Abstract: A ramp activated low temperature quality epitaxial growth process. A substrate is pre-conditioned and a passivation layer overlying the substrate surface is formed. The substrate is introduced into a process chamber having a controlled temperature. A process chamber purge technique is used to remove oxygen and contaminants from the process chamber before epitaxial growth begins. A process gas, which has an epitaxial growth species, a process chamber purging species and other possible species, is introduced into the process chamber at a low temperature. The process gas and the passivation layer keep the process chamber environment and the substrate surface free from contamination and free from native oxide growth before and, in some cases, during epitaxial growth. The process chamber temperature is gradually elevated to initiate a quality epitaxial growth by starting growth relative to decomposition of the passivation layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a first doped region (24) and a second doped region (26) within a substrate (12). A masking layer (14) overlies the substrate (12). A first region (20) of the masking layer (14) is etched to form a first plurality of openings. A second region (22) of the masking layer (14) is etched to form a single opening or a second plurality of openings different in geometry from the first plurality of openings. A single ion implant step or an equivalent doping step is used to dope exposed portions of the substrate (12). The geometric differences in the masking layer (14) between region (20) and region (22) results in the formation of the first and second doped regions (24 and 26) wherein the first and second doped regions (24 and 26) vary in doping uniformity, doping concentration, and doping junction depth.

Abstract: A transistor and a capacitor is used to provide, in one form, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell (10). The capacitor of cell (10) lies within a substrate (12). The capacitor has a first capacitor electrode (16) and a second capacitor electrode (20). A dielectric layer (18) is formed as an inter-electrode capacitor dielectric. A first transistor current electrode (36) is formed overlying and electrically connected to the first capacitor electrode (16). A channel region (38) is formed overlying the first transistor current electrode (36). A second transistor current electrode (40) is formed overlying the channel region (38). A conductive layer (30) is formed laterally adjacent the channel region (38) and isolated from the substrate (12) by dielectric layers (22 and 28). A conductive layer (30) functions as a gate electrode for the transistor and a sidewall dielectric (34) functions as a gate dielectric.

Abstract: A pair of first and second thin film transistors (TFTs). The transistors are formed from a first continuous, conductive region (38) and a second continuous, conductive region (39) which underlies the first conductive region (38). The first transistor has a source region (50), a drain region (54), and a channel region (52) created from three distinct and separate regions of conductor region (39). The first transistor has a gate region (53) that overlies the channel region (52). The gate region (53) is formed from a distinct region of conductive region (38). The second transistor has a source region (44), a drain region (48), and a channel region (46) which are created from three distinct and separate regions of conductor region (38). The second transistor has a gate region (47) that underlies the channel region (46). The gate region (47) is formed from a distinct region of conductive region (39).

Abstract: A dynamic instruction modifying controller (10, 11, or 13) and controller method of operation for use with a general purpose computer. The controller has an execution device (12) and a memory (14). Residing in memory (14) is a control program (16). Control program (16) communicates to the execution device via a conductor (22). A target program (18) resides in memory (14) and communicates with the control program (16) via a conductor (24). A modifying program (20) resides in memory (14) and communicates to the control program (16) via a conductor (28). The modifying program (20) alters the target program (18) during target program (18) execution time to include the execution of a surrogate code group created by the modifying program (20).

Abstract: A method for forming a planarized layer of material starts by providing a substrate (12). An integrated circuit layer (14) is formed overlying the substrate (12). A first layer of material (16) is formed overlying the integrated circuit layer (14). An etch stop layer (18) is formed overlying the layer of material (16) and etched to form sidewall formations or spacers. A second layer of material (20) is formed overlying the layer of material (16) and the etch stop layer (18). Planarization, polishing, or etch-back processing is performed using the etch stop layer (18) to endpoint. The resulting planarized layer has a thickness which is determined accurately by the etch stop layer (18).

Abstract: A nested surface capacitor and method of formation. The nested surface capacitor has a substrate (14) and an overlying dielectric layer (16). Conductive layer (18) overlies the dielectric layer (16). Three conductive cylindrical structures respectively referred to as an inner cylinder (30), a central cylinder (22') and an outer cylinder (32) overlie the conductive layer (18). The inner cylinder (30) lies within the central cylinder (22'). The central cylinder (22') lies within the outer cylinder (32). Together, the conductive layer (18) and the cylinders (30, 22', and 32) form a first electrode for the nested surface capacitor. A dielectric layer (38) overlying the cylinders (30, 22', and 32) and the conductive layer (18) acts as a capacitor dielectric. A conductive layer (40) overlying the dielectric layer (38) forms a second electrode of the capacitor.

Abstract: A shielding structure (10) and method of formation. The shielding structure (10) has a substrate (12). A first dielectric layer (14) overlies the substrate (12). A conductive layer (16) is formed overlying the dielectric layer (14), is patterned, and is etched to form electrically isolated conductive regions from conductive layer (16). The electrically isolated conductive regions have sidewalls and the etching of conductive layer (16) exposes portions of dielectric layer (14). The exposed portions of dielectric layer (14) are etched to form trenched portions of dielectric layer (14). A second dielectric layer (18) is formed overlying the electrically isolated conductive regions, including the sidewalls, and overlying the trenched portions to create recessed regions that separate the electrically isolated conductive regions.

Abstract: An interconnect structure is formed having a substrate (10). A conductive layer (14) is formed overlying the substrate (10). A conductive layer (18) is formed overlying the conductive layer (14). An opening (19) is etched through the conductive layer (18), exposing a top portion of conductive layer (14), and forming a sidewall of the conductive layer (18). An selective isotropic etch procedure is used to laterally recess the sidewall of the conductive layer (18). A sidewall spacer (22) is formed adjacent the sidewall of the conductive layer (18). A conductive layer (24) is formed within opening (19) and adjacent the spacer (22) to form an interconnection between conductive layers (24 and 14). The interconnection is self-aligned, and conductive layer (18) is reliably isolated from the interconnect due to the lateral recessed sidewall of the conductive layer (18).

Abstract: A method for forming a transistor and a capacitor to provide, in one form, a DRAM cell (10). The capacitor of cell (10) is formed within a substrate (12). The capacitor has a first capacitor electrode (16) and a second capacitor electrode (20). A dielectric layer (18) is formed as an inter-electrode capacitor dielectric. A first transistor current electrode (36) is formed overlying and electrically connected to the first capacitor electrode (16). A channel region (38) is formed overlying the first transistor current electrode (36). A second transistor current electrode (40) is formed overlying the channel region (38). A conductive layer (30) is formed laterally adjacent the channel region (38) and isolated from the substrate (12) by dielectric layers (22 and 28). A conductive layer (30) functions as a gate electrode for the transistor and a sidewall dielectric (34) functions as a gate dielectric.

Abstract: A trench structure (10) using germanium silicate. The trench structure (10) has a substrate material (12) and a hard mask material (14) that overlies the substrate material (12). An opening is formed in the hard mask material and the opening is used to form a trench (16) in the substrate material (12). The trench (16) has a sidewall portion and a bottom portion. A barrier (18 and 20) is formed overlying the bottom portion of the trench (16) and adjacent to the sidewall portion of the trench (16). A planar germanium silicate region (22) is formed overlying the barrier (18 and 20).