Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method comprises forming a gate stack layer. The gate stack has an insulating layer on a substrate, a metal-containing layer on the insulating layer, a metal nitride barrier layer on the metal-containing layer, and a silicon-containing layer on the metal nitride barrier layer. The method also comprises patterning the gate stack layer. Pattering includes a plasma etch of the metal nitride barrier layer. The plasma etch has a chloride-containing feed gas and a physical etch component. The physical etch component includes a high-mass species having a molecular weight of greater than about 71 gm/mol.

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: 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 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 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 suicide 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.

Abstract: Semiconductor device fabrication methods are provided in which a carbon-containing region is formed in a wafer to inhibit diffusion of dopants during fabrication. Front-end thermal processing operations, such as oxidation and/or anneal processes, are performed at high temperatures for short durations in order to mitigate out-diffusion of carbon from the carbon-containing region, such that carbon remains to inhibit or mitigate dopant diffusion.

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: Semiconductor device fabrication methods are provided in which a carbon-containing region is formed in a wafer to inhibit diffusion of dopants during fabrication. Front-end thermal processing operations, such as oxidation and/or anneal processes, are performed at high temperatures for short durations in order to mitigate out-diffusion of carbon from the carbon-containing region, such that carbon remains to inhibit or mitigate dopant diffusion.

Abstract: An improved source/drain extension process is provided by processing steps (steps A and G) that cover the wafer and dry etching steps (steps D and I) that provide side wall spacers of poly oxide and/or cap oxide from the PMOS gate areas before doing PMOS implanting steps(K and M). The capping of the wafer (step G)with the cap oxide after the NMOS implant also prevents the arsenic from out diffusing from the silicon. Further embodiments include implanting directly on the base.

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 suicide 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.

Abstract: An improved source/drain extension process is provided by the following processing steps of implanting NMOS devices directly on either side of the gates without an oxide layer (step D2), covering the gates with a cap oxide layer(step E2), covering NMOS devices with photoresist(step F2), dry etching all PMOS devices (Step G2), and implanting PMOS devices (step I2).

Abstract: A novel nickel self-aligned silicide (SALICIDE) process technology (80) adapted for CMOS devices (54) with physical gate lengths of sub-40 nm. The excess silicidation problem (52) due to edge effect is effectively solved by using a low-temperature, in-situ formed Ni-rich silicide, preferably formed in a temperature range of 260-310° C. With this new process, excess poly gate silicidation is prevented. Island diode leakage current and breakdown voltage are also improved.

Abstract: An improved source/drain extension process is provided by the following processing steps of implanting NMOS devices directly on either side of the gates without an oxide layer (step D2), covering the gates with a cap oxide layer(step E2), covering NMOS devices with photoresist(step F2), dry etching all PMOS devices (Step G2), and implanting PMOS devices (step I2)

Abstract: An improved source/drain extension process is provided by processing steps (steps A and G) that cover the wafer and dry etching steps (steps D and I) that provide side wall spacers of poly oxide and/or cap oxide from the PMOS gate areas before doing PMOS implanting steps(K and M). The capping of the wafer (step G)with the cap oxide after the NMOS implant also prevents the arsenic from out diffusing from the silicon.