Abstract: Methods and structures for relieving stresses in stressed semiconductor liners. A stress liner that enhances performance of either an NFET or a PFET is deposited over a semiconductor to cover the NFET and PFET. A disposable layer is deposited to entirely cover the stress liner, NFET and PFET. This disposable layer is selectively recessed to expose only the single stress liner over a gate of the NFET or PFET that is not enhanced by such stress liner, and then this exposed liner is removed to expose a top of such gate. Remaining portions of the disposable layer are removed, thereby enhancing performance of either the NFET or PFET, while avoiding degradation of the NFET or PFET not enhanced by the stress liner. The single stress liner is a tensile stress liner for enhancing performance of the NFET, or it is a compressive stress liner for enhancing performance of the PFET.

Abstract: A first high-k gate dielectric layer and a first metal gate layer are formed on first and second semiconductor fins. A first metal gate ring is formed on the first semiconductor fin. In one embodiment, the first high-k gate dielectric layer remains on the second semiconductor fin. A second metal gate layer and a silicon containing layer are deposited and patterned to form gate electrodes. In another embodiment, a second high-k dielectric layer replaces the first high-k dielectric layer over the second semiconductor fin, followed by formation of a second metal gate layer. A first electrode comprising a first gate dielectric and a first metal gate is formed on the first semiconductor fin, while a second electrode comprising a second gate dielectric and a second metal gate is formed on the second semiconductor fin. Absence of high-k gate dielectric materials on a gate wiring prevents increase in parasitic resistance.

Abstract: A method and semiconductor structure that overcome the dual stress liner boundary problem, without significantly increasing the overall size of the integrated circuit, are provided. In accordance with the present invention, the dual stress liner boundary or gap therebetween is forced to land on a neighboring dummy gate region. By forcing the dual stress liner boundary or gap between the liners to land on the dummy gate region, the large stresses associated with the dual stress liner boundary or gap are transferred to the dummy gate region, not the semiconductor substrate. Thus, the impact of the dual stress liner boundary on the nearest neighboring FET is reduced. Additionally, benefits of device variability and packing density are achieved utilizing the present invention.

Abstract: A stack pad layers including a first pad oxide layer, a pad nitride layer, and a second pad oxide layer are formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A deep trench extending below a top surface or a bottom surface of a buried insulator layer of the SOI substrate and enclosing at least one top semiconductor region is formed by lithographic methods and etching. A stress-generating insulator material is deposited in the deep trench and recessed below a top surface of the SOI substrate to form a stress-generating buried insulator plug in the deep trench. A silicon oxide material is deposited in the deep trench, planarized, and recessed. The stack of pad layer is removed to expose substantially coplanar top surfaces of the top semiconductor layer and of silicon oxide plugs. The stress-generating buried insulator plug encloses, and generates a stress to, the at least one top semiconductor region.

Abstract: A test structure of a semiconductor device with improved test reliability is provided. The test structure includes first and second active regions which are electrically isolated from each other and on which silicided first and second junction regions are formed, respectively, a semiconductor substrate or a well which is formed on lower parts of the first and second junction regions and has a conductivity type different from the first and second junction regions, and first and second pads through which an electrical signal is applied to the first and second junction regions and detected, and which are formed on the same level as a lower part of a metal layer or on the same level as the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method of reducing contact resistance on a silicon-on-insulator includes exposing sidewalls and a portion of a top surface of a source/drain region of the device, forming a porous silicon layer within a surface of the source/drain region, implanting dopants in the source/drain region, and forming a silicide layer over the source/drain region. The porous silicon layer is formed by forming a layer of p+ doping on the exposed sidewalls and portion of the top surface of the source/drain region, forming a nitride liner over the device, including the source/drain region and the layer of p+ doping, forming a planarized resist over the nitride liner, recessing the planarized resist and etching the nitride liner to expose portions of the source/drain region, and forming the porous silicon layer on the exposed portions of the source drain region.

Abstract: A chip is provided which includes an active semiconductor region and a field effect transistor (“FET”) having a channel region, a source region and a drain region all disposed within the active semiconductor region. The FET has a longitudinal direction in a direction of a length of the channel region, and a transverse direction in a direction of a width of the channel region. A buried dielectric stressor element has a horizontally extending upper surface at a first depth below a major surface of a portion of the active semiconductor region, such as an east portion of the active semiconductor region. A surface dielectric stressor element is disposed laterally adjacent to the active semiconductor region at the major surface of the active semiconductor region. The surface dielectric stressor element extends from the major surface to a second depth not substantially greater than the first depth.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a field effect transistor (FET) having decreased drive current temperature sensitivity. Specifically, any temperature-dependent carrier mobility change in the FET channel region is simultaneously counteracted by an opposite strain-dependent carrier mobility change to ensure that drive current remains approximately constant or at least within a predetermined range in response to temperature variations. This opposite strain-dependent carrier mobility change is provided by a straining structure that is configured to impart a temperature-dependent amount of a pre-selected strain type on the channel region. Also disclosed are embodiments of an associated method of forming the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor structure that overcome the dual stress liner boundary problem, without significantly increasing the overall size of the integrated circuit, is provided. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the dual stress liner boundary or gap therebetween is forced to land on a neighboring dummy gate region. By forcing the dual stress liner boundary or gap between the liners to land on the dummy gate region, the large stresses associated with the dual stress liner boundary or gap are transferred to the dummy gate region, not the semiconductor substrate. Thus, the impact of the dual stress liner boundary on the nearest neighboring FET is reduced. Additionally, benefits of device variability and packing density are achieved utilizing the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for forming a CMOS structure including at least one pFET that has a stressed channel which avoids the problems mentioned in the prior art. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for avoiding formation of deep canyons at the interface between the active area and the trench isolation region, without requiring a trench isolation pulldown, thereby eliminating the problems of silicide to source/drain shorts and contact issues. At the same time, the method of the present invention provides a structure that allows for a facet to form at the spacer edge, retaining the Miller capacitance benefit that such a structure provides. The inventive structure also results in higher uniaxial stress in the MOSFET channel compared to one which allows for a facet to grow at the trench isolation edge.

Abstract: Integrated circuits are oriented on a substrate at an angle that is rotated between 5 to 40 degrees from a direction parallel or perpendicular to a preferred crystalline plane direction, such as the cleavage plane, of the substrate. Parameters such as stress and mobility of transistors may be optimized by adjusting the angle of rotation of the substrate. For a rotated substrate CMOS device design, other stress control measures may be used, such as a stress control or tensile liner, over an NMOS transistor, PMOS transistor, or both, to further adjust the stress and improve performance.

Abstract: A method (and system) of reducing contact resistance on a silicon-on-insulator device, including controlling a silicide depth in a source-drain region of the device.

Abstract: A method (and system) of reducing contact resistance on a silicon-on-insulator device, including controlling a silicide depth in a source-drain region of the device.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an inverted T shaped gate electrode located over a channel region that separates a plurality of source and drain regions within a semiconductor substrate. The inverted T shaped gate electrode may comprise different gate electrode materials in a horizontal portion thereof and a vertical portion thereof. The semiconductor structure may be passivated with an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer through which may be located and formed a plurality of vias that contact the plurality of source and drain regions. Due to the inverted T shaped gate electrode, the semiconductor structure exhibits a reduced gate electrode to via capacitance.

Abstract: An opto-thermal annealing method for forming a field effect transistor uses a reflective metal gate so that electrical properties of the metal gate and also interface between the metal gate and a gate dielectric are not compromised when opto-thermal annealing a source/drain region adjacent the metal gate. Another opto-thermal annealing method may be used for simultaneously opto-thermally annealing: (1) a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicided gate; and (2) a source/drain region to form an annealed source/drain region. An additional opto-thermal annealing method may use a thermal insulator layer in conjunction with a thermal absorber layer to selectively opto-thermally anneal a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicide gate.

Abstract: An opto-thermal annealing method for forming a field effect transistor uses a reflective metal gate so that electrical properties of the metal gate and also interface between the metal gate and a gate dielectric are not compromised when opto-thermal annealing a source/drain region adjacent the metal gate. Another opto-thermal annealing method may be used for simultaneously opto-thermally annealing: (1) a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicided gate; and (2) a source/drain region to form an annealed source/drain region. An additional opto-thermal annealing method may use a thermal insulator layer in conjunction with a thermal absorber layer to selectively opto-thermally anneal a silicon layer and a silicide forming metal layer to form a fully silicide gate.

Abstract: A semiconducting material that has all the advantages of prior art SOI substrates including, for example, low parasitic capacitance and leakage, without having floating body effects is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a Semiconductor-on-Pores (SOP) material that includes a top semiconductor layer and a bottom semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layers are separated in at least one region by a porous semiconductor material. Semiconductor structures including the SOP material as a substrate as well as a method of fabricating the SOP material are also provided. The method includes forming a p-type region with a first semiconductor layer, converting the p-type region to a porous semiconductor material, sealing the upper surface of the porous semiconductor material by annealing, and forming a second semiconductor layer atop the porous semiconductor material.

Abstract: A CMOS FET device having an enhanced performance is described by taking advantage of known dual-stress-liner effects and by making use of compressive nitride in an appropriate geometric configuration to induce compressive stress in the n-FET channel, and a tensile stress in the p-FET. The stress enhancement is designed to be insensitive to PC pitch, and to increase by reducing the height of the polysilicon stack, such that scalability contributes to the stated performance improvement. The n-FET leverages higher stress values that are obtainable in the compressive liners to be greater than 3 GPa, compared to less than 1.5 GPa for tensile liners.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for forming a CMOS structure including at least one pFET that has a stressed channel which avoids the problems mentioned in the prior art. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for avoiding formation of deep canyons at the interface between the active area and the trench isolation region, without requiring a trench isolation pulldown, thereby eliminating the problems of silicide to source/drain shorts and contact issues. At the same time, the method of the present invention provides a structure that allows for a facet to form at the spacer edge, retaining the Miller capacitance benefit that such a structure provides. The inventive structure also results in higher uniaxial stress in the MOSFET channel compared to one which allows for a facet to grow at the trench isolation edge.

Abstract: A semiconducting material that has all the advantages of prior art SOI substrates including, for example, low parasitic capacitance and leakage, without having floating body effects is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a Semiconductor-on-Pores (SOP) material that includes a top semiconductor layer and a bottom semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layers are separated in at least one region by a porous semiconductor material. Semiconductor structures including the SOP material as a substrate as well as a method of fabricating the SOP material are also provided. The method includes forming a p-type region with a first semiconductor layer, converting the p-type region to a porous semiconductor material, sealing the upper surface of the porous semiconductor material by annealing, and forming a second semiconductor layer atop the porous semiconductor material.