Abstract: Increasing the number of successive pulses of oxidant before applying pulses of metal precursor may improve the quality of the resulting metal or rare earth oxide films. These metal or rare earth oxide films may be utilized for high dielectric constant gate dielectrics. In addition, pulsing the oxidant during the pre-stabilization period may be advantageous. Also, using more pulses of oxidant than the pulses of precursor may reduce chlorine concentration in the resulting films.

Abstract: A gate structure may be utilized as a mask to form source and drain regions. Then the gate structure may be removed to form a gap and spacers may be formed in the gap to define a trench. In the process of forming a trench into the substrate, a portion of the source drain region is removed. Then the substrate is filled back up with an epitaxial material and a new gate structure is formed thereover. As a result, more abrupt source drain junctions may be achieved.

Abstract: In a metal gate replacement process, a stack of at least two polysilicon layers or other materials may be formed. Sidewall spacers may be formed on the stack. The stack may then be planarized. Next, the upper layer of the stack may be selectively removed. Then, the exposed portions of the sidewall spacers may be selectively removed. Finally, the lower portion of the stack may be removed to form a T-shaped trench which may be filled with the metal replacement.

Abstract: Replacement metal gates may be formed by removing a polysilicon layer from a gate structure. The gate structure may be formed by patterning the polysilicon layer and depositing a spacer layer over the gate structure such that the spacer layer has a first polish rate. The spacer layer is then etched to form a sidewall spacer. An interlayer dielectric is applied over the gate structure with the sidewall spacer. The interlayer dielectric has a second polish rate higher than the first polish rate. A hard mask may also be applied over the gate structure and implanted so that the hard mask may be more readily removed.

Abstract: Replacement metal gates may be formed by removing a polysilicon layer from a gate structure. The gate structure may be formed by patterning the polysilicon layer and depositing a spacer layer over the gate structure such that the spacer layer has a first polish rate. The spacer layer is then etched to form a sidewall spacer. An interlayer dielectric is applied over the gate structure with the sidewall spacer. The interlayer dielectric has a second polish rate higher than the first polish rate. In one embodiment, the interlayer dielectric has a lower polish rate than that of oxide.

Abstract: A method for selectively etching metal and metal-based films during integrated circuit fabrication. For one embodiment known chelators, which may be in relatively high concentration are used to etch metal films. In various alternative embodiments new chelators, developed by tailoring known chelators to target specific metals, are used to etch metal films. A metallic film is deposited on a substrate, the metallic film containing one or more specific metals. A layer of photoresist is deposited on the metallic film and patterned to mask a desired portion of the metallic film while exposing an undesired portion of the metallic film. One or more chelating agents are selected based upon the one or more specific metals contained in the metallic film and used to remove the undesired portion of the metallic film.

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: Complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuits may be formed with NMOS and PMOS transistors having different gate dielectrics. The different gate dielectrics may be formed, for example, by a subtractive process. The gate dielectrics may differ in material, thickness, or formation techniques, as a few examples.

Abstract: A sacrificial gate structure, including nitride and fill layers, may be replaced with a metal gate electrode. The metal gate electrode may again be covered with a nitride layer covered by a fill layer. The replacement of the nitride and fill layers may reintroduce strain and provide an etch stop.

Abstract: A metal gate transistor may include a metal layer over a high dielectric constant dielectric layer. The dielectric layer abstracts electronegativity from said metal layer, altering its workfunction. The workfunction of the metal layer may be set to compensate for the dielectric layer abstraction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is described that comprises a gate dielectric and a metal gate electrode that comprises an aluminide.

Abstract: Methods and associated structures of forming a microelectronic device are described. Those methods comprise providing a substrate comprising a first transistor structure comprising an n-type gate material and second transistor structure comprising a p-type gate material, selectively removing the n-type gate material to form a recess in the first gate structure, and then filling the recess with an n-type metal gate material.

Abstract: Complementary metal oxide semiconductor metal gate transistors may be formed by depositing a metal layer in trenches formerly inhabited by patterned gate structures. The patterned gate structures may have been formed of polysilicon in one embodiment. The metal layer may have a workfunction most suitable for forming one type of transistor, but is used to form both the n and p-type transistors. The workfunction of the metal layer may be converted, for example, by ion implantation to make it more suitable for use in forming transistors of the opposite type.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a trench within the dielectric layer, and forming a high-k gate dielectric layer within the trench. After forming a first metal layer on the high-k gate dielectric layer, a second metal layer is formed on the first metal layer. At least part of the second metal layer is removed from above the dielectric layer using a polishing step, and additional material is removed from above the dielectric layer using an etch step.

Abstract: A buffer layer and a high-k metal oxide dielectric may be formed over a smooth silicon substrate. The substrate smoothness may reduce column growth of the high-k metal oxide gate dielectric. The surface of the substrate may be saturated with hydroxyl terminations prior to deposition.

Abstract: Complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuits may be formed with NMOS and PMOS transistors having different gate dielectrics. The different gate dielectrics may be formed, for example, by a replacement process. The gate dielectrics may differ in material, thickness, or formation techniques, as a few examples.

Abstract: A metal oxide layer on a substrate is converted at least partly to a metal layer. At least part of the metal layer is covered by an oxidation resistant cover. The covered layer and underlying metal may be removed, for example, using acid.

Abstract: In a metal gate replacement process, a gate electrode stack may be formed of a germanium containing layer. In subsequent processing of the source/drains, high temperature steps may be utilized, forming a germinide on said stacks. That germinide may be removed, prior to removing the rest of the stack, using H2O2.

Abstract: In a metal gate replacement process, a cup-shaped gate metal oxide dielectric may have a vertical portion that may be exposed to a silicon ion implantation. As a result of the implantation, the dielectric constant of a vertical portion may be reduced, reducing fringe capacitance.

Abstract: In a metal gate replacement process, a gate electrode stack may be formed of a dielectric covered by a sacrificial metal layer covered by a polysilicon gate electrode. In subsequent processing of the source/drains, high temperature steps may be utilized. The sacrificial metal layer prevents reactions between the polysilicon gate electrode and the underlying high dielectric constant dielectric. As a result, adverse consequences of the reaction between the polysilicon and the high dielectric constant dielectric material can be reduced.