Abstract: Vertical field effect transistor (VFET) structures and methods of fabrication include a bottom spacer having a uniform thickness. The bottom spacer includes a bilayer portion including a first layer formed of an oxide, for example, and a second layer formed of a nitride, for example, on the first layer, and a monolayer portion of a fourth layer of a nitride for example, immediately adjacent to and intermediate the fin and the bilayer portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a base and a plurality of pillars extending from the base where the pillars are configured to define a nano-array, a dielectric disposed on the base, and a plasmonic coating disposed on a surface of the dielectric and on one or more of the pillars.

Abstract: A gate-all-around field effect transistor (GAAFET) and method. The GAAFET includes nanosheets, a gate around center portions of the nanosheets, and inner spacers aligned below end portions. The nanosheet end portions are tapered from the source/drain regions to the gate and the inner spacers are tapered from the gate to the source/drain regions. Each inner spacer includes: a first spacer layer, which has a uniform thickness and extends laterally from the gate to an adjacent source/drain region; a second spacer layer, which fills the space between a planar top surface of the first spacer layer and a tapered end portion of the nanosheet above; and, for all but the lowermost inner spacers, a third spacer layer, which is the same material as the second spacer layer and which fills the space between a planar bottom surface of the first spacer layer and a tapered end portion of the nanosheet below.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to techniques for providing an novel field effect transistor (FET) architecture that includes a center fin region and one or more vertically stacked nanosheets. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a non-planar channel region is formed having a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a fin-shaped bridge layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. Forming the non-planar channel region can include forming a nanosheet stack over a substrate, forming a trench by removing a portion of the nanosheet stack, and forming a third semiconductor layer in the trench. Outer surfaces of the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the fin-shaped bridge region define an effective channel width of the non-planar channel region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to forming an airgap-based vertical field effect transistor (VFET) without structural collapse. A dielectric collar anchors the structure while forming the airgaps. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a vertical transistor is formed over a substrate. The vertical transistor can include a fin, a top spacer, a top source/drain (S/D) on the fin, and a contact on the top S/D. A dielectric layer is recessed below a top surface of the top spacer and a dielectric collar is formed on the recessed surface of the dielectric layer. Portions of the dielectric layer are removed to form a first cavity and a second cavity. A first airgap is formed in the first cavity and a second airgap is formed in the second cavity. The dielectric collar anchors the top S/D to the top spacer while forming the first airgap and the second airgap.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of vertical fins on a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a first dielectric layer in a shallow trench isolation region on the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of dummy gate structures over each of the vertical fins. The method further includes depositing a hardmask on the dummy gate. The method further includes depositing a spacer layer on the exterior surfaces of the first dielectric layer, the dummy gate structures, the hardmask and the fins. The method further includes depositing a second dielectric layer on a portion of the spacer layer. The method further includes recessing spacer layer to expose a portion of the hardmask and the plurality of fins. The method further includes forming a source/drain region on the exposed portion of the plurality of fins.

Abstract: A device including a substrate and at least one fin formed over the substrate. At least one transistor is integrated with the fin at a top portion of the fin. The transistor includes an active region comprising a source, a drain and a channel region between the source and drain. A gate structure is formed over the channel region, and the gate structure includes a HKMG and air-gap spacers formed on opposite sidewalls of the HKMG. Each of the air-gap spacers includes an air gap that is formed along a trench silicide region, and the air-gap is formed below a top of the HKMG. A gate contact is formed over the active region.

Abstract: One integrated circuit product disclosed herein includes a first final gate structure for a first transistor device, a second final gate structure for a second transistor device, wherein the first and second transistor devices have a gate width that extends in a gate width direction and a gate length that extends in a gate length direction, and a gate separation structure positioned between the first and second final gate structures, the gate separation structure comprising at least one insulating material. The gate separation structure further has a substantially uniform width in the gate width direction for substantially an entire vertical height of the gate separation structure and a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein an end surface of the first final gate structure contacts the first side surface and an end surface of the second final gate structure contacts the second side surface.

Abstract: We report a semiconductor device, containing a semiconductor substrate; an isolation feature on the substrate; a plurality of gates on the isolation feature, wherein each gate comprises a gate electrode and a high-k dielectric layer disposed between the gate electrode and the isolation feature and disposed on and in contact with at least one side of the gate electrode; and a fill metal between the plurality of gates on the isolation feature. We also report methods of forming such a device, and a system for manufacturing such a device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to forming an airgap-based vertical field effect transistor (VFET) without structural collapse. A dielectric collar anchors the structure while forming the airgaps. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a vertical transistor is formed over a substrate. The vertical transistor can include a fin, a top spacer, a top source/drain (S/D) on the fin, and a contact on the top S/D. A dielectric layer is recessed below a top surface of the top spacer and a dielectric collar is formed on the recessed surface of the dielectric layer. Portions of the dielectric layer are removed to form a first cavity and a second cavity. A first airgap is formed in the first cavity and a second airgap is formed in the second cavity. The dielectric collar anchors the top S/D to the top spacer while forming the first airgap and the second airgap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate having a gate spacer formed on a semiconductor substrate and a source or drain (S/D) formed on the substrate a distance away from the gate. A S/D contact including a contact spacer is formed on an upper surface of the S/D. A dielectric layer is interposed between the gate spacer and the contact spacer; and an airgap is in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a base and a plurality of pillars extending from the base where the pillars are configured to define a nano-array, a dielectric disposed on the base, and a plasmonic coating disposed on a surface of the dielectric and on one or more of the pillars.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gate cap last process for forming a self-aligned contact. This gate cap last process allows for a thin SAC cap, as the SAC cap only needs to prevent a short between the metallization contact and the gate. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a gate is formed over a channel region of a fin. The gate can include a gate spacer. A sacrificial contact is formed on a top surface of a source or drain (S/D) region of a substrate. The sacrificial contact is positioned directly adjacent to a sidewall of the gate spacer. An exposed surface of the gate is recessed to form a recessed gate surface and a self-aligned contact (SAC) cap is formed on the recessed gate surface. The sacrificial contact is replaced with a S/D contact.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes forming a semiconductor substrate having one or more fins. The method includes forming over the fins a plurality of gate structures. The method includes forming gate spacers on sidewalls of the gate structure. The method includes forming a source/drain region on the semiconductor substrate between each adjacent gate spacer. The method includes depositing an interlevel dielectric layer on the source/drain regions and over the gate structures. The method includes depositing a hardmask on the interlevel dielectric layer. The method includes patterning the hardmask to form a plurality of openings and exposing the top surface of each of the source/drain regions. The method includes depositing an optical planarization layer in a portion of the openings and above the top surface of the gate structures. The method includes etching the interlevel dielectric layer in the opening to form an undercut region below the hardmask.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fins on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first bottom source/drain region at sides of a first fin of the plurality of fins in a first transistor region, and forming a second bottom source/drain region at sides of a second fin of the plurality of fins in a second transistor region. The first and second bottom source/drain regions are oppositely doped. In the method, a bottom spacer layer is formed on the first and second bottom source/drain regions, and the bottom spacer layer is removed from the second bottom source/drain region. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the bottom spacer layer in the first transistor region, and directly formed on the second bottom source/drain region in the second transistor region. The method also includes forming a gate conductor on the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fins on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first bottom source/drain region at sides of a first fin of the plurality of fins in a first transistor region, and forming a second bottom source/drain region at sides of a second fin of the plurality of fins in a second transistor region. The first and second bottom source/drain regions are oppositely doped. In the method, a bottom spacer layer is formed on the first and second bottom source/drain regions, and the bottom spacer layer is removed from the second bottom source/drain region. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the bottom spacer layer in the first transistor region, and directly formed on the second bottom source/drain region in the second transistor region. The method also includes forming a gate conductor on the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a gate-all-around field effect transistor (GAAFET) and method. The GAAFET includes stacked nanosheets having end portions adjacent to source/drain regions and a center portion between the end portions. The thickness of each nanosheet is tapered from a maximum thickness near the source/drain regions to a minimum thickness near and across the center portion. A gate wraps around each center portion. Inner spacers are aligned below the end portions between the gate and source/drain regions. The thickness of each inner spacer is tapered from a maximum thickness at the gate to a minimum thickness near the adjacent source/drain region. Each inner spacer includes a first spacer layer immediately adjacent to the gate, a second spacer layer immediately adjacent to the gate at least above the first spacer layer and further extending laterally beyond the first spacer layer toward or to the adjacent source/drain region, and, optionally, an air-gap.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes patterning a plurality of semiconductor fins on a semiconductor substrate, and replacing at least two of the plurality of semiconductor fins with a plurality of dummy fins including a dielectric material. A gate structure is formed on and around the plurality of semiconductor fins and the plurality of dummy fins, and a source/drain contact is formed adjacent the gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed including a semiconductor substrate having two or more fins. The semiconductor structure includes a recessed gate structure having opposing sidewalls located over one of the fins. The semiconductor structure includes a gate spacer disposed on the opposing sidewalls of the recessed gate structure. The semiconductor structure includes a source/drain region disposed between adjacent gate spacers. The semiconductor structure includes a first conductive material disposed on the source/drain region and an interlevel dielectric layer disposed on a top surface of the semiconductor structure defining an opening therein to an exposed top surface of the first conductive material. A width of an upper portion of the opening is greater than the width of the lower portion of the opening. The lower portion of opening is aligned with the first conductive material. The semiconductor structure includes a second conductive material disposed in the opening.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device being fabricated, a gate structure, a first source/drain (S/D) structure, and a second S/D structure are formed. A first spacer of a first dielectric material is formed between the gate structure and the first S/D structure. A second spacer is formed between the gate structure and the second S/D structure, such that a first gap is created within a second dielectric material of the second spacer.