Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes receiving a silicon substrate having an isolation feature disposed on the substrate and a well adjacent the isolation feature, wherein the well includes a first dopant. The method also includes etching a recess to remove a portion of the well and epitaxially growing a silicon layer (EPI layer) in the recess to form a channel, wherein the channel includes a second dopant. The method also includes forming a barrier layer between the well and the EPI layer, the barrier layer including at least one of either silicon carbon or silicon oxide. The barrier layer can be formed either before or after the channel. The method further includes forming a gate electrode disposed over the channel and forming a source and drain in the well.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes receiving a silicon substrate having an isolation feature disposed on the substrate and a well adjacent the isolation feature, wherein the well includes a first dopant. The method also includes etching a recess to remove a portion of the well and epitaxially growing a silicon layer (EPI layer) in the recess to form a channel, wherein the channel includes a second dopant. The method also includes forming a barrier layer between the well and the EPI layer, the barrier layer including at least one of either silicon carbon or silicon oxide. The barrier layer can be formed either before or after the channel. The method further includes forming a gate electrode disposed over the channel and forming a source and drain in the well.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes receiving a silicon substrate having an isolation feature disposed on the substrate and a well adjacent the isolation feature, wherein the well includes a first dopant. The method also includes etching a recess to remove a portion of the well and epitaxially growing a silicon layer (EPI layer) in the recess to form a channel, wherein the channel includes a second dopant. The method also includes forming a barrier layer between the well and the EPI layer, the barrier layer including at least one of either silicon carbon or silicon oxide. The barrier layer can be formed either before or after the channel. The method further includes forming a gate electrode disposed over the channel and forming a source and drain in the well.

Abstract: A method of forming high-k metal gates (HKMGs) includes removing a dummy gate structure formed over a first fin and a second fin to form a trench that exposes portions of the first fin and the second fin, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the exposed portions of the first fin and the second fin, forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer, forming a hard mask layer over the capping layer, such that the hard mask layer fills the trench completely, forming an isolation feature in the hard mask layer between the first fin and the second fin, the isolation feature having sidewalls that extend through the capping layer, removing the hard mask layer to expose the capping layer and the sidewalls of the isolation feature, and forming a conductive electrode over the capping layer and along the sidewalls of the isolation feature.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes receiving a silicon substrate having an isolation feature disposed on the substrate and a well adjacent the isolation feature, wherein the well includes a first dopant. The method also includes etching a recess to remove a portion of the well and epitaxially growing a silicon layer (EPI layer) in the recess to form a channel, wherein the channel includes a second dopant. The method also includes forming a barrier layer between the well and the EPI layer, the barrier layer including at least one of either silicon carbon or silicon oxide. The barrier layer can be formed either before or after the channel. The method further includes forming a gate electrode disposed over the channel and forming a source and drain in the well.

Abstract: A method of forming high-k metal gates (HKMGs) includes removing a dummy gate structure formed over a first fin and a second fin to form a trench that exposes portions of the first fin and the second fin, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the exposed portions of the first fin and the second fin, forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer, forming a hard mask layer over the capping layer, such that the hard mask layer fills the trench completely, forming an isolation feature in the hard mask layer between the first fin and the second fin, the isolation feature having sidewalls that extend through the capping layer, removing the hard mask layer to expose the capping layer and the sidewalls of the isolation feature, and forming a conductive electrode over the capping layer and along the sidewalls of the isolation feature.

Abstract: A method of forming high-k metal gates (HKMGs) includes removing a dummy gate structure formed over a first fin and a second fin to form a trench that exposes portions of the first fin and the second fin, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the exposed portions of the first fin and the second fin, forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer, forming a hard mask layer over the capping layer, such that the hard mask layer fills the trench completely, forming an isolation feature in the hard mask layer between the first fin and the second fin, the isolation feature having sidewalls that extend through the capping layer, removing the hard mask layer to expose the capping layer and the sidewalls of the isolation feature, and forming a conductive electrode over the capping layer and along the sidewalls of the isolation feature.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes receiving a silicon substrate having an isolation feature disposed on the substrate and a well adjacent the isolation feature, wherein the well includes a first dopant. The method also includes etching a recess to remove a portion of the well and epitaxially growing a silicon layer (EPI layer) in the recess to form a channel, wherein the channel includes a second dopant. The method also includes forming a barrier layer between the well and the EPI layer, the barrier layer including at least one of either silicon carbon or silicon oxide. The barrier layer can be formed either before or after the channel. The method further includes forming a gate electrode disposed over the channel and forming a source and drain in the well.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, at least two gate spacers, a gate stack, an insulating structure, and at least one sacrificial layer. The substrate has at least one semiconductor fin. The gate spacers are disposed on the substrate. The gate stack is disposed between the gate spacers and covers the semiconductor fin. The insulating structure is disposed between the gate spacers and adjacent to the gate stack. The sacrificial layer is disposed between at least one of the gate spacers and the insulating structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes receiving a silicon substrate having an isolation feature disposed on the substrate and a well adjacent the isolation feature, wherein the well includes a first dopant. The method also includes etching a recess to remove a portion of the well and epitaxially growing a silicon layer (EPI layer) in the recess to form a channel, wherein the channel includes a second dopant. The method also includes forming a barrier layer between the well and the EPI layer, the barrier layer including at least one of either silicon carbon or silicon oxide. The barrier layer can be formed either before or after the channel. The method further includes forming a gate electrode disposed over the channel and forming a source and drain in the well.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method. In this method, a semiconductor substrate, which has an active region disposed in the semiconductor substrate, is received. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is formed to laterally surround the active region. An upper surface of the active region bounded by the STI structure is recessed to below an upper surface of the STI structure. The recessed upper surface extends continuously between inner sidewalls of the STI structure and leaves upper portions of the inner sidewalls of the STI structure exposed. A semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown on the recessed surface of the active region between the inner sidewalls of the STI structure. A gate dielectric is formed over the epitaxially-grown semiconductor layer. A conductive gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method. In this method, a semiconductor substrate, which has an active region disposed in the semiconductor substrate, is received. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is formed to laterally surround the active region. An upper surface of the active region bounded by the STI structure is recessed to below an upper surface of the STI structure. The recessed upper surface extends continuously between inner sidewalls of the STI structure and leaves upper portions of the inner sidewalls of the STI structure exposed. A semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown on the recessed surface of the active region between the inner sidewalls of the STI structure. A gate dielectric is formed over the epitaxially-grown semiconductor layer. A conductive gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method. In this method, a semiconductor substrate, which has an active region disposed in the semiconductor substrate, is received. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is formed to laterally surround the active region. An upper surface of the active region bounded by the STI structure is recessed to below an upper surface of the STI structure. The recessed upper surface extends continuously between inner sidewalls of the STI structure and leaves upper portions of the inner sidewalls of the STI structure exposed. A semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown on the recessed surface of the active region between the inner sidewalls of the STI structure. A gate dielectric is formed over the epitaxially-grown semiconductor layer. A conductive gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method. In this method, a semiconductor substrate, which has an active region disposed in the semiconductor substrate, is received. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is formed to laterally surround the active region. An upper surface of the active region bounded by the STI structure is recessed to below an upper surface of the STI structure. The recessed upper surface extends continuously between inner sidewalls of the STI structure and leaves upper portions of the inner sidewalls of the STI structure exposed. A semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown on the recessed surface of the active region between the inner sidewalls of the STI structure. A gate dielectric is formed over the epitaxially-grown semiconductor layer. A conductive gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric.

Abstract: The embodiments described provide methods and semiconductor device areas for etching an active area region on a semiconductor body and epitaxially depositing a semiconductor layer overlying the active region. The methods enable the mitigation or elimination of problems encountered in subsequent manufacturing associated with STI divots.

Abstract: The embodiments described provide methods and semiconductor device areas for etching an active area region on a semiconductor body and epitaxially depositing a semiconductor layer overlying the active region. The methods enable the mitigation or elimination of problems encountered in subsequent manufacturing associated with STI divots.