Abstract: In an exemplary method, a first layer is formed on a substrate. First overlay marks are formed in a first zone of the first layer. A non-transparent layer is formed on top of the first layer. At least a portion of the non-transparent layer is removed from an area above the first zone of the first layer. This provides optical access to the first overlay marks. A second layer is formed on top of the non-transparent layer. Second overlay marks are formed in a second zone of the second layer. Position information is obtained from each of the first overlay marks and the second overlay marks.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a first layer is formed on a substrate. First overlay marks are formed in a first zone of the first layer. A non-transparent layer is formed on top of the first layer. At least a portion of the non-transparent layer is removed from an area above the first zone of the first layer. This provides optical access to the first overlay marks. A second layer is formed on top of the non-transparent layer. Second overlay marks are formed in a second zone of the second layer. Position information is obtained from each of the first overlay marks and the second overlay marks.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a first layer is formed on a substrate. First overlay marks are formed in a first zone of the first layer. A non-transparent layer is formed on top of the first layer. At least a portion of the non-transparent layer is removed from an area above the first zone of the first layer. This provides optical access to the first overlay marks. A second layer is formed on top of the non-transparent layer. Second overlay marks are formed in a second zone of the second layer. Position information is obtained from each of the first overlay marks and the second overlay marks.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a first layer is formed on a substrate. First overlay marks are formed in a first zone of the first layer. A non-transparent layer is formed on top of the first layer. At least a portion of the non-transparent layer is removed from an area above the first zone of the first layer. This provides optical access to the first overlay marks. A second layer is formed on top of the non-transparent layer. Second overlay marks are formed in a second zone of the second layer. Position information is obtained from each of the first overlay marks and the second overlay marks.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical contact in an integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit are disclosed. In an embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a substrate, an insulating layer, and a metal layer. An opening is formed through the insulating layer to expose an active area of the substrate. The metal layer forms a cusp at a top end of the opening, narrowing this end of the opening. In embodiments, the method comprises depositing a conductive layer in the opening to form a liner, applying a filler material inside the opening to protect a portion of the liner, removing the cusp to widen the top of the opening while the filler material protects the portion of the liner covered by this material, removing the filler material from the opening, re-lining the opening, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a contact through the insulating layer.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: A device is created by forming a layer of dielectric material on a silicon-containing region of a semiconductor substrate. An opening is created through the layer of dielectric material, the opening having a bottom and exposing the silicon-containing region. A metal stack is formed within the opening. The metal stack includes at least a first metal film on the silicon-containing region and a second gettering metal film on the first metal film. The metal stack is annealed to cause oxygen to migrate from the substrate to the gettering metal film. A first liner is formed within the opening. A fill metal is deposited in the opening.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a trench region in an interconnect level dielectric layer. A silicide layer is on the bottom of the trench region. Opposing minor sides of the trench region include a spacer layer, but the central portion of the trench region is substantially free from the spacer layer. The spacer layer is formed using an angled gas cluster ion beam.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a trench region in an interconnect level dielectric layer. A silicide layer is on the bottom of the trench region. Opposing minor sides of the trench region include a spacer layer, but the central portion of the trench region is substantially free from the spacer layer. The spacer layer is formed using an angled gas cluster ion beam.

Abstract: A method of forming a trench in an oxide layer; where the oxide layer is formed on top of a nitride layer. The trench is formed using an iterative etching technique until the nitride layer is exposed, each iterative etching step includes; using an isotropic etching technique to remove a portion of the oxide layer, the isotropic etching technique produces a byproduct that remains along a sidewall and a bottom of the trench, then using an anisotropic etching technique to remove the salt from the bottom of the trench, leaving salt on the sidewalls of the trench.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: A device is created by forming a layer of dielectric material on a silicon-containing region of a semiconductor substrate. An opening is created through the layer of dielectric material, the opening having a bottom and exposing the silicon-containing region. A metal stack is formed within the opening. The metal stack includes at least a first metal film on the silicon-containing region and a second gettering metal film on the first metal film. The metal stack is annealed to cause oxygen to migrate from the substrate to the gettering metal film. A first liner is formed within the opening. A fill metal is deposited in the opening.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: Angled directional ion beams are directed to sidewalls of a gate structure that straddles at least one semiconductor fin. The directions of the angled directional ion beams are contained within a vertical plane that is parallel to the sidewalls of the at least one semiconductor. A pair of gate spacers are formed on sidewalls of the gate structure by accumulation of the deposited dielectric material from the angled directional ion beams and without use of an anisotropic etch, while the sidewalls of the semiconductor fins parallel to the directional ion beams remain physically exposed. A selective epitaxy process can be performed to form raised active regions by growing a semiconductor material from the sidewalls of the semiconductor fins.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.

Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.