Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide region. The method comprises forming a metal material over and in contact with exposed surfaces of a dielectric material and silicon structures protruding from the dielectric material. A capping material is formed over and in contact with the metal material. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to effectuate a multidirectional diffusion of the metal material into the silicon structures to form a first metal silicide material. The capping material and unreacted portions of the metal material are removed. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to substantially convert the first metal silicide material into a second metal silicide material. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, an array of silicon structures, and a semiconductor device structure are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide region. The method comprises forming a metal material over and in contact with exposed surfaces of a dielectric material and silicon structures protruding from the dielectric material. A capping material is formed over and in contact with the metal material. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to effectuate a multidirectional diffusion of the metal material into the silicon structures to form a first metal silicide material. The capping material and unreacted portions of the metal material are removed. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to substantially convert the first metal silicide material into a second metal silicide material. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, an array of silicon structures, and a semiconductor device structure are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide region. The method comprises forming a metal material over and in contact with exposed surfaces of a dielectric material and silicon structures protruding from the dielectric material. A capping material is formed over and in contact with the metal material. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to effectuate a multidirectional diffusion of the metal material into the silicon structures to form a first metal silicide material. The capping material and unreacted portions of the metal material are removed. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to substantially convert the first metal silicide material into a second metal silicide material. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, an array of silicon structures, and a semiconductor device structure are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide region. The method comprises forming a metal material over and in contact with exposed surfaces of a dielectric material and silicon structures protruding from the dielectric material. A capping material is formed over and in contact with the metal material. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to effectuate a multidirectional diffusion of the metal material into the silicon structures to form a first metal silicide material. The capping material and unreacted portions of the metal material are removed. The silicon structures are exposed to heat to substantially convert the first metal silicide material into a second metal silicide material. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, an array of silicon structures, and a semiconductor device structure are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing post-etch residues or polymers from the surface of semiconductor devices which comprises treating the semiconductor device with an aqueous ammonia or ammonium hydroxide solution, optionally containing ozone for a time sufficient to effectively remove said post-etch residues or polymers from the surface of the semiconductor device and rinsing the semiconductor device with ozonized water, i.e. water enriched with ozone, in which water is preferably deionized (ozone-DIW).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing post-etch residues or polymers from the surface of semiconductor devices which comprises treating the semiconductor device with an aqueous ammonia or ammonium hydroxide solution, optionally containing ozone for a time sufficient to effectively remove said post-etch residues or polymers from the surface of the semiconductor device and rinsing the semiconductor device with ozonized water, i.e. water enriched with ozone, in which water is preferably deionized (ozone-DIW).

Abstract: The method described comprises the following steps: measuring, with a spectroscopic ellipsometer, the values of two quantities which are dependent on the thickness of the altered silicon layer and of a thin layer of silicon dioxide grown thereon with variations in the wavelength of the light of the measurement beam of the ellipsometer, obtaining from these measured values respective experimental curves representing the two quantities as functions of the wavelength, calculating the theoretical curves of the two quantities as functions of the wavelength considering the refractive indices and absorption coefficients of silicon dioxide and of the altered silicon as known parameters and the thickness of the altered silicon layer and the thickness of the thin silicon dioxide layer as unknowns, comparing the theoretical curves with the respective experimental curves in order to determine for which values of the unknowns the curves under comparison approximate to one another best, and extracting from the values dete