Abstract: Methods for controlling the height of semiconductor structures are disclosed. Amorphous carbon is used as a stopping layer for controlling height variability. In one embodiment, the height of replacement metal gates for transistors is controlled. In another embodiment, the step height of a shallow trench isolation region is controlled.

Abstract: A method of forming a reverse image pattern on a semiconductor base layer is disclosed. The method comprises depositing a transfer layer of amorphous carbon on the semiconductor base layer, depositing a resist layer on the transfer layer, creating a first pattern in the resist layer, creating the first pattern in the transfer layer, removing the resist layer, depositing a reverse mask layer, planarizing the reverse mask layer, and removing the transfer layer, thus forming a second pattern that is a reverse image of the first pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a reverse image pattern on a semiconductor base layer is disclosed. The method comprises depositing a transfer layer of amorphous carbon on the semiconductor base layer, depositing a resist layer on the transfer layer, creating a first pattern in the resist layer, creating the first pattern in the transfer layer, removing the resist layer, depositing a reverse mask layer, planarizing the reverse mask layer, and removing the transfer layer, thus forming a second pattern that is a reverse image of the first pattern.

Abstract: A transistor structure includes a first type of transistor (e.g., P-type) positioned in a first area of the substrate, and a second type of transistor (e.g., N-type) positioned in a second area of the substrate. A first type of stressing layer (compressive conformal nitride) is positioned above the first type of transistor and a second type of stressing layer (compressive tensile nitride) is positioned above the second type of transistor. In addition, another first type of stressing layer (compressive oxide) is positioned above the first type of transistor. Further, another second type of stressing layer (compressive oxide) is positioned above the second type of transistor.

Abstract: In producing complementary sets of metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) field effect transistors, including nFET and pFET), carrier mobility is enhanced or otherwise regulated through the reacting the material of the gate electrode with a metal to produce a stressed alloy (preferably CoSi2, NiSi, or PdSi) within a transistor gate. In the case of both the nFET and pFET, the inherent stress of the respective alloy results in an opposite stress on the channel of respective transistor. By maintaining opposite stresses in the nFET and pFET alloys or silicides, both types of transistors on a single chip or substrate can achieve an enhanced carrier mobility, thereby improving the performance of CMOS devices and integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method is provided in which a stress present in a film is reduced in magnitude by oxidizing the film through atomic oxygen supplied to a surface of the film. In an embodiment, a mask is used to selectively block portions of the film so that the stress is relaxed only in areas exposed to the oxidation process. A method is further provided in which a film having a stress is formed over source and drain regions of an NFET and a PFET. The stress present in the film over the source and drain regions of either the NFET or the PFET is then relaxed by oxidizing the film through exposure to atomic oxygen to provide enhanced mobility in at least one of the NFET or the PFET while maintaining desirable mobility in the other of the NFET and PFET.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming gate stacks for field-effect-transistors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an field effect transistor (FET) comprising an inverted source/drain metallic contact that has a lower portion located in a first, lower dielectric layer and an upper portion located in a second, upper dielectric layer. The lower portion of the inverted source/drain metallic contact has a larger cross-sectional area than the upper portion. Preferably, the lower portion of the inverted source/drain metallic contact has a cross-sectional area ranging from about 0.03 ?m2 to about 3.15 ?m2, and such an inverted source/drain metallic contact is spaced apart from a gate electrode of the FET by a distance ranging from about 0.001 ?m to about 5 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an field effect transistor (FET) comprising an inverted source/drain metallic contact that has a lower portion located in a first, lower dielectric layer and an upper portion located in a second, upper dielectric layer. The lower portion of the inverted source/drain metallic contact has a larger cross-sectional area than the upper portion. Preferably, the lower portion of the inverted source/drain metallic contact has a cross-sectional area ranging from about 0.03 ?m2 to about 3.15 ?m2, and such an inverted source/drain metallic contact is spaced apart from a gate electrode of the FET by a distance ranging from about 0.001 ?m to about 5 ?m.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) device includes a gate conductor and gate dielectric formed over an active device area of a semiconductor substrate. A drain region is formed in the active device area of the semiconductor substrate, on one side of the gate conductor, and a source region is formed in the active device area of the semiconductor substrate, on an opposite side of the gate conductor. A dielectric halo or plug is formed in the active area of said semiconductor substrate, the dielectric halo or plug disposed in contact between the drain region and a body region, and in contact between the source region and the body region.

Abstract: A method for increasing the level of stress for amorphous thin film stressors by means of modifying the internal structure of such stressors is provided. The method includes first forming a first portion of an amorphous film stressor material on at least a surface of a substrate, said first portion having a first state of mechanical strain defining a first stress value. After the forming step, the first portion of the amorphous film stressor material is densified such that the first state of mechanical strain is not substantially altered, while increasing the first stress value. In some embodiments, the steps of forming and densifying are repeated any number of times to obtain a preselected and desired thickness for the stressor.

Abstract: Compressive or tensile materials are selectively introduced beneath and in alignment with spacer areas and adjacent to channel areas of a semiconductor substrate to enhance or degrade electron and hole mobility in CMOS circuits. A process entails steps of creating dummy spacers, forming a dielectric mandrel (i.e., mask), removing the dummy spacers, etching recesses into the underlying semiconductor substrate, introducing a compressive or tensile material into a portion of each recess, and filling the remainder of each recess with substrate material.

Abstract: A method embodiment deposits a first dielectric layer over a transistor and then implants a gettering agent into the first dielectric layer. After this first dielectric layer is formed, the method forms a second (thicker) dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer. After this, the standard contacts are formed through the insulating layer to the source, drain, gate, etc. of the transistor. Additionally, reactive ion etching, chemical mechanical processing, and other back-end-of-line processing are performed. The back-end-of-line processes can introduce mobile ions into the dielectric over a transistor; however, the gettering agent traps the mobile ions and prevents the mobile ions from contaminating the transistor.

Abstract: A method provides an etching ambient environment within an ultraviolet curing chamber and can optionally also generate an electrical discharge in the chamber. The method also irradiates the substrate with ultraviolet radiation. The providing of the etching ambient environment, the generating of the electrical discharge, and the irradiating can be performed simultaneously. Alternatively, the providing of the etching ambient environment and the generating of the electrical discharge can be used as a pre-treatment and performed before the irradiating. The etching ambient environment and the generating of the electrical discharge can be provided in such concentrations that the etching ambient environment removes hydrogen and/or oxygen from the deposited thin film.

Abstract: A transistor structure includes a first type of transistor (e.g., P-type) positioned in a first area of the substrate, and a second type of transistor (e.g., N-type) positioned in a second area of the substrate. A first type of stressing layer (compressive conformal nitride) is positioned above the first type of transistor and a second type of stressing layer (compressive tensile nitride) is positioned above the second type of transistor. In addition, another first type of stressing layer (compressive oxide) is positioned above the first type of transistor. Further, another second type of stressing layer (compressive oxide) is positioned above the second type of transistor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure, includes: providing a substrate, providing an electrode on the substrate, forming a recess in the electrode, the recess having an opening, disposing a small grain semiconductor material within the recess, covering the opening to contain the small grain semiconductor material, within the recess, and then annealing the resultant structure.

Abstract: A dielectric cap and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the dielectric cap includes a dielectric material having an optical band gap (e.g. greater than about 3.0 electron-Volts) to substantially block ultraviolet radiation during a curing treatment, and including nitrogen with electron donor, double bond electrons.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system is provided including forming a circuit element on a wafer, forming a stress formation layer having a non-uniform profile over the wafer, and forming an interlayer dielectric over the stress formation layer and the wafer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure, includes: providing a substrate, providing an electrode on the substrate, forming a recess in the electrode, the recess having an opening, disposing a small grain semiconductor material within the recess, covering the opening to contain the small grain semiconductor material, within the recess, and then annealing the resultant structure.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) device includes a gate conductor and gate dielectric formed over an active device area of a semiconductor substrate. A drain region is formed in the active device area of the semiconductor substrate, on one side of the gate conductor, and a source region is formed in the active device area of the semiconductor substrate, on an opposite side of the gate conductor. A dielectric halo or plug is formed in the active area of said semiconductor substrate, the dielectric halo or plug disposed in contact between the drain region and a body region, and in contact between the source region and the body region.