Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing semiconductor-on-insulator type structures that include a semiconductor layer of a donor substrate, an insulator layer and a receiver substrate. The process includes bonding of the donor substrate onto the receiver substrate, with at least one of the substrates being coated with an insulator layer, and forming at the bonding interface a so-called trapping interface of electrically active traps suitable for retaining charge carriers. The invention also relates to a semiconductor-on-insulator type structure that includes such a trapping interface.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a trench within an isolated region of a bulk semiconductor substrate, forming a region of an insulating material in the trench and forming a semiconductor material within the trench and above the upper surface of the region of insulating material. A substrate disclosed herein includes an isolated substrate region in a bulk semiconductor substrate, a region of an insulating material that is positioned within a trench defined in the isolated substrate region and a semiconductor material positioned within the trench and above the upper surface of the region of insulating material.

Abstract: In a hybrid integrated module, a semiconductor die is mechanically coupled face-to-face to an integrated device in which the substrate has been removed. For example, the integrated circuit may include an optical device fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer in which the backside silicon handler has been completely removed, thereby facilitating improved device performance and highly efficient thermal tuning of the operating wavelength of the optical device. Moreover, the semiconductor die may be a VLSI chip that provides power, and serves as a mechanical handler and/or an electrical driver. The thermal tuning efficiency of the substrateless optical device may be enhanced by over 100× relative to an optical device with an intact substrate, and by 5× relative to an optical device in which the substrate has only been removed in proximity to the optical device.

Abstract: A stack of a first hard mask portion and a second hard mask portion is formed over a semiconductor material layer by anisotropically etching a stack, from bottom to top, of a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer. The first hard mask portion is laterally recessed by an isotropic etch. A dielectric material layer is conformally deposited and planarized. The dielectric material layer is etched employing an anisotropic etch that is selective to the first hard mask portion to form a dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the first hard mask portion. After removal of the second and first hard mask portions, the semiconductor material layer is etched employing the dielectric material portion as an etch mask. Optionally, portions of the semiconductor material layer underneath the first and second hard mask portions can be undercut at a periphery.

Abstract: Methods for producing silicon on insulator structures with a reduced metal content in the device layer thereof are disclosed. Silicon on insulator structures with a reduced metal content are also disclosed.

Abstract: A SOI RF device and a method for forming the same are provided. A trench exposed a part of the high resistivity silicon base is formed in the SOI substrate; a non-doped polysilicon layer is disposed on the high resistivity silicon base which is exposed by the trench; and at least a part of the non-doped polysilicon layer is covered by an above metal layer. With effects of the metal layer which is applied with a RF signal or a superposed signal, and fixed charges in the BOX layer, an inversion layer may be formed at a surface of the non-doped polysilicon layer. Since carriers may easily recombine at the grain boundaries of polysilicon, eddy current generated on a surface of the high resistivity silicon base is reduced, loss of the RF signal is reduced, and linearity of the RF signal device is improved.

Abstract: A shallow trench isolation region is provided in which void formation is substantially or totally eliminated therefrom. The shallow trench isolation mitigates active shorts between two active regions of a semiconductor substrate. The shallow trench isolation region includes a bilayer liner which is present on sidewalls and a bottom wall of a trench that is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The bilayer liner of the present disclosure includes, from bottom to top, a shallow trench isolation liner, e.g., a semiconductor oxide and/or nitride, and a high k liner, e.g., a dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is greater than silicon oxide.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with an isolation layer buried in a trench includes an interface layer formed on the surface of the trench, a buffer layer formed in the interface layer at a bottom corner of the trench, a liner layer formed over the interface layer, and a gap-fill layer gap-filling the trench over the liner layer. The trench includes a micro-trench formed at the bottom corner thereof, and the buffer layer fills the micro-trench.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region. A pit is formed in the first region. A stack of active layers alternating with insulating layers is deposited in the pit. The stack includes a particular insulating layer. The particular insulating layer has a first thickness, where a sum of the first thickness, thickness of active layers, and thicknesses of other insulating layers is essentially equal to a depth of the pit. The first thickness is different than the thicknesses of the other insulating layers by an amount within a range of process variations for the depth of the pit, for the thicknesses of the active layers, and for the thicknesses of other insulating layers. The device includes a planarized surface over the first and second regions, where an uppermost one of the active layers has a top surface below the planarized surface.

Abstract: A device includes a plurality of STI regions, a plurality of semiconductor strips between the STI regions and parallel to each other, and a plurality of semiconductor fins over the semiconductor strips. A gate stack is disposed over and crossing the plurality of semiconductor fins. A drain epitaxy semiconductor region is disposed on a side of the gate stack and connected to the plurality of semiconductor fins. The drain epitaxy semiconductor region includes a first portion adjoining the semiconductor fins, wherein the first portion forms a continuous region over and aligned to the plurality of semiconductor strips. The drain epitaxy semiconductor region further includes second portions farther away from the gate stack than the first portion. Each of the second portions is over and aligned to one of the semiconductor strips. The second portions are parallel to each other, and are separated from each other by a dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory system and method of manufacture thereof including: a base wafer; an isolation region on the base wafer; an ion implanted region on the base wafer separated by the isolation region; a bit line contact plug over the ion implanted region; an isolation sidewall on the sides of the bit line contact plug; a resistor or capacitor on the isolation sidewall opposite the bit line contact plug between the bit line contact plug and another of the bit line contact plug; and a bit line over the resistor or capacitor and on the bit line contact plug.

Abstract: A shallow trench isolation (STI) and method of forming the same is provided. The STI structure comprises an upper insulating portion and a lower insulating portion, wherein the lower insulating portion includes a first insulator and an insulating layer surrounding the first insulator, the upper insulating portion includes a second insulator and a buffer layer surrounding the second insulator. A part of the buffer layer interfaces between the first insulator and the second insulator, and the outer sidewall of the buffer layer and the sidewall of the first insulator are leveled.

Abstract: Line trenches are formed in a stack of a bulk semiconductor substrate and an oxygen-impermeable layer such that the depth of the trenches in the bulk semiconductor substrate is greater than the lateral spacing between a pair of adjacently located line trenches. Oxygen-impermeable spacers are formed on sidewalls of the line trenches. An isotropic etch, either alone or in combination with oxidation, removes a semiconductor material from below the oxygen-impermeable spacers to expand the lateral extent of expanded-bottom portions of the line trenches, and to reduce the lateral spacing between adjacent expanded-bottom portions. The semiconductor material around the bottom portions is oxidized to form a semiconductor oxide portion that underlies multiple oxygen-impermeable spacers. Semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) portions are formed above the semiconductor oxide portion and within the bulk semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An optoelectronic integrated circuit substrate may include a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region each include at least two buried insulation layers having different thicknesses. The at least two buried insulation layers of the first region are formed at a greater depth and have a greater thickness as compared to the at least two buried insulation layers of the second region. A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) structure may be formed in a third region that does not include a buried insulation layer.

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

Abstract: A method of forming a substrate with isolation areas suitable for integration of electronic and photonic devices is provided. A common reticle and photolithographic technique is used to fabricate a mask defining openings for etching first and second trench isolation areas in a substrate, with the openings for the second trench isolation areas being wider than the openings for the first trench isolation areas. The first and second trench isolation areas are etched in the substrate through the mask. The second trench isolation areas are further etched to the deeper than the first trench isolation areas. The trench isolation areas are filled with oxide material. Electrical devices can be formed on the substrate and electrically isolated by the first trench isolation areas and photonic devices can be formed over the second trench isolation areas and be optically isolated from the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of insulator layers (connected to each other) that form a laminated structure. Further included are via openings within each of the insulator layers, and conductive via material within the via openings. The conductive via material within corresponding via openings of adjacent insulator layers are electrically connected to form continuous electrical via paths through the insulator layers between the top surface and the bottom surface of the laminated structure. Within each of the continuous electrical via paths, the via openings are positioned relative to each other to form a diagonal structural path of the conductive via material through the laminated structure. The corresponding via openings of the adjacent insulator layers partially overlap each other. The diagonal structural paths are non-perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: A multi-step density gradient smoothing layout style is disclosed in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged into an array with a feature density. One or more edges of the array is bordered by a first edge sub-array which has a feature density that is less than the feature density of the array. The first edge sub-array is bordered by second edge sub-array which has a feature density that is less than the feature density of the first edge sub-array, and is approaching that of the background circuitry.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region. A pit is formed in the first region. A stack of active layers alternating with insulating layers is deposited in the pit. The stack includes a particular insulating layer. The particular insulating layer has a first thickness, where a sum of the first thickness, thickness of active layers, and thicknesses of other insulating layers is essentially equal to a depth of the pit. The first thickness is different than the thicknesses of the other insulating layers by an amount within a range of process variations for the depth of the pit, for the thicknesses of the active layers, and for the thicknesses of other insulating layers. The device includes a planarized surface over the first and second regions, where an uppermost one of the active layers has a top surface below the planarized surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first and second region, a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is formed over the substrate in the first region. The first structure has a first height. The second structure is formed over the substrate in the second region. The second structure has a second height different from the first height.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a silicon nitride film having an opening portion on a semiconductor substrate, forming a silicon oxide film on the silicon nitride film and on a side face of the opening portion, performing an etching treatment to the silicon oxide film so that a sidewall is formed on the side face of the opening portion, forming a trench on the semiconductor substrate with use of the sidewall and the silicon nitride film as a mask, and forming an insulating layer in the trench. The step of forming the silicon oxide film includes oxidizing the silicon nitride film with a plasma oxidation method or a radical oxidation method.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a semiconductor structure and fabrication method. An exemplary semiconductor structure can include a semiconductor substrate having an isolation trench formed in the semiconductor substrate. A first barrier layer can be disposed on a bottom surface and a sidewall of the isolation trench. A light absorption layer can be disposed at least on a surface portion of the first barrier layer over the bottom surface of the isolation trench. A second barrier layer can fill the isolation trench to form an isolation structure in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure can have a top surface flushed with or over a top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured in a semiconductor substrate comprising a first main surface, the semiconductor substrate including chip areas. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor substrate comprises forming components of the semiconductor device in the first main surface in the chip areas, removing substrate material from a second main surface of the semiconductor substrate, the second main surface being opposite to the first main surface, forming a separation trench into a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate, the separation trench being disposed between adjacent chip areas. The method further comprises forming at least one sacrificial material in the separation trench, and removing the at least one sacrificial material from the trench.

Abstract: A method for producing a connection region on a side wall of a semiconductor body is disclosed. A first trench is produced on a first surface of a semiconductor body and extends into the semiconductor body. An insulation layer is formed on the side walls and on the bottom of the first trench, and the first trench is only partially filled. The unfilled part of the first trench is filled with an electrically conductive material. A separating trench is produced along the first trench in such a way that a side wall of the separating trench directly adjoins the first trench. The part of the insulation layer which adjoins the separating trench is at least partially removed, with the result that at least some of the electrically conductive material in the first trench is exposed.

Abstract: A method of producing a heterostructure by bonding at least one first substrate having a first thermal expansion coefficient onto a second substrate having a second thermal expansion coefficient, with the first thermal expansion coefficient being different from the second thermal expansion coefficient. Prior to bonding, trenches are formed in one of the two substrates from the bonding surface of the substrate. The trenches are filled with a material having a third thermal expansion coefficient lying between the first and second thermal expansion coefficients.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with a high precision MIM capacitor and a high precision resistor with via etch stop landing pads on the resistor heads that are formed with the capacitor bottom plate material. A process of forming an integrated circuit with a high precision MIM capacitor and a high precision resistor where via etch stop landing pads over the resistor heads are formed using the same layer that is used to form the capacitor bottom plate.

Abstract: A tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) device is disclosed. A frustoconical protrusion structure is disposed over the substrate and protrudes out of the plane of substrate. Isolation features are formed on the substrate. A drain region is disposed over the substrate adjacent to the frustoconical protrusion structure and extends to a bottom portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure as a raised drain region. A source region is formed as a top portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure. A series connection and a parallel connection are made among TFET devices units.

Abstract: The embodiment provides a buried bit line process and scheme. The buried bit line is disposed in a trench formed in a substrate. The buried bit line includes a diffusion region formed in a portion of the substrate adjacent the trench. A blocking layer is formed on a portion sidewall of the trench. A conductive plug is formed in the trench, covering sidewalls of the diffusion region and the blocking layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes providing a substrate having active regions defined by a plurality of trenches, forming a first isolation layer on the substrate having the plurality of trenches, forming a sacrificial layer on the first isolation layer to fill the trenches, the sacrificial layer including a first region filling lower portions of the trenches and a second region filling portions other than the lower portions, removing the second region of the sacrificial layer, forming a second isolation layer on the first isolation layer and the first region of the sacrificial layer, forming air gaps in the trenches by removing the first region of the sacrificial layer, and removing a portion of the first isolation layer and a portion of the second isolation layer while maintaining the air gaps.

Abstract: The presence of a facet or a void in an epitaxially grown crystal indicates that crystal growth has been interrupted by defects or by certain material boundaries. Faceting can be suppressed during epitaxial growth of silicon compounds that form source and drain regions of strained silicon transistors. It has been observed that faceting can occur when epitaxial layers of certain silicon compounds are grown adjacent to an oxide boundary, but faceting does not occur when the epitaxial layer is grown adjacent to a silicon boundary or adjacent to a nitride boundary. Because epitaxial growth of silicon compounds is often necessary in the vicinity of isolation trenches that are filled with oxide, techniques for suppression of faceting in these areas are of particular interest. One such technique, presented herein, is to line the isolation trenches with SiN to provide a barrier between the oxide and the region in which epitaxial growth is intended.

Abstract: Methods of forming metal oxide structures and methods of forming metal oxide patterns on a substrate using a block copolymer system formulated for self-assembly. A block copolymer at least within a trench in the substrate and including at least one soluble block and at least one insoluble block may be annealed to form a self-assembled pattern including a plurality of repeating units of the at least one soluble block laterally aligned with the trench and positioned within a matrix of the at least one insoluble block. The self-assembled pattern may be exposed to a metal oxide precursor that impregnates the at least one soluble block. The metal oxide precursor may be oxidized to form a metal oxide. The self-assembled pattern may be removed to form a pattern of metal oxide lines on the substrate surface. Semiconductor device structures are also described.

Abstract: Methods and structures having increased fin density are disclosed. Structures with two sets of fins are provided. A lower set of fins is interleaved with an upper set of fins in a staggered manner, such that the lower set of fins and upper set of fins are horizontally and vertically non-overlapping.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die having an outer edge and an active area defining a main horizontal surface and being spaced apart from the outer edge. The semiconductor device further includes an edge termination structure having a closed vertical trench surrounding the active area. The edge termination structure further includes at least one vertical trench arranged, in a horizontal cross-section, between the closed vertical trench and the active area. The at least one vertical trench includes an insulated side wall forming an acute angle with the outer edge.

Abstract: An isolation trench having localized stressors is provided. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a trench is formed in a substrate and partially filled with a dielectric material. In an embodiment, the trench is filled with a dielectric layer and a planarization step is performed to planarize the surface with the surface of the substrate. The dielectric material is then recessed below the surface of the substrate. In the recessed portion of the trench, the dielectric material may remain along the sidewalls or the dielectric material may be removed along the sidewalls. A stress film, either tensile or compressive, may then be formed over the dielectric material within the recessed portion. The stress film may also extend over a transistor or other semiconductor structure.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece having a plurality of trenches formed therein, forming a liner over the workpiece, and forming a layer of photosensitive material over the liner. The layer of photosensitive material is removed from over the workpiece except from over at least a portion of each of the plurality of trenches. The layer of photosensitive material is partially removed from over the workpiece, leaving a portion of the layer of photosensitive material remaining within a lower portion of the plurality of trenches over the liner.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) integrated chip with cross-area interconnection, comprising: a substrate; a MEMS device area on the substrate; a microelectronic device area on the substrate; a guard ring separating the MEMS device area and the microelectronic device area; and a conductive layer on the surface of the substrate below the guard ring, or a well in the substrate below the guard ring, as a cross-area interconnection electrically connecting the MEMS device area and the microelectronic device area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a mask layer formed thereon, providing a first photomask having a first layout pattern and a second photomask having a second layout pattern, the first layout pattern including a plurality of active area portions and at least a neck portion connecting two adjacent active area portions, transferring the first layout pattern from the first photomask to the mask layer to form a plurality of active area patterns and at least a neck pattern connecting two adjacent active area patterns in the mask layer, and transferring the second layout pattern from the second photomask to the mask layer to remove the neck pattern to form a patterned mask. The patterned mask includes the active area patterns. A slot is at least formed between the two adjacent active area patterns.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an integrated circuit having a diode. The method includes forming at least one fin in a shallow trench isolation (STI) oxide layer disposed above a substrate layer. The at least one fin extends from a bottom end adjacent the substrate layer to a top end. The method further includes adding a cathode implant in a first region of the at least one fin and the substrate layer and adding an anode implant in a second region of the at least one fin and the substrate layer such that a junction is formed in the substrate layer below the at least one fin. The method also includes etching away a portion of the STI oxide layer to expose the top end of the at least one fin.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a transistor with uniaxial stress channels includes depositing an insulating layer onto a substrate, defining bars within the insulating layer, recessing a channel into the substrate, growing a first semiconducting material in the channel, defining a gate stack over the bars and semiconducting material, defining source and drain recesses and embedding a second semiconducting material into the source and drain recesses.

Abstract: A 3-D Single Floating Gate Non-Volatile Memory (SFGNVM) device based on the 3-D fin Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) is disclosed. The disclosed Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) device consists of a pair of semiconductor fins and one floating metal gate. The floating metal gate for storing electrical charges to alter the threshold voltage of the fin MOSFET crosses over the pair of semiconductor fins on top of coupling and tunneling dielectrics above the surfaces of the two semiconductor fins. One semiconductor fin with the same type impurity forms the control gate of the non-volatile memory device. The other semiconductor fin is doped with opposite type of impurity in the channel regions under the metal floating gate and with the same type of impurity in the source and drain regions on the sides of the crossed metal floating gate.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and manufacturing methods are presented for creating diffusion resistors (101, 103) in which the diffusion resistor well is spaced from oppositely doped wells to mitigate diffusion resistor well depletion under high biasing so as to provide reduced voltage coefficient of resistivity and increased breakdown voltage for high-voltage applications.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a bulk substrate layer, an active semiconductor layer and a buried insulator layer disposed between the bulk substrate layer and the active semiconductor layer. A trench is formed through the SOI substrate to expose the bulk substrate layer. A doped well is formed in an upper region of the bulk substrate layer adjacent trench. The semiconductor device further includes a first doped region different from the doped well that is formed in the trench.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide semiconductor structures and fabrication methods. In an exemplary method, a semiconductor substrate can contain a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure that includes a fuse region. A protective layer can be provided on the high-K dielectric layer, which is provided on the semiconductor substrate. A portion of each of the protective layer and the high-K dielectric layer can be removed from the fuse region to expose the STI structure. A fuse layer can be formed on the exposed surface of the STI structure. A portion of the fuse layer, the remaining portion of the protective layer, and a remaining portion of the high-K dielectric layer outside of the fuse region can be removed from the semiconductor substrate to form a fuse structure.

Abstract: In a region located between a collector electrode and a semiconductor substrate, there are a portion where a hollow region is located and a portion where no hollow region is located. Between the collector electrode and the portion where no hollow region is located in the semiconductor substrate, a floating silicon layer electrically isolated by insulating films is formed.

Abstract: A method includes: etching a silicon substrate except for a silicon substrate portion on which a channel region is to be formed to form first and second trenches respectively at a first side and a second side of the silicon substrate portion; filling the first and second trenches by epitaxially growing a semiconductor layer having etching selectivity against silicon and further a silicon layer; removing the semiconductor layer selectivity by a selective etching process to form voids underneath the silicon layer respectively at the first side and the second side of the substrate portion; burying the voids at least partially with a buried insulation film; forming a gate insulation film and a gate electrode on the silicon substrate portion; and forming a source region in the silicon layer at the first side of the silicon substrate portion and a drain region at the second side of the silicon substrate portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming an isolation structure, in which, a trench is formed in a substrate through a hard mask, and deposition, etch back, deposition, planarization, and etch back are performed in the order to form an isolation material layer of the isolation structure after the hard mask is removed. A silicon layer may be formed to cover the trench and original surface of the substrate before the former deposition, or to cover a part of the trench and original surface of the substrate after the former etch back and before the later deposition, to serve as a stop layer for the planarization process. Voids existing within the isolation material layer can be exposed or removed by partially etching the isolation material layer by the former etch back. The later deposition can be performed with a less aspect ratio to avoid forming voids.

Abstract: Fin structures and methods of manufacturing fin structures using a dual-material sidewall image transfer mask to enable patterning of sub-lithographic features is disclosed. The method of forming a plurality of fins includes forming a first set of fins having a first pitch. The method further includes forming an adjacent fin to the first set of fins. The adjacent fin and a nearest fin of the first set of fins have a second pitch larger than the first pitch. The first set of fins and the adjacent fin are sub-lithographic features formed using a sidewall image transfer process.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to a method of forming an isolation area. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first type of ion dopants, where the substrate has a plurality of trenches formed on the cell areas and the isolation area between the cell areas of the substrate, with the side walls of the trenches having an oxidation layer formed thereon and the trenches are filled with a metallic structure; removing the metallic structure from the trenches of the isolation area; implanting a second type of ions into the substrate under the trenches of the isolation area; and filling all the trenches with an insulating structure, where the trenches of the isolation area are filled up fully by the insulating structure to form a non-metallic isolation area.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) integrated chip with cross-area interconnection, comprising: a substrate; a MEMS device area on the substrate; a microelectronic device area on the substrate; a guard ring separating the MEMS device area and the microelectronic device area; and a conductive layer on the surface of the substrate below the guard ring, or a well in the substrate below the guard ring, as a cross-area interconnection electrically connecting the MEMS device area and the microelectronic device area.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a deep trench isolation structure, wherein the method comprising steps as follows: A first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer and a third hard mask layer are firstly formed in sequence on a substrate. The third hard mask layer is then patterned using the second hard mask layer as an etching stop layer. Subsequently, a trench etching process is performed using the patterned third hard mask layer as a mask to form a deep trench in the substrate.