Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises forming a channel layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, forming a channel capping layer having a first surface overlying the channel layer, oxidizing the first surface of the channel capping layer, and depositing a high-k dielectric layer overlying the channel capping layer.

Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises forming a silicon oxide layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, forming a metal oxide gate capping layer overlying the silicon oxide layer, depositing a first metal gate electrode layer overlying the metal oxide gate capping layer, and removing a portion of the first metal gate electrode layer and the metal oxide gate capping layer to form a gate stack.

Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises forming a channel layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, forming a channel capping layer having a first surface overlying the channel layer, oxidizing the first surface of the channel capping layer, and depositing a high-k dielectric layer overlying the channel capping layer.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for integrating first and second metal layers on a substrate to form a dual metal NMOS gate and PMOS gate comprises depositing a dielectric layer over an NMOS region and a PMOS region of the substrate. The method further comprises depositing the first metal layer over dielectric layer. The method further comprises depositing the second metal layer over the first metal layer. The method further comprises implanting nitrogen in the NMOS region of substrate and converting a first portion of the first metal layer into a metal oxide layer and converting a second portion of the first metal layer into metal nitride layer. The method further comprises forming the NMOS gate and the PMOS gate, where the NMOS gate comprises a segment of metal nitride layer and the PMOS gate comprises a segment of the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: Nickel silicidation of a gate electrode is controlled using a titanium barrier layer. Embodiments include forming a gate electrode structure comprising a lower polycrystalline silicon layer, a layer of titanium thereon and an upper polycrystalline silicon layer on the titanium layer, depositing a layer of nickel and silicidizing, whereby the upper polycrystalline silicon layer is converted to nickel silicide and a titanium silicide barrier layer is formed preventing nickel from reacting with the lower polycrystalline silicon layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device employing mixed metal silicide technology is disclosed. A semiconductor device is provided having a doped silicon region, such as a source/drain. A first metal layer comprising titanium and a second metal layer comprising nickel are deposited over the semiconductor device. The device is subjected to rapid thermal annealing. The resulting device has a mixed metal silicide layer over the doped silicon region, the mixed metal silicide layer and the doped silicon region having smooth interface between them.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device employing mixed metal silicide technology is disclosed. The method comprises providing a semiconductor device having a doped silicon region, such as a source/drain, sequentially layering a first metal comprising cobalt, and a second layer comprising nickel over the semiconductor device, and subjecting the device to rapid thermal annealing. The resulting device has a mixed metal silicide layer overtop the doped silicon region, wherein the mixed metal silicide layer and the doped silicon region form a smooth boundary between them.

Abstract: Nickel silicidation of a gate electrode is controlled using a tungsten silicide barrier layer. Embodiments include forming a gate electrode structure comprising a lower polycrystalline silicon layer, a layer of tungsten silicide thereon and an upper polycrystalline silicon layer on the tungsten silicide layer, depositing a layer of nickel and silicidizing, whereby the upper polycrystalline silicon layer is converted to nickel silicide and the tungsten silicide barrier layer prevents nickel from reacting with the lower polycrystalline silicon layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device employing mixed metal silicide technology is disclosed. A semiconductor device is provided having a doped silicon region, such as a source/drain. A first metal layer comprising aluminum and a second metal layer comprising nickel are deposited over the semiconductor device. The device is subjected to rapid thermal annealing. The resulting device has a mixed metal silicide layer over the doped silicon region, the mixed metal silicide layer and the doped silicon region having smooth interface between them.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an EEPROM device having pocket substrate regions includes forming a pattern composite layer overlying a principal surface of a semiconductor substrate. The pattern composite layer includes a dielectric layer and a resist layer overlying the dielectric layer. Processing is carried out to reduce the lateral dimension of the resist layer relative to the dielectric layer thereby exposing an upper surface of the dielectric layer. A doping process is carried out in which dopants penetrate the exposed upper surface of the dielectric layer and enter the semiconductor substrate immediately below the exposed upper surface of the dielectric layer. Upon conforming the pocket regions, an oxidation process is carried out to form bit-line oxide regions in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a memory cell, the process includes forming an ONO layer overlying a semiconductor substrate, depositing a resist mask overlying the ONO layer, patterning the resist mask, implanting the semiconductor substrate with an n-type dopant, wherein the resist mask is used as an ion implant mask, and etching the resist mask upon implanting the semiconductor substrate with an n-type dopant. In one preferred embodiment, the etching of the resist mask includes performing a blanket anisotropic etch to reduce the thickness of the resist mask and round the edges of the resist mask. Preferably, the blanket anisotropic etch is performed using an etch including an element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, and helium.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the step of processing a patterned resist layer to vary the lateral dimensions of the patterned resist layer while forming doped regions in a semiconductor substrate. A graded junction profile is formed by creating a patterned resist layer having a first substantially vertical edge surface. A doping process is carried out to form a first doped region in the semiconductor substrate having a junction profile substantially continuous with the first substantially vertical edge surface. The patterned resist layer is processed to form a second substantially vertical edge surface, which is laterally displaced from the first substantially vertical edge surface. A doping process is carried out to form a second doped region having a junction profile that is substantially continuous with the second substantially vertical edge surface. The junction profiles of the first and second doped regions form a graded junction within the semiconductor substrate.