Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: first semiconductor regions extending in a first direction and arranged in a direction crossing the first direction; control gate electrodes provided on an upper side of the first semiconductor regions, extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and arranged in a direction crossing the second direction; a charge storage layer provided in a position each of the first semiconductor regions and each of the control gate electrodes cross; a first insulating film provided between the charge storage layer and each of the first semiconductor regions; a second insulating film provided between the charge storage layer and each of the control gate electrodes; and a silicon-containing layer in contact with part of a side wall of each of the control gate electrodes and having a gradient in a silicon concentration in a direction crossing the second direction.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures may include a stack of alternating dielectric materials and control gates, charge storage structures laterally adjacent to the control gates, a charge block material between each of the charge storage structures and the laterally adjacent control gates, and a pillar extending through the stack of alternating oxide materials and control gates. Each of the dielectric materials in the stack has at least two portions of different densities and/or different rates of removal. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such semiconductor structures.

Abstract: Graded dielectric layers and methods of fabricating such dielectric layers provide dielectrics in a variety of electronic structures for use in a wide range of electronic devices and systems. In an embodiment, a dielectric layer is graded with respect to a doping profile across the dielectric layer. In an embodiment, a dielectric layer is graded with respect to a crystalline structure profile across the dielectric layer. In an embodiment, a dielectric layer is formed by atomic layer deposition incorporating sequencing techniques to generate a doped dielectric material.

Abstract: A gate structure includes a gate dielectric over a substrate, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric, wherein the gate dielectric contacts sidewalls of the gate electrode. The gate structure further includes a nitrogen-containing dielectric layer surrounding the gate electrode, and a contact etch stop layer (CESL) surrounding the nitrogen-containing dielectric layer. The gate structure further includes an interlayer dielectric layer surrounding the CESL and a lightly doped region in the substrate, the lightly doped region extends beyond an interface of the sidewalls of the gate electrode and the gate dielectric.

Abstract: A 3D semiconductor device includes an electrode structure has electrodes stacked on a substrate, semiconductor patterns penetrating the electrode structure, charge storing patterns interposed between the semiconductor patterns and the electrode structure, and blocking insulating patterns interposed between the charge storing patterns and the electrode structure. Each of the blocking insulating patterns surrounds the semiconductor patterns, and the charge storing patterns are horizontally spaced from each other and configured in such a way as to each be disposed around a respective one of the semiconductor patterns. Also, each of the charge storing patterns includes a plurality of horizontal segments, each interposed between vertically adjacent ones of the electrodes.

Abstract: A method for semiconductor fabrication includes forming at least one of a diffusion barrier layer and a metal containing layer over a dielectric layer in a gate cavity. A first anneal is performed to diffuse elements from the at least one of the diffusion barrier layer and the metal containing layer into the dielectric layer. The metal containing layer and the diffusion barrier layer are removed. A second anneal is performed to adjust diffusion of the elements in the dielectric layer to provide a gate dielectric region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dummy gate in a gate-last process and a dummy gate in a gate-last process are provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; growing a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; depositing bottom-layer amorphous silicon on the gate oxide layer; depositing an ONO structured hard mask on the bottom-layer amorphous silicon; depositing top-layer amorphous silicon on the ONO structured hard mask; depositing a hard mask layer on the top-layer amorphous silicon; forming photoresist lines on the hard mask layer, and trimming the formed photoresist lines so that the trimmed photoresist lines a width less than or equal to 22 nm; and etching the hard mask layer, the top-layer amorphous silicon, the ONO structured hard mask and the bottom-layer amorphous silicon in accordance with the trimmed photoresist lines, and removing the photoresist lines, the hard mask layer and the top-layer amorphous silicon.

Abstract: A method of forming circuitry components includes forming a stack of horizontally extending and vertically overlapping features. The stack has a primary portion and an end portion. At least some of the features extend farther in the horizontal direction in the end portion moving deeper into the stack in the end portion. Operative structures are formed vertically through the features in the primary portion and dummy structures are formed vertically through the features in the end portion. Horizontally elongated openings are formed through the features to form horizontally elongated and vertically overlapping lines from material of the features. The lines individually extend from the primary portion into the end portion, and individually laterally about sides of vertically extending portions of both the operative structures and the dummy structures.

Abstract: On a silicon substrate is formed a stacked body by alternately stacking a plurality of silicon oxide films and silicon films, a trench is formed in the stacked body, an alumina film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film are formed in this order on an inner surface of the trench, and a channel silicon crystalline film is formed on the silicon oxide film. Next, a silicon oxide layer is formed at an interface between the silicon oxide film and the channel silicon crystalline film by performing thermal treatment in an oxygen gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and the manufacture of such semiconductor devices are described. According to various aspects of the disclosure, a semiconductor device can include a memory region, a first logic region, and a second logic region. A select gate can be formed in the memory region of the device and a first logic gate formed in the logic region. A charge trapping dielectric can then be disposed and removed from a second logic region. A gate conductor layer can then be disposed on the device and etched to define a memory gate on the sidewall of the select gate and a second logic gate in the second logic region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to methods of adjusting transistor flat band voltage, and transistor gates formed using the same. In one embodiment, a method sequentially includes cleaning a substrate, annealing the substrate in a nitrogen-containing environment to form silicon-nitrogen bonds, hydroxylating the substrate surface, and depositing a hafnium oxide layer over the substrate. In another embodiment, the method further includes depositing an aluminum oxide layer over the substrate prior to depositing the hafnium oxide layer, and then annealing the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of forming thin-film transistors and memories are disclosed. In one such method, polycrystalline silicon is hydrogen plasma doped to form doped polycrystalline silicon. The doped polycrystalline silicon is then annealed. The hydrogen plasma doping and the annealing are decoupled.

Abstract: Disclosed are new methods of fabricating metal oxide thin films and nanomaterial-derived metal composite thin films via solution processes at low temperatures (<400° C.). The present thin films are useful as thin film semiconductors, thin film dielectrics, or thin film conductors, and can be implemented into semiconductor devices such as thin film transistors and thin film photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming an interfacial layer material over a semiconductor substrate and forming a gate insulation layer over the interfacial layer material that includes a combination of a layer of a hafnium oxide material and a layer of hafnium silicate material. The layer of the hafnium silicate material includes less than about 40% of an overall height of the gate insulation layer.

Abstract: A high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric layer is formed on semiconductor fins including one or more semiconductor materials. A patterned diffusion barrier metallic nitride layer is formed to overlie at least one channel, while not overlying at least another channel. A threshold voltage adjustment oxide layer is formed on the physically exposed portions of the high-k gate dielectric layer and the diffusion barrier metallic nitride layer. An anneal is performed to drive in the material of the threshold voltage adjustment oxide layer to the interface between the intrinsic channel(s) and the high-k gate dielectric layer, resulting in formation of threshold voltage adjustment oxide portions. At least one workfunction material layer is formed, and is patterned with the high-k gate dielectric layer and the threshold voltage adjustment oxide portions to form multiple types of gate stacks straddling the semiconductor fins.

Abstract: Intrinsic channels one or more intrinsic semiconductor materials are provided in a semiconductor substrate. A high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric layer is formed on the intrinsic channels. A patterned diffusion barrier metallic nitride layer is formed. A threshold voltage adjustment oxide layer is formed on the physically exposed portions of the high-k gate dielectric layer and the diffusion barrier metallic nitride layer. An anneal is performed to drive in the material of the threshold voltage adjustment oxide layer to the interface between the intrinsic channel(s) and the high-k gate dielectric layer, resulting in formation of threshold voltage adjustment oxide portions. At least one work function material layer is formed, and is patterned with the high-k gate dielectric layer and the threshold voltage adjustment oxide portions to form multiple types of gate stacks.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having an improved gate contact and a method of making the circuit are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a substrate. The substrate includes a gate stack disposed on the substrate and an interlayer dielectric disposed on the gate stack. The interlayer dielectric is first etched to expose a portion of the gate electrode, and then the exposed portion of the gate electrode is etched to form a cavity. The cavity is shaped such that a portion of the gate electrode overhangs the electrode. A conductive material is deposited within the cavity and in electrical contact with the gate electrode. In some such embodiments, the etching of the gate electrode forms a curvilinear surface of the gate electrode that defines the cavity.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure by growing an interfacial layer on a substrate, depositing a High K layer on the interfacial layer, depositing a TiN Cap on the High K layer and forming a thin barrier layer on the TiN Cap. The gate structure is annealed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a metal gate is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device with a metal gate includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain features on the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the source and drain features. The gate stack includes a HK dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of barrier layers of a metal compound formed on top of the HK dielectric layer, wherein each of the barrier layers has a different chemical composition; and a stack of metals gate layers deposited over the plurality of barrier layers.

Abstract: Apparatus having a dielectric containing scandium and gadolinium can provide a reliable structure with a high dielectric constant (high k). In an embodiment, a monolayer or partial monolayer sequence process, such as for example atomic layer deposition (ALD), can be used to form a dielectric containing gadolinium oxide and scandium oxide. In an embodiment, a dielectric structure can be formed by depositing gadolinium oxide by atomic layer deposition onto a substrate surface using precursor chemicals, followed by depositing scandium oxide onto the substrate using precursor chemicals, and repeating to form a thin laminate structure. A dielectric containing scandium and gadolinium may be used as gate insulator of a MOSFET, a capacitor dielectric in a DRAM, as tunnel gate insulators in flash memories, as a NROM dielectric, or as a dielectric in other electronic devices, because the high dielectric constant (high k) of the film provides the functionality of a much thinner silicon dioxide film.

Abstract: FinFET structures and methods of manufacturing the FinFET structures are disclosed. The method includes performing an oxygen anneal process on a gate stack of a FinFET structure to induce Vt shift. The oxygen anneal process is performed after sidewall pull down and post silicide.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a dual gate allows for the gates to have a wide variety of threshold voltages. The method includes forming a gate insulation layer, a first capping layer, and a barrier layer in the foregoing sequence across a first region and a second region on a substrate, exposing the gate insulation layer on the first region by removing the first capping layer and the barrier layer from the first region, forming a second capping layer on the gate insulation layer in the first region and on the barrier layer in the second region, and thermally processing the substrate on which the second capping layer is formed. The thermal processing causes material of the second capping layer to spread into the gate insulation layer in the first region and material of the first capping layer to spread into the gate insulation layer in the second region. Thus, devices having different threshold voltages can be formed in the first and second regions.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures including an etch stop material between a substrate and a stack of alternating insulating materials and first conductive materials, wherein the etch stop material comprises an amorphous aluminum oxide on the substrate and a crystalline aluminum oxide on the amorphous aluminum oxide; a channel material extending through the stack; and a second conductive material between the channel material and at least one of the first conductive materials in the stack of alternating insulating materials and first conductive materials, wherein the second conductive material is not between the channel material and the etch stop material. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such semiconductor structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The device includes insulating patterns and conductive patterns stacked alternately, a channel layer formed through the insulating patterns and the conductive patterns, a tunnel insulating layer formed to surround sidewalls of the channel layer, and a charge storage layer formed to surround the tunnel insulating layer. An interfacial surface of the tunnel insulating layer in contact with the charge storage layer includes a thermal oxide layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a wafer annealing tool and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the wafer annealing tool, wherein the electrodes are configured to be in physical contact with a wafer so that, when the wafer is annealed, a negative electrical bias is formed across one or more gate stacks of the wafer.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes exposing a portion of a surface of a semiconductor substrate between a first spacer and a second spacer. The method further includes selectively forming a dielectric layer on the portion of the surface. A metal gate is formed over the dielectric layer and between the first spacer and the second spacer. The metal gate contacts the first spacer and the second spacer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with the metal fuse is provided. The metal fuse connects an electronic component (e.g., a transistor) and a existing dummy feature which is grounded. The protection of the metal fuse can be designed to start at the beginning of the metallization formation processes. The grounded dummy feature provides a path for the plasma charging to the ground during the entire back end of the line process. The metal fuse is a process level protection as opposed to the diode, which is a circuit level protection. As a process level protection, the metal fuse protects subsequently-formed circuitry. In addition, no additional active area is required for the metal fuse in the chip other than internal dummy patterns that are already implemented.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming a select gate stack on a substrate. The substrate includes a non-volatile memory (NVM) region and a high voltage region. The select gate stack is formed in the NVM region. A charge storage layer is formed over the NVM region and the high voltage region of the substrate. The charge storage layer includes charge storage material between a bottom layer of dielectric material and a top layer of dielectric material. The charge storage material in the high voltage region is oxidized while the charge storage material in the NVM region remains unoxidized.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate. An insulating film is provided on the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode is provided on the insulating film. An SiOCN film covers side surfaces of the gate electrode. A silicon oxide film may be provided between the respective side surfaces of the gate electrode and the SiOCN film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a first layer on a substrate; forming a first contact hole in the first layer; burying a sacrificial film in the first contact hole; forming a second layer on the first layer and the first contact hole after burying; forming a second contact hole reaching the sacrificial film in the second layer; removing the sacrificial film from the first contact hole via the second contact hole; and providing a contact electrode in the first contact hole and the second contact hole.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a lower interfacial layer on a semiconductor layer, the lower interfacial layer being a nitride layer, forming an intermediate interfacial layer on the lower interfacial layer, the intermediate interfacial layer being an oxide layer, and forming a high-k dielectric layer on the intermediate interfacial layer. The high-k dielectric layer has a dielectric constant that is higher than dielectric constants of the lower interfacial layer and the intermediate interfacial layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide metal gate transistors and methods for forming the same. In an exemplary method, a substrate having a top surface and a back surface can be provided. A dummy gate can be formed on the top surface. A first interlayer dielectric layer can be formed on the top surface and planarized to expose the dummy gate. The dummy gate can be removed to form a trench. A metal gate stack can be formed to cover the first interlayer dielectric layer and to fill the trench. The metal gate stack can be planarized to remove a portion of the metal gate stack from the first interlayer dielectric layer to form a metal gate electrode in the trench. A remaining edge portion of the metal gate stack can exist over an annular region of the substrate and can be removed from the annular region by an edge cleaning process.

Abstract: Tungsten silicide layers can be used in CMOS transistors in which the work function of the tungsten silicide layers can be tuned for use in PMOS and NMOS devices. A co-sputtering approach can be used in which silicon and tungsten are deposited on a high dielectric constant gate dielectric layer. The tungsten silicide layer can be annealed at or above a critical temperature to optimize the resistivity of the tungsten silicide layer. In some embodiments, the concentration of as-deposited tungsten silicide can be between 50 at % silicon to 80 at % silicon. The critical temperatures can be lower at higher silicon concentration, such as 700 C. at 63 at % silicon to 600 C. at 74 at % silicon.

Abstract: A silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) device is disclosed. The SONOS device includes a substrate; a first oxide layer on the substrate; a silicon-rich trapping layer on the first oxide layer; a nitrogen-containing layer on the silicon-rich trapping layer; a silicon-rich oxide layer on the nitrogen-containing layer; and a polysilicon layer on the silicon-rich oxide layer.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a high-k dielectric layer over a substrate; and forming a titanium nitride layer over the high-k dielectric layer. The method further includes performing a silicon treatment on the titanium nitride layer to form at least one silicon monolayer over the titanium nitride layer. The method further includes annealing the semiconductor device to form a TiSiON layer over a remaining portion of the titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor/dielectric interface having reduced interface trap density and a method of manufacturing the interface are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of forming a semiconductor device includes receiving a substrate and forming a termination layer on a top surface of the substrate. The termination layer includes at least one of hydrogen, deuterium, or nitrogen. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer on the termination layer such that the depositing of the dielectric layer does not disrupt the termination layer. The termination layer may be formed by a first deposition process that deposits a first material of the termination layer and a subsequent deposition process that introduces a second material of the termination layer into the first material. The termination layer may also be formed by a single deposition process that deposits both a first material and a second material of the termination layer.

Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile memory (NVM) cell using a substrate having a top surface of silicon includes forming a select gate stack over the substrate. An oxide layer is grown on the top surface of the substrate. Nanocrystals of silicon are formed on the thermal oxide layer adjacent to a first side the select gate stack. The nanocrystals are partially oxidized to result in partially oxidized nanocrystals and further growing the thermal oxide layer. A control gate is formed over the partially oxidized nanocrystals. A first doped region is formed in the substrate adjacent to a first side of the control gate and a second doped region in the substrate adjacent to a second side of the select gate.

Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the device including a lower insulating layer on a top surface of a substrate; an electrode structure sequentially stacked on the lower insulating layer, the electrode structure including conductive patterns; a semiconductor pattern penetrating the electrode structure and the lower insulating layer and being connected to the substrate; and a vertical insulating layer interposed between the semiconductor pattern and the electrode structure, the vertical insulating layer crossing the conductive patterns in a vertical direction and being in contact with a top surface of the lower insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a p-type semiconductor device is provided, which in one embodiment employs an aluminum containing threshold voltage shift layer to produce a threshold voltage shift towards the valence band of the p-type semiconductor device. The method of forming the p-type semiconductor device may include forming a gate structure on a substrate, in which the gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer in contact with the substrate, an aluminum containing threshold voltage shift layer present on the gate dielectric layer, and a metal containing layer in contact with at least one of the aluminum containing threshold voltage shift layer and the gate dielectric layer. P-type source and drain regions may be formed in the substrate adjacent to the portion of the substrate on which the gate structure is present. A p-type semiconductor device provided by the above-described method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to lower the on resistance of a semiconductor element without hindering the function of a diffusion prevention film in a semiconductor device having the semiconductor element that uses a wire in a wiring layer as a gate electrode and has a gate insulation film in an identical layer to the diffusion prevention film. A first wire and a gate electrode are embedded into the surface layer of an insulation layer comprising a first wiring layer. A diffusion prevention film is formed between the first wiring layer and a second wiring layer. A gate insulation film is formed by: forming a recess over the upper face of the diffusion prevention film in the region overlapping with the gate electrode and around the region; and thinning the part.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a stacked structural body, a semiconductor pillar, and a memory unit. The stacked structural body is provided on a major surface of the substrate. The stacked structural body includes electrode films alternately stacked with inter-electrode insulating films in a direction perpendicular to the major surface. The pillar pierces the body in the direction. The memory unit is provided at an intersection between the pillar and the electrode films. The electrode films include at least one of amorphous silicon and polysilicon. The stacked structural body includes first and second regions. A distance from the second region to the substrate is greater than a distance from the first region to the substrate. A concentration of an additive included in the electrode film in the first region is different from that included in the electrode film in the second region.

Abstract: A field effect transistor that has a source, a drain, a gate, a semiconductor region, and a dielectric region. The dielectric region is located between the semiconductor region and the gate. Negatively charged ions are located within the dielectric layer underneath the gate.

Abstract: A MONOS Charge-Trapping flash (CTF), with record thinnest 3.6 nm ENT trapping layer, has a large 3.1 V 10-year extrapolated retention window at 125° C. and excellent 106 endurance at a fast 100 ?s and ±16 V program/erase. This is achieved using As+-implanted higher ? trapping layer with deep 5.1 eV work-function of As. In contrast, the un-implanted device only has a small 10-year retention window of 1.9 V at 125° C. A MoN—[SiO2—LaAlO3]—[Ge—HfON]—[LaAlO3—SiO2]—Si CTF device is also provided with record-thinnest 2.5-nm Equivalent-Si3N4-Thickness (ENT) trapping layer, large 4.4 V initial memory window, 3.2 V 10-year extrapolated retention window at 125° C., and 3.6 V endurance window at 106 cycles, under very fast 100 ?s and low ±16 V program/erase. These were achieved using Ge reaction with HfON trapping layer for better charge-trapping and retention.

Abstract: A technique for isolating electrodes on different layers of a multilayer electronic device across an array containing more than 100000 devices on a plastic substrate. The technique comprises depositing a bilayer of a first dielectric layer (6) of a solution-processible polymer dielectric and a layer of parylene (9) to isolate layers of conductor or semiconductor on different levels of the device. The density of defects located in the active area of one of the multilayer electronic devices is typically more than 1 in 100000.

Abstract: A MOS solid-state imaging device is provided in which withstand voltage and 1/f noise of a MOS transistor are improved. In the MOS solid-state imaging device whose unit pixel has at least a photoelectric converting portion and a plurality of field effect transistors, the thickness of gate insulating film in a part of the field effect transistors is different from the thickness of gate insulating film in the other field effect transistors among the plurality of the field effect transistors.

Abstract: A method includes forming a patterned gate stack for a memory device, the patterned gate stack including a gate insulation layer, a charge storage layer, a blocking insulation layer and a gate electrode, the gate insulation layer and the blocking insulation layer having an initial width. An etching process is performed on the patterned gate stack to selectively remove at least a portion of each of the gate insulation layer and the blocking insulation layer, the etching process reducing a width of each of the gate insulation layer and the blocking insulation layer from the initial width to a final width. After performing the etching process, at least one material layer is formed proximate sidewalls of the patterned gate stack, the at least one material layer laterally confining each of the gate insulation layer, the charge storage layer, the blocking insulation layer, and the gate electrode.

Abstract: Dummy structures between a high voltage (HV) region and a low voltage (LV) region of a substrate are disclosed, along with methods of forming the dummy structures. An embodiment is a structure comprising a HV gate dielectric over a HV region of a substrate, a LV gate dielectric over a LV region of the substrate, and a dummy structure over a top surface of the HV gate dielectric. A thickness of the LV gate dielectric is less than a thickness of the HV gate dielectric. The dummy structure is on a sidewall of the HV gate dielectric.

Abstract: One method includes forming first and second devices by forming a first layer of gate insulation material having a first thickness for the first device, forming a layer of high-k insulation material having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness for the second device and forming first and second metal-containing gate electrode structures that contact the first layer of gate insulation material and the high-k insulation material. A device disclosed herein includes first and second semiconductor devices wherein the first gate structure comprises a layer of insulating material having a first portion of a first metal layer positioned on and in contact with the layer of insulating material and a second gate structure comprised of a layer of high-k insulation material and a second portion of the first metal layer positioned on and in contact with the layer of high-k insulation material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, a gate dielectric layer formed on the substrate, and a metal electrode layer formed on the gate dielectric layer and including a compound of carbon and nitrogen, wherein a metal electrode formed from the metal electrode layer in the first region has a work function lower than a work function of a metal electrode formed from the metal electrode layer in the second region and a nitrogen concentration of the metal electrode of the first region is smaller than a nitrogen concentration of the metal electrode of the second region.

Abstract: Transistors with memorized stress and methods for making such transistors. The methods include forming a transistor structure having a channel region, a source and drain region, and a gate dielectric; depositing a stressor over the channel region of the transistor structure, wherein the stressor provides a stress to the channel region; removing the stressor metal after the stress is memorized within the channel region; and depositing a work function metal over the channel region of the transistor structure, where the work function metal applies less stress to the channel region than the stress applied by the stressor. A transistor with memorized stress includes a source and drain region on a substrate; a stress-memorized channel region on the substrate that retains an externally applied stress; and a gate structure including a work function gate metal that applies less stress to the stress-memorized channel region than the externally applied stress.