Abstract: A stressed semiconductor using carbon is provided. At least one carbon layer containing diamond is formed either below a semiconductor layer or above a semiconductor device. The carbon layer induces stress in the semiconductor layer, thereby increasing carrier mobility in the device channel region. The carbon layer may be selectively formed or patterned to localize the induced stress.

Abstract: A nonplanar semiconductor device and its method of fabrication is described. The nonplanar semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a top surface opposite a bottom surface formed above an insulating substrate wherein the semiconductor body has a pair laterally opposite sidewalls. A gate dielectric is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body on the laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body and on at least a portion of the bottom surface of semiconductor body. A gate electrode is formed on the gate dielectric, on the top surface of the semiconductor body and adjacent to the gate dielectric on the laterally opposite sidewalls of semiconductor body and beneath the gate dielectric on the bottom surface of the semiconductor body. A pair source/drain regions are formed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: An embodiment is a non-planar MOS transistor structure including a strained channel region. The combination of a non-planar MOS transistor structure, and in particular an NMOS tri-gate transistor, with the benefits of a strained channel yields improved transistor drive current, switching speed, and decreased leakage current for a given gate length width versus a non-planar MOS structure with an unstrained channel or planar MOS structure including a strained channel.

Abstract: An embodiment is a non-planar MOS transistor structure including a strained channel region. The combination of a non-planar MOS transistor structure, and in particular an NMOS tri-gate transistor, with the benefits of a strained channel yields improved transistor drive current, switching speed, and decreased leakage current for a given gate length width versus a non-planar MOS structure with an unstrained channel or planar MOS structure including a strained channel.

Abstract: A nanotube transistor, such as a carbon nanotube transistor, may be formed with a top gate electrode and a spaced source and drain. Conduction along the transistor from source to drain is controlled by the gate electrode. Underlying the gate electrode are at least two nanotubes. In some embodiments, the substrate may act as a back gate.

Abstract: A process is described for manufacturing of non-planar multi-corner transistor structures. A fin of a semiconductor material having a mask on a top surface of the fin is formed on a first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed on the fin exposing a top surface of the mask, wherein a protection layer is deposited between the fin and the second insulating layer. Next, the mask is removed and spacers are formed on the fin adjacent to the protection layer. A recess having a bottom and opposing sidewalls is formed in the fin. A gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode are formed on the top surface, the opposing sidewalls of the fin and on the bottom and on the opposing sidewalls of the recess in the fin. A source region and a drain region are formed in the fin at the opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a top surface and a first and second laterally opposite sidewalls as formed on an insulating substrate is claimed. A gate dielectric is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is then formed on the gate dielectric on the top surface of the semiconductor body and adjacent to the gate dielectric on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. The gate electrode comprises a metal film formed directly adjacent to the gate dielectric layer. A pair of source and drain regions are then formed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a top surface and a first and second laterally opposite sidewalls as formed on an insulating substrate is claimed. A gate dielectric is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is then formed on the gate dielectric on the top surface of the semiconductor body and adjacent to the gate dielectric on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. The gate electrode comprises a metal film formed directly adjacent to the gate dielectric layer. A pair of source and drain regions are then formed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating double-gate and tri-gate transistors in the same process flow is described. In one embodiment, a sacrificial layer is formed over stacks that include semiconductor bodies and insulative members. The sacrificial layer is planarized prior to forming gate-defining members. After forming the gate-defining members, remaining insulative member portions are removed from above the semiconductor body of the tri-gate device but not the I-gate device. This facilitates the formation of metallization on three sides of the tri-gate device, and the formation of independent gates for the I-gate device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trench filled with a thermally conducting material in a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device has a trench defining a cell region, wherein a portion of the trench includes a thermally conducting material, and a contact to the thermally conducting material. The invention further relates to a semiconductor device and a method of forming a semiconductor device with an interlayer dielectric that is a thermally conducting material.

Abstract: A high mobility semiconductor assembly. In one exemplary aspect, the high mobility semiconductor assembly includes a first substrate having a first reference orientation located at a <110> crystal plane location on the first substrate and a second substrate formed on top of the first substrate. The second substrate has a second reference orientation located at a <100> crystal plane location on the second substrate, wherein the first reference orientation is aligned with the second reference orientation. In another exemplary aspect, the second substrate has a second reference orientation located at a <110> crystal plane location on the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is formed over the first substrate with the second reference orientation being offset to the first reference orientation by about 45 degrees.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to fabricate a semiconductor device having low off state leakage current. A gate structure of a first device is formed on a substrate layer having a hardmask. A channel is formed underneath the gate structure having a width to support the gate structure. An oxide or a dielectric layer is deposited on the substrate layer. A doped polysilicon layer is deposited on the oxide layer. A recessed junction area is formed on the doped polysilicon layer between the first device and an adjacent device.

Abstract: A nonplanar semiconductor device having a semiconductor body formed on an insulating layer of a substrate. The semiconductor body has a top surface opposite a bottom surface formed on the insulating layer and a pair of laterally opposite sidewalls wherein the distance between the laterally opposite sidewalls at the top surface is greater than at the bottom surface. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is formed on the gate dielectric layer on the top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A pair of source/drain regions are formed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A method including forming a via dielectric layer on a semiconductor device substrate; forming a trench dielectric layer on the via dielectric layer; forming a trench through the trench dielectric layer to expose the via dielectric layer; forming a via in the via dielectric layer through the trench to expose the substrate; and forming a semiconductor material in the via and in the trench. An apparatus including a device substrate; a dielectric layer formed on a surface of the device substrate; and a device base formed on the dielectric layer including a crystalline structure derived from the device substrate.

Abstract: A cash avoidance system uses an identifier associated with a hardware token such as a card to establish an account. Change from cash transactions are credited to the account to be spent for future purchases anonymously. The person in possession of the card may then debit the account to purchase goods and services. The transactions may be carried out over a mesh network.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a top surface and a first and second laterally opposite sidewalls as formed on an insulating substrate is claimed. A gate dielectric is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is then formed on the gate dielectric on the top surface of the semiconductor body and adjacent to the gate dielectric on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. The gate electrode comprises a metal film formed directly adjacent to the gate dielectric layer. A pair of source and drain regions are then formed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: In a metal gate replacement process, strain may be selectively induced in the channels of NMOS and PMOS transistors. For example, a material having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the substrate may be used to form the gate electrodes of PMOS transistors. A material with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the substrate may be used to form the gate electrodes of NMOS transistors.

Abstract: An independent access, double-gate transistor and tri-gate transistor fabricated in the same process flow is described. An insulative plug is removed from above the semiconductor body of the I-gate device, but not the tri-gate device. This allows, for instance, metalization to form on three sides of the tri-gate device, and allowing independent gates for the I-gate device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a field-effect transistor with a gate completely wrapping around a channel region is described. Ion implantation is used to make the oxide beneath the channel region of the transistor more etchable, thereby allowing the oxide to be removed below the channel region. Atomic layer deposition is used to form a gate dielectric and a metal gate entirely around the channel region once the oxide is removed below the channel region.

Abstract: A method of using an existing card to access a profile, the method comprising the steps of capturing identification information such as magnetically readable information on a card such as a magnetically readable card issued by a card issuer and carried by a card holder, associating the identification information on each card with a profile without authority of the card issuer, and accessing the profile using the identification information of the card. The profile may comprise a financial balance, membership information such as a membership profile, customer loyalty benefits, membership benefits, and/or access to discounts. Accessing the profile may comprise debiting or crediting the financial balance. The information may be associated with a profile in a server and the profile may be accessed from a remote location. The remote location may be a point of sale reader which may use a wireless connection to connect to the server, an internet connection, and/or a telephone connection.