Abstract: The disclosed method includes forming an initial layer stack comprising a sacrificial layer of a first semiconductor material and over the sacrificial layer a channel layer of a second semiconductor material, forming a fin structures by patterning trenches in the initial layer stack, forming an anchoring structure extending across the fin structures, and while the channel layers are anchored by the anchoring structure: removing the sacrificial layers by a selective etching of the first semiconductor material, thereby forming a longitudinal cavity underneath the channel layer of each fin structure, and depositing an insulating material to fill the cavities, wherein the insulating material is formed of a flowable dielectric, and subsequently recessing the at least one anchoring structure and the insulating material to a level below the cavities such that the insulating material remains in the cavities to form insulating layers underneath the channel layers of each fin structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a first transistor structure from a first channel layer and a second transistor structure from a second channel layer is disclosed. The first channel layer and the second channel layer are vertically stacked on a substrate. The method includes processing the first transistor structure from above, followed by processing the second transistor structure from the backside.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is related to a method that includes the formation of contact vias for contacting gate electrodes and source (S) or drain (D) electrodes of nano-sized semiconductor transistors formed on a semiconductor wafer. The electrodes are mutually parallel and provided with dielectric gate and S/D plugs on top of the electrodes, and the mutually parallel electrode/plug assemblies are separated by dielectric spacers. The formation of the vias takes place by two separate self-aligned etch processes, the Vint-A etch for forming one or more vias towards one or more S/D electrodes and the Vint-G etch for forming one or more vias towards one or more gate electrodes. According to the disclosed technology, a conformal layer is deposited on the wafer after the first self-aligned etch process, wherein the conformal layer is resistant to the second self-aligned etch process. The conformal layer thereby protects the first contact via during the second self-aligned etch.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device, the method including: providing a substrate with at least one fin or nanowire; forming a dummy gate; providing spacers on the at least one fin or nanowire and the dummy gate; performing a first RMG module wherein high-k material is provided on at least one fin or nanowire, between the spacers; one or more annealing steps; providing a sacrificial plug between the spacers; epitaxially growing a source and drain in the at least one fin or nanowire; removing the sacrificial plug; performing a second RMG module wherein a WFM is deposited between at least part of the spacers such that the WFM is covering the high-k material of the at least one fin or nanowire.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a method of forming a stacked semiconductor device. One aspect includes fin structures formed by upper and lower channel layers which are separated by an intermediate layer. After preliminary fun cuts are formed in the fin structure, a sacrificial spacer is formed that covers end surfaces of an upper channel layer portion. Final fin cuts are formed in the fin structure where the lower channel layer is etched which defines a lower channel layer portion. Lower source/drain regions are formed on end surfaces of the lower channel layer portion. The sacrificial spacer shields the end surfaces of the upper channel layer portion allowing for selective deposition of material for the lower source/drain regions.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is related to a method that includes the formation of contact vias for contacting gate electrodes and source (S) or drain (D) electrodes of nano-sized semiconductor transistors formed on a semiconductor wafer. The electrodes are mutually parallel and provided with dielectric gate and S/D plugs on top of the electrodes, and the mutually parallel electrode/plug assemblies are separated by dielectric spacers. The formation of the vias takes place by two separate self-aligned etch processes, the Vint-A etch for forming one or more vias towards one or more S/D electrodes and the Vint-G etch for forming one or more vias towards one or more gate electrodes. According to the disclosed technology, a conformal layer is deposited on the wafer after the first self-aligned etch process, wherein the conformal layer is resistant to the second self-aligned etch process. The conformal layer thereby protects the first contact via during the second self-aligned etch.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device, the method including: providing a substrate with at least one fin or nanowire; forming a dummy gate; providing spacers on the at least one fin or nanowire and the dummy gate; performing a first RMG module wherein high-k material is provided on at least one fin or nanowire, between the spacers; one or more annealing steps; providing a sacrificial plug between the spacers; epitaxially growing a source and drain in the at least one fin or nanowire; removing the sacrificial plug; performing a second RMG module wherein a WFM is deposited between at least part of the spacers such that the WFM is covering the high-k material of the at least one fin or nanowire.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a method of forming a stacked semiconductor device. One aspect includes fin structures formed by upper and lower channel layers which are separated by an intermediate layer. After preliminary fun cuts are formed in the fin structure, a sacrificial spacer is formed that covers end surfaces of an upper channel layer portion. Final fin cuts are formed in the fin structure where the lower channel layer is etched which defines a lower channel layer portion. Lower source/drain regions are formed on end surfaces of the lower channel layer portion. The sacrificial spacer shields the end surfaces of the upper channel layer portion allowing for selective deposition of material for the lower source/drain regions.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to methods for forming source/drain contacts. One embodiment includes a method for forming a source contact and a drain contact in a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure that includes a semiconductor active area having channel, source, and drain regions, a gate structure on the channel region, a gate plug on the gate structure, spacers lining side walls of the gate structure and of the gate plug, an etch stop layer covering the source and gain regions, a sacrificial material on the etch stop layer over the source and drain regions, and a masking structure that masks the source and drain regions. The method also includes forming gaps, removing the masking structure, filling the gaps, exposing the sacrificial material, removing the sacrificial material, removing the etch stop layer, and forming the source contact and the drain contact by depositing a conductive material.

Abstract: A method of forming gate contacts and/or contact lines on a plurality of fins. The method comprises providing a wafer comprising a semiconductor structure which comprises a plurality of fins. The method further comprises patterning at least one continuous trench over the fins, and filling at least one of the trenches with metal to obtain at least one continuous gate in contact with the fins and/or filling at least one of the trenches with metal to obtain at least one continuous contact line in contact with the fins. The method further comprises cutting the metal of the at least one gate and/or cutting the metal of the at least one contact line in between some of the fins.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to methods for forming source/drain contacts. One embodiment includes a method for forming a source contact and a drain contact in a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure that includes a semiconductor active area having channel, source, and drain regions, a gate structure on the channel region, a gate plug on the gate structure, spacers lining side walls of the gate structure and of the gate plug, an etch stop layer covering the source and gain regions, a sacrificial material on the etch stop layer over the source and drain regions, and a masking structure that masks the source and drain regions. The method also includes forming gaps, removing the masking structure, filling the gaps, exposing the sacrificial material, removing the sacrificial material, removing the etch stop layer, and forming the source contact and the drain contact by depositing a conductive material.

Abstract: A method is provided for blocking a portion of a longitudinal through-hole during manufacture of a semiconductor structure, comprising the steps of: forming a stack comprising a hard mask comprising at least one trench, and a first coating filling the at least one trench and coating the hard mask, wherein the first coating comprises one or more materials that can be etched selectively with respect to a second coating; etching at least one vertical via in the first coating directly above the portion of the trench in such a way as to remove the first coating over at least a fraction of the depth of the trench, filling the at least one via with the second coating material, and removing the first coating selectively with respect to the second coating from at least the one or more longitudinal through-holes in such a way as to leave in place any of the first coating present directly underneath the second coating.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a patterned substrate comprising a semiconductor region and a dielectric region. A conformal layer of a first dielectric material is deposited directly on the patterned substrate. A layer of a sacrificial material is deposited overlying the conformal layer of the first dielectric material. The sacrificial material is patterned, whereby a part of the semiconductor region remains covered by the patterned sacrificial material. A layer of a second dielectric material is deposited on the patterned substrate, thereby completely covering the patterned sacrificial material. A recess is formed in the second dielectric material by completely removing the patterned sacrificial material. The exposed conformal layer of the first dielectric material is removed selectively to the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit comprises a Front End of Line (FEOL) comprising a plurality of transistors, each of which having a source region, a drain region and a gate region arranged between the source region and the drain region and comprising a gate electrode. The semiconductor circuit also comprises a buried interconnect that is arranged in the FEOL and electrically connected to the gate region from below through a bottom contact portion of the gate electrode. By using a buried interconnect the routing of the circuit may be facilitated.

Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method for making a contact to a source or drain region of a semiconductor device. The method may include providing the semiconductor device having at least one source or drain region, the source or drain region having an exposed area. The method may further include partially etching the source or drain region such that the exposed area is increased. The method may further include providing a contact covering at least the etched part of the source or drain region. The contact may contact the source or drain region on at least 3 sides of the source or drain region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a patterned substrate comprising a semiconductor region and a dielectric region. A conformal layer of a first dielectric material is deposited directly on the patterned substrate. A layer of a sacrificial material is deposited overlying the conformal layer of the first dielectric material. The sacrificial material is patterned, whereby a part of the semiconductor region remains covered by the patterned sacrificial material. A layer of a second dielectric material is deposited on the patterned substrate, thereby completely covering the patterned sacrificial material. A recess is formed in the second dielectric material by completely removing the patterned sacrificial material. The exposed conformal layer of the first dielectric material is removed selectively to the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit comprises a Front End of Line (FEOL) comprising a plurality of transistors, each of which having a source region, a drain region and a gate region arranged between the source region and the drain region and comprising a gate electrode. The semiconductor circuit also comprises a buried interconnect that is arranged in the FEOL and electrically connected to the gate region from below through a bottom contact portion of the gate electrode. By using a buried interconnect the routing of the circuit may be facilitated.

Abstract: A method is provided for blocking a portion of a longitudinal through-hole during manufacture of a semiconductor structure, comprising the steps of: forming a stack comprising a hard mask comprising at least one trench, and a first coating filling the at least one trench and coating the hard mask, wherein the first coating comprises one or more materials that can be etched selectively with respect to a second coating; etching at least one vertical via in the first coating directly above the portion of the trench in such a way as to remove the first coating over at least a fraction of the depth of the trench, filling the at least one via with the second coating material, and removing the first coating selectively with respect to the second coating from at least the one or more longitudinal through-holes in such a way as to leave in place any of the first coating present directly underneath the second coating.

Abstract: A method for producing a contact through the pre-metal dielectric (PMD) layer of an integrated circuit, between the front end of line and the back end of line, and the device produced thereby are disclosed. The PMD layer includes oxygen. In one aspect, the method includes producing a hole in the PMD, depositing a conductive barrier layer at the bottom of the hole, depositing a CuMn alloy on the bottom and side walls of the hole, filling the remaining portion of the hole with Cu. The method further includes performing an anneal process to form a barrier on the side walls of the hole, wherein the barrier has an oxide including Mn. The method further includes performing a CMP process.