Abstract: A method for making concurrently metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and a metal resistors in a Cu damascene back-end-of-line process is achieved. The method forms a Cu capacitor bottom metal plate using a dual-damascene process. A Si3N4 or SiC is deposited to form a capacitor dielectric layer on the Cu bottom plate. A metal layer having an upper etch-stop layer is deposited and patterned to form concurrently capacitor top plates and metal resistors. The patterning is terminated in the capacitor dielectric layer to prevent Cu particle contamination. An insulating layer is deposited and via holes are etched to the capacitor top plates and the metal resistors using the upper etch-stop layer to prevent overetching and damage. The method provides a MIM capacitor using only one additional photoresist mask while improving process yield.

Abstract: A first method of reducing semiconductor device substrate effects comprising the following steps. O+ or O2+ are selectively implanted into a silicon substrate to form a silicon-damaged silicon oxide region. One or more devices are formed over the silicon substrate proximate the silicon-damaged silicon oxide region within at least one upper dielectric layer. A passivation layer is formed over the at least one upper dielectric layer. The passivation layer and the at least one upper dielectric layer are patterned to form a trench exposing a portion of the silicon substrate over the silicon-damaged silicon oxide region. The silicon-damaged silicon oxide region is selectively etched to form a channel continuous and contiguous with the trench whereby the channel reduces the substrate effects of the one or more semiconductor devices.

Abstract: There is a need for adjustable capacitors for use in LC or RC matching networks in micro-circuits. This has been achieved by forming a set of individual capacitors that share a common bottom electrode. The areas of the top electrodes of these individual capacitors are chosen to be in an integral ratio to one another so that they can be combined to produce any capacitance within a range of unit values. For example, if four capacitors whose areas are in the ratio of 5:2:1:1, are provided, then any capacitance in a range of from 1 to 9 can be generated, depending on how the top electrodes are connected. Such connections can be hard-wired within the final wiring level to provide a factory adjustable capacitor or they can be connected through field programmable devices to produce a field programmable capacitor. A process for manufacturing the device is also described.

Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method is provided for the creation of layers of gate oxide having an unequal thickness. Active surface regions are defined over the surface of a substrate, a thick layer of gate oxide is grown over the active surface. A selective etch is applied to the thick layer of gate oxide, selectively reducing the thickness of the thick layer of gate oxide to the required thickness of a thin layer of gate oxide. The layer of thick gate oxide is blocked from exposure. N2 atoms are implanted into the exposed surface of the thin layer of oxide, rapid thermal processing is performed and the blocking mask is removed from the surface of the thick layer of gate oxide. A high concentration of nitride has now been provided in the thin layer of gate oxide.

Abstract: A new method of provided for forming in one plane layers of semiconductor material having both high and low dielectric constants. Layers, having selected and preferably non-identical parameters of dielectric constants, are successively deposited interspersed with layers of etch stop material. The layers can be etched, creating openings there-through that can be filled with a a layer of choice.

Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor in a semiconductor device. An embodiment simultaneously forms a MIM capacitor and a dual damascene interconnect using common process steps. An embodiment comprises: forming a capacitor bottom plate and a first metal line over the semiconductor structure. We form a second dielectric layer over the capacitor bottom plate, the first metal line, and a first dielectric layer. Next, we form a top plate opening in the second dielectric layer to at least partially expose the capacitor bottom plate. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed over the capacitor bottom plate and the second dielectric layer. A capacitor top plate is formed in the top plate opening. Subsequently, we form a via opening through at least the second dielectric layer, the capacitor dielectric layer over the first metal line to expose a portion of the first metal line. Next, we fill the via opening with a second metal layer to form a via plug.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites forming a number of first openings in a first substrate. The present embodiment then recites forming a copper region within each first openings during a damascene process, wherein each copper region has a top surface. The present embodiment then disposes a dielectric layer proximate to the top surface of each of the first copper regions during the damascene process. After depositing a second substrate over the dielectric, a number of second openings in a second substrate are made. Next, a number of second copper regions are formed in the second openings, during the damascene process. The dielectric region is thus disposed between the first copper regions and the second copper regions. In so doing, the dielectric region forms a dielectric barrier between the first copper regions and the second copper regions such that a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is formed during a damascene process.

Abstract: There is a need for adjustable capacitors for use in LC or RC matching networks in micro-circuits. This has been achieved by forming a set of individual capacitors that share a common bottom electrode. The areas of the top electrodes of these individual capacitors are chosen to be in an integral ratio to one another so that they can be combined to produce any capacitance within a range of unit values. For example, if four capacitors whose areas are in the ratio of 5:2:1:1, are provided, then any capacitance in a range of from 1 to 9 can be generated, depending on how the top electrodes are connected. Such connections can be hard-wired within the final wiring level to provide a factory adjustable capacitor or they can be connected through field programmable devices to produce a field programmable capacitor. A process for manufacturing the device is also described.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an increased capacitance metal-insulator-metal capacitor using an integrated copper dual damascene process is described. A first dual damascene opening and a pair of second dual damascene openings are provided in a first dielectric layer overlying a substrate. The first and second dual damascene openings are filled with a first copper layer wherein the filled first dual damascene opening forms a logic interconnect and the filled pair of second dual damascene openings forms a pair of capacitor electrodes. The first dielectric layer is etched away between the pair of capacitor electrodes leaving a space between the pair of capacitor electrodes. The space between the pair of capacitor electrodes is filled with a high dielectric constant material to complete fabrication of a vertical MIM capacitor in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device. The fabrication of the capacitor can begin at any metal layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating high quality passive components having reduced capacitive and magnetic effects by using a Schottky diode underlying the passive components in the manufacture of integrated circuits is described. A Schottky diode is formed completely covering an active area where passive devices are to be formed. The Schottky diode is covered with a dielectric layer. Passive components are formed overlying the dielectric layer wherein the Schottky diode reduces substrate noise resulting in high quality of the passive components.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites forming a number of first openings in a first substrate. The present embodiment then recites forming a copper region within each first openings during a damascene process, wherein each copper region has a top surface. The present embodiment then disposes a dielectric layer proximate to the top surface of each of the first copper regions during the damascene process. After depositing a second substrate over the dielectric, a number of second openings in a second substrate are made. Next, a number of second copper regions are formed in the second openings, during the damascene process. The dielectric region is thus disposed between the first copper regions and the second copper regions. In so doing, the dielectric region forms a dielectric barrier between the first copper regions and the second copper regions such that a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is formed during a damascene process.

Abstract: In one method embodiment, the present invention recites forming an opening in a substrate during a damascene process. The present embodiment then recites forming a dielectric region having two curvilinear surfaces opposite one another at least partially within the opening during the damascene process. The surfaces are curvilinear with respect to a horizontal cross-section. The present embodiment then recites forming a first copper region having a curvilinear surface proximate one of the surfaces of the dielectric region during the damascene process. The present embodiment then recites forming a second copper region having a curvilinear surface proximate a second surface of the dielectric region during the damascene process. In so doing, the dielectric region forms a dielectric barrier between the first copper region and the second copper region such that the vertical cylindrical MIM capacitor is formed.

Abstract: In one method embodiment, the present invention recites forming an opening in a substrate during a damascene process. The present embodiment then recites forming a dielectric region having two curvilinear surfaces opposite one another at least partially within the opening during the damascene process. The surfaces are curvilinear with respect to a horizontal cross-section. The present embodiment then recites forming a first copper region having a curvilinear surface proximate one of the surfaces of the dielectric region during the damascene process. The present embodiment then recites forming a second copper region having a curvilinear surface proximate a second surface of the dielectric region during the damascene process. In so doing, the dielectric region forms a dielectric barrier between the first copper region and the second copper region such that the vertical cylindrical MIM capacitor is formed.

Abstract: A new method for forming a dual-metal gate CMOS transistors is described. An NMOS and a PMOS active area of a semiconductor substrate are separated by isolation regions. A nitride layer is deposited overlying a gate dielectric layer and patterned to form a first dummy gate in each of the active areas. First ions are implanted to form source/drain regions in each of the active areas not covered by the first dummy gates. The first dummy gates are isotropically etched to form second dummy gates thinner than the first dummy gates. Second ions are implanted to form lightly doped source/drain regions in each of the active areas not covered by the second dummy gates. Dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of the second dummy gates and the source/drain regions are silicided. A dielectric layer is deposited and planarized to the second dummy gates. Thereafter, the second dummy gates are removed, leaving gate openings in the dielectric layer. A mask is formed over the PMOS active area.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the creation of a fuse. A layer of metal is first deposited, the layer of metal is patterned and etched creating a metal strip that is interrupted by a gap. The fusing function is created in the gap, the interrupted metal strip serves as the connectors to the fuse. A layer of conducting conjugated polymer is deposited over the metal strip and the therein created gap, the polymer is etched back leaving the deposited polymer in the gap between the two metal strips.