Abstract: A method of forming a thin, high-quality relaxed SiGe-on-insulator substrate material is provided which first includes forming a SiGe or pure Ge layer on a surface of a first single crystal Si layer which is present atop a barrier layer that is resistant to the diffusion of Ge. Optionally forming a Si cap layer over the SiGe or pure Ge layer, and thereafter heating the various layers at a temperature which permits interdiffusion of Ge throughout the first single crystal Si layer, the optional Si cap and the SiGe or pure Ge layer thereby forming a substantially relaxed, single crystal SiGe layer atop the barrier layer. Additional SiGe regrowth and/or formation of a strained epi-Si layer may follow the above steps. SiGe-on-insulator substrate materials as well as structures including at least the SiGe-on-insulator substrate materials are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method to obtain thin (<300 nm) strain-relaxed Si1-xGex buffer layers on Si or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates. These buffer layers have a homogeneous distribution of misfit dislocations that relieve the strain, remarkably smooth surfaces, and a low threading dislocation (TD) density, i.e. <106 cm−2. The approach begins with the growth of a pseudomorphic Si1-x Gex layer, i.e., a layer that is free of misfit dislocations, which is then implanted with He or other light elements and subsequently annealed to achieve the substantial strain relaxation. The very effective strain relaxation mechanism operating with this method is dislocation nucleation at He-induced platelets (not bubbles) that lie below the Si/Si1-xGex interface, parallel to the Si(001) surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming at least a portion of an electronic device include a High Vacuum-Chemical Vapor Deposition (UHV-CVD) system and a Low Pressure-Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD) system using a common reactor. The invention overcomes the problem of silicon containing wafers being dipped in HF acid prior to CVD processing, and the problem of surface passivation between processes in multiple CVD reactors.

Abstract: A method to obtain thin (<300 nm) strain-relaxed Si1-xGex buffer layers on Si or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates. These buffer layers have a homogeneous distribution of misfit dislocations that relieve the strain, remarkably smooth surfaces, and a low threading dislocation (TD) density, i.e. <106 cm−2. The approach begins with the growth of a pseudomorphic Si1-x Gex layer, i.e., a layer that is free of misfit dislocations, which is then implanted with He or other light elements and subsequently annealed to achieve the substantial strain relaxation. The very effective strain relaxation mechanism operating with this method is dislocation nucleation at He-induced platelets (not bubbles) that lie below the Si/Si1-xGex interface, parallel to the Si(001) surface.

Abstract: We provide a method of doping an Si or SiGe film with carbon or boron. By reducing the silicon precursor pressure, heavily-doped films may be obtained. A single dopant source may be used. The doped Si and SiGe films are of suitable quality for use in a transistor such as an HBT.

Abstract: Epitaxial and polycrystalline layers of silicon and silicon-germanium alloys are selectively grown on a semiconductor substrate or wafer by forming over the wafer a thin film masking layer of an oxide of an element selected from scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium; and then growing the epitaxial layer over the wafer at temperatures below 650.degree. C. The epitaxial and polycrystalline layers do not grow on the masking layer. The invention overcomes the problem of forming epitaxial layers at temperatures above 650.degree. C. by providing a lower temperature process.

Abstract: Epitaxial and polycrystalline layers of silicon and silicon-germanium alloys are selectively grown on a semiconductor substrate or wafer by forming over the wafer a thin film masking layer of an oxide of an element selected from scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium; and then growing the epitaxial layer over the wafer at temperatures below 650.degree. C. The epitaxial and polycrystalline layers do not grow on the masking layer. The invention overcomes the problem of forming epitaxial layers at temperatures above 650.degree. C. by providing a lower temperature process.

Abstract: Epitaxial and polycrystalline layers of silicon and silicon-germanium alloys are selectively grown on a semiconductor substrate or wafer by forming over the wafer a thin film masking layer of an oxide of an element selected from scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium; and then growing the epitaxial layer over the wafer at temperatures below 650.degree. C. The epitaxial and polycrystalline layers do not grow on the masking layer. The invention overcomes the problem of forming epitaxial layers at temperatures above 650.degree. C. by providing a lower temperature process.

Abstract: Epitaxial and polycrystalline layers of silicon and silicon-germanium alloys are selectively grown on a semiconductor substrate or wafer by forming over the wafer a thin film masking layer of an oxide of element selected from scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium and then growing the epitaxial layer over the wafer at temperatures below 650.degree. C. The epitaxial and polycrystalline layers do not grow on the masking layer. The invention overcomes the problem of forming epitaxial layers at temperatures above 650.degree. C. by providing a lower temperature process.

Abstract: A low temperature, epitaxial, in situ doped semiconductor layer is used as a sacrificial dopant source. The resulting doped region is small-dimensioned with a tightly controlled dopant concentration. The dopant layer is oxidized in a relatively low-temperature environment, and removed by etching. The process can be used to form a vertical bipolar transistor, where the doped region is the base, and wherein portions of the oxidized dopant layer are left as insulators.

Abstract: A method of depositing Ge on a Si substrate in a reaction chamber includes the steps of: precleaning the substrate; evacuating the chamber to a pressure below 10.sup.-7 Torr; heating the substrate to 300.degree.-600.degree. C.; and providing a GeH.sub.4 /B.sub.2 H.sub.6 /He mixture of gas with a GeH.sub.4 partial pressure of 2-50 mTorr and a B.sub.2 H.sub.6 partial pressure of 0.08 to 2 mTorr.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bipolar transistor by use of low temperature emitter process is disclosed. After completion of the usual base and collector formation in a vertical bipolar transistor, an emitter opening is etched in the insulator layer over the base layer at selected locations. A thin layer (less than 500 .ANG.) of in-situ doped amorphous silicon is deposited over the substrate and heated to densify for 30 to 60 minutes at about 650.degree. C. Subsequently an in-situ doped polysilicon layer of 100 to 200 nm is deposited over the amorphous Si film preferably at about 600.degree. C. Subsequently the layers are heated below 600.degree. C. for several hours to convert partially the amorphous Si into a monocrystalline emitter layer over the base regions.

Abstract: A method of depositing Ge on a Si substrate in a reaction chamber includes the steps of: precleaning the substrate; evacuating the chamber to a pressure below 10.sup.-9 Torr; heating the substrate to 300-375 degrees C; and providing a 10% GeH4, 90% He mixture of gas with a GeH.sub.4 partial pressure of 1-5 mTorr.

Abstract: A capacitor is provided having a substrate and a first capacitor plate including a lattice mismatched crystalline material is formed over and supported by a surface of the substrate. A layer of insulating material is formed over and supported by the first capacitor plate. A second capacitor plate including a layer of conductive material is formed over and supported by the layer of insulating material.