Abstract: A conductive structure in an integrated circuit (12), and a method of forming the structure, is provided that includes a polysilicon layer (30), a thin layer containing titanium over the polysilicon, a tungsten nitride layer (34) over the titanium-containing layer and a tungsten layer over the tungsten nitride layer. The structure also includes a silicon nitride interfacial region (38) between the polysilicon layer and the titanium-containing layer. The structure withstands high-temperature processing without substantial formation of metal silicides in the polysilicon layer (30) and the tungsten layer (32), and provides low interface resistance between the tungsten layer and the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a deep trench etched into a semiconductor substrate is provided by the present invention. The trench is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion and the method allows for the lower portion to be processed differently from the upper portion. After the trench is etched into the semiconductor substrate, a nitride layer is formed over a sidewall of the trench. A layer of oxide is then formed over the nitride layer. A filler material is then deposited and recessed to cover the oxide layer in the lower portion of the trench, followed by the removal of the oxide layer from the upper portion of the trench above the filler material. Once the oxide layer is removed from the upper portion of the trench, the filler material can also be removed, while allowing the oxide layer and the nitride layer to remain in the lower portion of the trench. Silicon is selectively deposited on the exposed nitride layer in the upper portion of the trench.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a deep trench etched into a semiconductor substrate is provided by the present invention. The trench is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion and the method allows for the lower portion to be processed differently from the upper portion. After the trench is etched into the semiconductor substrate, a nitride layer is formed over a sidewall of the trench. A layer of oxide is then formed over the nitride layer. A filler material is then deposited and recessed to cover the oxide layer in the lower portion of the trench, followed by the removal of the oxide layer from the upper portion of the trench above the filler material. Once the oxide layer is removed from the upper portion of the trench, the filler material can also be removed, while allowing the oxide layer and the nitride layer to remain in the lower portion of the trench. Silicon is selectively deposited on the exposed nitride layer in the upper portion of the trench.

Abstract: A method and structure for increasing the area and capacitance of both trench and planar integrated circuit capacitors uses Si nodules deposited on a thin dielectric seeding layer that is absorbed during subsequent thermal processing, thereby avoiding a high resistance layer in the capacitor.

Abstract: A high density plasma deposition process for eliminating or reducing a zipper-like profile of opened-up voids in a poly trench fill by controlling separation between a transfer gate and storage node in a vertical DRAM, comprising: etching a recess or trench into poly Si of a semiconductor chip; forming a pattern of SiN liner using a mask transfer process for formation of a single sided strap design; removing the SiN liner and etching adjacent collar oxide away from a top part of the trench; depositing a high density plasma (HDP) polysilicon layer in the trench by flowing either SiH4 or SiH4+H2 in an inert ambient; employing a photoresist in the trench and removing the high density plasma polysilicon layer from a top surface of the semiconductor to avoid shorting in the gate conductor either by spinning on resist and subsequent chemical mechanical polishing or chemical mechanical downstream etchback of the polysilicon layer; and stripping the photoresist and depositing a top trench oxide by high den

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having deep trenches with fill material therein having low resistivity are provided along with methods of fabricating such semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A method for increasing the surface area of an original surface in a semiconductor device is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes forming a layered mask upon the original surface, the layered mask including a masking layer thereatop having a varying thickness. An isotropic etch is then applied to the layered mask, which isotropic etch further removes exposed portions of the original surface as the layered mask is removed. Thereby, the isotropic etch enhances the non-uniformity of the masking layer and creates a non-uniformity in planarity of the original surface.

Abstract: A method for increasing the surface area of an original surface in a semiconductor device is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes forming a layered mask upon the original surface, the layered mask including a masking layer thereatop having a varying thickness. An isotropic etch is then applied to the layered mask, which isotropic etch further removes exposed portions of the original surface as the layered mask is removed. Thereby, the isotropic etch enhances the non-uniformity of the masking layer and creates a non-uniformity in planarity of the original surface.

Abstract: In a process for making a DT DRAM structure, the improvement of providing a surface area enhanced DT below the collar region and node capacitance that does not shrink with decreasing groundrule/cell size, comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a collar region and an adjacent region below the collar region, the collar region having SiO deposited thereon; b) depositing a SiN liner on said collar region and on the region below the collar; c) depositing a layer of a-Si on the SiN liner to form a micromask; d) subjecting the structure from step c) to an anneal/oxidation step under a wet environment at a sufficient temperature to form a plurality of oxide dot hardmasks; e) subjecting the SiN liner to an etch selective to SiO; f) subjecting the structure from step e) to a Si transfer etch using a chemical dry etch (CDE) selective to SiO to create rough Si surface; g) stripping SiO and the SiN; and forming a node and collar deposition.

Abstract: Methods forming a trench region of a trench capacitor structure having increase surface area are provided. One method includes the steps of forming a discontinuous polysilicon layer on exposed walls of a lower trench region, the discontinuous polysilicon layer having gaps therein which expose portions of said substrate; oxidizing the lower trench region such that the exposed portions of said substrate provided by the gaps in the discontinuous polysilicon layer are oxidized into oxide material which forms a smooth and wavy layer with the discontinuous polysilicon layer; and etching said oxide material so as to form smooth hemispherical grooves on the walls of the trench region.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a single-sided semiconductor deep trench structure filled with polysilicon trench fill material includes the following steps. Form a thin film, silicon nitride, barrier layer over the trench fill material. Deposit a thin film of an amorphous silicon masking layer over the barrier layer. Perform an angled implant into portions of the amorphous silicon masking layer which are not in the shadow of the deep trench. Strip the undoped portions of the amorphous silicon masking layer from the deep trench. Then strip the newly exposed portions of barrier layer exposing a part of the trench fill polysilicon surface and leaving the doped, remainder of the amorphous silicon masking layer exposed. Counterdope the exposed part of the trench fill material. Oxidize exposed portions of the polysilicon trench fill material, and then strip the remainder of the masking layer.

Abstract: A process for forming a sacrificial collar (116) on the top portion of a deep trench (114). A nitride layer (116) is deposited within the trench (114). A semiconductor layer (120) is deposited over the nitride layer (116). A top portion of the semiconductor layer (120) is doped to form doped semiconductor layer (124). Undoped portions (120) of the semiconductor layer are removed, and the doped semiconductor layer (124) is used to pattern the nitride layer (116), removing the lower portion of nitride layer (116) from within deep trenches (114) and leaving a sacrificial collar (116) at the top of the trenches (114).

Abstract: A method and structure for a fabricating roughened surface walls of a capacitor, such as a deep trench capacitor. The invention starts with a silicon surface and forms silicon germanium grains on the silicon surface. A portion of the silicon surface remains exposed and is etched selective to the silicon germanium grains. The silicon germanium grains are then removed from the silicon surface. The silicon surface is doped after the silicon germanium grains are removed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a single-sided semiconductor deep trench structure filled with polysilicon trench fill material includes the following steps. Form a thin film, silicon nitride, barrier layer over the trench fill material. Deposit a thin film of an amorphous silicon masking layer over the barrier layer. Perform an angled implant into portions of the amorphous silicon masking layer which are not in the shadow of the deep trench. Strip the undoped portions of the amorphous silicon masking layer from the deep trench. Then strip the newly exposed portions of barrier layer exposing a part of the trench fill polysilicon surface and leaving the doped, remainder of the amorphous silicon masking layer exposed. Counterdope the exposed part of the trench fill material. Oxidize exposed portions of the polysilicon trench fill material, and then strip the remainder of the masking layer.