Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a metal oxide layer on a substrate, converting at least part of the metal oxide layer to a metal layer; and oxidizing the metal layer to generate a metal oxide high-k gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a high-k gate dielectric layer on a substrate, and modifying a first portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer to ensure that it may be removed selectively to a second portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer.

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: 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: Embodiments of a transition metal alloy having an n-type or p-type work function that does not significantly shift at elevated temperature. The disclosed transition metal alloys may be used as, or form a part of, the gate electrode in a transistor. Methods of forming a gate electrode using these transition metal alloys are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming on a substrate a dielectric layer that has a dielectric constant that is greater than the dielectric constant of silicon dioxide. The dielectric layer is modified so that it will be compatible with a gate electrode to be formed on the dielectric layer, and then a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer.

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 hard mask may be formed and maintained over a polysilicon gate structure in a metal gate replacement technology. The maintenance of the hard mask, such as a nitride hard mask, may protect the polysilicon gate structure 14 from the formation of silicide or etch byproducts. Either the silicide or the etch byproducts or their combination may block the ensuing polysilicon etch which is needed to remove the polysilicon gate structure and to thereafter replace it with an appropriate metal gate technology.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode is described, comprising forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer having a first work function on the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer having a second work function on the first metal layer, such that a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer which has a work function that is determined from the work function of the alloy of the two types of metal. The work function of a microelectronic transistor can be varied or “tuned” depending on the precise definition and control of the metal types, layer sequence, individual layer thickness and total number of layers.

Abstract: A liquid form oxidizer may be utilized to form a high dielectric constant dielectric material from a metallic precursor for semiconductor applications. The use of a liquid rather than a gaseous oxidizer reduces the presence of an oxidation under layer under the metallic precursor. It may also, in some embodiments, result in a purer dielectric film.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode is described, comprising forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer having a first work function on the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer having a second work function on the first metal layer, such that a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer which has a work function that is determined from the work function of the alloy of the two types of metal. The work function of a microelectronic transistor can be varied or “tuned” depending on the precise definition and control of the metal types, layer sequence, individual layer thickness and total number of layers.

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: 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: Method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a high-k gate dielectric layer formed on the substrate, and a hydrogen-free gate electrode deposited on the high-k gate dielectric layer wherein the hydrogen-free gate electrode is conductive. The method comprises depositing the high-k gate dielectric layer on the substrate, sputtering the gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer and treating the gate electrode such that the gate electrode is conductive.

Abstract: A process and system for depositing a carbon- and transition metal-containing thin film on a substrate involves placing a substrate within a reaction space and sequentially pulsing into the reaction space a transition metal chemical and an organometallic chemical. Following each chemical pulse, the reaction space is purged, and the pulse and purge sequence is repeated until a desired film thickness is obtained. A preferred deposition process uses atomic layer deposition techniques and may result in an electrically conductive thin carbide film having uniform thickness over a large substrate area and excellent adhesion and step coverage properties.

Abstract: Fabricating a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a silicide layer over the substrate, and removing a portion of the silicide layer by chemical mechanical polishing. The fabrication of the structure can also include forming a dielectric layer after forming the silicide layer, and removing a portion of the dielectric layer by chemical mechanical polishing before removing the portion of the silicide layer.

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 method of forming a gate electrode is described, comprising forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer having a first work function on the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer having a second work function on the first metal layer, such that a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer which has a work function that is determined from the work function of the alloy of the two types of metal. The work function of a microelectronic transistor can be varied or “tuned” depending on the precise definition and control of the metal types, layer sequence, individual layer thickness and total number of layers.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming on a substrate a dielectric layer that has a dielectric constant that is greater than the dielectric constant of silicon dioxide. The dielectric layer is modified so that it will be compatible with a gate electrode to be formed on the dielectric layer, and then a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Fabricating a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a silicide layer over the substrate, and removing a portion of the silicide layer by chemical mechanical polishing. The fabrication of the structure can also include forming a dielectric layer after forming the silicide layer, and removing a portion of the dielectric layer by chemical mechanical polishing before removing the portion of the silicide layer.