Abstract: A power supply system for supplying power to a load is disclosed. The power supply system includes a power source, a high voltage terminal coupled to the power source, a programmable controller coupled to the power source, and a first low voltage terminal and a second low voltage terminal. Each low voltage terminal is coupled to the programmable controller. The programmable controller may be programmed to switch each of the first and second low voltage terminals between a connected state and a disconnected state and to implement a power up strategy when initially supplying power to the load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit including the semiconductor devices. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device (100) , among other steps, includes forming a gate structure (120) over a substrate (110) and forming source/drain regions (190) in the substrate (110) proximate the gate structure (120). The method further includes subjecting the gate structure (120) and substrate (110) to a dry etch process and placing fluorine in the source/drain regions to form fluorinated source/drains (320) subsequent to subjecting the gate structure (120) and substrate (110) to the dry etch process. Thereafter, the method includes forming metal silicide regions (510, 520) in the gate structure (120) and the fluorinated source/drains (320).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. In one embodiment of the present invention, without limitation, the method for manufacturing the semiconductor device includes forming a gate structure (120) over a substrate (110) and forming source/drain regions (190) in the substrate (110) proximate the gate structure (120). The method further includes forming fluorine containing regions (220) in the source/drain regions (190) employing a fluorine containing plasma using a power level of less than about 75 Watts, forming a metal layer (310) over the substrate (110) and fluorine containing regions (220), and reacting the metal layer (310) with the fluorine containing regions (220) to form metal silicide regions (410) in the source/drain regions (190).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit including the semiconductor devices. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device (100) , among other steps, includes forming a gate structure (120) over a substrate (110) and forming source/drain regions (190) in the substrate (110) proximate the gate structure (120). The method further includes subjecting the gate structure (120) and substrate (110) to a dry etch process and placing fluorine in the source/drain regions to form fluorinated source/drains (320) subsequent to subjecting the gate structure (120) and substrate (110) to the dry etch process. Thereafter, the method includes forming metal silicide regions (510, 520) in the gate structure (120) and the fluorinated source/drains (320).

Abstract: A method for forming metal silicide regions in source and drain regions (160, 170) is described. Prior to the thermal annealing of the source and drain regions (160, 170), germanium is implanted into a semiconductor substrate adjacent to sidewall structures (90, 95) formed adjacent gate structures (60, 70). The position of the implanted germanium species in the semiconductor substrate will overlap the source and drain regions (160, 170). Following thermal annealing of the source and drain regions (160, 170), the implanted germanium prevents the formation of metal silicide spikes.

Abstract: A silicide 160 is formed in exposed silicon on a semiconductor wafer 10 by a method that includes forming a thin interface layer 140 over the semiconductor wafer 10 and performing a first low temperature anneal to create the silicide 160. The method further includes removing an unreacted portion of the interface layer 140 and performing a second low temperature anneal to complete the formation of a low resistance silicide 160.

Abstract: Fluorine containing regions (70) are formed in the source and drain regions (60) of the MOS transistor. A metal layer (90) is formed over the fluorine containing regions (70) and the source and drain regions (60). The metal layer is reacted with the underlying fluorine containing regions to form a metal silicide.

Abstract: A method of reducing dopant losses is provided. The method includes providing a transistor structure having a first region, implanting a dopant into the first region, depositing a control layer adjacent the first region, and performing a first annealing process on the transistor structure. The control layer is operable to prevent at least a portion of the dopant in the first region from diffusing out of the first region toward the control layer during the first annealing process.

Abstract: A process for forming nickel silicide and silicon nitride structure in a semiconductor integrated circuit device is described. Good adhesion between the nickel silicide and the silicon nitride is accomplished by passivating the nickel silicide surface with nitrogen. The passivation may be performed by treating the nickel silicide surface with plasma activated nitrogen species. An alternative passivation method is to cover the nickel silicide with a film of metal nitride and heat the substrate to about 500° C. Another alternative method is to sputter deposit silicon nitride on top of nickel silicide.