Abstract: A microphone system includes a microphone and a control device external to the microphone. The microphone includes at least two capacitor capsules or one dual-sided capsule. The control device is capable of varying the polar pattern of the microphone over a two-conductor shielded cable or wirelessly. The microphone system may include an anti-rotational positioning mount for the microphone.

Abstract: Methods of forming dual metal gates and the gates so formed are disclosed. A method may include forming a first metal (e.g., NMOS metal) layer on a gate dielectric layer and a second metal (e.g., PMOS metal) layer on the first metal layer, whereby the second metal layer alters a work function of the first metal layer (to form PMOS metal). The method may remove a portion of the second metal layer to expose the first metal layer in a first region; form a silicon layer on the exposed first metal layer in the first region and on the second metal layer in a second region; and form the dual metal gates in the first and second regions. Since the gate dielectric layer is continuously covered with the first metal, it is not exposed to the damage from the metal etch process.

Abstract: Methods of forming dual metal gates and the gates so formed are disclosed. A method may include forming a first metal (e.g., NMOS metal) layer on a gate dielectric layer and a second metal (e.g., PMOS metal) layer on the first metal layer, whereby the second metal layer alters a work function of the first metal layer (to form PMOS metal). The method may remove a portion of the second metal layer to expose the first metal layer in a first region; form a silicon layer on the exposed first metal layer in the first region and on the second metal layer in a second region; and form the dual metal gates in the first and second regions. Since the gate dielectric layer is continuously covered with the first metal, it is not exposed to the damage from the metal etch process.

Abstract: Sidewall spacers that are primarily oxide, instead of nitride, are formed adjacent to a gate stack of a CMOS transistor. Individual sidewall spacers are situated between a conductive gate electrode of the gate stack and a conductive contact of the transistor. As such, a capacitance can develop between the gate electrode and the contact, depending on the dielectric constant of the interposed sidewall spacer. Accordingly, forming sidewall spacers out of oxide, which has a lower dielectric constant than nitride, mitigates capacitance that can otherwise develop between these features. Such capacitance is undesirable, at least, because it can inhibit transistor switching speeds. Accordingly, fashioning sidewall spacers as described herein can mitigate yield loss by reducing the number of devices that have unsatisfactory switching speeds and/or other undesirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: A microphone system includes a microphone and a control device external to the microphone. The microphone includes at least two capacitor capsules or one dual-sided capsule. The control device is capable of varying the polar pattern of the microphone over a two-conductor shielded cable or wirelessly. The microphone system may include an anti-rotational positioning mount for the microphone.

Abstract: A simple and cost effective method of forming a fully silicided (FUSI) gate of a MOS transistor is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises forming a nitride hardmask overlying a polysilicon gate, forming an S/D silicide in source/drain regions of the transistor, oxidizing a portion of the S/D silicide to form an oxide barrier overlying the S/D silicide in the source/drain regions, removing the nitride hardmask from the polysilicon gate, and forming a gate silicide such as by deposition of a gate silicide metal over the polysilicon gate and the oxide barrier in the source/drain regions to form a fully silicided (FUSI) gate in the transistor. Thus, the oxide barrier protects the source/drain regions from additional silicide formation by the gate silicide metal formed thereafter. The method may further comprise selectively removing the oxide barrier in the source/drain regions after forming the fully silicided (FUSI) gate.

Abstract: Methods of forming dual metal gates and the gates so formed are disclosed. A method may include forming a first metal (e.g., NMOS metal) layer on a gate dielectric layer and a second metal (e.g., PMOS metal) layer on the first metal layer, whereby the second metal layer alters a work function of the first metal layer (to form PMOS metal). The method may remove a portion of the second metal layer to expose the first metal layer in a first region; form a silicon layer on the exposed first metal layer in the first region and on the second metal layer in a second region; and form the dual metal gates in the first and second regions. Since the gate dielectric layer is continuously covered with the first metal, it is not exposed to the damage from the metal etch process.

Abstract: Sidewall spacers that are primarily oxide, instead of nitride, are formed adjacent to a gate stack of a CMOS transistor. Individual sidewall spacers are situated between a conductive gate electrode of the gate stack and a conductive contact of the transistor. As such, a capacitance can develop between the gate electrode and the contact, depending on the dielectric constant of the interposed sidewall spacer. Accordingly, forming sidewall spacers out of oxide, which has a lower dielectric constant than nitride, mitigates capacitance that can otherwise develop between these features. Such capacitance is undesirable, at least, because it can inhibit transistor switching speeds. Accordingly, fashioning sidewall spacers as described herein can mitigate yield loss by reducing the number of devices that have unsatisfactory switching speeds and/or other undesirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: A simple and cost effective method of forming a fully silicided (FUSI) gate of a MOS transistor is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises forming a nitride hardmask overlying a polysilicon gate, forming an S/D silicide in source/drain regions of the transistor, oxidizing a portion of the S/D silicide to form an oxide barrier overlying the S/D silicide in the source/drain regions, removing the nitride hardmask from the polysilicon gate, and forming a gate silicide such as by deposition of a gate silicide metal over the polysilicon gate and the oxide barrier in the source/drain regions to form a fully silicided (FUSI) gate in the transistor. Thus, the oxide barrier protects the source/drain regions from additional silicide formation by the gate silicide metal formed thereafter. The method may further comprise selectively removing the oxide barrier in the source/drain regions after forming the fully silicided (FUSI) gate.

Abstract: In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a self-planarizing conductive layer is formed over a substrate that includes a topography having sharp drop-offs. The self-planarizing conductive layer is characterized by a substantially flatter surface than the underlying topography. As a result of the self-planarizing layer, a masking layer having a more uniform thickness may be formed over the conductive layer. Because the masking layer has a more uniform thickness, the masking layer may easily be patterned without causing damage to the underlying materials. These techniques may be used to fabricate, among other things, a FinFET without parasitic spacers formed around the fins and the source/drain regions.

Abstract: In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a self-planarizing conductive layer is formed over a substrate that includes a topography having sharp drop-offs. The self-planarizing conductive layer is characterized by a substantially flatter surface than the underlying topography. As a result of the self-planarizing layer, a masking layer having a more uniform thickness may be formed over the conductive layer. Because the masking layer has a more uniform thickness, the masking layer may easily be patterned without causing damage to the underlying materials. These techniques may be used to fabricate, among other things, a FinFET without parasitic spacers formed around the fins and the source/drain regions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a metal layer 14 of a back-end module 6 where the height of the interconnects 17 is greater than the height of the dielectric regions 20. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of fabricating a semiconductor wafer 4 where the height of the interconnects 17 is greater than the height of the dielectric regions 20.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a metal layer 14 of a back-end module 6 where the height of the interconnects 17 is greater than the height of the dielectric regions 20. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of fabricating a semiconductor wafer 4 where the height of the interconnects 17 is greater than the height of the dielectric regions 20.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a metal layer 14 of a back-end module 6 where the height of the interconnects 17 is greater than the height of the dielectric regions 20. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of fabricating a semiconductor wafer 4 where the height of the interconnects 17 is greater than the height of the dielectric regions 20.

Abstract: A coating apparatus is disclosed for applying a coating material on one or more zones of a substrate material. In one embodiment, the coating applicators have fluid-wicking strips that apply the coatings directly to the substrate, while in another embodiment, the fluid-wicking strips indirectly apply the coatings to the substrate via feed rolls. Metering mechanisms supply predetermined amounts of coating material to the fluid-wicking strips. Each coating applicator has a housing with a recess for receiving one the fluid-wicking strips therein. One of the fluid-wicking strips Is mounted in each housing which has a plurality of transversely spaced passageways. Each passageway of each applicator housing is fluidly coupled to its own separate air actuated metering mechanism which dispenses coating material to the portion of the fluid-wicking strip adjacent thereto. A desired quantity of coating material is simultaneously delivered via the metering mechanisms to each of the applicator housings.

Abstract: A coating apparatus is disclosed for applying a coating material on one or more zones of a substrate material. In one embodiment, the coating applicators have fluid-wicking strips that apply the coatings directly to the substrate, while in another embodiment, the fluid-wicking strips indirectly apply the coatings to the substrate via feed rolls. Metering mechanisms supply predetermined amounts of coating material to the fluid-wicking strips. Each coating applicator has a housing with a recess for receiving one the fluid-wicking strips therein. One of the fluid-wicking strips is mounted in each housing which has a plurality of transversely spaced passageways. Each passageway of each applicator housing is fluidly coupled to its own separate air actuated metering mechanism which dispenses coating material to the portion of the fluid-wicking strip adjacent thereto. A desired quantity of coating material is simultaneously delivered via the metering mechanisms to each of the applicator housings.

Abstract: A coating apparatus is disclosed for applying a coating material on one or more zones of a substrate material. In one embodiment, the coating applicators have fluid-wicking strips that apply the coatings directly to the substrate, while in another embodiment, the fluid-wicking strips indirectly apply the coatings to the substrate via feed rolls. Metering mechanisms supply predetermined amounts of coating material to the fluid-wicking strips. Each coating applicator has a housing with a recess for receiving one the fluid-wicking strips therein. One of the fluid-wicking strips is mounted in each housing which has a plurality of transversely spaced passageways. Each passageway of each applicator housing is fluidly coupled to its own separate air actuated metering mechanism which dispenses coating material to the portion of the fluid-wicking strip adjacent thereto. A desired quantity of coating material is simultaneously delivered via the metering mechanisms to each of the applicator housings.