Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode is described, comprising forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer having a first work function on the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer having a second work function on the first metal layer, such that a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer which has a work function that is determined from the work function of the alloy of the two types of metal. The work function of a microelectronic transistor can be varied or “tuned” depending on the precise definition and control of the metal types, layer sequence, individual layer thickness and total number of layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite sputtering target comprising a plurality of bonded metal pieces. The composite sputtering target further comprises a bonded region between the metal pieces. The bonded region may comprise an inter-metallic region upon bonding. The composite sputter target of the present invention may be used in conjunction with an apparatus for sputtering alloy films on substrates.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Those methods comprise forming a first adhesion layer on a conductive layer, forming an intermediate layer on the first adhesion layer, and forming a barrier layer on the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a coefficient of thermal expansion that is approximately between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first adhesion layer and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the barrier layer.

Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of fabricating an under bump metallization structure including an adhesion layer abutting a conductive pad, a molybdenum-containing barrier layer abutting the adhesion layer, a wetting layer abutting the molybdenum-containing barrier layer, and high tin content solder material abutting the wetting layer. The wetting layer may be substantially subsumed in the high content solder forming an intermetallic compound layer. The molybdenum-containing barrier layer prevents the movement of tin in the high tin content solder material from migrating to dielectric layers abutting the conductive pad and potentially causing delamination and/or attacking any underlying structures, particularly copper structures, which may be present.

Abstract: Passivation coatings and gettering agents may be used in an Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) source which uses tin (Sn) vapor as a plasma “fuel” to prevent contamination and corresponding loss of reflectivity due to tin contamination. The passivation coating may be a material to which tin does not adhere, and may be placed on reflective surfaces in the source chamber. The gettering agent may be a material that reacts strongly with tin, and may be placed outside of the collector mirrors and/or on non-reflective surfaces. A passivation coating may also be provided on the insulator between the anode and cathode of the source electrodes to prevent shorting due to tin coating the insulator surface.

Abstract: A technique for producing an enhanced gate structure having a silicon-nitride buffer. Embodiments relate to the structure and development of a gate structure having a silicon-nitride buffer layer deposited upon a dielectric layer, upon which a gate material, such as polysilicon, is deposited.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of fabricating an under bump metallization structure including an adhesion layer abutting a conductive pad, a molybdenum-containing barrier layer abutting the adhesion layer, a wetting layer abutting the molybdenum-containing barrier layer, and high tin content solder material abutting the wetting layer. The wetting layer may be substantially subsumed in the high content solder forming an intermetallic compound layer. The molybdenum-containing barrier layer prevents the movement of tin in the high tin content solder material from migrating to dielectric layers abutting the conductive pad and potentially causing delamination and/or attacking any underlying structures, particularly copper structures, which may be present.

Abstract: A high-K thin film patterning solution is disclosed to address structural and process limitations of conventional patterning techniques. Subsequent to formation of gate structures adjacent a high-K dielectric layer, a portion of the high-K dielectric layer material is reduced, preferably via exposure to hydrogen gas, to form a reduced portion of the high-K dielectric layer. The reduced portion may be selectively removed utilizing wet etch chemistries to leave behind a trench of desirable geometric properties.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a metal oxide layer on a substrate, converting at least part of the metal oxide layer to a metal layer; and oxidizing the metal layer to generate a metal oxide high-k gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A technique for producing an enhanced gate structure having a silicon-nitride buffer. Embodiments relate to the structure and development of a gate structure having a silicon-nitride buffer layer deposited upon a dielectric layer, upon which a gate material, such as polysilicon, is deposited.

Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.

Abstract: A high-K thin film patterning solution is disclosed to address structural and process limitations of conventional patterning techniques. Subsequent to formation of gate structures adjacent a high-K dielectric layer, a portion of the high-K dielectric layer material is reduced, preferably via exposure to hydrogen gas, to form a reduced portion of the high-K dielectric layer. The reduced portion may be selectively removed utilizing wet etch chemistries to leave behind a trench of desirable geometric properties.

Abstract: A high-K thin film patterning solution is disclosed to address structural and process limitations of conventional patterning techniques. Subsequent to formation of gate structures adjacent a high-K dielectric layer, a portion of the high-K dielectric layer material is reduced, preferably via exposure to hydrogen gas, to form a reduced portion of the high-K dielectric layer. The reduced portion may be selectively removed utilizing wet etch chemistries to leave behind a trench of desirable geometric properties.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode is described, comprising forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer having a first work function on the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer having a second work function on the first metal layer, such that a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer which has a work function that is determined from the work function of the alloy of the two types of metal. The work function of a microelectronic transistor can be varied or “tuned” depending on the precise definition and control of the metal types, layer sequence, individual layer thickness and total number of layers.

Abstract: A liquid form oxidizer may be utilized to form a high dielectric constant dielectric material from a metallic precursor for semiconductor applications. The use of a liquid rather than a gaseous oxidizer reduces the presence of an oxidation under layer under the metallic precursor. It may also, in some embodiments, result in a purer dielectric film.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode is described, comprising forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer having a first work function on the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer having a second work function on the first metal layer, such that a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer which has a work function that is determined from the work function of the alloy of the two types of metal. The work function of a microelectronic transistor can be varied or “tuned” depending on the precise definition and control of the metal types, layer sequence, individual layer thickness and total number of layers.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a capacitor in a microelectronic device utilizing a sputter deposition technique for forming a capacitor dielectric material on a copper-containing plate of the capacitor. Such a sputter deposition technique can be achieved at about room temperature, which should not induce stresses on the copper-containing plate, and, thus, should not generate hillocks.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode is described, comprising forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer having a first work function on the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer having a second work function on the first metal layer, such that a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer which has a work function that is determined from the work function of the alloy of the two types of metal. The work function of a microelectronic transistor can be varied or “tuned” depending on the precise definition and control of the metal types, layer sequence, individual layer thickness and total number of layers.

Abstract: A document imprinter, especially for labels, tickets, tags, and the like, having an elastomeric platen with an outermost thin sleeve which is harder than the underlying platen material thereby resulting in sharper printing. The sleeve is preferably of a material which is smooth and glossy and non-adherent to adhesives, thus minimizing undesired transfer to the platen of adhesive from the web to be imprinted.