Abstract: There is set forth herein a gate contact structure for a gate. The gate contact structure can include a first contact layer and a second contact layer. In one embodiment, a gate contact layer can define a contact that provides a gate tie down. In one embodiment, a gate contact layer can have a minimum width larger than a gate length.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin-shaped semiconductor layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate having a longitudinal axis extending in a first direction parallel to the surface. A first insulating film is around the fin-shaped semiconductor layer and a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer is on the fin-shaped semiconductor layer. A pillar diameter of the bottom of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer is equal to a fin width of the top of the fin-shaped semiconductor layer, the pillar diameter and the fin width parallel to the surface. A gate insulating film is around the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer and a metal gate electrode is around the gate insulating film. A metal gate wiring is connected to the metal gate electrode and has a longitudinal axis extending in a second direction parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the first direction of the longitudinal axis of the fin-shaped semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides some methods for forming at least two different nanowire structures with different diameters on one substrate. Since the diameter of the nanowire structure will influence the threshold voltage (Vt) and the drive currents of a nanowire field effect transistor, in this invention, at least two nanowire structures with different diameters can be formed on one substrate. Therefore, in the following steps, these nanowire structures can be applied in different nanowire field effect transistors with different Vt and drive currents. This way, the flexibility of the nanowire field effect transistors can be improved.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of trench gates provided abreast in a semiconductor substrate; an interlayer insulation film having opening from which a part of a front surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed; and contact plugs provided in the openings. The interlayer insulation film comprises a plurality of first portions, each of which covers a corresponding one of the trench gates, and a plurality of second portions, each of which is provided between adjacent first portions and along a direction intersecting with the first portions. The openings are provided at an area surrounded by the first portions and the second portions, a length of the openings in a direction along the first portions is shorter than a length of the openings in a direction along the second portions intersecting with the first portions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device that includes a plurality of trench gate structures each having a gate electrode extending in a depth direction of an element, the plurality of trench gate structures including first trench gate structures respectively contributing to control of the element and second trench gate structures respectively not contributing to the control of the element, the semiconductor device including an electrode portion having a potential other than a gate potential, and an electrode pad that is disposed on a front face of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the electrode pad is used as a terminal to apply a predetermined voltage to gate insulator films, in screening that is executed by applying the predetermined voltage to the gate insulator films respectively in contact with the gate electrode connected to the electrode pad and that is executed before the electrode pad is short-circuited to the electrode portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a base region formed in the semiconductor substrate on a front surface side thereof, a gate trench extending from a front surface side of the base region and penetrating thorough the base region, and a dummy trench extending from the front surface side of the base region and penetrating thorough the base region, where a portion of the dummy trench that extends beyond a back surface of the base region is longer than a portion of the gate trench that extends beyond the back surface of the base region.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods and device structures for horizontal gate all around (hGAA) isolation and fin field effect transistor (FinFET) isolation. A superlattice structure comprising different materials arranged in an alternatingly stacked formation may be formed on a substrate. In one embodiment, at least one of the layers of the superlattice structure may be oxidized to form a buried oxide layer adjacent the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate and first transistors having a first operating voltage. Each first transistor may include a first channel and a first punch-through stop (PTS) layer in the semiconductor substrate, and the first PTS layer may be at a first depth below the first channel. The semiconductor device may further include second transistors having a second operating voltage higher than the first operating voltage. Each second transistor may include a second channel and a second PTS layer in the semiconductor substrate, and the second PTS layer may be at a second depth below the second channel that is greater than the first depth. Furthermore, the first channel may include a first superlattice, and the second channel may include a second superlattice.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) on the semiconductor substrate. Each FET may include a gate, spaced apart source and drain regions on opposite sides of the gate, upper and lower vertically stacked superlattice layers and a bulk semiconductor layer therebetween between the source and drain regions, and a halo implant having a peak concentration vertically confined in the bulk semiconductor layer between the upper and lower superlattices.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a p-doped layer formed on the substrate having a dislocation density exceeding 108 cm?2. An n-type layer is formed on or in the p-doped layer. The n-type layer includes a II-VI material configured to tolerate the dislocation density to form an electronic device with reduced leakage current over a device with a III-V n-type layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes irradiating the semiconductor body with particles through a first side of the semiconductor body, removing at least a part of impurities from an irradiated part of the semiconductor body by out-diffusion during thermal treatment in a temperature range between 450° C. to 1200° C., and forming a first load terminal structure at the first side of the semiconductor body.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a source region, a drain region, a gate, and a dummy contact. The source region and the drain region are formed in the substrate. The gate is formed on the substrate and between the source region and the drain region. The dummy contact includes a plurality of dummy plugs formed on the substrate, wherein the dummy plugs have depths decreasing towards the drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanowire device includes at least one semiconductor nanowire having a bottom surface and a top surface, an insulating material which surrounds the semiconductor nanowire, and an electrode ohmically contacting the top surface of the semiconductor nanowire. A contact of the electrode to the semiconductor material of the semiconductor nanowire is dominated by the contact to the top surface of the semiconductor nanowire.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, at least one dielectric layer, a dielectric spacer liner (DSL) layer, and at least one conductor. The dielectric layer is present on the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer has at least one contact hole exposing at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has at least one recess communicating with the contact hole. The recess has a bottom surface and at least one sidewall. The DSL layer is present on at least the sidewall of the recess. The conductor is present at least partially in the contact hole and is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A recess array device includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface; a recessed trench in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode disposed at a lower portion of the recessed trench; a liner layer disposed on directly on the gate electrode and being in direct contact with the gate electrode; a gate dielectric layer disposed only between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and between the liner layer and the semiconductor substrate; and an epitaxial silicon layer disposed at an upper portion of the recessed trench.

Abstract: A transistor includes: a source region and a drain region that are formed in a substrate to be spaced apart from each other; a trench formed in the substrate between the source region and the drain region; and a buried gate electrode inside the trench, wherein the buried gate electrode includes: a lower buried portion which includes a high work-function barrier layer including an aluminum-containing titanium nitride, and a first low-resistivity layer disposed over the high work-function barrier layer; and an upper buried portion which includes a low work-function barrier layer disposed over the lower buried portion and overlapping with the source region and the drain region, and a second low-resistivity layer disposed over the low work-function barrier layer.

Abstract: A split-gate flash memory cell for improved erase speed is provided. An erase gate and a floating gate are laterally spaced over a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate has a height increasing towards the erase gate, a concave sidewall surface neighboring the erase gate, and a tip defined an interface of the concave sidewall surface and an upper surface of the floating gate. A control gate and a sidewall spacer are arranged over the upper surface of the floating gate. The control gate is laterally offset from the tip of the floating gate, and the sidewall spacer is laterally arranged between the control gate and the tip. A method for manufacturing the split-gate flash memory cell is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-layered semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In an embodiment a first semiconductor layer, a first insulator layer, a second semiconductor layer, a second insulator layer, and a third semiconductor layer are formed over a substrate. A first transistor comprises the first semiconductor layer, the first insulator layer, and the second semiconductor layer, and a second transistor comprises the second semiconductor layer, the second insulator layer, and the third semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; using a first patterned mask to form a gate dielectric layer on the substrate; removing the first patterned mask; removing part of the gate dielectric layer; and forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) adjacent to two sides of the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes patterning a gate conductor, formed on a substrate, and a two-dimensional material formed on the gate conductor. Recesses are formed adjacent to the gate conductor in the substrate, and a doped layer is deposited in the recesses and over a top of the two-dimensional material. Tape is adhered to the doped layer on top of the two-dimensional material. The tape is removed to exfoliate the doped layer from the top of the two-dimensional material to form source and drain regions in the recesses.

Abstract: A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode on a substrate. The gate electrode includes a flat portion and an inclined portion at a side of the flat portion. A ratio of a height to a width (height/width) of the inclined portion is 1.192 or less. The thin film transistor also includes a gate insulating layer disposed on the substrate to cover the gate electrode and a polysilicon active layer on the gate insulating layer and over the gate electrode. The thin film transistor further includes a source electrode and a drain electrode respectively connected to two opposite end portions of the polysilicon active layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a Fin FET includes forming a fin structure including an upper layer. Part of the upper layer is exposed from an isolation insulating layer. A dummy gate structure is formed over part of the fin structure. The dummy gate structure includes a dummy gate electrode layer and a dummy gate dielectric layer. An interlayer insulating layer is formed over the dummy gate structure. The dummy gate structure is removed so that a space is formed. A gate dielectric layer is formed in the space. A first metal layer is formed over the gate dielectric in the space. A second metal layer is formed over the first metal layer in the space. The first and second metal layers are partially removed, thereby reducing a height of the first and second metal layers. A third metal layer is formed over the partially removed first and second metal layers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional stacked fin complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device having dual work function metal gate structures is provided. The stacked fin CMOS device includes a fin stack having a first semiconductor fin over a substrate, a dielectric fin atop the first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin atop the dielectric fin, and a gate sack straddling the fin stack. The gate stack includes a first metal gate portion surrounding a channel portion of the first semiconductor fin and a second metal gate portion surrounding a channel portion of the second semiconductor fin. The first metal gate portion has a first work function suitable to reduce a threshold voltage of a field effect transistor (FET) of a first conductivity type, while the second gate portion has a second work function suitable to reduce a threshold voltage of a FET of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type.

Abstract: An integrated circuit containing metal replacement gates may be formed by forming a nitrogen-rich titanium-based barrier between a high-k gate dielectric layer and a metal work function layer of a PMOS transistor. The nitrogen-rich titanium-based barrier is less than 1 nanometer thick and has an atomic ratio of titanium to nitrogen of less than 43:57. The nitrogen-rich titanium-based barrier may be formed by forming a titanium based layer over the gate dielectric layer and subsequently adding nitrogen to the titanium based layer. The metal work function layer is formed over the nitrogen-rich titanium-based barrier.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is formed in a SiC substrate. A thermal oxide film is formed on a front surface of the SiC substrate. An opening reaching the front surface of the SiC substrate is formed by etching a part of the thermal oxide film. The opening is filled with a material that becomes a Schottky electrode. Forming a sacrificial thermal oxide film on the front surface of the SiC substrate is not executed after the forming of the semiconductor structure and before the forming of the thermal oxide film.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes patterning a gate conductor, formed on a substrate, and a two-dimensional material formed on the gate conductor. Recesses are formed adjacent to the gate conductor in the substrate, and a doped layer is deposited in the recesses and over a top of the two-dimensional material. Tape is adhered to the doped layer on top of the two-dimensional material. The tape is removed to exfoliate the doped layer from the top of the two-dimensional material to form source and drain regions in the recesses.

Abstract: A transistor device is provided that comprises a base structure, and a superlattice structure overlying the base structure and comprising a multichannel ridge having sloping sidewalls. The multichannel ridge comprises a plurality of heterostructures that each form a channel of the multichannel ridge, wherein a parameter of at least one of the heterostructures is varied relative to other heterostructures of the plurality of heterostructures. The transistor device further comprises a three-sided gate contact that wraps around and substantially surrounds the top and sides of the multichannel ridge along at least a portion of its depth.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure formed across the fin structure. In addition, the gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer formed over the substrate and a work function metal layer formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate structure further includes a gate electrode layer formed over the work function metal layer. In addition, a top surface of the gate electrode layer is located at a position that is higher than that of a top surface of the gate dielectric layer, and the top surface of the gate dielectric layer is located at a position that is higher than that of a top surface of the work function layer.

Abstract: A multi-finger lateral high voltage transistors (MFLHVT) includes a substrate doped a first dopant type, a well doped a second dopant type, and a buried drift layer (BDL) doped first type having a diluted BDL portion (DBDL) including dilution stripes. A semiconductor surface doped the second type is on the BDL. Dielectric isolation regions have gaps defining a first active area in a first gap region (first MOAT) and a second active area in a second gap region (second MOAT). A drain includes drain fingers in the second MOAT interdigitated with source fingers in the first MOAT each doped second type. The DBDL is within a fingertip drift region associated drain fingertips and/or source fingertips between the first and second MOAT. A gate stack is on the semiconductor surface between source and drain. The dilution stripes have stripe widths that increase monotonically with a drift length at their respective positions.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that contains silicon fins having different heights, while maintaining a reasonable fin height to width ratio for process feasibility. The semiconductor structure includes a first silicon fin of a first height and located on a pedestal portion of a first oxide structure. The structure further includes a second silicon fin of a second height and located on a pedestal portion of a second oxide structure. The first oxide structure and the second oxide structure are interconnected and the second oxide structure has a bottommost surface that is located beneath a bottommost surface of the first oxide structure. Further, the second height of the second silicon fin is greater than the first height of the first silicon fin, yet a topmost surface of the first silicon fin is coplanar with a topmost surface of the second silicon fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a fin structure disposed over a substrate; a gate structure disposed over part of the fin structure; a source/drain structure, which includes part of the fin structure not covered by the gate structure; an interlayer dielectric layer formed over the fin structure, the gate structure, and the source/drain structure; a contact hole formed in the interlayer dielectric layer; and a contact material disposed in the contact hole. The fin structure extends in a first direction and includes an upper layer, wherein a part of the upper layer is exposed from an isolation insulating layer. The gate structure extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The contact material includes a silicon phosphide layer and a metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a fin. The fin extends from the substrate and is formed with a hole therethrough. The hole is defined by a confronting pair of wall parts. One of the wall parts is more arcuate than the other of the wall parts. A method for fabricating the semiconductor structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which includes the steps of forming a gate stack structure made up of a floating gate, an inter-poly dielectric, a control gate and a metal layer on a substrate, forming a conformal liner on the gate stack structure, covering a mask layer on the liner, where the mask layer is lower than the metal layer so that a portion of the liner is exposed, and performing a nitridation treatment to transform the exposed liner into a nitrided liner, so that at least the portion of the metal layer in the gate stack structure is covered by the nitrided liner.

Abstract: Trench JFETs may be created by etching trenches into the topside of a substrate of a first doping type to form mesas. The substrate is made up of a backside drain layer, a middle drift layer, and topside source layer. The etching goes through the source layer and partly into the drift layer. Gate regions are formed on the sides and bottoms of the trenches using doping of a second type. Vertical channel regions are formed behind the vertical gate segments via angled implantation using a doping of the first kind, providing improved threshold voltage control. Optionally the substrate may include a lightly doped channel layer between the drift and source layers, such that the mesas include a lightly doped channel region that more strongly contrasts with the implanted vertical channel regions.

Abstract: To improve the electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, and to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device with a small variation in electrical characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a first insulating film, a first barrier film over the first insulating film, a second insulating film over the first barrier film, and a first transistor including a first oxide semiconductor film over the second insulating film. The amount of hydrogen molecules released from the first insulating film at a given temperature higher than or equal to 400° C., which is measured by thermal desorption spectroscopy, is less than or equal to 130% of the amount of released hydrogen molecules at 300° C. The second insulating film includes a region containing oxygen at a higher proportion than oxygen in the stoichiometric composition.

Abstract: A semiconductor layer may be subjected to etching to form a trench therein. An epitaxial layer may be further formed in the trench. Here, the impurity concentration of the epitaxial layer is controlled to be lower than that of the semiconductor layer. In this manner, concentration of electrical fields in the trench is reduced. A first innovations herein provides a semiconductor device including a first semiconductor layer containing impurities of a first conductivity type, a trench provided in the first semiconductor layer on a front surface side thereof, and a second semiconductor layer provided on an inner wall of the trench, where the second semiconductor layer contains impurities of the first conductivity type at a lower concentration than the first semiconductor layer.

Abstract: When formed to have a lattice pattern, trenches are deeper at the portions thereof corresponding to the vertices of the lattice pattern than at the portions thereof corresponding to the sides. Such variations in the depths of trenches may disadvantageously result in variations in the gate threshold voltages (Vth). A semiconductor device includes two first trenches extending in a first direction with a predetermined region being sandwiched therebetween, where the predetermined region is provided in a semiconductor substrate on a front surface side thereof, and a second trench provided in the predetermined region, the second trench being spatially spaced away from the first trenches and being shorter than any of the first trenches. Here, the first and second trenches each include a trench insulating film, and a trench electrode in contact with the trench insulating film.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a semiconductor device includes a channel layer, an AlxIn1-xN layer on the channel layer with a thickness of t1, and a reverse polarization layer on the AlxIn1-xN layer with a thickness of t2. The thickness is 0.5×t1?t2?3×t1. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method including: forming a channel layer on a substrate; forming an AlxIn1-xN layer on the channel layer with a thickness of t1; and forming a reverse polarization layer on the AlxIn1-xN layer with a thickness of t2. The thickness is 0.5×t1?t2?3×t1.

Abstract: A field effect transistor having a reduced sheet resistance is provided. A channel layer, a first spacer layer, a second spacer layer, a first electronic barrier layer, and a second electronic barrier layer are sequentially grown on the main surface of a substrate. A gate recess is created, and then an ion implanted section is formed. A third electronic barrier layer and a p-type layer are formed by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method. The p-type layer except a portion at the gate recess is removed. B ions are implanted in the regrown third electronic barrier layer to reform the ion implanted section. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on the third electronic barrier layer. Then a gate electrode is formed on the p-type layer.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes: a substrate; and a buffer layer, a first carrier supply layer, a first spacer layer, a channel layer, a second spacer layer, a second carrier supply layer, and a contact layer provided in order on the substrate, wherein the first carrier supply layer is a uniformly doped layer in which an impurity is uniformly doped, the second carrier supply layer is a planar doped layer in which an impurity is locally doped, and no Al mixed crystal layer having higher resistance values than the first and second spacer layers is provided between the buffer layer and the first spacer layer and between the second spacer layer and the contact layer.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to nonvolatile memory devices using a 2D material, and methods of manufacturing the nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device includes a channel layer formed on a substrate, a gate stack that includes a gate electrode, source and drain electrodes. The channel layer has a threshold voltage greater than that of a graphene layer, and the gate stack includes a 2D material floating gate that is not in contact with the channel layer. The channel layer includes first and second material layers and a first barrier layer disposed between the first and second material layers, and the first and second material layers may contact the first barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing super junction device includes forming a first epitaxial layer on a semiconductor substrate. The first epitaxial layer is patterned to form a trench. The trench has a first sidewall region, a second sidewall region and a bottom region. The bottom region is positioned in between the first and second sidewall regions. A second epitaxial layer is formed on the first sidewall region, the second sidewall region and the bottom region. A portion of the second epitaxial layer on the first sidewall region and the second sidewall region is removed. An oxide layer in contact with the second epitaxial layer is formed. A gate layer in contact with the oxide layer is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer made of SiC. A transistor element having an impurity region is formed in a front surface portion of the semiconductor layer. A first contact wiring is formed on a back surface portion of the semiconductor layer, and defines one electrode electrically connected to the transistor element. The first contact wiring has a first wiring layer forming an ohmic contact with the semiconductor layer without a silicide contact and a second wiring layer formed on the first wiring layer and having a resistivity lower than that of the first wiring layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated high side gate driver structure for driving a power transistor. The high side gate driver structure comprises a semiconductor substrate comprising a first polarity semiconductor material in which a first well diffusion comprising a second polarity semiconductor material is formed. A peripheral outer wall of the first well diffusion is abutted to the semiconductor substrate. A second well diffusion, comprising first polarity semiconductor material, is arranged inside the first well diffusion such that an outer peripheral wall of the second well diffusion is abutted to an inner peripheral wall of the first well diffusion.

Abstract: In a vertical MOSFET in which bottom portions of each gate electrode formed in a ditch are extended toward the drain region, the on resistance is reduced while preventing voltage resistance reduction and switching speed reduction caused by a capacitance increase between the gate and drain. A vertical MOSFET includes first ditches, second ditches, and gate electrodes. The first ditches are formed in an upper surface portion of an epitaxial layer formed over a semiconductor substrate and extend in a second direction extending along a main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second ditches are formed in bottom surface portions of each of the first ditches and are arranged in the second direction. The gate electrodes are formed in the first ditches and second ditches. The gate electrodes formed in the first ditches include lower electrodes arranged in the second direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin-shaped silicon layer on a silicon substrate surface. The fin-shaped silicon layer has a longitudinal axis extending in a first direction parallel to the surface and a first insulating film is around the fin-shaped silicon layer. A pillar-shaped silicon layer is on the fin-shaped silicon layer, and a pillar diameter of the bottom of the pillar-shaped silicon layer is equal to a fin width of the top of the fin-shaped silicon layer. The pillar diameter and the fin width are parallel to the surface. A gate insulating film is around the pillar-shaped silicon layer and a metal gate electrode is around the gate insulating film. A metal gate wiring is connected to the metal gate electrode and has a longitudinal axis extending in a second direction parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the first direction of the longitudinal axis of the fin-shaped silicon layer.

Abstract: A Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET) includes a semiconductor layer over a substrate, wherein the semiconductor layer forms a channel of the FinFET. A first silicon germanium oxide layer is over the substrate, wherein the first silicon germanium oxide layer has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium oxide layer is over the first silicon germanium oxide layer. The second silicon germanium oxide layer has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A gate dielectric is on sidewalls and a top surface of the semiconductor layer. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention reduces the external resistance of a transistor by utilizing a silicon germanium alloy for the source and drain regions and a nickel silicon germanium self-aligned silicide (i.e., salicide) layer to form the contact surface of the source and drain regions. The interface of the silicon germanium and the nickel silicon germanium silicide has a lower specific contact resistivity based on a decreased metal-semiconductor work function between the silicon germanium and the silicide and the increased carrier mobility in silicon germanium versus silicon. The silicon germanium may be doped to further tune its electrical properties. A reduction of the external resistance of a transistor equates to increased transistor performance both in switching speed and power consumption.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention reduces the external resistance of a transistor by utilizing a silicon germanium alloy for the source and drain regions and a nickel silicon germanium self-aligned silicide (i.e., salicide) layer to form the contact surface of the source and drain regions. The interface of the silicon germanium and the nickel silicon germanium silicide has a lower specific contact resistivity based on a decreased metal-semiconductor work function between the silicon germanium and the silicide and the increased carrier mobility in silicon germanium versus silicon. The silicon germanium may be doped to further tune its electrical properties. A reduction of the external resistance of a transistor equates to increased transistor performance both in switching speed and power consumption.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming an isolation feature in a substrate, forming a first gate stack and a second gate stack over the substrate, forming a first recess cavity and a second recess cavity in the substrate, growing a first epitaxial (epi) material in the first recess cavity and a second epi material in the second recess cavity, and etching the first epi material and the second epi material. The first recess cavity is between the isolation feature and the first gate stack and the second recess cavity is between the first gate stack and the second gate stack. A topmost surface of the first epi material has a first crystal plane and a topmost surface of the second epi material has a second crystal plane. The topmost surface of the etched first epi material has a third crystal plane different from both the first crystal plane and the second crystal plane.