Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes dual spacers is provided. A nitrogen atmosphere may be created and maintained in a reaction chamber by supplying a nitrogen source gas. A silicon source gas and an oxygen source gas may then be supplied to the reaction chamber to deposit a silicon oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate, which may include a conductive material layer. A silicon nitride layer may then be formed on the silicon oxide layer by performing a general CVD process. Next, the silicon nitride layer may be etched until the silicon oxide layer is exposed. Because of the difference in etching selectivity between silicon nitride and silicon oxide, portions of the silicon nitride layer may remain on sidewalls of the conductive material layer. As a result, dual spacers formed of a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer may be formed on the sidewalls.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, including forming a gate insulating film and a gate electrode film on a semiconductor substrate, and patterning the gate electrode film to form a gate electrode. A portion of the gate insulating film is removed to form an undercut region beneath the gate electrode. A buffer silicon film is formed over an entire surface of the resultant substrate to cover the gate electrode and to fill the undercut region. The buffer silicon film is selectively oxidized to form a buffer silicon oxide film.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include semiconductor devices that can be made with relatively low resistance, and methods of forming the semiconductor devices. A resistance reducing layer is formed between a polysilicon layer and a metal layer. As a result, an interface resistance between the polysilicon layer and the metal layer is greatly reduced and a distribution of the interface resistance is very uniform. As a result, a conductive structure including the resistance reducing layer has a greatly reduced sheet resistance to improve electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device having the conductive structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate pattern of a semiconductor device can include isotropically etching a gate insulating layer located between a gate conductive layer pattern and a substrate to recess an exposed side wall of the gate insulating layer pattern beyond a lower corner of the gate conductive layer pattern to form an undercut region. The gate conductive layer pattern can be treated to round off the lower corner.

Abstract: A gate electrode of a transistor can include an interface between a polysilicon conformal layer and a tungsten layer thereon in a trench in a substrate and a capping layer extending across the trench and covering the interface. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a gate structure having a conductive layer pattern is formed on a substrate. The gate structure is then annealed. Oxygen radicals are applied to the gate structure to form an oxide layer on a sidewall of the conductive layer pattern.

Abstract: A mask supporting apparatus includes an absorption glass provided with at least one vacuum hole, a mask provided with a predetermined pattern and attached on a bottom surface of the absorption glass, and an absorption pad disposed between the absorption glass and the mask to define a space between the absorption glass and the mask. Air in the space is exhausted through the vacuum hole to securely fix the mask on the absorption glass.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic device can include providing a gate dielectric layer on a channel region of a semiconductor substrate wherein the gate dielectric layer is a high-k dielectric material. A gate electrode barrier layer can be provided on the gate dielectric layer opposite the channel region of the semiconductor substrate, and a gate electrode metal layer can be provided on the gate electrode barrier layer opposite the channel region of the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode barrier layer and the gate electrode metal layer can be formed of different materials. Moreover, the gate electrode metal layer can include a first material and the gate electrode barrier layer can include a second material, and the first material can have a lower electrical resistivity than the second material.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device having a metal gate electrode include sequentially forming a gate insulator, a gate polysilicon layer and a metal-gate layer on a semiconductor substrate. The metal-gate layer and the gate polysilicon layer are sequentially patterned to form a gate pattern comprising a stacked gate polysilicon pattern and a metal-gate pattern. An oxidation barrier layer is formed to cover at least a portion of a sidewall of the metal-gate pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multicolored steel sheet having multiple colors, designs or patterns on its surface and a manufacturing system for carrying out the same are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include semiconductor devices that can be made with relatively low resistance, and methods of forming such devices. Between forming a polysilicon layer and a metal layer, an interface reaction preventing layer is created. This reaction preventing layer prevents a buildup of highly resistive materials that would otherwise occur when creating conventional semiconductor devices, as well as having other functions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal conducting layer is provided. A metal conducting layer pattern having the metal conducting layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A portion of the metal conducting layer is partially exposed on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate having the metal conducting layer pattern is loaded into a reaction chamber. A first silicon source gas is flowed into the reaction chamber. A silicon oxide layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the metal conducting layer pattern by supplying a second silicon source gas and an oxygen source gas into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a metal gate pattern is provided in which capping layers are used to control the relative oxidation rates of portions of the metal gate pattern during a oxidation process. The capping layer may be a multilayer structure and may be etched to form insulating spacers on the sidewalls of the metal gate pattern. The capping layer(s) allow the use of a selective oxidation process, which may be a wet oxidation process utilizing partial pressures of both H2O and H2 in an H2-rich atmosphere, to oxidize portions of the substrate and metal gate pattern while suppressing the oxidation of metal layers that may be included in the metal gate pattern. This allows etch damage to the silicon substrate and edges of the metal gate pattern to be reduced while substantially maintaining the original thickness of the gate insulating layer and the conductivity of the metal layer(s).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, including forming a gate insulating film and a gate electrode film on a semiconductor substrate, and patterning the gate electrode film to form a gate electrode. A portion of the gate insulating film is removed to form an undercut region beneath the gate electrode. A buffer silicon film is formed over an entire surface of the resultant substrate to cover the gate electrode and to fill the undercut region. The buffer silicon film is selectively oxidized to form a buffer silicon oxide film.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes dual spacers is provided. A nitrogen atmosphere may be created and maintained in a reaction chamber by supplying a nitrogen source gas. A silicon source gas and an oxygen source gas may then be supplied to the reaction chamber to deposit a silicon oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate, which may include a conductive material layer. A silicon nitride layer may then be formed on the silicon oxide layer by performing a general CVD process. Next, the silicon nitride layer may be etched until the silicon oxide layer is exposed. Because of the difference in etching selectivity between silicon nitride and silicon oxide, portions of the silicon nitride layer may remain on sidewalls of the conductive material layer. As a result, dual spacers formed of a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer may be formed on the sidewalls.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal conducting layer is provided. A metal conducting layer pattern having the metal conducting layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A portion of the metal conducting layer is partially exposed on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate having the metal conducting layer pattern is loaded into a reaction chamber. A first silicon source gas is flowed into the reaction chamber. A silicon oxide layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the metal conducting layer pattern by supplying a second silicon source gas and an oxygen source gas into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate and an insulating layer that is disposed on the substrate and has a gap or hole formed therein. A liner layer that exhibits compressive stress characteristics is disposed on the sidewalls of the insulating layer, which define the gap, and also on the substrate in the gap. A contact plug that exhibits tensile stress characteristics is disposed on the liner layer. The compressive stress of the liner layer may reduce the tensile stress of the contact plug. Therefore, despite the tensile stress exhibited by the contact plug, the combination of the liner layer with the contact plug may inhibit the formation of cracks in the contact plug and/or in an interlayer dielectric film around the contact plug.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus and shower head are provided. The shower head preferably includes a plurality of plates having gas paths formed therein. A cooling system is arranged in a lower plate of the shower head and includes a plurality of independent inner cooling lines configured to connect coolant inlets to coolant outlets. A separating device is also disclosed herein. The separating device preferably separates a heater stage from a chamber body to thereby separate a processing chamber of the deposition apparatus from a dead volume located beneath the heater stage. Various other improvements are also provided to improve the efficiency of a deposition process, and, in particular, an ALD process.