Abstract: A method of fabricating a single-crystal silicon photovoltaic cell includes providing a single-crystal silicon wafer and a structural support member. The single-crystal silicon wafer has a first major surface and a second major surface. Each major surface extends along a major surface plane. The single-crystal silicon wafer has a thickness greater than 100 micrometers and a dimension greater than 50 mm. The method further includes mounting the structural support member to the first major surface or to the second major surface. The method further includes reducing thickness of the single-crystal silicon wafer to a thickness less than or equal to 100 micrometers while the single-crystal silicon wafer is mounted to the structural support member. The method further includes providing the first major surface with a diffusion and a metalization grid and providing the second major surface with a back surface contact.

Abstract: A method of cleaving off a daughter single crystal substrate from a parent single crystal substrate includes providing a stress-mandrel and the parent a single crystal substrate. The parent single crystal substrate has a major surface and an edge surface that intersects the major surface. The major surface extends along a major surface plane. The stress-mandrel has a stress-mandrel coefficient of thermal expansion that is higher than the parent single crystal coefficient of thermal expansion. The method includes bonding the stress-mandrel to the major surface, and cooling the parent single crystal substrate and the stress-mandrel. The cooling of the parent single crystal substrate bonded to the stress-mandrel provides a thermal stress in the parent single crystal substrate sufficient to cleave the parent single crystal substrate. The cleaving extends substantially along a plane parallel to the plane of the major surface. In one embodiment the cleaved daughter substrate was used to make a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: Various aspects include extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) layers. In one embodiment, an ETSOI layer includes a plurality of shallow trench isolations (STI) defining a plurality of distinct semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) regions, the distinct SOI regions having at least three different thicknesses; at least one recess located within the distinct SOI regions; and an oxide cap over the at least one recess.

Abstract: An extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) wafer is created having a substantially uniform thickness by measuring a semiconductor layer thickness at a plurality of selected points on a wafer; determining a removal thickness to be removed at each of the plurality of selected points such that removal of the removal thickness results in a substantially uniform within-wafer semiconductor layer thickness; implanting a species into the wafer at each of the plurality of selected points with at least one of a dose level and an energy level based on the removal thickness for the respective point; and polishing the semiconductor layer to thin the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method for creating an extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) layer having a uniform thickness includes: measuring a thickness of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer at a plurality of locations; determining a removal thickness at each of the plurality of locations; and implanting ions at the plurality of locations. The implanting is dynamically based on the removal thickness at each of the plurality of locations. The method further includes oxidizing the SOI layer to form an oxide layer, and removing the oxide layer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The method includes forming a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and forming a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure is formed with a second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure of the first interconnect structure.

Abstract: A programmable device includes a substrate (10); an insulator (13) on the substrate; an elongated semiconductor material (12) on the insulator, the elongated semiconductor material having first and second ends, and an upper surface S; the first end (12a) is substantially wider than the second end (12b), and a metallic material is disposed on the upper surface; the metallic material being physically migratable along the upper surface responsive to an electrical current I flowable through the semiconductor material and the metallic material.

Abstract: A structure and design structure is provided for interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The structure includes a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure has second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a circuit and method for electroplating a feature (e.g., a BEOL anti-fuse device) onto a wafer. The embodiments eliminate the use of a seed layer and, thereby, minimize subsequent processing steps (e.g., etching or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP)). Specifically, the embodiments allow for selective electroplating metal or alloy materials onto an exposed portion of a metal layer in a trench on the front side of a substrate. This is accomplished by providing a unique wafer structure that allows a current path to be established from a power supply through a back side contact and in-substrate electrical connector to the metal layer. During electrodeposition, current flow through the current path can be selectively controlled. Additionally, if the electroplated feature is an anti-fuse device, current flow through this current path can also be selectively controlled in order to program the anti-fuse device.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure, including forming a gate structure on a substrate; performing a first angled implantation on a first side of the gate structure to form a first doped region in the substrate, the first doped region partially extends within a channel of the gate structure and the gate structure blocks the first angled implantation from affecting the substrate on a second side of the gate structure; forming sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the gate; and forming a second doped region in the substrate on the second side of the gate, spaced apart from the channel.

Abstract: Field effect transistors and method for forming filed effect transistors. The field effect transistors including: a gate dielectric on a channel region in a semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode on the gate dielectric; respective source/drains in the substrate on opposite sides of the channel region; sidewall spacers on opposite sides of the gate electrode proximate to the source/drains; and wherein the sidewall spacers comprise a material having a dielectric constant lower than that of silicon dioxide and capable of absorbing laser radiation.

Abstract: A design structure is provided for interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The structure includes a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure has second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of manufacturing an e-fuse includes a substrate, a patterned gate insulator on the substrate, and a patterned gate conductor on the patterned gate insulator. The patterned gate conductor has sidewalls and a top. A silicide contacts the sidewalls of the patterned gate conductor, the top of the patterned gate conductor, and a region of the substrate adjacent the patterned gate insulator and the patterned gate conductor.

Abstract: A method forms an eFuse structure that has a pair of adjacent semiconducting fins projecting from the planar surface of a substrate (in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface). The fins have planar sidewalls (perpendicular to the planar surface of the substrate) and planar tops (parallel to the planar surface of the substrate). The tops are positioned at distal ends of the fins relative to the substrate. An insulating layer covers the tops and the sidewalls of the fins and covers an intervening substrate portion of the planar surface of the substrate located between the fins. A metal layer covers the insulating layer. A pair of conductive contacts are connected to the metal layer at locations where the metal layer is adjacent the top of the fins.

Abstract: Voltage programmable anti-fuse structures and methods are provided that include at least one conductive material island atop a dielectric surface that is located between two adjacent conductive features. In one embodiment, the anti-fuse structure includes a dielectric material having at least two adjacent conductive features embedded therein. At least one conductive material island is located on an upper surface of the dielectric material that is located between the at least two adjacent conductive features. A dielectric capping layer is located on exposed surfaces of the dielectric material, the at least one conductive material island and the at least two adjacent conductive features. When the anti-fuse structure is in a programmed state, a dielectric breakdown path is present in the dielectric material that is located beneath the at least one conductive material island which conducts electrical current to electrically couple the two adjacent conductive features.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) that includes a drain formed in a first plane, a source formed in the first plane, a channel formed in the first plane and between the drain and the source and a gate formed in the first plane. The gate is separated from at least a portion of the body by an air gap. The air gap is also in the first plane.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) that includes a drain formed in a first plane, a source formed in the first plane, a channel formed in the first plane and between the drain and the source and a gate formed in the first plane. The gate is separated from at least a portion of the body by an air gap. The air gap is also in the first plane.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a circuit and method for electroplating a feature (e.g., a BEOL anti-fuse device) onto a wafer. The embodiments eliminate the use of a seed layer and, thereby, minimize subsequent processing steps (e.g., etching or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP)). Specifically, the embodiments allow for selective electroplating metal or alloy materials onto an exposed portion of a metal layer in a trench on the front side of a substrate. This is accomplished by providing a unique wafer structure that allows a current path to be established from a power supply through a back side contact and in-substrate electrical connector to the metal layer. During electrodeposition, current flow through the current path can be selectively controlled. Additionally, if the electroplated feature is an anti-fuse device, current flow through this current path can also be selectively controlled in order to program the anti-fuse device.

Abstract: A design structure is provided for interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The structure includes a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure has second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure, including forming a gate structure on a substrate; performing a first angled implantation on a first side of the gate structure to form a first doped region in the substrate, the first doped region partially extends within a channel of the gate structure and the gate structure blocks the first angled implantation from affecting the substrate on a second side of the gate structure; forming sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the gate; and forming a second doped region in the substrate on the second side of the gate, spaced apart from the channel.