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 transistor comprising a gate electrode formed on a gate dielectric layer formed on a substrate. A pair of source/drain regions are formed in the substrate on opposite sides of the laterally opposite sidewalls of the gate electrode. The gate electrode has a central portion formed on the gate dielectric layer and over the substrate region between the source and drain regions and a pair sidewall portions which overlap a portion of the source/drain regions wherein the central portion has a first work function and said pair of sidewall portions has a second work function, wherein the second work function is different than the first work function.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated circuit structures, such as stacks containing metal layers, may be etched with a modified viscosity etchant. An increased viscosity etchant, for example, may reduce undercutting when a metal film is being etched.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a polysilicon layer on a dielectric layer, which is formed on a substrate. The polysilicon layer is etched to generate a patterned polysilicon layer with an upper surface that is wider than its lower surface. The method may be applied, when using a replacement gate process to make transistors that have metal gate electrodes.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Those methods comprise providing a substrate comprising source/drain and gate regions, wherein the gate region comprises a metal layer disposed on a gate dielectric layer, and then laser annealing the substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, and forming an impurity containing metal layer on the dielectric layer. A metal gate electrode is then formed from the impurity containing metal layer. Also described is a semiconductor device that comprises a metal gate electrode that is formed on a dielectric layer, which is formed on a substrate. The metal gate electrode includes a sufficient amount of an impurity to shift the workfunction of the metal gate electrode by at least about 0.1 eV.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a top surface and a first and second laterally opposite sidewalls as formed on an insulating substrate. A gate dielectric is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is then formed on the gate dielectric on the top surface of the semiconductor body and adjacent to the gate dielectric on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. The gate electrode comprises a metal film formed directly adjacent to the gate dielectric layer. A pair of source and drain regions are uniformed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a hard mask and an etch stop layer on a patterned sacrificial gate electrode layer. After first and second spacers are formed on opposite sides of that patterned sacrificial layer, the patterned sacrificial layer is removed to generate a trench that is positioned between the first and second spacers. At least part of the trench is filled with a metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for forming it are described. The semiconductor device comprises a metal NMOS gate electrode that is formed on a first part of a substrate, and a silicide PMOS gate electrode that is formed on a second part of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Those methods comprise providing a substrate comprising source/drain and gate regions, wherein the gate region comprises a metal layer disposed on a gate dielectric layer, and then laser annealing the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a top surface and a first and second laterally opposite sidewalls as formed on an insulating substrate. A gate dielectric is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is then formed on the gate dielectric on the top surface of the semiconductor body and adjacent to the gate dielectric on the first and second laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. The gate electrode comprises a metal film formed directly adjacent to the gate dielectric layer. A pair of source and drain regions are uniformed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

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: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a dummy dielectric layer that is at least about 10 angstroms thick on a substrate, and forming a sacrificial layer on the dummy dielectric layer. After removing the sacrificial layer and the dummy dielectric layer to generate a trench that is positioned between first and second spacers, a gate dielectric layer is formed on the substrate at the bottom of the trench, and a metal layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method is described for selectively treating the properties of a gate dielectric near corners of the gate without altering the gate dielectric in a center region of a gate channel. The method includes providing a structure having a gate opening and depositing a layer of dielectric with a high dielectric constant on a bottom surface and side walls of the gate opening. The comer regions of the high dielectric constant layer formed adjacent to the bottom surface and the side walls of the gate opening are selectively treated without altering the center region of the high dielectric constant layer formed at the bottom surface of the gate opening.

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 dielectric layer on a substrate, and forming a first metal layer on a first part of the dielectric layer, leaving a second part of the dielectric layer exposed. After a second metal layer is formed on both the first metal layer and the second part of the dielectric layer, a masking layer is formed on the second metal layer.

Abstract: A method for etching a metal layer is described. That method comprises forming a metal layer on a substrate, then exposing part of the metal layer to a wet etch chemistry that comprises an active ingredient with a diameter that exceeds the thickness of the metal layer.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, and forming an impurity containing metal layer on the dielectric layer. A metal gate electrode is then formed from the impurity containing metal layer. Also described is a semiconductor device that comprises a metal gate electrode that is formed on a dielectric layer, which is formed on a substrate. The metal gate electrode includes a sufficient amount of an impurity to shift the workfunction of the metal gate electrode by at least about 0.1 eV.

Abstract: A method including forming a via dielectric layer on a semiconductor device substrate; forming a trench dielectric layer on the via dielectric layer; forming a trench through the trench dielectric layer to expose the via dielectric layer; forming a via in the via dielectric layer through the trench to expose the substrate; and forming a semiconductor material in the via and in the trench. An apparatus including a device substrate; a dielectric layer formed on a surface of the device substrate; and a device base formed on the dielectric layer including a crystalline structure derived from the device substrate.

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.