Abstract: A method of forming a TEOS oxide layer over an nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide layer formed on a substrate. The method includes forming the nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide layer on a top surface and a top side beveled edge proximate to the top surface of a substrate; removing or preventing formation of a carbon-rich layer on a bottom side bevel edge region proximate to a bottom surface of the substrate or converting the carbon-rich layer to nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide; and forming the TEOS oxide layer on the top surface, the top side beveled edge and the bottom side bevel edge region of the substrate.

Abstract: An interconnect structure in which the adhesion between an upper level low-k dielectric material, such as a material comprising elements of Si, C, O, and H, and an underlying diffusion capping dielectric, such as a material comprising elements of C, Si, N and H, is improved by incorporating an adhesion transition layer between the two dielectric layers. The presence of the adhesion transition layer between the upper level low-k dielectric and the diffusion barrier capping dielectric can reduce the chance of delamination of the interconnect structure during the packaging process. The adhesion transition layer provided herein includes a lower SiOx— or SiON-containing region and an upper C graded region. Methods of forming such a structure, in particularly the adhesion transition layer, are also provided.

Abstract: An advanced gate structure that includes a fully silicided metal gate and silicided source and drain regions in which the fully silicided metal gate has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the silicided source/drain regions is provided. A method of forming the advanced gate structure is also provided in which the silicided source and drain regions are formed prior to formation of the silicided metal gate region.

Abstract: A method of forming a TEOS oxide layer over an nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide layer formed on a substrate. The method includes forming the nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide layer on a top surface and a top side beveled edge proximate to the top surface of a substrate; removing or preventing formation of a carbon-rich layer on a bottom side bevel edge region proximate to a bottom surface of the substrate or converting the carbon-rich layer to nitrogen doped silicon carbide or nitrogen doped hydrogenated silicon carbide; and forming the TEOS oxide layer on the top surface, the top side beveled edge and the bottom side bevel edge region of the substrate.

Abstract: An interconnect structure in which the adhesion between an upper level low-k dielectric material, such as a material comprising elements of Si, C, O, and H, and an underlying diffusion capping dielectric, such as a material comprising elements of C, Si, N and H, is improved by incorporating an adhesion transition layer between the two dielectric layers. The presence of the adhesion transition layer between the upper level low-k dielectric and the diffusion barrier capping dielectric can reduce the chance of delamination of the interconnect structure during the packaging process. The adhesion transition layer provided herein includes a lower SiOx- or SiON-containing region and an upper C graded region. Methods of forming such a structure, in particularly the adhesion transition layer, are also provided.

Abstract: An interconnect structure in which the adhesion between an upper level low-k dielectric material, such as a material comprising elements of Si, C, O, and H, and an underlying diffusion capping dielectric, such as a material comprising elements of C, Si, N and H, is improved by incorporating an adhesion transition layer between the two dielectric layers. The presence of the adhesion transition layer between the upper level low-k dielectric and the diffusion barrier capping dielectric can reduce the chance of delamination of the interconnect structure during the packaging process. The adhesion transition layer provided herein includes a lower SiOx- or SiON-containing region and an upper C graded region. Methods of forming such a structure, in particularly the adhesion transition layer, are also provided.

Abstract: An advanced gate structure that includes a fully silicided metal gate and silicided source and drain regions in which the fully silicided metal gate has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the silicided source/drain regions is provided. A method of forming the advanced gate structure is also provided in which the silicided source and drain regions are formed prior to formation of the silicided metal gate region.

Abstract: A novel interlevel contact via structure having low contact resistance and improved reliability, and method of forming the contact via. The method comprises steps of: etching an opening through an interlevel dielectric layer to expose an underlying metal (Copper) layer surface; and, performing a low energy ion implant of an inert gas (Nitrogen) into the exposed metal underneath; and, depositing a refractory liner into the walls and bottom via structure which will have a lower contact resistance due to the presence of the proceeding inert gas implantation. Preferably, the inert Nitrogen gas reacts with the underlying exposed Copper metal to form a thin layer of CuN.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual self-aligned fully silicided gate in a CMOS device requiring only one lithography level, wherein the method comprises forming a first type semiconductor device having a first well region in a semiconductor substrate, first source/drain silicide areas in the first well region, and a first type gate isolated from the first source/drain silicide areas; forming a second type semiconductor device having a second well region in the semiconductor substrate, second source/drain silicide areas in the second well region, and a second type gate isolated from the second source/drain silicide areas; selectively forming a first metal layer over the second type semiconductor device; performing a first fully silicided (FUSI) gate formation on only the second type gate; depositing a second metal layer over the first and second type semiconductor devices; and performing a second FUSI gate formation on only the first type gate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, wherein the method comprises forming a first well region in a semiconductor substrate for accommodation of a first type semiconductor device; forming a second well region in the semiconductor substrate for accommodation of a second type semiconductor device; shielding the first type semiconductor device with a mask; depositing a first metal layer over the second type semiconductor device; performing a first salicide formation on the second type semiconductor device; removing the mask; depositing a second metal layer over the first and second type semiconductor devices; and performing a second salicide formation on the first type semiconductor device. The method requires only one pattern level and it eliminates pattern overlay as it also simplifies the processes to form different silicide material over different devices.

Abstract: An interconnect structure in which the adhesion between an upper level low-k dielectric material, such as a material comprising elements of Si, C, O, and H, and an underlying diffusion capping dielectric, such as a material comprising elements of C, Si, N and H, is improved by incorporating an adhesion transition layer between the two dielectric layers. The presence of the adhesion transition layer between the upper level low-k dielectric and the diffusion barrier capping dielectric can reduce the chance of delamination of the interconnect structure during the packaging process. The adhesion transition layer provided herein includes a lower SiOx— or SiON-containing region and an upper C graded region. Methods of forming such a structure, in particularly the adhesion transition layer, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, wherein the method comprises forming a first well region in a semiconductor substrate for accommodation of a first type semiconductor device; forming a second well region in the semiconductor substrate for accommodation of a second type semiconductor device; shielding the first type semiconductor device with a mask; depositing a first metal layer over the second type semiconductor device; performing a first salicide formation on the second type semiconductor device; removing the mask; depositing a second metal layer over the first and second type semiconductor devices; and performing a second salicide formation on the first type semiconductor device. The method requires only one pattern level and it eliminates pattern overlay as it also simplifies the processes to form different silicide material over different devices.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, wherein the method comprises forming a first well region in a semiconductor substrate for accommodation of a first type semiconductor device; forming a second well region in the semiconductor substrate for accommodation of a second type semiconductor device; shielding the first type semiconductor device with a mask; depositing a first metal layer over the second type semiconductor device; performing a first salicide formation on the second type semiconductor device; removing the mask; depositing a second metal layer over the first and second type semiconductor devices; and performing a second salicide formation on the first type semiconductor device. The method requires only one pattern level and it eliminates pattern overlay as it also simplifies the processes to form different silicide material over different devices.

Abstract: A method of forming a salicide on a semiconductor device includes depositing a first refractory metal layer over a silicon region of a substrate, depositing a near-noble metal layer over the first refractory metal layer, and depositing a second refractory metal layer over the near-noble metal layer. The semiconductor device is annealed in a first annealing process to form a silicide layer abutting the doped region of the semiconductor device. Un-reacted portions of the near-noble metal layer and the second refractory metal layer are removed. The device may be annealed in an optional second annealing process to convert the silicide layer to a low resistance phase silicide material. Junction leakage and bridging are minimized or eliminated by embodiments of the present invention, and a smoother silicided surface is achieved.

Abstract: A method of forming a salicide on a semiconductor device includes depositing a first refractory metal layer over a silicon region of a substrate, depositing a near-noble metal layer over the first refractory metal layer, and depositing a second refractory metal layer over the near-noble metal layer. The semiconductor device is annealed in a first annealing process to form a silicide layer abutting the doped region of the semiconductor device. Un-reacted portions of the near-noble metal layer and the second refractory metal layer are removed. The device may be annealed in an optional second annealing process to convert the silicide layer to a low resistance phase silicide material. Junction leakage and bridging are minimized or eliminated by embodiments of the present invention, and a smoother silicided surface is achieved.

Abstract: A charged particle beam apparatus having a cold trap positioned in proximity to components, such as a shaping aperture and a backscattered electrons detector, to which contaminants tend to migrate to adversely affect the functions of these components. As a coolant is passed through the cold trap, the contaminants condense on the cold trap and away from the shaping aperture and the backscattered electrons detector.