Abstract: Method of forming transistor devices is disclosed that includes forming a first layer of high-k insulating material and a sacrificial protection layer above first and second active regions, removing the first layer of insulating material and the protection layer from above the second active region, removing the protection layer from above the first layer of insulating material positioned above the first active region, forming a second layer of high-k insulating material above the first layer of insulating material and the second active region, forming a layer of metal above the second layer of insulating material, and removing portions of the first and second layers of insulating material and the metal layer to form a first gate stack (comprised of the first and second layers of high-k material and the layer of metal) and a second gate stack (comprised of the second layer of high-k material and the layer of metal).

Abstract: A reduction in material loss of trench isolation structures prior to forming a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy in transistor elements may result in superior device uniformity, for instance with respect to drive current and threshold voltage. To this end, at least one etch process using diluted hydrofluoric acid may be omitted when forming the shallow trench isolations, while at the same time providing a high degree of compatibility with conventional process strategies.

Abstract: Devices are formed with boot shaped source/drain regions formed by isotropic etching followed by anisotropic etching. Embodiments include forming a gate on a substrate, forming a first spacer on each side of the gate, forming a source/drain region in the substrate on each side of the gate, wherein each source/drain region extends under a first spacer, but is separated therefrom by a portion of the substrate, and has a substantially horizontal bottom surface. Embodiments also include forming each source/drain region by forming a cavity to a first depth adjacent the first spacer and forming a second cavity to a second depth below the first cavity and extending laterally underneath the first spacers.

Abstract: A strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be formed on the basis of cavities that may extend deeply below the gate electrode structure, which may be accomplished by using a sequence of two etch processes. In a first etch process, the cavity may be formed on the basis of a well-defined lateral offset to ensure integrity of the gate electrode structure and, in a subsequent etch process, the cavity may be increased in a lateral direction while nevertheless reliably preserving a portion of the channel region. Consequently, the strain-inducing efficiency may be increased by appropriately positioning the strain-inducing material immediately below the channel region without compromising integrity of the gate electrode structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to various methods of forming source/drain regions for transistor devices. In one example, a method disclosed herein includes the steps of forming a gate electrode structure for a transistor above a semiconducting substrate, performing a first etching process to define a plurality of initial cavities in the substrate proximate the gate structure for the transistor and after forming the initial cavities, performing an anneal process. The method continues with the steps of, after performing the anneal process, performing a second etching process on the initial cavities to define a plurality of final cavities and forming a semiconductor material in the final cavities.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure begins by forming a layer of oxide material overlying a first gate structure having a first silicon nitride cap and overlying a second gate structure having a second silicon nitride cap. The first gate structure corresponds to a p-type transistor to be fabricated, and the second gate structure corresponds to an n-type transistor to be fabricated. The method continues by performing a tilted ion implantation procedure to implant ions of an impurity species in a channel region of semiconductor material underlying the first gate structure, during which an ion implantation mask protects the second gate structure. Thereafter, the ion implantation mask and the layer of oxide material are removed, and regions of epitaxial semiconductor material are formed corresponding to source and drain regions for the first gate structure. Thereafter, the first silicon nitride cap and the second silicon nitride cap are removed.

Abstract: Devices are formed with boot shaped source/drain regions formed by isotropic etching followed by anisotropic etching. Embodiments include forming a gate on a substrate, forming a first spacer on each side of the gate, forming a source/drain region in the substrate on each side of the gate, wherein each source/drain region extends under a first spacer, but is separated therefrom by a portion of the substrate, and has a substantially horizontal bottom surface. Embodiments also include forming each source/drain region by forming a cavity to a first depth adjacent the first spacer and forming a second cavity to a second depth below the first cavity and extending laterally underneath the first spacers.

Abstract: Devices are formed with an oxide liner and nitride layer before forming eSiGe spacers. Embodiments include forming first and second gate stacks on a substrate, forming an oxide liner over the first and second gate stacks, forming a nitride layer over the oxide liner, forming a resist over the first gate stack, forming nitride spacers from the nitride layer over the second gate stack, forming eSiGe source/drain regions for the second gate stack, subsequently forming halo/extension regions for the first gate stack, and independently forming halo/extension regions for the second gate stack. Embodiments include forming the eSiGe regions by wet etching the substrate with TMAH using the nitride spacers as a soft mask, forming sigma shaped cavities, and epitaxially growing in situ boron doped eSiGe in the cavities.

Abstract: Devices are formed that combine low resistance for circuit needs with high flexibility for application needs. Embodiments include forming a low resistance layer on a substrate and forming a high flexibility conductive layer on the low resistance layer, wherein the high flexibility conductive layer provides for continuous conductivity of the low resistance layer. Embodiments include forming a pattern in the low resistance and high flexibility conductive layers simultaneously, or forming a pattern in the low resistance layer prior to forming the high flexibility conductive layer.

Abstract: Devices are formed with an oxide liner and nitride layer before forming eSiGe spacers. Embodiments include forming first and second gate stacks on a substrate, forming an oxide liner over the first and second gate stacks, forming a nitride layer over the oxide liner, forming a resist over the first gate stack, forming nitride spacers from the nitride layer over the second gate stack, forming eSiGe source/drain regions for the second gate stack, subsequently forming halo/extension regions for the first gate stack, and independently forming halo/extension regions for the second gate stack. Embodiments include forming the eSiGe regions by wet etching the substrate with TMAH using the nitride spacers as a soft mask, forming sigma shaped cavities, and epitaxially growing in situ boron doped eSiGe in the cavities.

Abstract: A method for ionizing, using pulses of ionization radiation, an analyte to be examined by way of ion mobility spectrometry using a pulse sequence is modulated with a known time-variable impression pattern is provided. An ionization device for carrying out the method and an ion mobility spectrometry method and an ion mobility spectrometry device that use the ionization method and/or the ionization device are also provided.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices including transistors having a high-k metal gate electrode structure, disposable spacers may be provided on the encapsulating spacer element with a reduced width so as to not unduly increase a lateral offset of a strain-inducing material to be incorporated into the active region. For this purpose, a multi-layer deposition may be used in combination with a low pressure CVD process.

Abstract: A reduction in material loss of trench isolation structures prior to forming a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy in transistor elements may result in superior device uniformity, for instance with respect to drive current and threshold voltage. To this end, at least one etch process using diluted hydrofluoric acid may be omitted when forming the shallow trench isolations, while at the same time providing a high degree of compatibility with conventional process strategies.

Abstract: A sample collector for an analysis device for analyzing trace elements, including a wiping element on which sample material can be wiped from a surface to be tested and adsorbed thereon by a wiping process, including a support part with a convexly shaped surface to which the wiping element is attached, is provided. A sample collecting device using this sample collector and a method for taking samples are also provided.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices, electronic fuses may be provided in the metallization system, wherein a superior two-dimensional configuration of the metal line, for instance as a helix-like configuration, may provide superior thermal conditions in a central line portion, which in turn may result in a more pronounced electromigration effect for a given programming current. Consequently, the size of the electronic fuse, at least in one lateral direction, and also the width of corresponding transistors connected to the electronic fuse, may be reduced.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices including transistors having a high-k metal gate electrode structure, disposable spacers may be provided on the encapsulating spacer element with a reduced width so as to not unduly increase a lateral offset of a strain-inducing material to be incorporated into the active region. For this purpose, a multi-layer deposition may be used in combination with a low pressure CVD process.

Abstract: A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.

Abstract: A strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be formed on the basis of cavities that may extend deeply below the gate electrode structure, which may be accomplished by using a sequence of two etch processes. In a first etch process, the cavity may be formed on the basis of a well-defined lateral offset to ensure integrity of the gate electrode structure and, in a subsequent etch process, the cavity may be increased in a lateral direction while nevertheless reliably preserving a portion of the channel region. Consequently, the strain-inducing efficiency may be increased by appropriately positioning the strain-inducing material immediately below the channel region without compromising integrity of the gate electrode structure.

Abstract: A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, a fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.