Abstract: Semiconductor devices including dual gate structures and methods of forming such semiconductor devices are disclosed. For example, semiconductor devices are disclosed that include a first gate stack that may include a first conductive gate structure formed from a first material, and a second gate stack that may include a dielectric structure formed from an oxide of the first material. For another example, methods including forming a high-K dielectric material layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a first conductive material layer over the high-K dielectric material layer, oxidizing a portion of the first conductive material layer to convert the portion of the first conductive material layer to a dielectric material layer, and forming a second conductive material layer over both the conductive material layer and the dielectric material layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming titanium-containing materials, such as, for example, titanium silicide. The invention can use alternating cycles of titanium halide precursor and one or more reductants to form the titanium-containing material. For instance, the invention can utilize alternating cycles of titanium tetrachloride and activated hydrogen to form titanium silicide on a surface of a silicon-containing substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing low-resistance interconnects in a semiconductor device are provided. Specifically, one or more embodiments of the present invention relate to disposing a conductive material in a trench without disposing a resistive barrier material between the conductive material and the sidewalls of the trench so that the conductive material takes up the full width of the trench. For example, the trench may be disposed over one or more contacts made of a barrier material such as titanium nitride that also acts as a seed, and the conductive material may be grown on top of the titanium nitride to fill the trench.

Abstract: A method of increasing the work function of micro-electrodes includes providing a metal or silica surface functionalized with reactive groups and contacting the functionalized surface with a solution of at least one biochemical, having a permanent dipole moment and being capable of self assembly, for a sufficient time for the biochemical to self assemble molecularly (SAM) on the functionalized surface. The biochemical can be aminopropyl triethoxy silane, fatty acids, organosilicon derivatives, organosulfur compounds, alkyl chains, or diphosphates. Use in a wide variety of metals and metallic compounds is disclosed.

Abstract: Devices structures utilizing, and methods of forming, tungsten interconnects in semiconductor fabrication are disclosed. Tungsten deposition is accomplished by a three-step process that does not require a resistive nucleation material to be deposited prior to bulk tungsten deposition. By treating a tungsten nitride material with a hydrogen plasma, thereby reducing the tungsten nitride to tungsten, the necessity of a resistive nucleation layer is eliminated. Other embodiments describe methods of tungsten deposition requiring a thinner resistive nucleation material (<10 angstroms) than currently known.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for using and forming tungsten digitlines have been described. The tungsten digitlines formed according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be formed with a tungsten (W) monolayer on a tungsten nitride (WNx) substrate, a boron (B) monolayer on the W monolayer, and a bulk W layer on the B monolayer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which includes forming an opening in an insulating material, performing a plasma process to introduce nitrogen into a portion of the insulating material to thereby form a nitrogen-containing region at least on an inner surface of the opening, and, after forming the nitrogen-containing region, performing an etching process through the opening. A device is disclosed which includes an insulating material comprising a nitrogen-enhanced region that is proximate an opening that extends through the insulating material and a conductive structure positioned within the opening.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming titanium-containing materials, such as, for example, titanium silicide. The invention can use alternating cycles of titanium halide precursor and one or more reductants to form the titanium-containing material. For instance, the invention can utilize alternating cycles of titanium tetrachloride and activated hydrogen to form titanium silicide on a surface of a silicon-containing substrate.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming titanium-containing materials, such as, for example, titanium silicide. The invention can use alternating cycles of titanium halide precursor and one or more reductants to form the titanium-containing material. For instance, the invention can utilize alternating cycles of titanium tetrachloride and activated hydrogen to form titanium silicide on a surface of a silicon-containing substrate.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition reaction system converts a reactant precursor, which includes the metal Ruthenium, to a vapor during a chemical reaction in order to deposit the metal on a semiconductor wafer. The reactant precursor is Bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Ru. An energy source provides energy to the reaction chamber to induce the chemical reaction. A controllable metering system alternatively supplies the precursor and oxygen to the reaction chamber. The precursor is supplied into the reaction chamber during a first phase and the oxygen is supplied into the reaction chamber during a second phase, which is non-overlapping with the first phase. A first pump/valve provides the precursor to the reaction chamber, and a second pump/valve provides the oxygen to the reaction chamber, each in response to a controller. The Ruthenium is selectively deposited on oxide sites patterned on a surface of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition reaction system converts a reactant precursor, which includes the metal Ruthenium, to a vapor during a chemical reaction in order to deposit the metal on a semiconductor wafer. The reactant precursor is Bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Ru. An energy source provides energy to the reaction chamber to induce the chemical reaction. A controllable metering system alternatively supplies the precursor and oxygen to the reaction chamber. The precursor is supplied into the reaction chamber during a first phase and the oxygen is supplied into the reaction chamber during a second phase, which is non-overlapping with the first phase. A first pump/valve provides the precursor to the reaction chamber, and a second pump/valve provides the oxygen to the reaction chamber, each in response to a controller. The Ruthenium is selectively deposited on oxide sites patterned on a surface of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming titanium-containing materials, such as, for example, titanium silicide. The invention can use alternating cycles of titanium halide precursor and one or more reductants to form the titanium-containing material. For instance, the invention can utilize alternating cycles of titanium tetrachloride and activated hydrogen to form titanium silicide on a surface of a silicon-containing substrate.

Abstract: A method of increasing the work function of micro-electrodes includes providing a metal or silica surface functionalized with reactive groups and contacting the functionalized surface with a solution of at least one biochemical, having a permanent dipole moment and being capable of self assembly, for a sufficient time for the biochemical to self assemble molecularly (SAM) on the functionalized surface. The biochemical can be aminopropyl triethoxy silane, fatty acids, organosilicon derivatives, organosulfur compounds, alkyl chains, or dihosphates. Use in a wide variety of metals and metallic compounds is disclosed.