Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. A dummy gate is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The dummy gate has a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall. A low-k dielectric layer is formed on the first sidewall of the dummy gate and the semiconductor substrate. A spacer material layer is deposited on the low-k dielectric layer, the second sidewall of the dummy gate, and the semiconductor substrate. The spacer material layer and the low-k dielectric layer are etched to form a first spacer structure on the first sidewall and a second spacer structure on the second sidewall. A drain doping region is formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first spacer structure. A source doping region is formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the second spacer structure.

Abstract: A thin film transistor having a high operation speed with a field effect mobility greater than 20 cm2/Vs and a method for manufacturing the same, and a semiconductor device having the same are provided. A thin film transistor in which a gate electrode, a gate insulating film and an oxide semiconductor film are laminated on a substrate, a source region and a drain region are respectively formed in outer portions of the oxide semiconductor film in the width direction, and a channel region is formed in a region between the source region and the drain region; and a source electrode is connected to the source region, while a drain electrode is connected to the drain region. The gate insulating film contains fluorine; and the ratio of the width W of the channel region to the length L thereof, namely W/L is less than 8.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming an MRAM memory array and a plurality of peripheral circuits for an integrated circuit product above a semiconductor substrate, forming a patterned layer of a metal-containing shielding material above the substrate, the patterned layer of metal-containing shielding material covering the MRAM memory array while leaving an area above the plurality of peripheral circuits exposed, and, with the patterned layer of metal-containing shielding material in position, performing a silicon dangling bond passivation anneal process on the integrated circuit product.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes: an Nth metal layer; a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer; a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode; a top electrode over the MTJ; a spacer, including: a first spacer layer including SiN with a first atom density, the first spacer layer laterally encompassing the MTJ; and a second spacer layer including SiN with a second atom density different from the first atom density, the second spacer layer laterally encompassing at least a portion of the first spacer layer; and an (N+1)th metal layer over the top electrode. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A memory is described. Generally, the memory includes a number of non-planar multigate transistors, each including a channel of semiconducting material overlying a surface of a substrate and electrically connecting a source and a drain, a tunnel dielectric layer overlying the channel on at least three sides thereof, and a multi-layer charge-trapping region overlying the tunnel dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the multi-layer charge-trapping region includes a first deuterated layer overlying the tunnel dielectric layer and a first nitride-containing layer overlying the first deuterated layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes a SiC layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer provided between the SiC layer and the gate electrode, and a first region provided between the SiC layer and the gate insulating layer and having a peak of nitrogen (N) concentration distribution and a peak of fluorine (F) concentration distribution.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a gate contact opening in a layer of insulating material, wherein the gate contact opening is positioned at least partially vertically above a active region, the gate contact opening exposing a portion of at least a gate cap layer of a gate structure, performing at least one etching process to remove the gate cap layer and recess a sidewall spacer so as to thereby define a spacer cavity and expose at least an upper surface of a gate electrode within the gate contact opening, filling the spacer cavity with an insulating material while leaving the upper surface of the gate electrode exposed, and forming a conductive gate contact in the gate contact opening.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate; and forming at least one dummy gate structure on the substrate. The method also includes forming doping regions in the substrate at both sides of the dummy gate structure; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the d the dummy gate structure; performing a first step thermal annealing process to increase a density of the interlayer dielectric layer; and activating doping ions for a first time without an excess diffusion of the doping ions in the doping region; and removing the dummy gate structure to expose the surface of the substrate to form a trench in the annealed interlayer dielectric layer. Further, the method also includes forming a gate dielectric layer on the surface of the substrate on bottom of the trench; and performing a second step thermal annealing process to activate the doping ions for a second time.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, a first gate dielectric layer, a first lower gate electrode, and a first upper gate electrode sequentially stacked on the first region, a second gate dielectric layer, a second lower gate electrode, and a second upper gate electrode sequentially stacked on the second region, a first spacer disposed on a sidewall of the first upper gate electrode, a second spacer disposed on a sidewall of the second upper gate electrode, a third spacer covering the first spacer on the sidewall of the first upper gate electrode, and a fourth spacer covering the second spacer on the sidewall of the second upper gate electrode. At least one of a first sidewall of the first lower gate electrode and a second sidewall of the first lower gate electrode is in contact with the third spacer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a gate structure on the substrate; forming a lightly doped drain in the substrate; and performing a first implantation process for implanting fluorine ions at a tiled angle into the substrate and part of the gate structure.

Abstract: A non-planar transistor including partially melted raised semiconductor source/drains disposed on opposite ends of a semiconductor fin with the gate stack disposed there between. The raised semiconductor source/drains comprise a super-activated dopant region above a melt depth and an activated dopant region below the melt depth. The super-activated dopant region has a higher activated dopant concentration than the activated dopant region and/or has an activated dopant concentration that is constant throughout the melt region. A fin is formed on a substrate and a semiconductor material or a semiconductor material stack is deposited on regions of the fin disposed on opposite sides of a channel region to form raised source/drains. A pulsed laser anneal is performed to melt only a portion of the deposited semiconductor material above a melt depth.

Abstract: Methods for forming an electronic device having a fluorine-stabilized semiconductor substrate surface are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a layer of a high-? dielectric material is formed together with a layer containing fluorine on a semiconductor substrate. Subsequent annealing causes the fluorine to migrate to the surface of the semiconductor (for example, silicon, germanium, or silicon-germanium). A thin interlayer of a semiconductor oxide may also be present at the semiconductor surface. The fluorine-containing layer can comprise F-containing WSix formed by ALD from WF6 and SiH4 precursor gases. A precise amount of F can be provided, sufficient to bind to substantially all of the dangling semiconductor atoms at the surface of the semiconductor substrate and sufficient to displace substantially all of the hydrogen atoms present at the surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor-on-insulator structure includes a buried dielectric layer interposed between a base semiconductor substrate and a surface semiconductor layer. The buried dielectric layer comprises an oxide material that includes a nitrogen gradient that peaks at the interface of the buried dielectric layer with at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer. The interface of the buried dielectric layer with the at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer is abrupt, providing a transition in less than about 5 atomic layer thickness, and having less than about 10 angstroms RMS interfacial roughness. A second dielectric layer comprising an oxide dielectric material absent nitrogen may be located interposed between the buried dielectric layer and the surface semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Threshold voltage controlled semiconductor structures are provided in which a conformal nitride-containing liner is located on at least exposed sidewalls of a patterned gate dielectric material having a dielectric constant of greater than silicon oxide. The conformal nitride-containing liner is a thin layer that is formed using a low temperature (less than 500° C.) nitridation process.

Abstract: Methods is provided for forming a CMOS device. The method includes providing a substrate and depositing a gate stack on the substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric and a dummy gate including polycrystalline silicon (polySi). The method also includes depositing a dielectric layer on the substrate after depositing the gate stack on the substrate. The method further includes substituting the dummy gate with a metal without first removing the dummy gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor-on-insulator structure includes a buried dielectric layer interposed between a base semiconductor substrate and a surface semiconductor layer. The buried dielectric layer comprises an oxide material that includes a nitrogen gradient that peaks at the interface of the buried dielectric layer with at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer. The interface of the buried dielectric layer with the at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer is abrupt, providing a transition in less than about 5 atomic layer thickness, and having less than about 10 angstroms RMS interfacial roughness. A second dielectric layer comprising an oxide dielectric material absent nitrogen may be located interposed between the buried dielectric layer and the surface semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method of forming threshold voltage controlled semiconductor structures is provided in which a conformal nitride-containing liner is formed on at least exposed sidewalls of a patterned gate dielectric material having a dielectric constant of greater than silicon oxide. The conformal nitride-containing liner is a thin layer that is formed using a low temperature (less than 500° C.) nitridation process.

Abstract: Improved semiconductor devices comprising metal gate electrodes are formed with reduced performance variability by reducing the initial high dopant concentration at the top portion of the silicon layer overlying the metal layer. Embodiments include reducing the dopant concentration in the upper portion of the silicon layer, by implanting a counter-dopant into the upper portion of the silicon layer, removing the high dopant concentration portion and replacing it with undoped or lightly doped silicon, and applying a gettering agent to the upper surface of the silicon layer to form a thin layer with the gettered dopant, which layer can be removed or retained.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a semiconductor device fabrication method comprising: forming a first gate electrode via a first gate insulating film on a P-type semiconductor region formed in a surface portion of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a second gate electrode via a second gate insulating film on an N-type semiconductor region formed in the surface portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a first insulating film on side surfaces of the first gate electrode and the first gate insulating film, and forming a second insulating film on side surfaces of the second gate electrode and the second gate insulating film; forming a mask having a pattern corresponding to the P-type semiconductor region; etching away the second insulating film by using the mask; removing the mask; and forming a first gate electrode sidewall insulating film on the side surfaces of the first insulating film, and forming a second gate electrode sidewall insulating film on the side surfaces

Abstract: A semiconductor-on-insulator structure includes a buried dielectric layer interposed between a base semiconductor substrate and a surface semiconductor layer. The buried dielectric layer comprises an oxide material that includes a nitrogen gradient that peaks at the interface of the buried dielectric layer with at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer. The interface of the buried dielectric layer with the at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer is abrupt, providing a transition in less than about 5 atomic layer thickness, and having less than about 10 angstroms RMS interfacial roughness. A second dielectric layer comprising an oxide dielectric material absent nitrogen may be located interposed between the buried dielectric layer and the surface semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes memory cell transistors including a tunnel insulating film, a floating gate electrode, a first insulating film, a control gate electrode, and a first metal salicide film; low-voltage transistors having a first p-type source region and a first p-type drain region, a first gate insulating film, and a first gate electrode of an n conductivity type having the same dose of a first p-type impurity as with the first p-type source region; and high-voltage transistors having a second p-type source region and a second p-type drain region, a second gate insulating film thicker than the first gate insulating film, and a second gate electrode of an n conductivity type having the same dose of a second p-type impurity as with the second p-type source region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the net doping in the active region of a semiconductor device in accordance with a gate length is provided. A compensating dopant is chosen to be a type of dopant which will electrically neutralize dopant of the opposite type in the substrate. By implanting the compensating dopant at relatively high angle and high energy, the compensating dopant will pass into and through the gate region for short channels and have little or no impact on the total dopant concentration within the gate region. Where the channel is of a longer length, the high implant angle and the high implant energy cause the compensating dopant to lodge within the channel thereby neutralizing a portion of the dopant of the opposite type.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming an oxide layer on a substrate, and forming a high-k dielectric layer on the oxide layer. The oxide layer and the high-k dielectric layer are then annealed at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to generate a gate dielectric with a graded dielectric constant.

Abstract: Formation of an WNx film 24 constituting a barrier layer of a gate electrode 7A having a polymetal structure is effected in an atmosphere containing a high concentration nitrogen gas, whereby release of N (nitrogen) from the WNx film 24 is suppressed in the heat treatment step after the formation of the gate electrode 7A.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a semiconductor layer at a surface, a gate insulating film disposed on the semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating film. The gate electrode includes a conductive layer consisting of a nitride of a predetermined metal in contact with the gate insulating film. The conductive layer is formed by stacking a first film consisting of a nitride of the predetermined metal and a second film consisting of the predetermined metal, and diffusing nitrogen from the first film to the second film by solid-phase diffusion.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device, an etch mask layer formed on a dielectric layer to define contact holes in the dielectric layer is slope-etched to form an etch mask pattern having an opening wider at the upper end thereof than the lower end thereof. Thus, the contact holes are defined in the dielectric layer to have a finer size than the upper end of the opening of the etch mask pattern. The method for manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device includes forming an etch mask pattern on a dielectric layer such that a width of a lower end of each opening defined in the etch mask pattern is less than a width of an upper end thereof; and defining contact holes by removing portions of the dielectric layer using the etch mask pattern.

Abstract: A gate insulating film and a gate electrode are formed on a silicon substrate. The gate insulating film contains at least hafnium, oxygen, fluorine, and nitrogen. The fluorine concentration is high in the vicinity of an interface with the silicon substrate and progressively decreases with decreasing distance from the gate electrode. The nitrogen concentration is high in the vicinity of an interface with the gate electrode and progressively decreases with decreasing distance from the silicon substrate. The fluorine concentration in the vicinity of the interface with the silicon substrate is preferably 1×1019 cm?3 or more. The nitrogen concentration in the vicinity of the interface with the gate electrode is preferably 1×1020 cm?3 or more.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a SONOS memory is disclosed. First, a semiconductor substrate is provided and a SONOS memory cell is formed on said semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer is deposited on the SONOS memory cell and a contact pad is formed on the passivation layer. Subsequently, an ultraviolet treatment is performed and an annealing process is conducted thereafter.

Abstract: A gate structure in a transistor and method for fabricating the structure. A gate structure is formed on a substrate. The gate structure includes three layers: an oxide layer, a nitride layer and a polysilicon layer. The oxide layer is located on the substrate, the nitride layer is located on the oxide layer, and the polysilicon layer is located on the nitride layer. The gate structure is reoxidized to form a layer of oxide over the gate structure.

Abstract: In a p channel MOS transistor and an n channel MOS transistor each having a gate electrode made of metal on a gate insulating film made of oxide whose relative dielectric constant is higher than that of silicon oxide, threshold voltage thereof is reduced. A gate insulating film of a p channel MOS transistor and an n channel MOS transistor is made of hafnium oxide, a gate electrode of the p channel MOS transistor is made of ruthenium, and a gate electrode of the n channel MOS transistor is made of alloy containing ruthenium as a base material and hafnium.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming an oxide layer on a substrate, and forming a high-k dielectric layer on the oxide layer. The oxide layer and the high-k dielectric layer are then annealed at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to generate a gate dielectric with a graded dielectric constant.

Abstract: When an oxidation treatment for regenerating a gate insulating film 6 is performed after forming gate electrodes 7A of a polymetal structure in which a WNx film and a W film are stacked on a polysilicon film, a wafer 1 is heated and cooled under conditions for reducing a W oxide 27 on the sidewall of each gate electrode 7A. As a result, the amount of the W oxide 27 to be deposited on the surface of the wafer 1 is reduced.

Abstract: A gate insulating film on a silicon substrate of includes a SiO2 film and a high-k film. The high-k film contains a transition metal, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. The concentration of silicon in the high-k film is higher than the concentrations of the transition metal and aluminum in the vicinity of the interface with the SiO2 film and the vicinity of the interface with the gate electrode. Furthermore, it is preferable that the concentration of silicon is the highest at least in one of the vicinity of the interface with the SiO2 film or the vicinity of the interface with the gate electrode, gradually decreases with distance from these interfaces, and becomes the lowest in a central part of the high-k film.

Abstract: A method of forming a transistor gate includes forming a gate oxide layer over a semiconductive substrate. Chlorine is provided within the gate oxide layer. A gate is formed proximate the gate oxide layer. In another method, a gate and a gate oxide layer are formed in overlapping relation, with the gate having opposing edges and a center therebetween. At least one of chlorine or fluorine is concentrated in the gate oxide layer within the overlap more proximate at least one of the gate edges than the center. Preferably, the central region is substantially undoped with fluorine and chlorine. The chlorine and/or fluorine can be provided by forming sidewall spacers proximate the opposing lateral edges of the gate, with the sidewall spacers comprising at least one of chlorine or fluorine. The spacers are annealed at a temperature and for a time effective to diffuse the fluorine or chlorine into the gate oxide layer to beneath the gate.

Abstract: A method of forming a transistor gate includes forming a gate oxide layer over a semiconductive substrate. Chlorine is provided within the gate oxide layer. A gate is formed proximate the gate oxide layer. In another method, a gate and a gate oxide layer are formed in overlapping relation, with the gate having opposing edges and a center therebetween. At least one of chlorine or fluorine is concentrated in the gate oxide layer within the overlap more proximate at least one of the gate edges than the center. Preferably, the central region is substantially undoped with fluorine and chlorine. The chlorine and/or fluorine can be provided by forming sidewall spacers proximate the opposing lateral edges of the gate, with the sidewall spacers comprising at least one of chlorine or fluorine. The spacers are annealed at a temperature and for a time effective to diffuse the fluorine or chlorine into the gate oxide layer to beneath the gate.