Abstract: Strained channel transistors including a PMOS and NMOS device pair to improve an NMOS device performance without substantially degrading PMOS device performance and method for forming the same, the method including providing a semiconductor substrate; forming strained shallow trench isolation regions in the semiconductor substrate; forming PMOS and NMOS devices on the semiconductor substrate including doped source and drain regions; forming a tensile strained contact etching stop layer (CESL) over the PMOS and NMOS devices; and, forming a tensile strained dielectric insulating layer over the CESL layer.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, a gate dielectric and an electrode are formed on a substrate. A pair of spacers is formed along opposite sidewalls of the gate electrode and the gate dielectric. Spacers are preferably formed of SiCO based material or SiCN based material. The source and drain are then formed. A contact etch stop (CES) layer is formed on the source/drain regions and the spacers. The CES layer is preferably formed of SiCO based material or SiCN based material. An Inter-Level Dielectric (ILD) is then formed on the CES layer.

Abstract: System and method for improving the process performance of a contact module. A preferred embodiment comprises improving the process performance of a contact module by reducing surface variations of an interlayer dielectric. The interlayer dielectric comprises a plurality of layers, a first layer (for example, a contact etch stop layer 610) protects devices on a substrate from subsequent etching operations, while a second layer (for example, a first dielectric layer 620) covers the first layer. A third layer (for example, a second dielectric layer 630) fills gaps that may be due to the topography of the devices. A fourth layer (for example, a third dielectric layer 640), brings the interlayer dielectric layer to a desired thickness and is formed using a process that yields a very flat surface completes the interlayer dielectric. Using multiple layers permit the elimination of variations (filling gaps and leveling bumps) without resorting to chemical-mechanical polishing.

Abstract: A SiOC layer and/or a SiC layer of an etch stop layer may be improved by altering the process used to form them. In a bi-layer structure, a SiOC layer and/or a SiC layer may be improved to provide better reliability. A silicon carbide (SiC) layer may be used to form a single-layer etch stop layer, while also acting as a glue layer to improve interface adhesion. Preferably, the SiC layer is formed in a reaction chamber having a flow of substantially pure trimetholsilane (3MS) streamed into and through the reaction chamber under a pressure of less than about 2 torr therein. Preferably, the reaction chamber is energized with high frequency RF power of about 100 watts or more. Preferably, the SiOC layer is formed in a reaction chamber having a flow of 3MS and CO2, and is energized with low frequency RF power of about 100 watts or more.

Abstract: A method comprises measuring an RF voltage and ion current at a wafer during a plasma-enhanced deposition process, determining a sputter rate in response to the RF voltage and ion current measurements, detecting an abnormal condition in response to one of the RF voltage and ion current measurements, and sputter rate, and taking a corrective action in response to detecting an abnormal condition.

Abstract: A test region layout for testing shallow trench isolation gap fill characteristics is disclosed. Each test region further comprises at least one test pattern disposed in an interior portion of the test region. In a preferred embodiment, the test pattern is a square shape or, more preferably, two diametrically opposed “L” shapes which are discontinuous with respect to each other. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Strained channel transistors including a PMOS and NMOS device pair to improve an NMOS device performance without substantially degrading PMOS device performance and method for forming the same, the method including providing a semiconductor substrate; forming strained shallow trench isolation regions in the semiconductor substrate; forming PMOS and NMOS devices on the semiconductor substrate including doped source and drain regions; forming a tensile strained contact etching stop layer (CESL) over the PMOS and NMOS devices; and, forming a tensile strained dielectric insulating layer over the CESL layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a SiCOH etch stop layer in a copper damascene process is described. A substrate with an exposed metal layer is treated with H2 or NH3 plasma to remove metal oxides. Trimethylsilane is flowed into a chamber with no RF power at about 350° C. to form at least a monolayer on the exposed metal layer. The SiCOH layer is formed by a PECVD process including trimethylsilane and CO2 source gases. Optionally, a composite SiCOH layer comprised of a low compressive stress layer on a high compressive stress layer is formed on the substrate. A conventional damascene sequence is then used to form a second metal layer on the exposed metal layer. Via Rc stability is improved and a lower leakage current is achieved with the trimethylsilane passivation layer. A composite SiCOH etch stop layer provides improved stress migration resistance compared to a single low stress SiCOH layer.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, a gate dielectric and an electrode are formed on a substrate. A pair of spacers is formed along opposite sidewalls of the gate electrode and the gate dielectric. Spacers are preferably formed of SiCO based material or SiCN based material. The source and drain are then formed. A contact etch stop (CES) layer is formed on the source/drain regions and the spacers. The CES layer is preferably formed of SiCO based material or SiCN based material. An Inter-Level Dielectric (ILD) is then formed on the CES layer.

Abstract: A method for enhancing uniformity in the polishing profile of a substrate during chemical mechanical polishing. According to a first embodiment, the method is adapted for a rotary-type chemical mechanical polisher and includes dispensing the polishing slurry onto the rotating polishing pad of the CMP apparatus in a polishing area on the polishing pad that contacts the entire surface area of the substrate. This facilitates substantially equal polishing rates and a substantially uniform polishing profile from the center to the edge regions on the surface of the substrate. According to a second embodiment, the method of the present invention is adapted for a linear-type chemical mechanical polisher and includes increasing the number of nozzles that dispense the slurry onto the polishing pad across the diameter or width of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate has a first copper layer, on which an etch stop layer and a dielectric layer are successively formed. A second copper layer penetrates the dielectric layer and the etch stop layer to electrically connect to the first metal layer. The etch stop layer has a dielectric constant smaller than 3.5, and the dielectric layer has a dielectric constant smaller than 3.0.

Abstract: A test region layout for testing shallow trench isolation gap fill characteristics is disclosed. Each test region further comprises at least one test pattern disposed in an interior portion of the test region. In a preferred embodiment, the test pattern is a square shape or, more preferably, two diametrically opposed “L” shapes which are discontinuous with respect to each other. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method for enhancing uniformity in the polishing profile of a substrate during chemical mechanical polishing. According to a first embodiment, the method is adapted for a rotary-type chemical mechanical polisher and includes dispensing the polishing slurry onto the rotating polishing pad of the CMP apparatus in a polishing area on the polishing pad that contacts the entire surface area of the substrate. This facilitates substantially equal polishing rates and a substantially uniform polishing profile from the center to the edge regions on the surface of the substrate. According to a second embodiment, the method of the present invention is adapted for a linear-type chemical mechanical polisher and includes increasing the number of nozzles that dispense the slurry onto the polishing pad across the diameter or width of the substrate.

Abstract: A novel embedded fastener apparatus and method for fastening components to the interior of a process chamber of a semiconductor fabrication apparatus. In one embodiment, an apparatus having a showerhead or gas distribution plate which is mounted to the interior of the process chamber using multiple fasteners which are embedded in respective fastener openings in the showerhead. In another embodiment, an apparatus having a showerhead which is mounted to the interior of the process chamber using multiple exterior fasteners which extend into the showerhead through the walls of the process chamber. Accordingly, the regions of the showerhead which surround the fasteners are physically separated from the interior of the process chamber.

Abstract: A plasma etching method for improving an etching profile including providing a substrate including an oxide containing insulating layer in a multilayer semiconductor device; providing a patterned photoresist layer exposing an uppermost layer of the substrate for anisotropically plasma etching a first opening; anisotropically plasma etching through a thickness of at least a portion of the substrate to form the first opening; blanket depositing an etching stop liner to cover at least a portion of the sidewalls of the first opening; patterning according to a photolithographic process for etching a second opening at least partially overlying and encompassing the first opening; and, anisotropically plasma etching through at least another portion of the thickness of the substrate including the first opening to form a second opening at least partially overlying a remaining portion of the first opening.

Abstract: A new method and sequence is provided for the polishing of the surface of a layer of metal containing copper. The invention provides for an improved method of residue removal. The invention improves the removal of slurry as part of the step of applying DIW by, during the step of applying DIW, raising the wafer carrier, thus allowing uninhibited removal of the slurry from the surface that is being polished.

Abstract: A SiOC layer and/or a SiC layer of an etch stop layer may be improved by altering the process used to form them. In a bi-layer structure, a SiOC layer and/or a SiC layer may be improved to provide better reliability. A silicon carbide (SiC) layer may be used to form a single-layer etch stop layer, while also acting as a glue layer to improve interface adhesion. Preferably, the SiC layer is formed in a reaction chamber having a flow of substantially pure trimetholsilane (3MS) streamed into and through the reaction chamber under a pressure of less than about 2 torr therein. Preferably, the reaction chamber is energized with high frequency RF power of about 100 watts or more. Preferably, the SiOC layer is formed in a reaction chamber having a flow of 3MS and CO2, and is energized with low frequency RF power of about 100 watts or more.

Abstract: An improved and new process, used for the elimination of copper line damage, copper defects, non-uniformity improvement, with low dishing and erosion, in damacene processing, is disclosed. This invention relates to a method of fabrication used for semiconductor integrated circuit devices, and more specifically to the elimination of copper line damage for damascene processing, by depositing a multilayer interface material, consisting of a mechanically hard film and a soft film, over a low dielectric constant, interlevel metal dielectric (IMD), and subsequently chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) back the excess material to planarize the surface.

Abstract: A method and a system for integration of engineering change data are provided. A form generation module searches engineering change data from a database according to search conditions entered by a user via a terminal device and generates accordingly generates an electronic form to which the user modifies the engineering change data. A modification module modifies data of an associated engineering change order with the modified engineering change data. Then, a searching module searches associated engineering change data file from the database according to the search conditions entered by the user. By the above data integration method and system, all related engineering data may be changed in response to modification of any particular engineering data by the user, and associated engineering data can also be searched during the process of searching particular engineering change data.

Abstract: A new method and sequence is provided for the polishing of the surface of a layer of metal containing copper. One of the main problems that is conventionally encountered during the polishing of a copper surface is insufficient removal of the slurry and the therein contained residue of semiconductor materials. The invention therefore provides for an improved method of residue removal. Using the conventional step of applying DIW, the contact between the polishing pad and the surface that is being polished is constant and uninterrupted during the step of applying DIW. The invention improves the removal of slurry as part of the step of applying DIW by, during the step of applying DIW, raising the wafer carrier, thus allowing uninhibited removal of the slurry from the surface that is being polished.