Abstract: A method includes receiving a first set of parameters associated with a plurality of die. A first die performance metric associated with a selected die is determined based on the first set of parameters. At least one neighborhood die performance metric associated with a set comprised of a plurality of die that neighbor the selected die is determined based on the first set of parameters. A second die performance metric is determined for the selected die based on the first die performance metric and the neighborhood die performance metric.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and a system for performing post processing modeling is provided. A predicted end of line parameter relating to a workpiece is determined. The predicted end of line parameter is stored. An interface for accessing the end of line parameters provided.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first set of parameters associated with a particular die. A health metric for a particular die is determined using a multivariate analysis of the first set of parameters. The health metric incorporates at least one performance metric. At least one of a market segment designator or a testing plan associated with the particular die is determined based on the health metric.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first set of parameters associated with a plurality of die. A first die performance metric associated with a selected die is determined based on the first set of parameters. At least one neighborhood die performance metric associated with a set comprised of a plurality of die that neighbor the selected die is determined based on the first set of parameters. A second die performance metric is determined for the selected die based on the first die performance metric and the neighborhood die performance metric.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first set of parameters associated with a subset of a plurality of die on a wafer subjected to testing. The first set of data is expanded to generate estimated values for the first set of parameters for at least one untested die not included in the subset. A die health metric is determined for at least a portion of the plurality of die based on the first set of parameters including the estimated values.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and a system for determining a control thread based upon a process result are provided. At least one post-process parameter is received. The post parameter relates to a first workpiece upon which a plurality of processes have been performed by a plurality of processing tools. A combination of at least a portion of the plurality of processing tools is selected based upon the post-process parameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for multivariate fault identification and classification. The method includes accessing data indicative of a plurality of physical parameters associated with a plurality of processed semiconductor wafers and providing at least one summary report including information indicative of at least one univariate representation of the accessed data and at least one multivariate representation of the accessed data.

Abstract: A method for identifying faults in a semiconductor fabrication process includes storing measurements for a plurality of parameters of a wafer in the semiconductor fabrication process. A first subset of the parameters is selected. The subset is associated with a feature formed on the wafer. A principal component analysis model is applied to the first subset to generate a performance metric. A fault condition with the wafer is identified based on the performance metric. A system includes a data store and a fault monitor. The data store is adapted to store measurements for a plurality of parameters of a wafer in a semiconductor fabrication process. The fault monitor is adapted to select a first subset of the parameters, the subset being associated with a feature formed on the wafer, apply a principal component analysis model to the first subset to generate a performance metric, and identify a fault condition with the wafer based on the performance metric.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with improved transistor performance are fabricated by forming a composite oxide/nitride liner under a gate electrode sidewall spacer. Embodiments include depositing a conformal oxide layer by decoupled plasma deposition, depositing a conformal nitride layer by decoupled plasma deposition, depositing a spacer layer and then etching.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with improved transistor performance are fabricated by forming a composite oxide/nitride liner under a gate electrode sidewall spacer. Embodiments include depositing a conformal oxide layer by decoupled plasma deposition, depositing a conformal nitride layer by decoupled plasma deposition, depositing a spacer layer and then etching.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising steps of: (a) providing a semi conductor substrate including at least one dopant species-containing region extending to a surface of the substrate; (b) forming a thin liner oxide layer on the surface of the substrate; and (c) incorporating in the thin line oxide layer at least one species which substantially prevents, or at least reduces, segregation therein of the dopant species arising from movement thereinto from the at least one dopant species-containing region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises steps of: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising an upper, tensilely strained lattice semiconductor layer and a lower, unstressed semiconductor layer; and (b) forming at least one MOS transistor on or within the tensilely strained lattice semiconductor layer, wherein the forming comprises a step of regulating the drive current of the at least one MOS transistor by adjusting the thickness of the tensilely strained lattice semiconductor layer. Embodiments include CMOS devices formed in substrates including a strained Si layer lattice-matched to a graded composition Si—Ge layer, wherein the thickness of the strained Si layer of each of the PMOS and NMOS transistors is adjusted to provide each transistor type with maximum drive current.

Abstract: A method includes processing a workpiece in a manufacturing system including a plurality of tools. Workpiece fabrication data related to the processing is retrieved. Future processing in the manufacturing system is simulated based on the workpiece fabrication data. At least one process parameter for the future processing is predicted based on the simulating. The workpiece is processed in at least one of the tools based on the predicted process parameter. A system includes a plurality of tools configured to process a workpiece and a simulation unit. The simulation unit is configured to retrieve workpiece fabrication data related to the processing, simulate future processing for the workpiece based on the workpiece fabrication data, and predict at least one process parameter for the future processing based on the simulating, wherein at least one of the tools is configured to process the workpiece based on the predicted process parameter.

Abstract: A method of forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device is provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a gate electrode above a semiconducting substrate, forming source/drain regions in the substrate adjacent the gate electrode by performing at least the following steps: performing two ion implantation processes to form source/drain extensions for the device and performing a third ion implantation process to further form source/drain regions for the device. Various N-type and P-type dopant atoms such as arsenic, phosphorous, boron and boron difluoride may be used with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming halo implant regions in a semiconductor device. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a gate electrode above a semiconducting substrate, the substrate being doped with a first type of dopant material, and forming halo implant regions in the substrate adjacent the gate electrode by performing at least the following steps: performing a first angled implant process using a dopant material that is of a type opposite to the first type of dopant material and performing a second angled implant using a dopant material that is of the same type as the first type of dopant material. The method concludes with performing at least one additional implantation process to further form source/drain regions for the device.

Abstract: Submicron-dimensioned MOS and/or CMOS transistors are fabricated utilizing a simplified removable sidewall spacer technique, enabling effective tailoring of individual transistors to optimize their respective functionality. Embodiments include forming a first sidewall spacer having a first thickness on the side surfaces of a plurality of gate electrodes of transistors, selectively removing the first sidewall spacers from the gate electrodes of certain transistors, and then depositing second sidewall spacers on remaining first sidewall spacers and on the side surfaces of the gate electrodes from which the first sidewall spacers have been removed. Embodiments enable separately tailoring n- and p-MOS transistors as well as individual n- or p-MOS transistors having different functionality, e.g., different drive current and voltage leakage requirements.

Abstract: An asymmetrical N-channel IGFET and an asymmetrical P-channel IGFET are disclosed. One or both IGFETs include a lightly doped drain region, heavily doped source and drain regions, and an ultra-heavily doped source region. Preferably, the heavily doped source region and lightly doped drain region provide channel junctions.

Abstract: A second transistor is formed a spaced distance above a first transistor. An interlevel dielectric is first deposited upon the upper surface of the first semiconductor substrate and the first transistor. A second semiconductor substrate, preferably comprising polysilicon, is then formed into the interlevel dielectric. A second transistor is then formed on the upper surface of the second semiconductor substrate. The second transistor is a spaced distance above the first transistor. The two transistors are a lateral distance apart which is smaller than the distance that can be achieved by conventional fabrication of transistors on the upper surface of the wafer. Transistors are more closely packed which results in an increase in the number of devices produced per wafer.

Abstract: A test structure for use in determining an effective channel length of a transistor is disclosed herein. The test structure comprises a first resistor comprised of a first doped region formed in a semiconducting substrate between a first pair of spaced-apart structures positioned above the substrate, the first resistor having a first width defined by the spacing between the first pair of structures, a second resistor comprised of a second doped region formed in the substrate between a second pair of spaced-apart structures positioned above the substrate, the second resistor having a second width defined by the spacing between the second pair of structures, the second width being greater than the first width, and a plurality of conductive contacts electrically coupled to each of the first and second doped regions.

Abstract: An improved series and/or parallel connection of transistors within a logic gate is presented. The improved connection is brought about by a sacrificial structure on which gate conductors are formed adjacent sidewall surfaces of the sacrificial structure. The sacrificial structure thereby provides spacing between the series-connected or parallel-connected transistors. Upon removal of each sacrificial structure, a pair of transistors can be formed by implanting dopant species into the substrate on opposite sides of the spaced conductors. Beneath what was once a sacrificial structure is a shared implant area to which two transistors are coupled either in series or in parallel. By depositing the gate conductor material and then anisotropically removing the material except adjacent the vertical sidewall surfaces, an ultra short gate conductor can be formed concurrent with other gate conductors within a logic gate.