Abstract: In one embodiment, a metal-semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET) comprises a first silicon layer, an insulator layer formed on the first silicon layer, and a second silicon layer formed on the insulator layer. A gate region, a source region, and a drain region are formed in the second silicon layer. A first partial trench is formed in the second silicon layer between at least a portion of the gate region and at least a portion of the source region, wherein the first partial trench stops short of the insulator layer. A second partial trench formed in the second silicon layer between at least a portion of the gate region and at least a portion of the drain region, wherein the second partial trench stops short of the insulator layer. First and second oxide spacers are formed in the first and second partial trenches. The first and second oxide spacers and the source region, gate region, and the drain region are substantially planar.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a metal-semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET) comprises a first silicon layer, an insulator layer formed on the first silicon layer, and a second silicon layer formed on the insulator layer. A gate region, a source region, and a drain region are formed in the second silicon layer. A first partial trench is formed in the second silicon layer between at least a portion of the gate region and at least a portion of the source region, wherein the first partial trench stops short of the insulator layer. A second partial trench formed in the second silicon layer between at least a portion of the gate region and at least a portion of the drain region, wherein the second partial trench stops short of the insulator layer. First and second oxide spacers are formed in the first and second partial trenches. The first and second oxide spacers and the source region, gate region, and the drain region are substantially planar.

Abstract: A process flow for fabricating shallow trench isolation (STI) devices with direct body tie contacts is provided. The process flow follows steps similar to standard STI fabrication methods except that in one of the etching steps, body tie contacts are etched through the nitride layer and STI oxide layer, directly to the body tie. This process flow provides a direct body tie contact to mitigate floating body effects but also eliminates hysteresis and transient upset effects common in non-direct body tie contact configurations, without the critical alignment requirements and critical dimension control of the layout.

Abstract: A method of forming a body-tie. The method includes forming the body-tie during an STI scheme of an SOI process. During the STI scheme, a first trench is formed. The first trench stops before a buried oxide layer of the SOI substrate. The first trench may determine a height of body tie that is shared between at least two FETs. A second trench may also be formed within the first trench. The second trench stops in the SOI substrate. The second trench defines the location and shape of a body-tie. Once the location and shape of the body-tie are defined, an oxide is deposited above the body-tie. The deposited oxide prevents certain implants from entering the body tie. By preventing these implants, a source and a drain implant may be self-aligned to the source and drain areas without requiring the use of the photoresist mask to shield the body tie regions from the source and drain implant.

Abstract: A method for improving mobility by bending a silicon island. Oxygen diffuses and reacts down a first axis of a pFET or NFET. This results in a partial oxidation of a buried-oxide/silicon island interface. The partial oxidation produces a thickness variation in the silicon island that creates a stress along the first axis. The stress along the first axis produces an increase in carrier mobility. Oxidation along a second, perpendicular, axis is inhibited to prevent a decrease in carrier mobility. The partial oxidation may be incorporated in SOI and STI based process flows. In addition, a dual-gate oxidation process may further enhance the observed increase in carrier mobility.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device structure 100 formed using a self-aligned body tie (SABT) process. The SABT process connects the silicon body of a partially depleted (PD) structure to a bias terminal. In addition, the SABT process creates a self-aligned area of silicon around the edge of the active areas, as defined by the standard transistor active area mask, providing an area efficient device layout. By reducing the overall gate area, the speed and yield of the device may be increased. In addition, the process flow minimizes the sensitivity of critical device parameters due to misalignment and critical dimension control. The SABT process also suppresses the parasitic gate capacitance created with standard body tie techniques.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device structure 100 formed using a self-aligned body tie (SABT) process. The SABT process connects the silicon body of a partially depleted (PD) structure to a bias terminal. In addition, the SABT process creates a self-aligned area of silicon around the edge of the active areas, as defined by the standard transistor active area mask, providing an area efficient device layout. By reducing the overall gate area, the speed and yield of the device may be increased. In addition, the process flow minimizes the sensitivity of critical device parameters due to misalignment and critical dimension control. The SABT process also suppresses the parasitic gate capacitance created with standard body tie techniques.

Abstract: In a process of making a magnetoresistive memory device, a mask layout is produced by use of any suitable design tool. The mask layout is laid out in grids having a central grid forming a central section and grids forming bit end sections, and the grids of the bit end sections are rectangles. A mask is made by use of the mask layout, and the mask has stepped bit ends. The mask is used to make a magnetic storage layer having tapered bit ends, to make a magnetic sense layer having tapered bit ends, and to make a non-magnetic layer having tapered bit ends. The non-magnetic layer is between the magnetic sense layer and the magnetic storage layer.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device structure 100 formed using a self-aligned body tie (SABT) process. The SABT process connects the silicon body of a partially depleted (PD) structure to a bias terminal. In addition, the SABT process creates a self-aligned area of silicon around the edge of the active areas, as defined by the standard transistor active area mask, providing an area efficient device layout. By reducing the overall gate area, the speed and yield of the device may be increased. In addition, the process flow minimizes the sensitivity of critical device parameters due to misalignment and critical dimension control. The SABT process also suppresses the parasitic gate capacitance created with standard body tie techniques.