Abstract: In an embodiment a first silicon pattern and a second silicon pattern are formed on a substrate. The second silicon pattern has a lower top surface than the first silicon pattern. A first spacer covering a sidewall of the first silicon pattern is formed and a second spacer covering a sidewall of the second silicon pattern is formed. A silicide process is performed to silicidize the first silicon pattern and the second silicon pattern. Work functions of the first and second silicon patterns can be controlled and optimized by controlling the composition of the first and second silicon patterns.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicide film can include forming a first metal film on a silicon substrate and forming a second metal film on the first metal film at a temperature sufficient to react a first portion of the first metal film in contact with the silicon substrate to form a metal-silicide film. The second metal film and a second portion of the first metal film can be removed so that a thin metal-silicide film remains on the silicon substrate. Then, a metal wiring film can be formed on the thin metal-silicide film and the metal wiring film can be etched.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite metal silicide layer is disclosed in which a PVD-metal layer is deposited on a silicon layer using a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process, and is substantially simultaneously silicidated to form a PVD-metal silicide layer. Un-reacted portions of the PVD-metal layer are then removed and a CVD-metal layer is formed on the PVD-metal silicide layer using a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. A first heat treatment is performed to silicidate a portion of the CVD-metal layer contacting the PVD-metal silicide layer and thereby form a composite metal silicide layer. Un-reacted residual portions of the CVD-metal layer are removed and a second heat treatment is performed on the composite metal silicide layer at a higher temperature than the first heat treatment.

Abstract: A gate is silicided through its sides while limiting silicidation through the top of the gate. A blocking layer may be formed over the gate layer, and the sidewalls of the gate layer are exposed. A layer of metal is formed on the sidewalls of the gate and thermally treated to silicide the gate layer. The sidewalls of the gate maybe exposed through an etching process in which a silicide layer formed over the blocking layer is used as an etch mask.

Abstract: Methods of forming a metal salicide layer can include forming a metal layer on a substrate and forming a metal silicide layer on the metal layer using a first thermal process at a first temperature. Then a second process is performed, in-situ with the first thermal process, on the metal layer at a second temperature that is less than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device may include forming an interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, and the interlayer insulating layer may have a contact hole therein exposing a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A single crystal semiconductor plug may be formed in the contact hole and on portions of the interlayer insulating layer adjacent the contact hole opposite the semiconductor substrate, and portions of the interlayer insulating layer opposite the semiconductor substrate may be free of the single crystal semiconductor plug. Portions of the single crystal semiconductor plug in the contact hole may be removed while maintaining portions of the single crystal semiconductor plug on portions of the interlayer insulating layer adjacent the contact hole as a single crystal semiconductor contact pattern.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a semiconductor device having stacked transistors. When forming a contact hole for connecting the stacked transistors to each other, ohmic layers on the bottom and the sidewall of the common contact hole are separately formed. As a result, the respective ohmic layers are optimally formed to meet requirements or conditions. Accordingly, the contact resistance of the common contact may be minimized so that it is possible to enhance the speed of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A stacked semiconductor device comprises a lower transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, a lower interlevel insulation film formed on the semiconductor substrate over the lower transistor, an upper transistor formed on the lower interlayer insulation film over the lower transistor, and an upper interlevel insulation film formed on the lower interlevel insulation film over the upper transistor. The stacked semiconductor device further comprises a contact plug connected between a drain or source region of the lower transistor and a source or drain region of the upper transistor, and an extension layer connected to a lateral face of the source or drain region of the upper transistor to enlarge an area of contact between the source or drain region of the upper transistor and a side of the contact plug.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOS transistor having a fully silicided metal gate electrode is provided. The method includes forming a gate sacrificial pattern and protrusion regions on the gate pattern and active regions of a semiconductor substrate. The gate sacrificial pattern and the protrusion regions then undergo a silicidation process. A reduced gate pattern is formed by disposing an interlayer-insulating layer on semiconductor substrate having the silicided gate sacrificial pattern and silicided protrusion regions, and planarizing the interlayer-insulating layer. The fully silicided metal gate electrode is then formed by siliciding the reduced gate pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicide layer includes forming a metal layer on a substrate having a silicon region, the metal layer including nickel, annealing the substrate and the metal layer to form the silicide layer on the silicon region, the silicide layer including nickel, and cooling the substrate and the silicide layer at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 300° C. for at least one minute, the cooling occurring after the annealing.

Abstract: Methods of forming field effect transistors according to embodiments of the invention include forming a conductive gate electrode (e.g., polysilicon gate electrode) on a semiconductor substrate and forming a first metal layer on the conductive gate electrode. This first metal layer may include a material selected from a group consisting of nickel, cobalt, titanium, tantalum and tungsten. The first metal layer and the conductive gate electrode are thermally treated for a sufficient duration to convert a first portion of the conductive gate electrode into a first metal silicide region. The first metal layer and the first metal silicide region are then removed to expose a second portion of the conductive gate electrode. A second metal layer is then formed on the second portion of the conductive gate electrode. This second metal layer may include a material selected from a group consisting of nickel, cobalt, titanium, tantalum and tungsten.

Abstract: Methods of forming metal suicide layers in a semiconductor device are provided in which a first metal silicide layer may be formed on a substrate, where the first metal silicide layer comprises a plurality of fragments of a metal silicide that are separated by one or more gaps. A conductive material is selectively deposited into at least some of the gaps in the first metal silicide layer in order to electrically connect at least some of the plurality of fragments.

Abstract: Methods of forming metal silicide layers include a convection-based annealing step to convert a metal layer into a metal silicide layer. These methods may include forming a silicon layer on a substrate and forming a metal layer (e.g., nickel layer) in direct contact with the silicon layer. A step is then performed to convert at least a portion of the metal layer into a metal silicide layer. This conversion step is includes exposing the metal layer to an inert heat transferring gas (e.g., argon, nitrogen) in a convection or conduction apparatus.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicide film can include forming a first metal film on a silicon substrate and forming a second metal film on the first metal film at a temperature sufficient to react a first portion of the first metal film in contact with the silicon substrate to form a metal-silicide film. The second metal film and a second portion of the first metal film can be removed so that a thin metal-silicide film remains on the silicon substrate. Then, a metal wiring film can be formed on the thin metal-silicide film and the metal wiring film can be etched.