Abstract: A CMOS device is provided. A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, the substrate having a first region and a second region, the first region having a first crystal orientation represented by a family of Miller indices comprising {i,j,k}, the second region having a second crystal orientation represented a family of Miller indices comprising {l,m,n}, wherein l2+m2+n2>i2+j2+k2. Alternative embodiments further comprise an NMOSFET formed on the first region, and a PMOSFET formed on the second region. Embodiments further comprise a Schottky contact formed with at least one of a the NMOSFET or PMOSFET.

Abstract: A rotary control switch includes a body member, a shaft member and a conducting member. The body member includes a main body having a receptacle and a perforation. Multiple recesses are disposed within the receptacle. The perforation is communicated with the receptacle. The shaft member includes a base and a rotating shaft. The base has a sustaining structure. A protrusion is extended from the rotating shaft. The conducting member is connected with the base of the shaft member. The protrusion is sustained against or engaged with the main body and the base is accommodated within the receptacle of the body member. The base of the shaft member is rotated with respect to the control panel and the body member upon rotation of the rotating shaft. When the sustaining structure is sustained against a specified one of the recesses, the conducting member is electrically connected with a corresponding contact pad of the control panel.

Abstract: A first gain stage and a second gain stage having different gains are linked in cascade to construct a wide range and high resolution programmable gain amplifier. The second gain stage can be used only for low gain and low power consumption. Furthermore, two pairs of chopper circuits are used to shift flicker noise when the programmable gain amplifier is operated.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with stress regions includes a substrate defining a first and a second device zone; a first and a second stress region formed in each of the first and second device zones to yield stress different in level; and a barrier plug separating the two device zones from each other. Due to the stress yielded at the stress regions, increased carrier mobility and accordingly, increased reading current can be obtained, and a relatively lower reading voltage is needed to obtain initially required reading current. As a result, the probability of stress-induced leakage current (SILC) is reduced and the semiconductor memory structure may have enhanced data retention ability.

Abstract: A first gain stage and a second gain stage having different gains are linked in cascade to construct a wide range and high resolution programmable gain amplifier. The second gain stage can be used only for low gain and low power consumption. Furthermore, two pairs of chopper circuits are used to shift flicker noise when the programmable gain amplifier is operated.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure with stress regions includes a substrate defining a first and a second device zone; a first and a second stress region formed in each of the first and second device zone to yield stress different in level; a barrier plug separating the two device zones from each other; and a plurality of oxide spacers being located between the first stress regions and the barrier plug while in direct contact with the first stress regions. Due to the stress yielded at the stress regions, increased carrier mobility and accordingly, increased reading current can be obtained, and only a relatively lower reading voltage is needed to obtain an initially required reading current. As a result, the probability of stress-induced leakage current is reduced to enhance the data retention ability.

Abstract: A fin-FET device and a method for fabrication thereof both employ a bulk semiconductor substrate. A fin and an adjoining trough are formed within the bulk semiconductor substrate. The trough is partially backfilled with a deposited dielectric layer to form an exposed fin region and an unexposed fin region. A gate dielectric layer is formed upon the exposed fin region and a gate electrode is formed upon the gate dielectric layer. By employing a bulk semiconductor substrate the fin-FET device is fabricated cost effectively.

Abstract: A circuit testing apparatus for testing a device under test is disclosed. The circuit testing apparatus includes a function generator, a signal measuring module and a determining module. The function generator is coupled to the device under test for providing a plurality of testing signals according to a predetermined manner. The signal measuring module is coupled to the device under test and the function module for measuring a plurality of measuring signals generated by the device under test according to the plurality of testing signals and generating a plurality of measuring results according to the predetermined manner. The determining module is coupled to the signal measuring module for determining a testing result for the device under test according to the plurality of measuring results.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a first semiconductor device in a substrate, where the first semiconductor device comprises a gate structure, a spacer disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure, the spacer having a first thickness, and raised source and drain regions disposed on either side of the gate structure. The method further comprises forming a second semiconductor device in the substrate and electrically isolated from the first semiconductor device, where the second semiconductor device comprises a gate structure, a spacer disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure, the spacer having a second thickness less than the first thickness of the spacer of the first semiconductor device, and recessed source and drain regions disposed on either side of the gate structure.

Abstract: A MOS device having optimized stress in the channel region and a method for forming the same are provided. The MOS device includes a gate over a substrate, a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate wherein a non-silicide region exists under the gate spacer, a source/drain region comprising a recess in the substrate, and a silicide region on the source/drain region. A step height is formed between a higher portion of the silicide region and a lower portion of the silicide region. The recess is spaced apart from a respective edge of a non-silicide region by a spacing. The step height and the spacing preferably have a ratio of less than or equal to about 3. The width of the non-silicide region and the step height preferably have a ratio of less than or equal to about 3. The MOS device is preferably an NMOS device.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate; forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric; forming a slim spacer on sidewalls of the gate dielectric and the gate electrode; forming a silicon carbon (SiC) region adjacent the slim spacer; forming a deep source/drain region comprising at least a portion of the silicon carbon region; blanket forming a metal layer, wherein a first interface between the metal layer and the deep source/drain is higher than a second interface between the gate dielectric and the semiconductor substrate; and annealing the semiconductor device to form a silicide region. Preferably, a horizontal spacing between an inner edge of the silicide region and a respective edge of the gate electrode is preferably less than about 150 ?.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for forming the same including improved electrostatic discharge protection for advanced semiconductor devices, the semiconductor device including providing semiconductor substrate having a pre-selected surface orientation and crystal direction; an insulator layer overlying the semiconductor substrate; a first semiconductor active region overlying the insulator layer having a first surface orientation selected from the group consisting of <100> and <110>; a second semiconductor active region extending through a thickness portion of the insulator layer having a second surface orientation selected from the group consisting of <110> and <100> different from the first surface orientation; wherein MOS devices including a first MOS device of a first conduction type is disposed on the first semiconductor active region and a second MOS device of a second conduction type is disposed on the second semiconductor active region.

Abstract: A BiCMOS device with enhanced performance by mechanical uniaxial strain is provided. A first embodiment of the present invention includes an NMOS transistor, a PMOS transistor, and a bipolar transistor formed on different areas of the substrate. A first contact etch stop layer with tensile stress is formed over the NMOS transistor, and a second contact etch stop layer with compressive stress is formed over the PMOS transistor and the bipolar transistor, allowing for an enhancement of each device. Another embodiment has, in addition to the stressed contact etch stop layers, strained channel regions in the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor, and a strained base in the BJT.

Abstract: The invention discloses a testing circuit board for placing a device under test and further testing the device under test according to a plurality of testing signals generated by a tester. The testing circuit board includes a circuit board and a plurality of sets of sockets. The circuit board includes a plurality of connecting holes. The plurality of sets of sockets are located on a plurality of connecting holes and electrically connects to the device under test via a plurality of connecting interfaces for transferring the plurality of testing signals to test the device under test.

Abstract: The channels of first and second CMOS transistors can be selectively stressed. A gate structure of the first transistor includes a stressor that produces stress in the channel of the first transistor. A gate structure of the second transistor is disposed in contact with a layer of material that produces stress in the channel of the second transistor.

Abstract: A circuit testing apparatus for testing a device under test is disclosed. The circuit testing apparatus includes a function generator, a signal measuring module and a determining module. The function generator is coupled to the device under test for providing a plurality of testing signals according to a predetermined manner. The signal measuring module is coupled to the device under test and the function module for measuring a plurality of measuring signals generated by the device under test according to the plurality of testing signals and generating a plurality of measuring results according to the predetermined manner. The determining module is coupled to the signal measuring module for determining a testing result for the device under test according to the plurality of measuring results.

Abstract: A BiCMOS device with enhanced performance by mechanical uniaxial strain is provided. A first embodiment of the present invention includes an NMOS transistor, a PMOS transistor, and a bipolar transistor formed on different areas of the substrate. A first contact etch stop layer with tensile stress is formed over the NMOS transistor, and a second contact etch stop layer with compressive stress is formed over the PMOS transistor and the bipolar transistor, allowing for an enhancement of each device. Another embodiment has, in addition to the stressed contact etch stop layers, strained channel regions in the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor, and a strained base in the BJT.

Abstract: Nano-wires, preferably of less than 20 nm diameter, can be formed with minimized risk of narrowing and breaking that results from silicon atom migration during an annealing process step. This is accomplished by masking portion of the active layer where silicon atomer would otherwise agglomerate with a material such as silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or other dielectric that eliminates or substantially reduces the silicon atom migration. Nano-wires, nanotubes, nano-rods, and other features can be formed and can optionally be incorporated into devices, such as by use as a channel region in a transistor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode over the gate dielectric; a deep source/drain region adjacent the gate electrode; a silicide region over the deep source/drain region; and an elevated metallized source/drain region between the silicide region and the gate electrode. The elevated metallized source/drain region adjoins the silicide region.

Abstract: The channels of first and second CMOS transistors can be selectively stressed. A gate structure of the first transistor includes a stressor that produces stress in the channel of the first transistor. A gate structure of the second transistor is disposed in contact with a layer of material that produces stress in the channel of the second transistor.