Abstract: A method for forming a contact hole in a semiconductor device and related computer-readable storage medium are provided, the method and program steps of the medium including measuring a percentage of oxygen in an etching chamber, and controlling the percentage of oxygen in the etching chamber to enlarge a temporary inner diameter near a top of the contact hole.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices are disclosed. One preferred embodiment is a method of processing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a workpiece having a material layer to be patterned disposed thereon. A masking material is formed over the material layer of the workpiece. The masking material includes a lower portion and an upper portion disposed over the lower portion. The upper portion of the masking material is patterned with a first pattern. A polymer material is disposed over the masking material. The masking material and the polymer layer are used to pattern the material layer of the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods of forming features and structures thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a feature includes forming a first material over a workpiece, forming a first pattern for a lower portion of the feature in the first material, and filling the first pattern with a sacrificial material. A second material is formed over the first material and the sacrificial material, and a second pattern for an upper portion of the feature is formed in the second material. The sacrificial material is removed. The first pattern and the second pattern are filled with a third material.

Abstract: Methods of forming features and structures thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a feature includes forming a first material over a workpiece, forming a first pattern for a lower portion of the feature in the first material, and filling the first pattern with a sacrificial material. A second material is formed over the first material and the sacrificial material, and a second pattern for an upper portion of the feature is formed in the second material. The sacrificial material is removed. The first pattern and the second pattern are filled with a third material.

Abstract: Lithography masks and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a method of manufacturing a lithography mask. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a first pattern in a first region of the substrate, and forming a second pattern in a second region of the substrate, the second pattern comprising patterns for features oriented differently than patterns for features of the first pattern. The method includes affecting a polarization rotation of light differently in the first region than in the second region of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating transistors and semiconductor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a transistor includes forming a gate dielectric over a workpiece, forming a gate over the gate dielectric, and forming a stress-inducing material over the gate, the gate dielectric, and the workpiece. Sidewall spacers are formed from the stress-inducing material on sidewalls of the gate and the gate dielectric.

Abstract: Lithography masks and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a method of manufacturing a lithography mask. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a first pattern in a first region of the substrate, and forming a second pattern in a second region of the substrate, the second pattern comprising patterns for features oriented differently than patterns for features of the first pattern. The method includes affecting a polarization rotation of light differently in the first region than in the second region of the substrate.

Abstract: In a method of making a semiconductor device, a first gate stack is formed on a substrate at a pFET region, which includes a first gate electrode material. The source/drain regions of the substrate are etched at the pFET region and the first gate electrode material of the first gate stack is etched at the pFET region. The etching is at least partially selective against etching oxide and/or nitride materials so that the nFET region is shielded by a nitride layer (and/or a first oxide layer) and so that the spacer structure of the pFET region at least partially remains. Source/drain recesses are formed and at least part of the first gate electrode material is removed by the etching to form a gate electrode recess at the pFET region. A SiGe material is epitaxially grown in the source/drain recesses and in the gate electrode recess at the pFET region. The SMT effect is achieved from the same nitride nFETs mask.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating transistors and semiconductor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a transistor includes forming a gate dielectric over a workpiece, forming a gate over the gate dielectric, and forming a stress-inducing material over the gate, the gate dielectric, and the workpiece. Sidewall spacers are formed from the stress-inducing material on sidewalls of the gate and the gate dielectric.

Abstract: In a method of making a semiconductor device, a first gate stack is formed on a substrate at a pFET region, which includes a first gate electrode material. The source/drain regions of the substrate are etched at the pFET region and the first gate electrode material of the first gate stack is etched at the pFET region. The etching is at least partially selective against etching oxide and/or nitride materials so that the nFET region is shielded by a nitride layer (and/or a first oxide layer) and so that the spacer structure of the pFET region at least partially remains. Source/drain recesses are formed and at least part of the first gate electrode material is removed by the etching to form a gate electrode recess at the pFET region. A SiGe material is epitaxially grown in the source/drain recesses and in the gate electrode recess at the pFET region. The SMT effect is achieved from the same nitride nFETs mask.

Abstract: Lithography masks and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a method of manufacturing a lithography mask. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a first pattern in a first region of the substrate, and forming a second pattern in a second region of the substrate, the second pattern comprising patterns for features oriented differently than patterns for features of the first pattern. The method includes affecting a polarization rotation of light differently in the first region than in the second region of the substrate.

Abstract: A trench is formed in the surface of a provided semiconductor body. An oxide is deposited in the trench and a cap is deposited on the oxide, wherein the combination of the cap and the oxide impart a mechanical stress on the semiconductor body.

Abstract: Methods of forming air gaps between interconnects of integrated circuits and structures thereof are disclosed. A first insulating material is deposited over a workpiece, and a second insulating material having a sacrificial portion is deposited over the first insulating material. Conductive lines are formed in the first and second insulating layers. The second insulating material is treated to remove the sacrificial portion, and at least a portion of the first insulating material is removed, forming air gaps between the conductive lines. The second insulating material is impermeable as deposited and permeable after treating it to remove the sacrificial portion. A first region of the workpiece may be masked during the treatment, so that the second insulating material becomes permeable in a second region of the workpiece yet remains impermeable in the first region, thus allowing the formation of the air gaps in the second region, but not the first region.

Abstract: Mark and method for integrated circuit fabrication with polarized light lithography. A preferred embodiment comprises a first plurality of elements comprised of a first component type, wherein the first component type has a first polarization, and a second plurality of elements comprised of a second component type, wherein the second component type has a second polarization, wherein the first polarization and the second polarization are orthogonal, wherein adjacent elements are of different component types. The alignment marks can be used in an intensity based or a diffraction based alignment process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed including determining a dimension or other physical characteristic of a pattern in a layer of material that is disposed on a workpiece, and etching the layer of material using information that is related to the dimension. A system is also disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a first etch system configured to etch a layer to define a pattern in the layer, and a second etch system configured to measure a physical characteristic of the pattern, determine an etch control parameter based on the physical characteristic, and etch the layer in accordance with the etch control parameter.

Abstract: A method for controlling etching during photolithography in the fabrication of an integrated circuit in connection with first and second features that are formed on the integrated circuit having a gap there between comprising depositing a layer of photoresist on the integrated circuit, selectively exposing portions of the photoresist through at least one photolithography mask having a pattern including means for alleviating line end shortening of the first and second lines adjacent the gap, and developing the photoresist after the selective exposing step.

Abstract: A method for forming a contact hole in a semiconductor device and related computer-readable storage medium are provided, the method and program steps of the medium including measuring a percentage of oxygen in an etching chamber, and controlling the percentage of oxygen in the etching chamber to enlarge a temporary inner diameter near a top of the contact hole.

Abstract: Mark and method for integrated circuit fabrication with polarized light lithography. A preferred embodiment comprises a first plurality of elements comprised of a first component type, wherein the first component type has a first polarization, and a second plurality of elements comprised of a second component type, wherein the second component type has a second polarization, wherein the first polarization and the second polarization are orthogonal, wherein adjacent elements are of different component types. The alignment marks can be used in an intensity based or a diffraction based alignment process.

Abstract: In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a wafer includes a first semiconductor region of a first crystal orientation and a second semiconductor region of a second crystal orientation. Insulating material is formed over the wafer. A first portion of the insulating material is removed to expose the first semiconductor region and a second portion of the insulating material is removed to expose the second semiconductor region. Semiconductor material of the first crystal orientation is epitaxially grown over the exposed first semiconductor region and semiconductor material of the second crystal orientation is epitaxially grown over the exposed second semiconductor region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed including determining a dimension or other physical characteristic of a pattern in a layer of material that is disposed on a workpiece, and etching the layer of material using information that is related to the dimension. A system is also disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a first etch system configured to etch a layer to define a pattern in the layer, and a second etch system configured to measure a physical characteristic of the pattern, determine an etch control parameter based on the physical characteristic, and etch the layer in accordance with the etch control parameter.