Abstract: The use of a monolayer or partial monolayer sequencing process, such as atomic layer deposition, to form a dielectric layer of hafnium oxide doped with dysprosium and a method of fabricating such a combination produces a reliable structure for use in a variety of electronic devices. Forming the dielectric structure can include depositing hafnium oxide onto a substrate surface using precursor chemicals, followed by depositing dysprosium oxide onto the substrate using precursor chemicals, and repeating to form a thin laminate structure. A dielectric layer of dysprosium doped hafnium oxide may be used as the gate insulator of a MOSFET, as a capacitor dielectric in a DRAM, as a tunnel gate insulator in flash memories, or as a dielectric in NROM devices, because the high dielectric constant (high-k) of the film provides the functionality of a thinner silicon dioxide film, and because the reduced leakage current of the dielectric layer when the percentage of dysprosium doping is optimized improves memory function.

Abstract: Semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for making a SOI device can include forming a device layer on a front side of a semiconductor layer, bonding a first substrate to the front side of the device layer, processing the semiconductor layer on a back side opposite the device layer to form a processed surface, and bonding a second substrate to the processed surface. In some aspects, the method can further include removing the first substrate from the front side to expose the device layer. In one aspect, forming the device layer can include forming optoelectronic circuitry at the front side of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation, and a passivation region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The passivation region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region. Additionally, the device includes an electrical transfer element coupled to the semiconductor substrate to transfer an electrical signal from the at least one junction.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to a method for forming a wafer with a strained semiconductor. In various embodiments of the method, a predetermined contour is formed in one of a semiconductor membrane and a substrate wafer. The semiconductor membrane is bonded to the substrate wafer and the predetermined contour is straightened to induce a predetermined strain in the semiconductor membrane. In various embodiments, a substrate wafer is flexed into a flexed position, a portion of the substrate wafer is bonded to a semiconductor layer when the substrate wafer is in the flexed position, and the substrate wafer is relaxed to induce a predetermined strain in the semiconductor layer. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus and methods may include a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be formed using atomic layer deposition. Metal electrodes may be disposed on a dielectric containing a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for zinc oxide diodes for optical interconnections. One system includes a ZnO emitter confined within a circular geometry in an oxide layer on a silicon substrate. An optical waveguide is formed in the oxide layer and has an input coupled to the ZnO emitter. A detector is coupled to an output of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A memory device, system and fabrication method relating to a vertical memory cell including a semiconducting pillar extending outwardly from an integrally connected semiconductor substrate are disclosed. A first source/drain region is formed in the substrate and a body region and a second source/drain region are formed within the pillar. A first gate is coupled to a first side of the pillar for coupling the first and second source/drain regions together when activated. The vertical memory cell also includes a storage capacitor formed on an extended end of the semiconducting pillar and electrically coupled to the second source/drain region.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus include cobalt titanium oxide on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The cobalt titanium oxide may be structured as one or more monolayers. The cobalt titanium oxide may be formed by a monolayer by monolayer sequencing process such as atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: A dielectric layer containing a Zr—Sn—Ti—O film and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer produce a reliable dielectric layer having an equivalent oxide thickness thinner than attainable using SiO2. In an embodiment, forming the Zr—Sn—Ti—O film on a substrate includes depositing materials of the Zr—Sn—Ti—O film substantially as atomic monolayers. In an embodiment, electronic devices include a dielectric layer having a Zr—Sn—Ti—O film such that Zr—Sn—Ti—O material is configured as substantially atomic monolayers. Dielectric layers containing such Zr—Sn—Ti—O films may have minimal reactions with a silicon substrate or other structures during processing.

Abstract: An array of memory cells configured to store at least one bit per one F2 includes substantially vertical structures providing an electronic memory function spaced apart a distance equal to one half of a minimum pitch of the array. The structures providing the electronic memory function are configured to store more than one bit per gate. The array also includes electrical contacts to the memory cells including the substantially vertical structures. The cells can be programmed to have one of a number of charge levels trapped in the gate insulator adjacent to the first source/drain region such that the channel region has a first voltage threshold region (Vt1) and a second voltage threshold region (Vt2) and such that the programmed cell operates at reduced drain source current.

Abstract: One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for forming strained semiconductor film. According to an embodiment of the method, a crystalline semiconductor bridge is formed over a substrate. The bridge has a first portion bonded to the substrate, a second portion bonded to the substrate, and a middle portion between the first and second portions separated from the substrate. The middle portion of the bridge is bonded to the substrate to provide a compressed crystalline semiconductor layer on the substrate. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor includes a substrate, a backside passivation layer disposed on backside of the substrate, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the backside passivation layer.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for using and forming vertically base-connected bipolar transistors have been shown. The vertically base-connected bipolar transistors in the embodiments of the present disclosure are formed with a CMOS fabrication technique that decreases the transistor size while maintaining the high performance characteristics of a bipolar transistor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dielectric layer containing a hafnium tantalum titanium oxide film structured as one or more monolayers include the dielectric layer disposed in an integrated circuit. Embodiments of methods of fabricating such a dielectric layer provide a dielectric layer for use in a variety of electronic devices. An embodiment may include forming hafnium tantalum titanium oxide film using a monolayer or partial monolayer sequencing process such as atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus include a lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide dielectric film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide film may be formed by a monolayer or partial monolayer sequencing process such as using atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: A dielectric containing a titanium silicon oxide film and a method of fabricating such a dielectric provide a dielectric for use in a variety of electronic devices. Embodiments may include a dielectric containing a titanium silicon oxide film arranged as one or more monolayers. Embodiments may include structures for capacitors, transistors, memory devices, and electronic systems with dielectrics containing a titanium silicon oxide film, and methods for forming such structures.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) structure having a high dielectric constant gate insulator layer containing gold (Au) nano-particles is presented with methods for forming the layer with high step coverage of underlying topography, high surface smoothness, and uniform thickness. The transistor may form part of a logic device, a memory device, a persistent memory device, a capacitor, as well as other devices and systems. The insulator layer may be formed using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to reduce the overall device thermal exposure. The insulator layer may be formed of a metal oxide, a metal oxycarbide, a semiconductor oxide, or semiconductor oxide oxycarbide, and the gold nano-particles in insulator layer increase the work function of the insulator layer and affect the tunneling current and the threshold voltage of the transistor.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a memory in logic cell are provided. One or more embodiments include using a cell structure having a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate, e.g., a control gate, a back gate, and a floating gate, as a memory in logic cell. The method includes programming the floating gate to a first state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a first logic gate type. The method further includes programming the floating gate to a second state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a second logic gate type.

Abstract: One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for forming a transistor. According to an embodiment, a fin is formed from a crystalline substrate. A first source/drain region is formed in the substrate beneath the fin. A surrounding gate insulator is formed around the fin. A surrounding gate is formed around the fin and separated from the fin by the surrounding gate insulator. A second source/drain region is formed in a top portion of the fin. Various embodiments etch a hole in a layer over the substrate, form sidewall spacers in the hole, form a fin pattern from the sidewall spacers, and etch into the crystalline substrate to form the fin from the substrate using a mask corresponding to the fin pattern. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: A passivated germanium surface that is a germanium carbide material formed on and in contact with the termanium material. An intermediate semiconductor device structure and a semiconductor device structure, each of which comprises the passivated germanium having germanium carbide material thereon, are also disclosed.