Abstract: A silicon nitrate layer (110) is formed over a transistor gate (40) and source and drain regions (70). The as-formed silicon nitride layer (110) comprises a first tensile stress and a high hydrogen concentration. The as-formed silicon nitride layer (110) is thermally annealed converting the first tensile stress into a second tensile stress that is larger than the first tensile stress. Following the thermal anneal, the hydrogen concentration in the silicon nitride layer (110) is greater than 12 atomic percent.

Abstract: An integrated circuit containing an analog MOS transistor may be formed by implanting drain extensions with exactly four sub-implants wherein at least one sub-implant implants dopants in a substrate of the integrated circuit at a source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor at a twist angle having a magnitude of 5 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor, for each source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor, wherein a zero twist angle sub-implant is perpendicular to the source/drain gate edge. No more than two sub-implants put the dopants in the substrate at any source/drain gate edge of the analog MOS transistor. All four sub-implants are performed at a same tilt angle. No halo implants are performed on the analog MOS transistor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed (FIGS. 1-2). The method comprises providing a substrate (200) having an isolation region (202) and etching a trench in the isolation region. A first conductive layer (214) is formed within the trench. A first transistor having a first conductivity type (n-channel) is formed at a face of the substrate. The first transistor has a gate (216) formed of the first conductive layer. A second transistor having a second conductivity type (p-channel) is formed at the face of the substrate. The second transistor has a gate (224) formed of the first conductive layer. The method further comprises replacing the first conductive layer of the first transistor with a first metal gate (132) and replacing the first conductive layer of the second transistor with a second metal gate (134).

Abstract: Semiconductor devices (102) and fabrication methods (10) are provided, in which a nitride film (130) is formed over NMOS transistors to impart a tensile stress in ail or a portion of the NMOS transistor to improve carrier mobility. The nitride layer (130) is initially deposited over the transistors at low temperature with high hydrogen content to provide a moderate tensile stress in the semiconductor body prior to back-end processing. Subsequent back-end thermal processing reduces the film hydrogen content and causes an increase in the applied tensile stress.

Abstract: A transistor is fabricated upon a semiconductor substrate, where the yield strength or elasticity of the substrate is enhanced or otherwise adapted. A strain inducing layer is formed over the transistor to apply a strain thereto to alter transistor operating characteristics, and more particularly to enhance the mobility of carriers within the transistor. Enhancing carrier mobility allows transistor dimensions to be reduced while also allowing the transistor to operate as desired. However, high strain and temperature associated with fabricating the transistor result in deleterious plastic deformation. The yield strength of the silicon substrate is therefore adapted by incorporating nitrogen into the substrate, and more particularly into source/drain extension regions and/or source/drain regions of the transistor. The nitrogen can be readily incorporated during transistor fabrication by adding it as part of source/drain extension region formation and/or source/drain region formation.

Abstract: A method (100) of forming semiconductor structures (202) including high-temperature processing steps (step 118), incorporates the use of a high-temperature nitride-oxide mask (220) over protected regions (214) of the device (202). The invention has application in many different embodiments, including but not limited to, the formation of recess, strained device regions (224).

Abstract: A transistor is fabricated upon a semiconductor substrate, where the yield strength or elasticity of the substrate is enhanced or otherwise adapted. A strain inducing layer is formed over the transistor to apply a strain thereto to alter transistor operating characteristics, and more particularly to enhance the mobility of carriers within the transistor. Enhancing carrier mobility allows transistor dimensions to be reduced while also allowing the transistor to operate as desired. However, high strain and temperature associated with fabricating the transistor result in deleterious plastic deformation. The yield strength of the silicon substrate is therefore adapted by incorporating nitrogen into the substrate, and more particularly into source/drain extension regions and/or source/drain regions of the transistor. The nitrogen can be readily incorporated during transistor fabrication by adding it as part of source/drain extension region formation and/or source/drain region formation.

Abstract: A transistor is fabricated upon a semiconductor substrate, where the yield strength or elasticity of the substrate is enhanced or otherwise adapted. A strain inducing layer is formed over the transistor to apply a strain thereto to alter transistor operating characteristics, and more particularly to enhance the mobility of carriers within the transistor. Enhancing carrier mobility allows transistor dimensions to be reduced while also allowing the transistor to operate as desired. However, high strain and temperature associated with fabricating the transistor result in deleterious plastic deformation. The yield strength of the silicon substrate is therefore adapted by incorporating nitrogen into the substrate, and more particularly into source/drain extension regions and/or source/drain regions of the transistor. The nitrogen can be readily incorporated during transistor fabrication by adding it as part of source/drain extension region formation and/or source/drain region formation.

Abstract: A method (100) of forming semiconductor structures (202) including high-temperature processing steps (step 118), incorporates the use of a high-temperature nitride-oxide mask (220) over protected regions (214) of the device (202). The invention has application in many different embodiments, including but not limited to, the formation of recess, strained device regions (224).

Abstract: Dual gate dielectric layers are formed on a semiconductor substrate for MOS transistor fabrication. A first dielectric layer (30) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (10). A first plasma nitridation process is performed on said first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer (30) is removed in regions of the substrate and a second dielectric layer (50) is formed in these regions. A second plasma nitridation process is performed on the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. MOS transistors (160, 170) are then fabricated using the dielectric layers (30, 50).

Abstract: A method (100) of forming semiconductor structures (202) including high-temperature processing steps (step 118), incorporates the use of a high-temperature nitride-oxide mask (220) over protected regions (214) of the device (202). The invention has application in many different embodiments, including but not limited to, the formation of recess, strained device regions (224).

Abstract: Semiconductor devices (102) and fabrication methods (10) are provided, in which a nitride film (130) is formed over NMOS transistors to impart a tensile stress in ail or a portion of the NMOS transistor to improve carrier mobility. The nitride layer (130) is initially deposited over the transistors at low temperature with high hydrogen content to provide a moderate tensile stress in the semiconductor body prior to back-end processing. Subsequent back-end thermal processing reduces the film hydrogen content and causes an increase in the applied tensile stress.

Abstract: A method (100) of forming a transistor includes forming a gate structure (106, 108) over a semiconductor body and forming recesses (112) substantially aligned to the gate structure in the semiconductor body. Silicon germanium is then epitaxially grown (114) in the recesses, followed by forming sidewall spacers (118) over lateral edges of the gate structure. The method continues by implanting source and drain regions in the semiconductor body (120) after forming the sidewall spacers. The silicon germanium formed in the recesses resides close to the transistor channel and serves to provide a compressive stress to the channel, thereby facilitating improved carrier mobility in PMOS type transistor devices.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices (102) and fabrication methods (10) are provided, in which a nitride film (130) is formed over NMOS transistors to impart a tensile stress in all or a portion of the NMOS transistor to improve carrier mobility. The nitride layer (130) is initially deposited over the transistors at low temperature with high hydrogen content to provide a moderate tensile stress in the semiconductor body prior to back-end processing. Subsequent back-end thermal processing reduces the film hydrogen content and causes an increase in the applied tensile stress.

Abstract: A silicon nitride layer (110) is formed over a transistor gate (40) and source and drain regions (70). The as-formed silicon nitride layer (110) comprises a first tensile stress and a high hydrogen concentration. The as-formed silicon nitride layer (110) is thermally annealed converting the first tensile stress into a second tensile stress that is larger than the first tensile stress. Following the thermal anneal, the hydrogen concentration in the silicon nitride layer (110) is greater than 12 atomic percent.

Abstract: Dual gate dielectric layers are formed on a semiconductor substrate for MOS transistor fabrication. A first dielectric layer (30) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (10). A first plasma nitridation process is performed on said first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer (30) is removed in regions of the substrate and a second dielectric layer (50) is formed in these regions. A second plasma nitridation process is performed on the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. MOS transistors (160, 170) are then fabricated using the dielectric layers (30, 50).

Abstract: The instant invention describes a method for forming a dielectric film with a uniform concentration of nitrogen. The films are formed by first incorporating nitrogen into a dielectric film using RPNO. The films are then annealed in N2O which redistributes the incorporated species to produce a uniform nitrogen concentration.

Abstract: A method for isolating semiconductor devices includes forming a first oxide layer outwardly from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first nitride layer outwardly from the first oxide layer, removing a portion of the first nitride layer, a portion of the first oxide layer, and a portion of the substrate to form a trench isolation region, forming a second oxide layer in the trench isolation region, forming a spin-on-glass region in the trench isolation region, annealing the spin-on-glass region, removing a portion of the spin-on-glass region to expose a shallow trench isolation region, and forming a third oxide layer in the shallow trench isolation region.

Abstract: Dual gate dielectric layers are formed on a semiconductor substrate for MOS transistor fabrication. A first dielectric layer (30) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (10). A first plasma nitridation process is performed on said first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer (30) is removed in regions of the substrate and a second dielectric layer (50) is formed in these regions. A second plasma nitridation process is performed on the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. MOS transistors (160, 170) are then fabricated using the dielectric layers (30, 50).

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.