Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is provided herein. In accordance with the method, a semiconductor structure is provided which comprises an active semiconductor layer (224) disposed on a buried dielectric layer (222). A trench (229) is created in the semiconductor structure which exposes a portion of the buried dielectric layer. An oxide layer (250) is formed over the surfaces of the trench, and at least one stressor structure (255) is formed over the oxide layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a barrier layer (217) on a substrate comprising a dielectric layer (203) and a metal interconnect (211). In accordance with the method, the substrate is treated with a first plasma comprising helium, thereby forming a treated substrate. The treated substrate is then exposed to a second plasma selected from the group consisting of oxidizing plasmas and reducing plasmas. Next, a barrier layer is created on the treated substrate.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a first transistor structure including a first gate electrode surrounded by a first sidewall spacer having a first stress and a second transistor structure including a second gate electrode surrounding a second sidewall spacer having second stress. The first sidewall spacer is an only sidewall spacer surrounding the first gate electrode or a closer sidewall spacer as compared to any other sidewall spacer that surrounds the first gate electrode and the second sidewall spacer is an only sidewall spacer surrounding the second gate electrode or a closer sidewall spacer as compared to any other sidewall spacer that surrounds the second gate electrode, wherein the first stress has a lower value as compared to the second stress. More than one process can be used to form the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a first stressor layer over a surface of the semiconductor substrate; selectively removing portions of the first stressor layer; forming a second stressor layer over the surface of the semiconductor substrate and the first stressor layer; and selectively removing portions of the second stressor layer using an isotropic etch. In one embodiment, the isotropic etch is a wet etch that selectively removes the second stressor layer without removing a significant amount of the first stressor layer and also planarizing a boundary between the first stressor layer and the second stressor layer.

Abstract: A diffusion barrier stack is formed by forming a layer comprising a metal over a conductor that includes copper; and forming a first dielectric layer over the layer, wherein the dielectric layer is of a thickness that alone it can not serve as a diffusion barrier layer to the conductor and the first dielectric layer prevents oxidation of the layer. In one embodiment, the diffusion barrier stack includes two layers; the first layer is a conductive layer and the second layer is a dielectric layer. The diffusion barrier stack minimizes electromigration and copper diffusion from the conductor.

Abstract: An etch stop layer located over a plasma enhanced nitride (PEN) layer. Interlayer dielectric material is then formed over the etched stop layer. The etch stop layer is used as an etch stop for etching openings in the interlayer dielectric. In some embodiments, integrated circuits built with the PEN layer may include transistors with improved drive current at a given leakage current. Also, integrated circuits with the PEN layer may exhibit reduced parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is made by patterning a conductive layer for forming gates of transistors. The process for forming the gates has a step of patterning photoresist that overlies the conductive layer. The patterned photoresist is trimmed so that its width is reduced. Fluorine, preferably F2, is applied to the trimmed photoresist to increase its hardness and its selectivity to the conductive layer. Using the trimmed and fluorinated photoresist as a mask, the conductive layer is etched to form conductive features useful as gates. Transistors are formed in which the conductive pillars are gates. Other halogens, especially chlorine, may be substituted for the fluorine.