Abstract: Embedded memories. The devices include a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer, and a plurality of capacitors. The substrate comprises transistors. The first dielectric layer, embedding first and second conductive plugs electrically connecting the transistors therein, overlies the substrate. The second dielectric layer, comprising a plurality of capacitor openings exposing the first conductive plugs, overlies the first dielectric layer. The capacitors comprise a plurality of bottom plates, respectively disposed in the capacitor openings, electrically connecting the first conductive plugs, a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers respectively overlying the bottom plates, and a top plate, comprising a top plate opening, overlying the capacitor dielectric layers. The top plate opening exposes the second dielectric layer, and the top plate is shared by the capacitors.

Abstract: Embedded memories. The devices include a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer, and a plurality of capacitors. The substrate comprises transistors. The first dielectric layer, embedding first and second conductive plugs electrically connecting the transistors therein, overlies the substrate. The second dielectric layer, comprising a plurality of capacitor openings exposing the first conductive plugs, overlies the first dielectric layer. The capacitors comprise a plurality of bottom plates, respectively disposed in the capacitor openings, electrically connecting the first conductive plugs, a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers respectively overlying the bottom plates, and a top plate, comprising a top plate opening, overlying the capacitor dielectric layers. The top plate opening exposes the second dielectric layer, and the top plate is shared by the capacitors.

Abstract: Embedded memories. The devices include a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer, and a plurality of capacitors. The substrate comprises transistors. The first dielectric layer, embedding first and second conductive plugs electrically connecting the transistors therein, overlies the substrate. The second dielectric layer, comprising a plurality of capacitor openings exposing the first conductive plugs, overlies the first dielectric layer. The capacitors comprise a plurality of bottom plates, respectively disposed in the capacitor openings, electrically connecting the first conductive plugs, a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers respectively overlying the bottom plates, and a top plate, comprising a top plate opening, overlying the capacitor dielectric layers. The top plate opening exposes the second dielectric layer, and the top plate is shared by the capacitors.

Abstract: Embedded memories. The devices include a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer, and a plurality of capacitors. The substrate comprises transistors. The first dielectric layer, embedding first and second conductive plugs electrically connecting the transistors therein, overlies the substrate. The second dielectric layer, comprising a plurality of capacitor openings exposing the first conductive plugs, overlies the first dielectric layer. The capacitors comprise a plurality of bottom plates, respectively disposed in the capacitor openings, electrically connecting the first conductive plugs, a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers respectively overlying the bottom plates, and a top plate, comprising a top plate opening, overlying the capacitor dielectric layers. The top plate opening exposes the second dielectric layer, and the top plate is shared by the capacitors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device including a substrate, a gate structure formed over the substrate, a channel formed in the substrate under the gate, a lightly-doped drain-side LDD region formed in the substrate adjacent to a drain-side of the channel (preferably by a LATID process), a drain region formed in the substrate near to the drain-side LDD region, and a drain-side DDD region substantially separating the drain-side LDD region from the drain region. Preferably, the integrated circuit device is symmetrically formed such that a lightly-doped source-side LDD region is formed in the substrate adjacent to a source-side of the channel (again preferably by a LATID process), a source region is formed in the substrate near to the source-side LDD region, and a source-side DDD region is formed in the substrate to substantially separate the source-side LDD region from the source region. Further preferably, the DDD regions substantially isolate the source and drain from a bulk portion of the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device including a substrate, a gate structure formed over the substrate, a channel formed in the substrate under the gate, a lightly-doped drain-side LDD region formed in the substrate adjacent to a drain-side of the channel (preferably by a LATID process), a drain region formed in the substrate near to the drain-side LDD region, and a drain-side DDD region substantially separating the drain-side LDD region from the drain region. Preferably, the integrated circuit device is symmetrically formed such that a lightly-doped source-side LDD region is formed in the substrate adjacent to a source-side of the channel (again preferably by a LATID process), a source region is formed in the substrate near to the source-side LDD region, and a source-side DDD region is formed in the substrate to substantially separate the source-side LDD region from the source region. Further preferably, the DDD regions substantially isolate the source and drain from a bulk portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor is fabricated in a CMOS-compatible process so as to be self-aligning, with resultant small geometry and improved high frequency performance, and to have improved hot carrier characteristics. The bipolar device has a laterally graded emitter structure that is fabricated in a "top-down" implant process. During fabrication sidewall spacers are formed overlying the peripheral region of the laterally graded emitter. These spacers protect the underlying region against counter-doping during a subsequent intrinsic base implant, and cause the emitter and base contacts to be self-aligning. Because bipolar dimensions are thus reduced, a very narrow base width is achieved, resulting in improved device cutoff frequency. Further, a narrower emitter-base contact separation is achieved, reducing junction area and attendant junction capacitance. A base link region is formed to further improve emitter-base breakdown voltage, and to reduce extrinsic base resistance.

Abstract: In a method for producing an auxiliary gate lightly doped drain structure, a gate region is placed on a substrate between two source/drain regions. A first implant of atoms is made into the substrate on two sides of the gate region. Sidewalls are formed on the two sides of the gate region. Auxiliary gate regions are formed over the sidewalls. The auxiliary gate regions are separated from the gate region by the sidewalls. Dielectric regions are formed over the auxiliary gate regions. A second implant of atoms is performed into the substrate on two sides of the dielectric regions. The sidewalls and the auxiliary gate regions are composed of resistive material.

Abstract: In a method for producing a transistor with an overlapping gate region, a gate region is placed on a substrate between two source/drain regions. Spacers are placed around the gate region. The spacers are formed of dielectric material. A thin layer of polysilicon is deposited over the two source/drain regions and over electrically insulating regions adjacent to the two source/drain regions. Portions of the thin layer of polysilicon are oxidized to electrically isolate the two source/drain regions. A metal-silicide layer is formed on the portions of the thin layer of polysilicon which are not oxidized. The metal-silicide layer is connected to a metal layer. The electrical contact of the metal-silicide layer and the metal layer is over an electrically insulating layer.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor is fabricated in a CMOS-compatible process with a laterally graded emitter structure that is fabricated in a "top-down" implant process. The laterally graded emitter decreases electric field intensities in the emitter-base junction under reverse bias, thus reducing hot carrier generation and improving emitter-base junction breakdown voltage. High current gain is further maintained by establishing sharply defined emitter-base junctions. During fabrication a blocking layer and overlying cap layer are formed in an inverted "T" shape over a desired emitter window region. Lateral projection of the cap ledges are used to define the laterally graded emitter width, while the distance separating the cap ledges defines the width of the central emitter region. The central emitter region is implanted and driven-in to a desired depth, after which the protective cap is removed.

Abstract: A method produces a transistor with an overlapping gate. A first gate region is placed on a substrate between two source/drain regions. The first gate region includes a polysilicon region on top of a dielectric region. Gate overlap regions are placed around the polysilicon region. The gate overlap regions extend out over the two source/drain regions. The gate overlap regions are formed of a metal-silicide layer, for example Titanium-silicide. A top portion of the metal-silicide layer is oxidized to form a silicon dioxide layer on top of the metal-silicide layer. At the time of oxidation, the metal-silicide layer is also annealed to which further helps to improves the Titanium-silicide stoichiometry.

Abstract: For a structure with an overlapping gate region, a first insulator layer is placed on a substrate. A source/drain polysilicon layer is placed on the insulator layer. The source/drain polysilicon layer is doped with atoms of a first conductivity type. A second insulator layer is placed on the source/drain polysilicon layer. A gap is etched in the second insulator layer and the source/drain polysilicon layer to expose a portion of the first insulator layer. The exposed portion of the first insulator layer and an additional amount of the first insulator layer under the second insulator is etched so as to enlarge the gap and to undercut a portion of the source/drain polysilicon layer. Two polysilicon filler regions are formed which fill a portion of the gap including the undercut area under the source/drain polysilicon layer. A gate polysilicon region is formed in the gap and extends over the source/drain polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A method for plasma etching of TiO.sub.2, using a mixture of oxygen and a fluorine-bearing species, preferably CF.sub.4. This mixture gives good selectivity over aluminum and photoresist, and approximately unity selectivity over silica or silicon nitride. Use of a chlorine-containing species is also taught by the invention, and will provide different selectivities. The present invention is also useful for etching in the RIE mode.

Abstract: Hydrogen annealing permits deposition of good quality polysilicon atop TiO.sub.2. Hydrogen annealing of TiO.sub.2 prevents the tremendous hydrogen affinity of as-deposited TiO.sub.2 from disrupting process reactions during deposition of polysilicon.