Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to various methods of recessing an active region and an adjacent isolation structure in a common etch process. One illustrative method disclosed includes forming an isolation structure in a semiconducting substrate, wherein the isolation structure defines an active area in the substrate, forming a patterned masking layer above the substrate, wherein the patterned masking layer exposes the active area and at least a portion of the isolation structure for further processing, and performing a non-selective dry etching process on the exposed active area and the exposed portion of the isolation structure to define a recess in the substrate and to remove at least some of the exposed portions of the isolation structure.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a planarization stop layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. A trench is etched through the planarization stop layer and into the semiconductor substrate and is filled with an isolation material. The isolation material is planarized to establish a top surface of the isolation material coplanar with the planarization stop layer. In the method, a dry deglaze process is performed to remove a portion of the planarization stop layer and a portion of the isolation material to lower the top surface of the isolation material to a desired stepheight above the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming isolation structures, such as trench isolation structures, for semiconductor devices. In one example, the method includes forming a trench in a semiconducting substrate, forming a lower isolation structure in the trench, wherein the lower isolation structure has an upper surface that is below an upper surface of the substrate, and forming an upper isolation structure above the lower isolation structure, wherein a portion of the upper isolation structure is positioned within the trench.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to various methods of recessing an active region and an adjacent isolation structure in a common etch process. One illustrative method disclosed includes forming an isolation structure in a semiconducting substrate, wherein the isolation structure defines an active area in the substrate, forming a patterned masking layer above the substrate, wherein the patterned masking layer exposes the active area and at least a portion of the isolation structure for further processing, and performing a non-selective dry etching process on the exposed active area and the exposed portion of the isolation structure to define a recess in the substrate and to remove at least some of the exposed portions of the isolation structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming isolation structures, such as trench isolation structures, for semiconductor devices using a spin-on glass material or a flowable oxide material. In one example, the method includes forming a trench in a semiconducting substrate, forming a lower isolation structure comprised of an insulating material in at least the trench, wherein the lower isolation structure has an upper surface that is below an upper surface of the substrate, and forming an upper isolation structure above the lower isolation structure, wherein a portion of the upper isolation structure is positioned within the trench.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a planarization stop layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. A trench is etched through the planarization stop layer and into the semiconductor substrate and is filled with an isolation material. The isolation material is planarized to establish a top surface of the isolation material coplanar with the planarization stop layer. In the method, a dry deglaze process is performed to remove a portion of the planarization stop layer and a portion of the isolation material to lower the top surface of the isolation material to a desired stepheight above the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming isolation structures, such as trench isolation structures, for semiconductor devices. In one example, the method includes forming a trench in a semiconducting substrate, forming a lower isolation structure in the trench, wherein the lower isolation structure has an upper surface that is below an upper surface of the substrate, and forming an upper isolation structure above the lower isolation structure, wherein a portion of the upper isolation structure is positioned within the trench.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming stepped isolation structures for semiconductor devices using a spacer technique. In one example, the method includes forming a first trench in a semiconducting substrate, wherein the first trench has a bottom surface, a width and a depth, the depth of the first trench being less than a target final depth for a stepped trench isolation structure, performing an etching process through the first trench on an exposed portion of the bottom surface of the first trench to form a second trench in the substrate, wherein the second trench has a width and a depth, and wherein the width of the second trench is less than the width of the first trench, and forming the stepped isolation structure in the first and second trenches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transistor comprising a gate channel area and a gate stack having mechanical stress arranged on the gate channel area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transistor comprising a gate channel area and a gate stack having mechanical stress arranged on the gate channel area.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit comprises electronic elements and isolation elements, wherein the electronic elements and the isolation elements are arranged at a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The isolation elements each are arranged between electronic elements and electrically isolate the electronic elements from each other. Furthermore, the isolation elements comprise an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part is broader than the lower part.

Abstract: A description is given of a method for a selective masking of a structure with a small structure surface with respect to a structure with a larger structure surface. To that end, the structures are filled with a covering layer. The covering layer is formed with a larger thickness above the first structure, which has the larger structure surface, than above the second structure. Afterward, the covering layer is removed by a homogeneous removal method, so that first the structure surface of the second structure is uncovered. A simple self-aligning method for fabricating a mask for uncovering the second structure is thus provided.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating a filling in a trench of a semiconductor substrate includes providing a first barrier layer in a trench and a second barrier layer disposed above the first barrier layer. The trench is filled with a filling, which is subsequently etched back in an upper trench section, so that a hole is produced and a filling residue remains in a lower trench section. Subsequently, a non-conformal cover layer is provided in an upper trench section, so that the cover layer of a bottom region has a first thickness greater than a second thickness of a wall region of the cover layer. The cover layer and the second barrier layer are isotropically etched-back and removed from the upper trench section, and the first barrier layer remains. The bottom region remains covered resulting in the filling residue being encapsulated by the first barrier layer and the residual cover layer.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating a filling in a trench of a semiconductor substrate includes providing a first barrier layer in a trench and a second barrier layer disposed above the first barrier layer. The trench is filled with a filling, which is subsequently etched back in an upper trench section, so that a hole is produced and a filling residue remains in a lower trench section. Subsequently, a non-conformal cover layer is provided in an upper trench section, so that the cover layer of a bottom region has a first thickness greater than a second thickness of a wall region of the cover layer. The cover layer and the second barrier layer are isotropically etched-back and removed from the upper trench section, and the first barrier layer remains. The bottom region remains covered resulting in the filling residue being encapsulated by the first barrier layer and the residual cover layer.

Abstract: A description is given of a method for a selective masking of a structure with a small structure surface with respect to a structure with a larger structure surface. To that end, the structures are filled with a covering layer. The covering layer is formed with a larger thickness above the first structure, which has the larger structure surface, than above the second structure. Afterward, the covering layer is removed by a homogeneous removal method, so that first the structure surface of the second structure is uncovered. A simple self-aligning method for fabricating a mask for uncovering the second structure is thus provided.