Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabrication are disclosed. The device includes a first trench isolation region having an allowable tiling area and a second trench isolation region having an allowable tiling area, wherein the second trench isolation region is doped differently from the first trench isolation region. First tile structures disposed within first trench isolation region have a first set of design parameters while second tile structures disposed within the second trench isolation region have a second set of design parameters. At least one of the first set of design parameters is different from a corresponding design parameter in the second set of design parameters. The corresponding design parameters may include the density, size, pitch, shape, exclusion distance, minimum width, minimum length, and minimum area. The first trench isolation region may be doped with a first-type dopant and the second trench isolation region may be undoped or doped with an opposite second-type dopant.

Abstract: A model-based approach for generating an etch pattern to decrease topographical uniformity involves placing reverse dummy features (50, 52, 70) in a region of a semiconductor substrate (40, 60) according to the topography of the region and adjacent regions. The reverse dummy features are placed inconsistently over the semiconductor substrate (40, 60) because the need for reverse dummy features is inconsistent and varies from design to design. In one embodiment, the reverse dummy features (50, 52, 70) having varying widths are placed with varying spacing between them and are placed in different regions. The determination of location, size and spacing of the reverse dummy features (50, 52, 70) is determined based upon the uniformity effect over the entire semiconductor die and may be used in conjunction with the placement of printed dummy features.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit device having dummy features and the resulting structure are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a first active feature separated from a substantially smaller second active feature by a dummy-available region void of active features. Within the dummy-available region and in close proximity to the second active feature exists a dummy feature.

Abstract: A method of patterning a wafer using four areas with differing exposure characteristics is disclosed. Two areas are phase shifted relative to the other two areas in order to create unexposed areas on the integrated circuit. Two different areas have polarizations orthogonal to each other, are frequency shifted relative to the two other areas, or are exposed by light at a time different than the two other areas to form exposed areas on the integrated circuit. The exposed areas are subsequently removed from the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the four areas are on the same mask. The use of four areas with differing exposure characteristics allows for the patterning of more complicated and smaller geometric patterns on the integrated circuit than traditional patterning methods.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor component includes providing a semiconductor substrate (150) with a photoresist layer and providing a reflective lithographic mask (120, 200) having a radiation-absorptive composite layer (270) in a pattern over a radiation-reflective composite layer (220). A radiation sensitive layer is disposed over the semiconductor substrate, and an extreme ultra-violet light (110, 130) reflects a pattern off of the mask and onto the photoresist layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing technique for making grating features utilizes the etching characteristics for photoresist to provide desirable geometric shapes in close proximity to each other. This results in a grating for optocoupling, which is manufacturable and provides efficient coupling. A silicon waveguide is conveniently achieved using a SOI substrate so that the insulator underlying the silicon provides one material adjoining the silicon with a lower index of refraction than silicon. The top surface of the silicon has the desirable geometric shapes that result also in a lower index of refraction than silicon above the main body of the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A method for determining an endpoint during chemical-mechanical polishing of a semiconductor wafer (100, 200) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of depositing on a first layer (106, 206) to be polished a second layer (108, 208), the physical properties of the first layer (106, 206) being different from the physical properties of the second layer (108, 208). After that, the wafer (100, 200) is polished by chemical-mechanical polishing. Due to the different physical properties of the layers, a variation of the physical properties can be detected, and an endpoint can be determined on the basis of the detected variation. Further, a semiconductor wafer for use in a chemical-mechanical polishing process is disclosed.

Abstract: A resist layer (34) on a semiconductor wafer (20) is patterned by using a scanning exposure system (50) which provides light, containing pattern information which is intended to be transferred to the wafer. The lithographic system is a step and scan system in which a reticle (16) passes between a light source and a lens system(18). The wafer with the resist layer is passed through a focal plane of the patterned light at a tilt angle (&thgr;). The user selects a desirable range for the depth of the resist to be exposed at the focus of the patterned light. The tilt angle is calculated by taking the arc tangent of the desirable range divided by a width of a slit region (52) of the projected light. The depth of focus increases over standard step and scan techniques.

Abstract: Two conductors of the same layer are separated by a low-K dielectric to minimize capacitance between them. The first and second conductors may have sidewalls with conductive barriers. The conductive barriers are separated from the low-K dielectric by spacers. The dielectric spacers have a top portion and a lower portion in which the top portion may have a higher dielectric constant than the lower portion or may be the same material. The two conductors are formed in trenches in a convenient dielectric. Prior to forming the conductors, the conductive barriers are deposited in the trench. After the conductors are formed, the convenient dielectric is removed. The dielectric spacers are formed adjacent to the conductive barriers. The low-K dielectric is then deposited adjacent to the dielectric spacers and not in contact with the conductive barriers.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device by placing a semiconductor substrate in a vacuum chamber and subjecting the semiconductor substrate (20) to a sub-atmospheric pressure, and depositing a layer (40) on the semiconductor substrate while maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure. Deposition of the layer (40) is carried out by sequentially (i) flowing a first reactant into the vacuum chamber at a first flow rate, (ii) reducing flow of the first reactant into the vacuum chamber to a second flow rate, and (iii) increasing flow of the first reactant into the vacuum chamber to a third flow rate.

Abstract: A copper interconnect polishing process begins by polishing (17) a bulk thickness of copper (63) using a first platen. A second platen is then used to remove (19) a thin remaining interfacial copper layer to expose a barrier film (61). Computer control (21) monitors polish times of the first and second platen and adjusts these times to improve wafer throughput. One or more platens and/or the wafer is rinsed (20) between the interfacial copper polish and the barrier polish to reduce slurry cross contamination. A third platen and slurry is then used to polish away exposed portions of the barrier (61) to complete polishing of the copper interconnect structure. A holding tank that contains anti-corrosive fluid is used to queue the wafers until subsequent scrubbing operations (25). A scrubbing operation (25) that is substantially void of light is used to reduce photovoltaic induced corrosion of copper in the drying chamber of the scubber.

Abstract: A wafer carrier assembly (51) places a semiconductor wafer in angular compliance with a polishing media. The wafer carrier assembly (51) includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The second assembly inclines freely in any direction for providing angular compliance.

Abstract: Etch residue, resulting from a process used in forming a via, is removed using a process that does not require using a liquid chemical solvent and does not result in excessive charge build-up in the via. One step is to use a fluorocarbon and oxygen. These gases are energized by both microwave and RF. Another step is to introduce argon, in addition to the other two gases, also energized by microwave and RF. This has the effect of removing any additional residue which tends to stick on the surface above the via as well completing the removal of etch residue in the via. An additional step is simply to apply de-ionized water to remove any remaining fluorinated residue that, as a result of the preceding two steps, is highly soluable in water.

Abstract: A self-aligned magnetic clad bit line structure (274) for a magnetic memory element (240a) and its method of formation are disclosed, wherein the self-aligned magnetic clad bit line structure (274) extends within a trench (258) and includes a conductive material (250), magnetic cladding sidewalls (262) and a magnetic cladding cap (252). The magnetic cladding sidewalls (262) at least partially surround the conductive material (264) and the magnetic cladding cap (252) is substantially recessed within the trench with respect to the top of the trench.

Abstract: A contact between a source/drain and a gate is made by making a selected portion of the gate dielectric conductive by an implant into that selected portion of the gate dielectric. The gate material is in a layer over the entire integrated circuit. Areas where gates are to connect to source/drains are indentified and the gate dielectric at those identified locations is implanted to make it conductive. The source/drains are formed so that they extend under these areas of conductive gate dielectric so that at these locations the implanted gate dielectric shorts the gate to the source/drain. This saves area on the integrated circuit, reduces the need for interconnect layers, and avoids the problems associated with depositing and etching polysilicon on an exposed silicon substrate.

Abstract: A dual inlaid copper interconnect structure uses a plasma enhanced nitride (PEN) bottom capping layer and a silicon rich silicon oxynitride intermediate etch stop layer. The interfaces (16a, 16b, 20a, and 20b) between these layers (16 and 20) and their adjacent dielectric layers (18 and 22) are positioned in the stack (13) independent of the desired aspect ratio of trench openings of the copper interconnect in order to improve optical properties of the dielectric stack (13). Etch processing is then used to position the layers (16) and (20) at locations within the inlaid structure depth that result in one or more of reduced DC leakage current, improved optical performance, higher frequency of operation, reduced cross talk, increased flexibility of design, or like improvements.

Abstract: A process for forming a first transistor of a first conductivity type and a second transistor of a second conductivity type in a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The substrate has a first well of the first conductivity type and a second well of the second conductivity type. A gate dielectric is formed over the wells. A first metal layer is then formed over the gate dielectric. A portion of the first metal layer located over the second well is then removed. A second metal layer different from said first metal is then formed over the wells and a gate mask is formed over the second metal. The metal layers are then patterned to leave a first gate over the first well and a second gate over the second well. Source/drains are then formed in the first and second wells to form the first and second transistor.

Abstract: A first plurality of memory cells (32, 33) connected in series lies within a first well (47) that is separated and electrically isolated (42) from a second plurality of memory cells (36 et al.) connected in series lying within a second well (46). In one embodiment, the first and second wells (46, 47) are doped p-type and are contained within an n-well (48) and a substrate (49). Applying a negative voltage to its corresponding bit line and a positive voltage to its corresponding word line programs a predetermined memory cell within the first plurality. A lesser positive voltage than that applied to the predetermined memory cell's word line is applied to all other bit lines and word lines of non-selected memory cells. By utilizing a negative voltage while programming a memory cell, the magnitude of programming voltages is reduced, thereby, removing the need for an elaborate charge pump to generate a much higher programming voltage.

Abstract: A dielectric layer comprises lanthanum, aluminum and oxygen and is formed between two conductors or a conductor and substrate. In one embodiment, the dielectric layer is graded with respect to the lanthanum or aluminum. In another embodiment, an insulating layer is formed between the conductor or substrate and the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer can be formed by atomic layer chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, organometallic chemical vapor deposition or pulsed laser deposition.

Abstract: A fault tolerant electronic braking system for a vehicle has a brake pedal arranged to provide an electronic signal in response to operation thereof. A number of braking nodes are coupled to the brake pedal, each node being arranged to control a brake actuator. Each brake node has a controller arranged for processing the first signal to provide a second signal for controlling the brake actuator, and for providing third signals for transmission to the other control means. The third signals are the expected second signal results of the other controllers. Each controller is arranged to compare the second signal with the third signals received from the other controllers such that errors detected between the second and third signals indicate faults in the controllers.