Abstract: Integrated circuit devices include trenches in a material layer that divide the material layer into fins. With such devices, an insulator partially fills the trenches and contacts the material layer. The top surface of the insulator (e.g., the surface opposite where the insulator contacts the material layer) has a convex dome shape between at least two of the fins. The dome shape has a first thickness from (from the bottom of the trench) where the insulator contacts the fins, and a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness where the insulator is between the fins. Further, there is a maximum thickness difference between the first and second thicknesses at the midpoint between the fins (e.g., the highest point of the dome shape is at the midpoint between the fins). Also, the top surface of the first insulator has concave divots where the first insulator contacts the fins.

Abstract: Methods of forming a field-effect transistor and structures for a field-effect transistor. A gate structure is formed that overlaps with a channel region beneath a top surface of a semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin is etched with an anisotropic etching process to form a cavity having a sidewall with a planar section extending vertically toward the top surface of the semiconductor fin and adjacent to the channel region in the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin is then etched with an isotropic etching process that widens the cavity at the top surface while preserving verticality of the planar section.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices include trenches in a material layer that divide the material layer into fins. With such devices, an insulator partially fills the trenches and contacts the material layer. The top surface of the insulator (e.g., the surface opposite where the insulator contacts the material layer) has a convex dome shape between at least two of the fins. The dome shape has a first thickness from (from the bottom of the trench) where the insulator contacts the fins, and a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness where the insulator is between the fins. Further, there is a maximum thickness difference between the first and second thicknesses at the midpoint between the fins (e.g., the highest point of the dome shape is at the midpoint between the fins). Also, the top surface of the first insulator has concave divots where the first insulator contacts the fins.

Abstract: Methods of forming a field-effect transistor and structures for a field-effect transistor. A gate structure is formed that overlaps with a channel region beneath a top surface of a semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin is etched with an anisotropic etching process to form a cavity having a sidewall with a planar section extending vertically toward the top surface of the semiconductor fin and adjacent to the channel region in the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin is then etched with an isotropic etching process that widens the cavity at the top surface while preserving verticality of the planar section.

Abstract: A gate pattern is formed on a first region of a substrate. An epitaxial layer is formed on a second region of the substrate. A recess is formed in the second region of the substrate by etching the epitaxial layer and the substrate underneath. The first region is adjacent to the second region.

Abstract: A gate pattern is formed on a first region of a substrate. An epitaxial layer is formed on a second region of the substrate. A recess is formed in the second region of the substrate by etching the epitaxial layer and the substrate underneath. The first region is adjacent to the second region.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuits having a compressive nitride layer are disclosed. In one example, a method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes depositing an aluminum layer over a semiconductor substrate, depositing a tensile silicon nitride layer or a neutral silicon nitride layer over the aluminum layer, and depositing a compressive silicon nitride layer over the tensile silicon nitride layer or the neutral silicon nitride layer. The compressive silicon nitride layer is deposited at a thickness that is at least about twice a thickness of the tensile silicon nitride layer or the neutral silicon nitride layer. Further, there is no delamination present at an interface between the aluminum layer and the tensile silicon nitride layer or the neutral silicon nitride layer, or at an interface between tensile silicon nitride layer or the neutral silicon nitride layer and the compressive nitride layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are chamber inserts and apparatuses using the chamber inserts. A chamber insert may include a cylindrical body portion including a top end portion and a bottom end portion, a first protruding portion extending outwardly from a first portion of the cylindrical body portion, the first portion positioned circumferentially along the cylindrical body portion and a second protruding portion extending outwardly from a second portion of the cylindrical body portion, the second portion positioned circumferentially along less than all of the cylindrical body portion. In another example, the chamber insert may include a cylindrical body portion including a top end portion and a bottom end portion, the cylindrical body portion including a slit and at least one hole, the slit and the at least one hole positioned circumferentially along the cylindrical body portion and a first protruding portion extending outwardly from a first portion of the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: In a fabrication method for forming an electrical interconnection of CVD tungsten film, a contact hole is formed in a dielectric layer. A lower conductive layer is formed in the contact hole and over the dielectric layer. A portion of the lower conductive layer is removed. As a result, the dielectric layer is exposed. An upper conductive layer is formed over the lower conductive layer and over the dielectric layer. The lower conductive layer has a rough surface and the upper conductive layer has a smooth surface. In this manner, following patterning of conductive stripes over the conductive layer, residue is mitigated, and thus, inadvertent interconnection of neighboring stripes is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of forming plasma used in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a method of forming a layer for a semiconductor device using the plasma are disclosed. The plasma forming method includes forming a plasma region in a sealed space by supplying a plasma source gas into the sealed space at a first flow rate and maintaining the plasma region by supplying a plasma maintenance gas into the sealed space at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate. The plasma source gas includes a first gas having a first atomic weight, and the plasma maintenance gas includes a second gas having a second atomic weight lower than the first atomic weight. The plasma source gas includes argon and the plasma maintenance gas includes helium. The method may further include forming the layer on a wafer by supplying a source gas into the sealed space.

Abstract: Chamber inserts and apparatuses for processing a substrate. In an example, the chamber insert may include a cylindrical body portion including an open top end portion and an open bottom end portion, a first protruding portion extending outwardly from a first portion of the cylindrical body portion, the first portion positioned circumferentially along the cylindrical body portion and a second protruding portion extending outwardly from a second portion of the cylindrical body portion, the second portion positioned circumferentially along less than all of the cylindrical body portion. In another example, the chamber insert may include a cylindrical body portion including an open top end portion and an open bottom end portion, the cylindrical body portion including a slit and at least one hole, the slit and the at least one hole positioned circumferentially along the cylindrical body portion and a first protruding portion extending outwardly from a first portion of the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing capacitors, a first metal compound may be deposited on a substrate using first and second source gases. The first and the second source gases may be provided onto the substrate by a first flow rate ratio in which a deposition rate of the first metal compound by surface reaction between the source gases is higher than that by mass transfer between the source gases. A second metal compound may be deposited on the first metal compound and undesired materials may be removed by providing the source gases with a second flow rate ratio different from the first flow rate ratio. Depositing the first and the second metal compounds may be repeated to form a lower electrode. A dielectric layer and an upper electrode may be formed on the lower electrode. Accordingly, permeation of an etching liquid or gas may be reduced during an etching process.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition apparatus has a showerhead, and temperature control apparatus including a heater and a heat dissipation plate for regulating the temperature of the showerhead. The showerhead includes a bottom plate having gas spray openings, and an upper plate. The heater is disposed on an upper plate of the showerhead. The heat dissipation plate contacts an upper portion of the upper plate of the showerhead above the heater so that heat dissipates from the showerhead through the plate. The temperature control apparatus also includes a coolant system by which coolant is fed into a space defined between the heater and the heat dissipation plate. The temperature of the showerhead is precisely controlled using the heater, the heat dissipation plate and the coolant system.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for depositing a metal compound layer, a first source gas and a second source gas may be provided onto a substrate to deposit a first metal compound layer on the substrate. The first source gas may include a metal and halogen elements, and the second source gas may include a first material capable of being reacted with the metal and a second material capable of being reacted with the halogen element. The first and the second source gases may be provided at a first flow rate ratio. A second metal compound layer may be deposited on the first metal compound layer by providing the first and the second source gases with a second flow rate ratio different from the first flow rate ratio. The apparatus may include a process chamber configured to receive a substrate, a gas supply system, and a flow rate control device.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming a layer, the apparatus includes a processing chamber, a chuck, a gas-supplying unit, and a pipe unit. The chuck for supporting a substrate is disposed in the processing chamber. The gas-supplying unit supplies a source gas for forming a layer on the substrate and a purge gas for purging the inside of the processing chamber to the processing chamber. The pipe unit transfers the source gas and the purge gas to the processing chamber at a temperature that falls between the temperature of condensation and a reaction temperature for the source gas so that condensation or deposition reaction does not occur until the source gas enters the processing chamber. A heater located outside of the chamber heats the purge gas that is supplied to the processing chamber to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: In a fabrication method for forming an electrical interconnection of CVD tungsten film, a contact hole is formed in a dielectric layer. A lower conductive layer is formed in the contact hole and over the dielectric layer. A portion of the lower conductive layer is removed. As a result, the dielectric layer is exposed. An upper conductive layer is formed over the lower conductive layer and over the dielectric layer. The lower conductive layer has a rough surface and the upper conductive layer has a smooth surface. In this manner, following patterning of conductive stripes over the conductive layer, residue is mitigated, and thus, inadvertent interconnection of neighboring stripes is eliminated.

Abstract: In a fabrication method for forming an electrical interconnection of CVD tungsten film, a contact hole is formed in a dielectric layer. A lower conductive layer is formed in the contact hole and over the dielectric layer. A portion of the lower conductive layer is removed. As a result, the dielectric layer is exposed. An upper conductive layer is formed over the lower conductive layer and over the dielectric layer. The lower conductive layer has a rough surface and the upper conductive layer has a smooth surface. In this manner, following patterning of conductive stripes over the conductive layer, residue is mitigated, and thus, inadvertent interconnection of neighboring stripes is eliminated.

Abstract: In a fabrication method for forming an electrical interconnection of CVD tungsten film, a contact hole is formed in a dielectric layer. A lower conductive layer is formed in the contact hole and over the dielectric layer. A portion of the lower conductive layer is removed. As a result, the dielectric layer is exposed. An upper conductive layer is formed over the lower conductive layer and over the dielectric layer. The lower conductive layer has a rough surface and the upper conductive layer has a smooth surface. In this manner, following patterning of conductive stripes over the conductive layer, residue is mitigated, and thus, inadvertent interconnection of neighboring stripes is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal pattern of a semiconductor device. A Ti layer and a metal layer are successively formed on a semiconductor substrate or on an insulating layer. Then, a wiring pattern including a Ti layer pattern and a metal layer pattern is formed by patterning said Ti layer and the metal layer. Heat treating is employed under an atmosphere of a compound including nitrogen in order to react an exposed portion of the Ti layer pattern to form TiN as a main product, thereby increasing the stability and adhesiveness of the metal layer for subsequent processes.

Abstract: In a fabrication method for forming an electrical interconnection of CVD tungsten film, a via hole is formed in a dielectric layer. A lower conductive layer is formed in the via hole and over the dielectric layer. A portion of the lower conductive layer is removed. As a result, the dielectric layer is exposed. An upper conductive layer is formed over the lower conductive layer and over the dielectric layer. The lower conductive layer has a rough surface and the upper conductive layer has a smooth surface. In this manner, following patterning of conductive stripes over the conductive layer, residue is mitigated, and thus, inadvertent interconnection of neighboring stripes is eliminated.