Abstract: A method includes: forming a gate over a semiconductor substrate; forming doped regions in the semiconductor substrate; depositing a dielectric layer on sidewalls of the gate, the dielectric layer including vertical portions laterally surrounding a sidewall of the gate; depositing a spacer laterally surrounding the dielectric layer, the spacer including a carbon-free portion laterally surrounding the vertical portions of the dielectric layer and a carbon-containing portion laterally surrounding the carbon-free portion; forming source/drain regions in the semiconductor substrate; performing an etching operation to remove the gate and vertical portions of the dielectric layer using the carbon-free portion as an etching stop layer to thereby expose the carbon-free portion and form a recess; and forming a gate dielectric layer and a conductive layer in the recess, wherein the gate dielectric layer extends in at least a portion of an area where the vertical portions of the dielectric layer are etched.

Abstract: For sensing pH of a fluid, a heating apparatus of a semiconductor die controls a temperature of the fluid to a first temperature. A first voltage of a gate of a floating gate transistor of the semiconductor die is measured while the temperature of the fluid is at the first temperature. Also, the heating apparatus controls the temperature of the fluid to a second temperature that is different than the first temperature. A second voltage of the gate is measured while the temperature of the fluid is at the second temperature. The pH of the fluid is determined based on the first and second voltages, the first temperature and the second temperature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure on the substrate, a first etch stop layer, a second etch stop layer, and an interlayer insulation layer that are stacked on the gate structure, and a contact plug penetrating the interlayer insulation layer, the second etch stop layer, and the first etch stop layer and contacting a sidewall of the gate structure. The contact plug includes a lower portion having a first width and an upper portion having a second width. A lower surface of the contact plug has a stepped shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the semiconductor device is disclosed. A sacrificial film is used to pattern a contact to a semiconductor structure, such as a contact to a source/drain region of a transistor. The contact may include a tapered profile along an axis parallel to the gate electrode such that an outermost width of the contact decreases as the contact extends away from the source/drain region.

Abstract: A method of forming an active device having self-aligned source/drain contacts and gate contacts, including, forming an active area on a substrate, where the active area includes a device channel; forming two or more gate structures on the device channel; forming a plurality of source/drains on the active area adjacent to the two or more gate structures and device channel; forming a protective layer on the surfaces of the two or more gate structures, plurality of source/drains, and active layer; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the protective layer; removing a portion of the interlayer dielectric and protective layer to form openings, where each opening exposes a portion of one of the plurality of source/drains; forming a source/drain contact liner in at least one of the plurality of openings; and forming a source/drain contact fill on the source/drain contact liner.

Abstract: Contact structures, FinFET devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. One of the contact structures includes a source/drain region, a mask layer, a connector and a shielding pattern. The source/drain region is between two gate stacks. A mask layer is over the gate stacks and has an opening corresponding to the source/drain region. The connector is electrically connected to the source/drain region, penetrates through the opening of the mask layer and protrudes above and below the mask layer. The shielding pattern is between the mask layer and the connector and in physical contact with the mask layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first gate structure, a first spacer, a source drain structure, a first dielectric layer, a conductor, and a protection layer. The first gate structure is present on the substrate. The first spacer is present on a sidewall of the first gate structure. The source drain structure is present adjacent to the first spacer. The first dielectric layer is present on the first gate structure and has an opening therein, in which the source drain structure is exposed through the opening. The conductor is electrically connected to the source drain structure, in which the conductor has an upper portion in the opening of the first dielectric layer and a lower portion between the upper portion and the source drain structure. The protection layer is present between the lower portion and the first spacer and between the upper portion and the source drain structure.

Abstract: Contact structures, FinFET devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. One of the contact structures includes a source/drain region, a mask layer, a connector and a shielding pattern. The source/drain region is between two gate stacks. A mask layer is over the gate stacks and has an opening corresponding to the source/drain region. The connector is electrically connected to the source/drain region, penetrates through the opening of the mask layer and protrudes above and below the mask layer. The shielding pattern is between the mask layer and the connector and in physical contact with the mask layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a field effect transistor is provided. The method of forming a field effect transistor may include forming a dummy gate perpendicular to and covering a channel region of a semiconductor fin, such that a source drain region of the semiconductor fin remains uncovered, depositing a metal layer above and in direct contact with a sidewall of the dummy gate, and above and in direct contact with a top and a sidewall of the source drain region, and forming a metal silicide source drain in the source drain region by annealing the metal layer and the semiconductor fin, such that the metal silicide source drain overlaps the dummy gate.

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: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor structure including a substrate and an epitaxy region partially disposed in the substrate. The epitaxy region includes a substance with a lattice constant that is larger than a lattice constant of the substrate. The concentration profile of a substance in the epitaxy region is monotonically increasing from a bottom portion of the epitaxy region to a of the epitaxy region. A first layer of the epitaxy region has a height to width ratio of about 2. The first layer is a layer positioned closest to the substrate, and the first layer has an average concentration of the substance from about 20 to about 32 percent. A second layer disposed over the first layer. The second layer has a bottom portion with a concentration of the substance from about 27 percent to about 37 percent.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with effective FinFET isolation and method of forming the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a substrate having an active fin, a plurality of dummy gate stacks over the substrate and engaging the fin, and first dielectric features over the substrate and separating the dummy gate stacks. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stacks thereby forming a first trench and a second trench that expose first and second portions of the active fin respectively. The method further includes removing the first portion of the active fin and forming a gate stack in the second trench, the gate stack engaging the second portion of the active fin. The method further includes filling the first trench with a second dielectric material that effectively isolates the second portion of the active fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source drain region of a first material that may fulfill contact resistance and doping requirements and an extension region of a second material with increased mobility and dopant concentration. A semiconductor device fabrication process includes forming a sacrificial dielectric portion upon a semiconductor substrate, forming a sacrificial gate stack upon the sacrificial dielectric portion, forming a gate spacer upon the sacrificial dielectric portion against the sacrificial gate, forming a source drain region of a first doped material upon the semiconductor substrate against the gate spacer, forming a replacement gate trench by removing the sacrificial gate stack, forming an extension trench by vertically removing the sacrificial dielectric portion accessible via the replacement gate trench and horizontally removing the sacrificial dielectric portion beneath the spacer, and forming an extension region of a second doped material within the extension trench.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a dummy gate pattern and a spacer that is arranged on a sidewall of the dummy gate pattern on a substrate, forming an air gap on both sides of the dummy gate pattern by removing the spacer, exposing the substrate by removing the dummy gate pattern, and sequentially forming a gate insulating film including a high-k insulating film and a metal gate electrode on the exposed substrate.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices, transistors may be formed on the basis of a high-k metal gate electrode structure provided in an early manufacturing phase, wherein an efficient strain-inducing mechanism may be implemented by using an embedded strain-inducing semiconductor alloy. In order to reduce the number of lattice defects and provide enhanced etch resistivity in a critical zone, i.e., in a zone in which a threshold voltage adjusting semiconductor alloy and the strain-inducing semiconductor material are positioned in close proximity, an efficient buffer material or seed material, such as a silicon material, is incorporated, which may be accomplished during the selective epitaxial growth process.

Abstract: Embodiments that relate to mechanisms for providing a stable dislocation profile are provided. A semiconductor substrate having a gate stack is provided. An opening is formed adjacent to a side of the gate stack. A first part of an epitaxial growth structure is formed in the opening. A second part of the epitaxial growth structure is formed in the opening. The first part and the second part of the epitaxial growth structure are formed along different directions.

Abstract: A method includes providing a gate structure having a gate, a first spacer along at least one side of the gate and an interlayer dielectric on at least one of the gate and the first spacer. The interlayer dielectric is removed to reveal the first spacer. The first spacer is removed and a second spacer is deposited on at least one side of the gate. The second spacer is formed of material having a lower dielectric constant than the first spacer.

Abstract: After formation of a gate electrode, a source trench and a drain trench are formed down to an upper portion of a bottom semiconductor layer having a first semiconductor material of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The source trench and the drain trench are filled with at least a second semiconductor material that is different from the first semiconductor material to form source and drain regions. A planarized dielectric layer is formed and a handle substrate is attached over the source and drain regions. The bottom semiconductor layer is removed selective to the second semiconductor material, the buried insulator layer, and a shallow trench isolation structure. The removal of the bottom semiconductor layer exposes a horizontal surface of the buried insulator layer present between source and drain regions on which a conductive material layer is formed as a back gate electrode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first distance is a distance between both ends of the first insulating film in a direction connecting the fourth semiconductor layer and the sixth semiconductor layer. The first distance in the first region is longer than the first distance in the second region. A second distance is a distance between an edge of the second insulating film on an inner peripheral side of the second semiconductor layer and an edge of the third semiconductor layer on an outer peripheral side of the second semiconductor layer. The second distance in the first region is shorter than the second distance in the second region.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device, which can facilitate a salicide process and can prevent a gate from being damaged due to misalign, and a method of manufacturing of the semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first insulation layer pattern on a substrate having a gate pattern and a source/drain region formed at both sides of the gate pattern, the first insulation layer pattern having an exposed portion of the source/drain region, forming a silicide layer on the exposed source/drain region, forming a second insulation layer on the entire surface of the substrate to cover the first insulation layer pattern and the silicide layer, and forming a contact hole in the second insulation layer to expose the silicide layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transistor and a method for manufacturing the transistor. The transistor according to an embodiment of the invention may comprise: a substrate which comprises at least a back gate of the transistor, an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer stacked sequentially, wherein the back gate of the transistor is used for adjusting the threshold voltage of the transistor; a gate stack formed on the semiconductor layer, wherein the gate stack comprises a gate dielectric and a gate electrode formed on the gate dielectric; a spacer formed on sidewalls of the gate stack; and a source region and a drain region located on both sides of the gate stack, respectively, wherein the height of the gate stack is lower than the height of the spacer. The transistor enables the height of the gate stack to be reduced and therefore the performance of the transistor is improved.

Abstract: One method includes forming first sidewall spacers adjacent opposite sides of a sacrificial gate structure and a gate cap layer, removing the gate cap layer and a portion of the first sidewall spacers to define reduced-height first sidewall spacers, forming second sidewall spacers, removing the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity, whereby a portion of the gate cavity is laterally defined by the second sidewall spacers, and forming a replacement gate structure in the gate cavity, wherein at least a first portion of the replacement gate structure is positioned between the second sidewall spacers. A device includes a gate structure positioned above the substrate between first and second spaced-apart portions of a layer of insulating material and a plurality of first sidewall spacers, each of which are positioned between the gate structure and on one of the first and second portions of the layer of insulating material.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus and methods may include a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be formed using atomic layer deposition. Metal electrodes may be disposed on a dielectric containing a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film.

Abstract: One method includes forming a sacrificial gate structure above a substrate, forming a first sidewall spacer adjacent a sacrificial gate electrode, removing a portion of the first sidewall spacer to expose a portion of the sidewalls of the sacrificial gate electrode, and forming a liner layer on the exposed sidewalls of the sacrificial gate electrode and above a residual portion of the first sidewall spacer. The method further includes forming a first layer of insulating material above the liner layer, forming a second sidewall spacer above the first layer of insulating material and adjacent the liner layer, performing an etching process to remove the second sidewall spacer and sacrificial gate cap layer to expose an upper surface of the sacrificial gate electrode, removing the sacrificial gate electrode to define a gate cavity at least partially defined laterally by the liner layer, and forming a replacement gate structure in the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming replacement gate structures and conductive contacts on semiconductor devices and devices incorporating the same. One exemplary device includes a plurality of gate structures positioned above a semiconducting substrate, at least one sidewall spacer positioned proximate respective sidewalls of the gate structures, and a metal silicide region in a source/drain region of the semiconducting substrate, the metal silicide region extending laterally so as to contact the sidewall spacer positioned proximate each of the gate structures.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating an integrated circuit that includes gate to active contacts. One method includes processing the IC in a replacement gate technology including forming dummy gates, sidewall spacers on the dummy gates, and metal silicide contacts to active areas. A fill layer is deposited and planarized to expose the dummy gates and the dummy gates are removed. A mask is formed having an opening overlying a portion of the channel region from which the dummy gate was removed and a portion of an adjacent metal silicide contact. The fill layer and a portion of the sidewall spacers exposed through the mask opening are etched to expose a portion of the adjacent metal silicide contact. A gate electrode material is deposited overlying the channel region and exposed metal silicide contact and is planarized to form a gate electrode and a gate-to-metal silicide contact interconnect.

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

Abstract: A transistor is manufactured by a method including: forming a first wiring layer; forming a first insulating film to cover the first wiring layer; forming a semiconductor layer over the first insulating film; forming a conductive film over the semiconductor layer; and performing at least two steps of etching on the conductive film to form second wiring layers which are apart from each other, wherein the two steps of etching include at least a first etching process performed under the condition that the etching rate for the conductive film is higher than the etching rate for the semiconductor layer, and a second etching process performed under the condition that the etching rates for the conductive film and the semiconductor layer are higher than those of the first etching process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to semiconductor devices having field effect transistors (FETs) with a low body resistance and, in some embodiments, a self-balanced body potential where multiple transistors share same body potential. In one embodiment, the invention includes a field effect transistor (FET) comprising a source within a substrate, a drain within the substrate, and an active gate atop the substrate and between the source and the drain, an inactive gate structure atop the substrate and adjacent the source or the drain, a body adjacent the inactive gate, and a discharge path within the substrate for releasing a charge from the FET, the discharge path lying between the active gate of the FET and the body, wherein the discharge path is substantially perpendicular to a width of the active gate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device, including a semiconductor layer including a first region and a second region isolated from the first region, a source in a surface of the first region, a drain in a surface of the second region, a back-gate in the surface of the first region, an end of a drain side of the back-gate being located closer to the drain side than an end of the drain side of the source, a gate insulator on a surface of the semiconductor layer between the first region and the second region, a gate electrode on the gate insulator, a source electrode being contacted to both the source and the back-gate, and a drain electrode being contacted to the drain area.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes removing a portion of a sacrificial sidewall spacer to thereby expose at least a portion of the sidewalls of a sacrificial gate electrode and forming a liner layer on the exposed sidewalls of the sacrificial gate electrode. In this example, the method also includes forming a sacrificial gap fill material above the liner layer, exposing and removing the sacrificial gate electrode to thereby define a gate cavity that is laterally defined by the liner layer, forming a replacement gate structure, removing the sacrificial gap fill material and forming a low-k sidewall spacer adjacent the liner layer. A device is also disclosed that includes a gate cap layer, a layer of silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride positioned on each of two upstanding portions of a gate insulation layer and a low-k sidewall spacer positioned on the layer of silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus and methods may include a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be formed using atomic layer deposition. Metal electrodes may be disposed on a dielectric containing a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film.

Abstract: A structure and method of fabricating the structure. The structure includes a first region of a semiconductor substrate separated from a second region of the semiconductor substrate by trench isolation formed in the substrate; a first stressed layer over the first region; a second stressed layer over second region; the first stressed layer and second stressed layer separated by a gap; and a passivation layer on the first and second stressed layers, the passivation layer extending over and sealing the gap.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor integrated circuit devices are provided. A substrate is provided with gate patterns formed on first and second regions. Spaces between gate patterns on the first region are narrower than spaces between gate patterns on the second region. Source/drain trenches are formed in the substrate on opposite sides of the gate patterns on the first and second regions. A first silicon-germanium (SiGe) epitaxial layer is formed that partially fills the source/drain trenches using a first silicon source gas. A second SiGe epitaxial layer is formed directly on the first SiGe epitaxial layer to further fill the source/drain trenches using a second silicon source gas that is different from the first silicon source gas.

Abstract: A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a structure which comprises a high-leakage dielectric formed in a divot on each side of a segmented FET comprised of active silicon islands and gate electrodes thereon, and a low-leakage dielectric on the surface of the active silicon islands, adjacent the high-leakage dielectric, wherein the low-leakage dielectric has a lower leakage than the high-leakage dielectric. Also provided is a structure and method of fabricating the structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device system, structure, and method of manufacture of a source/drain to retard dopant out-diffusion from a stressor are disclosed. An illustrative embodiment comprises a semiconductor substrate, device, and method to retard sidewall dopant out-diffusion in source/drain regions. A semiconductor substrate is provided with a gate structure, and a source and drain on opposing sides of the gate structure. Recessed regions are etched in a portion of the source and drain. Doped stressors are embedded into the recessed regions. A barrier dopant is incorporated into a remaining portion of the source and drain.

Abstract: An etching mask, comprising the delineation pattern of the gate electrode, of a source contact, a drain contact and a counter-electrode contact, is formed on a substrate of semi-conductor on insulator type. The substrate is covered by a layer of dielectric material and a gate material. The counter-electrode contact is located in the pattern of the gate electrode. The gate material is etched to define the gate electrode, the source contact and drain contacts and the counter-electrode contact. A part of the support substrate is released through the pattern of the counter-electrode contact area. An electrically conductive material is deposited on the free part of the support substrate to form the counter-electrode contact.

Abstract: A peripheral circuit area is formed around a memory cell array area. The peripheral circuit area has element regions, an element isolation region isolating the element regions, and field-effect transistor formed in each of the element regions and including a gate electrode extending in a channel width direction, on a semiconductor substrate. An end portion and a corner portion of the gate electrode are on the element isolation region. A radius of curvature of the corner portion of the gate electrode is smaller than a length from the end portion of the element region in the channel width direction to the end portion of the gate electrode in the channel width direction, and is less than 85 nm.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a gate structure on a semiconductor substrate and a recessed region in the semiconductor substrate. The recessed region has a widest lateral opening that is near a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The widest lateral opening undercuts the gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: an active region defined by a device isolation layer on and/or over a substrate; a second conductive well on and/or over the active region; an extended drain formed at one side of the second conductive well; a gate electrode on and/or over the second conductive well and the extended drain; and a source and a drain formed at both sides of the gate electrode, in which extended regions are formed at the corners of the second conductive well under the gate electrode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the coupling coefficient of a floating gate memory device includes an MOS capacitors with self-aligning gate structures that provide increased capacitance per unit area over conventional MOS capacitors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a field effect transistor (FET), device including a FET, and a method of making the same. In embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate is provided. The SOI substrate includes a body having a first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate, the body including a first body region connecting a second body region to a third body region; and a source and a drain, each having a second conductivity type, disposed on opposite sides of the first body region. A first gate electrode having a second work function is disposed above the first body region; and a second gate electrode having a first work function disposed above the second and third body regions. A first gate dielectric layer may be disposed vertically between the first body region and the first gate electrode, and a second gate dielectric layer may be disposed vertically between the second and third body regions and the second gate electrode.

Abstract: There is provided a thin film transistor having improved reliability. A gate electrode includes a first gate electrode having a taper portion and a second gate electrode with a width narrower than the first gate electrode. A semiconductor layer is doped with phosphorus of a low concentration through the first gate electrode. In the semiconductor layer, two kinds of n?-type impurity regions are formed between a channel formation region and n+-type impurity regions. Some of the n?-type impurity regions overlap with a gate electrode, and the other n?-type impurity regions do not overlap with the gate electrode. Since the two kinds of n?-type impurity regions are formed, an off current can be reduced, and deterioration of characteristics can be suppressed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a gate structure on a semiconductor substrate and a recessed region in the semiconductor substrate. The recessed region has a widest lateral opening that is near a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The widest lateral opening undercuts the gate structure.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a backside metal layer, a substrate formed on the backside metal layer, a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, and a frontside metal layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first trench structure including a gate oxide layer formed around a first trench with poly-Si implant, a second trench structure including a gate oxide layer formed around a second trench with poly-Si implant, a p-base region formed between the first trench structure and the second trench structure, a plurality of n+ source region formed on the p-base region and between the first trench structure and the second trench structure, a dielectric layer formed on the first trench structure, the second trench structure, and the plurality of n+ source region. The frontside metal layer is formed on the semiconductor layer and filling gaps formed between the plurality of n+ source region on the p-base region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode having ends that overlap isolation regions, wherein the gate electrode is located over an active region located within a semiconductor substrate. A gate oxide is located between the gate electrode and the active regions, and source/drains are located adjacent the gate electrode and within the active region. An etch stop layer is located over the gate electrode and the gate electrode has at least one electrical contact that extends through the etch stop layer and contacts a portion of the gate electrode that in one embodiment overlies the active region, and in another embodiment is less than one alignment tolerance from the active region.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal by aliasing the EM signal are described herein. Briefly stated, such methods, systems, and apparatuses operate by receiving an EM signal and an aliasing signal having an aliasing rate. The EM signal is aliased according to the aliasing signal to down-convert the EM signal. The term aliasing, as used herein, refers to both down-converting an EM signal by under-sampling the EM signal at an aliasing rate, and down-converting an EM signal by transferring energy from the EM signal at the aliasing rate. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a demodulated baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated signal or an amplitude modulated signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to a process and structure for removing a dielectric spacer selective to a surface of a semiconductor substrate with substantially no removal of the semiconductor substrate. The method of the present invention can be integrated into a conventional CMOS processing scheme or into a conventional BiCMOS processing scheme. The method includes forming a field effect transistor on a semiconductor substrate, the FET comprising a dielectric spacer and the gate structure, the dielectric spacer located adjacent a sidewall of the gate structure and over a source/drain region in the semiconductor substrate; depositing a first nitride layer over the FET; and removing the nitride layer and the dielectric spacer selective to the semiconductor substrate with substantially no removal of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a transistor employs a relatively thicker sacrificial nitride layer that reduces the time and cost associated with chemical-mechanical polish (CMP) processes by reducing the topography associated with the transistor. The process includes forming the gate oxide region and a field oxide region on a substrate. A polysilicon layer is formed on the gate oxide region and the field oxide region. A sacrificial nitride layer is formed on the polysilicon layer, wherein the sacrificial nitride layer has a thickness approximately equal to or greater than a thickness of the gate oxide region. A polysilicon gate is formed by selectively removing portions of the polysilicon layer and the sacrificial layer to expose a portion of the gate oxide region adjacent to the polysilicon gate. Source/drain regions are formed adjacent to the polysilicon gate using lightly-doped drain (LDD) implantation. A spacer layer is formed over the polysilicon gate and source/drain regions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first field effect transistor of a first carrier type and a second field effect transistor of a second, different carrier type. In a conductive state, a first channel of the first field effect transistor is oriented to one of a first set of equivalent crystal planes of a semiconductor substrate and a second channel of the second field effect transistor is oriented to at least one of a second, different set of equivalent crystal planes. The first set of equivalent crystal planes is parallel to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second set of equivalent crystal planes is perpendicular to the main surface.