Abstract: A mask/wafer control structure and an algorithm for placement thereof provide for data placement of measurement control structures, called a PLS, Pitch and Linearity Structure, on a mask and a plurality of chips on the wafer which provide for tighter control of both mask manufacture and wafer production by providing the most critical design structures for measurement during creation of the mask, and in the photolithography and etch processes. The PLS structures are located at multiple locations throughout the chip, so they receive the same data preparation as the chip, and measurement tools are able to measure the same features at each fabrication step from fabrication of the mask to final formation of the etched features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device design and method for forming Field Effect Transistors (FETs) that have improved performance without negative impacts to device density. The present invention forms high-gain p-channel transistors by forming them on silicon islands where hole mobility has been increased. The hole mobility is increased by applying physical straining to the silicon islands. By straining the silicon islands, the hole mobility is increased resulting in increased device gain. This is accomplished without requiring an increase in the size of the devices, or the size of the contacts to the devices.

Abstract: A method for detecting semiconductor process stress-induced defects. The method comprising: providing a polysilicon-bounded test diode, the diode comprising a diffused first region within an upper portion of a second region of a silicon substrate, the second region of an opposite dopant type from the first region, the first region surrounded by a peripheral dielectric isolation, a peripheral polysilicon gate comprising a polysilicon layer over a dielectric layer and the gate overlapping a peripheral portion of the first region; stressing the diode; and monitoring the stressed diode for spikes in gate current during the stress, determining the frequency distribution of the slope of the forward bias voltage versus the first region current at the pre-selected forward bias voltage and monitoring, after stress, the diode for soft breakdown. A DRAM cell may,be substituted for the diode. The use of the diode as an antifuse is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of ensuring against deterioration of an underlying silicide layer over which a refractory material layer is deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is realized by first providing a continuous polysilicon layer prior to the refractory material deposition. The continuous polysilicon layer, preferably no thicker than 50 Å, serves a sacrificial purpose and prevents interaction between any fluorine that is released during the refractory material deposition step from interacting with the underlying silicide.

Abstract: A method to define and tailor process limited lithographic features is provided. The method may be used to form sub lithographic spaces between features on a semiconductor wafer. A mask is formed and patterned on the wafer. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the mask. The pattern of the mask and spacers is then transferred to an underlying layer.

Abstract: A body contact structure utilizing an insulating structure between the body contact portion of the active area and the transistor portion of the active area is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention substitutes an insulator for at least a portion of the gate layer in the regions between the transistor and the body contact. In another embodiment, a portion of the gate layer is removed and replaced with an insulative layer in regions between the transistor and the body contact. In still another embodiment, the insulative structure is formed by forming multiple layers of gate dielectric between the gate and the body in regions between the transistor and the body contact. The body contact produced by these methods adds no significant gate capacitance to the gate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device design and method for forming Field Effect Transistors (FETs) that have improved performance without negative impacts to device density. The present invention forms high-gain p-channel transistors by forming them on silicon islands where hole mobility has been increased. The hole mobility is increased by applying physical straining to the silicon islands. By straining the silicon islands, the hole mobility is increased resulting in increased device gain. This is accomplished without requiring an increase in the size of the devices, or the size of the contacts to the devices.

Abstract: A vertically oriented FET having a self-aligned dog-bone structure as well as a method for fabricating the same are provided. Specifically, the vertically oriented FET includes a channel region, a source region and a drain region. The channel region has a first horizontal width and the source and drain regions having a second horizontal width that is greater than the first horizontal width. Each of the source and drain regions have tapered portions abutting the channel region with a horizontal width that varies in a substantially linear manner from the first horizontal width to the second horizontal width.

Abstract: An asymmetric field effect transistor (FET) that has a threshold voltage that is compatible with current CMOS circuit designs and a low-resistance gate electrode is provided. Specifically, the asymmetric FET includes a p-type gate portion and an n-type gate portion on a vertical semiconductor body; an interconnect between the p-type gate portion and the n-type gate portion; and a planarizing structure above the interconnect.

Abstract: A solid-state CCD device suitable for forming into arrays and for use with suitable hardware to form video image capture devices and methods for fabricating same are provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting semiconductor process stress-induced defects. The method comprising: providing a polysilicon-bounded test diode, the diode comprising a diffused first region within an upper portion of a second region of a silicon substrate, the second region of an opposite dopant type from the first region, the first region surrounded by a peripheral dielectric isolation, a peripheral polysilicon gate comprising a polysilicon layer over a dielectric layer and the gate overlapping a peripheral portion of the first region; stressing the diode; and monitoring the stressed diode for spikes in gate current during the stress, determining the frequency distribution of the slope of the forward bias voltage versus the first region current at the pre-selected forward bias voltage and monitoring, after stress, the diode for soft breakdown. A DRAM cell may be substituted for the diode. The use of the diode as an antifuse is also disclosed.

Abstract: Off-current is not compromised in a field effect transistor having a gate length less than 100 nanometers in length by maintaining the conduction channel width one-half to one-quarter of the gate length and locating the gate on at least two sides of the conduction channel and to thus create a full depletion device. Such a narrow conduction channel is achieved by forming a trough at minimum lithographic dimensions, forming sidewalls within the trough and etching the gate structure self-aligned with the sidewalls. The conduction channel is then epitaxially grown from the source structure in the trough such that the source, conduction channel and drain region are a unitary monocrystalline structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate and having an active well scheme as well as methods, including a non-self-aligned and self-aligned, of fabricating such a device are disclosed herein. The semiconductor device includes field effect transistor 124 comprising at least body region 127 and diffusion regions 132; buried interconnect plane 122 optionally self-aligned to diffusion regions 132 and in contact with body region 127; isolation oxide region 118 between diffusion regions 132 and buried interconnect plane 122; and buried oxide layer 104 present beneath buried interconnect plane 122.

Abstract: A method of implementing a new reticle for manufacturing semiconductors on a wafer which involves performing measurements on the reticle and assigning an initial exposure dose by using a predetermined algorithm. The exposure control system utilizes reticle CD data for automatically calculating reticle exposure offset values, i.e. reticle factors. A correlation of reticle size deviations to calculated reticle factors is used to derive a reticle factor for the new reticle. The derived reticle factor is then used to predict an initial exposure condition for the new reticle which is applied to the lithography tool for achieving a wafer design dimension.

Abstract: A device with an optically controlled VT is disclosed. The device includes a semiconductor die which includes an FET, the FET having a gate on an upper surface of a substrate, a body under the gate and a source contacting the body forming a body-to-source junction. A light source is provided for exposing the body to light from the lower surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for fabricating a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) having a double-gate and a double-channel wherein the gate region is self-aligned to the channel regions and the source/drain diffusion junctions. The present invention also relates to the FIN MOSFFET structure which is formed using method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for making electrical contacts to device regions in a semiconductor substrate, and the resulting structure, is presented. A first set of borderless contacts is initially formed. This first set of contacts is then contacted by a second series of smaller, upper-level contacts. The second set of contacts also contact the gate of the device. The structure which results has a form wherein there are stacked contacts to the diffusion layer, and a single level contact to the device gate. The structure further provides local interconnectability over gate structures.

Abstract: A self aligned method of forming a semiconductor memory array of floating gate memory cells in a semiconductor substrate has a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions on the substrate substantially parallel to one another. An active region is between each pair of adjacent isolation regions. The active and isolation regions are formed in parallel and in the column direction. In the row direction, strips of spaced apart silicon nitride are formed. A source line plug is formed between adjacent pairs of silicon nitride and is in contact with a first region in the active regions, and the isolation regions. The strips of silicon nitride are removed and isotropically etched. In addition, the materials beneath the silicon nitride are also isotropically etched. Polysilicon spacers are then formed in the row direction parallel to the source line plug and adjacent to the floating gates to form connected control gates. A second region is formed between adjacent, spaced apart, control gates.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprising: an SOI substrate having a thin silicon layer on top of a buried insulator; and an SRAM comprising four NFETs and two PFETs located in the thin silicon layer, each the NFET and PFET having a body region between a source region and a drain region, wherein the bodies of two of the NFETs are electrically connected to ground. Additionally, the bodies of the two PFETs are electrically connected to VDD.

Abstract: A method and structure for a EEPROM memory device integrated with high performance logic or NVRAM. The EEPROM device includes a floating gate and program gate self-aligned with one another. During programming, electron tunneling occurs between the floating gate and the program gate.