Abstract: Low resistivity titanium silicide, and semiconductor devices incorporating the same, may be formed by titanium alloy comprising titanium and 1-20 atomic percent refractory metal deposited in a layer overlying a silicon substrate, the substrate is then heated to a temperature sufficient to substantially form C54 phase titanium silicide. The titanium alloy may further comprise silicon and the refractory metal may be Mo, W, Ta, Nb, V, or Cr, and more preferably is Ta or Nb. The heating step used to form the low resistivity titanium silicide is performed at a temperature less than 900° C., and more preferably between about 600-700° C.

Abstract: A method and structure for improving the latch-up characteristic of semiconductor devices is provided. A dual depth STI is used to isolate the wells from each other. The trench has a first substantially horizontal surface at a first depth and a second substantially horizontal surface at a second depth which is deeper than the first depth. The n- and p-wells are formed on either side of the trench. A highly doped region is formed in the substrate underneath the second substantially horizontal surface of the trench. The highly doped region abuts both the first and the second wells and extends the isolation of the trench.

Abstract: A FET device comprising a semiconductor substrate; diffusion regions in the substrate separated by a channel region; a gate overlapping the channel region and a portion of the diffusion regions and separated from the substrate by a gate dielectric; and a sidewall dielectric on a sidewall of the gate; and a sidewall spacer conductor on the sidewall dielectric contacting one of the diffusion regions but not both of the diffusion regions of one device is provided along with a method for its fabrication. The conductive spacer connects diffusions of adjacent devices that share a common gate electrode.

Abstract: An improved field effect transistor (FET) structure is disclosed. It comprises a first insulator layer containing at least one primary level stud extending through the layer; an undoped cap oxide layer disposed over the insulator layer and abutting the upper region of each stud; a primary level thin film transistor (TFT) disposed over the undoped cap oxide layer; and a planarized oxide layer disposed over the TFT. Multiple TFT's can be stacked vertically, and connected to other levels of studs and metal interconnection layers. Another embodiment of the invention includes the use of a protective interfacial cap over the surface of tungsten-type studs. The FET structure can serve as a component of a static random access memory (SRAM) cell. Related processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming floating gate regions in non-volatile memory cells each having a floating gate and a control gate is disclosed. First, a plurality of isolation structures in a substrate extending above and below a surface of the substrate is formed. Second, a floating gate layer on the substrate over and between at least a portion of the isolation structures is formed. Finally, the floating gate layer is planarized down to the isolation structures for forming a plurality of the floating gate regions isolated by the isolation structures.

Abstract: Low resistivity titanium silicide, and semiconductor devices incorporating the same, may be formed by titanium alloy comprising titanium and 1-20 atomic percent refractory metal deposited in a layer overlying a silicon substrate, the substrate is then heated to a temperature sufficient to substantially form C54 phase titanium silicide. The titanium alloy may further comprise silicon and the refractory metal may be Mo, W, Ta, Nb, V, or Cr, and more preferably is Ta or Nb. The heating step used to form the low resistivity titanium silicide is performed at a temperature less than 900.degree. C., and more preferably between about 600.degree.-700.degree. C.

Abstract: Improved field effect transistor (FET) structures are described. They include a thin film transistor (TFT), wherein a contact layer directly connects a diffusion region of the TFT to an active site of another device, e.g., another transistor. This invention is especially suitable for TFT's which are built on one or more conductive studs. Static random access memory (SRAM) cells incorporating one or more of the TFT's are also described. Moreover, this invention is directed to methods for preventing or alleviating the problems associated with gouging during formation of contact layers.

Abstract: Improved field effect transistor (FET) structures are described. They include a thin film transistor (TFT), wherein a contact layer directly connects a diffusion region of the TFT to an active site of another device, e.g., another transistor. This invention is especially suitable for TFT's which are built on one or more conductive studs. Static random access memory (SRAM) cells incorporating one or more of the TFT's are also described.Moreover, this invention is directed to methods for preventing or alleviating the problems associated with gouging during formation of contact layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising two gate stacks of equal height but different composition. The two gate stacks each comprise two layers, with the first layer of each gate stack comprising the same material and the second layer of each gate stack comprising a different material. Each gate stack has an upper surface a distance `X` above the upper planar surface of a substrate of the semiconductor structure. Thus, the two gate stacks of different composition are of identical height.

Abstract: An improved field effect transistor (FET) structure is disclosed. It comprises a first insulator layer containing at least one primary level stud extending through the layer; an undoped cap oxide layer disposed over the insulator layer and abutting the upper region of each stud; a primary level thin film transistor (TFT) disposed over the undoped cap oxide layer; and a planarized oxide layer disposed over the TFT. Multiple TFT's can be stacked vertically, and connected to other levels of studs and metal interconnection layers. Another embodiment of the invention includes the use of a protective interfacial cap over the surface of tungsten-type studs. The FET structure can serve as a component of a static random access memory (SRAM) cell. Related processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming interconnections of devices of integrated circuits, especially interconnecting spaced source/drain regions and/or gate regions, and the resulting structures are provided. An etch-stop material such as silicon dioxide is deposited over the entire substrate on which the devices are formed. A layer of silicon is deposited over etch-stop material, and the silicon is selectively etched to reveal the etch-stop material at the regions to be connected. The etch-stop material at those regions is then removed. Following this a high-conductivity material, which is either a refractory metal or a silicide formed from layers of silicon and a refractory metal, is formed on the substrate connecting the spaced regions.

Abstract: Improved field effect transistor (FET) structures are described. They include a thin film transistor (TFT), wherein a contact layer directly connects a diffusion region of the TFT to an active site of another device, e.g., another transistor. This invention is especially suitable for TFT's which are built on one or more conductive studs. Static random access memory (SRAM) cells incorporating one or more of the TFT's are also described. Moreover, this invention is directed to methods for preventing or alleviating the problems associated with gouging during formation of contact layers.