Abstract: A method is provided for removing residual Ni/Pt and/or Pt from a semiconductor substrate in a post salicidation cleaning process using microwave heating of a stripping solution. Embodiments include depositing a Ni/Pt layer on a semiconductor substrate; annealing the deposited Ni/Pt layer, forming a nickel/platinum silicide and residual Ni/Pt and/or Pt; removing the residual Ni/Pt and/or Pt from the semiconductor substrate by: microwave heating a strong acid solution in a non-reactive container; exposing the residual Ni/Pt and/or Pt to the microwave heated strong acid solution; and rinsing the semiconductor substrate with water H2O.

Abstract: Field effect transistors and methods of making field effect transistors are provided. The field effect transistor can contain a semiconductor substrate containing shallow trench isolations; a silicon germanium layer in a trench at an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate between the shallow trench isolations; a gate feature on the silicon germanium layer; and metal silicides on the upper potions of silicon germanium layer and semiconductor substrate that are not covered by the gate feature. The silicon germanium layer has a bottom surface and a top surface having a (100) plane and side surfaces having two or more planes.

Abstract: Methods of preparing conductive regions such as source/drain regions for silicidation procedures, has been developed. The methods feature removal of native oxide as well as removal of deposited arsenic based defects from conductive surfaces prior to deposition of a metal component of subsequently formed metal silicide regions. Arsenic ions implanted for N type source/drain regions are also implanted into insulator regions such as insulator filled shallow trench isolation regions. A hydrofluoric acid cycle used as a component of the pre-silicidation preparation procedure can release arsenic from the shallow trench isolation regions in the form of arsenic based defects, which in turn can re-deposit on the surface of source/drain region. Therefore pre-silicidation preparation treatments described in this invention feature removal of both native oxide and arsenic based defects from conductive surfaces prior to metal silicide formation.

Abstract: Methods of preparing conductive regions such as source/drain regions for silicidation procedures, has been developed. The methods feature removal of native oxide as well as removal of deposited arsenic based defects from conductive surfaces prior to deposition of a metal component of subsequently formed metal silicide regions. Arsenic ions implanted for N type source/drain regions are also implanted into insulator regions such as insulator filled shallow trench isolation regions. A hydrofluoric acid cycle used as a component of the pre-silicidation preparation procedure can release arsenic from the shallow trench isolation regions in the form of arsenic based defects, which in turn can re-deposit on the surface of source/drain region. Therefore pre-silicidation preparation treatments described in this invention feature removal of both native oxide and arsenic based defects from conductive surfaces prior to metal silicide formation.

Abstract: A method for completely removing dielectric layers formed selectively upon a substrate employed within a microelectronics fabrication from regions wherein closely spaced structures such as self-aligned metal silicide (or salicide) electrical contacts may be fabricated, with improved properties and with attenuated degradation. There is first provided a substrate with employed within a microelectronics fabrication having formed thereon patterned microelectronics layers with closely spaced features. There is then formed a salicide block layer employing silicon oxide dielectric material which may be selectively doped. There is then formed over the substrate a patterned photoresist etch mask layer. There is then etched the pattern of the patterned photoresist etch mask layer employing dry plasma reactive ion etching. An anhydrous etching environment is then employed to completely remove the silicon oxide dielectric salicide block layer with attenuated degradation of the microelectronics fabrication.