Abstract: An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device provide improved control over a shape of a trench for forming the source and drain features of integrated circuit device, by forming a second doped region in a first doped region and removing the first and the second doped regions by a first and a second wet etching processes.

Abstract: A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a fin structure over the semiconductor substrate, the fin structure including a first material portion over the semiconductor substrate and a second material portion over the first material portion; forming a gate structure over a portion of the fin structure, such that the gate structure traverses the fin structure, thereby separating a source region and a drain region of the fin structure, wherein the source and drain regions of the fin structure define a channel therebetween; removing the second material portion from the source and drain regions of the fin structure; and after removing the second material portion, forming a third material portion in the source and drain regions of the fin structure.

Abstract: Provided is a method of planarizing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate. The method includes forming a first layer over the substrate. The method includes forming a second layer over the first layer. The first and second layers have different material compositions. The method includes forming a third layer over the second layer. The method includes performing a polishing process on the third layer until the third layer is substantially removed. The method includes performing an etch back process to remove the second layer and a portion of the first layer. Wherein an etching selectivity of the etch back process with respect to the first and second layers is approximately 1:1.

Abstract: Provided is a method of planarizing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate. The method includes forming a first material layer on the substrate. The method includes forming a second material layer over the first material layer. The second material layer is softer than the first material layer and has an exposed surface that is not in contact with the first material layer. The method includes flattening the second material layer without removing a portion of the second material layer. The flattening is carried out in a manner such that the exposed surface is substantially flat after the flattening. The method includes performing an etch back process to remove the second material layer and a portion of the first material layer. Wherein an etching selectivity of the etch back process with respect to the first and second material layers is approximately 1:1.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for etching an integrated circuit structure within a trench. A layer to be etched is applied over the structure and within the trench. A CF-based polymer is deposited over the layer to be etched followed by deposition of a capping layer of SiOCl-based polymer. The CF-based polymer reduces the width of the trench to such an extent that little or no SiOCl-based polymer is deposited at the bottom of the trench. An O2 plasma etch is performed to etch through the CF-based polymer at the bottom of the trench. The O2 plasma etch has little effect on the SiOCl-based polymer, the thus the upper surfaces of the structure remain covered with polymer. Thus, these upper surfaces remain fully protected during subsequent etching of the layer to be etched.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus of fluorine passivation in IC device fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate and passivating a surface of the substrate with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and alcohol to form a fluorine-passivated surface. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer over the fluorine-passivated surface, and then forming a metal gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer. A semiconductor device fabricated by such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a FinFET element. The FinFET element includes a germanium-FinFET element (e.g., a multi-gate device including a Ge-fin). In one embodiment, device includes a fin having a first portion including Ge and a second portion, underlying the first portion and including an insulating material (e.g., silicon dioxide). A gate structure may be formed on the fin.

Abstract: Provided is a photolithography apparatus including a photomask. The photomask includes a pattern having a plurality of features, in an example, dummy line features. The pattern includes a first region being in the form of a localized on-grid array and a second region where at least one of the features has an increased width. The apparatus may include a second photomask which may define an active region. The feature with an increased width may be adjacent, and outside, the defined active region.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes chemically cleaning a surface of a substrate to form a chemical oxide material on the surface. At least a portion of the chemical oxide material is removed at a removing rate of about 2 nanometer/minute (nm/min) or less. Thereafter, a gate dielectric layer is formed over the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A structure for a field effect transistor on a substrate that includes a gate stack, an isolation structure and a source/drain (S/D) recess cavity below the top surface of the substrate disposed between the gate stack and the isolation structure. The recess cavity having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion having a first strained layer and a first dielectric film. The first strained layer disposed between the isolation structure and the first dielectric film. A thickness of the first dielectric film less than a thickness of the first strained layer. The upper portion having a second strained layer overlying the first strained layer and first dielectric film.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a FinFET element and method of fabricating a FinFET element. The FinFET element includes a germanium-FinFET element (e.g., a multi-gate device including a Ge-fin). In one embodiment, the method of fabrication the Ge-FinFET element includes forming silicon fins on a substrate and selectively growing an epitaxial layer including germanium on the silicon fins. A Ge-condensation process may then be used to selectively oxidize the silicon of the Si-fin and transform the Si-fin to a Ge-fin. The method of fabrication provided may allow use of SOI substrate or bulk silicon substrates, and CMOS-compatible processes to form the Ge-FinFET element.

Abstract: Provided is a photolithography apparatus including a photomask. The photomask includes a pattern having a plurality, of features, in an example, dummy line features. The pattern includes a first region being in the form of a localized on-grid array and a second region where at least one of the features has an increased width. The apparatus may include a second photomask which may define an active region. The feature with an increased width may be adjacent, and outside, the defined active region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming a mask layer over a substrate, forming a dummy layer having a first dummy feature and a second dummy feature over the mask layer, forming first and second spacer roofs to cover a top portion of the first and second dummy features, respectively, and forming first and second spacer sleeves to encircle side portions of the first and second dummy features, respectively, removing the first spacer roof and the first dummy feature while protecting the second dummy feature, removing a first end portion and a second end portion of the first spacer sleeve to form spacer fins, and patterning the mask layer using the spacer fins as a first mask element and the second dummy feature as a second mask element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus of fluorine passivation in IC device fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate and passivating a surface of the substrate with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and alcohol to form a fluorine-passivated surface. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer over the fluorine-passivated surface, and then forming a metal gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer. A semiconductor device fabricated by such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A CMOS FinFET semiconductor device provides an NMOS FinFET device that includes a compressive stress metal gate layer over semiconductor fins and a PMOS FinFET device that includes a tensile stress metal gate layer over semiconductor fins. A process for forming the same includes a selective annealing process that selectively converts a compressive metal gate film formed over the PMOS device to the tensile stress metal gate film.

Abstract: Provided is a photolithography apparatus including a photomask. The photomask includes a pattern having a plurality, of features, in an example, dummy line features. The pattern includes a first region being in the form of a localized on-grid array and a second region where at least one of the features has an increased width. The apparatus may include a second photomask which may define an active region. The feature with an increased width may be adjacent, and outside, the defined active region.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a fluorine-passivated surface of a substrate. A device quality silicon oxide layer is formed by causing the fluorine-passivated surface to interact with an oxygen-containing gas. Hydroxyl groups are substantially formed on a surface of the device quality silicon oxide layer. A high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric layer is formed on the surface of the device quality silicon oxide layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a trench in the substrate, where a bottom surface of the trench has a first crystal plane orientation and a side surface of the trench has a second crystal plane orientation, and epitaxially (epi) growing a semiconductor material in the trench. The epi process utilizes an etch component. A first growth rate on the first crystal plane orientation is different from a second growth rate on the second crystal plane orientation.

Abstract: A CMOS FinFET semiconductor device provides an NMOS FinFET device that includes a compressive stress metal gate layer over semiconductor fins and a PMOS FinFET device that includes a tensile stress metal gate layer over semiconductor fins. A process for forming the same includes a selective annealing process that selectively converts a compressive metal gate film formed over the PMOS device to the tensile stress metal gate film.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a microelectronic device. The method includes forming recessed shallow trench isolation (STI) features in a semiconductor substrate, defining a semiconductor region between adjacent two of the recessed STI features; forming a tunnel dielectric feature within the semiconductor region; forming a nitride layer on the recessed STI features and the tunnel dielectric feature; etching the nitride layer to form nitride openings within the recessed STI features; partially removing the recessed STI features through the nitride openings, resulting in gaps between the nitride layer and the recessed STI features; and forming a first dielectric material on surfaces of the nitride layer, sealing the nitride openings.