Abstract: A structure and a process for a self-aligned vertical PNP transistor for high performance SiGe CBiCMOS process. Embodiments include SiGe CBiCMOS with high-performance SiGe NPN transistors and PNP transistors. As the PNP transistors and NPN transistors contained different types of impurity profile, they need separate lithography and doping step for each transistor. The process is easy to integrate with existing CMOS process to save manufacturing time and cost. As plug-in module, fully integration with SiGe BiCMOS processes. High doping Polysilicon Emitter can increase hole injection efficiency from emitter to base, reduce emitter resistor, and form very shallow EB junction. Self-aligned N+ base implant can reduce base resistor and parasitical EB capacitor. Very low collector resistor benefits from BP layer. PNP transistor can be Isolated from other CMOS and NPN devices by BNwell, Nwell and BN+ junction.

Abstract: An improved ADSL system with improved data rate is disclosed. In one embodiment, the upstream data bit rate is increased by extending the upstream transmission band. In another embodiment, the downstream data is also increased by extending the downstream transmission band.

Abstract: A method that uses a goodness of fit test/measurement (e.g., correction coefficient) for process control of a test parameter (e.g., resistance). At least the minimum number of test values required to calculate a goodness of fit test is obtained. A curve is fitted for the test parameters values and the independent variable(s). A goodness of fit measurement/test (e.g., correlation coefficient) is calculated for the curve and data. The goodness of fit measurement value is used for process control. Control limits can be established on the goodness of fit measurement values. The use of the goodness of fit test is a sensitive test that can used to control processes with low level defects or small fluctuations.

Abstract: Structures and methods of fabricating of a floating gate non-volatile memory device. In a first example embodiment, We form a bottom tunnel layer comprised of a lower oxide tunnel layer and a upper hafnium oxide tunnel layer; a charge storage layer comprised of a tantalum oxide and a top blocking layer preferably comprised of a lower hafnium oxide storage layer and an upper oxide storage layer. We form a gate electrode over the top blocking layer. We pattern the layers to form a gate structure and form source/drain regions to complete the memory device. In a second example embodiment, we form a floating gate non-volatile memory device comprised of: a bottom tunnel layer comprised essentially of silicon oxide; a charge storage layer comprised of a tantalum oxide; a top blocking layer comprised essentially of silicon oxide; and a gate electrode. The embodiments also comprise anneals and nitridation steps.

Abstract: A embodiment method for forming a layout for a phase shift mask. A embodiment comprises providing a layout comprising a first feature, a first shifter region and a second shifter region. The first feature preferably has a L-shape portion with an elbow region. The first shifter region is on the outside of the L-shaped portion and the second shifter region is on the inside of the L-shaped portion. The elbow region has an outside corner away from the second shifter region. We identify a phase conflict region caused by the L-shaped portion of the first feature, the first shifter region and the second shifter region. We resolve the phase conflict by modifying the elbow region by moving the outside corner of the elbow region away from the first shifter region and the phase conflict region. The modification of the elbow region further comprises forming a jog region in the line end section of the first feature.

Abstract: An example process to remove spacers from the gate of a NMOS transistor. A stress creating layer is formed over the NMOS and PMOS transistors and the substrate. In an embodiment, the spacers on gate are removed so that stress layer is closer to the channel of the device. The stress creating layer is preferably a tensile nitride layer. The stress creating layer is preferably a contact etch stop liner layer. In an embodiment, the gates, source and drain region have an silicide layer thereover before the stress creating layer is formed. The embodiment improves the performance of the NMOS transistors.

Abstract: Structures and methods for forming keyhole shaped regions for isolation and/or stressing the substrate are shown. In a first embodiment, we form an inverted keyhole shaped trench in the substrate in the first opening preferably using a two step etch. Next, we fill the inverted keyhole trench with a material that insulates and/or creates stress on the sidewalls of the inverted keyhole trench. In a second embodiment, we form a keyhole stressor region adjacent to the gate and isolation structures. The keyhole stressor region creates stress near the channel region of the FET to improve FET performance. The stressor region can be filled with an insulator or a semiconductor material.

Abstract: A method for processing IC designs for different metal BEOL processes is provided for enabling fabricating using a metal fabrication process an IC originally having a backend design for a different metal fabrication process. The method first determines layer constructions of an original design of an IC for a first metal backend process, and, based on the layer constructions of the original design of the IC, constructs primitive layer constructions of a target design of the IC for a second metal backend process. The method then tunes an effective dielectric constant of a dielectric layer of the target design to match an associated capacitance of the target backend design with a corresponding capacitance of the original backend design. The method can be used to convert a backend design of an IC from an old metal process (such as Al process) to a new metal process (such as Cu process), without redesigning the IC for the new metal BEOL fabrication process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gate electrode for a semiconductor comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; providing on the substrate a layer of a first material of thickness tp, the first material being selected from the group consisting of Si, Si1-x—Gex alloy, Ge and mixtures thereof and a layer of metal of thickness tm; and annealing the layers, such that substantially all of the first material and the metal are consumed during reaction with one another.

Abstract: A method for forming TGO structures includes providing a substrate containing regions of first, second and third kinds in which devices with respective first, second and third gate oxide layers of different thicknesses are to be formed. The second gate oxide layer is formed over the substrate and then removed from regions of the first kind where the first gate oxide layer is subsequently grown. A first conductive layer is deposited over the substrate. The first conductive layer and second gate oxide layer are subsequently removed from regions of the third kind. The third gate oxide layer followed by deposition of a second conductive layer is formed over the substrate and then removed except from over regions of the third kind.

Abstract: The example embodiments disclose devices and methods to prevent silicide strapping of the Source/Drain to Body in semiconductor devices with S/D stressor. We provide isolation regions in the substrate and a gate structure over the substrate. We form recesses in the substrate adjacent to the gate structure with disposable spacers and adjacent to the isolation regions. We provide stressor regions filling the recesses. The stress region can have a pit adjacent the isolation regions. We form stressor spacers at least partially in the pit on the sidewalls of the stressor regions. We form silicide regions over the stressor regions. The spacer on the stressor regions sidewalls inhibit the formation of silicide at the stressor region edge during the silicide process, thus preventing silicide strapping of the Source/Drain to Body.

Abstract: A CMOS RF device and a method to fabricate said device with low gate contact resistance are described. Conventional MOS transistor is first formed with isolation regions, poly-silicon gate structure, sidewall spacers around poly gate, and implanted source/drain with lightly and heavily doped regions. A silicon dioxide layer such as TEOS is deposited, planarized with chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) to expose the gate and treated with dilute HF etchant to recess the silicon dioxide layer below the surface of the gate. Silicon nitride is then deposited and planarized with CMP and then etched except around the gates, using a oversize poly-silicon gate mask. Inter-level dielectric mask is then deposited, contact holes etched, and contact metal is deposited to form the transistor. During contact hole etch over poly-silicon gate, silicon nitride around the poly gate acts as an etch stop.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method or process is provided for fabricating an integrated circuit (IC) originally having an Al backend design using a Cu BEOL fabrication process. The method converts the Al backend design to a Cu backend design without redesigning the IC for Cu BEOL fabrication process, and uses the resultant Cu design to fabricate the IC using Cu BEOL fabrication process. The Al-Cu conversion first determines layer construction of the Al design, and then matches metal resistances of the Al design with metal resistances of a Cu design, matches intra-metal capacitances of the Al design with intra-metal capacitances of the Cu design, and matches inter-metal capacitance of the Al design with inter-metal capacitances of the Cu design.

Abstract: An example method of monitoring and measuring the line width of interconnects comprising the following steps. First, we measure an I-V profile of a sample interconnect structure to obtain a sample I-V profile. The I-V profile is comprised of leakage current measurements at two or more voltages. The sample interconnect structure is comprised of spaced lines having a line spacing. Next we compare the sample I-V profile with a reference I-V profile at a reference line spacing to determine if sample interconnect structure is not defective. If the sample I-V profile is similar to the reference I-V profile, then leakage currents for the sample interconnect structure are derived from the I-V profiles at a selected voltages. Then we calculate the line spacing of the sample interconnect structure using the sample I-V profile.

Abstract: A system with multiple processors sharing a single memory module without noticeable performance degradation is described. The memory module is divided into n independently addressable banks, where n is at least 2 and mapped such that sequential addresses are rotated between the banks. A bank may be further divided into a plurality of blocks. A cache is provided to enable a processor to fetch from memory a plurality of data words from different memory banks to reduce memory latency caused by memory contention.

Abstract: A package for an IC includes a carrier with a cavity formed on one of the major surfaces. Bumps of a semiconductor die are mated to contact pads located on the bottom of the cavity. The die is attached to the major surface of the carrier. The major surface creates a support which securely holds the chip in place with adhesive for assembly.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor substrate includes forming a buffer layer on the substrate. A Ge containing layer, such as a SiGe is formed over the buffer layer. The buffer layer includes defects at the interface of the substrate and buffer layer. The substrate is oxidized to transform the buffer layer to a buried oxide layer.

Abstract: A memory array comprises memory cells of the dynamic type having a first and a second port. A cache memory is connected to the address and data paths of the first and second ports. A refresh operation is performed through one of said ports. When a refresh operation is performed through said one port, a read operation can be performed through the cache memory in parallel.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a copper interconnect after a chemical-mechanical polishing that comprises: a) treating the surface of said copper interconnect with a nitrogen and oxygen containing treatment; and b) without breaking vacuum, treating the copper interconnect with a NH3 or H2 plasma treatment. Next a cap layer is formed over the copper interconnect.

Abstract: A structure and method of fabrication of a semiconductor device having a stress relief layer under a stress layer in one region of a substrate. In a first example, a stress relief layer is formed over a first region of the substrate (e.g., PFET region) and not over a second region (e.g., NFET region). A stress layer is over the stress relief layer in the first region and over the devices and substrate/silicide in the second region. The NFET transistor performance is enhanced due to the overall tensile stress in the NFET channel while the degradation in the PFET transistor performance is reduced/eliminated due to the inclusion of the stress relief layer. In a second example embodiment, the stress relief layer is formed over the second region, but not the first region and the stress of the stress layer is reversed.