Abstract: The invention encompasses stacked semiconductor devices including gate stacks, wordlines, PROMs, conductive interconnecting lines, and methods for forming such structures. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a conductive line comprising: a) forming a polysilicon layer; forming a silicide layer against the polysilicon layer; b) providing a conductivity-enhancing impurity within the silicide layer; and c) providing the polysilicon layer and the silicide layer into a conductive line shape. In another aspect, the invention includes a programmable-read-only-memory device comprising: a) a first dielectric layer over a substrate; b) a floating gate over the first dielectric layer; c) a second dielectric layer over the floating gate; d) a conductive line over the second dielectric layer; and e) a metal-silicide layer over the conductive line, the metal-silicide layer comprising a Group III dopant or a Group V dopant.

Abstract: A MOSFET transistor having silicide formed on top of a polysilicon gate conductor, on partially exposed sidewalls of the polysilicon gate conductor, and on junction regions in an underlying semiconductor substrate is provided. Opposed sidewalls of the polysilicon gate conductor are surrounded by dielectric sidewall spacers. An upper surface of the dielectric spacers is lower than an upper surface of the polysilicon gate conductor thereby exposing a portion of the sidewall surfaces of the polysilicon gate conductor. A substantial portion of the polysilicon gate conductor, including the top of the gate and the exposed portion of the sidewall surfaces, may then be subjected to a salicidation process. During this process, salicide structures are also formed on the junctions regions. Therefore, silicide may be simultaneously formed on a substantial portion of the polysilicon gate and on junctions regions providing a gate with lower resistivity without consuming the junction regions during salicidation.

Abstract: A method of forming a local interconnect for a semiconductor integrated circuit, the local interconnect comprising a refractory silicide contact having a substantially small sheet resistance formed at an exhumed surface of a gate stack, wherein the local interconnect electrically couples a gate electrode of the gate stack with an active region of the semiconductor substrate. The method of forming the local interconnect comprises depositing a gate oxide layer over the substrate, a first polysilicon layer over the gate oxide layer, a laterally conducting layer over the polysilicon layer, a second polysilicon layer over the laterally conducting layer, and an insulating layer over the second polysilicon layer. The intermediate structure is then etched so as to form a plurality of gate stacks. A surface of the second polysilicon layer of a gate stack is exhumed so as to allow subsequent formation of the refractory silicide contact at the exhumed surface.

Abstract: A gate electrode structure in a semiconductor device has a doped polysilicon (DOPOS) film, a tungsten silicide film, a tungsten silicide nitride film, a tungsten nitride film and a tungsten film consecutively as viewed from the substrate. The tungsten silicide nitride film is formed between the tungsten silicide film and the tungsten nitride film by a plurality of heat treatments. The tungsten silicide nitride film has a small thickness of 2 to 5 nm and has a lower interface resistance for achieving a low-resistance gate electrode, suited for a higher-speed operation of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Source and drain regions include regions of an epitaxial silicon film on the surface of the substrate and regions in the substrate. The depth of junctions of the source and drain regions is identical to or shallower than the depth of junctions of extension regions. As a result, even if the thickness of the side wall layer is reduced, since the depletion layer of the extension regions with lower impurity concentration compared with the source and drain regions is predominant, the short channel effect has a smaller effect.

Abstract: A gate insulation film is formed on semiconductor substrate, a gate electrodes are formed on the gate insulation film, and source/drain diffusion layers are formed. Silicon nitride films are formed on a side wall of the gate electrodes, a silicon oxide film is formed on the overall surface, and the silicon oxide film is etched back to have the same height as that of the gate electrodes so that the surface is flattened, and then the surface of the gate electrodes are etched by a predetermined thickness to form a first stepped portion from the silicon oxide film, the first stepped portion is filled up by a tungsten film, the surface of the tungsten film is etched by a predetermined thickness so that a second stepped portion is formed, and then the second stepped portion is filled by a silicon nitride film.

Abstract: By forming a doped polysilicon layer (PS2) containing boron through the CVD method in a material gas including a compound containing boron such as BCl3 (boron trichloride), an opening left after removing a gate electrode (11) in a region (PR) is filled with the doped polysilicon layer (PS2). In the doped polysilicon layer (PS2), boron atoms are uniformly distributed with high activation rate. Thus provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which is capable of suppressing depletion of a gate electrode of a P-channel MOS transistor and suppressing penetration of impurity in a CMOS transistor of dual-gate structure.

Abstract: A fully depleted field effect transistor formed in a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate includes a body region formed in a silicon device layer over an isolation layer of the SOI substrate. A gate is positioned above the body region and includes a base gate region adjacent the body region and a wide top gate region formed of tungsten damascene and spaced apart from the body region. An inverted T-shaped central channel region is formed between adjacent source regions and drain region in the body region.

Abstract: A butting contact structure using a silicide to connect a contact region and a conductor and a method to manufacture the same are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: forming a first area having a first conduction type and a second area having a second conduction type which is adjacent to the first area; forming a silicide to be in contact with the first and second areas; and depositing an insulating layer covering the first portion of the silicide; etching a contact window in the insulating layer for exposing a surface of the silicide; and forming a conductor filling in the contact window. The difficulty from the reduction of the contact window is overcome without altering the manufacturing process and the layer of masks. Moreover, the density and performance of the semiconductor element is improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a narrow/short high performance MOS device structure that includes a rectangular-shaped semiconductor substrate region having a first conductivity type. A region of dielectric material is formed at the center of the substrate region. Four substrate diffusion regions, each having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, are formed in the substrate diffusion region in a respective comer of the substrate region. The four diffusion regions are spaced-apart such that a substrate channel region is defined between each adjacent pair of substrate diffusion regions. A common conductive gate electrode is formed to have four fingers, each one of the fingers extending over a corresponding substrate channel region. The fingers of the common conductive gate electrode are spaced-apart from the underlying substrate channel regions by dielectric material formed therebetween.

Abstract: Aluminum-containing films having an oxygen content within the films. The aluminum-containing film is formed by introducing hydrogen gas along with argon gas into a sputter deposition vacuum chamber during the sputter deposition of aluminum or aluminum alloys onto a semiconductor substrate. The aluminum-containing film so formed is hillock-free and has low resistivity, relatively low roughness compared to pure aluminum, good mechanical strength, and low residual stress.

Abstract: A method of forming self-aligned contact holes exposing source/drain regions in a semiconductor substrate using only etch mask layers is provided. In the method, sacrificial spacers are formed of a material having an excellent etching selectivity to the etch mask layers at sidewalls of gate electrodes in a cell area. Also, an interlevel dielectric layer is formed of a material having an excellent etching selectivity to the etch mask layers. The sacrificial spacers are removed when forming the self-aligned contact holes. Dielectric spacers are formed of a material having a low dielectric constant, without considering its etching selectivity to the interlevel dielectric layer. Thus, a reduction in the operational speed of a semiconductor device having transistors can be prevented.

Abstract: A novel gate structure and a method of forming the same for a self-aligned contact on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate. Then a first conductive layer is formed on the gate oxide layer. Next, a second conductive layer, preferably a refractory metal silicide (e.g. WSix), is formed overlying the first conductive layer. A capping layer is formed overlying the second conductive layer. Then the capping layer is etched to form a patterned capping layer having a lower outside corner. An upper portion of the second conductive layer is selectively dry etched laterally to form a lateral recess under the capping layer to increase etch margin. A lower portion of the second conductive layer is then etched anisotropically down to the first conductive layer along a sidewall approximately vertically aligned with the lower outside corner of the patterned capping layer.

Abstract: A field effect transistor comprises a gate electrode contact of a highly conductive material that contacts the gate electrode and extends in the transistor width dimension at least along a portion of the channel. Thus, the gate resistance and the gate signal propagation time for a voltage applied to the gate contact is significantly reduced even for devices with an extremely down scaled gate length. Moreover, a method for fabricating the above FET is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a fully silicidized gate of a semiconductor device includes forming silicide in active regions and a portion of a gate. A shield layer is blanket deposited over the device. The top surface of the gate electrode is then exposed. A refractory metal layer is deposited and annealing is performed to cause the metal to react with the gate and fully silicidize the gate, with the shield layer protecting the active regions of the device from further silicidization to thereby prevent spiking and current leakage in the active regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for use in a memory cell includes an active matrix provided with a semiconductor substrate, transistors formed on the semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer formed over the transistors and the semiconductor substrate, and a contact hole electrically connected to the transistors, a first ruthenium (Ru) layer formed over the contact hole and upon the insulating layer, and a second Ru layer with a rugged surface formed on top of the first Ru layer.

Abstract: An implantation step of a dopant ion for forming source and drain regions (S and D) is divided into one implantation of a dopant ion for forming a p/n junction with a well region (3), and one implantation of a dopant ion that does not influence a position of the p/n junction between the source and drain regions (S and D) and the well region with a shallow implantation depth and a large implantation amount. After conducting an activation heat treatment of the dopant, a surface of the source/drain region is made into cobalt silicide 12, so that the source/drain region (S and D) can have a low resistance, and a p/n junction leakage can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and structure for a field effect transistor structure for dynamic random access memory integrated circuit devices has a gate conductor, salicide regions positioned along sides of the gate conductor, a gate cap positioned above the gate conductor and at least one self-aligned contact adjacent the gate conductor.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a lower gate electrode, upper gate electrode, first, second, and third barrier films, and source and drain. The lower gate electrode is formed from silicon on a silicon substrate via a gate insulating film. The upper gate electrode is formed from copper above the lower gate electrode. The first barrier film has a conductivity capable of supplying to the lower gate electrode a current enough to drive a channel portion, covers the lower surface of the upper gate electrode, and impedes diffusion of copper. The second barrier film has a lower end in contact with the first barrier film, covers the side surfaces of the upper gate electrode, and impedes diffusion of copper. The third barrier film has an end portion in contact with the second barrier film, covers the upper surface of the upper gate electrode, and impedes diffusion of copper. The source and drain are formed in the silicon substrate to sandwich a region under the lower gate electrode.

Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure formed over a junction region in a silicon substrate comprises a titanium interspersed with titanium silicide layer that is deposited in the contact opening and directly contacts an upper surface of the substrate. Silicon-doping of CVD titanium, from the addition of SiH4 during deposition, reduces consumption of substrate silicon during the subsequent silicidation reaction in which the titanium reacts with silicon to form a titanium silicide layer that provides low resistance electrical contacts between the junction region and the silicon substrate. The contact structure further comprises a titanium nitride contact fill that is deposited in the contact opening and fills substantially the entire contact opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with dual gate electrodes and its method of formation is taught. A first metal/silicon gate stack and a first gate dielectric are formed over a first doped region. The metal/gate stack comprises a metal portion over the first gate dielectric and a first gate portion over the metal portion. A silicon gate and a second gate dielectric are formed over the second doped region. In one embodiment, the first and second gate portions are P+ doped silicon germanium and the metal portion is TaSiN. In another embodiment, the first and second gate portions are N+ doped polysilicon and the metal portion is TaSiN.

Abstract: Divot fill methods of incorporating thin SiO2 spacer and/or annealing caps into a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processing flow are provided. In accordance with the present invention, the divot fill processes provide a means for protecting the exposed surfaces of the thin SiO2 spacer and/or annealing cap such that those surfaces are not capable of being attacked by a subsequent silicide pre-cleaning step. CMOS devices including thin SiO2 spacer and/or annealing caps whose surfaces are protected such that those surfaces are not capable of being attacked by a subsequent silicide pre-cleaning or other process steps are also provided.

Abstract: A MOSFET has a drain region, a source region, and a channel region, and the MOSFET initially has a gate comprised of a capping layer on a polysilicon structure disposed on a gate dielectric over the channel region. A drain silicide and a source silicide having a first silicide thickness are formed in the drain region and the source region, respectively. A dielectric layer is deposited over the drain region, the source region, and the gate. The dielectric layer is polished until the capping layer of the gate is exposed such that the capping layer and the first dielectric layer are substantially level. The capping layer on the polysilicon structure of the gate is etched away such that the top of the polysilicon structure is exposed. A top portion of the first dielectric layer is etched away until sidewalls at a top portion of the polysilicon structure are exposed. A polysilicon spacer is formed at the exposed sidewalls at the top portion of the polysilicon structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming word line stacks comprise forming a thin nitride layer coupled between a bottom silicon layer and a conductor layer. In a further embodiment, a diffusion barrier layer is coupled between the thin nitride layer and the bottom silicon layer. The thin nitride layer is formed by annealing a silicon oxide film in a nitrogen-containing ambient.

Abstract: A method for forming a MOSFET includes the steps of forming cobalt silicide layers on a polysilicon gate electrode and source/drain regions, implanting impurity ions to form source/drain extensions and diffusing the impurity ions in the source/drain extensions The temperature of the heat treatment for diffusing step is lower than the maximum of the temperatures of the heat treatment for forming the silicide layer, whereby a MOSFET having excellent short-channel characteristics and a higher reliability can be obtained.

Abstract: Bridging between nickel silicide layers on a gate electrode and source/drain regions along silicon nitride sidewall spacers is prevented by treating the exposed surfaces of the silicon nitride sidewall spacers with a nitrogen oxide plasma to create a surface region having reduced free silicon. Embodiments include treating the silicon nitride sidewall spacers with a nitrogen plasma to reduce the refractive index of the surface region to less than about 1.95.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same which improves reliability of the semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a first insulating film and a gate electrode sequentially formed on a part of a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating spacer formed at both sides above the gate electrode; a second insulating spacer formed at both sides below the gate electrode; and a cobalt silicide film formed on a surface of the gate electrode at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric stack device having a plurality of layers comprises the steps of providing a silicon substrate, forming a metal-oxide layer on a silicon oxide layer which is formed on the silicon substrate, and performing an annealing with respect to the metal-oxide layer and the silicon oxide layer until a silicate layer is formed to replace the metal-oxide layer and the silicon oxide layer is removed, wherein the annealing is performed at a temperature between about 800° C. and about 1000° C. for a time period between about 1 second and about 10 minutes. After forming the silicon oxide layer on the silicon substrate, the metal-oxide layer may be deposited on the silicon oxide layer. Alternatively, the metal-oxide layer may be deposited on the silicon substrate, and the silicon oxide layer grows between the metal-oxide layer and the silicon substrate. The metal-based oxide is preferably an Yttrium-based oxide.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same which improves reliability of the semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a first insulating film and a gate electrode sequentially formed on a part of a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating spacer formed at both sides above the gate electrode; a second insulating spacer formed at both sides below the gate electrode; and a cobalt silicide film formed on a surface of the gate electrode at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a conductor layer utilize an implanted matrix to form C54-titanium silicide. Word line stacks formed by the methods of the invention are used in sub-0.2 micron line width applications, interconnects, and silicided source/drain regions, among other applications, and have a lower resistivity and improved thermal stability.

Abstract: A method to enhance the formation of nucleation sites on at least one narrow silicon structure comprises the step: forming at least one nucleation region (206/208): masking the at least one narrow silicon structure (202) with a mask (302); treating the at least one nucleation region (206/208) to enhance an ability of said region to form C54 nucleation sites; and removing the mask from the at least one narrow silicon structure (202).

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductive type formed in an active region, a first gate electrode formed on the semiconductor layer via a gate insulating film in a predetermined pattern, a first insulating mask formed on at least a part of the first gate electrode and a part of the semiconductor layer, and a pair of first diffusion regions of a second conductive type formed in the active region not covered with the first insulating mask and first gate electrode. The pair of first diffusion regions is positioned adjacent to the first gate electrode and being used as a source and drain.

Abstract: Interconnections are formed over an interlayer insulating film which covers MISFETQ1 formed on the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, while dummy interconnections are disposed in a region spaced from such interconnections. Dummy interconnections are disposed also in a scribing area. Dummy interconnections are not formed at the peripheries of a bonding pad and a marker. In addition, a gate electrode of a MISFET and a dummy gate interconnection formed of the same layer are disposed. Furthermore, dummy regions are disposed in a shallow trench element isolation region. After such dummy members are disposed, an insulating film is planarized by the CMP method.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate dielectric having regions with different dielectric constants. A dummy dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor structure. The dummy dielectric layer is patterned to form a gate opening. A high-K dielectric layer is formed over the dummy dielectric and in the gate opening. A low-K dielectric layer is formed on the high-K dielectric layer. Spacers are formed on the low-K dielectric layer at the edges of the gate opening. The low-K dielectric layer is removed from the bottom of the gate opening between the spacers. The spacers are removed to form a stepped gate opening. The stepped gate opening has both a high-K dielectric layer and a low-K dielectric layer on the sidewalls and at the edges of the bottom of the gate opening and only a high-k dielectric layer in the center of the bottom of the stepped gate opening. A gate electrode is formed in the stepped gate opening.

Abstract: A method of forming a transistor, the method comprises following steps: provides a substrate; covers part of the substrate by a doped amorphous silicon layer and covers part of the substrate by a first dielectric layer; forms a metal silicide layer on the doped amorphous silicon layer; removes the first dielectric layer to form a window; forms a second dielectric layer on both the metal silicide layer and the hole; and forms a conductor layer on the second dielectric layer. Significantly, during formation of the second dielectric layer, not only numerous dopants inside the doped amorphous silicon layer are driven into the substrate but also the doped amorphous silicon layer usually is re-crystallized to form an epi-like silicon layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing nickel salicidation is disclosed. The nickel salicide process typically includes: forming a processed substrate including partially fabricated integrated circuit components and a silicon substrate; incorporating nitrogen into the processed substrate; depositing nickel onto the processed substrate; annealing the processed substrate so as to form nickel mono-silicide; removing the unreacted nickel; and performing a series procedures to complete integrated circuit fabrication. This nickel salicide process increases the annealing temperature range for which a continuous, thin nickel mono-silicide layer can be formed on silicon by salicidation. It also delays the onset of agglomeration of nickel mono-silicide thin-films to a higher annealing temperature. Moreover, this nickel salicide process delays the transformation from nickel mono-silicide to higher resistivity nickel di-silicide, to higher annealing temperature.

Abstract: An SRAM cell is described which has a reduced cell area, and a reduced processing cost from conventional SRAM's. A fabrication process is described where self-aligned contacts to substrate active area and contact to a first layer of polysilicon are formed in one etch step. Electrical connection between the substrate and polysilicon is provided through a conductive layer coupled to the contacts. Self aligned contacts are fabricated to contact the active area.

Abstract: A method is directed to form a semiconductor device with silicide formed by a metal layer associated with a deposited silicon layer by providing a substrate. A field oxide layer is formed on a substrate to define an active region. A gate structure is formed on the active region, where the gate structure has a gate oxide layer, a gate layer, and a cap layer on the gate layer. The field oxide layer has a height substantially equal to the cap layer. A spacer is formed on a sidewall of the gate structure. The cap layer is removed to expose the gate layer, whereby a trench is formed. A silicon layer is deposited over the substrate. A refractory metal layer is deposited on the silicon layer. A silicide layer is formed by performing a thermal process to trigger a reaction between the silicon layer and the metal layer. The silicide layer is polished by CMP process using the field oxide layer as a polishing stop.

Abstract: A buried contact junction is described. A gate silicon oxide layer is provided over the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A polysilicon layer is deposited overlying the gate oxide layer. A hard mask layer is deposited overlying the polysilicon layer. The hard mask and polysilicon layers are etched away where they are not covered by a mask to form a polysilicon gate electrode and interconnection lines wherein gaps are left between the gate electrode and interconnection lines. A layer of dielectric material is deposited over the semiconductor substrate to fill the gaps. The hard mask layer is removed. The polysilicon layer is etched away where it is not covered by a buried contact mask to form an opening to the semiconductor substrate. Ions are implanted to form the buried contact. A refractory metal layer is deposited overlying the buried contact and the polysilicon gate electrode and interconnection lines and planarized to form polycide gate electrodes and interconnection lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of effectively preventing defective short-circuiting across a gate electrode and an impurity region and reducing the resistance of the gate electrode and the impurity region is provided. In this semiconductor device, a first gate film is formed on a channel region through a gate insulator film. A second gate film consisting of a first compound layer is formed on the first gate film. A second compound layer is formed on the surface of the impurity region. A reaction preventing film for preventing the first compound layer and the second compound layer from reacting with each other is formed on the second gate film. The first and second compound layers are formed independently of each other without reaction in the process of formation due to the reaction preventing film. Thus, defective short-circuiting across the gate electrode and the impurity region is effectively prevented while process tolerance is increased.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an oxide layer thereon. A gate conductor is provided on the oxide layer, the gate conductor including a layer of polysilicon on the oxide layer, a tungsten silicide layer on the polysilicon layer, and a nitride cap layer on the tungsten silicide layer. The polysilicon layer has a length greater than length of the silicide layer and the nitride layer. Dielectric spacers on the gate conductor overlay the nitride cap layer and the tungsten silicide layer to provide a sidewall substantially flush with the polysilicon layer. Exposed polysilicon on the polysilicon layer is oxidized.

Abstract: A method of forming a temporary overhang structure to shield the source/drain edges near the gate electrode from the deposition of silicidation metal is provided. The growth of silicide on the source/drain regions remains controlled, without the presence of silicidation metal on the gate electrode sidewalls near the source/drain edges. The resulting silicide layer does not have edge growths interfering with the source/drain junction areas. The overhang structure is formed by covering the gate electrode with two insulators having differing etch selectivities. The top insulator is anisotropically etched so that only the top insulator covering the gate electrode vertical sidewalls remains. The exposed bottom insulator is isotropically etched to form a gap between the top insulator and the source/drain region surfaces. When silicidation metal is deposited, the gap prevents the deposition of metal between the gate electrode and the source/drain region surfaces.

Abstract: A gate electrode having an agglomeration preventing layer formed on a metal silicide layer is disclosed. The agglomeration preventing layer prevents the metal silicide layer from agglomerating. The gate electrode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a gate dielectric film formed on a semiconductor substrate, an impurity-doped polysilicon layer formed on the gate dielectric film, a metal silicide layer formed on the polysilicon layer, a titanium nitride (TiN) barrier layer formed between the polysilicon layer and the metal silicide layer, and the agglomeration prevention layer formed on the metal silicide layer. The agglomeration preventing layer can be a TiN layer or TiSiN layer. In addition, a method for forming the gate electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory cell utilizing planar control gates, which provides advantages of being compatible with self-aligned silicide processes and providing a planar surface for subsequent wiring processes. A substrate defines a first NVRAM region having large floating gate areas with smaller areas cutout to isolate individual memory cells, and a second CMOS Logic region. ONO is deposited on the floating gate areas, and a thick poly layer is deposited in a blanket manner over the first and second regions of the substrate. Resist shapes are patterned over the logic areas in the array where necessary according to a predetermined density algorithm. The poly layer is reactive ion etched, followed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) operation. The final poly gate thickness is 200-220 nm in the CMOS logic areas and in the NVRAM control gate areas between floating gate regions, but only 100-120 nm for the NVRAM control gates over the floating gates.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device using a damascene process are disclosed. The method includes forming an Al2O3 film over a dummy gate disposed over a semiconductor substrate. Next, the dummy gate and a portion of the Al2O3 film are removed to form a groove defined by remains of the Al2O3 film and the semiconductor substrate. Then, a subsequent film is deposited within the groove, and a gate material is formed over the second film to complete the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a Si oxide film formed between a Si substrate and a metallic oxide film is prevented from growing when an annealing treatment is performed after the metallic oxide film is formed, and a method for manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device comprises a silicon substrate, a gate insulating film formed on the silicon substrate and made of the metallic oxide film, and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, wherein an interface film formed between the gate insulating film and the Si substrate is thinner at the ends of the gate insulating film than in the center thereof.

Abstract: An insulated gate field effect semiconductor device comprising a substrate having provided thereon a thin-film structured insulated gate field effect semiconductor device, said device being characterized by that it comprises a metal gate electrode and at least the side thereof is coated with an oxide of the metal. The insulated gate field effect semiconductor device according to the present invention is also characterized by that the contact holes for the extracting contacts of the source and drain regions are provided at about the same position of the end face of the anodically oxidized film established at the side of the gate. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for forming insulated gate field effect semiconductor devices using less masks.

Abstract: The presence and absence of sidewall spacers are used to provide discontinuous and continuous contacts respectively, between a gate electrode and a source/drain region. In particular, first and second spaced apart gate electrodes are formed on an integrated circuit substrate. A source/drain region is formed in the integrated circuit substrate therebetween. The first electrode includes a first sidewall spacer on a first sidewall thereof facing the second gate electrode. The second gate electrode is free of (i.e. does not include a sidewall spacer on a second sidewall thereof facing the first electrode. A metal silicide layer is formed on the first gate electrode, on the second gate electrode and extending from the second gate electrode onto the second sidewall and onto the source/drain region. The first sidewall spacer is free of the metal silicide layer thereon.

Abstract: A multi-layered gate for use in a CMOS or CCD imager formed with a second gate at least partially overlapping it. The multi-layered gate is a complete gate stack having an insulating layer, a conductive layer, an optional silicide layer, and a second insulating layer, and has a second gate formed adjacent to it which has a second conductive layer that extends at least partially over the surface of the multi-layered gate. The multi-layered gate has improved insulation, thereby resulting in fewer shorts between the conductive layers of the two gates. Also disclosed are processes for forming the multi-layered gate and the overlapping gate.

Abstract: Variations in threshold voltage among MOS devices are prevented by forming a metal gate electrode having an average grain size of 30 nm or less on a gate insulating film.