Abstract: In a gate last metal gate process for forming a transistor, a dielectric layer is formed over an intermediate transistor structure, the intermediate structure including a dummy gate electrode, typically formed of polysilicon. Various processes, such as patterning the polysilicon, planarizing top layers of the structure, and the like can remove top portions of the dielectric layer, which can result in decreased control of gate height when a metal gate is formed in place of the dummy gate electrode, decreased control of fin height for finFETs, and the like. Increasing the resistance of the dielectric layer to attack from these processes, such as by implanting silicon or the like into the dielectric layer before such other processes are performed, results in less removal of the top surface, and hence improved control of the resulting structure dimensions and performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a source/drain structure, a dielectric layer, a contact plug. The gate structure is positioned over a fin structure. The source/drain structure is positioned in the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The dielectric layer is positioned over the gate structure and the source/drain structure. The contact plug is positioned passing through the dielectric layer. The contact plug includes a first metal compound including one of group III elements, group IV elements, group V elements or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to doping for conductive features in a semiconductor device. In an example, a structure includes an active region of a transistor. The active region includes a source/drain region, and the source/drain region is defined at least in part by a first dopant having a first dopant concentration. The source/drain region further includes a second dopant with a concentration profile having a consistent concentration from a surface of the source/drain region into a depth of the source/drain region. The consistent concentration is greater than the first dopant concentration. The structure further includes a conductive feature contacting the source/drain region at the surface of the source/drain region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first gate within the first region and a second gate within the second region on the semiconductor substrate; forming first source/drain features of a first semiconductor material with an n-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the first region; forming second source/drain features of a second semiconductor material with a p-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the second region. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material in composition. The method further includes forming first silicide features to the first source/drain features and second silicide features to the second source/drain features; and performing an ion implantation process of a species to both the first and second regions, thereby introducing the species to first silicide features and the second source/drain features.

Abstract: In a gate last metal gate process for forming a transistor, a dielectric layer is formed over an intermediate transistor structure, the intermediate structure including a dummy gate electrode, typically formed of polysilicon. Various processes, such as patterning the polysilicon, planarizing top layers of the structure, and the like can remove top portions of the dielectric layer, which can result in decreased control of gate height when a metal gate is formed in place of the dummy gate electrode, decreased control of fin height for finFETs, and the like. Increasing the resistance of the dielectric layer to attack from these processes, such as by implanting silicon or the like into the dielectric layer before such other processes are performed, results in less removal of the top surface, and hence improved control of the resulting structure dimensions and performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to doping for conductive features in a semiconductor device. In an example, a structure includes an active region of a transistor. The active region includes a source/drain region, and the source/drain region is defined at least in part by a first dopant having a first dopant concentration. The source/drain region further includes a second dopant with a concentration profile having a consistent concentration from a surface of the source/drain region into a depth of the source/drain region. The consistent concentration is greater than the first dopant concentration. The structure further includes a conductive feature contacting the source/drain region at the surface of the source/drain region.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming an ultra-shallow junction having high dopant concentration and low contact resistance in a p-type source/drain region. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a source/drain region in an active area on a substrate, the source/drain region comprising germanium, performing an ion implantation process using gallium (Ga) to form an amorphous region in the source/drain region, performing an ion implantation process using a dopant into the amorphous region, and subjecting the amorphous region to a thermal process.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate and forming a gate stack over the fin structure. The method also includes forming an epitaxial structure over the fin structure. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer over the epitaxial structure and forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the epitaxial structure. In addition, the method includes forming a modified region in the epitaxial structure. The modified region has lower crystallinity than an inner portion of the epitaxial structure and extends along an entirety of an exposed surface of the epitaxial structure. The method also includes forming a semiconductor-metal compound region on the epitaxial structure. All or some of the modified region is transformed into the semiconductor-metal compound region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a source/drain structure, a first contact plug and a first via plug. The gate structure is positioned over a fin structure. The source/drain structure is positioned in the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The first contact plug is positioned over the source/drain structure. The first via plug is positioned over the first contact plug. The first via plug includes a first group IV element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to doping for conductive features in a semiconductor device. In an example, a structure includes an active region of a transistor. The active region includes a source/drain region, and the source/drain region is defined at least in part by a first dopant having a first dopant concentration. The source/drain region further includes a second dopant with a concentration profile having a consistent concentration from a surface of the source/drain region into a depth of the source/drain region. The consistent concentration is greater than the first dopant concentration. The structure further includes a conductive feature contacting the source/drain region at the surface of the source/drain region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first gate within the first region and a second gate within the second region on the semiconductor substrate; forming first source/drain features of a first semiconductor material with an n-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the first region; forming second source/drain features of a second semiconductor material with a p-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the second region. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material in composition. The method further includes forming first silicide features to the first source/drain features and second silicide features to the second source/drain features; and performing an ion implantation process of a species to both the first and second regions, thereby introducing the species to first silicide features and the second source/drain features.

Abstract: In a gate last metal gate process for forming a transistor, a dielectric layer is formed over an intermediate transistor structure, the intermediate structure including a dummy gate electrode, typically formed of polysilicon. Various processes, such as patterning the polysilicon, planarizing top layers of the structure, and the like can remove top portions of the dielectric layer, which can result in decreased control of gate height when a metal gate is formed in place of the dummy gate electrode, decreased control of fin height for finFETs, and the like. Increasing the resistance of the dielectric layer to attack from these processes, such as by implanting silicon or the like into the dielectric layer before such other processes are performed, results in less removal of the top surface, and hence improved control of the resulting structure dimensions and performance.

Abstract: In a gate last metal gate process for forming a transistor, a dielectric layer is formed over an intermediate transistor structure, the intermediate structure including a dummy gate electrode, typically formed of polysilicon. Various processes, such as patterning the polysilicon, planarizing top layers of the structure, and the like can remove top portions of the dielectric layer, which can result in decreased control of gate height when a metal gate is formed in place of the dummy gate electrode, decreased control of fin height for finFETs, and the like. Increasing the resistance of the dielectric layer to attack from these processes, such as by implanting silicon or the like into the dielectric layer before such other processes are performed, results in less removal of the top surface, and hence improved control of the resulting structure dimensions and performance.

Abstract: In a gate last metal gate process for forming a transistor, a dielectric layer is formed over an intermediate transistor structure, the intermediate structure including a dummy gate electrode, typically formed of polysilicon. Various processes, such as patterning the polysilicon, planarizing top layers of the structure, and the like can remove top portions of the dielectric layer, which can result in decreased control of gate height when a metal gate is formed in place of the dummy gate electrode, decreased control of fin height for finFETs, and the like. Increasing the resistance of the dielectric layer to attack from these processes, such as by implanting silicon or the like into the dielectric layer before such other processes are performed, results in less removal of the top surface, and hence improved control of the resulting structure dimensions and performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first gate within the first region and a second gate within the second region on the semiconductor substrate; forming first source/drain features of a first semiconductor material with an n-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the first region; forming second source/drain features of a second semiconductor material with a p-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the second region. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material in composition. The method further includes forming first silicide features to the first source/drain features and second silicide features to the second source/drain features; and performing an ion implantation process of a species to both the first and second regions, thereby introducing the species to first silicide features and the second source/drain features.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gate electrode and spacers along sidewalls of the gate electrode. The integrated circuit further includes a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a diffusion barrier structure at least partially in a recess of the substrate. The diffusion barrier structure includes an epitaxial layer having a first region and a second region. The first region is thinner than the second region, and the first region is misaligned with respect to the sidewalls of the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a doped silicon-containing structure over the diffusion barrier structure. The first region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to partially prevent dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate. The second region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to substantially completely prevent the dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first gate within the first region and a second gate within the second region on the semiconductor substrate; forming first source/drain features of a first semiconductor material with an n-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the first region; forming second source/drain features of a second semiconductor material with a p-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the second region. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material in composition. The method further includes forming first silicide features to the first source/drain features and second silicide features to the second source/drain features; and performing an ion implantation process of a species to both the first and second regions, thereby introducing the species to first silicide features and the second source/drain features.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first gate within the first region and a second gate within the second region on the semiconductor substrate; forming first source/drain features of a first semiconductor material with an n-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the first region; forming second source/drain features of a second semiconductor material with a p-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the second region. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material in composition. The method further includes forming first silicide features to the first source/drain features and second silicide features to the second source/drain features; and performing an ion implantation process of a species to both the first and second regions, thereby introducing the species to first silicide features and the second source/drain features.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gate electrode and spacers along sidewalls of the gate electrode. The integrated circuit further includes a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a diffusion barrier structure at least partially in a recess of the substrate. The diffusion barrier structure includes an epitaxial layer having a first region and a second region. The first region is thinner than the second region, and the first region is misaligned with respect to the sidewalls of the gate electrode. The S/D region includes a doped silicon-containing structure over the diffusion barrier structure. The first region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to partially prevent dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate. The second region of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to substantially completely prevent the dopants of the doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a gate electrode over a substrate, forming a recess in the substrate and adjacent to the gate electrode, forming a diffusion barrier structure in the recess, forming an N-type doped silicon-containing structure over the diffusion barrier structure and thermally annealing the N-type doped silicon-containing structure. The diffusion barrier structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adjacent to the gate electrode and the second portion is distant from the gate electrode. The first portion of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to partially prevent N-type dopants of the N-type doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate and the second portion of the diffusion barrier structure is configured to substantially completely prevent N-type dopants of the N-type doped silicon-containing structure from diffusing into the substrate.