Abstract: First, an offset spacer including a stacked film of insulating films is formed on the upper surface of the semiconductor layer, the side surface of the gate electrode, and the side surface of the cap film. Next, a part of the insulating films is removed to expose the upper surface of the semiconductor layer. Next, in a state where the side surface of the gate electrode is covered with the insulating films, an epitaxial layer is formed on the exposed upper surface of the semiconductor layer. Here, among the offset spacers, the insulating film which is a silicon nitride film is formed at a position closest to the gate electrode, and the position of the upper end of the insulating film formed on the side surface of the gate electrode is higher than the position of the upper surface of the gate electrode.

Abstract: Methods according to the disclosure include forming a mask over a substrate to cover a first semiconductor region on the substrate and a first gate structure on the first semiconductor region. The second semiconductor region may be recessed from an initial height above the substrate to a reduced height above the substrate. The mask may be removed before forming a plurality of cavities by etching the first and second semiconductor regions, the plurality of cavities including a first cavity having a first depth within the first semiconductor region and a second cavity having a second depth within the second semiconductor region, wherein the second depth is greater than the first depth. The method also may include forming a plurality of epitaxial regions within the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure on a fin structure includes the steps of providing a fin structure covered by a first silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, a gate material and a cap material in sequence, wherein the silicon nitride layer contacts the first silicon oxide layer. Later, the cap material is patterned to form a first cap layer and the gate material is patterned to form a first gate electrode by taking the silicon nitride layer as an etching stop layer. Then, the silicon nitride layer not covered by the first gate electrode is removed to expose part of the first silicon oxide layer. Finally, a first dielectric layer is formed to conformally cover the first silicon oxide layer, the first gate electrode and the first cap layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure on a fin structure includes the steps of providing a fin structure covered by a first silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, a gate material and a cap material in sequence, wherein the silicon nitride layer contacts the first silicon oxide layer. Later, the cap material is patterned to form a first cap layer and the gate material is patterned to form a first gate electrode by taking the silicon nitride layer as an etching stop layer. Then, the silicon nitride layer not covered by the first gate electrode is removed to expose part of the first silicon oxide layer. Finally, a first dielectric layer is formed to conformally cover the first silicon oxide layer, the first gate electrode and the first cap layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure is disclosed including providing a first active region and a second active region in an upper surface portion of a substrate, the first and second active regions being laterally separated by at least one isolation structure, forming a first gate structure comprising a first gate dielectric and a first gate electrode material over the first active region, and a second gate structure comprising a second gate dielectric and a second gate electrode material over the second active region, wherein a thickness of the second gate dielectric is greater than the thickness of the first gate dielectric, and forming a first sidewall spacer structure to the first gate structure and a second sidewall spacer structure to the second gate structure, wherein a lateral thickness of the second sidewall spacer structure is greater than a lateral thickness of the first sidewall spacer structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET), comprises: a substrate having a fin structure; a plurality trenches formed on the fin structure with an alloy grown in the trenches; a gate structure on the fin structure perpendicular to an extending direction of the fin structure in-between the plurality of trenches; and an amorphous layer on a surface of the fin structure exposed by the gate structure and disposed in-between the gate structure and the alloy. The invention also provides a manufacturing method of a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET).

Abstract: A portion of a bulk silicon (Si) is formed into a fin, having a fin base and, on the fin base, an in-process fin. The fin base is doped Si and the in-process fin is silicon germanium (SiGe). The in-process SiGe fin has a source region and a drain region. Boron is in-situ doped into the drain region and into the source region. Optionally, boron is in-situ doped by forming an epi-layer, having boron, on the drain region and on the source region, and drive-in annealing to diffuse boron in the source region and the drain region.

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

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for an aspect ratio dependent deposition process that improves gate spacer profile, reduces fin loss, and also reduces hardmask loss in a FinFET or other transistor scheme. Techniques include depositing an aspect ratio dependent protective layer to help tune profile of a structure during fabrication. Plasma and process gas parameters are tuned such that more polymer can collect on surfaces of a structure that are visible to the plasma. For example, upper portions of structures can collect more polymer as compared to lower portions of structures. The variable thickness of the protection layer enables selective portions of spacer material to be removed while other portions are protected.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and method for non-periodic pulse sequential lateral solidification relate to processing a thin film. The method for processing a thin film, while advancing a thin film in a selected direction, includes irradiating a first region of the thin film with a first laser pulse and a second laser pulse and irradiating a second region of the thin film with a third laser pulse and a fourth laser pulse, wherein the time interval between the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse is less than half the time interval between the first laser pulse and the third laser pulse. In some embodiments, each pulse provides a shaped beam and has a fluence that is sufficient to melt the thin film throughout its thickness to form molten zones that laterally crystallize upon cooling. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are spaced a distance apart.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method comprises: forming at least one trench in a first semiconductor layer, wherein at least lower portions of respective sidewalls of the trench tilt toward outside of the trench; filling a dielectric material in the trench, thinning the first semiconductor layer so that the first semiconductor layer is recessed with respect to the dielectric material, and epitaxially growing a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer and the semiconductor layer comprise different materials from each other. According to embodiments of the disclosure, defects occurring during the heteroepitaxial growth can be effectively suppressed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an isolation structure includes forming a laminate structure on a substrate. A plurality trenches is formed in the laminate structure. Subsequently a pre-processing is effected to form a hydrophilic thin film having oxygen ions on the inner wall of the trenches. Spin-on-dielectric (SOD) materials are filled into the trenches. The hydrophilic think film having oxygen ions changes the surface tension of the inner wall of the trenches and increases SOD material fluidity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a first region and a second region, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer, the metal layer having a first work function, protecting the metal layer in the first region, treating the metal layer in the second region with a de-coupled plasma that includes carbon and nitrogen, and forming a first gate structure in the first region and a second gate structure in the second region. The first gate structure includes the high-k dielectric layer and the untreated metal layer. The second gate structure includes the high-k dielectric layer and the treated metal layer.

Abstract: A flash memory structure having an enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio (CCCR) may be fabricated in a self-aligned manner while using a semiconductor substrate that has an active region that is recessed within an aperture with respect to an isolation region that surrounds the active region. The flash memory structure includes a floating gate that does not rise above the isolation region, and that preferably consists of a single layer that has a U shape. The U shape facilitates the enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio.

Abstract: A region-divided substrate includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and having a plurality of partial regions, which are divided by a plurality of trenches, wherein each trench penetrates the substrate from the first surface to the second surface; a conductive layer having an electrical conductivity higher than the substrate and disposed on a sidewall of one of the plurality of partial regions from the first surface to the second surface; and an insulator embedded in each trench.

Abstract: Methods for forming CMOS integrated circuit structures are provided, the methods comprising performing a first implantation process for performing at least one of a halo implantation and a source and drain extension implantation into a region of a semiconductor substrate and then forming a stressor region in another region of the semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, a semiconductor device structure is provided, the structure comprising a stressor region embedded into a semiconductor substrate adjacent to a gate structure, the embedded stressor region having a surface differing along a normal direction of the surface from an interface by less than about 8 nm, wherein the interface is formed between the gate structure and the substrate.

Abstract: A circuit substrate structure including a substrate, a dielectric stack layer, a first plating layer and a second plating layer is provided. The substrate has a pad. The dielectric stack layer is disposed on the substrate and has an opening exposing the pad, wherein the dielectric stack layer includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer located between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, and there is a gap between the portion of the first dielectric layer surrounding the opening and the portion of the second dielectric layer surrounding the opening. The first plating layer is disposed at the dielectric stack layer. The second plating layer is disposed at the pad, wherein the gap isolates the first plating layer from the second plating layer.

Abstract: A method of filling shallow trenches is disclosed. The method includes: successively forming a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer over the surface of a silicon substrate where shallow trenches are formed in; etching the second oxide layer to form inner sidewalls with an etchant which has a high etching selectivity ratio of the second oxide layer to the first oxide layer; growing a high-quality pad oxide layer by thermal oxidation after the inner sidewalls are removed; and filling the trenches with an isolation dielectric material. By using this method, the risk of occurrence of junction spiking and electrical leakage during a subsequent process of forming a metal silicide can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for formation of a shallow trench isolation (STI) in an active region of a device comprising trench capacitive elements, the trench capacitive elements comprising a metal plate and a high-k dielectric includes etching a STI trench in the active region of the device, wherein the STI trench is directly adjacent to at least one of the metal plate or high-k dielectric of the trench capacitive elements; and forming an oxide liner in the STI trench, wherein the oxide liner is formed selectively to the metal plate or high-k dielectric, wherein forming the oxide liner is performed at a temperature of about 600° C. or less.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure with an oxide-filled large deep trench (OFLDT) portion having trench size TCS and trench depth TCD is disclosed. A bulk semiconductor layer (BSL) is provided with a thickness BSLT>TCD. A large trench top area (LTTA) is mapped out atop BSL with its geometry equal to OFLDT. The LTTA is partitioned into interspersed, complementary interim areas ITA-A and ITA-B. Numerous interim vertical trenches of depth TCD are created into the top BSL surface by removing bulk semiconductor materials corresponding to ITA-B. The remaining bulk semiconductor materials corresponding to ITA-A are converted into oxide. If any residual space is still left between the so-converted ITA-A, the residual space is filled up with oxide deposition. Importantly, the geometry of all ITA-A and ITA-B should be configured simple and small enough to facilitate fast and efficient processes of oxide conversion and oxide filling.

Abstract: A high voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor laterally diffused device (HV LDMOS), particularly an insulated gate bipolar junction transistor (IGBT), and a method of making it are provided in this disclosure. The device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure formed on the substrate, a source and a drain formed in the substrate on either side of the gate structure, a first doped well formed in the substrate, and a second doped well formed in the first well. The gate, source, second doped well, a portion of the first well, and a portion of the drain structure are surrounded by a deep trench isolation feature and an implanted oxygen layer in the silicon substrate.

Abstract: An electronic device including an integrated circuit can include a buried conductive region and a semiconductor layer overlying the buried conductive region, and a vertical conductive structure extending through the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the buried conductive region. The integrated circuit can further include a doped structure having an opposite conductivity type as compared to the buried conductive region, lying closer to an opposing surface than to a primary surface of the semiconductor layer, and being electrically connected to the buried conductive region. The integrated circuit can also include a well region that includes a portion of the semiconductor layer, wherein the portion overlies the doped structure and has a lower dopant concentration as compared to the doped structure. In other embodiment, the doped structure can be spaced apart from the buried conductive region.

Abstract: Processes for forming isolation structures for semiconductor devices include forming a submerged floor isolation region and a filed trench which together enclose an isolated pocket of the substrate. One process aligns the trench to the floor isolation region. In another process a second, narrower trench is formed in the isolated pocket and filled with a dielectric material while the dielectric material is deposited so as to line the walls and floor of the first trench. The substrate does not contain an epitaxial layer, thereby overcoming the many problems associated with fabricating the same.

Abstract: Methods and structures for forming semiconductor FinFET devices with superior repeatability and reliability include providing APT (anti-punch through) layer accurately formed beneath a semiconductor fins, are provided. Both the n-type and p-type APT layers are formed prior to the formation of the material from which the semiconductor fin is formed. In some embodiments, barrier layers are added between the accurately positioned APT layer and the semiconductor fin. Ion implantation methods and epitaxial growth methods are used to form appropriately doped APT layers in a semiconductor substrate surface. The fin material is formed over the APT layers using epitaxial growth/deposition methods.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and method for non-periodic pulse sequential lateral solidification relate to processing a thin film. The method for processing a thin film, while advancing a thin film in a selected direction, includes irradiating a first region of the thin film with a first laser pulse and a second laser pulse and irradiating a second region of the thin film with a third laser pulse and a fourth laser pulse, wherein the time interval between the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse is less than half the time interval between the first laser pulse and the third laser pulse. In some embodiments, each pulse provides a shaped beam and has a fluence that is sufficient to melt the thin film throughout its thickness to form molten zones that laterally crystallize upon cooling. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are spaced a distance apart.

Abstract: A fabricating process of circuit substrate sequently includes: providing a substrate with a pad and a dielectric stack layer disposed at the substrate and overlaying the pad, in which the stack layer includes two dielectric layers and a third dielectric layer located between the two dielectric layers, and the etching rate of the third dielectric layer is greater than the etching rate of the two dielectric layers; forming an opening corresponding to the pad at the stack layer; performing a wet etching process on the stack layer to remove the portion of the third dielectric layer surrounding the opening to form a gap between the portions of the two dielectric layers surrounding the opening; performing a plating process on the stack layer and the pad to respectively form two plating layers at the stack layer and the pad, in which the gap isolates the two plating layers from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and the method uses the mode of thermal annealing the source/drain regions and performing Halo ion implantation to form a Halo ion-implanted region by: first removing the dummy gate to expose the gate dielectric layer to form an opening; then performing a tilted Halo ion implantation to the device from the opening to form a Halo ion-implanted region on both sides of the channel of the semiconductor device; and then annealing to activate the dopants in the Halo ion-implanted region; finally performing subsequent process to the device according to the requirement of the manufacture process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive film whose upper surface and side surface are exposed and an insulation film whose upper surface is exposed, on a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes supplying oxidizing ions or nitriding ions contained in plasma generated by a microwave, a radio-frequency wave, or electron cyclotron resonance to the exposed side surface of the conductive film and the exposed upper surface of the insulation film, by applying a predetermined voltage to the semiconductor substrate, thereby performing anisotropic oxidation or anisotropic nitridation of the exposed side surface of the conductive film and the exposed upper surface of the insulation film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of trenches by etching the substrate; forming a first isolation layer by filling the plurality of the trenches with a first insulation layer; recessing the first insulation layer filling a first group of the plurality of the trenches to a predetermined depth; forming a liner layer over the first group of the trenches with the first insulation layer recessed to the predetermined depth; and forming a second isolation layer by filling the first group of the trenches, where the liner layer is formed, with a second insulation layer.

Abstract: A memory cell includes a vertically oriented transistor having an elevationally outer source/drain region, an elevationally inner source/drain region, and a channel region elevationally between the inner and outer source/drain regions. The inner source/drain region has opposing laterally outer sides. One of a pair of data/sense lines is electrically coupled to and against one of the outer sides of the inner source/drain region. The other of the pair of data/sense lines is electrically coupled to and against the other of the outer sides of the inner source/drain region. An access gate line is elevationally outward of the pair of electrically coupled data/sense lines and is operatively adjacent the channel region. A charge storage device is electrically coupled to the outer source/drain region. Other embodiments and additional aspects, including methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: The growth rate in a selective epitaxial growth process for depositing a threshold adjusting semiconductor alloy, such as a silicon/germanium alloy, may be enhanced by performing a plasma-assisted etch process prior to performing the selective epitaxial growth process. For example, a mask layer may be patterned on the basis of the plasma-assisted etch process, thereby simultaneously providing superior device topography during the subsequent growth process. Hence, the threshold adjusting material may be deposited with enhanced thickness uniformity, thereby reducing overall threshold variability.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a semiconductor device structure with an oxide-filled large deep trench (OFLDT) portion having trench size TCS and trench depth TCD. A bulk semiconductor layer (BSL) is provided with a thickness BSLT>TCD. A large trench top area (LTTA) is mapped out atop BSL with its geometry equal to OFLDT. The LTTA is partitioned into interspersed, complementary interim areas ITA-A and ITA-B. Numerous interim vertical trenches of depth TCD are created into the top BSL surface by removing bulk semiconductor materials corresponding to ITA-B. The remaining bulk semiconductor materials corresponding to ITA-A are converted into oxide. If any residual space is still left between the so-converted ITA-A, the residual space is filled up with oxide deposition. Importantly, the geometry of all ITA-A and ITA-B should be configured simple and small enough to facilitate fast and efficient processes of oxide conversion and oxide filling.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of trenches by etching the substrate; forming a first isolation layer by filling the plurality of the trenches with a first insulation layer; recessing the first insulation layer filling a first group of the plurality of the trenches to a predetermined depth; forming a liner layer over the first group of the trenches with the first insulation layer recessed to the predetermined depth; and forming a second isolation layer by filling the first group of the trenches, where the liner layer is formed, with a second insulation layer.

Abstract: A method of forming diffusion sidewalls in a semiconductor structure and a semiconductor structure having diffusion sidewalls includes etching a trench into a semiconductor substrate to form first and second active regions, lining each trench with an oxide liner along exposed sidewalls of an active silicon region (RX) of the first and second active regions, removing the oxide liner formed along the exposed sidewalls of the RX region of one of the first and second active regions, forming diffusion sidewalls by epitaxially growing in-situ doped material within the exposed sidewalls of the RX region of the one of the first and second active regions, and forming an isolation region within the trench between the first and second active regions to electrically isolate the first and second active regions from each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes forming, on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, an isolation trench including sidewall parts and a bottom part, or a stepped structure including a first planar part, a second planar part, and a step part located at a boundary between the first planar part and the second planar part, and supplying oxidizing ions or nitriding ions contained in plasma generated by a microwave, a radio-frequency wave, or electron cyclotron resonance to the sidewall parts and the bottom part of the isolation trench or the first and second planar parts and the step part of the stepped structure by applying a predetermined voltage to the semiconductor substrate, to perform anisotropic oxidation or anisotropic nitridation of the sidewall parts and the bottom part of the isolation trench or the first and second planar parts and the step part of the stepped structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device in which a field effect transistor utilizing a heterojunction is formed in a device formation region sectioned by a device separation region of a substrate comprising a semiconductor layer laminated while including a semiconductor layer having a heterojunction on a semiconductor substrate. The device separation region is composed of a layer in which a conductive impurity is introduced, and an electrode to which a positive voltage is to be applied is formed on the device separation region, specifically on the surface of at least a part of the device separation region in the periphery of the field effect transistor.

Abstract: In-situ semiconductor process that can fill high aspect ratio (typically at least 6:1, for example 7:1 or higher), narrow width (typically sub 0.13 micron, for example 0.1 micron or less) gaps with significantly reduced incidence of voids or weak spots is provided. This deposition part of the process may involve the use of any suitable high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP CVD) chemistry. Prior to etch back, the feature gap is plugged with an etch selectivity layer. The etch back part of the process involves multiple steps including a sputter etch to reduce the top hat formations followed by a reactive plasma etch to open the gap. This method improves gapfill, reduces the use of high cost fluorine-based etching and produces interim gaps with better sidewall profiles and aspect ratios.

Abstract: Multiple trench depths within an integrated circuit device are formed by first forming trenches in a substrate to a first depth, but of varying widths. Formation of a dielectric layer can cause some of the trenches to fill or close off while leaving other, wider trenches open. Removal of a portion of the dielectric material can then be tailored to expose a bottom of the open trenches while leaving remaining trenches filled. Removal of exposed portions of the underlying substrate can then be used to selectively deepen the open trenches, which can subsequently be filled. Such methods can be used to form trenches of varying depths without the need for subsequent masking.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed by forming a second trench 120 at the base of a first trench 18, depositing insulator 124 at the base of the second trench 120, and then etching cavities 26 laterally from the sidewalls of the second trench, but not the base which is protected by insulator 124. The invention may in particular be used to form semiconductor devices with cavities under the active components, or by filling the cavities to form silicon on insulator or silicon on conductor devices.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor-on-insulator (“SOI”) substrate. In such method an SOI substrate is formed to include (i) an SOI layer of monocrystalline silicon separated from (ii) a bulk semiconductor layer by (iii) a buried oxide (“BOX”) layer including a layer of doped silicate glass. A sacrificial stressed layer is deposited onto the SOI substrate to overlie the SOI layer. Trenches are then etched through the sacrificial stressed layer and into the SOI layer. The SOI substrate is heated with the sacrificial stressed layer sufficiently to cause the glass layer to soften and the sacrificial stressed layer to relax, to thereby apply a stress to the SOI layer to form a stressed SOI layer. The trenches in the stressed SOI layer are then filled with a dielectric material to form trench isolation regions contacting peripheral edges of the stressed SOI layer, the trench isolation regions extending downwardly from a major surface of the stressed SOI layer towards the BOX layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) fabrication technique is provided for isolating very high voltage (1000s of volts) circuitry and low voltage circuitry formed on the same semiconductor die. Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) technology is combined with a pair of adjacent backside high voltage isolation trenches that are fabricated to be wide enough to stand off voltages in excess of 1000V. The lateral trench is fabricated at two levels: the active silicon level and at the wafer backside in the SOI bulk.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes forming, on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, an isolation trench including sidewall parts and a bottom part, or a stepped structure including a first planar part, a second planar part, and a step part located at a boundary between the first planar part and the second planar part, and supplying oxidizing ions or nitriding ions contained in plasma generated by a microwave, a radio-frequency wave, or electron cyclotron resonance to the sidewall parts and the bottom part of the isolation trench or the first and second planar parts and the step part of the stepped structure by applying a predetermined voltage to the semiconductor substrate, to perform anisotropic oxidation or anisotropic nitridation of the sidewall parts and the bottom part of the isolation trench or the first and second planar parts and the step part of the stepped structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including semiconductor material having a bend and a trench feature formed at the bend, and a gate structure at least partially disposed in the trench feature. A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure including forming a semiconductor material with a trench feature over a layer, forming a gate structure at least partially in the trench feature, and bending the semiconductor material such that stress is induced in the semiconductor material in an inversion channel region of the gate structure.

Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing a large semiconductor device which easily operates normally and has excellent current characteristics. A first single-crystal semiconductor layer is provided over an insulating substrate. Then, the first single-crystal semiconductor layer is processed into an island shape. After that, a second single-crystal semiconductor layer is provided over the insulating substrate so as to overlap with part of a region where the first single-crystal semiconductor layer is provided. After that, the second single-crystal semiconductor layer is processed into an island shape. Thus, defects at joint portions in the case of providing the single-crystal semiconductor layers can be reduced.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure and a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes providing a surface; performing an ionized oxygen treatment to the surface; forming an initial layer comprising silicon oxide using first process gases comprising a first oxygen-containing gas and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS); and forming a silicate glass over the initial layer. The method may further include forming a buffer layer using second process gases comprising a second oxygen-containing gas and TEOS, wherein the first and the second process gases have different oxygen-to-TEOS ratio.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of fabricating the same in which strain enhancement is achieved for both nFET and pFET devices is provided. In particular, the present invention provides at least one spacerless FET for stronger strain enhancement and defect reduction. The at least one spacerless FET can be a pFET, an nFET, or a combination thereof, with spacerless pFETs being particularly preferred since pFETs are generally fabricated to have a greater width than nFETs. The at least one spacerless FET allows to provide a stress inducing liner in closer proximity to the device channel than prior art structures including FETs having spacers. The spacerless FET is achieved without negatively affecting the resistance of the corresponding silicided source/drain diffusion contacts, which do not encroach underneath the spacerless FET.

Abstract: A CMOS integrated circuit includes a substrate having an NMOS region with a P-well and a PMOS region with an N-well. A shallow trench isolation (STI) region is formed between the NMOS and PMOS regions and a composite silicon layer comprising a strained SiGe layer is formed over said P well region and over said N well region. The composite silicon layer is disconnected at the STI region. Gate electrodes are then formed on the composite layer in the NMOS and PMOS regions.

Abstract: A method of forming a floating gate structure is disclosed, and includes modifying the etch chemistry of a plasma treated reactive ion etch process using an inert atom to physically damage a dielectric region. The damaged dielectric region is subsequently etched using a wet etch process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate, a strain-inducing layer, a silicon layer, a FET, and an isolation region. On the silicon substrate, the strain-inducing layer is provided. On the strain-inducing layer, the silicon layer is provided. The strain-inducing layer induces lattice strain in a channel region of the FET in the silicon layer. The silicon layer includes the FET. The FET includes a source/drain region, an SD extension region, a gate electrode and a sidewall. The source/drain region and the strain-inducing layer are spaced from each other. Around the FET, the isolation region is provided. The isolation region penetrates the silicon layer so as to reach the strain-inducing layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having recessed active trenches by providing a substrate with STI and active regions, forming a first oxide layer on the substrate, forming an nitride layer on the first oxide layer, employing a photolithographic process to create at least one recessed active trench through the first oxide layer and the nitride layer and into the substrate to create an isolation region, wherein the at least one trench is perpendicular to at least one gate structure in an active area of the substrate, layering the trench with a second oxide layer, removing the first oxide layer and second oxide layer, forming a third oxide layer on the planar substrate with recessed active trench, and forming the at least one circuitous gate structure on the third oxide layer connecting at least one electronic source and drain.