Abstract: An illustrative device disclosed herein includes an NFET transistor, a PFET transistor, a tensile stress-inducing layer formed above the NFET transistor, a compressive stress-inducing layer formed above the PFET transistor and a stress relaxation material positioned at least in an opening defined between the tensile stress-inducing layer and the compressive stress-inducing layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor structures. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing a precursor structure including a substrate and a set of fins overlying the substrate; forming a dummy epitaxy between the fins in the set of fins; masking a first group of fins in the set of fins and the dummy epitaxy between the first group of fins in the set of fins; removing the dummy epitaxy to expose a second group of the fins; forming a first in-situ doped epitaxy between the exposed fins; masking the second group of fins in the set of fins and the in-situ doped epitaxy between the second group of fins in the set of fins; unmasking the first group of fins; removing the dummy epitaxy layer between the first group of fins to expose of the first group of fins; and forming a second in-situ doped epitaxy between the exposed fins.

Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structure including a scaled n-channel field effect transistor (nFET) and a scaled p-channel field transistor (pFET) which do not exhibit an increased threshold voltage and reduced mobility during operation is provided Such a structure is provided by forming a plasma nitrided, nFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within an nFET gate stack, and forming at least a pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within a pFET gate stack. In some embodiments, the pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion in the pFET gate stack is also plasma nitrided.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate stack includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A portion of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate stack is recessed to form a recess. A semiconductor region is epitaxially grown in the recess. The semiconductor region is implanted with a p-type impurity or an n-type impurity. A dry treatment is performed on the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and fabrication methods include a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) and an n-type field effect transistor (NFET). Each of the PFET and the NFET include a transistor body of a first type of material and source and drain regions. The source and drain regions have a second type of material such that an injection charge into the source and drain region is greater than a parasitic charge into the transistor body to decrease parasitic bipolar current gain, increase critical charge (Qcrit) and reduce sensitivity to soft errors.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure which includes an extremely thin silicon-on-insulator (ETSOI) semiconductor structure having a PFET portion and an NFET portion, a gate structure in the PFET portion and the NFET portion, a high quality nitride spacer adjacent to the gate structures in the PFET portion and the NFET portion and a doped faceted epitaxial silicon germanium raised source/drain (RSD) in the PFET portion. An amorphous silicon layer is formed on the RSD in the PFET portion. A faceted epitaxial silicon RSD is formed on the ETSOI adjacent to the high quality nitride in the NFET portion. The amorphous layer in the PFET portion prevents epitaxial growth in the PFET portion during formation of the RSD in the NFET portion. Extensions are ion implanted into the ETSOI underneath the gate structure in the NFET portion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a plurality of lateral devices and quasi vertical devices formed in a same semiconductor die. The quasi vertical devices include two trenches. A first trench is formed between a first drain/source region and a second drain/source region. The first trench comprises a dielectric layer formed in a bottom portion of the first trench and a gate region formed in an upper portion of the first trench. A second trench is formed on an opposite side of the second drain/source region from the first trench. The second trench is coupled between the second drain/source region and a buried layer, wherein the second trench is of a same depth as the first trench.

Abstract: A stack of a barrier metal layer and a first-type work function metal layer is deposited in replacement metal gate schemes. The barrier metal layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The first-type work function metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the barrier metal layer in the regions of a second type field effect transistor. Alternately, the first-type work function layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The barrier metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer in the regions of the second type field effect transistor. A conductive material fill and planarization form dual work function replacement gate structures.

Abstract: A structure includes a tensilely strained nFET region including a strained silicon layer of a silicon on insulator wafer. A relaxed nFET region includes one of an ion implanted silicon and an ion implanted silicon dioxide interface layer of a tensilely strained silicon layer of the silicon on insulator wafer. A compressively strained pFET region includes a SiGe layer which was converted from a tensilely strained silicon layer of the silicon on insulator wafer. A relaxed pFET region includes one of an ion implanted silicon and an ion implanted silicon dioxide interface layer of a tensilely strained silicon layer of the silicon on insulator wafer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating field effect transistors patterns a strained silicon layer formed on a dielectric layer of a substrate into at least one NFET region including at least a first portion of the strained silicon layer. The strained silicon layer is further patterned into at least one PFET region including at least a second portion of the strained silicon layer. A masking layer is formed over the first portion of the strained silicon layer. After the masking layer has been formed, the second strained silicon layer is transformed into a relaxed silicon layer. The relaxed silicon layer is transformed into a strained silicon germanium layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a channel region, forming a buffer layer on the channel region, and heat-treating the channel region by using a gas containing halogen atoms.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including first and second isolation regions supported by a substrate, a first array well supported by the first isolation region, the first array well having a first field implant layer embedded therein, the first field implant layer surrounding a first shallow trench isolation region, a second array well supported by the second isolation region, the second array well supporting a doped region and a drain and having a second field implant layer embedded therein, the second field implant layer surrounding a second shallow trench isolation region, a stack of photodiodes disposed in the substrate between the first and second isolation regions, and a gate oxide formed over an uppermost photodiode of the stack of the photodiodes, the gate oxide and a silicon of the uppermost photodiode forming an interface, a nitrogen concentration at the interface offset from a peak nitrogen concentration.

Abstract: A finFET block architecture uses end-to-end finFET blocks in which the fin lengths are at least twice the contact pitch, whereby there is enough space for interlayer connectors to be placed on the proximal end and the distal end of a given semiconductor fin, and on the gate element on the given semiconductor fin. A first set of semiconductor fins having a first conductivity type and a second set of semiconductor fins having a second conductivity type can be aligned end-to-end. Interlayer connectors can be aligned over corresponding semiconductor fins which connect to gate elements.

Abstract: In sophisticated transistor elements, long-term threshold voltage shifts in transistors comprising a threshold adjusting semiconductor alloy may be reduced by reducing the roughness of an interface formed between the threshold adjusting semiconductor material and the gate dielectric material. To this end, a portion of the threshold adjusting semiconductor material may be oxidized and may be removed prior to forming the high-k dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of forming an n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) field-effect transistor (FET) includes forming a silicon germanium layer, and forming a silicon layer over the silicon germanium layer. A gate stack is formed over the silicon layer. The silicon layer is recessed to form a recess adjacent the gate stack. A silicon-containing semiconductor region is epitaxially grown in the recess to form a source/drain stressor, wherein the silicon-containing semiconductor region forms a source/drain region the NMOS FET.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a varactor includes forming a well over a substrate. The well has a first type doping. A first source region and a second source region are formed in the well, and the first source region and the second source region have a second type doping. A drain region is formed in the well, and the drain region has the first type doping. A first gate region is formed over the well between the drain region and the first source region. Moreover, a second gate region is formed over the well between the drain region and the second source region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure provided with a plurality of gated-diodes having a silicided anode (p-doped region) and cathode (n-doped region) and a high-K gate stack made of non-silicided gate material, the gated-diodes being adjacent to FETs, each of which having a silicided source, a silicided drain and a silicided HiK gate stack. The semiconductor structure eliminates a cap removal RIE in a gate first High-K metal gate flow from the region of the gated-diode. The lack of silicide and the presence of a nitride barrier on the gate of the diode are preferably made during the gate first process flow. The absence of the cap removal RIE is beneficial in that diffusions of the diode are not subjected to the cap removal RIE, which avoids damage and allows retaining its highly ideal junction characteristics.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a first n-type transistor; a first p-type transistor; a first wiring layer having a first interconnecting portion for connecting a drain of the first n-type transistor and a drain of the first p-type transistor; and a second wiring layer having a first conductive portion electrically connected to the first interconnecting portion.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a substrate including silicon, a silicon germanium (SiGe) epitaxial layer formed over the substrate, the SiGe epitaxial layer formed through epitaxial growth and doped with a predetermined concentration level of impurities, an undoped silicon epitaxial layer formed over the SiGe epitaxial layer by epitaxial growth, and a photodiode region formed from a top surface of the undoped silicon epitaxial layer to a predetermined depth in the SiGe epitaxial layer.

Abstract: A method for depositing a silicon oxide layer on a substrate including a silicon region and a silicon-germanium region, including the steps of: forming a very thin silicon layer having a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 1 nm above silicon-germanium; and depositing a silicon oxide layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention, in a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having an n-channel transistor and a p-channel transistor each of which has an insulation film of a high electric permittivity, inhibits a foreign matter from adhering to the side of a gate insulation film of the n-channel transistor. Over the main surface of a semiconductor substrate, a functional n-channel transistor is formed in a p-type impurity region and a functional p-channel transistor is formed in an n-type impurity region. A plurality of first peripheral transistors formed in the region other than the functional n-channel transistor in the p-type impurity region are formed so that a peripheral n-type structure and a peripheral p-type structure may coexist in a planar view.

Abstract: A HKMG device with PMOS eSiGe source/drain regions is provided. Embodiments include forming first and second HKMG gate stacks on a substrate, forming a nitride liner and oxide spacers on each side of each HKMG gate stack, performing halo/extension implants at each side of each HKMG gate stack, forming an oxide liner and nitride spacers on the oxide spacers of each HKMG gate stack, forming deep source/drain regions at opposite sides of the second HKMG gate stack, forming an oxide hardmask over the second HKMG gate stack, forming embedded silicon germanium (eSiGe) at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, and removing the oxide hardmask.

Abstract: A HKMG device with PMOS eSiGe source/drain regions is provided. Embodiments include forming first and second HKMG gate stacks on a substrate, each including a SiO2 cap, forming extension regions at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, forming a nitride liner and oxide spacers on each side of HKMG gate stack; forming a hardmask over the second HKMG gate stack; forming eSiGe at opposite sides of the first HKMG gate stack, removing the hardmask, forming a conformal liner and nitride spacers on the oxide spacers of each of the first and second HKMG gate stacks, and forming deep source/drain regions at opposite sides of the second HKMG gate stack.

Abstract: A structure and method of fabricating electrostatic discharge (EDS) circuitry in an integrated circuit chip by integrating a lateral bipolar, either a p-n-p with a NMOSFET or a n-p-n with a PMOSFET within a triple well. The lateral bipolar preferably includes diodes at the I/O and/or the VDDs of the circuitry.

Abstract: A transistor device is provided that includes a substrate, a first channel region formed in a first portion of the substrate and being doped with a dopant of a first type of conductivity, a second channel region formed in a second portion of the substrate and being doped with a dopant of a second type of conductivity, a gate insulating layer formed on the first channel region and on the second channel region, a dielectric capping layer formed on the gate insulating layer, a first gate region formed on the dielectric capping layer over the first channel region, and a second gate region formed on the dielectric capping layer over the second channel region, wherein the first gate region and the second gate region are made of the same material, and wherein one of the first gate region and the second gate region comprises an ion implantation.

Abstract: A gate insulating film and a gate electrode of non-single crystalline silicon for forming an nMOS transistor are provided on a silicon substrate. Using the gate electrode as a mask, n-type dopants having a relatively large mass number (70 or more) such as As ions or Sb ions are implanted, to form a source/drain region of the nMOS transistor, whereby the gate electrode is amorphized. Subsequently, a silicon oxide film is provided to cover the gate electrode, at a temperature which is less than the one at which recrystallization of the gate electrode occurs. Thereafter, thermal processing is performed at a temperature of about 1000° C., whereby high compressive residual stress is exerted on the gate electrode, and high tensile stress is applied to a channel region under the gate electrode. As a result, carrier mobility of the nMOS transistor is enhanced.

Abstract: In one example, a method disclosed herein includes the steps of forming a gate structure for a first transistor and a second transistor above a semiconducting substrate, forming a liner layer above the gate structures and performing a plurality of extension ion implant processes through the liner layer to form extension implant regions in the substrate for the first transistor and the second transistor. The method further includes forming a first sidewall spacer proximate the gate structure for the first transistor and a patterned hard mask layer positioned above the second transistor, performing at least one etching process to remove the first sidewall spacer, the patterned hard mask layer and the liner layer, forming a second sidewall spacer proximate both of the gate structures and performing a plurality of source/drain ion implant processes to form deep source/drain implant regions in the substrate for the first transistor and the second transistor.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal gate structure on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for forming a metal gate structure on a substrate having a dielectric layer formed on the substrate may include depositing a metal layer while providing a process gas comprising oxygen to form an oxygen doped work function layer atop the dielectric layer; and depositing a metal gate layer atop dielectric layer.

Abstract: Hybrid nanowire FET and FinFET devices and methods for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a CMOS circuit having a nanowire FET and a finFET includes the following steps. A wafer is provided having an active layer over a BOX. A first region of the active layer is thinned. An organic planarizing layer is deposited on the active layer. Nanowires and pads are etched in the first region of the active layer using a first hardmask. The nanowires are suspended over the BOX. Fins are etched in the second region of the active layer using a second hardmask. A first gate stack is formed that surrounds at least a portion of each of the nanowires. A second gate stack is formed covering at least a portion of each of the fins. An epitaxial material is grown on exposed portions of the nanowires, pads and fins.

Abstract: Methods and memory devices formed using etch bias homogenization are provided. One example method of forming a memory device using etch bias homogenization includes forming conductive material at respective levels over a substrate. Each respective level of conductive material is electrically coupled to corresponding circuitry on the substrate during patterning of the respective level of conductive material so that each respective level of conductive material has a homogenized etch bias during patterning thereof. Each respective level of conductive material electrically coupled to corresponding circuitry on the substrate is patterned.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including a device isolation layer arranged on a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate to define an active region, the active region including a central top surface of a (100) crystal plane and an inclined edge surface extending from the central top surface to the device isolation layer, a semiconductor pattern covering the central top surface and the inclined edge surface of the active region, the semiconductor pattern including a flat top surface of a (100) crystal plane that is parallel with the central top surface of the active region and a sidewall that is substantially perpendicular to the flat top surface, and a gate pattern overlapping the semiconductor pattern.

Abstract: A channel region of a finFET has fins having apexes in a first direction parallel to a surface of a substrate, each fin extending downwardly from the apex, with a gate overlying the apexes and between adjacent fins. A semiconductor stressor region extends in at least the first direction away from the fins to apply a stress to the channel region. Source and drain regions of the finFET can be separated from one another by the channel region, with the source and/or drain at least partly in the semiconductor stressor region. The stressor region includes a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region overlying and extending from the first semiconductor region. The second semiconductor region can be more heavily doped than the first semiconductor region, and the first and second semiconductor regions can have opposite conductivity types where at least a portion of the second semiconductor region meets the first semiconductor region.

Abstract: A method of improving PMOS performance in a contact etch stop layer process is disclosed. The method includes: a first step for sequentially forming a first silicon dioxide layer, a hydrogen-containing silicon nitride layer and a second silicon dioxide layer on a semiconductor wafer; a second step for etching the second silicon dioxide layer; a third step for irradiating the resulting structure obtained after the step 2 with ultra-violet light; and a fourth step for removing the portions of the second silicon dioxide layer remained over the PMOS devices. By irradiating the low-stress silicon nitride layer deposited over the NMOS devices by UV light, a high tensile stress is generated in the silicon nitride over the NMOS devices while there is no high tensile stress in the silicon nitride over the PMOS devices, thus reducing disadvantageous effects of the CESL process on the performance of PMOS devices.

Abstract: Transistor devices are formed with a pMOS and an nMOS workfunction stack of substantially equal thickness after gate patterning. Embodiments include forming n-type and p-type areas in a substrate, forming a pMOS workfunction metal stack layer on both areas, forming a hardmask layer on the pMOS workfunction metal stack layer on the n-type area, removing the pMOS workfunction metal stack layer from the p-type area, forming an nMOS workfunction metal stack layer on the p-type area and on the hardmask layer, and removing the nMOS workfunction metal stack layer from the hardmask layer.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the height of semiconductor structures are disclosed. Amorphous carbon is used as a stopping layer for controlling height variability. In one embodiment, the height of replacement metal gates for transistors is controlled. In another embodiment, the step height of a shallow trench isolation region is controlled.

Abstract: A stacked planar device and method for forming the same is shown that includes forming, on a substrate, a stack of layers having alternating sacrificial and channel layers, patterning the stack such that sides of the stack include exposed surfaces of the sacrificial and channel layers, forming a dummy gate structure over a region of the stack to establish a planar area, forming a dielectric layer around the dummy gate structure to cover areas adjacent to the planar area, removing the dummy gate structure to expose the stack, selectively etching the stack to remove the sacrificial layers from the channel layers in the planar area, and forming a gate conductor over and in between the channel layers to form a transistor device.

Abstract: A p-type MIS transistor Qp arranged in a pMIS region Rp of a silicon substrate 1 includes a pMIS gate electrode GEp formed so as to interpose a pMIS gate insulating film GIp formed of a first insulating film z1 and a first high-dielectric film hk1, and an n-type MIS transistor Qn arranged in an nMIS region Rn includes an nMIS gate electrode GEn formed so as to interpose an nMIS gate insulating film GIn formed of a first insulating film z1 and a second high-dielectric film hk2. The first high-dielectric film hk1 is formed of an insulating film mainly made of hafnium and oxygen with containing aluminum, titanium, or tantalum. Also, the second high-dielectric film hk2 is formed of an insulating film mainly made of hafnium, silicon, and oxygen with containing an element of any of group Ia, group IIa, and group IIIa.

Abstract: This invention relates to a MOS device for making the source/drain region closer to the channel region and a method of manufacturing the same, comprising: providing an initial structure, which includes a substrate, an active region, and a gate stack; performing ion implantation in the active region on both sides of the gate stack, such that part of the substrate material undergoes pre-amorphization to form an amorphous material layer; forming a first spacer; with the first spacer as a mask, performing dry etching, thereby forming a recess, with the amorphous material layer below the first spacer kept; performing wet etching using an etchant solution that is isotropic to the amorphous material layer and whose etch rate to the amorphous material layer is greater than or substantially equal to the etch rate to the {100} and {110} surfaces of the substrate material but is far greater than the etch rate to the {111} surface of the substrate material, thus removing the amorphous material layer below the first space

Abstract: Method of forming a semiconductor structure which includes an extremely thin silicon-on-insulator (ETSOI) semiconductor structure having a PFET portion and an NFET portion, a gate structure in the PFET portion and the NFET portion, a high quality nitride spacer adjacent to the gate structures in the PFET portion and the NFET portion and a doped faceted epitaxial silicon germanium raised source/drain (RSD) in the PFET portion. Low quality nitride and high quality nitride are formed on the semiconductor structure. The high quality nitride in the NFET portion is damaged by ion implantation to facilitate its removal. A faceted epitaxial silicon RSD is formed on the ETSOI adjacent to the high quality nitride in the NFET portion. The high quality nitride in the PFET portion is damaged by ion implantation to facilitate its removal. Extensions are ion implanted into the ETSOI underneath the gate structure in the NFET portion.

Abstract: A CMOS device having an NMOS transistor with a metal gate electrode comprising a mid-gap metal with a low work function/high oxygen affinity cap and a PMOS transistor with a metal gate electrode comprising a mid gap metal with a high work function/low oxygen affinity cap and method of forming.

Abstract: Semiconductor substrate with a deformed gate region and a method for the fabrication thereof. The semiconductor substrate has improved device performance compared to devices without a deformed gate region and decreased dopant loss compared to devices with deformed source/drain regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an exemplary method for fabricating a gate structure comprising depositing and patterning a dummy oxide layer and a dummy gate electrode layer on a substrate; surrounding the dummy oxide layer and the dummy gate electrode layer with a sacrificial layer; surrounding the sacrificial layer with a nitrogen-containing dielectric layer; surrounding the nitrogen-containing dielectric layer with an interlayer dielectric layer; removing the dummy gate electrode layer; removing the dummy oxide layer; removing the sacrificial layer to form an opening in the nitrogen-containing dielectric layer; and depositing a gate dielectric; and depositing a gate electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit formed in a semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit includes a first static random access memory (SRAM) cell having a first cell size; and a second SRAM cell having a second cell size greater than the first cell size. The first SRAM cell includes first n-type field effect transistors (nFETs) each having a first gate stack. The second SRAM cell includes second nFETs each having a second gate stack different from the first gate stack.

Abstract: A process fabricating a semiconductor device with a hybrid HK/metal gate stack fabrication is disclosed. The process includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of isolation features between a PFET region and a NFET region, and forming gate stacks on the semiconductor substrate. In the PFET region, the gate stack is formed as a HK/metal gate. In the NFET region, the gate stack is formed as a polysilicon gate. A high-resistor is also formed on the semiconductor substrate by utilizing another polysilicon gate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A gate layer, a C-doped first protective layer and a hard mask layer are formed on a substrate and then patterned to form a first stack in a first area and a second stack in a second area. A second protective layer is formed on the sidewalls of the first and the second stacks. A blocking layer is formed in the first area and a first spacer formed on the sidewall of the second protective layers on the sidewall of the second stack in the second area. A semiconductor compound is formed in the substrate beside the first spacer. The blocking layer and the first spacer are removed. The hard mask layer in the first stack and the second stack is removed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of semiconductor device fabrication including removing a sacrificial gate structure formed on a substrate to provide an opening. A metal gate structure is then formed in the opening. The forming of the metal gate structure includes forming a first layer (including metal) on a gate dielectric layer, wherein the first layer includes a metal and performing a stress modulation process on the first layer. The stress modulation process may include ion implantation of a neutral species such as silicon, argon, germanium, and xenon.

Abstract: A structure and method of fabrication thereof relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced ?VT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. The semiconductor structure includes an analog device and a digital device each having an epitaxial channel layer where a single gate oxidation layer is on the epitaxial channel layer of NMOS and PMOS transistor elements of the digital device and one of a double and triple gate oxidation layer is on the epitaxial channel layer of NMOS and PMOS transistor elements of the analog device.

Abstract: Floating body cell structures including an array of floating body cells disposed on a back gate and source regions and drain regions of the floating body cells spaced apart from the back gate. The floating body cells may each include a volume of semiconductive material having a channel region extending between pillars, which may be separated by a void, such as a U-shaped trench. The floating body cells of the array may be electrically coupled to another gate, which may be disposed on sidewalls of the volume of semiconductive material or within the void therein. Methods of forming the floating body cell devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided, wherein the method comprises steps as follows: A first conductive-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor and a second conductive-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor are firstly formed on a substrate. Subsequently, a first stress-inducing dielectric layer and a first capping layer are formed in sequence on the first conductive-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor; and then a second stress-inducing dielectric layer and a second capping layer are formed in sequence on the second conductive-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor. Next, the fist capping layer is removed.

Abstract: A high voltage MOS transistor comprises a first drain/source region formed over a substrate, a second drain/source region formed over the substrate and a first metal layer formed over the substrate. The first metal layer comprises a first conductor coupled to the first drain/source region through a first metal plug, a second conductor coupled to the second drain/source region through a second metal plug and a plurality of floating metal rings formed between the first conductor and the second conductor. The floating metal rings help to improve the breakdown voltage of the high voltage MOS transistor.