Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided, which includes providing gate structures over an active region and forming a hard mask segment on the active region positioned between a first gate structure and a second gate structure. Cavities are formed in the active region using the gate structures and the hard mask segment as masking features, wherein each cavity has a width substantially equal to a minimum gate-to-gate spacing of the semiconductor device. Epitaxial material is grown in the cavities to form substantially uniform epitaxial structures in the active region.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided, which includes providing gate structures over an active region and forming a hard mask segment on the active region positioned between a first gate structure and a second gate structure. Cavities are formed in the active region using the gate structures and the hard mask segment as masking features, wherein each cavity has a width substantially equal to a minimum gate-to-gate spacing of the semiconductor device. Epitaxial material is grown in the cavities to form substantially uniform epitaxial structures in the active region.

Abstract: A method of forming an SDB that is self-aligned to a dummy gate and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing a plurality of gates over a SOI layer above a BOX layer, each gate having a pair of sidewall spacers and a cap layer, and a raised S/D epitaxial regions over the SOI layer between each gate; removing a gate of the plurality of gates and a portion of the SOI layer exposed by the removing of the gate, and a portion of the BOX layer underneath the SOI layer, the removing forms a trench; forming a liner of a first dielectric material over and along sidewalls of the trench; and filling the trench with a second dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of forming an SDB that is self-aligned to a dummy gate and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing a plurality of gates over a SOI layer above a BOX layer, each gate having a pair of sidewall spacers and a cap layer, and a raised S/D epitaxial regions over the SOI layer between each gate; removing a gate of the plurality of gates and a portion of the SOI layer exposed by the removing of the gate, and a portion of the BOX layer underneath the SOI layer, the removing forms a trench; forming a liner of a first dielectric material over and along sidewalls of the trench; and filling the trench with a second dielectric material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first mandrel layer above a first process layer. A first implant region is formed in the first mandrel layer. The first mandrel layer is patterned to define a plurality of first mandrel elements. At least a first subset of the first mandrel elements is formed from the first mandrel layer outside the first implant region and a second subset of the first mandrel elements is formed from the first implant region. First spacers are formed on sidewalls of the plurality of first mandrel elements. The first subset of the first mandrel elements are selectively removed without removing the second subset of the first mandrel elements. The first process layer is patterned using the first spacers and the second subset of the first mandrel elements as an etch mask.

Abstract: A process including forming a silicon layer over a semiconductor wafer having features thereon and then selectively ion implanting in the silicon layer to form ion implanted regions. The step of selectively ion implanting is repeated as many times as necessary to obtain a predetermined number and density of features. Thereafter, the silicon layer is etched to form openings in the silicon layer that were formerly occupied by the ion implanted regions. The opened areas in the silicon layer form a mask for further processing of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor process and apparatus includes forming <100> channel orientation CMOS transistors (24, 34) with enhanced hole mobility in the NMOS channel region and reduced channel defectivity in the PMOS region by depositing a first tensile etch stop layer (51) over the PMOS and NMOS gate structures, etching the tensile etch stop layer (51) to form tensile sidewall spacers (62) on the exposed gate sidewalls, and then depositing a second hydrogen rich compressive or neutral etch stop layer (72) over the NMOS and PMOS gate structures (26, 36) and the tensile sidewall spacers (62). In other embodiments, a first hydrogen-rich etch stop layer (81) is deposited and etched to form sidewall spacers (92) on the exposed gate sidewalls, and then a second tensile etch stop layer (94) is deposited over the NMOS and PMOS gate structures (26, 36) and the sidewall spacers (92).

Abstract: A semiconductor process and apparatus includes forming <100> channel orientation CMOS transistors (24, 34) with enhanced hole mobility in the NMOS channel region and reduced channel defectivity in the PMOS region by depositing a first tensile etch stop layer (51) over the PMOS and NMOS gate structures, etching the tensile etch stop layer (51) to form tensile sidewall spacers (62) on the exposed gate sidewalls, and then depositing a second hydrogen rich compressive or neutral etch stop layer (72) over the NMOS and PMOS gate structures (26, 36) and the tensile sidewall spacers (62). In other embodiments, a first hydrogen-rich etch stop layer (81) is deposited and etched to form sidewall spacers (92) on the exposed gate sidewalls, and then a second tensile etch stop layer (94) is deposited over the NMOS and PMOS gate structures (26, 36) and the sidewall spacers (92).

Abstract: A process including forming a silicon layer over a semiconductor wafer having features thereon and then selectively ion implanting in the silicon layer to form ion implanted regions. The step of selectively ion implanting is repeated as many times as necessary to obtain a predetermined number and density of features. Thereafter, the silicon layer is etched to form openings in the silicon layer that were formerly occupied by the ion implanted regions. The opened areas in the silicon layer form a mask for further processing of the semiconductor wafer.