Abstract: A method and device for improved polycide resistance in polysilicon gates under 0.20 &mgr;m. The several embodiments of the invention provide for formation of gate electrode structures with recessed and partially recessed spacers. One embodiment, provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thick inner spacers and thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack with thin inner spacers and thin outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers.

Abstract: A method of forming an isolation structure in a semiconductor substrate is described. A trench is first etched into a semiconductor substrate. A first oxide layer is then formed with the trench. The first oxide layer is subjected to a nitrogen-oxide gas ambient and is annealed to form an oxy-nitride surface on the first oxide layer and a silicon-oxynitride interface between the first oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate. A second oxide layer is then deposited over the oxy-nitride surface of the first oxide layer. The method and isolation structure of the present invention prevents dopant outdiffusion, reduces trench stresses, allows more uniform growth of thin gate oxides, and permits the use of thinner gate oxides.

Abstract: A tri-layer titanium coating for an aluminum layer of a semiconductor device. An aluminum layer used for interconnecting individual devices of an integrated circuit is formed on a semiconductor material. A first titanium nitride layer is deposited on the aluminum layer. A titanium layer is deposited on the first titanium nitride layer. A second titanium nitride layer is then deposited on the titanium layer. The tri-layer titanium coating prevents the formation of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and AIF.sub.3 during the etching of a via hole in an intermetal dielectric layer deposited above the second titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: A tri-layer titanium coating for an aluminum layer of a semiconductor device. An aluminum layer used for interconnecting individual devices of an integrated circuit is formed on a semiconductor material. A first titanium nitride layer is deposited on the aluminum layer. A titanium layer is deposited on the first titanium nitride layer. A second titanium nitride layer is then deposited on the titanium layer. The tri-layer titanium coating prevents the formation of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and AlF.sub.3 during the etching of a via hole in an intermetal dielectric layer deposited above the second titanium nitride layer.