Abstract: A system for assessing underwater biomass that comprises a frame that can float and hold the system on a body of water; a transducer that emits and receives wave signals; a motor box, that positions the transducer below a water line; a control unit to allow a user to operate the system and view results obtained from the system; an electronics housing that receives a CPU board that communicates with and relays information to and from, the control unit; and a communication device to facilitate communication between the control unit and the CPU board.

Abstract: A method for improving high-? gate dielectric film (104) properties. The high-? film (104) is subjected to a two step anneal sequence. The first anneal is performed in a reducing ambient (106) with low partial pressure of oxidizer to promote film relaxation and increase by-product diffusion and desorption. The second anneal is performed in an oxidizing ambient (108) with a low partial pressure of reducer to remove defects and impurities.

Abstract: Forming metal gate transistors that have different work functions is disclosed. In one example, a first metal, which is a ‘mid gap’ metal, is manipulated in first and second regions by second and third metals, respectively, to move the work function of the first metal in opposite directions in the different regions. The resulting work functions in the different regions correspond to that of different types of the transistors that are to be formed.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by maintaining shape and density of an etch stop layer (206) during trench fill operations. The shape and density of the etch stop layer (206) is maintained by forming a protective alloy liner layer (310) on the etch stop layer (206) prior to trench fill operations. The protective alloy liner (310) is comprised of an alloy that is resistant to materials employed in the trench fill operations. As a result, clipping and/or damage to the etch stop layer (206) is mitigated thereby facilitating a subsequent planarization process that employs the etch stop layer (206). Additionally, selection of thickness and composition (1706) of the formed protective alloy (310) yields a stress amount and type (1704) that is applied to channel regions of unformed transistor devices, ultimately providing for an improvement in channel mobility.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that selectively form high-k dielectric layers within NMOS regions. An I/O dielectric layer is formed in core and I/O regions of a semiconductor device (506). The I/O dielectric layer is removed (508) from the core region of the device. A core dielectric layer is formed in the core region (510). A barrier layer is deposited and patterned to expose the NMOS devices of the core region (512). The core dielectric layer is removed from the core NMOS devices (514). A high-k dielectric layer is formed (514) over the core and I/O regions. Then, the high-k dielectric layer is removed (512) from PMOS regions/devices of the core region and the NMOS and PMOS regions/devices of the I/O region.

Abstract: Dual gate dielectric layers are formed on a semiconductor substrate for MOS transistor fabrication. A first dielectric layer (30) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (10). A first plasma nitridation process is performed on said first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer (30) is removed in regions of the substrate and a second dielectric layer (50) is formed in these regions. A second plasma nitridation process is performed on the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric. MOS transistors (160, 170) are then fabricated using the dielectric layers (30, 50).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating deposited gate dielectric materials, in which the deposited dielectric is subjected to one or more non-oxidizing anneals to densify the material, one or more oxidizing anneals to mitigate material defects, and to a nitridation process to introduce nitrogen into the gate dielectric. The annealing may be performed before and/or after the nitridation to mitigate deposition and/or nitridation defects and to densify the material while mitigating formation of unwanted low dielectric constant oxides at the interface between the gate dielectric and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating deposited gate dielectric materials, in which the deposited dielectric is subjected to one or more non-oxidizing anneals to densify the material, one or more oxidizing anneals to mitigate material defects, and to a nitridation process to introduce nitrogen into the gate dielectric. The annealing may be performed before and/or after the nitridation to mitigate deposition and/or nitridation defects and to densify the material while mitigating formation of unwanted low dielectric constant oxides at the interface between the gate dielectric and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Forming metal gate transistors that have different work functions is disclosed. In one example, a first metal, which is a ‘mid gap’ metal, is manipulated in first and second regions by second and third metals, respectively, to move the work function of the first metal in opposite directions in the different regions. The resulting work functions in the different regions correspond to that of different types of the transistors that are to be formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of forming a gate dielectric that includes forming a metal source layer (210) comprising a metal and at least one nonmetallic element over a substrate (110). The metal source layer (210) is formed having a composition rich in the metal. A dielectric layer (310) comprising the metal is formed over the metal source layer (210).

Abstract: Concurrently forming different metal gate transistors having respective work functions is disclosed. In one example, a metal carbide, which has a relatively low work function, is formed over a semiconductor substrate. Oxygen and/or nitrogen are then added to the metal carbide in a second region to establish a second work function in the second region, where the metal carbide itself establishes a first work function in a first region. One or more first metal gate transistor types are then formed in the first region and one or more second metal gate transistor types are formed in the second region.

Abstract: Forming metal gate transistors that have different work functions is disclosed. In one example, a first metal is added to a first region of polysilicon overlying a dielectric that is on a substrate, and a second metal is added to a second region of the polysilicon. A third metal is formed over the first and second regions and a silicidation process if performed to form a first alloy in the first region and a second alloy in the second region. First and second segregated regions are also established adjacent to the dielectric in the first and second regions, respectively. The first and second metals serve to shift or adjust respective values of first and second work functions in the first and second regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a dual work function metal gate microelectronics device 200. In one aspect, the method includes forming nMOS and pMOS stacked gate structures 315a and 315b. The nMOS and pMOS stacked gate structures 315a and 315b each comprise a gate dielectric 205, a first metal layer, 305 located over the gate dielectric 205 and a sacrificial gate layer 310 located over the first metal layer 305. The method further includes removing the sacrificial gate layer 310 in at least one of the nMOS or pMOS stacked gate structures, thereby forming a gate opening 825 and modifying the first metal layer 305 within the gate opening 825 to form a gate electrode with a desired work function.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a gate structure (100). The gate structure comprises a gate dielectric (105) and a gate (110). The gate dielectric includes a refractory metal and is located over a semiconductor substrate (115). The semiconductor substrate has a conduction band and a valence band. The gate is located over the gate dielectric and includes the refractory metal. The gate has a work function aligned toward the conduction band or the valence band. Other embodiments include an alternative gate structure (200), a method of forming a gate structure (300) for a semiconductor device (301) and a dual gate integrated circuit (400).

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a gate structure (100). The gate structure comprises a gate dielectric (105) and a gate (110). The gate dielectric includes a refractory metal and is located over a semiconductor substrate (115). The semiconductor substrate has a conduction band and a valence band. The gate is located over the gate dielectric and includes the refractory metal. The gate has a work function aligned toward the conduction band or the valence band. Other embodiments include an alternative gate structure (200), a method of forming a gate structure (300) for a semiconductor device (301) and a dual gate integrated circuit (400).

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that form metal silicide gates and mitigate formation of silicide region defects near channel regions. A dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor device (306). Polysilicon is deposited on the dielectric layer to form a gate electrode layer (308) and a patterning operation is then performed to form gate structures (310). Source/drain regions are formed (320) and the gate structures are tuned to obtain a selected work function (324). A metal is then selectively deposited on only the gate structures (328) and a thermal process is performed that reacts the deposited metal with polysilicon of the gate layer to obtain a metal suicide material (330).

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that selectively form high-k dielectric layers within NMOS regions. A first oxide layer is formed in core and I/O regions of a semiconductor device (506). The first oxide layer is removed (508) from the core region of the device. A high-k dielectric layer is formed (510) over the core and I/O regions. Then, the high-k dielectric layer is removed (512) from PMOS regions of the core and I/O regions. A second oxide layer is formed (516) within NMOS regions of the core and I/O regions and a nitridation process is performed (518) that nitrides the second oxide layer and the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that selectively form high-k dielectric layers within NMOS regions. An oxide layer is formed in core and I/O regions of a semiconductor device (506). The oxide layer is removed (508) from the core region of the device. A high-k dielectric layer is formed (510) over the core and I/O regions. Then, the high-k dielectric layer is removed (512) from PMOS regions of the core and I/O regions. A silicon nitride layer is grown (516) within PMOS regions of the core and I/O regions by a low temperature thermal process. Subsequently, an oxidation process is performed (518) that oxidizes the silicon nitride into silicon oxynitride.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that selectively form high-k dielectric layers within NMOS regions. An I/O dielectric layer is formed in core and I/O regions of a semiconductor device (506). The I/O dielectric layer is removed (508) from the core region of the device. A core dielectric layer is formed in the core region (510). A barrier layer is deposited and patterned to expose the NMOS devices of the core region (512). The core dielectric layer is removed from the core NMOS devices (514). A high-k dielectric layer is formed (514) over the core and I/O regions. Then, the high-k dielectric layer is removed (512) from PMOS regions/devices of the core region and the NMOS and PMOS regions/devices of the I/O region.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing repairs to radial seals used in a rotating control head used while drilling is disclosed. Also, a system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.