Abstract: A bipolar transistor has a collector that is contacted directly beneath a base-collector junction by metallization to reduce collector resistance. A conventional reach-through and buried layer, as well as their associated resistance, are eliminated. The transistor is well isolated, nearly eliminating well-to-substrate capacitance and device-to-device leakage current. The structure provides for improved electrical performance, including improved fT, Fmax and drive current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices having gapped dual stressors with dielectric gap fillers. Specifically, each CMOS device of the present invention includes at least one n-channel field effect transistor (n-FET) and at least one p-channel field effect transistor (p-FET). A tensilely stressed dielectric layer overlays the n-FET, and a compressively stressed dielectric layer overlays the p-FET. A gap is located between the tensilely and compressively stressed dielectric layers and is filled with a dielectric filler material. In one specific embodiment of the present invention, both the tensilely and compressively stressed dielectric layers are covered by a layer of the dielectric filler material, which is essentially free of stress. In an alternatively embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric filler material is only present in the gap between the tensilely and compressively stressed dielectric layers.

Abstract: A system and method comprises forming an intrinsic base on a collector. The system and method further includes forming a fully silicided extrinsic base on the intrinsic base by a self-limiting silicidation process at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined amount of time, the silicidation substantially stopping at the intrinsic base. The system and method further includes forming an emitter which is physically insulated from the extrinsic base and the collector, and which is in physical contact with the intrinsic base.

Abstract: A sealed microelectronic structure which provides mechanical stress endurance and includes at least two chips being electrically connected to a semiconductor structure at a plurality of locations. Each chip includes a continuous bonding material along it's perimeter and at least one support column connected to each of the chips positioned within the perimeter of each chip. Each support column extends outwardly such that when the at least two chips are positioned over one another the support columns are in mating relation to each other. A seal between the at least two chips results from the overlapping relation of the chip to one another such that the bonding material and support columns are in mating relation to each other. Thus, the seal is formed when the at least two chips are mated together, and results in a bonded chip structure.

Abstract: A cost-effective and simple method of fabricating strained semiconductor-on-insulator (SSOI) structures which avoids epitaxial growth and subsequent wafer bonding processing steps is provided. In accordance with the present invention, a strain-memorization technique is used to create strained semiconductor regions on a SOI substrate. The transistors formed on the strained semiconductor regions have higher carrier mobility because the Si regions have been strained. The inventive method includes (i) ion implantation to create a thin amorphization layer, (ii) deposition of a high stress film on the amorphization layer, (iii) a thermal anneal to recrystallize the amorphization layer, and (iv) removal of the stress film. Because the SOI substrate was under stress during the recrystallization process, the final semiconductor layer will be under stress as well. The amount of stress and the polaity (tensile or compressive) of the stress can be controlled by the type and thickness of the stress films.

Abstract: A structure for a semiconductor component is provided having a bi-layer capping coating integrated and built on supporting layer to be transferred. The bi-layer capping protects the layer to be transferred from possible degradation resulting from the attachment and removal processes of the carrier assembly used for layer transfer. A wafer-level layer transfer process using this structure is enabled to create three-dimensional integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method which is intended to facilitate and/or simplify the process of fabricating interlayer vias by selective modification of the FEOL film stack on a transfer wafer is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a method in which two dimensional devices are prepared for subsequent integration in a third dimension at the transition between normal FEOL processes by using an existing interlayer contact mask to define regions in which layers of undesirable dielectrics and metal are selectively removed and refilled with a middle-of-the-line (MOL) compatible dielectric film. As presented, the inventive method is compatible with standard FEOL/MOL integration schemes, and it guarantees a homogeneous dielectric film stack specifically in areas where interlayer contacts are to be formed, thus allowing the option of a straightforward integration path, if desired.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal-semiconductor alloy layer uses particular thermal annealing conditions to provide a stress free metal-semiconductor alloy layer through interdiffusion of a buried semiconductor material layer and a metal-semiconductor alloy forming metal layer that contacts the buried semiconductor material layer within an aperture through a capping layer beneath which is buried the semiconductor material layer. A resulting semiconductor structure includes the metal-semiconductor alloy layer that further includes an interconnect portion beneath the capping layer and a contiguous via portion that penetrates at least partially through the capping layer. Such a metal-semiconductor alloy layer may be located interposed between a substrate and a semiconductor device having an active doped region.

Abstract: A sealed microelectronic structure which provides mechanical stress endurance and includes at least two chips being electrically connected to a semiconductor structure at a plurality of locations. Each chip includes a continuous bonding material along it's perimeter and at least one support column connected to each of the chips positioned within the perimeter of each chip. Each support column extends outwardly such that when the at least two chips are positioned over one another the support columns are in mating relation to each other. A seal between the at least two chips results from the overlapping relation of the chip to one another such that the bonding material and support columns are in mating relation to each other. Thus, the seal is formed when the at least two chips are mated together, and results in a bonded chip structure.

Abstract: A method which is intended to facilitate and/or simplify the process of fabricating interlayer vias by selective modification of the FEOL film stack on a transfer wafer is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a method in which two dimensional devices are prepared for subsequent integration in a third dimension at the transition between normal FEOL processes by using an existing interlayer contact mask to define regions in which layers of undesirable dielectrics and metal are selectively removed and refilled with a middle-of-the-line (MOL) compatible dielectric film. As presented, the inventive method is compatible with standard FEOL/MOL integration schemes, and it guarantees a homogeneous dielectric film stack specifically in areas where interlayer contacts are to be formed, thus allowing the option of a straightforward integration path, if desired.

Abstract: Methods of wiring to a transistor and a related transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a method of forming wiring to a transistor, the method comprising: forming a transistor on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using masks that are mirror images of an intended layout, the forming including forming a gate and a source/drain region for each and a channel, the SOI substrate including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a buried insulator layer and a silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the transistor; bonding the dielectric layer to another substrate; removing the silicon substrate from the SOI substrate to the buried insulator layer; forming a contact to each of the source/drain region and the gate from a channel side of the gate; and forming at least one wiring to the contacts on the channel side of the gate.

Abstract: Bonding methods and a bonding system including monitoring are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring bonding a first and second substrate includes: providing a plurality of piezoelectric sensors to a substrate mounting stage of a substrate bonding system; and monitoring a force change measured by the plurality of piezoelectric sensors induced by a bond front between the first and second substrate during bonding. This method allows real time monitoring of the bonding quality and adjustment of the bonding process parameters.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for bonding two circuitry-including semiconductor substrates, and a related stage, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of bonding two circuitry-including substrates includes: providing a first stage for holding a first circuitry-including substrate and a second stage for holding a second circuitry-including substrate; identifying an alignment mark on each substrate; determining a location and a topography of each alignment mark using laser diffraction; creating an alignment model for each substrate based on the location and topography the alignment mark thereon; and bonding the first and second circuitry-including substrates together while aligning the first and second substrate based on the alignment model.

Abstract: A cost-effective and simple method of fabricating strained semiconductor-on-insulator (SSOI) structures which avoids epitaxial growth and subsequent wafer bonding processing steps is provided. In accordance with the present invention, a strain-memorization technique is used to create strained semiconductor regions on a SOI substrate. The transistors formed on the strained semiconductor regions have higher carrier mobility because the Si regions have been strained. The inventive method includes (i) ion implantation to create a thin amorphization layer, (ii) deposition of a high stress film on the amorphization layer, (iii) a thermal anneal to recrystallize the amorphization layer, and (iv) removal of the stress film. Because the SOI substrate was under stress during the recrystallization process, the final semiconductor layer will be under stress as well. The amount of stress and the polaity (tensile or compressive) of the stress can be controlled by the type and thickness of the stress films.

Abstract: A sealed microelectronic structure which provides mechanical stress endurance and includes at least two chips being electrically connected to a semiconductor structure at a plurality of locations. Each chip includes a continuous bonding material along it's perimeter and at least one support column connected to each of the chips positioned within the perimeter of each chip. Each support column extends outwardly such that when the at least two chips are positioned over one another the support columns are in mating relation to each other. A seal between the at least two chips results from the overlapping relation of the chip to one another such that the bonding material and support columns are in mating relation to each other. Thus, the seal is formed when the at least two chips are mated together, and results in a bonded chip structure.

Abstract: A sealed microelectronic structure which provides mechanical stress endurance and includes at least two chips being electrically connected to a semiconductor structure at a plurality of locations. Each chip includes a continuous bonding material along it's perimeter and at least one support column connected to each of the chips positioned within the perimeter of each chip. Each support column extends outwardly such that when the at least two chips are positioned over one another the support columns are in mating relation to each other. A seal between the at least two chips results from the overlapping relation of the chip to one another such that the bonding material and support columns are in mating relation to each other. Thus, the seal is formed when the at least two chips are mated together, and results in a bonded chip structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices having gapped dual stressors with dielectric gap fillers. Specifically, each CMOS device of the present invention includes at least one n-channel field effect transistor (n-FET) and at least one p-channel field effect transistor (p-FET). A tensilely stressed dielectric layer overlays the n-FET, and a compressively stressed dielectric layer overlays the p-FET. A gap is located between the tensilely and compressively stressed dielectric layers and is filled with a dielectric filler material. In one specific embodiment of the present invention, both the tensilely and compressively stressed dielectric layers are covered by a layer of the dielectric filler material, which is essentially free of stress. In an alternatively embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric filler material is only present in the gap between the tensilely and compressively stressed dielectric layers.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor has a collector that is contacted directly beneath a base-collector junction by metallization to reduce collector resistance. A conventional reach-through and buried layer, as well as their associated resistance, are eliminated. The transistor is well isolated, nearly eliminating well-to-substrate capacitance and device-to-device leakage current. The structure provides for improved electrical performance, including improved fT, Fmax and drive current.

Abstract: A structure for a semiconductor component is provided having a bi-layer capping coating integrated and built on supporting layer to be transferred. The bi-layer capping protects the layer to be transferred from possible degradation resulting from the attachment and removal processes of the carrier assembly used for layer transfer. A wafer-level layer transfer process using this structure is enabled to create three-dimensional integrated circuits.