Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for customization of nanowire transistor devices to provide a diverse range of channel configurations and/or material systems within the same integrated circuit die. In accordance with one example embodiment, sacrificial fins are removed and replaced with custom material stacks of arbitrary composition and strain suitable for a given application. In one such case, each of a first set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with a p-type layer stack, and each of a second set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with an n-type layer stack. The p-type layer stack can be completely independent of the process for the n-type layer stack, and vice-versa. Numerous other circuit configurations and device variations are enabled using the techniques provided herein.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with isolated body portions are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor body disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor body includes a channel region and a pair of source and drain regions on either side of the channel region. An isolation pedestal is disposed between the semiconductor body and the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode stack at least partially surrounds a portion of the channel region of the semiconductor body.

Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) devices having nanomagnets for an improved range of operating voltages and improved control of dimensions of a cantilever are described. For example, in an embodiment, a nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) device includes a substrate layer, a first magnetic layer disposed above the substrate layer, a first dielectric layer disposed above the first magnetic layer, a second dielectric disposed above the first dielectric layer, and a cantilever disposed above the second dielectric layer. The cantilever bends from a first position to a second position towards the substrate layer when a voltage is applied to the cantilever.

Abstract: Nanowire structures having non-discrete source and drain regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of vertically stacked nanowires disposed above a substrate. Each of the nanowires includes a discrete channel region disposed in the nanowire. A gate electrode stack surrounds the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires. A pair of non-discrete source and drain regions is disposed on either side of, and adjoining, the discrete channel regions of the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires.

Abstract: Complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor nanowire structures are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a first nanowire disposed above a substrate. The first nanowire has a mid-point a first distance above the substrate and includes a discrete channel region and source and drain regions on either side of the discrete channel region. A first gate electrode stack completely surrounds the discrete channel region of the first nanowire. The semiconductor structure also includes a second semiconductor device. The second semiconductor device includes a second nanowire disposed above the substrate. The second nanowire has a mid-point a second distance above the substrate and includes a discrete channel region and source and drain regions on either side of the discrete channel region. The first distance is different from the second distance.

Abstract: Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a nanowire device comprising a substrate comprising source/drain structures adjacent to spacers, and nanowire channel structures disposed between the spacers, wherein the nanowire channel structures are vertically stacked above each other.

Abstract: A nanowire device of the present description may be produced with the incorporation of at least one underlayer etch stop formed during the fabrication of at least one nanowire transistor in order to assist in protecting source structures and/or drain structures from damage that may result from fabrication processes. The underlayer etch stop may prevent damage to the source structures and/or drain the structures, when the material used in the fabrication of the source structures and/or the drain structures is susceptible to being etched by the processes used in the removal of the sacrificial materials, i.e. low selectively to the source structure and/or the drain structure materials, such that potential shorting between the transistor gate electrodes and contacts formed for the source structures and/or the drain structures may be prevented.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with isolated body portions are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor body disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor body includes a channel region and a pair of source and drain regions on either side of the channel region. An isolation pedestal is disposed between the semiconductor body and the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode stack at least partially surrounds a portion of the channel region of the semiconductor body.

Abstract: Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a nanowire device comprising a substrate comprising source/drain structures adjacent to spacers, and nanowire channel structures disposed between the spacers, wherein the nanowire channel structures are vertically stacked above each other.

Abstract: Complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor nanowire structures are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a first nanowire disposed above a substrate. The first nanowire has a mid-point a first distance above the substrate and includes a discrete channel region and source and drain regions on either side of the discrete channel region. A first gate electrode stack completely surrounds the discrete channel region of the first nanowire. The semiconductor structure also includes a second semiconductor device. The second semiconductor device includes a second nanowire disposed above the substrate. The second nanowire has a mid-point a second distance above the substrate and includes a discrete channel region and source and drain regions on either side of the discrete channel region. The first distance is different from the second distance.

Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing photo-definable spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. Photo-definable material remains in the dimples by altering the etch characteristics of material outside of the dimples and selectively removing altered photo-definable material outside of the dimples.

Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.

Abstract: A nanowire transistor of the present description may be produced with internal spacers formed by using sacrificial spacers during the fabrication thereof. Once the nanowire transistor is formed, the sacrificial spacers, which are position between the transistor gate and the source and drains (respectively), may be removed. The sacrificial material between channel nanowires of the nanowire transistor may then be removed and a dielectric material may be deposited to fill the spaces between the channel nanowires. The dielectric material not between the channel nanowires may be removed to form the internal spacers. External spacers, which are position between the transistor gate and the source and drains (respectively), may then be formed adjacent the internal spacers and transistor channel nanowires.

Abstract: Uniaxially strained nanowire structures are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of vertically stacked uniaxially strained nanowires disposed above a substrate. Each of the uniaxially strained nanowires includes a discrete channel region disposed in the uniaxially strained nanowire. The discrete channel region has a current flow direction along the direction of the uniaxial strain. Source and drain regions are disposed in the nanowire, on either side of the discrete channel region. A gate electrode stack completely surrounds the discrete channel regions.

Abstract: Nanowire structures having non-discrete source and drain regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of vertically stacked nanowires disposed above a substrate. Each of the nanowires includes a discrete channel region disposed in the nanowire. A gate electrode stack surrounds the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires. A pair of non-discrete source and drain regions is disposed on either side of, and adjoining, the discrete channel regions of the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of etching sacrificial material. The method includes supplying a semiconductor substrate in a reaction chamber, wherein the substrate includes a channel disposed on the substrate and a sacrificial layer disposed on at least a portion of the channel. The method further includes supplying an interhalogen vapor to the reaction chamber, etching at least a portion of the sacrificial layer with the interhalogen vapor and exposing at least a portion of said channel from under the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A nanowire transistor of the present description may be produced with internal spacers formed by using sacrificial spacers during the fabrication thereof. Once the nanowire transistor is formed, the sacrificial spacers, which are position between the transistor gate and the source and drains (respectively), may be removed. The sacrificial material between channel nanowires of the nanowire transistor may then be removed and a dielectric material may be deposited to fill the spaces between the channel nanowires. The dielectric material not between the channel nanowires may be removed to form the internal spacers. External spacers, which are position between the transistor gate and the source and drains (respectively), may then be formed adjacent the internal spacers and transistor channel nanowires.

Abstract: Nanowire-based mechanical switching devices are described. For example, a nanowire relay includes a nanowire disposed in a void disposed above a substrate. The nanowire has an anchored portion and a suspended portion. A first gate electrode is disposed adjacent the void, and is spaced apart from the nanowire. A first conductive region is disposed adjacent the first gate electrode and adjacent the void, and is spaced apart from the nanowire.

Abstract: Uniaxially strained nanowire structures are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of vertically stacked uniaxially strained nanowires disposed above a substrate. Each of the uniaxially strained nanowires includes a discrete channel region disposed in the uniaxially strained nanowire. The discrete channel region has a current flow direction along the direction of the uniaxial strain. Source and drain regions are disposed in the nanowire, on either side of the discrete channel region. A gate electrode stack completely surrounds the discrete channel regions.

Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.