Abstract: Active pixel sensors are defined on double silicon on insulator (SOI) substrates such that a first silicon layer is selected to define radiation detection regions, and a second silicon layer is selected to define readout circuitry. The first and second silicon layers are separated by an insulator layer, typically an oxide layer, and the layers can be independently doped. Doping can be provided in the silicon layers of the SOI substrate during assembly of the SOI substrate, or later during device processing. A semiconductor substrate that supports the first and second layers can be removed for, for example, back side radiation detection, using a second insulator layer (typically an oxide layer) as an etch stop.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic field-effect transistor (OFET) and a method of fabricating the OFET. The OFET, configured to function as a p-type semiconductor, includes a substrate having a top surface and a semiconductor layer located over the top surface. The semiconductor layer comprises organic semiconductor molecules. Each of the organic semiconductor molecules includes a core having conjugated pi bonds, a fluorinated alkyl group, and an alkyl spacer group having a chain of two or more carbon atoms. One end of the chain is bonded to the fluorinated alkyl group and another end of the chain is bonded to the core. Substituents coupled to the carbon atoms have an electronegativity of less than about 4.

Abstract: A method of forming a substrateless semiconductor package (10) includes forming a carrier (16) on a base plate (12) and attaching an integrated circuit (IC) die (32) to the carrier (16). The IC die (32) then is electrically connected to the carrier (16). A molding operation is performed to encapsulate the IC die (32), the electrical connections (36) and the carrier (16). Thereafter, the base plate (12) is removed.

Abstract: A process for packaging semiconductor devices for flip chip and wire bond applications, wherein specific materials of the semiconductor devices are protected during device processing sequences and dicing procedures, has been developed. After definition of copper interconnect structures surrounded by a low k insulator layer, a protective, first photosensitive polymer layer comprised with a low dielectric constant is applied. After definition of openings in the first photosensitive polymer layer exposing portions of the top surface of the copper interconnect structures, a dicing lane opening is defined in materials located between copper interconnect structures. Conductive redistribution shapes are formed on the copper interconnect structures exposed in the openings in the first photosensitive polymer layer, followed by application of a protective, second photosensitive polymer layer.

Abstract: Electronic assemblies and methods for forming assemblies are described. One embodiment includes a method of forming an electronic assembly, including forming a plurality of first solder bumps on one of a substrate and an interposer. The substrate and interposer are positioned so that the first solder bumps are located between the substrate and the interposer. A gap control structure is positioned between the substrate and the interposer. A first reflow operation that reflows and then solidifies the first solder bumps is performed. The first reflow operation couples the interposer to the substrate. A plurality of second solder bumps are formed on one of the interposer and a die. The interposer and die are positioned so that the second solder bumps are located between the interposer and the die. A second reflow operation that reflows and then solidifies the second solder bumps is performed. The second reflow operation couples the die to the interposer.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a substrate, a device attached to the substrate, and a thermally conductive heat spreader covering the device and at least a portion of the substrate. A metal substantially fills the space between the device and the thermally conductive heat spreader. A method includes attaching at least one die to a substrate, placing a thermally conductive heat spreader over the die, and injecting a molten metal material into the space between the thermally conductive heat spreader and the die.

Abstract: As a means for promoting the increase of the number of pins in a QFN (Quad Non-leaded package), a semiconductor die mounted on a die pad is arranged at the center of a plastic package, and a plurality of leads made of the same metal as the die pad and die pad supports are arranged around the die pad so as to surround the die pad. Lead tips on one side near the semiconductor die are electrically connected to bonding pads on a main surface of the semiconductor die via gold wires, and lead tips on the other side are ended at a side surface of the plastic package. In order to reduce the length between the semiconductor die and the leads, the lead tips on the one side are extended to positions close to the die pad, and the intervals between adjoining leads on the one side are smaller than those on the other side.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method having high output and having reduced external resistance is reduced and improved radiating performance. A MOSFET (70) has a connecting portion for electrically connecting a surface electrode of a semiconductor pellet and a plurality of inner leads, a resin encapsulant (29), a plurality of outer leads (37), (38) protruding in parallel from the same lateral surface of the resin encapsulant (29) and a header (28) bonded to a back surface of the semiconductor pellet and having a header protruding portion (28c) protruding from a lateral surface of the resin encapsulant (29) opposite to the lateral surface from which the outer leads protrude, wherein the header (28) has an exposed surface (28b) exposed from the resin encapsulant (29); the outer leads (37), (38) are bent; and the exposed of the outer leads (37), (38) are provided at substantially the same height.

Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser irradiation apparatus being able to crystallize the semiconductor film homogeneously while suppressing the variation of the crystallinity in the semiconductor film and the unevenness of the state of the surface thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using the laser irradiation apparatus which can suppress the variation of on-current, mobility, and threshold of TFT, and to further provide a semiconductor device manufactured with the manufacturing method.

Abstract: Methods of making a polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistor having a uniform microstructure. One exemplary method requires receiving a polycrystalline silicon thin film having a grain structure which is periodic in at least a first direction, and placing at least portions (410, 420) of one or more thin-film transistors on the received film such that they are tilted relative to the periodic structure of the thin film.

Abstract: When the second harmonic of a YAG laser is irradiated onto semiconductor films, concentric-circle patterns are observed on some of the semiconductor films. This phenomenon is due to the non-uniformity of the properties of the semiconductor films. If such semiconductor films are used to fabricate TFTs, the electrical characteristics of the TFTs will be adversely influenced. A concentric-circle pattern is formed by the interference between a reflected beam 1 reflected at a surface of a semiconductor film and a reflected beam 2 reflected at the back surface of a substrate. If the reflected beam 1 and the reflected beam 2 do not overlap each other, such interference does not occur. For this reason, a laser beam is obliquely irradiated onto the semiconductor film to solve the interference. The properties of a crystalline silicon film formed by this method are uniform, and TFTs which are fabricated by using such crystalline silicon film have good electrical characteristics.

Abstract: In annealing of a non-single crystal silicon film by a linear laser beam, it is performed so as irradiation tracks caused by the linear laser beam do not remain in the silicon film. Laser light is partitioned by an integrally formed cylindrical array lens, and is composed into a single uniform laser beam on an irradiation surface by a cylindrical lens and a doublet cylindrical lens. The integrally formed cylindrical array lens is used, and therefore cylindrical lenses structuring this array lens can be made very fine. It thus becomes possible to partition the laser light into a large number of partitions, and the uniformity of the laser beam on the irradiation surface is increased. Very few laser irradiation tracks remain on the silicon film annealed by the very uniform laser beam.

Abstract: A method for making a filed-effect semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor layer composed of a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor represented by the formula AlxInyGa1?x?yN, wherein x+y=1, 0?x?1, and 0?y?1; and forming a source electrode and a drain electrode by self-alignment using the gate electrode as a mask. A field-effect semiconductor device fabricated by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a dummy dielectric layer that is at least about 10 angstroms thick on a substrate, and forming a sacrificial layer on the dummy dielectric layer. After removing the sacrificial layer and the dummy dielectric layer to generate a trench that is positioned between first and second spacers, a gate dielectric layer is formed on the substrate at the bottom of the trench, and a metal layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device, which removes troubles occurring when the parasitic capacitance between layered wiring lines with an interlayer insulating film therebetween is reduced, and have a simple structure and high reliability. The electronic device according to the invention can include a semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, a gate insulating layer formed on the semiconductor layer, a gate electrode having a predetermined pattern and formed on the gate insulating layer, an interlayer insulating film formed to cover the gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the interlayer insulating film. The interlayer insulating film can be mainly made of silicon oxynitride with a nitrogen concentration of atomic percent or higher.

Abstract: P channel transistors are formed in a semiconductor layer that has a (110) surface orientation for enhancing P channel transistor performance, and the N channel transistors are formed in a semiconductor layer that has a (100) surface orientation. To further provide P channel transistor performance enhancement, the direction of their channel lengths is selected based on their channel direction. The narrow width P channel transistors are preferably oriented in the <100> direction. The wide channel width P channel transistors are preferably oriented in the <110> direction.

Abstract: A small size electronic component has a small direct current resistance value of a conductor pattern and minimal dimensional irregularity of a conductor pattern. In order to form such a component, a photosensitive conductive paste applied on a ceramic substrate and is then exposed through a photo mask and developed so as to form a lower conductor pattern layer of a coil conductor pattern. Then an insulating paste is applied on the ceramic substrate so as to cover the lower conductor pattern layer and the insulating paste is removed with a solvent until at least the upper surface of the lower conductor pattern layer is exposed so as to form an inter-line insulating layer. Furthermore, after applying a photosensitive conductive paste as a film, the exposure and development operation is conducted again while using the photo mask so as to form an upper conductor pattern layer on the lower conductor pattern layer.

Abstract: Gate oxides having different thicknesses are formed on a semiconductor substrate by forming a first gate oxide on the top surface of the substrate, forming a sacrificial hard mask over a selected area of the first gate oxide; and then forming a second gate oxide. A first poly layer may be formed on the first gate oxide, under the hard mask. After the hard mask is removed, a second poly layer may be formed over the second gate oxide and over the first poly layer. This enables the use of high-k dielectric materials, and the first gate oxide can be thinner than the second gate oxide.

Abstract: A method for integrating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor in back end of line (BEOL) wiring levels of a semiconductor device includes forming an isolating layer over a lower wiring level, forming a bottom electrode of the capacitor on the isolating layer, and forming an interlevel dielectric material on the isolating layer and the bottom electrode. A capacitor dielectric is formed on the bottom electrode and a top electrode of the capacitor is formed on the capacitor dielectric, wherein the top electrode is formed concurrently with an upper wiring level, the upper level being the next successive wiring level with respect to the lower wiring level.

Abstract: Methods and structures are presented for protecting flash memory wordlines and memory cells from process-related charging during fabrication. Undoped polysilicon is formed at the ends of doped polysilicon wordlines to create resistors through which process charges are discharged to a doped polysilicon discharge structure coupled with a substrate. The wordlines, resistors, and the discharge structure can be formed as a unitary patterned polysilicon structure, where the wordline and discharge portions are selectively doped to be conductive and the resistor portions are substantially undoped to provide a resistance high enough to allow normal cell operation after fabrication while providing a discharge path for process-related charging during fabrication.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor structure includes an undoped polysilicon layer, a doped polysilicon layer in contact with the undoped polysilicon layer, and an insulating layer in contact with the undoped polysilicon layer. The undoped polysilicon layer is sandwiched between the doped polysilicon layer and the insulating layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for discharging a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a hole blocking dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming nanoclusters over the hole blocking dielectric layer, forming a charge trapping layer over the nanoclusters, and applying an electric field to the nanoclusters to discharge the semiconductor device. Applying the electric field may occur while applying ultraviolet (UV) light. In one embodiment, the hole blocking dielectric layer comprises forming the hole blocking dielectric layer having a thickness greater than approximately 50 Angstroms.

Abstract: Methods of forming a gate structure of a non-volatile memory device include forming a gate pattern having a control gate on a semiconductor substrate. An oxidation-preventing layer is formed on the control gate in a process chamber while maintaining a substantially oxygen free atmosphere in the process chamber. An oxide spacer is formed on a sidewall of the gate pattern with the oxidation-preventing layer thereon in the process chamber. Forming an oxidation-preventing layer may include exposing the gate pattern to a first gas in the process chamber and forming an oxide spacer may include exposing the gate pattern to a second gas including oxygen in the process chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a gate insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate; a spacer-type floating gate and a spacer-type dummy pattern, which are formed on the gate insulating layer and separated apart from each other, the floating gate and the dummy pattern having round surfaces that face outward; a pair of insulating spacers, which are formed on a sidewall of the floating gate and a sidewall of the dummy pattern which face each other; a control gate formed in a self-aligned manner between the pair of insulating spacers; a tunnel insulating layer interposed between the floating gate and the control gate; and source and drain regions formed in the semiconductor substrate outside the floating gate and the dummy pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a vertical gate and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. An example semiconductor device includes a pair of first source/drain regions formed apart from each other by a predetermined distance on a silicon substrate, a first silicon epitaxial layer formed on the pair of first source/drain regions, a vertical gate insulation layer formed at both sidewalls of the first silicon epitaxial layer, and a second silicon epitaxial layers formed on the first silicon epitaxial layer and on the gate insulation layer. The example device includes a pair of second source/drain regions formed in the second silicon epitaxial layer formed on the first silicon epitaxial layer, at positions above the pair of first source/drain regions, and a plurality of vertical gates respectively connected to the second silicon epitaxial layer formed on the gate insulation layer and to the pair of second source/drain regions.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a high-k gate dielectric layer that contacts a metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer is generated by forming a metal layer, then oxidizing the metal layer.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a fin active region is protruded along one direction from a bulk silicon substrate on which a shallow trench insulator is entirely formed so as to cover the fin active region. The shallow trench insulator is removed to selectively expose an upper part and sidewall of the fin active region, along a line shape that at least one time crosses with the fin active region, thus forming a trench. The fin active region is exposed by the trench and thereon a gate insulation layer is formed. Thereby, productivity is increased and performance of the device is improved. A fin FET employs a bulk silicon substrate of which a manufacturing cost is lower than that of a conventional SOI type silicon substrate. Also, a floating body effect can be prevented, or is substantially reduced.

Abstract: Methods of forming transistor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. A first dielectric material is formed over a workpiece, and a second dielectric material is formed over the first dielectric material. The workpiece is annealed, causing a portion of the second dielectric material to combine with the first dielectric material and form a third dielectric material. The second dielectric material is removed, and a gate material is formed over the third dielectric material. The gate material and the third dielectric material are patterned to form at least one transistor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a trench isolation structure, a method of manufacture therefor and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit including the same. The trench isolation structure (130), in one embodiment, includes a trench located within a substrate (110), the trench having an implanted buffer layer (133) located in the sidewalls thereof. The trench isolation structure (130) further includes a barrier layer (135) located over the implanted buffer layer (133), and fill material (138) located over the barrier layer (135) and substantially filling the trench.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. An example MOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type where an active region is defined, a gate insulating layer pattern and a gate formed on the active region of the substrate, a spacer formed on side walls of the gate, and source/drain extension regions of a second conductivity type formed within the substrate at both sides of the gate. The example MOS transistor further includes source/drain regions of the second conductivity type formed within the substrate at both side of the spacer and punch-through suppression regions of the first conductivity type formed within the active of the substrate. The punch-through suppression regions surround the source/drain extension regions and the source/drain regions under the gate.

Abstract: When a laser beam is irradiated onto a semiconductor film, a steep temperature gradient is produced between a substrate and the semiconductor film. For this reason, the semiconductor film contracts, so that a warp in the film occurs. Therefore, the quality of a resulting crystalline semiconductor film sometimes deteriorates. According to the present invention, it is characterized in that, after laser beam crystallization on the semiconductor film, heat treatment is carried out so as to reduce the warp in the film. Since the substrate contracts by the heat treatment, the warp in the semiconductor film is lessened, so that the physical properties of the semiconductor film can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container capacitor structure and method of constructing it. An etch mask and etch are used to expose portions of an exterior surface of electrode (“bottom electrodes”) of the container capacitor structure. The etch provides a recess between proximal pairs of container capacitor structures, which recess is available for forming additional capacitance. Accordingly, a capacitor dielectric and a top electrode are formed on and adjacent to, respectively, both an interior surface and portions of the exterior surface of the first electrode. Advantageously, surface area common to both the first electrode and second electrodes is increased over using only the interior surface, which provides additional capacitance without a decrease in spacing for clearing portions of the capacitor dielectric and the second electrode away from a contact hole location.

Abstract: A silicon on insulator (SOI) semiconductor device includes a wire connected to doped regions formed in an active layer of a SOI substrate. A ratio of the area of the wire to the doped region or a ratio of the area of contact holes formed on the wire to the doped region is limited to a predetermined value. When the ratio exceeds the predetermined value, a dummy doped region is added to prevent the device from being damaged during a plasma process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a structure and method by which trench isolation for a wide trench and a narrow trench formed in first and second regions of a substrate may be achieved without formation of a void in an isolation layer, a groove exposing an isolation layer, or an electrical bridge between gates in a subsequent process. A lower isolation layer is formed on the substrate in a first and second trench. The lower isolation layer is patterned to fill a lower region of the first trench, and an upper isolation pattern is formed to fill the second trench and a remainder of the first trench. An aspect ratio of first trench is reduced, thereby preventing the occurrence of a void in the upper isolation layer, or a gap between the upper isolation layer and the substrate.

Abstract: This invention includes methods of forming integrated circuits, and includes DRAM circuitry memory cells. In one implementation, a method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a trench isolation mask over a semiconductor substrate. The trench isolation mask defines an active area region and a trench isolation region. An ion implantation is conducted into semiconductive material of the substrate to form a buried region within active area of the substrate. The buried region has a first edge received proximate an edge of the trench isolation region. Using the trench isolation mask, etching is conducted into semiconductive material of the substrate to form an isolation trench. After the ion implantation and after forming the isolation trench, insulative material is formed within the buried region and insulative material is deposited to within the isolation trench. The insulative material received within the isolation trench joins with the insulative material formed within the buried region.

Abstract: A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure and a method of forming the STI structure. The STI structure defines an active region formed with a recess channel transistor. The STI structure includes a STI trench has a laterally curved rounding portion on the bottom of the recess channel trench. In order to form the STI trench with the rounding portion, a semiconductor substrate is selectively and anisotropically dry etched to form the trench. Then, the semiconductor substrate is isotropically etched around the bottom height of the recess channel trench to form the rounding portion, and then further anisotropically dry etched, thereby forming the STI trench. After an insulating layer that fill the STI trench is formed on the resultant structure, an upper surface of the resultant structure is planarized to expose a surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a standoff structure for packaging devices, e.g., optical devices, integrated circuit devices. The method includes providing a substrate, e.g., silicon wafer. The substrate includes a first surface region, a second surface region, and a thickness defined between the first surface region and the second surface region. The method includes protecting selected portions of the first surface region using a masking layer while leaving a plurality of unprotected regions. Preferably, each of the unprotected regions is to be associated with an opening through the thickness of the substrate. The method causes removal of the plurality of unprotected regions to form a plurality of openings through the thickness of the substrate to provide a resulting patterned substrate. Each of the openings is bordered by a portion of the selected portions of the first surface region. Preferably, etching techniques, such as wet etch or dry etching, can be used, depending upon the embodiment.

Abstract: In an annealing process of illuminating a semiconductor thin film with laser light, in the case where the laser illumination is performed at an energy level that is lower than an output energy range that allows a laser apparatus to operate most stably, the laser output is fixed somewhere in the above output energy range and the illumination energy is changed by inserting or removing a light attenuation filter into or from the laser illumination optical path. As a result, the time required for the laser processing can be shortened.

Abstract: A RESURF trench gate MOSFET has a sufficiently small pitch (close spacing of neighbouring trenches) that intermediate areas of the drain drift region are depleted in the blocking condition of the MOSFET. However, premature breakdown can still occur in this known device structure at the perimeter/edge of the active device area and/or adjacent the gate bondpad. To counter premature breakdown, the invention adopts two principles: the gate bondpad is either connected to an underlying stripe trench network surrounded by active cells, or is directly on top of the active cells, and a compatible 2D edge termination scheme is provided around the RESURF active device area. These principles can be implemented in various cellular layouts e.g.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a non-volatile memory. The method comprises steps of forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate and forming a dummy gate layer on the first dielectric layer. Further, the dummy gate layer is defined to form a plurality of dummy gates and a doped region is formed in the substrate by using the dummy gates as a mask. A second dielectric layer is formed on a portion of the first dielectric layer corresponding to the location of the doped region and the dummy gates are removed to expose a portion of the first dielectric layer. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate to cover the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of reducing parasitic capacitance in an integrated circuit having three or more metal levels is described. The method comprises forming a bond pad at least partially exposed at the top surface of the integrated circuit, forming a metal pad on the metal level below the bond pad and forming an underlying metal pad on each of the one or more lower metal levels. In the illustrated embodiments, the ratio of an area of at least one of the underlying metal pads to the area of the bond pad is less than 30%. Parasitic capacitance is thus greatly reduced and signal propagation speeds improved.

Abstract: Pads to be used for flip chip bonding and wire bonding are pattern-formed on a surface of a substrate. The pads to be used for flip chip bonding are shielded. Plating is applied to each of the pads to be used for wire bonding. Bonding pads for wire bonding is shielded by a masking tape. An adhesive layer is applied to the surface of each of pads to be used for flip chip bonding. Solder powder is provided to adhere to the surface of each of pads to be used for flip chip bonding with the adhesive layer. The masking tape is peeled off from the bonding pads for wire bonding. The solder powder is melted by reflowing so that the solder covers the pads to be used for flip chip bonding.

Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of semiconductor dies is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of semiconductor dies, at least a portion of the semiconductor dies including contact pads for testing the respective semiconductor die. The method also includes positioning conductive bumps on the contact pads prior to completing wafer testing of the semiconductor wafer and prior to the singulation of the plurality of semiconductor dies from the semiconductor wafer. At least a portion of the conductive bumps are configured to be electrical paths during wafer testing of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method of making a reinforced semiconductor package includes forming a semiconductor interconnect tablet (24). Formation of the tablet includes providing a plurality of conductive metal tabs (10), positioning a first end (12) of the tabs (10) in a first section of a mold chase (14), positioning a second section of the mold chase (16) over a second end (18) of the tabs (10), such that the tabs (10) are anchored between the first and second sections (14, 16) of the mold chase, loading the first and second sections (14, 16) of the mold chase into a molding system (20) and performing a molding operation such that a plastic mold compound (22) is formed around the metal tabs (10) and an interconnect tablet (24) is formed. Then the first and second sections (14, 16) of the mold chase are removed from the molding system (20) and the interconnect tablet (24) is removed from the first and second sections (14, 16) of the mold chase.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for manufacturing an integrated circuit, comprising providing a substrate comprising a dielectric layer over a conductive material, depositing a hardmask over the dielectric layer, applying a first photoresist over the hardmask and photodefining a trench, etching the hard mask and partially etching the dielectric to form a trench having a bottom, stripping the photoresist, applying a second photoresist and photodefining a slit across the trench, selectively etching the dielectric from the bottom of the trench down to the underlying conductive material. Both the hardmask and the second photoresist are used as a mask. Later, a connection to the underlying metal is formed and integrated circuits made thereby.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of semiconductor devices and related methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a metal silicide on the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the method includes treating an exposed surface of the metal silicide with a hydrogen/nitrogen-containing compound to form a treated layer on the exposed surface, where the composition of the treated layer hinders oxidation of the exposed surface. The method may then further include depositing a dielectric layer over the treated layer and the exposed surface of the metal silicide.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrical interconnect overlying a buried contact region of a substrate is characterized by a deposition of a first polycrystalline silicon layer and the patterning and etching of same to form a via. The via is formed in the first polycrystalline silicon layer to expose the substrate and a second polycrystalline silicon layer is formed in the via to contact the substrate. Portions of the second polycrystalline silicon layer overlying the first polycrystalline silicon layer are removed eliminating any horizontal interface between the two polycrystalline silicon layers. The first polycrystalline silicon layer remaining after the etch is then patterned to form an electrical interconnect.

Abstract: A process is described that forms a low resistivity connection between a tungsten layer and a silicon surface with high adherence of the tungsten to the silicon. The silicon surface is plasma-cleaned to remove native oxide. A very thin layer (one or more monolayers) of Si—NH2 is formed on the silicon surface, serving as an adhesion layer. A WNx layer is formed over the Si—NH2 layer, using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, to serve as a barrier layer. A thick tungsten layer is formed over the WNx layer by CVD. An additional metal layer (e.g., aluminum) may be formed over the tungsten layer.