Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor device. A preferred device comprises an n-channel transistor and a p-channel transistor disposed in a semiconductor body and a piezoelectric layer overlying the n-channel transistor and the p-channel transistor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piezoelectric layer is biased to a first potential at a portion near the n-channel transistor and is biased to a second potential as a portion near the p-channel transistor.

Abstract: System and method for creating stressed polycrystalline silicon in an integrated circuit. A preferred embodiment comprises manufacturing an integrated circuit, comprising forming a trench in an integrated circuit substrate, forming a cavity within the integrated circuit substrate, wherein the cavity is linked to the trench, depositing a dielectric layer within the cavity, and depositing polycrystalline silicon over the dielectric layer, wherein an inherent stress is induced in the polycrystalline silicon that grows on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer may be, for example, silicon aluminum oxynitride (SiAlON), mullite (3Al2O3.2SiO2), and alumina (Al2O3).

Abstract: Integrated circuits are oriented on a substrate at an angle that is rotated between 5 to 40 degrees from a direction parallel or perpendicular to a preferred crystalline plane direction, such as the cleavage plane, of the substrate. Parameters such as stress and mobility of transistors may be optimized by adjusting the angle of rotation of the substrate. For a rotated substrate CMOS device design, other stress control measures may be used, such as a stress control or tensile liner, over an NMOS transistor, PMOS transistor, or both, to further adjust the stress and improve performance.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for relieving stress in the via structures of semiconductor structures whenever a linewidth below a via is larger than a ground-rule, including providing a via at least as large as the groundrule, providing a landing pad above the via, providing a via bar in place of a via, slotting the metal linewidth below the via, or providing an oversize via with a sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for crystallizing a semiconductor that includes a first layer having a first crystal lattice orientation and a second layer having a second crystal lattice orientation, comprising amorphizing at least a portion of the second layer, applying a stress to the second layer and heating the second layer above a recrystallization temperature.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for relieving stress in the via structures of semiconductor structures whenever a linewidth below a via is larger than a ground-rule, including providing a via at least as large as the groundrule, providing a landing pad above the via, providing a via bar in place of a via, slotting the metal linewidth below the via, or providing an oversize via with a sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed by performing an amorphizing ion implantation to implant dopants of a first conductivity type into a semiconductor body. The first ion implantation causes a defect area (e.g., end-of-range defects) within the semiconductor body at a depth. A non-amorphizing implantation implants dopants of the same conductivity type into the semiconductor body. This ion implantation step implants dopants throughout the defect area. The dopants can then be activated by heating the semiconductor body for less than 10 ms, e.g., using a flash anneal or a laser anneal.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor (FET) structure and method of formation thereof is presented. The FET structure includes first and second source/drain regions formed in a semiconductor substrate to define a channel region. A gate insulation layer is formed at a surface of the channel region. A control layer is formed at a surface of the gate insulation layer. A diode doping region is formed to realize a diode in the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive diode connection layer connects the diode doping region to the control layer. A depression is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The diode doping region is formed at a bottom of the depression and the diode connection layer is formed in the depression to dissipate excess charge carriers in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Integrated circuits are oriented on a substrate at an angle that is rotated between 5 to 40 degrees from a direction parallel or perpendicular to a preferred crystalline plane direction, such as the cleavage plane, of the substrate. Parameters such as stress and mobility of transistors may be optimized by adjusting the angle of rotation of the substrate. For a rotated substrate CMOS device design, other stress control measures may be used, such as a stress control or tensile liner, over an NMOS transistor, PMOS transistor, or both, to further adjust the stress and improve performance.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator device having multiple crystal orientations is disclosed. In one embodiment, the silicon-on-insulator device includes a substrate layer, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate layer, a first silicon layer, and a strained silicon layer. The first silicon layer has a first crystal orientation and is disposed on a portion of the insulating layer, and the strained silicon layer is disposed on another portion of the insulating layer and has a crystal orientation different from the first crystal orientation.

Abstract: Integrated circuits are oriented on a substrate at an angle that is rotated between 0 to 45 degrees from a direction parallel or perpendicular to a preferred crystalline plane direction, such as the cleavage plane, of the substrate. Parameters such as stress and mobility of transistors may be optimized by adjusting the angle of rotation of the substrate. For a rotated substrate CMOS device design, other stress control measures may be used, such as a stress control or tensile liner, over an NMOS transistor, PMOS transistor, or both, to further adjust the stress and improve performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed by performing an amorphizing ion implantation to implant dopants of a first conductivity type into a semiconductor body. The first ion implantation causes a defect area (e.g., end-of-range defects) within the semiconductor body at a depth. A non-amorphizing implantation implants dopants of the same conductivity type into the semiconductor body. This ion implantation step implants dopants throughout the defect area. The dopants can then be activated by heating the semiconductor body for less than 10 ms, e.g., using a flash anneal or a laser anneal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed by performing an amorphizing ion implantation to implant dopants of a first conductivity type into a semiconductor body. The first ion implantation causes a defect area (e.g., end-of-range defects) within the semiconductor body at a depth. A non-amorphizing implantation implants dopants of the same conductivity type into the semiconductor body. This ion implantation step implants dopants throughout the defect area. The dopants can then be activated by heating the semiconductor body for less than 10 ms, e.g., using a flash anneal or a laser anneal.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor device. A preferred device comprises an n-channel transistor and a p-channel transistor disposed in a semiconductor body and a piezoelectric layer overlying the n-channel transistor and the p-channel transistor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piezoelectric layer is biased to a first potential at a portion near the n-channel transistor and is biased to a second potential as a portion near the p-channel transistor.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor fabrication method. The method comprises forming an isolation region between a first and a second region in a substrate, forming a recess in the substrate surface, and lining the recess with a uniform oxide. Embodiments further include doping a channel region under the bottom recess surface in the first and second regions and depositing a gate electrode material in the recess. Preferred embodiments include forming source/drain regions adjacent the channel region in the first and second regions, preferably after the step of depositing the gate electrode material. Another embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor device comprising a recess in a surface of the first and second active regions and in the isolation region, and a dielectric layer having a uniform thickness lining the recess.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed by performing an amorphizing ion implantation to implant dopants of a first conductivity type into a semiconductor body. The first ion implantation causes a defect area (e.g., end-of-range defects) within the semiconductor body at a depth. A non-amorphizing implantation implants dopants of the same conductivity type into the semiconductor body. This ion implantation step implants dopants throughout the defect area. The dopants can then be activated by heating the semiconductor body for less than 10 ms, e.g., using a flash anneal or a laser anneal.

Abstract: Integrated circuits are oriented on a substrate at an angle that is rotated between 0 to 45 degrees from a direction parallel or perpendicular to a preferred crystalline plane direction, such as the cleavage plane, of the substrate. Parameters such as stress and mobility of transistors may be optimized by adjusting the angle of rotation of the substrate. For a rotated substrate CMOS device design, other stress control measures may be used, such as a stress control or tensile liner, over an NMOS transistor, PMOS transistor, or both, to further adjust the stress and improve performance.

Abstract: Capacitors are formed in metallization layers of semiconductor device in regions where functional conductive features are not formed, more efficiently using real estate of integrated circuits. The capacitors may be stacked and connected in parallel to provide increased capacitance, or arranged in arrays. The plates of the capacitors are substantially the same dimensions as conductive features, such as conductive lines or vias, or are substantially the same dimensions as fill structures of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor (FET) structure and method of formation thereof is presented. The FET structure includes first and second source/drain regions formed in a semiconductor substrate to define a channel region. A gate insulation layer is formed at a surface of the channel region. A control layer is formed at a surface of the gate insulation layer. A diode doping region is formed to realize a diode in the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive diode connection layer connects the diode doping region to the control layer. A depression is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The diode doping region is formed at a bottom of the depression and the diode connection layer is formed in the depression to dissipate excess charge carriers in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for relieving stress in the via structures of semiconductor structures whenever a linewidth below a via is larger than a ground-rule, including providing a via at least as large as the groundrule, providing a landing pad above the via, providing a via bar in place of a via, slotting the metal linewidth below the via, or providing an oversize via with a sidewall spacer.