Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a metal gate structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate, an ILD structure over the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the metal gate structure, and a protecting layer over the ILD structure. A top surface of the protecting layer is aligned with a top surface of the metal gate structure. The protecting layer is separated from the metal gate structure.

Abstract: One or more methods of forming shallow trench isolation (STI) and resulting semiconductor arraignments are provided. A method of forming STI includes forming a nitride liner in a first opening and second opening and recessing the nitride liner in the first opening and second opening while forming an oxide structure in the first opening and second opening, thus forming a first STI region in the first opening and a second STI region in the second opening. A semiconductor arraignment includes a first STI region in an active area and a second STI region in an isolation area, where a first recessed nitride layer height in the first STI region is different than a second recessed nitride layer height in the second STI region.

Abstract: One or more methods of forming shallow trench isolation (STI) and resulting semiconductor arraignments are provided. A method of forming STI includes forming a nitride liner in a first opening and second opening and recessing the nitride liner in the first opening and second opening while forming an oxide structure in the first opening and second opening, thus forming a first STI region in the first opening and a second STI region in the second opening. A semiconductor arraignment includes a first STI region in an active area and a second STI region in an isolation area, where a first recessed nitride layer height in the first STI region is different than a second recessed nitride layer height in the second STI region.

Abstract: A fin-FET device and a method for fabrication thereof both employ a bulk semiconductor substrate. A fin and an adjoining trough are formed within the bulk semiconductor substrate. The trough is partially backfilled with a deposited dielectric layer to form an exposed fin region and an unexposed fin region. A gate dielectric layer is formed upon the exposed fin region and a gate electrode is formed upon the gate dielectric layer. By employing a bulk semiconductor substrate the fin-FET device is fabricated cost effectively.

Abstract: A method for forming a trench capacitor is presented in the following process steps. A trench is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first trench dielectric is deposited into the trench without reaching a full height thereof. An etch stop layer is formed on the first trench dielectric and along inner surfaces of the trench. A second trench dielectric is deposited on the etch stop layer. The second trench dielectric and the etch stop layer are removed to expose the first trench dielectric in the trench. A conductive layer is formed on the first trench dielectric in the trench, such that the conductive layer, the first trench dielectric and the semiconductor substrate function as a trench capacitor.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an initial structure is provided. The initial structure includes a substrate, a patterned silicon layer, and a covering layer. The substrate has a buried insulator layer formed thereon. The patterned silicon layer is formed on the buried insulator layer. The covering layer is formed on the patterned silicon layer. A first layer is formed on the initial structure. Part of the first layer is removed with an etching process, such that a sidewall portion of the patterned silicon layer is exposed and such that a remaining portion of the first layer remains at a corner where the patterned silicon layer interfaces with the buried insulator layer. An oxide liner is formed on the exposed sidewall portion. A recess may be formed in the buried insulator layer (prior to forming the first layer) and may extend partially beneath the patterned silicon layer.

Abstract: A fin-FET device and a method for fabrication thereof both employ a bulk semiconductor substrate. A fin and an adjoining trough are formed within the bulk semiconductor substrate. The trough is partially backfilled with a deposited dielectric layer to form an exposed fin region and an unexposed fin region. A gate dielectric layer is formed upon the exposed fin region and a gate electrode is formed upon the gate dielectric layer. By employing a bulk semiconductor substrate the fin-FET device is fabricated cost effectively.

Abstract: A method for forming a trench capacitor is presented in the following process steps. A trench is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first trench dielectric is deposited into the trench without reaching a full height thereof. An etch stop layer is formed on the first trench dielectric and along inner surfaces of the trench. A second trench dielectric is deposited on the etch stop layer. The second trench dielectric and the etch stop layer are removed to expose the first trench dielectric in the trench. A conductive layer is formed on the first trench dielectric in the trench, such that the conductive layer, the first trench dielectric and the semiconductor substrate function as a trench capacitor.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal layer having a predetermined thickness on an underlying material is disclosed. According to the method, the underlying material is electroplated to form the metal layer having a fraction of the predetermined thickness thereon. The step of electroplating is interrupted for a predetermined period of time. The step of electroplating is then resumed to form the metal layer having the predetermined thickness on the underlying material, thereby improving planarity of the metal layer.

Abstract: A method for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure employs a sequence of slurry polishes. In the first step the substrate is polished with either silica-based slurry or diluted ceria-based slurry. The first polishing is at a higher removal rate than the second polishing step. The polishing proceeds with some planarization but does not expose the polish stop layer. After partial planarization, the high selectivity slurry was used to complete the process. Improved throughput, lower defects and good within wafer uniformity are achieved.

Abstract: A method of reducing oxide thickness variations in a STI pattern that includes both a dense trench array and a wide trench is described. A first HDP CVD step with a deposition/sputter (D/S) ratio of 9.5 is used to deposit a dielectric layer with a thickness that is 120 to 130% of the shallow trench depth. An etch back is performed in the same CVD chamber with NF3, SiF4 or NF3 and SiF4 to remove about 40 to 50% of the initial dielectric layer. A second HDP CVD step with a D/S ratio of 16 deposits an additional thickness of dielectric layer to a level that is slightly higher than after the first deposition. The etch back and second deposition form a smoother dielectric layer surface which enables a subsequent planarization step to provide filled STI features with a minimal amount of dishing in wide trenches.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor includes: forming a conductive region on an isolation layer formed on a substrate, and a cap dielectric layer on the conductive region; forming a sacrificial dielectric layer over the isolation layer and the cap dielectric layer, and on sidewalls of the conductive region; removing a portion of the sacrificial dielectric layer on the cap dielectric layer; removing the cap dielectric layer; removing remaining portions of the sacrificial dielectric layer; forming a gate on the conductive region; and forming source/drain (S/D) regions within the conductive region and adjacent to the gate. A field effect transistor includes a conductive region over an isolation layer formed on a substrate, the conductive region being substantially without undercut at the region within the isolation layer beneath the conductive region; a gate on the conductive region; and S/D regions within the conductive region and adjacent to the gate.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an initial structure is provided. The initial structure includes a substrate, a patterned silicon layer, and a covering layer. The substrate has a buried insulator layer formed thereon. The patterned silicon layer is formed on the buried insulator layer. The covering layer is formed on the patterned silicon layer. A first layer is formed on the initial structure. Part of the first layer is removed with an etching process, such that a sidewall portion of the patterned silicon layer is exposed and such that a remaining portion of the first layer remains at a corner where the patterned silicon layer interfaces with the buried insulator layer. An oxide liner is formed on the exposed sidewall portion. A recess may be formed in the buried insulator layer (prior to forming the first layer) and may extend partially beneath the patterned silicon layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an initial structure is provided. The initial structure includes a substrate, a patterned silicon layer, and a covering layer. The substrate has a buried insulator layer formed thereon. The patterned silicon layer is formed on the buried insulator layer. The covering layer is formed on the patterned silicon layer. A first layer is formed on the initial structure. Part of the first layer is removed with an etching process, such that a sidewall portion of the patterned silicon layer is exposed and such that a remaining portion of the first layer remains at a corner where the patterned silicon layer interfaces with the buried insulator layer. An oxide liner is formed on the exposed sidewall portion. A recess may be formed in the buried insulator layer (prior to forming the first layer) and may extend partially beneath the patterned silicon layer.

Abstract: In a method of the present invention, an intermediate structure having a top surface is provided. An isolation trench is formed is the intermediate structure. Isolation material is deposited over the intermediate structure. The isolation material fills the isolation trench. Excess isolation material extends above the top surface of the intermediate structure. Part of the excess isolation material is removed until there is a predetermined thickness of isolation material remaining on the top surface of the intermediate structure. A contact opening is formed in the isolation material at the isolation trench. The contact opening extends through at least part of the intermediate structure. Contact material is deposited over the isolation material. The contact material fills the contact opening. Excess contact material, if any, that extends above the isolation material is removed. The excess isolation material is removed at least until the top surface of the intermediate structure is reached.

Abstract: A method for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure employs a sequence of slurry polishes. In the first step the substrate is polished with either silica-based slurry or diluted ceria-based slurry. The first polishing is at a higher removal rate than the second polishing step. The polishing proceeds with some planarization but does not expose the polish stop layer. After partial planarization, the high selectivity slurry was used to complete the process. Improved throughput, lower defects and good within wafer uniformity are achieved.

Abstract: A method of reducing oxide thickness variations in a STI pattern that includes both a dense trench array and a wide trench is described. A first HDP CVD step with a deposition/sputter (D/S) ratio of 9.5 is used to deposit a dielectric layer with a thickness that is 120 to 130% of the shallow trench depth. An etch back is performed in the same CVD chamber with NF3, SiF4 or NF3 and SiF4 to remove about 40 to 50% of the initial dielectric layer. A second HDP CVD step with a D/S ratio of 16 deposits an additional thickness of dielectric layer to a level that is slightly higher than after the first deposition. The etch back and second deposition form a smoother dielectric layer surface which enables a subsequent planarization step to provide filled STI features with a minimal amount of dishing in wide trenches.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an initial structure is provided. The initial structure includes a substrate, a patterned silicon layer, and a covering layer. The substrate has a buried insulator layer formed thereon. The patterned silicon layer is formed on the buried insulator layer. The covering layer is formed on the patterned silicon layer. A first layer is formed on the initial structure. Part of the first layer is removed with an etching process, such that a sidewall portion of the patterned silicon layer is exposed and such that a remaining portion of the first layer remains at a corner where the patterned silicon layer interfaces with the buried insulator layer. An oxide liner is formed on the exposed sidewall portion. A recess may be formed in the buried insulator layer (prior to forming the first layer) and may extend partially beneath the patterned silicon layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor includes: forming a conductive region on an isolation layer formed on a substrate, and a cap dielectric layer on the conductive region; forming a sacrificial dielectric layer over the isolation layer and the cap dielectric layer, and on sidewalls of the conductive region; removing a portion of the sacrificial dielectric layer on the cap dielectric layer; removing the cap dielectric layer; removing remaining portions of the sacrificial dielectric layer; forming a gate on the conductive region; and forming source/drain (S/D) regions within the conductive region and adjacent to the gate. A field effect transistor includes a conductive region over an isolation layer formed on a substrate, the conductive region being substantially without undercut at the region within the isolation layer beneath the conductive region; a gate on the conductive region; and S/D regions within the conductive region and adjacent to the gate.

Abstract: In a method of the present invention, an intermediate structure having a top surface is provided. An isolation trench is formed is the intermediate structure. Isolation material is deposited over the intermediate structure. The isolation material fills the isolation trench. Excess isolation material extends above the top surface of the intermediate structure. Part of the excess isolation material is removed until there is a predetermined thickness of isolation material remaining on the top surface of the intermediate structure. A contact opening is formed in the isolation material at the isolation trench. The contact opening extends through at least part of the intermediate structure. Contact material is deposited over the isolation material. The contact material fills the contact opening. Excess contact material, if any, that extends above the isolation material is removed. The excess isolation material is removed at least until the top surface of the intermediate structure is reached.