Having Elevated Source Or Drain (e.g., Epitaxially Formed Source Or Drain, Etc.) Patents (Class 438/300)
  • Patent number: 8912059
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed include semiconductor structures and methods of forming such structures. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing a semiconductor structure including: a substrate; at least one gate structure overlying the substrate; and an interlayer dielectric overlying the substrate and the at least one gate structure; removing the ILD overlying the substrate to expose the substrate; forming a silicide layer over the substrate; forming a conductor over the silicide layer and the at least one gate structure; forming an opening in the conductor to expose a portion of a gate region of the at least one gate structure; and forming a dielectric in the opening in the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, David V. Horak, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8912567
    Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to strained channel complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistor structures and fabrication methods thereof. A strained channel CMOS transistor structure comprises a source stressor region comprising a source extension stressor region; and a drain stressor region comprising a drain extension stressor region; wherein a strained channel region is formed between the source extension stressor region and the drain extension stressor region, a width of said channel region being defined by adjacent ends of said extension stressor regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yung Fu Chong, Zhijiong Luo, Judson Holt
  • Publication number: 20140361250
    Abstract: A transistor includes a silicon carbide crystal (110) having a silicon terminated face (112). A semiconducting-type graphene layer (120) is bonded to the silicon terminated face (112). A first semimetallic-type graphene layer (122) is contiguous with a first portion of the semiconducting-type graphene layer (120). A second semimetallic-type graphene layer (122) is contiguous with a second portion of the semiconducting-type graphene layer (120) that is spaced apart from the first portion. An insulator layer (132) is disposed on a portion of the semiconducting-type graphene layer (120). A gate conductive layer (134) disposed on the insulator layer (132) and spaced apart from the semiconducting-type graphene layer (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Walt A. de Heer
  • Publication number: 20140363943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact structure of a semiconductor device. An exemplary structure for a contact structure for a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a major surface and a trench below the major surface; a strained material filling the trench, wherein a lattice constant of the strained material is different from a lattice constant of the substrate; an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer having an opening over the strained material, wherein the opening comprises dielectric sidewalls and a strained material bottom; a semiconductor layer on the sidewalls and bottom of the opening; a dielectric layer on the semiconductor layer; and a metal layer filling an opening of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Li Wang, Ding-Kang Shih, Chin-Hsiang Lin, Sey-Ping Sun, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Publication number: 20140363941
    Abstract: A dielectric disposable gate structure can be formed across a semiconductor material portion, and active semiconductor regions are formed within the semiconductor material portion. Raised active semiconductor regions are grown over the active semiconductor regions while the dielectric disposable gate structure limits the extent of the raised active semiconductor regions. A planarization dielectric layer is formed over the raised active semiconductor regions. In one embodiment, the dielectric disposable gate structure is removed, and a dielectric gate spacer can be formed by conversion of surface portions of the raised active semiconductor regions around a gate cavity. Alternately, an etch mask layer overlying peripheral portions of the disposable gate structure can be formed, and a gate cavity and a dielectric spacer can be formed by anisotropically etching an unmasked portion of the dielectric disposable gate structure. A replacement gate structure can be formed in the gate cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Shom Ponoth, Marc A. Bergendahl, Steven J. Holmes, David V. Horak, Charles W. Koburger, III, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 8907405
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures with dual trench regions and methods of manufacturing the semiconductor structures are provided herein. The method includes forming a gate structure on an active region and high-k dielectric material formed in one or more trenches adjacent to the active region. The method further includes forming a sacrificial material over the active region and portions of the high-k dielectric material adjacent sidewalls of the active region. The method further includes removing unprotected portions of the high-k dielectric material, leaving behind a liner of high-k dielectric material on the sidewalls of the active region. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material and forming a raised source and drain region adjacent to sidewalls of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reinaldo A. Vega, Hongwen Yan
  • Publication number: 20140353714
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming at least one gate stack on a layer comprising a first semiconductor material and etching source and drain recesses adjacent the at least one gate stack. The method further includes shaping the source and drain recesses to have a vertical side extending upwardly from a bottom to an inclined extension adjacent the at least one gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Nicolas Loubet, Douglas LaTulipe, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20140353718
    Abstract: An improved transistor with channel epitaxial silicon and methods for fabrication thereof. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a transistor includes: forming a gate stack structure on an epitaxial silicon region, a width dimension of the epitaxial silicon region approximating a width dimension of the gate stack structure; encapsulating the epitaxial silicon region under the gate stack structure with sacrificial spacers formed on both sides of the gate stack structure and the epitaxial silicon region; forming a channel of the transistor having a width dimension that approximates that of the epitaxial silicon region and the gate stack structure, the epitaxial silicon region and the gate stack structure formed on the channel of the transistor; removing the sacrificial spacers; and growing a raised epitaxial source and drain from the silicon substrate, with portions of the raised epitaxial source and drain in contact with the epitaxial silicon region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation, STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Loubet, Qing Liu, Prasanna Khare, Stephane Allegret-Maret, Bruce Doris, Kangguo Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140353717
    Abstract: An improved transistor with channel epitaxial silicon. In one aspect, a method of fabrication includes: forming a gate stack structure on an epitaxial silicon region disposed on a substrate, a width dimension of the epitaxial silicon region approximating a width dimension of the gate stack structure; and growing a raised epitaxial source and drain from the substrate, the raised epitaxial source and drain in contact with the epitaxial silicon region and the gate stack structure. For a SRAM device, further: removing an epitaxial layer in contact with the silicon substrate and the raised source and drain and to which the epitaxial silicon region is coupled leaving a space above the silicon substrate and under the raised epitaxial source and drain; and filling the space with an insulating layer and isolating the raised epitaxial source and drain and a channel of the transistor from the silicon substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation, STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Loubet, Qing Liu, Prasanna Khare, Stephane Allegret-Maret, Bruce Doris, Kangguo Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140353741
    Abstract: A method for fabricating enhanced-mobility pFET devices having channel lengths below 50 nm. Gates for pFETs may be patterned in dense arrays on a semiconductor substrate that includes shallow trench isolation (STI) structures. Partially-enclosed voids in the semiconductor substrate may be formed at source and drain regions for the gates, and subsequently filled with epitaxially-grown semiconductor that compressively stresses channel regions below the gates. Some of the gates (dummy gates) may extend over edges of the STI structures to prevent undesirable faceting of the epitaxial material in the source and drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Pietro Montanini, Raymond Joy, Marta Mottura, Henry K. Utomo
  • Patent number: 8900959
    Abstract: A gate-first processing scheme for forming a nanomesh field effect transistor is provided. An alternating stack of two different semiconductor materials is patterned to include two pad regions and nanowire regions. A semiconductor material is laterally etched selective to another semiconductor material to form a nanomesh including suspended semiconductor nanowires. A stack of a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, and a gate cap dielectric is formed over the nanomesh. A dielectric spacer is formed around the gate electrode. An isotropic etch is employed to remove dielectric materials that are formed in lateral recesses of the patterned alternating stack. A selective epitaxy process can be employed to form a source region and a drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Paul Chang, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 8900958
    Abstract: The embodiments of mechanisms for forming source/drain (S/D) regions of field effect transistors (FETs) descried enable forming an epitaxially grown silicon-containing material without using GeH4 in an etch gas mixture of an etch process for a cyclic deposition/etch (CDE) process. The etch process is performed at a temperature different form the deposition process to make the etch gas more efficient. As a result, the etch time is reduced and the throughput is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Meng-Yueh Liu
  • Patent number: 8900960
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device is disclosed. The disclosed method provides improved control over a surface proximity and tip depth of integrated circuit device. In an embodiment, the method achieves improved control by forming a doped region and a lightly doped source and drain (LDD) region in a source and drain region of the device. The doped region is implanted with a dopant type opposite the LDD region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Huan Tsai, Chun-Fai Cheng, Hui Ouyang, Yuan-Hung Chiu, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8900942
    Abstract: A method of fabricating one or more semiconductor devices includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, performing a cycling process to remove contaminants from the trench, and forming an epitaxial layer on the trench. The cycling process includes sequentially supplying a first reaction gas containing germane, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen and a second reaction gas containing hydrogen chloride and hydrogen onto the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Hyuk Kim, Dongsuk Shin, Myungsun Kim, Hoi Sung Chung
  • Patent number: 8901665
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of semiconductor fabrication including forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer on a semiconductor substrate. The ILD layer has an opening defined by sidewalls of the ILD layer. A spacer element is formed on the sidewalls of the ILD layer. A gate structure is formed in the opening adjacent the spacer element. In an embodiment, the sidewall spacer also for a decrease in the dimensions (e.g., length) of the gate structure formed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Kelly, Pei-Shan Chien, Yung-Ta Li, Chan Syun Yang
  • Patent number: 8901538
    Abstract: A nano resonator includes a substrate, a first insulating layer disposed on the substrate, a first source disposed on the first insulating layer at a first position, a first drain disposed on the first insulating layer at a second position spaced apart from the first position so that the first drain faces the first source, a first nano-wire channel having a first end connected to the first source and a second end connected to the first drain, and having a doping type and a doping concentration that are identical to a doping type and a doping concentration of the first source and the first drain, and a second nano-wire channel disposed at a predetermined distance from the first nano-wire channel in a direction perpendicular to the substrate or a direction parallel to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jie Ai Yu, Duck Hwan Kim, In Sang Song, Jing Cui
  • Patent number: 8901654
    Abstract: A material stack including a semiconductor channel portion, a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, and a gate cap dielectric portion is formed on an insulator layer. The material stack is laterally enclosed by a dielectric spacer including a dielectric material that is different from the dielectric material of the insulator layer. The material stack and the dielectric spacer are undercut by an isotropic etch that removes the material of the insulator layer selective to the material of the dielectric spacer. A selective epitaxy process is employed to deposit a doped semiconductor material, which forms a source region and a drain region that are epitaxially in contact with the semiconductor channel portion. Metal semiconductor alloy portions can be formed on the source region and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Erwan Dornel
  • Publication number: 20140349459
    Abstract: A structure has at least one field effect transistor having a gate stack disposed between raised source drain structures that are adjacent to the gate stack. The gate stack and raised source drain structures are disposed on a surface of a semiconductor material. The structure further includes a layer of field dielectric overlying the gate stack and raised source drain structures and first contact metal and second contact metal extending through the layer of field dielectric. The first contact metal terminates in a first trench formed through a top surface of a first raised source drain structure, and the second contact metal terminates in a second trench formed through a top surface of a second raised source drain structure. Each trench has silicide formed on sidewalls and a bottom surface of at least a portion of the trench. Methods to fabricate the structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Pranita Kerber, Christian Lavoie
  • Patent number: 8896062
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor base, on an insulation layer; source/drain regions abutting opposite first sides of the semiconductor base; and gates at opposite second sides of the semiconductor base, wherein the semiconductor base includes a cavity, and the insulation layer is exposed by the cavity. The invention also provides a method for forming a semiconductor device, including: forming a semiconductor bottom on an insulation layer; forming source/drain regions, the source/drain regions abutting opposite first sides of the semiconductor bottom; forming gates on opposite second sides of the semiconductor bottom; and removing a part of the semiconductor bottom to form a cavity in the semiconductor bottom, the cavity exposing the insulation layer. With the technical solutions provided by the invention, short-channel effects can be alleviated, and the resistance of the source/drain regions and parasitic capacitance can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventor: Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8895379
    Abstract: A structure has at least one field effect transistor having a gate stack disposed between raised source drain structures that are adjacent to the gate stack. The gate stack and raised source drain structures are disposed on a surface of a semiconductor material. The structure further includes a layer of field dielectric overlying the gate stack and raised source drain structures and first contact metal and second contact metal extending through the layer of field dielectric. The first contact metal terminates in a first trench formed through a top surface of a first raised source drain structure, and the second contact metal terminates in a second trench formed through a top surface of a second raised source drain structure. Each trench has silicide formed on sidewalls and a bottom surface of at least a portion of the trench. Methods to fabricate the structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Pranita Kulkarni, Christian Lavoie
  • Patent number: 8889554
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure, comprising: forming a first contact layer on an exposed active region of a first spacer; forming a second spacer at a region of the first contact layer close to a gate stack to partially cover the exposed active region; forming a second contact layer in the uncovered exposed active region, wherein when a diffusion coefficient of the first contact layer is the same as that of the second contact layer, the first contact layer has a thickness less than that of the second contact layer; and when the diffusion coefficient of the first contact layer is different from that of the second contact layer, the diffusion coefficient of the first contact layer is smaller than that of the second contact layer. Correspondingly, the present invention also provides a semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Institue of Microelectronics Chinese Academy of Science
    Inventors: Haizhou Yin, Wei Jiang, Zhijiong Luo, Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8883651
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transistor of a semiconductor device, the method including forming a gate pattern on a semiconductor substrate, forming a spacer on a sidewall of the gate pattern, wet etching the semiconductor substrate to form a first recess in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first recess is adjacent to the spacer, and wet etching the first recess to form a second recess in the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seokhoon Kim, Sangsu Kim, Chung Geun Koh, Byeongchan Lee, Sunghil Lee, Jinyeong Joe
  • Patent number: 8884344
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of forming gate caps. Embodiments may include providing a semiconductor device including a gate on a semiconductor substrate and a source/drain region on the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate, forming a blocking region, a top surface of which extends above a top surface of the gate, depositing an insulating layer above the semiconductor device, and planarizing the insulating layer using the blocking region as a planarization stop. Embodiments further include semiconductor devices having a semiconductor substrate, a gate above the semiconductor substrate, a source/drain region adjacent to the gate, a gate cap above the gate that cover the full width of the gate, and a contact adjacent to the source/drain region having a portion of its sidewall defined by the gate cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek, Raghavasimhan Sreenivasan, Thomas N. Adam
  • Publication number: 20140327054
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes epitaxial raised source/drain (RSD) regions formed on the surface of a semiconductor substrate through selective epitaxial growth. In one embodiment, the faceted side portions of the RSD regions are utilized to form cavity regions which may be filled with a dielectric material to form dielectric spacer regions. Spacers may be formed over the dielectric spacer regions. In another embodiment, the faceted side portions may be selectively grown to form air gap spacer regions in the cavity regions. A conformal spacer layer with interior and exterior surfaces may be formed in the cavity region, creating an air gap spacer defined by the interior surfaces of the conformal spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Juntao Li, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8877595
    Abstract: A transistor is formed in a semiconductor substrate with a gate over a channel region, source/drain extension regions in the substrate adjacent the channel region, and source/drain regions in the substrate adjacent the source/drain extension regions. Silicide is formed on the source/drain extension regions and the source/drain regions so that the silicide has a first thickness over the source/drain extension regions and a second thickness over source/drain regions, with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness. Silicide on the source/drain extension regions lowers transistor series resistance which boosts transistor performance and also protects the source/drain extension regions from silicon loss and silicon damage during contact etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Manoj Mehrotra
  • Patent number: 8878300
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on a substrate, forming a gate overlying the plurality of semiconductor fins, forming respective unmerged semiconductor regions on the semiconductor fins on opposing sides of the gate, and forming a dielectric layer overlying the unmerged semiconductor regions. The method may further include etching the dielectric layer to define contact recesses having recess bottoms exposing the unmerged semiconductor regions, forming a respective semiconductor layer on each of the exposed unmerged semiconductor regions to extend outwardly from adjacent portions of the recess bottom, and siliciding each of the semiconductor layers to define respective source and drain contacts extending outwardly from adjacent portions of the recess bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Qing Liu, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 8872274
    Abstract: An upside-down p-FET is provided on a donor substrate. The upside-down p-FET includes: self-terminating e-SiGe source and drain regions; a cap of self-aligning silicide/germanide over the e-SiGe source and drain regions; a silicon channel region connecting the e-SiGe source and drain regions; buried oxide above the silicon channel region; and a gate controlling current flow from the e-SiGe source region to the e-SiGe drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M Cohen, David J Frank, Isaac Lauer
  • Patent number: 8872228
    Abstract: A method for controlling IC device strain and the devices thereby formed are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment includes receiving an IC device substrate having a device region corresponding to an IC device. An implantation process is performed on the device region forming an amorphous region within the device region. The IC device substrate is recessed to define a source/drain recess in the device region having a profile determined by the amorphous structure of the amorphous region. A source/drain epitaxy is then performed to form a source/drain structure within the source/drain recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Fai Cheng, Bwo-Ning Chen, Chin-Te Su, Huang-Sheng Ho
  • Patent number: 8871584
    Abstract: A finFET is formed having a fin with a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source and drain regions. The fin is etched on a semiconductor wafer. A gate stack is formed having an insulating layer in direct contact with the channel region and a conductive gate material in direct contact with the insulating layer. The source and drain regions are etched to expose a first region of the fin. A portion of the first region is then doped with a dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Ion Beam Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Tang, Tzu-Shih Yen
  • Patent number: 8871585
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes: forming a first gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate in first and second regions in an active area; forming first gate electrodes on the first gate insulating film in the first and second regions; forming source/drain regions by introducing impurities at both sides of the first gate electrode in the first and second regions; performing heat treatment of activating the impurities; forming a stress liner film so as to cover the whole surface of first gate electrodes in the first and second regions; removing the stress liner film at an upper portion of the first gate electrode in the second region while allowing the stress liner film at least at a portion in the first region to remain to expose the upper portion of the first gate electrode in the second region; forming a groove by removing the first gate electrode in the second region; and forming a second gate electrode in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20140315366
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to semiconductor technologies and discloses a semiconductor device and its method of making. In the present disclosure, a transistor's source and drain are led out by concurrently formed metal-semiconductor compound contact regions at the source and drain and metal-semiconductor compounds in vias formed at positions corresponding to the source and drain. Because the metal-semiconductor compound has relatively low resistivity, the resistance of the metal-semiconductor compounds in the vias can be minimized. Also, because the material used to fill the vias and the material forming the source/drain contact regions are both metal-semiconductor compound, contact resistance between the material filling the vias and the metal-semiconductor compound source/drain contact regions can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FUDAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Dongping Wu, Chenyu Wen, Wei Zhang, Shi-Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 8865556
    Abstract: Techniques for forming a smooth silicide without the use of a cap layer are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided. The FET device includes a SOI wafer having a SOI layer over a BOX and at least one active area formed in the wafer; a gate stack over a portion of the at least one active area which serves as a channel of the device; source and drain regions of the device adjacent to the gate stack, wherein the source and drain regions of the device include a semiconductor material selected from: silicon and silicon germanium; and silicide contacts to the source and drain regions of the device, wherein an interface is present between the silicide contacts and the semiconductor material, and wherein the interface has an interface roughness of less than about 5 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Newbury, Kenneth Parker Rodbell, Zhen Zhang, Yu Zhu
  • Patent number: 8859378
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for manufacturing a Fin Field-Effect Transistor. When a fin is formed, a dummy gate across the fin is formed on the fin, a spacer is formed on sidewalls of the dummy gate, and a cover layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and on the fin outside the dummy gate and the spacer; then, an self-aligned and elevated source/drain region is formed at both sides of the dummy gate by the spacer, wherein the upper surfaces of the gate and the source/drain region are in the same plane. The upper surfaces of the gate and the source/drain region are in the same plane, making alignment of the contact plug easier; and the gate and the source/drain region are separated by the spacer, thereby improving alignment accuracy, solving inaccurate alignment of the contact plug, and improving device AC performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Qingqing Liang, Huicai Zhong, Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8859359
    Abstract: Floating body cell structures including an array of floating body cells disposed on a back gate and source regions and drain regions of the floating body cells spaced apart from the back gate. The floating body cells may each include a volume of semiconductive material having a channel region extending between pillars, which may be separated by a void, such as a U-shaped trench. The floating body cells of the array may be electrically coupled to another gate, which may be disposed on sidewalls of the volume of semiconductive material or within the void therein. Methods of forming the floating body cell devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, John K. Zahurak, Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 8859381
    Abstract: A field-effect transistor (FET) and methods for fabricating such. The FET includes a substrate having a crystalline orientation, a source region in the substrate, and a drain region in the substrate. Gate spacers are positioned over the source region and the drain region. The gate spacers include a gate spacer height. A source contact physically and electrically contacts the source region and extends beyond the gate spacer height. A drain contact physically and electrically contacts the drain region and extends beyond the gate spacer height. The source and drain contacts have the same crystalline orientation as the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Wilfried E. Haensch, Effendi Leobandung, Min Yang
  • Patent number: 8853039
    Abstract: The embodiments of mechanisms for forming source/drain (S/D) regions of field effect transistors (FETs) described enable forming an epitaxially grown silicon-containing layer with reduced number of particles on surface of recesses. The described mechanisms also reduce the effect of the residual particles on the epitaxial growth. The mechanisms include controlled etch of a native oxide layer on the surfaces of recesses to reduce creation of particles, and pre-CDE etch to remove particles from surface. The mechanisms also include reduced etch/deposition ratio(s) of initial CDE unit cycle(s) of CDE process to reduce the effect of residual particles on the formation of the epitaxially grown silicon-containing layer. With the application of one or more of the mechanisms, the quality of the epitaxial layer is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Chien-Chang Su
  • Patent number: 8853038
    Abstract: A gate stack is formed on a silicon layer that is above a buried oxide layer. The gate stack comprises a high-k oxide layer on the silicon layer and a metal gate on the high-k oxide layer. A first nitride layer is formed on the silicon layer and the gate stack. An oxide layer is formed on the first nitride layer. A second nitride layer is formed on the oxide layer. The first nitride layer and the oxide layer are etched so as to form a nitride liner and an oxide liner adjacent to the gate stack. The second nitride layer is etched so as to form a first nitride spacer adjacent to the oxide liner. A faceted raised source/drain region is epitaxially formed adjacent to the nitride liner, the oxide liner, and first nitride spacer. Ions are implanted into the faceted raised source/drain region using the first nitride spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Pranita Kulkarni, Ghavam Shahidi
  • Patent number: 8853037
    Abstract: Methods are provided for forming semiconductor devices. One method includes forming a first layer overlying a bulk semiconductor substrate. A second layer is formed overlying the first layer. A plurality of trenches is etched into the first and second layers. Portions of the second layer that are disposed between the plurality of trenches define a plurality of fins. A gate structure is formed overlying the plurality of fins. The first layer is etched to form gap spaces between the bulk semiconductor substrate and the plurality of fins. The plurality of fins is at least partially supported in position adjacent to the gap spaces by the gate structure. The gap spaces are filled with an insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Cho
  • Patent number: 8853041
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a region; forming a gate structure on the region of the substrate; forming a raised epitaxial layer in the substrate adjacent to two sides of the gate structure; covering a dielectric layer on the gate structure and the raised epitaxial layer; and using a planarizing process to partially remove the dielectric layer and the gate structure such that the surface of the gate structure is even with the surface of the raised epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-Wen Hung
  • Patent number: 8853010
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate and first and second stress-generating epitaxial regions on the substrate and spaced apart from each other. A channel region is on the substrate and positioned between the first and second stress-generating epitaxial regions. A gate electrode is on the channel region. The channel region is an epitaxial layer, and the first and second stress-generating epitaxial regions impart a stress on the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heung-Kyu Park, Woo-Bin Song, Nam-Kyu Kim, Su-Jin Jung, Byeong-Chan Lee, Young-Pil Kim, Sun-Ghil Lee
  • Patent number: 8853040
    Abstract: A method of forming a transistor device includes forming a patterned gate structure over a semiconductor substrate; forming a spacer layer over the semiconductor substrate and patterned gate structure; removing horizontally disposed portions of the spacer layer so as to form a vertical sidewall spacer adjacent the patterned gate structure; and forming a raised source/drain (RSD) structure over the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the vertical sidewall spacer, wherein the RSD structure has a substantially vertical sidewall profile so as to abut the vertical sidewall spacer and produce one of a compressive and a tensile strain on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate below the patterned gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Pranita Kerber, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Publication number: 20140295637
    Abstract: A method comprising steps of removing a first dielectric material, including a hard mask layer and one or more spacer material layers, from a semiconductor device having a sacrificial gate whose sidewalls being covered by said spacer material layers, and a raised source and a raised drain region with both, together with said sacrificial gate, being covered by said hard mask layer, wherein the removing is selective to the sacrificial gate, raised source region and raised drain region and creates a void between each of the raised source region, raised drain region and sacrificial gate. The method includes depositing a conformal layer of a second dielectric material to the semiconductor device, wherein the second material conforms in a uniform layer to the raised source region, raised drain region and sacrificial gate, and fills the void between each of the raised source region, raised drain region and sacrificial gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sanjay C. Mehta, Shom S. Ponoth, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Theodorus E. Standaert, Tenko Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140291734
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having an isolated area comprising a first region and a second region. A first raised RSD region is formed in the first region and a second RSD region is formed in the second region. The first RSD region and second RSD region is separated laterally by a portion of the isolated area. A continuous silicide interconnect structure is formed overlying the first RSD region, the second RSD region and the portion of the isolated area situated between RSD regions. A contact may be formed on the surface of the silicide interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 8847315
    Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device and methods of formation thereof are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a CMOS device includes a silicon substrate, a dielectric insulator material on the silicon substrate, and an extension layer on the dielectric insulator material. The CMOS device further includes a gate in contact with a channel and in contact with an extension region. The CMOS device also includes a source in contact with the extension region and a drain in contact with the extension region. The extension region includes a first region in contact with the source and the gate and includes a second region in contact with the drain and the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Bin Yang, Xia Li, Jun Yuan
  • Patent number: 8841181
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A gate layer, a C-doped first protective layer and a hard mask layer are formed on a substrate and then patterned to form a first stack in a first area and a second stack in a second area. A second protective layer is formed on the sidewalls of the first and the second stacks. A blocking layer is formed in the first area and a first spacer formed on the sidewall of the second protective layers on the sidewall of the second stack in the second area. A semiconductor compound is formed in the substrate beside the first spacer. The blocking layer and the first spacer are removed. The hard mask layer in the first stack and the second stack is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ying-Hung Chou, Shao-Hua Hsu, Chi-Horn Pai, Zen-Jay Tsai, Shih-Hao Su, Chun-Chia Chen, Shih-Chieh Hsu, Chih-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 8841192
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with improved roll-off resistivity and reliability are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric overlying a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode overlying the gate dielectric, a gate silicide region on the gate electrode, a source/drain region adjacent the gate dielectric, and a source/drain silicide region on the source/drain region, wherein the source/drain silicide region and the gate silicide region have different metal compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tan-Chen Lee, Bor-Wen Chan
  • Publication number: 20140264635
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, and a deep well region in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the deep well region is of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The device further includes a well region of the first conductivity type over the deep well region. The semiconductor substrate has a top portion overlying the well region, and a bottom portion underlying the deep well region, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are of the first conductivity type, and have a high resistivity. A gate dielectric is over the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric. A source region and a drain region extend into the top portion of the semiconductor substrate. The source region, the drain region, the gate dielectric, and the gate electrode form a Radio Frequency (RF) switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Chung Chen, Chi-Feng Huang, Shu Fang Fu, Tzu-Jin Yeh, Chewn-Pu Jou
  • Publication number: 20140264636
    Abstract: The embodiments of mechanisms for forming source/drain (S/D) regions of field effect transistors (FETs) described uses Cl2 as an etchant during the epitaxial formation of the S/D regions. The mechanisms involve using an asymmetric cyclic deposition and etch (ACDE) process that forms a preparation layer enable epitaxial growth of the following epitaxial layer with transistor dopants. The mechanisms also involve soaking the surface of substrate with dopant-containing precursors to enable sufficient incorporation of transistor dopants during the epitaxial growth of the S/D regions. By using Cl2 as etchants, the mechanisms also enables high throughput of the epitaxial growth of the S/D regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Tsan-Yao Chen, Jian-An Ke
  • Publication number: 20140264276
    Abstract: A gate-first processing scheme for forming a nanomesh field effect transistor is provided. An alternating stack of two different semiconductor materials is patterned to include two pad regions and nanowire regions. A semiconductor material is laterally etched selective to another semiconductor material to form a nanomesh including suspended semiconductor nanowires. A stack of a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, and a gate cap dielectric is formed over the nanomesh. A dielectric spacer is formed around the gate electrode. An isotropic etch is employed to remove dielectric materials that are formed in lateral recesses of the patterned alternating stack. A selective epitaxy process can be employed to form a source region and a drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Paul Chang, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Publication number: 20140264482
    Abstract: After formation of a disposable gate structure, a raised active semiconductor region includes a vertical stack, from bottom to top, of an electrical-dopant-doped semiconductor material portion and a carbon-doped semiconductor material portion. A planarization dielectric layer is deposited over the raised active semiconductor region, and the disposable gate structure is replaced with a replacement gate structure. A contact via cavity is formed through the planarization dielectric material layer by an anisotropic etch process that employs a fluorocarbon gas as an etchant. The carbon in the carbon-doped semiconductor material portion retards the anisotropic etch process, and the carbon-doped semiconductor material portion functions as a stopping layer for the anisotropic etch process, thereby making the depth of the contact via cavity less dependent on variations on the thickness of the planarization dielectric layer or pattern factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhengwen Li, Qing Cao, Kangguo Cheng, Fei Liu, Zhen Zhang