Abstract: Methods and structures for relieving stresses in stressed semiconductor liners. A stress liner that enhances performance of either an NFET or a PFET is deposited over a semiconductor to cover the NFET and PFET. A disposable layer is deposited to entirely cover the stress liner, NFET and PFET. This disposable layer is selectively recessed to expose only the single stress liner over a gate of the NFET or PFET that is not enhanced by such stress liner, and then this exposed liner is removed to expose a top of such gate. Remaining portions of the disposable layer are removed, thereby enhancing performance of either the NFET or PFET, while avoiding degradation of the NFET or PFET not enhanced by the stress liner. The single stress liner is a tensile stress liner for enhancing performance of the NFET, or it is a compressive stress liner for enhancing performance of the PFET.

Abstract: This invention describes a method of building complementary logic circuits using junction field effect transistors in silicon. This invention is ideally suited for deep submicron dimensions, preferably below 65 nm. The basis of this invention is a complementary Junction Field Effect Transistor which is operated in the enhancement mode. The speed-power performance of the JFETs becomes comparable with the CMOS devices at sub-70 nanometer dimensions. However, the maximum power supply voltage for the JFETs is still limited to below the built-in potential (a diode drop). To satisfy certain applications which require interface to an external circuit driven to higher voltage levels, this invention includes the structures and methods to build CMOS devices on the same substrate as the JFET devices.

Abstract: A method (100) of forming semiconductor structures (202) including high-temperature processing steps (step 118), incorporates the use of a high-temperature nitride-oxide mask (220) over protected regions (214) of the device (202). The invention has application in many different embodiments, including but not limited to, the formation of recess, strained device regions (224).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a junction semiconductor device, having a step for forming a first high-resistance layer, a step for forming a channel-doped layer, a step for forming a second high-resistance layer, a step for forming a low-resistance layer of a first conductive type that acts as a source region, a step for performing partial etching to a midway depth of the second high-resistance layer and the low-resistance layer, a step for forming a gate region below the portion etched in the etching step, and a step for forming a protective film on the surface of the region between the gate region and the source region. A gate region is formed using relatively low energy ion implantation in the surface that has been etched in advance to a height that is between the lower surface of the source area and the upper surface of the channel-doped layer.

Abstract: A JFET structure with self-aligned metal source, drain and gate contacts with very low resistivity and very small feature sizes. Small source, drain and gate openings are etched in a thin dielectric layer which has a thickness set according to the desired source, gate and drain opening sizes, said dielectric layer having a nitride top layer. Metal is deposited on top of said dielectric layer to fill said openings and the metal is polished back to the top of the dielectric layer to achieve thin source, drain and gate contacts. Some embodiments include an anti-leakage poly-silicon layer lining the contact holes and all embodiments where spiking may occur include a barrier metal layer.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems integrating Fin-JFETs and Fin-MOSFETs are provided. One method embodiment includes forming at least on Fin-MOSFET on a substrate and forming at least on Fin-JFET on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for RF switches (100, 200). In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises one or more multi-gate n-channel enhancement mode FET transistors (50, 112, 114). When used in pairs (112, 114) each has its source (74, 133) coupled to a first common RF I/O port (116) and drains coupled respectively to second and third RF I/O ports (118, 120), and gates (136, 138), coupled respectively to first and second control terminals (122, 124). The multi-gate regions (66, 68) of the FETs (50) are parallel coupled, spaced-apart and serially arranged between source (72) and drain (76). Lightly doped n-regions (Ldd, Lds) are provided serially arranged between the spaced-apart multi-gate regions (66, 68), the lightly doped n-regions (Ldd, Lds) being separated by more heavily doped n-regions (84).

Abstract: Junction field effect transistors (JFETs) are shown to be a viable replacement for metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) for gate lengths of less than about 40 nm, providing an alternative to the gate leakage problems presented by scaled down MOSFETs. Integrated circuit designs can have complementary JFET (CJFET) logic cells substituted for existing MOSFET-based logic cells to produce revised integrated circuit designs. Integrated circuits can include JFETS where the channel comprises a wide bandgap semiconductor material and the gate comprises a narrow bandgap semiconductor material. Mixtures of JFET and MOSFET transistors can be included on an integrated circuit design.

Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating an image sensor using a wafer back grinding process. The method includes: forming a microlens protection layer over a substrate structure including a light sensing device and other associated devices; opening a pad open unit of the substrate structure using a mask; removing the mask; forming a photoresist layer over the substrate structure with the microlens protection layer; gluing a tape on the photoresist layer; performing a wafer back grinding process; and removing the tape and the photoresist layer.

Abstract: NFET and PFET devices with separately strained channel regions, and methods of their fabrication is disclosed. A stressing layer overlays the device in a manner that the stressing layer is non-conformal with respect the gate. The non-conformality of the stressing layer increases the amount of stress that is imparted onto the channel of the device, in comparison to stressing layers which are conformal. The method for overlaying in a non-conformal manner includes non-conformal deposition techniques, as well as, conformal depositions where subsequently the layer is turned into a non-conformal one by etching.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining extremely fine pitch N-type and P-type stripes that form the voltage blocking region of a superjunction power device. The stripes are self-aligned and do not suffer from alignment tolerances. The self-aligned, fine pitch of the alternating stripes enables improvements in on-state resistance, while ensuring that the superjunction device is fully manufacturable. Only one masking step is required to fabricate the alternating N-type and P-type stripes.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an n-channel MOS transistor and a p-channel MOS transistor formed respectively in first and second device regions of a substrate, the n-channel MOS transistor including a first gate electrode carrying sidewall insulation films on respective sidewall surfaces thereof, the p-channel MOS transistor including a second gate electrode carrying sidewall insulation films on respective sidewall surfaces thereof, wherein there is provided a stressor film on the substrate over the first and second device regions such that the stressor film covers the first gate electrode including the sidewall insulation films thereof and the second gate electrode including the sidewall insulation films thereof, wherein the stressor film has a decreased film thickness in the second device region at least in the vicinity of a base part of the second gate electrode.

Abstract: A radio frequency test interface for an electronic device includes a circuit board that includes a radio frequency contact. An antenna includes a resilient member that urges the antenna to engage the radio frequency contact. A test connector includes a conductive contact and is configured to engage the resilient member so as to displace the antenna from the radio frequency contact to allow the conductive contact to engage the radio frequency contact.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a transistor comprises the steps of: forming a gate electrode above a substrate made of a first semiconductor material having a first lattice spacing, forming recesses in the semiconductor substrate at respective locations where a source region and a drain region are to be formed, epitaxially growing a second semiconductor material having a second lattice spacing different from the first lattice spacing in the recesses, and implanting a dopant in the second semiconductor material after the growing step.

Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned, dual silicon nitride liner for CMOS devices includes forming a first type nitride layer over a first polarity type device and a second polarity type device, and forming a topographic layer over the first type nitride layer. Portions of the first type nitride layer and the topographic layer over the second polarity type device are patterned and removed. A second type nitride layer is formed over the second polarity type device, and over remaining portions of the topographic layer over the first polarity type device so as to define a vertical pillar of second type nitride material along a sidewall of the topographic layer, the second type nitride layer in contact with a sidewall of the first type nitride layer. The topographic layer is removed and the vertical pillar is removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication method according to this invention includes: a step of forming a pair of first device forming regions and a pair of second device forming regions in a surface layer portion of a semiconductor substrate by surrounding each of the regions by device isolation; a step of forming a first oxide film covering the surface of the semiconductor substrate after the preceding step; a step of removing an intended portion of the first oxide film to expose the pair of second device forming regions; a step of forming a pair of heterojunction structures, by selective epitaxial growth, on the pair of second device forming regions thus exposed; a step of forming a second oxide film covering the surface of the substrate after the preceding step; and a step of forming a pair of gate electrodes above each of the pair of first device forming regions and the pair of second device forming regions, whereby a normal complementary MOS transistor and a heterojunction complementary MOS transi

Abstract: An architecture for creating a vertical JFET. Generally, an integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor area with a major surface formed along a plane and a first source/drain doped region formed in the surface. A second doped region forming a channel of different conductivity type than the first region is positioned over the first region. A third doped region is formed over the second doped region having an opposite conductivity type with respect to the second doped region, and forming a source/drain region. A gate is formed over the channel to form a vertical JFET. In an associated method of manufacturing the semiconductor device, a first source/drain region is formed in a semiconductor layer. A field-effect transistor gate region, including a channel and a gate electrode, is formed over the first source/drain region. A second source/drain region is then formed over the channel having the appropriate conductivity type.

Abstract: Junction field effect transistors (JFETs) can be fabricated with an epitaxial layer that forms a sufficiently thick channel region to enable the JFET for use in high voltage applications (e.g., having a breakdown voltage greater than about 20V). Additionally or alternatively, threshold voltage (VT) implants can be introduced at one or more of the gate, source and drain regions to improve noise performance of the JFET. Additionally, fabrication of such a JFET can be facilitated forming the entire JFET structure concurrently with a CMOS fabrication process and/or with a BiCMOS fabrication process.

Abstract: Patterning of a gate line is terminated prior to etching completely through the conductive layer from which it is patterned. Surfaces of the conductive layer are then reacted in a reactive atmosphere, and the reacted surfaces are removed, creating a narrow gate line. The protection provided by the remaining portion of the conductive layer during reaction protects the lower corners of the patterned feature from undercutting growth of reacted material. Alternatively, a gate line is patterned from a multi-layered conductive structure that includes a lower conductive layer and an upper conductive layer that exhibits higher reactivity in a reactive atmosphere than the lower layer. The upper layer is patterned and then the structure is reacted in the reactive atmosphere. Reacted portions of the upper layer are then removed and the lower layer is patterned in a self-aligned manner to complete the formation of a gate line and gate insulator.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 1(a), a gate oxide film 12 is formed on an Si substrate 11. A polysilicon layer 13 is formed thereon. A natural oxide film 14 having an arbitrary thickness is formed on the polysilicon layer 13 after phosphorus is made to diffuse into the polysilicon layer 13 and before a resist layer is coated. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the natural oxide film 14 present on the polysilicon layer 13 is removed by DHF cleaning (cleaning with dilute HF). Thereafter, a resist layer 15 is coated onto the polysilicon layer 13, and is patterned. A polysilicon gate electrode G is formed by dry-etching using the resist layer 15 as a mask.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an integrated circuit memory includes providing a semiconductor substrate and depositing a charge-trapping dielectric layer. First and second bitlines are implanted and a wordline layer is deposited. A hard mask layer is deposited over the wordline layer. A photoresist is deposited over the wordline layer and used to form a hard mask. The photoresist is removed. The wordline layer is processed using the hard mask to form a wordline and the hard mask is removed. A reduced hydrogen, ultra-violet block data retention liner covers the wordline and the charge-trapping dielectric layer. The reduced hydrogen levels reduce the charge loss compared to prior art. The surface of the liner is processed to block UV light before completing the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Insulated gate field effect transistors having gate electrodes with at least two layers of materials provide gate electrode work function values that are similar to those of doped polysilicon, eliminate the poly depletion effect and also substantially prevent impurity diffusion into the gate dielectric. Bi-layer stacks of relatively thick Al and thin TiN for n-channel FETs and bi-layer stacks of relatively thick Pd and thin TiN, or relatively thick Pd and thin TaN for p-channel FETs are disclosed. Varying the thickness of the thin TiN or TaN layers between a first and second critical thickness may be used to modulate the work function of the gate electrode and thereby obtain the desired trade-off between channel doping and drive currents in FETs.

Abstract: A high voltage insulated gate field-effect transistor includes an insulated gate field-effect device structure having a source and a drain, the drain being formed with an extended well region having one or more buried layers of opposite conduction type sandwiched therein. The one or more buried layers create an associated plurality of parallel JFET conduction channels in the extended portion of the well region. The parallel JFET conduction channels provide the HVFET with a low on-state resistance.

Abstract: A method for making a high voltage insulated gate field-effect transistor with multiple JFET conduction channels comprises successively implanting a dopant of a first conductivity type in a first substrate of a second conductivity type so as to form a first plurality of buried layers disposed at a different vertical depths. The first substrate is flipped over and then bonded to a second substrate of the first conductivity type. After the first substrate has been thinned, another set of implants are successively performed so as to form a second plurality of buried layers in stacked parallel relationship to the first plurality of buried layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a drift region in which a drift current flows if it is in the ON mode and which is depleted if it is in the OFF mode. The drift region is formed as a structure having a plurality of first conductive type divided drift regions and a plurality of second conductive type compartment regions in which each of the compartment regions is positioned among the adjacent drift regions in parallel to make p-n junctions, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a drift region in which a drift current flows if it is in the ON mode and which is depleted if it is in the OFF mode. The drift region is formed as a structure having a plurality of first conductive type divided drift regions and a plurality of second conductive type compartment regions in which each of the compartment regions is positioned among the adjacent drift regions in parallel to make p-n junctions, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (10, 40) is formed to have a well (19) in a substrate (11). The well and the substrate have the same doping type, for example both P-type or both N-type. Low resistance contact regions (26, 27) of a second conductivity type are formed to at least abut the well. A drain (17) is formed within one low resistance contact region. A source (12) is formed in the substrate and laterally displaced from the other low resistance contact region. A buried layer (21, 22, 23) is formed laterally across the well.

Abstract: An EPROM structure includes a NMOS transistor integrated with a capacitor. The terminal names of the NMOS transistor follow the conventional nomenclature: drain, source, body and gate. The gate of the NMOS transistor is connected directly and exclusively to one of the capacitor plates. In this configuration, the gate is now referred to as the “floating gate”. The remaining side of the capacitor is referred to as the “control gate”.

Abstract: A method for making a high voltage insulated gate field-effect transistor with one or more JFET conduction channels comprises successively implanting a dopant of a first conductivity type in a first epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type so as to form a first plurality of buried layers disposed at a different vertical depths. A second epitaxial layer is formed on the first epitaxial layer and the implant process repeated to form a second plurality of buried layers in stacked parallel relationship to the first plurality of buried layers. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method for making a high voltage insulated gate field-effect transistor with multiple JFET conduction channels comprises successively implanting a dopant of a first conductivity type in a first substrate of a second conductivity type so as to form a first plurality of buried layers disposed at a different vertical depths. The first substrate is flipped over and then bonded to a second substrate of the first conductivity type. After the first substrate has been thinned, another set of implants are successively performed so as to form a second plurality of buried layers in stacked parallel relationship to the first plurality of buried layers.

Abstract: This invention discloses the present invention discloses a junction field effect transistor (JFET) device supported on a substrate. The JFET device includes a gate surrounded by a depletion region. As the distance between the gates is large enough, there is a gap between the depletion regions surrounding adjacent gates. Depletion mode JFET transistor which is normally on is provided. The normally on transistors respond to negative bias applied to the gates to shut of the current path in the substrate. The current path in the substrate is normally available with a zero gate bias. As the distance between the gates is reduced, the JFET transistor is normally off because the depletion regions surround the gates shut of the current channel. The depletion region responding to a positive bias applied to the gate to open a current path in the substrate wherein the current path in the substrate is shut off when the gate is zero biased.

Abstract: A method for making a high voltage insulated gate field-effect transistor with multiple JFET conduction channels comprises successively implanting a dopant of a first conductivity type in a first substrate of a second conductivity type so as to form a first plurality of buried layers disposed at a different vertical depths. The first substrate is flipped over and then bonded to a second substrate of the first conductivity type. After the first substrate has been thinned, another set of implants are successively performed so as to form a second plurality of buried layers in stacked parallel relationship to the first plurality of buried layers.

Abstract: A lateral, high-voltage, FET having a low on-resistance and a buried conduction layer comprises a P-type buried layer region within an N-well formed in a P-type substrate. The P-type buried layer region is connected to a drain electrode by a first P-type drain diffusion region that is disposed in the N-well region. The P-type buried layer region is also connected to a second P-type drain diffusion region that extends down from the surface at one end of the PMOS gate region. A P-type source diffusion region, which connects to the source electrode, defines the other end of the gate region.

Abstract: A method of forming a MOS or CMOS device on a silicon substrate, includes preparing a substrate to contain conductive regions having device active areas therein; forming a gate electrode on the active areas; depositing and forming a gate electrode sidewall insulator layer on each gate electrode; implanting ions of a first type to form a source region and a drain region in one active area and implanting ions of a second type to form a source region and a drain region in the other active area.

Abstract: Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors (18,22) are formed with vertical channel regions (30,52) on an insulator substrate (14). Highly doped polysilicon gates (44,68) are formed in trenches (36,58) to extend laterally around the channel regions (30,52) as insulatively displaced therefrom by gate insulators (41,62) that are grown on the sidewalls of the trenches (36,58). The transistors (18,22), which are formed in respective mesas (20,24) have deeply implanted source regions (28,50) that are ohmically connected to the semiconductor surface via respective source connector regions (34,70).

Abstract: This invention discloses the present invention discloses a junction field effect transistor UFET) device supported on a substrate. The JFET device includes a gate surrounded by a depletion region. As the distance between the gates is large enough, there is a gap between the depletion regions surrounding adjacent gates. Depletion mode JFET transistor which is normally on is provided. The normally on transistors respond to negative bias applied to the gates to shut of the current path in the substrate. The current path in the substrate is normally available with a zero gate bias. As the distance between the gates is reduced, the JFET transistor is normally off because the depletion regions surround the gates shut of the current channel. The depletion region responding to a positive bias applied to the gate to open a current path in the substrate wherein the current path in the substrate is shut off when the gate is zero biased.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector and a female connector. The male connector has electrical contacts for conducting AC or DC current. The female connector includes electrical contacts for coupling with the male electrical contacts for conducting the AC or DC current. A mechanism to eliminate current arcing during disconnection of the male and female connectors is coupled with at least one of the male or female connectors.

Abstract: A method for making a high voltage insulated gate field-effect transistor having an insulated gate field-effect device structure with a source and a drain comprises the steps of forming the drain with an extended well region having one or more buried layers of opposite conduction type sandwiched therein. The one or more buried layers create an associated plurality of parallel JFET conduction channels in the extended portion of the well region. A minimal number of processing steps are required to form the parallel JFET conduction channels which provide the HVFET with a low on-state resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a JFET transistor in an integrated circuit containing complementary MOS transistors, this JFET transistor being formed in an N-type well of a P-type substrate, including the steps of forming a P-type channel region at the same time as lightly-doped drain/source regions of the P-channel MOS transistors of; forming an N-type gate region at the same time as lightly-doped drain/source regions of the N-channel MOS transistors; and forming P-type drain/source regions at the same time as heavily-doped drain/source regions of P-channel MOS transistors of channel.

Abstract: A method of forming a supersaturated layer on a semiconductor device, where an initial phase layer is deposited on the semiconductor device. The initial phase layer has a solid phase dopant saturation level and a liquid phase dopant saturation level, where the liquid phase dopant saturation level is greater than the solid phase dopant saturation level. A concentration of a dopant is impregnated within the initial phase layers, where the concentration of the dopant is greater than the solid phase dopant saturation level and no more than about the liquid phase dopant saturation level. The initial phase layer is annealed, without appreciably heating the semiconductor device, using an amount of energy that is high enough to liquefy the initial phase layer over a melt duration. This dissolves the dopant in the liquefied initial phase layer. The amount of energy is low enough to not appreciably gasify or ablate the initial phase layer.