Abstract: A process of forming an electronic device can include patterning a semiconductor layer to define an opening extending to an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer lies between a substrate and the semiconductor layer. After patterning the semiconductor layer, the opening can have a bottom, and the semiconductor layer can have a sidewall and a surface. The surface can be spaced apart from the insulating layer, and the sidewall can extend from the surface towards the insulating layer. The process can also include depositing a nitride layer within the opening, wherein depositing is performed using a PECVD technique. The process can further include densifying the nitride layer. The process can still further include removing a part of the nitride layer, wherein a remaining portion of the nitride layer can lie within the opening and be spaced apart from the surface.

Abstract: A process of forming an electronic device can include patterning a semiconductor layer to define an opening extending to an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer lies between a substrate and the semiconductor layer. After patterning a semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer can have a sidewall and a surface, the surface can be spaced apart from the insulating layer, and the sidewall can extend from the surface towards the insulating layer. The process can also include chemical vapor depositing a first layer adjacent to the sidewall, wherein the first layer lies within the opening and adjacent to the sidewall, and is spaced apart from the surface. Chemical vapor depositing the first layer can be performed using an inductively coupled plasma.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a substrate, an insulating layer, and a semiconductor layer overlying the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer lies between the substrate and the semiconductor layer. In one aspect, a process of forming the electronic device can include patterning the semiconductor layer to define an opening extending to the insulating layer. The semiconductor layer has a sidewall and a surface, the surface is spaced apart from the insulating layer, and the sidewall extends from the surface towards the insulating layer. The process can also include forming a sidewall spacer adjacent to the sidewall, wherein the sidewall spacer lies within the opening and adjacent to the sidewall, and is spaced apart from the surface. In another aspect, the electronic device can include a field isolation region including the sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A process of forming an electronic device can include patterning a semiconductor layer to define an opening. After patterning the semiconductor layer, the opening can have a bottom, and the semiconductor layer can have a sidewall and a surface. The surface is spaced apart from the bottom of the opening. The sidewall can extend from the surface towards the bottom of the opening. The process can also include forming a layer over the semiconductor layer and within the opening, and removing a part of the first layer from within the opening. After removing the part of the layer, a remaining portion of the layer may lie within the opening and adjacent to the bottom and the sidewall, and the remaining portion of the layer may be spaced apart from the surface. In another aspect, the electronic device can include a field isolation region including the first layer.

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 (254) is formed over the oxide layer.

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 process can be used to achieve the benefits of corner rounding of a semiconductor layer near an edge of a trench field isolation region without having the bird's beak or stress issues that occur with a conventional SOI device. A trench can be partially etched into a semiconductor layer, and a liner layer may be formed to help round corners of the second semiconductor layer. In one embodiment, the trench can be etched deeper and potentially expose an underlying buried oxide layer. Formation of the trench field isolation region can be completed, and electronic components can be formed within the semiconductor layer. An electronic device, such as an integrated circuit, will have a liner layer that extends only partly, but not completely, along a sidewall of the trench. In another embodiment, the process can be extended to other substrates and is not limited only to SOI substrates.

Abstract: Divots (35, 36) may particularly be a problem for isolation trenches (22, 24) that are shallow. These divots (35, 36) may have a negative impact on the performance of the integrated circuit (49). Densification heating may be used to reduce the size and/or depth of these divots (35, 36) during manufacturing. For example, densification heating may be done at a temperature of at least 1100 degrees Celsius for at least 10 minutes after filling the isolation trenches (22, 24) with dielectric material (30). This densification heating may improve the variation in threshold voltages of transistors (e.g. 48) on an integrated circuit (49), particularly SOI (silicon on insulator) devices. SRAM cells (50) in particular may benefit from this densification heating.

Abstract: A process for forming an isolation trench in a wafer. The process includes depositing (e.g. by a directional deposition process) a first dielectric material in the trench and then depositing a second dielectric material (e.g. by a directional deposition process) over the first dielectric material in the trench. A third material is deposited in the trench on the second layer. The second material and the third material are selectively etchable with respect to each other. In one example, the first material has a lower dielectric constant than the second material.

Abstract: A method for forming trench isolation in an SOI substrate begins with a pad oxide followed by an antireflective coating (ARC) over the upper semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate. The pad oxide is kept to a thickness not greater than about 100 Angstroms. An opening is formed for the trench isolation that extends into the oxide below the upper semiconductor layer to expose a surface thereof. The pad oxide is recessed along its sidewall with an isotropic etch. This is followed by a thin, not greater than 50 Angstroms, oxide grown along the sidewall of the opening. This grown oxide avoids forming a recess between the ARC and the pad oxide and also avoids forming a void between the surface of the lower oxide layer and the grown oxide. This results in avoiding polysilicon stringers when the subsequent polysilicon gate layer is formed.