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: A photolithography patterning stack and method for forming the same. The stack includes a plurality of patterned silicon oxide lines. A plurality of patterned silicon germanium lines each underlie and contact one patterned silicon oxide line of the plurality of patterned silicon oxide lines. The photolithography patterning stack further comprises a plurality of layers underlying the plurality of patterning silicon germanium lines. The method includes patterning at least a photoresist layer of a photolithographic patterning stack. The patterning exposing portions of a silicon germanium layer of the photolithographic patterning stack. A germanium oxide layer is formed in contact with the patterned photoresist layer and the portions of the silicon germanium layer. A plurality of silicon oxide layers is formed from the germanium oxide layer. Each of the silicon oxide layer is in contact with one of the portions of the silicon germanium layer.

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 nanosheet stack is formed over a substrate. The nanosheet stack can include one or more first semiconductor layers and one or more first sacrificial layers. A trench is formed by removing a portion of the one or more first semiconductor layers and the one or more first sacrificial layers. The trench exposes a surface of a bottommost sacrificial layer of the one or more first sacrificial layers. The trench can be filled with one or more second semiconductor layers and one or more second sacrificial layers such that each of the one or more second semiconductor layers is in contact with a sidewall of one of the one or more first semiconductor layers.

Abstract: An ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) is provided that has enhanced sensitivity due to an increased passivation capacitance, Cp. The increased Cp is obtained by increasing the surface area of the passivation layer by forming particles (metallic, semiconductor or dielectric) in a micro-well, and by embedding the particles in an electrically conductive liner that is formed under the passivation layer and within the micro-well.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor fin and a liner in contact with end portions of the semiconductor fin. A first source/drain contacts the liner and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. A gate structure is in contact with and surrounds the semiconductor fin. A second source/drain is formed above the first source/drain. The method includes forming, on a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin having a first spacer in contact with an upper portion of the semiconductor fin, and a second spacer in contact with the first spacer and a lower portion of the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin is patterned into a plurality of semiconductor fins. A liner is formed on exposed end portions of each semiconductor fin of the plurality of semiconductor fins.

Abstract: An ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) is provided that has enhanced sensitivity due to an increased passivation capacitance, Cp. The increased Cp is obtained by increasing the surface area of the passivation layer by forming particles (metallic, semiconductor or dielectric) in a micro-well, and by embedding the particles in an electrically conductive liner that is formed under the passivation layer and within the micro-well.

Abstract: Processes form integrated circuit apparatuses that include parallel fins, wherein the fins are patterned in a first direction. Parallel gate structures intersect the fins in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the gate structures have a lower portion adjacent to the fins and an upper portion distal to the fins. Source/drain structures are positioned on the fins between the gate structures. Source/drain contacts are positioned on the source/drain structures and multiple insulator layers are positioned between the gate structures and the source/drain contacts. Additional upper sidewall spacers are positioned between the upper portion of the gate structures and the multiple insulator layers.

Abstract: Methods of forming cross-coupling contacts for field-effect transistors and structures for field effect-transistors that include cross-coupling contacts. A dielectric cap is formed over a gate structure and a sidewall spacer adjacent to a sidewall of the gate structure. A portion of the dielectric cap is removed from over the sidewall spacer and the gate structure to expose a first portion of the gate electrode of the gate structure at a top surface of the gate structure. The sidewall spacer is then recessed relative to the gate structure to expose a portion of the gate dielectric layer at the sidewall of the gate structure, which is removed to expose a second portion of the gate electrode of the gate structure. A cross-coupling contact is formed that connects the first and second portions of the gate electrode of the gate structure with an epitaxial semiconductor layer adjacent to the sidewall spacer.

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: Methods of forming a structure that includes field-effect transistor and structures that include a field effect-transistor. A dielectric cap is formed over a gate structure of a field-effect transistor, and an opening is patterned that extends fully through the dielectric cap to divide the dielectric cap into a first section and a second section spaced across the opening from the first surface. First and second dielectric spacers are respectively selectively deposited on respective first and second surfaces of the first and second sections of the dielectric cap to shorten the opening. A portion of the gate structure exposed through the opening between the first and second dielectric spacers is etched to form a cut that divides the gate electrode into first and second sections disconnected by the cut. A dielectric material is deposited in the opening and in the cut to form a dielectric pillar.

Abstract: Methods and structures that include a vertical-transport field-effect transistor. First and second semiconductor fins are formed that project vertically from a bottom source/drain region. A first gate stack section is arranged to wrap around a portion of the first semiconductor fin, and a second gate stack section is arranged to wrap around a portion of the second semiconductor fin. The first gate stack section is covered with a placeholder structure. After covering the first gate stack section with the placeholder structure, a metal gate capping layer is deposited on the second gate stack section. After depositing the metal gate capping layer on the second gate stack section, the placeholder structure is replaced with a contact that is connected with the first gate stack section.

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: Methods of forming a field-effect transistor and structures for a field effect-transistor. A sidewall spacer is formed adjacent to a sidewall of a gate structure of the field-effect transistor and a dielectric cap is formed over the gate structure and the sidewall spacer. A cut is formed that extends through the dielectric cap, the gate structure, and the sidewall spacer. After forming the cut, the sidewall spacer is removed from beneath the dielectric cap to define a cavity, and a dielectric material is deposited in the cut and in the cavity. The dielectric material encapsulates a portion of the cavity to define an airgap spacer.

Abstract: Nanosheet transistor structures with reduced parasitic capacitance and improved junction sharpness generally include a bilayer spacer adjacent a dummy gate disposed on a nanosheet stack. The bilayer spacer includes an inner spacer layer on sidewalls of the gate and a sacrificial layer on the inner spacer layer. The sacrificial layer can be laterally trimmed to bring the in situ doped source/drain regions closer to the channel, which improves junction sharpness. Additionally, the sacrificial spacer layer can be later removed during the process for forming the transistor so as to form an airgap spacer adjacent the gate, which minimizes parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to contact structures and methods of manufacture. The method includes: recessing an isolation region between adjacent gate structures and below metallization overburden of source/drain metallization; planarizing the metallization overburden to a level of the adjacent gate structures; and forming source/drain contacts to the source/drain metallization, on sides of and extending above the adjacent gate structures.

Abstract: Methods of forming a structure that includes field-effect transistor and structures that include a field effect-transistor. A dielectric cap is formed over a gate structure of a field-effect transistor, and an opening is patterned that extends fully through the dielectric cap to divide the dielectric cap into a first section and a second section spaced across the opening from the first surface. First and second dielectric spacers are respectively selectively deposited on respective first and second surfaces of the first and second sections of the dielectric cap to shorten the opening. A portion of the gate structure exposed through the opening between the first and second dielectric spacers is etched to form a cut that divides the gate electrode into first and second sections disconnected by the cut. A dielectric material is deposited in the opening and in the cut to form a dielectric pillar.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicon structure. The method includes forming a trench silicide contact between two spacers, each spacer beside respective high-k metal gates. The method planarizes the trench silicide contact, the spacers, and the high-k metal gates. An inner layer dielectric is deposited over the trench silicide contact, the spacers, and the high-k metal gates. A first opening is patterned in the inner layer dielectric for a gate contact over the high-k metal gate, one of the spacers and a portion of the trench silicide contact. The method recesses the portion of the trench silicide contact and deposits a liner within the recessed portion of the trench silicide contact and on sidewalls of the first opening of the inner layer dielectric. A metallization layer is deposited in the opening in the inner layer dielectric to form the gate contact.

Abstract: A system and method of fabricating a semiconductor device include forming a series of gates, and forming a gate spacer on each side of each gate of the series of gates. The method includes forming a source region on a side of each of the gates and forming a drain region on an opposite side of each of the gates. The source region or the drain region between two adjacent ones of the gates is shared and only the source region or the drain region on one side of a first gate and the source region or the drain region on one side of a last gate in the series of gates are unshared source or drain regions. A self-aligned contact (SAC) is formed on the unshared source or drain regions. An air spacer is formed between the SACs and the first gate and the last gate.

Abstract: A fin cut last methodology for manufacturing a vertical FinFET includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins over a substrate, forming shallow trench isolation between active fins and, following the formation of a functional gate of the active fins, using a selective etch to remove a sacrificial fin from within an isolation region. A further etching step can be used to remove a portion of the gate stack proximate to the sacrificial fin to create an isolation trench and a laterally-extending cavity within the isolation region that are back-filled with an isolation dielectric.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for forming replacement metal gate (RMG) structures and related structures. A method may include: forming a portion of sacrificial material around each fin of a set of adjacent fins; forming a first dielectric region between the portions of sacrificial material; forming a second dielectric region on the first dielectric region; forming an upper source/drain region from an upper portion of each fin; removing only the second dielectric region and the sacrificial material; and forming a work function metal (WFM) in place of the second dielectric region and the sacrificial material. The semiconductor structure may include gate structures surrounding adjacent fins; a first dielectric region between the gate structures; a second dielectric region above the first dielectric region and between the gate structures; and a liner between the first dielectric region and the gate structures such that the second dielectric region directly contacts the gate structures.