Abstract: An integrated circuit includes memory cells having array transistors separated by minimum lithographic feature size, and unsilicided metal bit lines encapsulated by a diffusion barrier while high performance logic transistors may be formed on the same chip without compromise of performance including an effective channel silicided contacts for low source/drain contact resistance, extension and halo implants for control of short channel effects and a dual work function semiconductor gate having a high impurity concentration and correspondingly thin depletion layer thickness commensurate with state of the art gate dielectric thickness. This structure is achieved by of an easily planarized material, and using a similar mask planarized to the height of the structures of differing materials to decouple substrate and gate implantations in the logic transistors.

Abstract: A method is provided for blocking implants from the gate electrode of an FET device. Form a first planarizing film covering the substrate and the gate electrode stack. The first planarizing film is planarized by either polishing or self-planarizing. For deposition by HDP or use of spin on materials, the film is self-planarizing. Where polishing is required, the first planarizing film is planarized by polishing until the top of the gate electrode is exposed. Etch back the gate electrode below the level of the upper surface of the first planarizing film. Then deposit a blanket layer of a second planarizing film and polish to planarize it to a level exposing the first planarizing film, forming the second planarizing film into an implantation block covering the top surface of the gate. Remove the first planarizing film. Form the counterdoped regions by implanting dopant into the substrate using the implantation block to block implantation of the dopant into the gate electrode.

Abstract: A high-performance recessed channel CMOS device including an SOI layer having a recessed channel region and adjoining extension implant regions and optional halo implant regions; and at least one gate region present atop the SOI layer and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The adjoining extension and optional halo implant regions have an abrupt lateral profile and are located beneath said gate region.

Abstract: A method of forming a substantially uniform oxide film over surfaces with different level of doping and/or different dopant type is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for forming a uniform oxide spacer on the sidewalls of heavily doped n- and p-type gates is disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having at least two regions with dissimilar dopant characteristics, optionally heating the substrate; and forming a uniform oxide layer over the at least two regions by exposing the substrate to a gaseous mixture including atomic oxygen.

Abstract: An integrated circuit such as a memory chip with embedded logic or a logic array or processor with imbedded large cache memory in which all significant sources of incompatibility between array transistors and high performance logic transistors are resolved. The integrated circuit includes memory cells having array transistors separated by minimum lithographic feature size, F, and memory cell areas or 8-12 F2 and unsilicided metal bit lines encapsulated by a diffusion barrier while high performance logic transistors may be formed on the same chip without compromise of performance including an effective channel length of 0.7F or less, silicided contacts for low source/drain contact resistance, extension and halo implants for control of short channel effects and a dual work function semiconductor gate having a high impurity concentration and correspondingly thin depletion layer thickness commensurate with state of the art gate dielectric thickness.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure where a low gate resistance is obtained, while simultaneously reducing silicon consumption in the source/drain diffusion regions. The method provides a semiconductor structure having a thin silicide region formed atop source/drain regions and a thicker silicide region formed atop gate regions. The method includes: first forming a structure which includes self-aligned silicide regions atop the source/drain diffusion regions and the gate region. A non-reactive film and a planarizing film are then applied to the structure containing the self-aligned silicide regions and thereafter a thicker silicide region, as compared to the self-aligned silicide region located atop the source/drain regions, is formed on the gate region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting a semiconductor shallow trench isolation (STI) oxide from etching, the method comprising lowering, if necessary, the upper surface of said STI oxide to a level below that of adjacent silicon active areas, depositing a nitride liner upon said STI oxide and adjacent silicon active areas in a manner effective in defining a depression above said STI oxide, filling said depression with a protective film, and removing said nitride layer from said adjacent active areas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting semiconductor areas while exposing a structures for processing on a semiconductor surface, the method comprising depositing a planarizing high density plasma film of a silicon compound, selected from the group silicon oxide and silicon nitride, depositing a planarized polymer film to a thickness effective in protecting said high density plasma film while leaving high density plasma excess exposed, and etching away said high density plasma excess.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting a semiconductor shallow trench isolation (STI) oxide from etching, the method comprising lowering, if necessary, the upper surface of said STI oxide to a level below that of adjacent silicon active areas, depositing a nitride liner upon said STI oxide and adjacent silicon active areas in a manner effective in defining a depression above said STI oxide, filling said depression with a protective film, and removing said nitride layer from said adjacent active areas.

Abstract: A high-performance recessed channel CMOS device including an SOI layer having a recessed channel region and adjoining extension implant regions and optional halo implant regions; and at least one gate region present atop the SOI layer and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The adjoining extension and optional halo implant regions have an abrupt lateral profile and are located beneath said gate region.

Abstract: A method and structure for improving the gate activation of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) structures are provided. The method of the present invention includes the steps of forming a structure having a plurality of patterned gate stacks atop a layer of gate dielectric material; forming a non-conformal film on the structure including the plurality of patterned gate stacks; blocking some of the plurality of patterned gate stacks with a first resist, while leaving other patterned gate stacks of said plurality unblocked; implanting first ions into the unblocked patterned gate stacks; removing the first resist and blocking the previously unblocked patterned gate stacks with a second resist; implanting second ions into the patterned gate stacks that are not blocked by the second resist; and removing the second resist and the non-conformal film.

Abstract: A method and structure for improving the gate activation of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) structures are provided. The method of the present invention includes the steps of forming a structure having a plurality of patterned gate stacks atop a layer of gate dielectric material; forming a non-conformal film on the structure including the plurality of patterned gate stacks; blocking some of the plurality of patterned gate stacks with a first resist, while leaving other patterned gate stacks of said plurality unblocked; implanting first ions into the unblocked patterned gate stacks; removing the first resist and blocking the previously unblocked patterned gate stacks with a second resist; implanting second ions into the patterned gate stacks that are not blocked by the second resist; and removing the second resist and the non-conformal film.

Abstract: A method for forming an oxide layer on a silicon substrate includes forming a sacrificial oxide layer on the silicon substrate, implanting nitrogen into the silicon substrate, annealing the silicon substrate having implanted nitrogen, removing the sacrificial oxide layer from the silicon substrate, and forming an oxide layer on the silicon substrate. The dose of nitrogen implanted into silicon is preferably higher than 1e14 cm31 2. The annealing process is preferably performed at temperatures in a range from about 550° C. to about 1000° C. and for a time period between about 1 second and about 2 hours.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a Si-based metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) transistor which prevents the polycrystalline grains of the gate conductor from getting significantly larger by reducing the thermal budget of the sidewall oxidation process. The thermal budget of the inventive sidewall oxidation process is reduced one or two orders of magnitude over conventional prior art sidewall oxidation processes by utilizing atomic oxygen as the oxidizing ambient. The present invention also provides Si-based MIS transistors having a gate conductor having grain sizes of about 0.1, preferably 0.05, &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting semiconductor areas while exposing a gate for processing on a semiconductor surface, the method comprising depositing a planarizing high density plasma layer of a silicon compound, selected from the group silicon oxide and silicon nitride, in a manner effective in leaving an upper surface of said gate exposed. Also disclosed is a method of processing short gates while protecting long gates on a semiconductor surface, the method comprising depositing a planarizing layer of a silicon compound, selected from the group silicon nitride and silicon oxide, up to substantially the same height as said gates, and processing said semiconductor surface.

Abstract: A method for improving the gate activation of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) structures are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting semiconductor areas while exposing a structures for processing on a semiconductor surface, the method comprising depositing a planarizing high density plasma film of a silicon compound, selected from the group silicon oxide and silicon nitride, depositing a planarized polymer film to a thickness effective in protecting said high density plasma film while leaving high density plasma excess exposed, and etching away said high density plasma excess.

Abstract: A method is described for making elevated sidewall spacers on the gate structure of a semiconductor device. A first insulating layer is deposited on the substrate, so that an upper portion of each of the sidewalls extends above the layer. A second insulating layer is deposited on the first layer and on the gate structure. Portions of the second layer disposed on the first layer and on the top surface of the gate structure are removed, so that a remaining portion of the second layer is disposed on the upper portion of each of the sidewalls. The first layer is then removed, so that the remaining portion of the second layer on each of the sidewalls projects laterally therefrom and is elevated with respect to the substrate. This structure is used to implant PFET and NFET extension regions without dose loss.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a Si-based metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) transistor which prevents the polycrystalline grains of the gate conductor from getting significantly larger by reducing the thermal budget of the sidewall oxidation process. The thermal budget of the inventive sidewall oxidation process is reduced one or two orders of magnitude over conventional prior art sidewall oxidation processes by utilizing atomic oxygen as the oxidizing ambient. The present invention also provides Si-based MIS transistors having a gate conductor having grain sizes of about 0.1, preferably 0.05, &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A method for improving the gate activation of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) structures are provided.