Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises placing a metallic gate layer over a gate dielectric layer where the metallic gate layer has a crystallographic orientation, and re-orienting the crystallographic orientation of the metallic gate layer by subjecting the metallic gate layer to a hydrogen anneal.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide triple-gate semiconductor devices isolated by reverse shallow trench isolation (STI) structures and methods for their manufacture. In an example process, stacked layers including a form layer over a dielectric layer can be formed over a semiconductor substrate. One or more trenches can be formed by etching through the stacked layers. The one or more trenches can be filled by an active area material to form one or more active areas, which can be isolated by remaining portions of the dielectric layer. Bodies of the active area material can be exposed by removing the form layer. One or more triple-gate devices can then be formed on the exposed active area material. The example triple-gate semiconductor devices can control the dimensions for the active areas and provide less isolation spacing between the active areas, which optimizes manufacturing efficiency and device integration quality.

Abstract: A method of setting a work function of a filly silicided semiconductor device, and related device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate (the gate stack comprising a dielectric layer, a suicide layer on the dielectric layer that defines a metal-dielectric layer interface, and a polysilicon layer on the suicide layer), depositing a metal layer over the gate stack, annealing to induce a reaction between the polysilicon layer and the metal layer, and delivering a work function-setting dopant to the metal-dielectric layer interface by way of the reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises placing a metallic gate layer over a gate dielectric layer where the metallic gate layer has a crystallographic orientation, and re-orienting the crystallographic orientation of the metallic gate layer by subjecting the metallic gate layer to a hydrogen anneal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises placing a metallic gate layer over a gate dielectric layer where the metallic gate layer has a crystallographic orientation, and re-orienting the crystallographic orientation of the metallic gate layer by subjecting the metallic gate layer to a hydrogen anneal.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided, in which metal transistor replacement gates are provided for CMOS transistors. The process provides dual or differentiated work function capability (e.g., for PMOS and NMOS transistors) in CMOS processes.

Abstract: A cross method for fabricating a CMOS integrated circuit (IC) includes providing a semiconductor wafer having a topside semiconductor surface, a bevel semiconductor surface, and a backside semiconductor surface, wherein the bevel semiconductor surface and backside semiconductor surface include silicon or germanium. A metal including high-k gate dielectric layer is formed on at least the topside semiconductor surface and on at least a portion of the bevel semiconductor surface and backside semiconductor surface. The high-k dielectric material on the bevel semiconductor surface and the backside semiconductor surface are selectively removed while protecting the high-k dielectric layer on the topside semiconductor surface. The selective removing includes a first oxidizing treatment, and a fluoride including wet etch follows the first oxidizing treatment. The fabrication of the IC is completed including forming at least one metal gate layer on the high-k gate dielectric layer after the selectively removing step.

Abstract: A method of setting a work function of a fully silicided semiconductor device, and related device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate (the gate stack comprising a dielectric layer, a silicide layer on the dielectric layer that defines a metal-dielectric layer interface, and a polysilicon layer on the silicide layer), depositing a metal layer over the gate stack, annealing to induce a reaction between the polysilicon layer and the metal layer, and delivering a work function-setting dopant to the metal-dielectric layer interface by way of the reaction.

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: A method of setting a work function of a fully silicided semiconductor device, and related device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate (the gate stack comprising a dielectric layer, a silicide layer on the dielectric layer that defines a metal-dielectric layer interface, and a polysilicon layer on the silicide layer), depositing a metal layer over the gate stack, annealing to induce a reaction between the polysilicon layer and the metal layer, and delivering a work function-setting dopant to the metal-dielectric layer interface by way of the reaction.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided, in which metal transistor replacement gates are provided for CMOS transistors. The process provides dual or differentiated work function capability (e.g., for PMOS and NMOS transistors) in CMOS processes.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates a semiconductor device formed by utilizing a two step deposition method for forming a gate electrode without causing damages to an underlying gate dielectric material. In one embodiment, a first layer of gate electrode material (first gate electrode layer) is formed onto the surface of a gate dielectric material using a deposition that does not damage the gate dielectric material (e.g., physical vapor deposition) thereby resulting in a damage free interface between the gate dielectric material and the gate electrode material. A second layer of gate electrode material (second gate electrode layer) is then formed onto the first layer of gate electrode material using a chemical deposition method that provides increased deposition control (e.g., good layer uniformity, impurity control, etc.). The first and second gate electrode layers are then selectively patterned to cumulatively form a semiconductor device's gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for preventing oxidation in a high-k dielectric/metal gate stack in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device is disclosed. In a detailed embodiment, a PMOS region stack has nitrided hafnium silicide, tungsten, tantalum nitride and polysilicon layers. An NMOS region stack has nitrided hafnium silicide, tungsten silicide, tantalum nitride and polysilicon layers. A thin polysilicon layer deposited over the stacks is converted to an oxide using a low temperature ultraviolet ozone oxidation process or a plasma nitridation using decoupled plasma nitridation or NH3 annealing. The oxide provides a coating over the top and sides of the stacks to protect metal and interfaces from oxidation.

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: 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: 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 layer. MOS transistors (160, 170) are then fabricated using the dielectric layers (30, 50).

Abstract: A method for preventing oxidation in a high-k dielectric/metal gate stack in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device is disclosed. In a detailed embodiment, a PMOS region stack has nitrided hafnium silicide, tungsten, tantalum nitride and polysilicon layers. An NMOS region stack has nitrided hafnium silicide, tungsten silicide, tantalum nitride and polysilicon layers. A thin polysilicon layer deposited over the stacks is converted to an oxide using a low temperature ultraviolet ozone oxidation process or a plasma nitridation using decoupled plasma nitridation or NH3 annealing. The oxide provides a coating over the top and sides of the stacks to protect metal and interfaces from oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a process for forming a dual work function metal gate semiconductor device (100). The process includes providing a semiconductor substrate (105) having a gate dielectric layer (110) thereon and a metal layer (205) on the gate dielectric layer. A work function of the metal layer is matched to a conduction band or a valence band of the semiconductor substrate. The process also includes forming a conductive barrier layer (210) on a portion (215) of the metal layer and a material layer (305) on the metal layer. The metal layer and the material layer are annealed to form a metal alloy layer (405) to thereby match a work function of the metal alloy layer to another of the conduction band or the valence band of the substrate. Other embodiments of the invention include a dual work function metal gate semiconductor device (900) and an integrated circuit (1000).

Abstract: A method of setting a work function of a fully silicided semiconductor device, and related device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate (the gate stack comprising a dielectric layer, a silicide layer on the dielectric layer that defines a metal-dielectric layer interface, and a polysilicon layer on the silicide layer), depositing a metal layer over the gate stack, annealing to induce a reaction between the polysilicon layer and the metal layer, and delivering a work function-setting dopant to the metal-dielectric layer interface by way of the reaction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is disclosed as comprising a feature that is susceptible to oxidation. A poly-oxide coating is used over the feature susceptible to oxidation to protect the feature susceptible to oxidation from oxidizing. Various method can be used to form the poly-oxide coating include conversion of a ploy-silicon coating using UV O3 low temperature oxidation and plasma nitridation using either decoupled plasma nitridation or NH3 annealing.