Abstract: Sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures are provided on the basis of a hybrid process strategy in which the work function of certain gate electrode structures is adjusted in an early manufacturing stage, while, in other gate electrode structures, the initial gate stack is used as a dummy material and is replaced in a very advanced manufacturing stage. In this manner, superior overall process robustness in combination with enhanced device performance may be achieved.

Abstract: The drain and source regions may at least be partially formed by in situ doped epitaxially grown semiconductor materials for complementary transistors in sophisticated semiconductor devices designed for low power and high performance applications. To this end, cavities may be refilled with in situ doped semiconductor material, which in some illustrative embodiments also provides a desired strain in the channel regions of the complementary transistors.

Abstract: In sophisticated P-channel transistors, which may frequently suffer from a pronounced surface topography of the active regions with respect to the surrounding isolation regions, superior performance may be achieved by using a tilted implantation upon forming the deep drain and source regions, preferably with the tilt angle of 20 degrees or less, thereby substantially avoiding undue lateral dopant penetration into sensitive channel areas.

Abstract: In a replacement gate approach in sophisticated semiconductor devices, the placeholder material of gate electrode structures of different type are separately removed. Furthermore, electrode metal may be selectively formed in the resulting gate opening, thereby providing superior process conditions in adjusting a respective work function of gate electrode structures of different type. In one illustrative embodiment, the separate forming of gate openings in gate electrode structures of different type may be based on a mask material that is provided in a gate layer stack.

Abstract: Processes for preparing a stressed semiconductor wafer and processes for preparing devices including a stressed semiconductor wafer are provided herein. An exemplary process for preparing a stressed semiconductor wafer includes providing a semiconductor wafer of a first material having a first crystalline lattice constant. A stressed crystalline layer of a second material having a different lattice constant from the first material is pseudomorphically formed on a surface of the semiconductor wafer. A first via is etched through the stressed crystalline layer and at least partially into the semiconductor wafer to release stress in the stressed crystalline layer adjacent the first via, thereby transferring stress to the semiconductor wafer and forming a stressed region in the semiconductor wafer. The first via in the semiconductor wafer is filled with a first filler material to impede dissipation of stress in the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: When forming sophisticated SOI devices, a substrate diode and a film diode are formed by using one and the same implantation mask for determining the well dopant concentration in the corresponding well regions. Consequently, during the further processing, the well dopant concentration of any transistor elements may be achieved independently from the well regions of the diode in the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits having substrate contacts and integrated circuits having substrate contacts are provided. One method includes forming a first trench in a SOI substrate extending through a buried insulating layer to a silicon substrate. A metal silicide region is formed in the silicon substrate exposed by the first trench. A first stress-inducing layer is formed overlying the metal silicide region. A second stress-inducing layer is formed overlying the first stress-inducing layer. An ILD layer of dielectric material is formed overlying the second stress-inducing layer. A second trench is formed extending through the ILD layer and the first and second stress-inducing layers to the metal silicide region. The second trench is filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: When forming sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures in an early manufacturing stage, superior process robustness, reduced yield loss and an enhanced degree of flexibility in designing the overall process flow may be accomplished by forming and patterning the sensitive gate materials prior to forming isolation regions.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are formed without full silicidation of the gates and with independent adjustment of silicides in the gates and source/drain regions. Embodiments include forming a gate on a substrate, forming a nitride cap on the gate, forming a source/drain region on each side of the gate, forming a first silicide in each source/drain region, removing the nitride cap subsequent to the formation of the first silicide, and forming a second silicide in the source/drain regions and in the gate, subsequent to removing the nitride cap. Embodiments include forming the first silicide by forming a first metal layer on the source/drain regions and performing a first RTA, and forming the second silicide by forming a second metal layer on the source/drain regions and on the gate and performing a second RTA.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein involves forming first and second gate structures that include a cap layer for a first transistor device and a second transistor device, respectively, wherein the first and second transistors are oriented transverse to one another, performing a first halo ion implant process to form first halo implant regions for the first transistor with the cap layer in position in the first gate structure of the first transistor, removing the cap layer from at least the second gate structure of the second transistor and, after removing the cap layer, performing a second halo ion implant process to form second halo implant regions for the second transistor, wherein the first and second halo implant processes are performed at transverse angles relative to the substrate.

Abstract: In sophisticated P-channel transistors, which may frequently suffer from a pronounced surface topography of the active regions with respect to the surrounding isolation regions, superior performance may be achieved by using a tilted implantation upon forming the deep drain and source regions, preferably with the tilt angle of 20 degrees or less, thereby substantially avoiding undue lateral dopant penetration into sensitive channel areas.

Abstract: A HKMG device with PMOS eSiGe source/drain regions is provided. Embodiments include forming first and second HKMG gate stacks on a substrate, forming a nitride liner and oxide spacers on each side of each HKMG gate stack, performing halo/extension implants at each side of each HKMG gate stack, forming an oxide liner and nitride spacers on the oxide spacers of each HKMG gate stack, forming deep source/drain regions at opposite sides of the second HKMG gate stack, forming an oxide hardmask over the second HKMG gate stack, forming embedded silicon germanium (eSiGe) at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, and removing the oxide hardmask.

Abstract: A HKMG device with PMOS eSiGe source/drain regions is provided. Embodiments include forming first and second HKMG gate stacks on a substrate, each including a SiO2 cap, forming extension regions at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, forming a nitride liner and oxide spacers on each side of HKMG gate stack; forming a hardmask over the second HKMG gate stack; forming eSiGe at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, removing the hardmask, forming a conformal liner and nitride spacers on the oxide spacers of each of the first and second HKMG gate stacks, and forming deep source/drain regions at opposite sides of the second HKMG gate stack.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein involves forming first and second gate structures that include a cap layer for a first transistor device and a second transistor device, respectively, wherein the first and second transistors are oriented transverse to one another, performing a first halo ion implant process to form first halo implant regions for the first transistor with the cap layer in position in the first gate structure of the first transistor, removing the cap layer from at least the second gate structure of the second transistor and, after removing the cap layer, performing a second halo ion implant process to form second halo implant regions for the second transistor, wherein the first and second halo implant processes are performed at transverse angles relative to the substrate.

Abstract: Improved MOSFET devices are obtained by incorporating strain inducing source-drain regions whose closest facing “nose” portions underlying the gate are located at different depths from the device surface. In a preferred embodiment, the spaced-apart source-drain regions may laterally overlap. This close proximity increases the favorable impact of the strain inducing source-drain regions on the carrier mobility in an induced channel region between the source and drain. The source-drain regions are formed by epitaxially refilling asymmetric cavities etched from both sides of the gate. Cavity asymmetry is obtained by forming an initial cavity proximate only one sidewall of the gate and then etching the final spaced-apart source-drain cavities proximate both sidewalls of the gate along predetermined crystallographic directions.

Abstract: A substrate diode device having an anode and a cathode includes a doped well positioned in a bulk layer of an SOI substrate. A first doped region is positioned in the doped well, the first doped region being for one of the anode or the cathode, the first doped region having a first long axis and a second doped region positioned in the doped well. The second doped region is separate from the first doped region, the second doped region being for the other of the anode or the cathode, the second doped region having a second long axis that is oriented at an orientation angle with respect to the first long axis.

Abstract: Storage transistors for flash memory areas in semiconductor devices may be provided on the basis of a self-aligned charge storage region. To this end, a floating spacer element may be provided in some illustrative embodiments, while, in other cases, the charge storage region may be efficiently embedded in the electrode material in a self-aligned manner during a replacement gate approach. Consequently, enhanced bit density may be achieved, since additional sophisticated lithography processes for patterning the charge storage region may no longer be required.

Abstract: When forming sophisticated transistors on the basis of a highly stressed dielectric material formed above a transistor, the stress transfer efficiency may be increased by reducing the size of the spacer structure of the gate electrode structure prior to depositing the highly stressed material. Prior to the deposition of the highly stressed material, an additional cleaning process may be implemented in order to reduce the presence of any metal contaminants, in particular in the vicinity of the gate electrode structure, which would otherwise result in an increased fringing capacitance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a semiconductor device. In one example, the method comprises forming layer of silicon germanium on a P-active region of a semiconducting substrate wherein the layer of silicon germanium has a first concentration of germanium, and performing an oxidation process on the layer of silicon germanium to increase a concentration of germanium in at least a portion of the layer of silicon germanium to a second concentration that is greater than the first concentration of germanium.

Abstract: Transistor devices are formed with a pMOS and an nMOS workfunction stack of substantially equal thickness after gate patterning. Embodiments include forming n-type and p-type areas in a substrate, forming a pMOS workfunction metal stack layer on both areas, forming a hardmask layer on the pMOS workfunction metal stack layer on the n-type area, removing the pMOS workfunction metal stack layer from the p-type area, forming an nMOS workfunction metal stack layer on the p-type area and on the hardmask layer, and removing the nMOS workfunction metal stack layer from the hardmask layer.