Abstract: Semiconductor devices including semiconductor junctions and semiconductor field effect transistors that exploit the straining of semiconductor materials to improve device performance are provided. Also described are methods for making semiconductor structures. Dislocation defect-free epitaxial grown structures that are embedded into a semiconductor base are provided. The epitaxial structures can extend beyond the surface of the semiconductor base and terminate at a faceted structure. The epitaxial structures are formed using a multilayer growth process that provides for continuous transitions between adjacent layers.

Abstract: A hotspot correction method is provided. The layout patterns in the hotspot regions are accurately corrected by using an ILT method. Then the layout patterns in the extension regions are corrected by using an OPC method. As a result, the layout patterns in the hotspot regions can be accurately corrected while pattern distortion of the extension regions generated due to the regional ILT correction can be prevented. Moreover, high demanding of calculation capability and long calculation time of global ILT correction can be avoided.

Abstract: A method for MOM capacitance value control is disclosed. The method comprises: S01: setting a target thicknesses for each metal layers; S02: after forming a current metal layer, measuring a thickness of the current metal layer; when the thickness of the current metal layer is equal to or less than a threshold value, then turning to step S03; S03: calculating multiple capacitance variations related to the current metal layer according to the thickness of the current metal layer; wherein each of the capacitance variation related to the current metal layer is between an actual capacitance value of a MOM capacitor combination associated with the current metal layer and a target capacitance value of the same MOM capacitor combination; S04: calculating updated target thicknesses for all subsequent metal layers according to the capacitance variations related to the current metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an OPC method for a pattern corner, comprising the following steps of: S01: providing a photomask which has an original layout containing target patterns, wherein the target patterns have at least one convex corner at a vertex of two first adjacent sides with an angle of 90-degree therebetween and at least one concave corner at a vertex of two second adjacent sides with an angle of 270-degree; S02: modifying the original layout to obtain a modified layout by adding at least one first rectangular correction pattern from outside of the convex corner and/or removing at least one second rectangular correction pattern from inside of the concave corner; S03: performing a model-based OPC correction to the modified layout to obtain a corrected photomask.

Abstract: An optimization method for overlay error compensation is disclosed.

Abstract: A test layout, a system, and a method for detecting leakage current are disclosed. The test layout module includes M PN junction diode leakage current test units formed in the FEOL process, parallel-connect with a classical leakage current test unit formed in the metal layer; wherein, P-regions of the PN junction diodes are connected to a high potential, N-regions of the PN junction diodes are connected to a low potential, the junction areas of the PN junction diodes are different each other, each of the PN junction diode leakage current test units is controlled by one switch respectively, the positive integer M is greater than or equal to 1. Through paralleling the PN junction diodes formed in the FEOL process with the classical leakage current test unit in the metal layer, not only the required test layout area utilized to detect the leakage current in the metal layer is reduced, but also the detecting accuracy is further enhanced.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a Flash wafer, comprises: fabricating a Flash wafer containing a cell area, a logical area and a capacitance area; adjusting the height of the silicon oxide filled shallow trench in the logical area and the capacitance area; sequentially depositing a silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer on the upper surface of the Flash wafer, and sequentially removing the silicon oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer on the upper surface of the cell area and on the upper surface of the floating gate in the logical area and the capacitance area; adjusting the height of the silicon oxide filled shallow trench in the cell area and the capacitance area; depositing an interlayer dielectric layer on the surface of the Flash wafer; removing the rest part in the logical area by protecting the cell area and the capacitance area with a mask.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an OPC method for a shallow ion implanting layer, comprising the following steps of: selecting a valid device region in an implanting active region in a shallow ion implanting original layout; selecting a region in the valid device region which is contacted with a poly-silicon pattern in a poly-silicon layer, as a poly-silicon contacting region; extending the length and width of the poly-silicon contacting region and the non poly-silicon contacting region, to form a new poly-silicon contacting region and a new non poly-silicon contacting region; combining a gap portion which an interval between any two new poly-silicon contacting regions and/or new non poly-silicon contacting regions after extending is smaller than or equal to G and completely fallen in the STI region, with the poly-silicon contacting regions and non poly-silicon contacting regions after extending, to form a correction target layer; performing a model-based OPC routine on the correction target layer, to obtain

Abstract: Techniques for measuring and testing a semiconductor wafer during semiconductor device fabrication include designating a test area on the top surface of the wafer and etching a first rectangular trench and a second rectangular trench on the top surface of the wafer in the test area. The trenches are oriented such that a length of the first trench is perpendicular to a length of the second trench, and positioned such that the length of the first trench, if extended, intersects the length of the second trench. A silicon-germanium compound is deposited into the first trench and the second trench, and a test pad is removed from the test area of the wafer. The test pad includes a side surface where both the first trench and the second trench are exposed. The side surface of the test pad is scanned with a transmission electron microscope to take measurements of the silicon-germanium.

Abstract: A structure of SiGe source/drain and a preparation method thereof are disclosed in the present invention. Firstly, providing a semiconductor single crystal silicon substrate. Secondly, etching the semiconductor single crystal silicon substrate to form recesses on both sides of the gate. Thirdly, epitaxially growing a SiGe seed layer and a SiGe bulk layer in the recesses in turn. Fourthly, subjecting the SiGe bulk layer to a crystal plane treatment with a mixed-gases. Fifthly, epitaxially growing a lattice change layer on the SiGe bulk layer. Finally, epitaxially growing a cap layer on the lattice change layer. The preparation method of the present invention can greatly improve the morphology of the SiGe epitaxy in the incomplete Un-tuck structure, and promote the formation of the subsequent metal silicide (NiSi), so that problems such as abnormal resistance and leakage of active area (AA leakage) can be effectively prevented.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a preparation method of plan-view TEM sample used in an integrated circuit analysis.

Abstract: A simulation method of CMP process comprises: building a CMP model, and forming a matrix table of line width logarithm-density according to the CMP model, and making each intersection of the matrix table correspond to each CMP result under the corresponding line width and density; dividing a layout into a plurality of grids, and converting the equivalent line width and density of each grid into the coordinate of line width logarithm-density in the matrix table; fitting and calculating preliminary CMP simulation results of each grid according to the coordinate of each grid in the matrix table and the CMP simulation results of its adjacent intersections of the matrix table; fitting and computing final CMP simulation results of each grid according to a related weighting factor which considers the impact of adjacent grids for the current grid on the layout; outputting the final CMP simulation results of the whole layout.

Abstract: An inrush current control device for an IC chip having multiple functional units and M power switches comprises a programmable counter unit, a selector unit and an enable signal driving unit. The programmable counter unit counts a clock signal and sets a predetermined counting value. The selector unit is connected to the programmable counter unit and has N output ports for outputting N enable signals. The enable signal driving unit has N enable driving circuits correspondingly connected to the N output ports of the selector unit, and controlling on/off states of N groups of the M power switches. The programmable counter unit controls the selector unit to output the N enable signals to the N enable signal driving circuits at a predetermined time interval determined by the predetermined counting value to switch on the N power switches groups successively to reduce the transient inrush current.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is a method of fabricating metal gate by forming a silicon-nitride layer (SiN) over a dummy gate at a second metal gate type transistor region (e.g. NMOS) avoid dummy gate loss during a CMP process for a PMOS gate. The method can comprise after performing a patterning process to remove hard masks at PMOS and NMOS regions, forming a SiN layer over the NMOS region; performing a patterning process to open the PMOS region and filling gate materials in the PMOS region; performing a CMP to polish a top surface of PMOS such that the polishing stops at SiN. In this way, dummy gate loss can be reduced during the first aluminum CMP step and thus can reduce initial height of dummy gate as compared to the convention method, and improve the filling process of the dummy gate as compared to the conventional method.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring and testing a semiconductor wafer during semiconductor device fabrication include designating a test area on the top surface of the wafer and etching a first rectangular trench and a second rectangular trench on the top surface of the wafer in the test area. The trenches are oriented such that a length of the first trench is perpendicular to a length of the second trench, and positioned such that the length of the first trench, if extended, intersects the length of the second trench. A silicon-germanium compound is deposited into the first trench and the second trench, and a test pad is removed from the test area of the wafer. The test pad includes a side surface where both the first trench and the second trench are exposed. The side surface of the test pad is scanned with a transmission electron microscope to take measurements of the silicon-germanium.

Abstract: A method of fabricating high-k/metal gate semiconductor device by incorporating an enhanced annealing process is provided. The enhanced annealing process in accordance with the disclosure can be operated at relatively low temperature and high pressure and thus can improve the k value and repair the above-mentioned deficiencies of the HK layer. Under the enhanced annealing process in accordance with the disclosure, H+ can be diffused from the ammonia gas and to repair the broken bonds because of high pressure, while avoiding adversely impact the NiSi and implanted ions in the HK layer due to the low temperature. The enhanced annealing process in accordance with the disclosure can be performed between 300° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 15-20 atm for 15 to 50 minutes in some embodiments.

Abstract: The invention disclosed a method for forming high aspect ratio patterning structure. Firstly, forming a dielectric film ashing stop layer, a first photoresist layer, a first hard mask layer and a second photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate in turn. A second hard mask layer having a high etch selectivity ratio with the first photoresist layer is formed on top surface and sidewall of the pattern by utilizing a low temperature chemical vapor deposition process, which can be a protect for the pattern sidewall during the later etching process of the first photoresist layer. So, the cone-shaped or the bowling-shaped photoresist morphology caused by plasma bombardment can be avoided. Therefore, the problems of the insufficient of selectivity ratio, burrs at the edge of the pattern and larger critical dimension can be solved, and the implanted ions can be well distributed according to the design of the device.

Abstract: A structure for extracting interconnect parasitic in a ring oscillator is disclosed. The ring oscillator comprises multiple logical units connected in head to tail series. The structure comprises parasitic resistance sub-structures and/or parasitic capacitance sub-structures each connected to a corresponding logical unit. The structure can be used to determine errors in extracting parasitic resistance of polysilicon interconnects and metal interconnects, and/or errors in extracting parasitic capacitance between the polysilicon interconnects and between the metal interconnects. Therefore, the parasitic extraction error can be calibrated accordingly to obtain more precise circuit simulation results and more accurate device model and BEOL model.

Abstract: The invention disclosed a method for forming shallow trenches of the dual active regions. Firstly, forming an etch stop layer on a semiconductor substrate; secondly, using a first accurate photomask to expose and develop the semiconductor substrate, until the etch stop layer has been exposed on the top of the first shallow trench regions and the second shallow trench regions; thirdly, etching the etch stop layer entirely in the exposed regions; fourthly, using a second photomask to expose and develop the first shallow trench regions which require a deeper etch depth of the trench than that of the second shallow trench regions; fifthly, etching and forming preliminary entirely depth in the first shallow trench regions, and then removing the second photomask; at last, taking the etch stop layer as a mask, and simultaneously etching the first shallow trench regions and the second shallow trench regions to form the first hallow trenches and the second shallow trenches having different depths.

Abstract: A method of etching a shallow trench is disclosed in the present invention. By removing the photoresist layer immediately at the end point of the hard mask layer etching and further using the improved process conditions etch the top of the substrate at the same time of the hard mask layer over-etching, such as a lower bias power, a higher pressure and a bigger polymer gases flow rate, the present invention has formed a smooth morphology on the top of the shallow trench. Therefore, the sharp corner appeared in the prior art is avoided by changing the start point of the silicon substrate etching, so as to fundamentally eliminate the leakage current caused by the sharp corner.