-232) on the top surface. The first and second sections have side surfaces (21-26, 81-88, 131-134, 241-244) thereon. A respective sidewall (31-36, 91-98, 141-144, 251-254) with a sublithographic thickness is formed on each side surface. Then, a further section (42A-42D, 101A-101D, 152, 268) is formed in the region between the sidewalls on the first and second sections, for example by introducing a selected material between those sidewalls, and by then removing any portion of the selected material which is higher than the upper ends of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, includes forming at least one conductive island having a predetermined sidewall angle in a conductive substrate, forming a dielectric material over the at least one island, forming a conductive material over the dielectric material, and forming a contact to the conductive material and the at least one island.

Abstract: A narrow groove is formed over a substrate. To form such a narrow groove, a first material is formed over a substrate, the first material having a sidewall. A spacer is formed abutting the sidewall. Subsequently a second material is formed adjacent to the spacer. The spacer is removed leaving a groove between the first material and second material. In one embodiment, the groove is filled with material for a narrow feature, such as a gate, and the first material and second material are removed. As a result a gate or other narrow feature is formed having a length defined by the width of a spacer. In another embodiment, an implant is performed through the small groove, resulting in a small localized implant.

Abstract: A storage cell has a number of projections of a semiconductor substrate arranged in rows and columns, neighboring rows of the projections being translation-symmetrical in relation to a y-axis which extends parallel to the columns. Each of the projections has at least one first source/drain region of a selection transistor and one channel region arranged below the first source/drain region, which is surrounded by a gate electrode annularly. A storage capacitor is connected between the first source/drain region and a bit line. The bit line as well as the storage capacitor are arranged essentially above the semiconductor substrate. Second source/drain regions of selection transistors are buried in the semiconductor substrate and connected with each other. Word lines can be formed self-justified in the form of adjacent gate electrodes. The projections can be created by etching with only one mask.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a wiring pattern, which includes the steps of: exposing a resist through a photomask, the photomask having a pattern whose line width is equal to or less than a resolution limit; and developing the exposed resist to form a resist pattern having groove depressions on the surface thereof, the depressions not reaching the back of the resist pattern. The resist may be a positive resist in which case the resist pattern is formed on an underplate feed film; a plating metal is precipitated on the feed film in a region not covered by the resist pattern; the resist pattern is stripped after the precipitation; and the feed film is selectively removed in a region not covered by the plating metal. Alternatively, the resist may be a negative resist in which case the resist pattern is formed on a substrate; a metallic material is deposited on the resist pattern and the substrate; and the resist is stripped from the substrate to remove the overlying metallic material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an ultra-small electrode or plug contact for use in chalcogenide memory cells specifically, and in semiconductor devices generally, in which disposable spacers are utilized to fabricate ultra-small pores into which the electrodes are formed. The electrodes thus defined have minimum lateral dimensions ranging from approximately 500 to 4000 Angstroms. The pores thus defined may then be used to fabricate a chalcogenide memory cell or other semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Polysilicon gates are formed with greater accuracy and consistency by depositing an antireflective layer of silicon oxime on the polysilicon layer before patterning. Embodiments also include depositing the polysilicon layer and the silicon oxime layer in the same tool.

Abstract: A DRAM device and a process of manufacturing the device. The DRAM device includes a bit-line coupled to a signal storage node through a transfer device that is controlled by a word line. The transfer device includes a mesa structure having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. A bit-line diffusion region couples the first end of the mesa structure to a bit-line contact. A storage node diffusion region couples the second end of the mesa structure to the signal storage node. The word line controls a channel formed in the mesa structure through a gate which is formed upon the first side, the second side, and the top of the mesa structure. A sub-minimum width of the mesa structure allows full depletion to be easily achieved, resulting in volume inversion in the channel.

Abstract: A photolithographic process for preventing the rounding of the corners of a pattern. A silicon wafer is provided. A first photoresist layer is formed over the silicon wafer and then patterned to form a first group of mutually parallel photoresist lines along a first direction. A second photoresist layer is formed over the silicon wafer and then patterned to form a second group of mutually parallel photoresist lines along a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are on the same plane but mutually perpendicular.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for forming nanometer-sized silicon quantum dots. The method includes the steps of: forming a silicon nitride thin film using active and low energy nitrogen ions on a silicon substrate; forming a uniform silicon thin film on the silicon nitride thin film by a silicon vapor deposition technique; forming silicon nitride islands by injecting a nitrogen gas; forming silicon quantum dots covered with the silicon nitride islands by etching silicon thin film, not covered with the silicon nitride thin film, by injecting an oxygen gas; eliminating the silicon nitride thin film covering the silicon quantum dots by using reactive ions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor structure which comprises a transistor having a source implantation and a drain implantation formed in a semiconductor substrate. The transistor further comprises a gate electrode, a gate oxide, and an active area. The source implantation and drain implantation are situated on opposite sides of said active area, and said gate oxide and gate electrode are situated on top of said active region. The transistor further comprises two trench isolations adjacent to said active area, wherein said trench isolations are situated on opposite sides of said active area such that a sidewall of each trench serves as interface to said active area, at least one of said sidewalls of said trench isolations which serves as interface to said active area being sloped having a slope between 90° and 150°, said trench isolations and source implantation and drain implantation enclosing said active area on four sides.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device wherein a first material is provided on a first surface which has a surface and a sidewall. A sidewall structure of predetermined thickness, extending away from the sidewall, is formed with a second material different from the first material. The sidewall structure can be formed on a pair of adjacent sidewalls, the sidewall structure filling the space between the sidewall pair. Optionally, portions of the sidewall structure are removed and a second sidewall deposition of the same or different thickness can be added on exposed portions of the sidewall and the sidewall structure, thereby providing a disposition of different sidewall structure thickness. Additional portions of the sidewall structure can be removed. A third material different from the second material is formed covering exposed portions of the first surface, sidewall structure and first material. The first and third materials can be the same.

Abstract: Removable photoresist sidewall spacers are formed on side surfaces of device features, such as gate electrodes, enabling simplifying CMOS methodology by reducing the number of critical masks and processing steps. Embodiments included angular exposure of a photoresist layer using the device feature to shadow the photoresist on the side surface, thereby preventing exposure such that the unexposed photoresist portion is not removed during subsequent development. Embodiments of the present invention also include forming removable, photoresist sidewall spacers on the side surfaces of the gates of NMOS and PMOS transistors, forming moderately or heavily doped source/drain implants, activation annealing to form moderately or heavily doped source/drain regions, ion implanting shallow source/drain extensions and halo regions and activating the shallow extensions and halo regions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit fabrication process is provided for forming a transistor having an ultra short channel length dictated by the width of a sidewall spacer which either embodies a gate conductor for the transistor or is used to pattern an underlying gate conductor. In one embodiment, the sidewall spacers are formed upon and extending laterally from the opposed sidewall surfaces of a sacrificial material. The sidewall surfaces of the sacrificial material are defined by forming the sacrificial material within an opening interposed laterally between vertically extending sidewalls which bound a gate dielectric. An upper portion of the gate dielectric is removed to partially expose the sidewall surfaces arranged at the periphery of the sacrificial material. Polysilicon spacers are formed exclusively upon the sidewall surfaces of the sacrificial material to define a pair of gate conductors having relatively small lateral widths.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuitry, methods of forming elevated source/drain regions, and methods of forming field effect transistors are described. In one embodiment, a transistor gate line is formed over a semiconductive substrate. A layer comprising undoped semiconductive material is formed laterally proximate the transistor gate line and joins with semiconductive material of the substrate and comprises elevated source/drain material for a transistor of the line. Subsequently, conductivity-modifying impurity is provided into the elevated source/drain material. In another embodiment, a common step is utilized to provide conductivity enhancing impurity into both elevated source/drain material and material of the gate line. In another embodiment, the undoped semiconductive layer is first patterned and etched to provide elevated source/drain regions prior to provision of the conductivity-modifying impurity.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing an improved semiconductor device in which overlay-accuracy can be enhanced even when a halftone mask is used. An oxide film is formed on an antireflection film. Resist films are selectively irradiated with light using a halftone phase shift mask. Subsequently, it is developed to form resist patterns for a connecting hole and an overlay mark. According to the, present invention, the provision of an antireflection film under an oxide film prevents formation of a ghost pattern in an overlay mark portion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising stacked capacitor memory cells having sub-lithographic, edge-defined word lines and a method for forming such an integrated circuit. The method forms conductors adjacent to sub-lithographic word lines in order to couple a stacked capacitor to the access transistor of the memory cell. The conductors are bounded by the word lines. The bit line and capacitor are formed with a single mask image in such a manner as to self-align the bit line and the capacitor and to maximize the capacitance of the memory device. The method may be used to couple any suitable circuit element to a semiconductor device in an integrated circuit having edge-defined, sub-lithographic word lines.

Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect wiring structure, such as a fuse structure, comprises forming an opening in an insulating layer using a phase shift mask (the opening having vertical sidewalls sloped sidewalls and horizontal surfaces), depositing a conductive material in the opening and removing the conductive material from the sloped sidewalls and horizontal surfaces, wherein the conductive material remains on the vertical sidewalls as fuse links.

Abstract: A structure is provided comprising a semiconductor substrate, a gate oxide layer on the substrate, and a polysilicon layer on the gate oxide layer. A masking layer is formed on the polysilicon layer. The masking layer is then patterned into a mask utilizing conventional photolithographic techniques, but without patterning the polysilicon layer. The photoresist layer is then removed, whereafter the mask, which is patterned out of the masking layer, is utilized for patterning the polysilicon layer. The use of a carbon free mask for patterning the polysilicon layer, instead of a conventional photoresist layer containing carbon, results in less breakthrough through the gate oxide layer when the polysilicon layer is patterned. Less breakthrough through the gate oxide layer allows for the use of thinner gate oxide layers, and finally fabricated transistors having lower threshold voltages.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a feature on a substrate is disclosed. In a described embodiment the feature is the gate electrode of an MOS transistor. In this embodiment a polysilicon layer is formed on the substrate. Next, an edge definition layer of silicon nitride is formed on the feature layer. Then, a patterned edge definition layer of silicon dioxide is formed on the first edge definition layer. Then, a silicon nitride spacer is formed adjacent to an edge of the patterned second edge definition layer. Finally, the polysilicon layer is etched, forming the transistor gate electrode from the polysilicon that remains under the spacer.

Abstract: On a silicon substrate is formed a silicon dioxide film and then hemispherical grains made of silicon. each having an extremely small diameter, are deposited thereon by LPCVD. After annealing the hemispherical grains, the silicon dioxide film is etched using the hemispherical grains as a first dotted mask, thereby forming a second dotted mask composed of the silicon dioxide film. The resulting second dotted mask is used to etch the silicon substrate to a specified depth from the surface thereof, thereby forming an aggregate of semiconductor micro-needles. Since the diameter of each of the semiconductor micro-needles is sufficiently small to cause the quantum size effects as well as has only small size variations, remarkable quantum size effects can be obtained. Therefore, it becomes possible to constitute a semiconductor apparatus with a high information-processing function by using the aggregate of semiconductor micro-needles (quantized region).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a DRAM capacitor. A silicon germanium layer is formed on a lower electrode of the capacitor. The silicon germanium layer is oxidized to form a segregated grained germanium layer and a silicon oxide layer where the segregated grained germanium is distributed on the lower electrode. The silicon oxide layer is then removed. Using the segregated grained germanium as a hard mask, the lower electrode is etched to a depth to form a multi-cylinder structure. The segregated grained germanium is then removed. A capacitor dielectric layer and an upper electrode are successively formed on the multi-cylinder structure.

Abstract: A post-etch structure resulting in the inverse of a sidewall spacer etch, i.e. removal of the spacer. A vertical portion of a film is removed while leaving horizontal portions substantially intact. A facet is left in the film in register with an upper corner formed by the vertical and horizontal portions of the underlying body.

Abstract: For manufacturing a capacitor that is essentially suited for DRAM arrangements, column structures that form an electrode of the capacitor are etched upon employment of a statistical mask that is produced without lithographic steps by nucleus formation of Si/Ge and subsequent selective epitaxy. Structure sizes below 100 nm can be realized in the statistical mask. Surface enlargement factors up to 60 are thus achieved.

Abstract: A germanium and silicon alloy is employed as an antireflective coating material for use in active area lithography and gate area lithography steps in the formation of a semiconductor integrated circuit. A layer composed of an alloy of germanium-silicon is deposited over an active area nitride layer or over a gate area nitride layer, and a photoresist layer is then formed on the germanium-silicon alloy layer. The photoresist layer is than exposed and developed. During exposure, the germanium-silicon alloy layer substantially reduces reflection from the underlying nitride layer, thereby relieving the dependency of exposure energy and resulting line width on the underlying nitride layer thickness.

Abstract: Process for controllably defining the width of silicon gates to critical dimensions. The process includes steps of first providing a semiconductor substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer) with a gate oxide layer on its surface, followed by depositing a silicon (e.g. polysilicon or amorphous silicon) gate layer on the gate oxide layer. A first oxide layer (e.g. a PSG, TEOS-based or silane-based oxide layer) is then formed on the silicon gate layer. Next, the first oxide layer is patterned to form a patterned first oxide layer, exposing portions of the silicon gate layer. A second oxide layer is then formed on the patterned first oxide layer and the exposed portions of the silicon gate layer. A first silicon (e.g. polysilicon or amorphous silicon) layer is subsequently formed on the second oxide layer. The first silicon layer is then patterned to form a patterned first silicon layer with sidewalls, exposing portions of the second oxide layer. A conformal spacer precursor layer (e.g. of Si.sub.3 N.sub.

Abstract: A process for reducing dimensions of circuit elements in a semiconductor device. The process reduces feature sizes by using an intermediate etchable mask layer between a photo-resistive mask and a layer to be etched. The etchable mask layer below the photo-resistive mask is etched and portions remain which undercut the pattern on the photo-resistive mask. After removing the photo-resistive mask, the remaining mask portions are then used to mask the layer to be etched. By undercutting the photo-resistive mask, the mask portions form a pattern having features with widths that are less than widths of features in the photo-resistive mask. The layer to be etched can then be etched to provide circuit elements with reduced dimensions.

Abstract: A method of forming self-aligned contact by using silicon spacers is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a plurality of layers are formed over a substrate and a series of first trenches are etched into a first of the layers in a first direction. A series of second trenches are etched into the first layer in a second direction which is different from the first direction. Collectively, the first and second trenches define a plurality of different substrate elevations with adjacent elevations being joined by sidewalls which extend therebetween. Sidewall spacers are formed over the sidewalls, and material of the first layer is substantially selectively etched relative to material from which the spacers are formed. Material comprising the spacer material is substantially selectively etched relative to the first material. In a preferred implementation, the etching provides a plurality of cells which are separated from one another by no more than a lateral width dimension of a previously-formed spacer.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making complex structures with nanoscale resolution in parallel by placing an NCG replica-based mask (or other suitable mask) in close proximity to a substrate and controlling, with nanoscale accuracy and precision, the relative movement of the mask and substrate while sequentially or concurrently carrying out a patterning process or processes. Another aspect of the invention is a diamond film with submicron and/or nanoscale features, that can be made by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a multiple pillar shaped capacitor which has pillars of a smaller dimension than the resolution of the photolithography tool. The invention has two embodiments for forming the pillars and third embodiment for patterning a conductive layer into discrete bottom electrodes. The method begins by forming a conductive layer on a first planarization layer. For the first embodiment, the pillars are formed using a photolithography mask with a pattern of spaced transparent areas. The dimensions of the spaced transparent areas and distances between the spaced transparent areas are smaller that the resolution of the lithographic tool. Spaced oxide islands are formed with the mask and are used as an etch mask to form spaced pillars from the conductive layer. The second embodiment for forming the pillars involves using small titanium silicide islands as an etch mask to define the pillars.

Abstract: A honeycomb/webbed, high surface area capacitor formed by etching a storage poly using an etch mask having a plurality of micro vias. The etch mask is preferably formed by applying an HSG polysilicon layer on a surface of the storage poly with a mask layer being deposited over the HSG polysilicon layer. An upper portion of the mask layer is removed to expose the uppermost portions of the HSG polysilicon layer and the exposed HSG polysilicon layer portions are then etched, which translates the pattern of the exposed HSG polysilicon layer portions into the storage poly. The capacitor is completed by depositing a dielectric material layer over the storage poly layer and depositing a cell poly layer over the dielectric material layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming reduced feature size spacers. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having an area region; patterning a first spacer over a portion of the area region of the substrate, the first spacer having a first thickness and opposing side portions; patterning a pair of second spacers, each second spacer adjacent to a side portion of the first spacer, each second spacer having a second thickness in opposing side portions, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness; removing the first spacer; patterning a plurality of third spacers, each third spacer adjacent to one of the side portions of one of the second spacers, each one of the third spacers having a third thickness, wherein the third thickness is less than the second thickness; and removing the second spacers. The invention also relates to a field of effect transistor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing silicon nitride films on a silicon substrate through chemical reaction of a surface, and then manufacturing a silicon nanometer structure using the silicon nitride films under ultra high vacuum condition. A method for manufacturing silicon nano structures using silicon nitride film, includes the following steps: performing a cleaning process of the silicon surface and implanting nitrogen ions having low energy into the silicon substrate; performing first heat treatment of the silicon substrate having ions implanted therin, and cooling the silicon substrate to room temperature to form monolayer thick silicon nitride islands; implanting oxygen gas on the silicon surface on which silicon nitride islands are used as masks while maintaining the surface of the silicon substrate at a temperature of 750 to 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes the step of forming an electrode on an integrated circuit substrate wherein the electrode covers a first portion of the integrated circuit substrate and wherein the electrode exposes a second portion of the integrated circuit substrate. An etch masking pattern including a plurality of ions is formed on the surface of the electrode wherein the etch masking pattern exposes portions of the surface of the electrode. The exposed portions of the electrode are etched using the etch masking pattern as an etching mask so that recesses are formed in the surface of the electrode thereby increasing a surface area thereof. The etch masking pattern is removed, a dielectric layer is formed on the electrode including the recesses, and a conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer opposite the electrode.

Abstract: A method of fabricating minimum size and next-to-minimum size electrically conductive members using a litho-less process is disclosed. A substrate is provided, and a layer of gate dielectric material is formed on the substrate. A layer of electrically conductive material is formed over the gate dielectric material. A first mask is used to form a hard mask. A layer of first spacer material is deposited over the existing structures, and the layer of first spacer material is etched back to form spacers adjacent to the hard mask. The width of the first spacers determines the minimum size gate length. A layer of second spacer material is deposited over the existing structures, including the hard mask and first spacers. The layer of second spacer material is etched back to form a second set of spacers adjacent to the first spacers. The width of the first and second spacers together determine the next-to-minimum size gate length.