Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device that has a shorter distance between the bit lines and easily achieves higher storage capacity and density, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes: first bit lines formed on a substrate; an insulating layer that is provided between the first bit lines on the substrate, and has a higher upper face than the first bit lines; channel layers that are provided on both side faces of the insulating layer, and are coupled to the respective first bit lines; and charge storage layers that are provided on the opposite side faces of the channel layers from the side faces on which the insulating layers are formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed having compatibility with FINFET process flow, while having a large enough junction area of to reduce the discharge ESD current density. Embodiments include forming a removable gate over an N? doped fin on a substrate, forming P+ doped SiGe or Si on an anode side of the fin, and forming N+ doped Si on a cathode side of the fin. The area efficiency of the semiconductor device layout is greatly improved, and, thereby, discharge of ESD current density is mitigated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor substrate having an active region, the semiconductor device comprising: a gate dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, the gate dielectric layer having at least two sub-layers with at least one sub-layer having a dielectric constant greater than SiO2; a floating gate formed on the gate dielectric layer defining a channel interposed between a source and a drain formed within the active region of the semiconductor substrate; a control gate formed above the floating gate; and an intergate dielectric layer interposed between the floating gate and the control gate, the intergate dielectric layer comprising: a first layer formed on the floating gate; a second layer formed on the first layer; and a third layer formed on the second layer, wherein each of the first, second and third layers has a dielectric constant greater than SiO2.

Abstract: Non-volatile semiconductor memories and methods of fabricating the same to improve performance thereof are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: (i) forming a gate for a non-volatile memory transistor on a surface of a substrate overlaying a channel region formed therein, the gate including a charge trapping layer; and (ii) forming a strain inducing structure over the gate of the non-volatile memory transistor to increase charge retention of the charge trapping layer. Preferably, the memory transistor is a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) transistor comprising a SONOS gate stack. More preferably, the memory also includes a logic transistor on the substrate, and the step of forming a strain inducing structure comprises the step of forming the strain inducing structure over the logic transistor. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a recessed channel array transistor, a recess may be formed in an active region of a substrate. A plasma oxidation process may be performed on the substrate to form a preliminary gate oxide layer on an inner surface of the recess and an upper surface of the substrate. Moistures may be absorbed in a surface of the preliminary gate oxide layer to form a gate oxide layer. A gate electrode may be formed on the gate oxide layer to fill up the recess. Source/drain regions may be formed in an upper surface of the substrate at both sides of the gate electrode. Thus, the oxide layer may have a uniform thickness distribution and a dense structure.

Abstract: MOSFETs and methods for making MOSFETs with a recessed channel and abrupt junctions are disclosed. The method includes creating source and drain extensions while a dummy gate is in place. The source/drain extensions create a diffuse junction with the silicon substrate. The method continues by removing the dummy gate and etching a recess in the silicon substrate. The recess intersects at least a portion of the source and drain junction. Then a channel is formed by growing a silicon film to at least partially fill the recess. The channel has sharp junctions with the source and drains, while the unetched silicon remaining below the channel has diffuse junctions with the source and drain. Thus, a MOSFET with two junction regions, sharp and diffuse, in the same transistor can be created.

Abstract: A method of forming a Non-planar FET is provided. A substrate is provided. An active region and a peripheral region are defined on the substrate. A plurality of VSTI is formed in the active region of the substrate. A part of each VSTI is removed to expose a part of sidewall of the substrate. Then, a conductor layer is formed on the substrate which is then patterned to form a planar FET gate in the peripheral region and a Non-planar FET gate in the active region simultaneously. Last, a source/drain region is formed on two sides of the Non-planar FET gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A fin-shaped structure is formed on a substrate. A gate structure and a cap layer are formed, wherein the gate structure is disposed across parts of the fin-shaped structure and parts of the substrate, the cap layer is on the gate structure, and the cap layer includes a first cap layer on the gate structure and a second cap layer on the first cap layer. A spacer material is formed to entirely cover the second cap layer, the fin-shaped structure and the substrate. The spacer material is etched, so that the sidewalls of the second cap layer are exposed and a spacer is formed beside the gate structure. The second cap layer is removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing process thereof are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a first conductive type, a first well having a second conductive type formed in the substrate, a doped region having the second conductive type formed in the first well, a field oxide and a second well having the first conductive type. The doped region has a first net dopant concentration. The field oxide is formed on a surface area of the first well. The second well is disposed underneath the field oxide and connected to a side of the doped region. The second well has a second net dopant concentration smaller than the first net dopant concentration.

Abstract: A first insulating film is formed above a semiconductor substrate with a device isolation insulating film defining a device region, a gate electrode and source/drain region formed. The first insulating film is etched, leaving the first insulating film in a recess formed in an edge of the device isolation insulating film. A second insulating film applying a stress to the semiconductor substrate is formed after etching the first insulating film.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The method includes receiving a semiconductor device, patterning a first hard mask to form a first recess in a high-resistor (Hi-R) stack, removing the first hard mask, forming a second recess in the Hi-R stack, forming a second hard mask in the second recess in the Hi-R stack. A HR can then be formed in the semiconductor substrate by the second hard mask and a gate trench etch.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures, methods of forming capacitors, methods of forming an interconnect between a substrate bit line contact and a bit line in DRAM, and methods of forming DRAM memory cells. In one implementation, a method of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures includes forming a first conductive structure comprising a first electrically conductive surface at a first elevation of a substrate. A nanowhisker is grown from the first electrically conductive surface, and is provided to be electrically conductive. Electrically insulative material is provided about the nanowhisker. An electrically conductive material is deposited over the electrically insulative material in electrical contact with the nanowhisker at a second elevation which is elevationally outward of the first elevation, and the electrically conductive material is provided into a second conductive structure.

Abstract: Corona effect in a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) is prevented by disposing a bottom metal layer on a substrate, defining a conductive via through the substrate electrically contacting the bottom metal layer, the conductive via further connected to a reference electrical potential, disposing a layer of dielectric material on a region of the bottom metal layer, forming a component metal layer over the conductive via and in electrical communication with the via and the bottom metal layer to define an electrical component, forming a top metal layer on the layer of dielectric material, the layer of dielectric layer interposed between the top metal layer and the bottom metal layer to thereby define an MMIC capacitor on the substrate, the top metal layer of the MMIC capacitor being separated from the electrical component, and disposing a passivation layer adjacent and conformal to a side wall of the top metal layer.

Abstract: A method for aligning an electronic CMOS structure with respect to a buried structure in the case of a bonded and thinned back stack of semiconductor wafers. The method for aligning the electronic CMOS structure may include forming alignment marks in the process of fabricating the structure to be buried on a front side, which is used for bonding of the semiconductor wafer, which includes the structure to be buried. The alignment marks may be formed on the edge of the semiconductor wafer. The method for aligning the electronic CMOS structure may include providing a cover wafer with first thinned portions of the wafer thickness provided from the bonding side at positions corresponding to positions of the alignment marks.

Abstract: A method for forming a dielectric layer free of voids is disclosed. First, a substrate, a first stressed layer including a recess, a second stressed layer disposed on the first stressed layer and covering the recess and a patterned photoresist embedded in the recess are provided. Second, a first etching step is performed to totally remove the photoresist so that the remaining second stressed layer forms at least one protrusion adjacent to the recess. Then, a trimming photoresist is formed without exposure to fill the recess and to cover the protrusion. Later, a trimming etching step is performed to eliminate the protrusion and to collaterally remove the trimming photoresist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor component with trench isolation and to an associated fabrication method, a trench isolation (STI, TTI) having a deep isolation trench with a covering insulation layer (10, 11), a side wall insulation layer (6) and an electrically conductive filling layer (7), which is electrically connected to a predetermined doping region (1) of the semiconductor substrate in a bottom region of the trench. The use of a trench contact (DTC), which has a deep contact trench with a side wall insulation layer (6) and an electrically conductive filling layer (7), which is likewise electrically connected to the predetermined doping region (1) of the semiconductor substrate in a bottom region of the contact trench, makes it possible to improve the electrical shielding properties with a reduced area requirement.

Abstract: An isolation trench in a substrate of a semiconductor device includes a first shallow portion, a transition region, and a second deeper portion. The isolation trench contains a dielectric filler. The isolation trench is formed by first forming a first shallow portion of the isolation trench, forming polysilicon sidewalls on the first shallow portion, and then etching the second deeper portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a silicon-on-insulator structure includes forming a first oxide layer on a silicon donor substrate, forming a second oxide layer on a supporting substrate, and forming a weakened zone in the donor substrate. The donor substrate is bonded to the supporting substrate by establishing direct contact between the first oxide layer on the silicon donor substrate and the second oxide layer on the supporting substrate and establishing a direct oxide-to-oxide bond therebetween. The donor substrate is split along the weakened zone to form a silicon-on-insulator structure, and the silicon-on-insulator structure is subjected to two successive rapid thermal annealing processes at temperatures T1 and T2, respectively, wherein T1 is less than or equal to T2, T1 is between 1200° C. and 1300° C., T2 is between 1240° C. and 1300° C., and when T1 is below 1240° C., then T2 is above 1240° C.

Abstract: A method of processing an epistructure or processing a semiconductor device including associating a conformal and flexible handle with the epistructure and removing the epistructure and handle as a unit from the parent substrate. The method further includes causing the epistructure and handle unit to conform to a shape that differs from the shape the epistructure otherwise inherently assumes upon removal from the parent substrate. A device prepared according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is presented. A conductor is embedded within a substrate, wherein the substrate contains a non-conducting material. The backside of the substrate is ground to a thickness wherein at least 1 ?m of the non-conducting material remains on the backside covering the conductor embedded within the substrate. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is employed with an undiscerning slurry to the backside of the substrate, thereby planarizing the substrate and exposing the conductive material. A spin wet-etch, with a protective formulation, is employed to remove a thickness y of the non-conducting material from the backside of the substrate, thereby causing the conductive material to uniformly protrude from the backside of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a bonded wafer, the method in which heat treatment for flattening the surface of a thin film is performed on a bonded wafer made by the ion implantation delamination method in an atmosphere containing hydrogen or hydrogen chloride, wherein the surface of a susceptor on which the bonded wafer is to be placed, the susceptor used at the time of flattening heat treatment, is coated with a silicon film in advance. As a result, a method for producing a bonded wafer is provided, the method by which a bonded wafer having a thin film with good film thickness uniformity can be obtained even when heat treatment for flattening the surface of a thin film of a bonded wafer after delamination is performed in the ion implantation delamination method.

Abstract: A method for producing a chip (13) in which a die bonding adhesive layer (24) and a wafer (1) are laminated on a close-contact layer (31) of a fixing jig (3), the chip is formed by completely cutting the wafer and the die bonding adhesive layer and then the chip is picked up together with the die bonding adhesive layer from the fixing jig by deforming the close-contact layer of the fixing jig. In the method the fixing jig is provided with the close-contact layer and a jig base (30) that is provided with a plurality of protrusions (36) on one side and a sidewall (35) at the outer circumference section of the one side. The close-contact layer is laminated on the surface of the jig base provided with the protrusions and is bonded on the upper surface of the sidewall. On the surface of the jig base provided with the protrusions, a partitioned space is formed by the close-contact layer, the protrusions, and the sidewall.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for forming a continuous pattern on a substrate with a liquid media. Upon the deposition of the liquid media on the substrate, a portion the continuous pattern is evaporated upon contact with the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are GeX2Ln molecules, with X being a halide, L being an adduct other than C4H8O2, and 0.5?n?2. These molecules have lower melting points and/or increased volatility compared to GeCl2-dioxane. Also disclosed is the use of such molecules for deposition of thin films, such as chalcogenide, SiGe, and GeO2 films.

Abstract: A vapor deposition reactor includes a chamber filled with a first material, and at least one reaction module in the chamber. The reaction module may be configured to make a substrate pass the reaction module through a relative motion between the substrate and the reaction module. The reaction module may include an injection unit for injecting a second material to the substrate. A method for forming thin film includes positioning a substrate in a chamber, filling a first material in the chamber, moving the substrate relative to a reaction module in the chamber, and injecting a second material to the substrate while the substrate passes the reaction module.

Abstract: A method and structure for a semiconductor device, the device including a handle wafer, a diamond layer formed directly on a front side of the handle wafer, and a thick oxide layer formed directly on a back side of the handle wafer, the oxide layer of a thickness to counteract tensile stresses of the diamond layer. Nitride layers are formed on outer surfaces of the diamond layer and thick oxide layer and a polysilicon is formed on outer surfaces of the nitride layers. A device wafer is bonded to the handle wafer to form the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A nonpolar III-nitride film grown on a miscut angle of a substrate, in order to suppress the surface undulations, is provided. The surface morphology of the film is improved with a miscut angle towards an ?-axis direction comprising a 0.15° or greater miscut angle towards the ?-axis direction and a less than 30° miscut angle towards the ?-axis direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for consuming oxides in a silicon (Si) nanoparticle film. The method forms a colloidal solution film of Si nanoparticles overlying a substrate. The Si nanoparticle colloidal solution film is annealed at a high temperature in the presence of titanium (Ti). In response to the annealing, Si oxide is consumed in a resultant Si nanoparticle film. In one aspect, the consuming the Si oxide in the Si nanoparticle film includes forming Ti oxide in the Si nanoparticle film. Also in response to a low temperature annealing, solvents are evaporated in the colloidal solution film of Si nanoparticles. Si and Ti oxide molecules are sintered in the Si nanoparticle film in response to the high temperature annealing.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first isolation feature of a first width and a second isolation feature of a second width in a substrate, the first width being substantially greater than the second width; forming an implantation mask on the substrate, wherein the implantation mask covers the first isolation feature and exposes the second isolation feature; performing an ion implantation process to the substrate using the implantation mask; and thereafter performing an etching process to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a group 3-5 nitride semiconductor includes the steps of (i), (ii), (iii) in this order: (i) placing inorganic particles on a substrate, (ii) epitaxially growing a semiconductor layer by using the inorganic particles as a mask, and (iii) separating the substrate and the semiconductor layer by irradiating the interface between the substrate and the semiconductor layer with light; and a method for producing a light emitting device further includes adding electrodes.

Abstract: A process of doping a silicon layer with dopant atoms generally includes reacting a vapor of a dopant precursor with oxide and/or hydroxide reactive sites present on the silicon layer to form a self assembled monolayer of dopant precursor; hydrolyzing the self assembled monolayer of the dopant precursor with water vapor to form pendant hydroxyl groups on the dopant precursor; capping the self assembled monolayer with an oxide layer; and annealing the silicon layer at a temperature effective to diffuse dopant atoms from the dopant precursor into the silicon layer. Additional monolayers can be formed in a similar manner, thereby providing controlled layer-by-layer vapor phase deposition of the dopant precursor compounds for controlled doping of silicon.

Abstract: To provide a temperature control method capable of equivalently maintaining qualities of substrates even when treated substrates are continuously carried in a treatment container in the case in which activation annealing treatment is performed by an electron impact heating method.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for P-type boron doping of silicon wafers placed on a support in the chamber of a furnace of which one end comprises a wall in which means for introducing reactive gases and a gas carrying a boron precursor in gaseous form are located, whereby said process comprises the stages that consist in: a) In the chamber, reacting the reactive gases with boron trichloride BCl3 that is diluted in the carrier gas at a pressure of between 1 kPa and 30 kPa, and a temperature of between 800° C. and 1100° C., for forming a boron oxide B2O3 glass layer, b) Carrying out the diffusion of atomic boron in silicon under an N2+O2 atmosphere at a pressure of between 1 kPa and 30 kPa. A furnace designed for the implementation of said doping process as well as its applications—the manufacturing of large boron-doped silicon slices, in particular for photovoltaic applications—is also claimed.

Abstract: A nickel based alloy coating and a method for applying the nickel based alloy as a coating to a substrate. The nickel based alloy comprises about 0.1-15% rhenium, about 5-55% of an element selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron and combinations thereof, sulfur included as a microalloying addition in amounts from about 100 parts per million (ppm) to about 300 ppm, the balance nickel and incidental impurities. The nickel-based alloy of the present invention is applied to a substrate, usually an electro-mechanical device such as a MEMS, by well-known plating techniques. However, the plating bath must include sufficient sulfur to result in deposition of 100-300 ppm sulfur as a microalloyed element. The coated substrate is heat treated to develop a two phase microstructure in the coating.

Abstract: A silicon carbide substrate has a substrate surface. A gate insulating film is provided to cover a part of the substrate surface. A gate electrode covers a part of the gate insulating film. A contact electrode is provided on the substrate surface, adjacent to and in contact with the gate insulating film, and it contains an alloy having Al atoms. Al atoms do not diffuse from the contact electrode into a portion of the gate insulating film lying between the substrate surface and the gate electrode. Thus, in a case where a contact electrode having Al atoms is employed, reliability of the gate insulating film of a semiconductor device can be improved.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a memory array includes providing a semiconductor substrate having thereon a plurality of line-shaped active areas and intermittent line-shaped trench isolation regions between the plurality of line-shaped active areas, which extend along a first direction; forming buried word lines extending along a second direction in the semiconductor substrate, the buried word lines intersecting with the line-shaped active areas and the intermittent line-shaped trench isolation regions, wherein the second direction is not perpendicular to the first direction; forming buried digit lines extending along a third direction in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction; and forming storage nodes at storage node sites between the buried digit lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a semiconductor device having a metal gate. A substrate is provided and a gate dielectric and a work function metal layer are formed thereon, wherein the work function metal layer is on the gate dielectric layer. Then, a top barrier layer is formed on the work function metal layer. The step of forming the top barrier layer includes increasing a concentration of a boundary protection material in the top barrier layer. Lastly, a metal layer is formed on the top barrier layer. The present invention further provides a semiconductor device having a metal gate.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor structure, forming an opening in the insulation layer, the opening having a sidewall defined by one side of the insulation layer, forming a first metal layer in the opening, at least partially exposing the sidewall of the opening by performing a wet-etching process on the first metal layer, and selectively forming a second metal layer on the etched first metal layer. An average grain size of the first metal layer is smaller than an average grain size of the second metal layer. Related semiconductor devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: [Means for Solving Problem] A semiconductor chip 20 having a plurality of electrode terminals 12 is held to oppose a circuit board 21 having a plurality of connection terminals 11 with a given gap provided therebetween, and the semiconductor chip 20 and the circuit board 21 in this state are dipped in a dipping bath 40 containing a melted resin 14 including melted solder particles for a given period of time. In this dipping process, the melted solder particles self-assemble between the connection terminals 11 of the circuit board 21 and the electrode terminals 12 of the semiconductor chip 20, so as to form connectors 22 between these terminals. Thereafter, the semiconductor chip 20 and the circuit board 21 are taken out of the dipping bath 40, and the melted resin 14 having permeated into the gap between the semiconductor chip 20 and the circuit board 21 is cured, so as to complete a flip-chip mounting body.

Abstract: A power transistor for use in an audio application is laid out to minimize hot spots. Hot spots are created by non-uniform power dissipation or overly concentrated current densities. The source and drain pads are disposed relative to each other to facilitate uniform power dissipation. Interleaving metal fingers and upper metal layers are connected directly to lower metal layers in the absence of vias to improve current density distribution. This layout improves some fail detection tests by 17%.

Abstract: In using Ni(P) and Sn-rich solders in Pb free interconnections, the prevention and control of the formation of intermetallic compound inclusions can be achieved through a reaction-preventative or control layer that is positioned on top of an electroless Ni(P) metallization, such as by application of a thin layer of Sn on the Ni(P) or through the application of a thin layer of Cu on the Ni(P).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a first circuit substrate having a first interconnection; forming a second circuit substrate having a second interconnection; bonding the first circuit substrate to the top surface of the second circuit substrate so as to be stacked facing each other; and performing an etching process of simultaneously removing parts formed on the first interconnection and the second interconnection in a stacked body of the first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate so as to form a first opening in the top surface of the first interconnection and to form a second opening in the top surface of the second interconnection. The forming of the first circuit substrate includes forming an etching stopper layer on the surface of the first interconnection out of a material having an etching rate lower than that of the first interconnection in the etching process.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor element having a contact via. In such method, a hole can be formed in a dielectric layer to at least partially expose a region including at least one of semiconductor or conductive material. A seed layer can be deposited over a major surface of the dielectric layer and over a surface within the hole. In one embodiment, the seed layer can include a metal selected from the group consisting of iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium. A layer consisting essentially of cobalt can be electroplated over the seed layer within the hole to form a contact via in electrically conductive communication with the region.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a silicon layer; etching the substrate to form a cavity; filling a first conductor in part of the cavity; performing a first thermal treatment on the first conductor; filling a second conductor in the cavity to fill-up the cavity; and performing a second thermal treatment on the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits having low resistance device contacts are provided. One method includes depositing an ILD layer of insulating material overlying a device region that includes a metal silicide region. The ILD layer is etched to form a sidewall that defines a contact opening formed through the ILD layer exposing the metal silicide region. A liner is formed overlying the sidewall and the metal silicide region and defines an inner cavity in the contact opening. A copper layer is formed overlying the liner and at least partially filling the inner cavity. The copper layer is etched to expose an upper portion of the liner while leaving a copper portion disposed in a bottom portion of the inner cavity. Copper is electrolessly deposited on the copper portion to fill a remaining portion of the inner cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a contact formation technique that incorporates a preventative etch step to reduce interlayer dielectric material flaking (e.g., borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) flaking) and, thereby to reduce surface defects. Specifically, contact openings, which extend through a dielectric layer to semiconductor devices in and/or on a center portion of a substrate, can be filled with a conductor layer deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of the conductor layer can be performed to complete the contact structures. However, before the CMP process is performed (e.g., either before the contact openings are ever formed or before the contact openings are filled), a preventative etch process can be performed to remove any dielectric material from above the edge portion of the substrate. Removing the dielectric material from above the edge portion of the substrate prior to CMP reduces the occurrence of surface defects caused by dielectric material flaking.

Abstract: The present invention includes embodiments of a processing method, and resulting structure, for building a chip having a TSV pillar which can be used as an interconnecting structure. The process includes the deposition of a dual diffusion barrier between the TSV and the substrate the TSV is embedded within. The TSV is then exposed from the back side of the substrate so that at least a portion of the TSV protrudes from the substrate and can be used as a contact for connecting the chip to another surface. The resulting TSV is rigid, highly conductive, can be placed in a tightly pitched grid of contacts, and reduces effects of CTE mismatch.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor chip and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor chip includes a substrate having a first side and a second side facing each other, and a through electrode being disposed in a hole penetrating the substrate, wherein an opening surrounded by the through electrode is disposed in the hole, wherein the opening comprises a first end adjacent to the first side of the substrate and a second end adjacent to the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first etching mask and a second etching mask are formed sequentially on a metal gate structure on a substrate and a first insulating interlayer covering a sidewall of the metal gate structure respectively. An opening is formed to expose a top surface of the substrate by removing a portion of the first insulating interlayer not overlapped with the first etching mask or the second etching mask. A metal silicide pattern is formed on the exposed top surface of the substrate. A plug on the metal silicide pattern is formed to fill a remaining portion of the opening. Further, a planarization layer may be used as the second etching mask.

Abstract: In order to better and more efficiently assemble back contact solar cells into modules, the cell to cell soldering and other soldered connections are replaced by electro and/or electroless plating. Back contact solar cells, diodes and external leads can be first laminated to the module front glass for support and stability. Conductive materials are deposited selectively to create a plating seed pattern for the entire module circuit. Subsequent plating steps create an integrated cell and module metallization. This avoids stringing and tabbing and the associated soldering steps. This process is easier for mass manufacturing and is advantageous for handling fragile silicon solar cells. Additionally, since highly corrosion resistant metals can be plated, the moisture barrier requirements of the back side materials can be greatly relaxed. This can simplify and reduce the cost of the back side of the module.