Abstract: A method for etching a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate includes opening a hardmask layer formed on an SOI layer, and etching through the SOI layer, a buried insulator layer underneath the SOI layer, and a bulk silicon layer beneath the buried insulator layer using a single etch step.

Abstract: A DRAM array in an SOI wafer having a uniform BOX layer extending throughout the array eliminates the collar oxide step in processing; connects the buried plates with an implant that, in turn, is connected to a conductive plug extending through the device layer and the box that is biased at ground; while the pass transistors are planar NFETs having floating bodies that have a leakage discharge path to ground through a grounded bitline.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of formed a nitrided surface layer atop a polysilicon gate electrode that inhibits the growth of an epi silicon layer thereon. Specifically, the method of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a polysilicon layer atop a gate dielectric layer, forming a nitrided surface layer on the polysilicon layer; selectively removing portions of the nitrided surface layer and the polysilicon layer stopping on the gate dielectric layer, while leaving a patterned stack of the nitrided surface layer and the polysilicon layer on the gate dielectric layer; forming sidewall spacers on at least exposed vertical sidewalls of polysilicon layer; removing portions of the gate dielectric layer not protected by the sidewall spacers; and growing an epi silicon layer on exposed horizontal surfaces of an underlying semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A DRAM array in an SOI wafer having a uniform BOX layer extending throughout the array eliminates the collar oxide step in processing; connects the buried plates with an implant that, in turn, is connected to a conductive plug extending through the device layer and the box that is biased at ground; while the pass transistors are planar NFETs having floating bodies that have a leakage discharge path to ground through a grounded bitline.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of formed a nitrided surface layer atop a polysilicon gate electrode that inhibits the growth of an epi silicon layer thereon. Specifically, the method of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a polysilicon layer atop a gate dielectric layer, forming a nitrided surface layer on the polysilicon layer; selectively removing portions of the nitrided surface layer and the polysilicon layer stopping on the gate dielectric layer, while leaving a patterned stack of the nitrided surface layer and the polysilicon layer on the gate dielectric layer; forming sidewall spacers on at least exposed vertical sidewalls of polysilicon layer; removing portions of the gate dielectric layer not protected by the sidewall spacers; and growing an epi silicon layer on exposed horizontal surfaces of an underlying semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of formed a nitrided surface layer atop a polysilicon gate electrode that inhibits the growth of an epi silicon layer thereon. Specifically, the method of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a polysilicon layer atop a gate dielectric layer, forming a nitrided surface layer on the polysilicon layer; selectively removing portions of the nitrided surface layer and the polysilicon layer stopping on the gate dielectric layer, while leaving a patterned stack of the nitrided surface layer and the polysilicon layer on the gate dielectric layer; forming sidewall spacers on at least exposed vertical sidewalls of polysilicon layer; removing portions of the gate dielectric layer not protected by the sidewall spacers; and growing an epi silicon layer on exposed horizontal surfaces of an underlying semiconductor substrate.