Abstract: A device including a triple-layer EPI stack including SiGe, Ge, and Si, respectively, with Ga confined therein, and method of production thereof. Embodiments include an EPI stack including a SiGe layer, a Ge layer, and a Si layer over a plurality of fins, the EPI stack positioned between and over a portion of sidewall spacers, wherein the Si layer is a top layer capping the Ge layer, and wherein the Ge layer is a middle layer capping the SiGe layer underneath; and a Ga layer in a portion of the Ge layer between the SiGe layer and the Si layer.

Abstract: A device including a triple-layer EPI stack including SiGe, Ge, and Si, respectively, with Ga confined therein, and method of production thereof. Embodiments include an EPI stack including a SiGe layer, a Ge layer, and a Si layer over a plurality of fins, the EPI stack positioned between and over a portion of sidewall spacers, wherein the Si layer is a top layer capping the Ge layer, and wherein the Ge layer is a middle layer capping the SiGe layer underneath; and a Ga layer in a portion of the Ge layer between the SiGe layer and the Si layer.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a low-k spacer cavity by a low energy RF plasma at a specific substrate temperature for a defect free epitaxial growth of Si, SiGe, Ge, III-V and III-N and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing a substrate with a low-k spacer cavity; cleaning the low-k spacer cavity with a low energy RF plasma at a substrate temperature between room temperature to 600° C.; and forming an epitaxy film or a RSD in the low-k spacer cavity subsequent to the low energy RF plasma cleaning.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming increased surface regions within EPI structures. A fin on a semiconductor substrate is formed. On a top portion of the fin, an epitaxial (EPI) structure is formed. The EPI structure has a first EPI portion having a first material and a second EPI portion having a second material. The first and second EPI portions are separated by a first separation layer. A first cavity is formed within the EPI structure by removing a portion of the second material in the second portion. A first conductive material is deposited into the first cavity.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming increased surface regions within EPI structures. A fin on a semiconductor substrate is formed. On a top portion of the fin, an epitaxial (EPI) structure is formed. The EPI structure has a first EPI portion having a first material and a second EPI portion having a second material. The first and second EPI portions are separated by a first separation layer. A first cavity is formed within the EPI structure by removing a portion of the second material in the second portion. A first conductive material is deposited into the first cavity.

Abstract: Reducing wormhole formation during n-type transistor fabrication includes providing a starting structure, the starting structure including a semiconductor substrate, a n-type source region and a n-type drain region of a transistor. The method further includes removing a portion of each of the n-type source region and the n-type drain region, the removing creating a source trench and a drain trench, and forming a buffer layer of silicon-based material(s) over the n-type source region and n-type drain region that is sufficiently thick to inhibit interaction between metal contaminants that may be present below surfaces of the n-type source trench and/or the n-type drain trench, and halogens subsequently introduced prior to source and drain formation. A resulting semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: A self-limiting selective epitaxy process can be employed on a plurality of semiconductor fins such that the sizes of raised active semiconductor regions formed by the selective epitaxy process are limited to dimensions determined by the sizes of the semiconductor fins. Specifically, the self-limiting selective epitaxy process limits growth of the semiconductor material along directions that are perpendicular to crystallographic facets formed during the selective epitaxy process. Once the crystallographic facets become adjoined to one another or to a dielectric surface, growth of the semiconductor material terminates, thereby preventing merger among epitaxially deposited semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A transistor contact structure and methods of making the same. The method includes forming a first semiconductor layer in a source/drain opening of a substrate, the first layer having a non-planar top surface; forming a second semiconductor layer directly on the first layer, the second layer having a defect density greater than the first layer; and forming a silicide region formed with the second layer, the silicide region having a non-planar interface with the first layer. A portion of the silicide interface may be higher than a top surface of the substrate and another portion may be below.

Abstract: Device structures and fabrication methods for a fin-type field-effect transistor. A first fin and a second fin are formed that are comprised of a semiconductor material that is single crystal. The first fin has a sidewall facing a sidewall of the second fin. A portion of a source/drain region of the first fin is damaged to form a damage region in the portion of the first fin. After the damage region is formed, a section of a semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown from the sidewall of the first fin in the source/drain region. The semiconductor material in the damage region has a level of crystalline disorder that is greater than a level of crystalline disorder of the semiconductor material in a portion of the first fin that is not damaged.

Abstract: A gate structure is formed straddling a first portion of a plurality of semiconductor fins that extend upwards from a topmost surface of an insulator layer. A dielectric spacer is formed on sidewalls of the gate structure and straddling a second portion of the plurality of semiconductor fins. Epitaxial semiconductor material portions that include a non-planar bottommost surface and a non-planar topmost surface are grown from at least the exposed sidewalls of each semiconductor fin not including the gate structure or the gate spacer to merge adjacent semiconductor fins. A gap is present beneath epitaxial semiconductor material portions and the topmost surface of the insulator layer. A second epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor material portions and thereafter the second epitaxial semiconductor material is converted into a metal semiconductor alloy.

Abstract: A gate structure is formed straddling a first portion of a plurality of semiconductor fins that extend upwards from a topmost surface of an insulator layer. A dielectric spacer is formed on sidewalls of the gate structure and straddling a second portion of the plurality of semiconductor fins. Epitaxial semiconductor material portions that include a non-planar bottommost surface and a non-planar topmost surface are grown from at least the exposed sidewalls of each semiconductor fin not including the gate structure or the gate spacer to merge adjacent semiconductor fins. A gap is present beneath epitaxial semiconductor material portions and the topmost surface of the insulator layer. A second epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor material portions and thereafter the second epitaxial semiconductor material is converted into a metal semiconductor alloy.

Abstract: A gate structure is formed straddling a first portion of a plurality of semiconductor fins that extend upwards from a topmost surface of an insulator layer. A dielectric spacer is formed on sidewalls of the gate structure and straddling a second portion of the plurality of semiconductor fins. Epitaxial semiconductor material portions that include a non-planar bottommost surface and a non-planar topmost surface are grown from at least the exposed sidewalls of each semiconductor fin not including the gate structure or the gate spacer to merge adjacent semiconductor fins. A gap is present beneath epitaxial semiconductor material portions and the topmost surface of the insulator layer. A second epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor material portions and thereafter the second epitaxial semiconductor material is converted into a metal semiconductor alloy.

Abstract: A gate structure is formed straddling a first portion of a plurality of semiconductor fins that extend upwards from a topmost surface of an insulator layer. A dielectric spacer is formed on sidewalls of the gate structure and straddling a second portion of the plurality of semiconductor fins. Epitaxial semiconductor material portions that include a non-planar bottommost surface and a non-planar topmost surface are grown from at least the exposed sidewalls of each semiconductor fin not including the gate structure or the gate spacer to merge adjacent semiconductor fins. A gap is present beneath epitaxial semiconductor material portions and the topmost surface of the insulator layer. A second epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor material portions and thereafter the second epitaxial semiconductor material is converted into a metal semiconductor alloy.

Abstract: A transistor contact structure and methods of making the same. The method includes forming a first semiconductor layer in a source/drain opening of a substrate, the first layer having a non-planar top surface; forming a second semiconductor layer directly on the first layer, the second layer having a defect density greater than the first layer; and forming a silicide region formed with the second layer, the silicide region having a non-planar interface with the first layer. A portion of the silicide interface may be higher than a top surface of the substrate and another portion may be below.

Abstract: A self-limiting selective epitaxy process can be employed on a plurality of semiconductor fins such that the sizes of raised active semiconductor regions formed by the selective epitaxy process are limited to dimensions determined by the sizes of the semiconductor fins. Specifically, the self-limiting selective epitaxy process limits growth of the semiconductor material along directions that are perpendicular to crystallographic facets formed during the selective epitaxy process. Once the crystallographic facets become adjoined to one another or to a dielectric surface, growth of the semiconductor material terminates, thereby preventing merger among epitaxially deposited semiconductor materials.