Abstract: A method for fabricating a dopant region is disclosed. The dopant region is formed by providing a semiconductor substrate that has a surface. An electrically insulating intermediate layer is applied to the surface. A doped semiconductor layer is then applied to the electrically insulating intermediate layer, the semiconductor layer being of a first conductivity type and contains a dopant of the first conductivity type. A temperature treatment of the semiconductor substrate at a predefined diffusion temperature is performed, so that the dopant diffuses partially out of the semiconductor layer through the intermediate layer into the semiconductor substrate and forms there a dopant region of the first conductivity type. The electrical conductivity of the intermediate layer is modified, so that an electrical contact between the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor layer is produced through the intermediate layer.

Abstract: On a carrier a layer sequence is applied which contains alternatingly layers made of a first conducting material and a second material in which both materials are different from a carrier material. An opening is made in the layer sequence, which is filled with a conducting material so that a central supporting structure is produced. Then the layer sequence is structured corresponding to the dimensions of a capacitor and the layers made of the second material are removed selectively, so that a first capacitor electrode is formed. The layer sequence may have especially p.sup.+ -/p.sup.- silicon layers or silicon/germanium layers. An etch-stop layer can also be incorporated as the lowest or second-lowest layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor for a semiconductor memory configuration. In this case, a selectively etchable material is applied to a conductive support, which is connected to a semiconductor body via a contact hole in an insulator layer, and patterned. A first conductive layer is applied thereon and patterned. A hole is introduced into the first conductive layer, through which hole the selectively etchable material is etched out. A cavity is produced under the first conductive layer in the process. The inner surface of the cavity and the outer surface of the first conductive layer are provided with a dielectric layer, to which a second conductive layer is applied and patterned.

Abstract: For the operation of a memory cell arrangement with MOS transistors as memory cells that comprise a dielectric triple layer (5) with a first silicon oxide layer (51), a silicon nitride layer (52) and a second silicon oxide layer (53) as gate dielectric, whereby the silicon oxide layers are respectively at least 3 nm thick, a first cutoff voltage value is allocated to a first logical value and a second cutoff voltage value of the MOS transistor is allocated to a second logical value for storing digital data. The information stored in the memory cell can be modified by applying corresponding voltage levels, although a complete removal of charge stored in the silicon nitride layer is not possible because of the thickness of the silicon oxide layers. What is exploited when modifying the cutoff voltage is that the electrical field in the dielectric triple layer is distorted by charge stored in the silicon nitride layer.

Abstract: For manufacturing a capacitor, in particular for a dynamic memory cell arrangement, a trench is etched in a substrate. In the trench, a layer sequence is produced that contains, in alternating fashion, layers of doped silicon and germanium-containing layers. By anisotropic etching, the surface of the semiconductor substrate (12) is exposed in the region of the trench floor. The trenches are filled with a conductive support structure (20). The germanium-containing layers are removed selectively to the layers of doped silicon. The exposed surface of the layers of doped silicon (17) and of the support structure (20) are provided with a capacitor dielectric (22), onto which is applied a counter-electrode (23).

Abstract: Semiconductor islands respectively comprise at least a Si.sub.1-x Ge.sub.x layer and a distorted silicon layer that exhibits essentially the same lattice constant as the Si.sub.1-x Ge.sub.x layer are formed on an insulating layer that is located on a carrier plate. The semiconductor islands are preferably formed by selective epitaxy and comprise p-channel MOS transistors and/or n-channel MOS transistors.

Abstract: For manufacturing fine structures, nuclei that define the dimensions of the fine structures are formed on the surface of a substrate in a CVD process upon employment of a first process gas that contains SiH.sub.4 and GeH.sub.4 in a carrier gas. The nuclei can be employed both as a mask, for example, when etching or implanting, as will as active or passive component parts that remain in the structure, for example, as charge storages in the dielectric of an EEPROM.

Abstract: Capacitors, in particular stacked capacitors for a dynamic memory cell configuration are manufactured by first forming a sequence of layers, which include layers made of a first conductive material alternating with layers made of a second material. The second material can be selectively etched with respect to the first material. Layered structures are formed from the sequence of layers, with the flanks of the layered structures each having a conductive support structure. The layered structures are formed with openings, such as gaps, in which the surface of the layers is exposed. The layers made of the second material are selectively removed with respect to the layers made of the first material. The exposed surface of the layers made of the first material and of the support structure are provided with a capacitor dielectric, onto which a counter-electrode is placed. The capacitor is made by etching p.sup.- -doped polysilicon that is selective to p.sup.+ -doped polysilicon.