Abstract: A process for forming a silicide on top of at least one silicon portion on the surface of a semiconductor wafer, comprising the following steps: a) implanting, at a defined depth in the silicon portion, through a dielectric layer, of ions that have the property of limiting the silicidation of metals; b) performing heat treatment; c) depositing a metal layer, the metal being capable of forming a silicide by thermal reaction with the silicon; d) performing rapid thermal processing suitable for siliciding the metal deposited at step c); and e) removing the metal that has not reacted to the thermal processing of step d). Advantageously, the thickness of the silicide layer created at step d) is controlled by a suitable choice of the depth of the implantation carried out in step a).

Abstract: A semiconductor material is protected against the formation of a metal silicide by forming a layer of a silicon/germanium alloy on the material. The material which is protected belongs to a component of an integrated circuit comprising other components that have to be subjected to a siliciding operation. The method of protection includes depositing a layer of silicon/germanium alloy on the integrated circuit. The layer of silicon/germanium alloy is then removed from the areas to be silicided. A metal is then deposited on the structure and a metal silicide is formed therefrom. The unreacted metal and the metal/ silicon/germanium ternary alloy that may have formed are removed, and the layer of silicon/germanium alloy is removed so as to expose the unsilicided component.

Abstract: A method for attaching a first element to a second element is provided. The first element has a surface portion covered with a layer of silicon, and the second element has a surface portion covered with a layer of nickel. The method includes applying pressure so that the surface portions of the first and second elements are in contact with one another. A roughness between the surface portions is less than about 1 &mgr;m, and the first and second elements are heated within a range of about 250° C. to 400° C.

Abstract: At least one layer of a dielectric material 3 is deposited on a copper track 1 covered with an encapsulation layer 2. A cavity 6 is etched in the layer of dielectric material at the location of the future vertical connection. At least one protective layer is deposited in said cavity to preclude diffusion of copper 7. The protective layer 7 at the bottom of the cavity 6 is subjected to an anisotropic etching treatment and also the encapsulation layer 2 is subjected to etching, whereafter the cavity is filled with copper. The copper particles pulverized during etching the encapsulation layer do not contaminate the dielectric material 3.

Abstract: A device includes a capacitive structure including an input node and n output nodes, r integrated capacitors connected in series between two adjacent nodes, an integrated capacitor connected between the input node and ground, an integrated capacitor connected between the nth output node and ground, and r capacitive branches connected in parallel between ground and each node of the capacitive structure including the first output node and the (n−1)th output node. Each branch may include r+1 series-connected integrated capacitors. Furthermore, the integrated capacitors of the capacitive structure are theoretically identical. The device may also include a charge source for charging each node of the capacitive structure. Additionally, a measurement circuit may measure the charge at each of the nodes of the structure, and a comparison circuit may compare each measured nodal charge value with a theoretical nodal charge value while taking into account a predetermined nodal tolerance.

Abstract: A device includes a capacitive structure including an input node and n output nodes, r integrated capacitors connected in series between two adjacent nodes, an integrated capacitor connected between the input node and ground, an integrated capacitor connected between the nth output node and ground, and r capacitive branches connected in parallel between ground and each node of the capacitive structure including the first output node and the (n−1)th output node. Each branch may include r+1 series-connected integrated capacitors. Furthermore, the integrated capacitors of the capacitive structure are theoretically identical. The device may also include a charge source for charging each node of the capacitive structure. Additionally, a measurement circuit may measure the charge at each of the nodes of the structure, and a comparison circuit may compare each measured nodal charge value with a theoretical nodal charge value while taking into account a predetermined nodal tolerance.

Abstract: A test structure includes a single current-measuring means for measuring current between a supply terminal and ground, and first and second branches for measuring capacitance between first and second metal lines. The first branch includes a first switch coupled between the current-measuring means and the first line, and a second switch coupled between the first line and ground. Similarly, the second branch includes a third switch coupled between the current-measuring means and the second line, and a fourth switch coupled between the second line and ground. A method for testing a circuit is also provided.