Abstract: A cut-last process for cutting fin segments of a FinFET structure on a substrate utilizes a two-step process. After the fins are formed, an oxide material is deposited in the trenches of the FinFET structure. The oxide material can be an STI oxide or a low-stress dummy gapfill material. A fin segment can be removed by an etchant and can leave a concave shaped (such as a u-shape or v-shape) portion of silicon at the bottom of the fin. Where the oxide material is an STI oxide, the void left by removing the fin can be filled with replacement STI oxide. Where the oxide material is a dummy gapfill material, the dummy gapfill material can be removed and replaced with an STI oxide or converted to an STI oxide and filled with replacement STI oxide before or after the conversion.

Abstract: A FinFET and methods for forming a FinFET are disclosed. A method includes forming trenches in a semiconductor substrate to form a fin, depositing an insulating material within the trenches, and removing a portion of the insulating material to expose sidewalls of the fin. The method also includes recessing a portion of the exposed sidewalls of the fin to form multiple recessed surfaces on the exposed sidewalls of the fin, wherein adjacent recessed surfaces of the multiple recessed surfaces are separated by a lattice shift. The method also includes depositing a gate dielectric on the recessed portion of the sidewalls of the fin and depositing a gate electrode on the gate dielectric.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor device fabrication includes providing a substrate having a hardmask layer thereover. The hardmask layer is patterned to expose the substrate. The substrate is etched through the patterned hardmask layer to form a first fin element and a second fin element extending from the substrate. An isolation feature between the first and second fin elements is formed, where the isolation feature has a first etch rate in a first solution. A laser anneal process is performed to irradiate the isolation feature with a pulsed laser beam. A pulse duration of the pulsed laser beam is adjusted based on a height of the isolation feature. The isolation feature after performing the laser anneal process has a second etch rate less than the first etch rate in the first solution.

Abstract: An embodiment fin field effect transistor (finFET) includes a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate and a gate stack. The fin includes a channel region. The gate stack is disposed over and covers sidewalls of the channel region. The channel region includes at least two different semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure disposed over a portion of the fin structure. The gate structure traverses the fin structure and separates a source region and a drain region of the fin structure, the source and drain region defining a channel therebetween. The source and drain region of the fin structure include a strained source and drain feature. The strained source feature and the strained drain feature each include: a first portion having a first width and a first depth; and a second portion disposed below the first portion, the second portion having a second width and a second depth. The first width is greater than the second width, and the first depth is less than the second depth.

Abstract: A device including a substrate having a fin. A metal gate structure is formed on the fin. The metal gate structure includes a stress metal layer formed on the fin such that the stress metal layer extends to a first height from an STI feature, the first height being greater than the fin height. A conduction metal layer is formed on the stress metal layer.

Abstract: A FinFET and methods for forming a FinFET are disclosed. A method includes forming trenches in a semiconductor substrate to form a fin, depositing an insulating material within the trenches, and removing a portion of the insulating material to expose sidewalls of the fin. The method also includes recessing a portion of the exposed sidewalls of the fin to form multiple recessed surfaces on the exposed sidewalls of the fin, wherein adjacent recessed surfaces of the multiple recessed surfaces are separated by a lattice shift. The method also includes depositing a gate dielectric on the recessed portion of the sidewalls of the fin and depositing a gate electrode on the gate dielectric.

Abstract: A finFET and methods for forming a finFET are disclosed. A structure comprises a substrate, a fin, a gate dielectric, and a gate electrode. The substrate comprises the fin. The fin has a major surface portion of a sidewall, and the major surface portion comprises at least one lattice shift. The at least one lattice shift comprises an inward or outward shift relative to a center of the fin. The gate dielectric is on the major surface portion of the sidewall. The gate electrode is on the gate dielectric.

Abstract: An embodiment fin field effect transistor (finFET) includes a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate and a gate stack. The fin includes a channel region. The gate stack is disposed over and covers sidewalls of the channel region. The channel region includes at least two different semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor device fabrication includes forming a first dummy gate structure in a first region of a semiconductor substrate and forming a second dummy gate structure in a second region of the semiconductor substrate. A protective layer (e.g., oxide and/or silicon nitride hard mask) is formed on the second dummy gate structure. The first dummy gate structure is removed after forming the protective layer, thereby providing a first trench. A capping layer (e.g., silicon) is formed in the first trench. A metal gate structure may be formed on the capping layer. The protective layer may protect the second dummy gate structure during the removal of the first dummy gate structure.

Abstract: A finFET and methods for forming a finFET are disclosed. A structure comprises a substrate, a fin, a gate dielectric, and a gate electrode. The substrate comprises the fin. The fin has a major surface portion of a sidewall, and the major surface portion comprises at least one lattice shift. The at least one lattice shift comprises an inward or outward shift relative to a center of the fin. The gate dielectric is on the major surface portion of the sidewall. The gate electrode is on the gate dielectric.

Abstract: A device including a substrate having a fin. A metal gate structure is formed on the fin. The metal gate structure includes a stress metal layer formed on the fin such that the stress metal layer extends to a first height from an STI feature, the first height being greater than the fin height. A conduction metal layer is formed on the stress metal layer.

Abstract: A finFET and methods for forming a finFET are disclosed. A structure comprises a substrate, a fin, a gate dielectric, and a gate electrode. The substrate comprises the fin. The fin has a major surface portion of a sidewall, and the major surface portion comprises at least one lattice shift. The at least one lattice shift comprises an inward or outward shift relative to a center of the fin. The gate dielectric is on the major surface portion of the sidewall. The gate electrode is on the gate dielectric.

Abstract: A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure disposed over a portion of the fin structure. The gate structure traverses the fin structure and separates a source region and a drain region of the fin structure, the source and drain region defining a channel therebetween. The source and drain region of the fin structure include a strained source and drain feature. The strained source feature and the strained drain feature each include: a first portion having a first width and a first depth; and a second portion disposed below the first portion, the second portion having a second width and a second depth. The first width is greater than the second width, and the first depth is less than the second depth.

Abstract: A method and device including a substrate having a fin. A metal gate structure is formed on the fin. The metal gate structure includes a stress metal layer formed on the fin such that the stress metal layer extends to a first height from an STI feature, the first height being greater than the fin height. A conduction metal layer is formed on the stress metal layer.

Abstract: A finFET and methods for forming a finFET are disclosed. A structure comprises a substrate, a fin, a gate dielectric, and a gate electrode. The substrate comprises the fin. The fin has a major surface portion of a sidewall, and the major surface portion comprises at least one lattice shift. The at least one lattice shift comprises an inward or outward shift relative to a center of the fin. The gate dielectric is on the major surface portion of the sidewall. The gate electrode is on the gate dielectric.

Abstract: A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure disposed on a portion of the fin structure. The gate structure traverses the fin structure and separates a source region and a drain region of the fin structure, the source and drain region defining a channel therebetween. The source and drain region of the fin structure include a strained source and drain feature. The strained source feature and the strained drain feature each include: a first portion having a first width and a first depth; and a second portion disposed below the first portion, the second portion having a second width and a second depth. The first width is greater than the second width, and the first depth is less than the second depth.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor device fabrication includes forming a first dummy gate structure in a first region of a semiconductor substrate and forming a second dummy gate structure in a second region of the semiconductor substrate. A protective layer (e.g., oxide and/or silicon nitride hard mask) is formed on the second dummy gate structure. The first dummy gate structure is removed after forming the protective layer, thereby providing a first trench. A capping layer (e.g., silicon) is formed in the first trench. A metal gate structure may be formed on the capping layer. The protective layer may protect the second dummy gate structure during the removal of the first dummy gate structure.

Abstract: A method and device including a substrate having a fin. A metal gate structure is formed on the fin. The metal gate structure includes a stress metal layer formed on the fin such that the stress metal layer extends to a first height from an STI feature, the first height being greater than the fin height. A conduction metal layer is formed on the stress metal layer.

Abstract: A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure disposed on a portion of the fin structure. The gate structure traverses the fin structure and separates a source region and a drain region of the fin structure, the source and drain region defining a channel therebetween. The source and drain region of the fin structure include a strained source and drain feature. The strained source feature and the strained drain feature each include: a first portion having a first width and a first depth; and a second portion disposed below the first portion, the second portion having a second width and a second depth. The first width is greater than the second width, and the first depth is less than the second depth.