Abstract: An inverter includes: a PMOS comprising: a p-type source region, a p-type drain region, a p-channel region between the p-type source region and the p-type drain region, and a PMOS metal gate region; a NMOS, comprising: an n-type source region, an n-type drain region, an n-channel region between the n-type source region and the n-type drain region, and a NMOS metal gate region; an insulating layer above the p-channel region and the n-channel region, wherein the PMOS metal gate region and the NMOS metal gate region are above the insulating layer; and a gate contact between the NMOS metal gate region and the PMOS metal gate region.

Abstract: An inverter includes: a PMOS comprising: a p-type source region, a p-type drain region, a p-channel region between the p-type source region and the p-type drain region, and a PMOS metal gate region; a NMOS, comprising: an n-type source region, an n-type drain region, an n-channel region between the n-type source region and the n-type drain region, and a NMOS metal gate region; an insulating layer above the p-channel region and the n-channel region, wherein the PMOS metal gate region and the NMOS metal gate region are above the insulating layer; and a gate contact between the NMOS metal gate region and the PMOS metal gate region.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) for an integrated circuit includes a substrate of a first conductivity type, a first well region of a second conductivity type located in the substrate, and a second well region of the second conductivity type located within the substrate. The second well region is functionally connected to the first well region, and the second well region has a surface area greater than a surface area of the first well region. The MOSFET further includes a source of the first conductivity type located in the first well region, a drain of the first conductivity type located in the first well region, a substrate terminal of the second conductivity type located in the first well region, a gate oxide on a top surface of the first well region, and a gate electrode located on a top surface of the gate oxide.

Abstract: A method and integrated circuit structure for mitigating metal gate dishing resulting from chemical mechanical polishing. The integrated circuit structure comprises a first area comprising at least one first type device; a second area comprising at least one second type device; a third area comprising at least one capacitor having an uppermost layer of polysilicon, where the capacitor area is greater than a sum of the first and second areas. The method utilizes the polysilicon of the capacitor to mitigate metal gate dishing of a metal gate of at least one device.

Abstract: A hard implantation mask layer is formed on a semiconductor wafer. An etch mask layer is formed on the hard implantation mask layer and patterned. The hard implantation mask layer is etched to form a well implantation pattern and ions are implanted into the semiconductor wafer to form wells in the semiconductor wafer, in areas where the semiconductor wafer is not covered by the well implantation mask.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (“IC”) fabricated on a semiconductor substrate has an active gate structure formed over a channel region in the semiconductor substrate. A dummy gate structure is formed on a dielectric isolation structure. The dummy gate structure and the active gate structure have the same width. A sidewall spacer on the dummy gate structure overlies a semiconductor portion between a strain-inducing insert and the dielectric isolation structure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device layout and a method for detecting mask data handling errors are disclosed in which integrated circuit device layout includes a device region in which operable circuitry is disposed. Integrated circuit device layout also includes a verification region in which verification elements are disposed. The verification elements include cells that are duplicates of at least some of the different types of cells in device region and can include structures that are duplicates of at least some of the types of structures in the device region. The patterns in verification region are used in the final verification process to identify mask data handling errors in a mask job deck. Because the patterns in verification region are easy to locate and identify, the time required to perform the final verification process is reduced and the chance of error in the final verification process is reduced.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a stacked die and a base die having probe pads that directly couple to test logic of the base die to implement a scan chain for testing of the integrated circuit device. The base die further includes contacts disposed on a back side of the base die and through-die vias coupled to the contacts and coupled to programmable logic of the base die. The base die also includes a first probe pad configured to couple test input, a second probe pad configured to couple test output, and a third probe pad configured to couple control signals. Test logic of the base die is configured to couple to additional test logic of the stacked die to implement the scan chain. The probe pads are coupled directly to the test logic such that configuration of the programmable logic is not required to implement the scan chain.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is described that includes a stacked die and a base die having probe pads that directly couple to test logic of the base die so as to implement a scan chain for testing of the integrated circuit device. The base die further includes contacts disposed on a back side of the base die and through-die vias coupled to the contacts and coupled to programmable logic of the base die. In addition, the base die includes a first probe pad configured to couple test input, a second probe pad configured to couple test output and a third probe pad configured to couple control signals. Test logic of the base die is configured to couple to additional test logic of the stacked die so as to implement a scan chain for testing of the integrated circuit device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating an integrated circuit design for mechanical stress effects. One aspect of the invention relates to designing an integrated circuit. Layout data is obtained that describes layers of the integrated circuit. At least one of the layers is analyzed to detect at least one structure susceptible to damage from mechanical stress. A bias is automatically added to each of the at least one structure to reduce mechanical stress of the at least one structure as fabricated. Augmented layout data is then provided for the integrated circuit.