Abstract: Memory devices and methods of forming memory devices are described. The memory devices comprise a substrate with at least one film stack. The film stack comprises a polysilicon layer on the substrate; a bit line metal layer on the polysilicon layer; a cap layer on the bit line metal layer; and a hardmask on the cap layer. The memory device of some embodiments includes an optional barrier metal layer on the polysilicon layer and the bit line metal layer is on the barrier metal layer. Methods of forming electronic devices are described where one or more patterns are transferred through the films of the film stack to provide the bit line of a memory device.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods of forming memory devices are described. The memory devices comprise a substrate with at least one film stack. The film stack comprises a polysilicon layer on the substrate; a bit line metal layer on the polysilicon layer; a cap layer on the bit line metal layer; and a hardmask on the cap layer. The memory device of some embodiments includes an optional barrier metal layer on the polysilicon layer and the bit line metal layer is on the barrier metal layer. Methods of forming electronic devices are described where one or more patterns are transferred through the films of the film stack to provide the bit line of a memory device.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for forming a transistor. More specifically, implementations described herein generally relate to methods for forming a source/drain contact. In one implementation, the method includes forming a trench in a dielectric material to expose a source/drain region of a transistor, performing a pre-clean process on the exposed source/drain region, forming a doped semiconductor layer on the source/drain region by an epitaxial deposition process, and fill the trench with a conductor. The doped semiconductor layer has a lower electrical resistance than the source/drain region due to a higher dopant concentration in the doped semiconductor layer. As a result, the contact resistance of the source/drain contact is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a processing system and a method of forming a contact. The processing system includes a plurality of process chambers configured to deposit, etch, and/or anneal a source/drain region of a substrate. The method includes depositing a doped semiconductor layer over a source/drain region, forming an anchor layer in a trench, and depositing a conductor in the trench. The method of forming a contact results in reduced contact resistance by using integrated processes, which allows various operations of the source/drain contact formation to be performed within the same processing system.

Abstract: A process of smoothing a top surface of a bit line metal of a memory structure decreases resistance of a bit line stack. The process includes depositing a titanium layer of approximately 30 angstroms to 50 angstroms on a polysilicon layer on a substrate, depositing a first titanium nitride layer of approximately 15 angstroms to approximately 40 angstroms on the titanium layer, annealing the substrate at a temperature of approximately 700 degrees Celsius to approximately 850 degrees Celsius, depositing a second titanium nitride layer of approximately 15 angstroms to approximately 40 angstroms on the first titanium nitride layer after annealing, and depositing a bit line metal layer of ruthenium on the second titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods of forming memory devices are described. The memory devices comprise a substrate with at least one film stack. The film stack comprises a polysilicon layer on the substrate; a bit line metal layer on the polysilicon layer; a cap layer on the bit line metal layer; and a hardmask on the cap layer. The memory device of some embodiments includes an optional barrier metal layer on the polysilicon layer and the bit line metal layer is on the barrier metal layer. Methods of forming electronic devices are described where one or more patterns are transferred through the films of the film stack to provide the bit line of a memory device.

Abstract: Logic devices and methods of forming logic devices are described. An epitaxial channel is formed orthogonally to a horizontal plane of a substrate surface with a stack or horizontal transistors on the substrate surface. The first horizontal transistor having a first length and a first step, the second horizontal transistor having a second length and a second step and a third horizontal transistor has a third length and a third step. Each of the horizontal transistors is separated from adjacent layers by a horizontal isolation layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to form fully self-aligned vias are described. First conductive lines are recessed in a first insulating layer on a substrate. A first metal film is formed in the recessed first conductive lines and pillars are formed from the first metal film. Some of the pillars are selectively removed and a second insulating layer is deposited around the remaining pillar. The remaining pillars are removed to form vias in the second insulating layer. A third insulating layer is deposited in the vias and an overburden is formed on the second insulating layer. Portions of the overburden are selectively etched from the second insulating layer to expose the second insulating layer and the filled vias and leaving portions of the third insulating layer on the second insulating layer. The third insulating layer is etched from the filled vias to form a via opening to the first conductive line.

Abstract: A finFET device includes a doped source and/or drain extension that is disposed between a gate spacer of the finFET and a bulk semiconductor portion of the semiconductor substrate on which the n-doped or p-doped source or drain extension is disposed. The doped source or drain extension is formed by a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process in a cavity formed proximate the gate spacer. After formation of the cavity, advanced processing controls (APC) (i.e., integrated metrology) is used to determine the distance of recess, without exposing the substrate to an oxidizing environment. The isotropic etch process, the metrology, and selective epitaxial growth may be performed in the same platform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for substrate fabrication are provided herein.

Abstract: Methods of doping a semiconductor material are disclosed. Some embodiments provide for conformal doping of three dimensional structures. Some embodiments provide for doping with high concentrations of boron for p-type doping.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to provide a fully self-aligned via are described. Some embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device having a bridging via between a first metallization and a third metallization layer, the bridging via not contacting a second metallization layers. Methods of providing self-aligned bridging vias are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to form fully self-aligned vias are described. First conductive lines are recessed in a first insulating layer on a substrate. A first metal film is formed in the recessed first conductive lines and pillars are formed from the first metal film. Some of the pillars are selectively removed and a second insulating layer is deposited around the remaining pillar. The remaining pillars are removed to form vias in the second insulating layer. A third insulating layer is deposited in the vias and an overburden is formed on the second insulating layer. Portions of the overburden are selectively etched from the second insulating layer to expose the second insulating layer and the filled vias and leaving portions of the third insulating layer on the second insulating layer. The third insulating layer is etched from the filled vias to form a via opening to the first conductive line.

Abstract: Various methods for forming a layer of strained silicon in a channel region of a device and devices constructed according to the disclosed methods. In one embodiment, a strain-inducing layer is formed, a relaxed layer is formed on the strain-inducing layer, a portion of the strain-inducing layer is removed, which allows the strain-inducing layer to relax and strain the relaxed layer.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an n channel transistor, which results in electron mobility improvement in the channel, is described. Sacrificial capping layers comprising an oxide and nitride layer are conformally formed over a polysilicon gate after source and drain implantation, and remain in place during annealing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides a stepped tip junction region between a source/drain region of a transistor and a gate. In some embodiments, a spacer of the transistor includes a tip junction spacer layer and a source/drain spacer layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Those methods comprise implanting a first concentration of a species into an active area with a first energy, wherein the species pre-damages a portion of the active area, and then implanting a second concentration of the species into the active area with a second energy, wherein the total concentration of the species does not substantially penetrate an underlying channel region.

Abstract: A method including introducing a dielectric layer over a substrate between an interconnection line and the substrate, the dielectric layer comprising a plurality of alternating material layers; and patterning an interconnection to the substrate. An apparatus comprising a substrate comprising a plurality of devices formed thereon; and an interlayer dielectric layer comprising a base layer and a cap layer, the cap layer comprising a plurality of alternating material layers overlying the substrate.

Abstract: A method including introducing a dielectric layer over a substrate between an interconnection line and the substrate, the dielectric layer comprising a plurality of alternating material layers; and patterning an interconnection to the substrate. An apparatus comprising a substrate comprising a plurality of devices formed thereon; and an interlayer dielectric layer comprising a base layer and a cap layer, the cap layer comprising a plurality of alternating material layers overlying the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Those methods comprise implanting a first concentration of a species into an active area with a first energy, wherein the species pre-damages a portion of the active area, and then implanting a second concentration of the species into the active area with a second energy, wherein the total concentration of the species does not substantially penetrate an underlying channel region.