Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor device including signal-transmission interconnections preferable for transmitting high frequency signal and capability to adjust characteristics of the above signal-transmission interconnections. A semiconductor device according to the present invention consists of a signal-transmission interconnection 20 for transmission of signals, a MOS capacitance element 10 having a gate electrode connected to the signal-transmission interconnection 20, a first voltage-applying interconnection 30 connected to a source and a drain of the MOS capacitance element 10 and applying a voltage to the source and the drain of the MOS capacitance element 10, a second voltage-applying interconnection 40 connected to a well of the MOS capacitance element 10, and applying a voltage to the well of said first MOS capacitance element 10.

Abstract: Columnar elements which extend to varying heights above a major surface of a substrate, e.g., polysilicon studs within trenches in the substrate, are recessed to a uniform depth below the major surface. The columnar elements are etched selectively with respect to a material exposed at the surface in an at least partly lateral direction so that the columnar elements are recessed to a uniform depth below the major surface at walls of the trenches.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a memory cell. The memory cell includes a multi-gate field effect transistor associated with a first region of a semiconductor fin. The memory cell also includes a fin capacitor coupled to a drain of the multi-gate field effect transistor and associated with a second region of the semiconductor fin, where the fin capacitor has an approximately degenerate doping concentration in the second region. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A DRAM stack capacitor and a fabrication method thereof has a first capacitor electrode formed of a conductive carbon layer overlying a semiconductor substrate, a capacitor dielectric layer and a second capacitor electrode. The first capacitor electrode is of crown shape geometry and possesses an inner surface and an outer surface. The DRAM stack capacitor features the outer surface of the first capacitor electrode as an uneven surface.

Abstract: A CMOS diode and method of making it are disclosed. In one embodiment, the diode comprises a silicon substrate having an N doped region and a P doped region. A first silicide region is formed on the N doped region of the silicon substrate, and a second silicide region formed on the P doped region of the silicon substrate. The first silicide region is comprised of a material having a bandgap value lower than the bandgap value of the material comprising the second silicide region. The result is a diode where the workfunction of each region of silicide more closely matches the workfunction of the doped silicon it contacts, resulting in reduced contact resistance. This provides for a diode with improved performance characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a design structure transistor that operates as a capacitor and an associated method of tuning capacitance within such a capacitor. The embodiments of the capacitor comprise a field effect transistor with front and back gates above and below a semiconductor layer, respectively. The capacitance value exhibited by the capacitor can be selectively varied between two different values by changing the voltage condition in a source/drain region of the transistor, e.g., using a switch or resistor between the source/drain region and a voltage supply. Alternatively, the capacitance value exhibited by the capacitor can be selectively varied between multiple different values by changing voltage conditions in one or more of multiple channel regions that are flanked by multiple source/drain regions within the transistor. The capacitor will exhibit different capacitance values depending upon the conductivity in each of the channel regions.

Abstract: Trench capacitors having small and large sizes can be formed simultaneously using a combined lithography process in which openings in a photomask have the same dimensions and spacings. Larger capacitors are formed when the openings in the photomask are aligned with one crystal plane of the semiconductor substrate causing the resulting trenches in the semiconductor substrate to merge. Smaller capacitors are formed when the openings in the photomask are aligned with another crystal plane of the semiconductor substrate in which case each trench remains separate from other trenches.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a silicon layer, a transistor having an electrical connection region in the silicon layer; and a conductive plug formed on and in electrical contact with the electrical connection region, the plug having side walls that taper inward away from the silicon layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit includes: forming a trench in a substrate, forming a high-k dielectric layer lining the trench, and removing a section of the high-k dielectric layer from the trench via an isotropic dry etch process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first transistor device on or in a semiconductor substrate and a second transistor device on or in the substrate. The device further comprises an insulating trench located between the first transistor device and the second transistor device. At least one upper corner of the insulating trench is a rounded corner in a lateral plane of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: an active region insulated by an element-isolation insulating film embedded on a semiconductor substrate; multiple element forming sections that are provided in the active region; a semiconductor element that is formed in each of the element forming sections; and a channel stopper that is provided in the active region to insulate the element forming sections from each other. The channel stopper comprises: a fin that protrudes between grooves provided in the element-isolation insulating film and on both sides of the active region; a dummy-gate insulating film that covers the fin; and a dummy gate electrode that straddles the fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor power device includes a plurality of trenched gates. The trenched gates include a thin dielectric layer padded sidewalls of the trenched gate and a tub-shaped thick dielectric layer below a bottom of the trenched gates having a width narrower than the trenched gate. In an exemplary embodiment, the tub-shaped thick dielectric layer below a bottom of the trenched gates further includes a local deposition of silicon oxide (LOCOS) filling in a tub-shaped trench having a narrower width than the trenched gate. In another exemplary embodiment, the tub-shaped thick dielectric layer below a bottom of the trenched gates further comprising a high density plasma (HDP) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) silicon oxide filled in a tub-shaped trench having a narrower width than the trenched gate.

Abstract: Methods and associated structures of forming a microelectronic device are described. Those methods may include removing residual dielectric material from a metal gate structure, and then forming a stress relief layer on a top surface and on a sidewall region of the metal gate structure. A stress is introduced into a channel region disposed beneath the metal gate structure.

Abstract: Provided are a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor and a complementary MOS (CMOS) transistor each having a strained channel epi layer, and methods of fabricating the transistors. The MOS transistor may include at least one active region defined by an isolation structure formed in a substrate. At least one channel trench may be formed in a part of the at least one active region. At least one strained channel epi layer may be in the at least one channel trench. At least one gate electrode may be aligned on the at least one strained channel epi layer. Sources/drains may be arranged in the at least one active region along both sides of the at least one strained channel epi layer.

Abstract: Controlled deposition of HfO2 and ZrO2 dielectrics is generally described. In one example, a microelectronic apparatus includes a substrate and a dielectric film coupled with the substrate, the dielectric film including ZrO2 and HfO2 wherein the ratio of Zr to Hf in the dielectric film is about 5 to 10 atoms of Zr for every 1 atom of Hf to reduce ToxE or reduce Jox of the dielectric film.

Abstract: Provided may be a semiconductor memory device and a method of forming the semiconductor memory device. The memory device of example embodiments may include a bit line structure including a bit line on a semiconductor substrate, and a buried contact plug structure including a buried contact pad and a buried contact plug that extends in a lower portion of the bit line from one side of the bit line and connected to the buried contact pad. A width of the buried contact plug near a top surface of the buried contact pad may be greater than a width of the buried contact plug adjacent to the bit line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and production method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, located on surfaces of a semiconductor body, and an insulated gate electrode. The semiconductor body has a contact groove for the first electrode in an intermediate oxide layer. Highly doped zones of a first conduction type are located in edge regions of the source connection zone. Below the highly doped zones of the first conduction type, there are highly doped zones of a body zone with a complementary conduction type. In a central region of the source connection zone, the body zone has a net charge carrier concentration with a complementary conduction type which is lower than the charge carrier concentration in the edge regions of the source connection zone.

Abstract: A transistor which includes halo regions disposed in a substrate adjacent to opposing sides of the gate. The halo regions have upper and lower regions. The upper region is a crystalline region with excess vacancies and the lower region is an amorphous region. Source/drain diffusion regions are disposed in the halo regions. The source/drain diffusion regions overlap the upper and lower halo regions. This architecture offers the minimal extension resistance as well as minimum lateral diffusion for better CMOS device scaling.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device including implanting a selected material at a desired target depth below a surface of a silicon substrate, performing an annealing process to create a band of precipitates formed from the selected material and the silicon of the silicon substrate at the desired target depth, and forming a source region and a drain region in the substrate such that a channel region there between is positioned above the band of precipitates, wherein the desired target depth is such that a desired separation distance is achieved between the channel region and the band of precipitates, and wherein an average lattice constant of the band of precipitates is different from the average lattice constant of the silicon substrate so as to cause a stress in the channel region.

Abstract: A method of increasing the work function of micro-electrodes includes providing a metal or silica surface functionalized with reactive groups and contacting the functionalized surface with a solution of at least one biochemical, having a permanent dipole moment and being capable of self assembly, for a sufficient time for the biochemical to self assemble molecularly (SAM) on the functionalized surface. The biochemical can be aminopropyl triethoxy silane, fatty acids, organosilicon derivatives, organosulfur compounds, alkyl chains, or diphosphates. Use in a wide variety of metals and metallic compounds is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing an integrated circuit is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes an insulating material and a semiconducting material adjacent the insulating material. The semiconducting material is partially removed and the surface of the partially removed semiconducting material is treated. The insulating material is partially removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of reducing a thickness, an electronic product employing the same, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having first and second active regions. A first transistor in the first active region includes a first gate pattern and first impurity regions. A second transistor the second active region includes a second gate pattern and second impurity regions. A first conductive pattern is on the first transistor, wherein at least a part of the first conductive pattern is disposed at a same distance from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate as at least a part of the second gate pattern. The first conductive pattern may be formed on the first transistor while the second transistor is formed.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory element includes a transistor for selecting the element and a capacitor for recording a binary value by electrical breakdown of an insulating layer (13) of the capacitor. A structure of the memory element is modified in order to allow a higher degree of integration of the element within an electronic circuit of the MOS type. In addition, the memory element is made more robust with respect to a high electrical voltage (VDD) used for recording the binary value. The transistor includes a drain in the substrate with electric field drift in a longitudinal direction extending towards the capacitor. The electric field drift region for the drain includes a first extension underneath the gate of the transistor opposite the source and a second extension underneath the insulating layer of the capacitor. Doping of the substrate for the electric field drift region is limited to a region substantially corresponding to a distance between the gate and an electrode of the capacitor.

Abstract: In one aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising forming gate electrodes over a semiconductor substrate, forming source/drains adjacent the gate electrodes, depositing a stress inducing layer over the gate electrodes. A laser anneal is conducted on at least the gate electrodes subsequent to depositing the stress inducing layer at a temperature of at least about 1100° C. for a period of time of at least about 300 microseconds, and the semiconductor device is subjected to a thermal anneal subsequent to conducting the laser anneal.

Abstract: A high voltage device is provided. The high voltage device includes a gate on a substrate, two source/drain regions in the substrate beside the gate, and a composite gate dielectric layer that includes at least two stacked continuous layers, extending from one side to another side of the gate. Wherein, the at least two stacked continuous layers is a combination of at least one thermal oxide layer and at least one chemical vapor deposited layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having an MIM capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same. In one example embodiment, a semiconductor device having an MIM capacitor includes a lower electrode including a pair of metal patterns spaced apart from each other, a dielectric formed so as to cover the surfaces of the spaced-apart metal patterns of the lower electrode, a metal plug formed on the dielectric, and an upper electrode made of a metal and formed on the metal plug.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes at least one field effect transistor that is to be protected against electrostatic discharge events, and at least one protection field effect transistor. The protection field effect transistor has a crystal orientation that is different from a crystal orientation of the field effect transistor to be protected.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating an n-type field effect transistor (“NFET”) and a p-type field effect transistor (“PFET”) in which the NFET and PFET are formed after which a protective hard mask layer, e.g., a dielectric stressor layer is formed to overlie edges of gates, source regions and drain regions of the PFET and NFET. Sputter etching can be used to remove a portion of the protective hard mask layer to expose the gates of the PFET and NFET. The semiconductor elements can be etched selectively with respect to the protective hard mask layer to reduce a thickness of the semiconductor elements. A metal may then be deposited and caused to react with the reduced thickness semiconductor element to form silicide elements of the gates.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided which includes a substrate including an inactive region and an active region, a gate electrode structure having portions overlying the active region, a compressive layer overlying the active region, and a tensile layer overlying the inactive region and located outside the active region. The active region has a lateral edge which defines a width of the active region, and a transverse edge which defines a length of the active region. The gate electrode structure includes: a common portion spaced apart from the active region; a plurality of gate electrode finger portions integral with the common portion, and a plurality of fillet portions integral with the common portion and the gate electrode finger portions. A portion of each gate electrode finger portion overlies the active region. The fillet portions are disposed between the common portion and the gate electrode finger portions, and do not overlie the active region.

Abstract: A varactor and method of fabricating the varactor. The varactor includes a silicon body in a silicon layer of an SOI substrate; a polysilicon electrode comprising a gate region and a plate region separated from the body by a gate dielectric layer, the gate and plate regions contiguous, the electrode electrically connected to a first pad; and a source formed in the body on a first side of the gate region, a drain formed in the body on a second and opposite side of the gate region, and a body contact formed in the body on a side of the plate region away from the gate region, the source, drain and body contact, separated from each other by regions of the body under the electrode, the source, drain and body contact electrically connected to each other and to a second pad.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting device comprising a gate stack formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate; a vertical nitride spacer element formed on each vertical sidewall of the gate stack; a portion of the vertical nitride spacer overlying the semiconductor substrate; a silicide contact formed on the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate stack, the silicide contact being in operative communication with drain and source regions formed in the semiconductor substrate; and an oxide spacer disposed between the vertical nitride spacer element and the silicide contact; the oxide spacer operating to minimize an undercut adjacent the vertical nitride spacer during an etching process.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a semiconductor substrate, a least one MOS transistor formed in or on the substrate, the MOS transistor including a source and drain doped with a first dopant type having a channel region of a second dopant type interposed between, and a gate electrode and a gate insulator over the channel region. A silicide layer forming a low resistance contact is at an interface region at a surface portion of the source and drain. At the interface region a chemical concentration of the first dopant is at least 5×1020 cm?3. Silicide interfaces according to the invention provide MOS transistor with a low silicide interface resistance, low pipe density, with an acceptably small impact on short channel behavior.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes active multi-gate fin-type field effect transistor (MUGFET) structures and inactive MUGFET fill structures between the active MUGFET structures. The active MUGFET structures comprise transistors that change conductivity depending upon voltages within gates of the active MUGFET structures. Conversely, the inactive MUGFET fill structures comprise passive devices that do not change conductivity irrespective of voltages within gates of the inactive MUGFET fill structures. The gates of the active MUGFET structures are parallel to the gates of the inactive MUGFET fill structures, and the fins of the active MUGFET structures are the same size as the fins of the inactive MUGFET fill structures. The active MUGFET structures have the same pitch as the gates of the inactive MUGFET fill structures. The gates of the active MUGFET structures comprise active doping agents, but the inactive MUGFET fill structures do not contain the active doping agents.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ESD protection circuit, which includes: an ESD protection element, coupled to a pad; a transmitting gate circuit; an N MOSFET, for providing a first biasing voltage to the transmitting gate circuit according to the second voltage level; a first P MOSFET, for providing a second biasing voltage to the transmitting gate circuit according to the first voltage level; a delay circuit for determining the turning on and turning off time of the transmitting gate circuit; a first inversing logic circuit, for generating a first control signal according to the output of the delay circuit; and a second inversing logic circuit, for generating a second control signal according to the output of the first inversing logic circuit, wherein the transmitting gate circuit turns on or turns off according to the first control signal and the second control signal.

Abstract: A capacitor for a semiconductor device having a dielectric film between an upper electrode and a lower electrode is featured in that the dielectric film includes an alternately laminated film of hafnium oxide and titanium oxide at an atomic layer level.

Abstract: A shielded gate field effect transistor includes a trench extending into a semiconductor region. A shield electrode is in a lower portion of the trench, and is insulated from the semiconductor region by a shield dielectric. The shield dielectric comprises first and second dielectric layers, the first dielectric layer extending between the second dielectric layer and the semiconductor region. The second dielectric layer comprises a material which during oxidation process inhibits growth of oxide along surfaces of the semiconductor region covered by the second dielectric layer. An inter-electrode dielectric overlies the shield electrode, and a gate dielectric lines upper trench sidewalls. A gate electrode is in an upper portion of the trench over the inter-electrode dielectric.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device with source/drain nitrogen implant, and related device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming a gate stack over a substrate, implanting a dopant species into an active region adjacent to the gate stack, and reducing a diffusivity of the dopant species by implanting nitrogen into the active region.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention comprise a self-aligned super stressed p-type field effect transistor (PFET). More specifically, a field effect transistor comprises a channel region comprising N-doped material and a gate above the channel region. The field effect transistor also includes a source region on a first side of the channel region and a drain region on a second side of the channel region opposite the first side. The source and drain regions each comprise silicon germanium, wherein the silicon germanium has structural indicia of epitaxial growth.

Abstract: MOS structures that exhibit lower contact resistance and methods for fabricating such MOS structures are provided. In one method, a semiconductor substrate is provided and a gate stack is fabricated on the semiconductor substrate. An impurity-doped region within the semiconductor substrate aligned with the gate stack is formed. Adjacent contact fins extending from the impurity-doped region are fabricated and a metal silicide layer is formed on the contact fins. A contact to at least a portion of the metal silicide layer on at least one of the contact fins is fabricated.

Abstract: Dummy fins are positioned between source and drain regions of adjacent complementary multi-gate fin-type field effect transistors (MUGFETS) prior to selective silicon growth and silicidation. The dummy fins are parallel to, have the same thickness as, and have a smaller length than the fins within the MUGFETs. Further, the source regions of a first MUGFET, the drain regions of a second MUGFET, and the dummy fins are positioned along a single straight linear path, such that the single straight linear path crosses all of the source regions of the first MUGFET, the drain regions of the second MUGFET, and the dummy fins. Because the dummy fins comprise silicon, the dummy fins enhance the ability to selectively grow silicon within the source/drain connection silicide region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first MOS type capacitor having a first insulating film and a first electrode that are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a second MOS type capacitor having a second insulating film and a second electrode that are formed on the semiconductor substrate. The first electrode has a first concentration difference as a difference when an impurity concentration in an interface region with the first insulating film is subtracted from an impurity concentration in a top portion of the first electrode. The second electrode has a second concentration difference as a difference when an impurity concentration in an interface region with the second insulating film is subtracted from an impurity concentration in a top portion of the second electrode. The second concentration difference is larger than the first concentration difference.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus having at least one CMOS transistor overlying a substrate; and at least one finned bipolar transistor overlying the substrate and methods for making the apparatus.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes source/drain regions formed in a substrate and having a concentration of nitrogen of at least about 5E18 cm?3. A gate dielectric is located over the substrate and between the source/drain regions. Gate sidewall spacers are located over said source/drain regions. A nitrogen-doped electrode including polysilicon is located over the gate dielectric. The electrode has a concentration of nitrogen therein greater than the concentration of nitrogen in the source/drain regions.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device having a first active semiconductor component and a second active semiconductor component, the electrical connections of which are routed out of the semiconductor components in the form of connecting legs is disclosed. In one embodiment, the first semiconductor component is at least partially electrically connected to the second semiconductor component by means of a plug-in connection. The plug-in connection is realized by virtue of the connecting legs of the second semiconductor component engaging in the electrical connections of the first semiconductor component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an MOS transistor is formed with trench gates. The gate structure of the trench gates generally has a first insulator that has a first thickness in one region of the gate and a second thickness in a second region of the gate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an FET device is disclosed. The FET device has a gate insulator with a high-k dielectric portion, and a threshold modifying material. The method introduces a stabilizing material into the gate insulator in order to hinder one or more metals from the threshold modifying material to penetrate across the high-k portion of the gate insulator. The introduction of the stabilizing material may involve disposing a stabilizing agent over a layer which contains an oxide of the one or more metals. A stabilizing material may also be incorporated into the high-k dielectric. Application of the method may lead to FET devices with unique gate insulator structures.

Abstract: In a capacitor having a high dielectric constant, the capacitor includes a cylindrical lower electrode, a dielectric layer and an upper electrode. A metal oxide layer is formed on inner, top and outer surfaces of the lower electrode as the dielectric layer. A first sub-electrode is formed on a surface of the dielectric layer along the profile of the lower electrode and a second sub-electrode is continuously formed on the first sub-electrode corresponding to the top surface of the lower electrode, so an opening portion of the lower electrode is covered with the second sub-electrode. The first and second sub-electrodes include first and second metal nitride layers in which first and second stresses are applied, respectively. Directions of the first and second stresses are opposite to each other. Accordingly, cracking is minimized in the upper electrode with the high dielectric constant, thereby reducing current leakage.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of manufacture thereof, comprising a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode having a first metal layer forming a first trench and a second metal layer filling the first trench, wherein the first and second metal layers have substantially different metallic compositions. The second semiconductor device includes a second gate electrode having a third metal layer forming a second trench and a fourth metal layer filling the second trench, wherein the third and fourth metal layers have substantially different metallic compositions, and wherein the first and third metal layers have substantially different metallic compositions.

Abstract: Methods for fuming dielectric layers over polysilicon substrates, useful in the construction of capacitors and other semiconductor circuit components are provided. A self-limiting nitric oxide (NO) anneal of a polysilicon layer such as an HSG polysilicon capacitor electrode, at less than 800° C., is utilized to grow a thin oxide (oxynitride) layer of about 40 angstroms or less over the polysilicon layer. The NO anneal provides a nitrogen layer at the polysilicon-oxide interface that limits further oxidation of the polysilicon layer and growth of the oxide layer. The oxide layer is exposed to a nitrogen-containing gas to nitridize the surface of the oxide layer and reduce the effective dielectric constant of the oxide layer. The process is particularly useful in forming high K dielectric insulating layers such as tantalum pentoxide over polysilicon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to etch recesses in a silicon substrate having an isotropic character to undercut a transistor in preparation for a source/drain regrowth. In one embodiment, a cap layer of a first thickness is deposited over a transistor gate stack and spacer structure. The cap layer is then selectively etched in a first region of the substrate, such as a p-MOS region, using a first isotropic plasma etch process and a second anisotropic plasma etch process. In another embodiment, an at least partially isotropic plasma recess etch is performed to provide a recess adjacent to the channel region of the transistor. In a particular embodiment, the plasma etch process provides a recess sidewall that is neither positively sloped nor more than 10 nm re-entrant.