Abstract: Gate wiring is formed serving as first gate wiring in a DRAM-forming area, and gate wiring 33 is formed as second gate wiring in a logic-forming area. Then, cobalt silicide layer 37 is formed over a source/drain diffused layer in the DRAM-forming area, and cobalt silicide layer is formed over a source/drain diffused layer and the gate wiring in the logic-forming area. Such formation of the cobalt silicide layer reduces the resistance of the gate wiring and the contact resistance, and thereby enables the high-speed operation of a semiconductor device even if the device is microfabricated.

Abstract: A new method is provided for monitoring silicon quality, the new method is applied at the time of pre-salicidation of the silicon substrate. The optical refractive index of the pre-salicide substrate is monitored, this monitoring provides insight into the quality of the silicon substrate at that time of a substrate processing cycle.

Abstract: A method of producing an antifuse, comprises the steps of: depositing a layer of undoped or lightly doped polysilicon on a layer of silicon dioxide on a semiconductor wafer; doping one region of the polysilicon P+; doping another region of the polysilicon N+, leaving an undoped or lightly doped region between the P+ and N+ regions; and forming electrical connections to the P+ and N+ regions.

Abstract: A method of forming a quasi-self-aligned heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) that exhibits high-performance is provided. The method includes the use of a patterned emitter landing pad stack which serves to improve the alignment for the emitter-opening lithography and as an etch stop layer for the emitter opening etch. The present invention also provides an HBT that includes a raised extrinsic base having monocrystalline regions located beneath the emitter landing pad stack.

Abstract: In order to prevent silicides from getting under side walls when the silicides are formed over MOSFET formed over an SOI substrate, trenches are defined in the SOI substrate and side walls are formed over the trenches, whereby the silicides are blocked so as not to get under a gate insulator with a lower portion of each side wall as a structure convex in a downward direction of the substrate. Thus, an increase in gate withstand voltage, a decrease in gate leakage current and control on a short channel effect are achieved.

Abstract: A butting contact structure using a silicide to connect a contact region and a conductor and a method to manufacture the same are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: forming a first area having a first conduction type and a second area having a second conduction type which is adjacent to the first area; forming a silicide to be in contact with the first and second areas; and depositing an insulating layer covering the first portion of the silicide; etching a contact window in the insulating layer for exposing a surface of the silicide; and forming a conductor filling in the contact window. The difficulty from the reduction of the contact window is overcome without altering the manufacturing process and the layer of masks. Moreover, the density and performance of the semiconductor element is improved.

Abstract: A method for forming an epitaxial cobalt silicide layer on a MOS device includes sputter depositing cobalt in an ambient to form a first layer of cobalt suicide on a gate and source/drain regions of the MOS device. Subsequently, cobalt is sputter deposited again in an ambient of argon to increase the thickness of the cobalt silicide layer to a second thickness.

Abstract: In a via-first Dual Damascene method, after a via hole and a wiring trench are formed, an SiN film, an exposed portion of an SiC film and an exposed portion of an SiC film are removed by etching. As a result, the via hole reaches a Cu wire, and the wiring trench reaches an SiOC film. A reaction product adheres mainly to a side wall portion of the wiring trench. The reaction product also adheres to other spots, but an amount of adherence to the side wall portion is the largest. Subsequently, oxygen plasma treatment is performed for insides of the via hole and the wiring trench. As a result of this oxygen plasma treatment, the reaction product is removed.

Abstract: A method is described for filling of high aspect ratio contact vias provided over silicon containing areas. A via is formed in an insulating layer over the silicon containing area and a silicide forming material is deposited in the via. A silicide region is formed over the silicon containing area, the silicide forming material is removed from the via leaving the silicide region. The via is then filled with a conductor using an electroless plating process.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an FET having a gate insulation film with an SiO2 equivalent thickness of 2 nm or more and capable of suppressing the leak current to {fraction (1/100)} or less compared with existent SiO2 films, an SiO2 film of 0.5 nm or more is formed at a boundary between an Si substrate (polycrystalline silicon gate) and a high dielectric insulation film, and the temperature for forming the SiO2 film is made higher than the source-drain activating heat treatment temperature in the subsequent steps. As such, a shifting threshold voltage by the generation of static charges or lowering of a drain current caused by degradation of mobility can be prevented so as to reduce electric power consumption and increase current in a field effect transistor of a smaller size.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the contact resistance presented by the interface between a silicide and a doped silicon region are presented. In a first method, a silicide layer and a doped silicon region form an interface. Either a damage-only species or a heavy, metal is implanted through the silicide layer into the doped silicon region immediately adjacent the interface. In a second method, a second metal is added to the refractory metal before formation of the silicide. After annealing the refractory metal and the doped silicon region, the second metal diffuses into the doped silicion region immediately adjacent the interface without forming additional phases in the silicide.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device using a polysilicon contact, such as a poly plug between a transistor and a capacitor in a container cell, an interface is provided where the poly plug would otherwise contact the bottom plate of the capacitor. The interface bars silicon from the plug from diffusing into the capacitor's dielectric. The interface can also include an oxygen barrier to prevent the poly plug from oxidizing during processing. Below the interface is a silicide layer to help enhance electrical contact with the poly plug. In a preferred method, the interface is created by selectively depositing a layer of titanium over a recessed poly plug to the exclusion of the surrounding oxide. The deposition process allows for silicidation of the titanium. The top half of the titanium silicide is then nitridized. A conformal ruthenium or ruthenium oxide layer is subsequently deposited, covering the titanium nitride and lining the sides and bottom of the container cell.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition methods of forming titanium silicide comprising layers on substrates are disclosed. TiCl4 and at least one silane are first fed to the chamber at or above a first volumetric ratio of TiCl4 to silane for a first period of time. The ratio is sufficiently high to avoid measurable deposition of titanium silicide on the substrate. Alternately, no measurable silane is fed to the chamber for a first period of time. Regardless, after the first period, TiCl4 and at least one silane are fed to the chamber at or below a second volumetric ratio of TiCl4 to silane for a second period of time. If at least one silane was fed during the first period of time, the second volumetric ratio is lower than the first volumetric ratio. Regardless, the second feeding is effective to plasma enhance chemical vapor deposit a titanium silicide comprising layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of making and an etchable wafer substrate for use in making optical fiber array plates includes forming a progressively increasing series of metrology holes when the plate holes are formed. The variation between designed plate hole diameter and actual plate hole diameter is determined by sequentially inserting a probe of known designed diameter into the metrology holes to determine the two size-adjacent metrology holes variation. The plate hole diameter can be determined by comparing one of the size-adjacent metrology hole diameter with the respective art work metrology hole diameter. Plate hole diameters can then be corrected for variation with further processing.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed by a method having the steps of providing a circuit substrate with a first metallized region, providing a first insulation layer covered by a silicon layer, patterning the first insulation layer and silicon layer to form a first insulation region and first silicon region, then forming a second metallized layer on the silicon region, heating the material so that the second metal layer diffuses into the silicon layer to form a metal silicide region, which is subsequently covered by a second insulating layer having a contact with an interconnect to enable contacting an antifuse formed by the metal silicide region.

Abstract: A new Inter Poly Dielectric (IPD) layer is provided for use in creating ultra-small gate electrodes. A first and a second high-k dielectric film are provided which remain amorphous at relatively high processing temperatures. The first high-k dielectric film is of Al3O5—ZrO2—Al3O5, the second high-k dielectric film is aluminum doped ZrO2 or HfO2.

Abstract: A first depressed portion is formed on an insulating film. A burying material is applied onto the first depressed portion and the insulating film to bury the first depressed portion. Chemical mechanical polishing of the burying material is performed until the insulating film is exposed, thereby leaving the burying material only in the first depressed portion. A resist having a pattern of a second depressed portion that overlaps the first depressed portion is formed on the insulating film in which the burying material has been buried. The burying material and the insulating film are etched to a predetermined depth using the resist as a mask to form the second depressed portion. The resist and the burying material left are removed after the step of etching. A conductive material is deposited in the first depressed portion and the second depressed portion.

Abstract: A method of forming interconnect structures in a semiconductor device, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor structure is provided. In the first embodiment, at least one metal line is formed over the semiconductor structure. A silicon-rich carbide barrier layer is formed over the metal line and semiconductor structure. Finally, a dielectric layer, that may be fluorinated, is formed over the silicon-rich carbide layer. In the second embodiment, at least one fluorinated dielectric layer, that may be fluorinated, is formed over the semiconductor structure. The dielectric layer is patterned to form an opening therein. A silicon-rich carbide barrier layer is formed within the opening. A metallization layer is deposited over the structure, filling the silicon-rich carbide barrier layer lined opening. Finally, the metallization layer may be planarized to form a planarized metal structure within the silicon-rich carbide barrier layer lined opening.

Abstract: An object is to provide a mask formation method, which can curtail a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A first dielectric layer is formed over a first transistor gate and a second transistor source/drain region. Contact openings are formed in the first dielectric layer to the first transistor gate and to the second transistor source/drain region. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer and to within the contact openings. The second dielectric layer is etched selectively relative to the first dielectric layer to form at least a portion of a local interconnect outline within the second dielectric layer to extend between the first transistor gate and the second transistor source/drain region. The etching removes at least some of the second dielectric layer within the contact openings. Conductive material is formed within the local interconnect outline within the second dielectric layer which electrically connects the first transistor gate with the second transistor source/drain region. Other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a transistor gate structure. A gate oxide layer is formed. Gate material is deposited on the gate oxide layer. A layer of silicon oxynitride is deposited on the gate material. The layer of silicon oxynitride, the gate material and the gate oxide layer are etched to form a gate structure. A silicon oxynitride region remains on top of the gate structure. A wet chemical process is performed to remove the silicon oxynitride region from the top of the gate structure. After performing the wet chemical process, spacers are formed around the gate structure.

Abstract: Silicide interfaces for integrated circuits, thin film devices, and backend integrated circuit testing devices are formed using a barrier layer, such as titanium nitride, disposed over a porous, thin dielectric layer which is disposed between a silicon-containing substrate and a silicidable material which is deposited to form the silicide interfaces for such devices. The barrier layer prevents the formation of a silicide material within imperfections or voids which form passages through the thin dielectric layer when the device is subjected to a high temperature anneal to form the silicide contact from the reaction of the silicidable material and the silicon-containing substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selectively electrically connecting an electrical interconnect line, such as a bit line of a memory cell, with an associated contact stud and electrically isolating the interconnect line from other partially underlying contact studs for other electrical features, such as capacitor bottom electrodes. The interconnect line can be formed as initially partially-connected to all contact studs, thereby allowing the electrical features to be formed in closer proximity to one another for higher levels of integration. In subsequent steps of fabrication, the contact studs associated with memory cell features other than the interconnect line can be isolated from the interconnect line by the removal of a silicide cap, or the selective etching of a portion of these contact studs, and the formation of an insulating sidewall between the non-selected contact stud and the interconnect line.

Abstract: A contact structure is formed by forming an interlayer dielectric on a substrate having a semiconductive region. A contact hole is formed in the interlayer dielectric to expose the semiconductive region. A conductive structure is formed adjacent to the contact hole. Spacers are formed on inner sidewalls of the contact hole. A cobalt silicide layer is formed at a bottom of the contact hole. The spacers are configured to electrically isolate the cobalt silicide layer from the conductive structure. A conductive layer is formed on the cobalt silicide layer in the contact hole.

Abstract: The adhesion of a diffusion barrier or capping layer to a Cu or Cu alloy interconnect member is significantly enhanced by treating the exposed surface of the Cu or Cu alloy interconnect member: (a) under plasma conditions with ammonia and silane or dichlorosilane to form a copper silicide layer thereon; or (b) with an ammonia plasma followed by reaction with silane or dichlorosilane to form a copper silicide layer thereon. The diffusion barrier layer is then deposited on the copper silicide layer. Embodiments include electroplating or electroless plating Cu or a Cu alloy to fill a damascene opening in a dielectric interlayer, chemical mechanical polishing, then treating the exposed surface of the Cu/Cu alloy interconnect to form the copper silicide layer thereon, and depositing a silicon nitride diffusion barrier layer on the copper silicide layer.

Abstract: A ternary metal silicide layer is formed between a silicon substrate and a barrier layer, in a contact structure including: a substrate having a silicon part; an insulating layer formed on the substrate, and having a connection hole that reaches the silicon part, a barrier layer formed at least on an inner surface of the connection hole; and a conductive member buried inside the barrier layer.

Abstract: A gate electrode, in which the slope of the profile of a gate electrode forming material layer, for example, a refractory metal silicide layer is prevented from being decreased due to thermal expansion by patterning a refractory metal silicide layer after performing a thermal process on a refractory metal silicide layer, thereby having a stable operation characteristic, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a dual damascene processing method using a silicon rich oxide (SRO) layer thereof and its structure. In the dual damascene process, a first dielectric layer, an etching stop layer, such as a silicon rich oxide layer, and a second dielectric layer are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate, which is provided with metal connections therein. Then, the present invention utilizes photolithography and etching technique to obtain a dual damascene structure profile having a trench and a via hole. The present invention uses the silicon rich oxide layer as the etching stop layer so as the present invention can achieve a better trench microloading and better bottom profile. Beside, the present invention does not increase the dielectric constant index (K) of the inter metal dielectric (IMD).

Abstract: A semiconductor device (118) and method of fabrication thereof, wherein a plurality of conductive lines (124) are formed over a workpiece, a surface-smoothing conductive material (140) is disposed over the conductive lines 124), and a magnetic material (132) disposed is over the surface-smoothing conductive material (140). The surface-smoothing conductive material (140) has a smaller grain structure than the underlying conductive lines (124). The surface-smoothing conductive material (140) is polished so that the surface-smoothing conductive material (140) has a texturally smoother surface than the surface of the conductive lines (124).

Abstract: Multiple level interconnect structures and methods for fabricating the interconnect structures are disclosed. The interconnect structures may contain an interconnect line, an electrolessly deposited metal layer formed over the interconnect line, a via formed over the metal layer, and a second interconnect line formed over the via. Often the metal layer contains a cobalt or nickel alloy and provides an etch stop layer for formation of an opening corresponding to the via. The metal layer may provide protection to the underlying interconnect line and may replace a traditional protective dielectric layer. The metal layer is conductive, rather than dielectric, and provides a shunt for passage of electrical current between the via and the interconnect line. Similar metal layers may also be used within the interconnect structures as via liner layers and via plugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a transistor and a transistor structure. The invention comprises forming the transistor using a double silicide process which reduces resistance and reduces the floating-body-effect when employed in conjunction with SOI type device architecture.

Abstract: Sub-micron dimensioned, ultra-shallow junction MOS and/or CMOS transistor devices are fomxed by a salicide process wherein a blanket nickel layer is formed in contact with the exposed portions of the substrate surface adjacent the sidewall spacers, the top surface of the gate electrode, and the sidewall spacers. Embodiments include forming the blanket layer of nickel is formed by the sequential steps of: (i) forming a layer of nickel by sputtering with nitrogen gas; and, (ii) forming a layer of nickel by sputtering with argon gas. The two step process for forming the blanket layer of nickel advantageously prevents the formation of nickel silicide on the outer surfaces of the insulative sidewall spacers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a pad for electrical connection provided on a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film with which a surface of the semiconductor substrate is coated and having an opening to which the pad is exposed, a conductive film joined to the pad on a bottom surface of the opening of the first insulating film and extending to a surface of the first insulating film outside the opening, a second insulating film with which the conductive film is coated and having an opening to which a part of the conductive film is exposed, and a connecting member arranged so as to be joined to the conductive film inside the opening of the second insulating film.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating a semiconductor device are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary process includes forming an interface layer overlying the device substrate, forming a silver layer overlying the interface layer, annealing the substrate to form an intermetallic layer between the silver layer and the interface layer, the silver layer is in intimate contact with the intermetallic layer, and forming a protection layer overlying the silver layer. Other interconnect structures and processes are also described.

Abstract: Silicide interfaces for integrated circuits, thin film devices, and backend integrated circuit testing devices are formed using a barrier layer, such as titanium nitride, disposed over a porous, thin dielectric layer which is disposed between a silicon-containing substrate and a silicidable material which is deposited to form the silicide interfaces for such devices. The barrier layer prevents the formation of a silicide material within imperfections or voids which form passages through the thin dielectric layer when the device is subjected to a high temperature anneal to form the silicide contact from the reaction of the silicidable material and the silicon-containing substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor element is provided. The method includes a first silicon region, a second silicon region, and a metal silicide layer, wherein the metal silicide layer contacts with the first silicon region and the second silicon region separately, the method including steps of performing a first doping process to dope an N-type dopant into the first silicon region and to dope a diffusion barrier impurity into a portion of the metal silicide layer contacting with the first silicon region, and performing a second doping process to dope a P-type dopant into the second silicon region and to dope a diffusion barrier impurity into a portion of the metal silicide layer contacting with the second silicon region.

Abstract: A planarization method includes providing a metal-containing surface (preferably, a Group VIII metal-containing surface, and more preferably a platinum-containing surface) and positioning it for contact with a polishing surface in the presence of a planarization composition that includes a halogen and a halide salt.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having the steps of forming an isolation layer in a silicon substrate to define an active region and a device isolation region; forming a junction region in the active region of the silicon substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the silicon substrate; forming a contact hole exposing the junction region by selectively removing the interlayer dielectric layer; selectively removing an exposed portion of the junction region under the contact hole; sequentially forming a thin metal layer and a buffer layer on the resultant structure including over the selectively removed portion of the junction region; and forming a silicide layer in the selectively removed portion of the junction region by performing a heat treatment.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device is implemented by circuit components and a multi-layered wiring structure, and titanium nitride is used for a part of the integrated circuit such as a conductive plug, an accumulating electrode and a conductive line, wherein the titanium nitride layer is laminated on a titanium silicide layer so as to absorb thermal stress due to the titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: In order that the yield can be enhanced, the method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises the steps of: forming first holes 101a not penetrating a support side silicon wafer 101; forming a ground insulating film 102; forming primary connection plugs 105a by charging copper into the first holes 101a; forming a semiconductor film 108 on one face side of the support side silicon wafer 101 through an intermediate insulating film 109; forming elements on the semiconductor film 108; exposing bottom faces of the primary connection plugs 105a by polishing the other face of the support side silicon wafer 101; forming second holes 111 extending from an element forming face of the semiconductor film 108 to the primary connection plugs 105; and forming auxiliary connection plugs 112a for electrically connecting the elements with the primary connection plugs 105a by charging copper into the second holes 111.

Abstract: A low temperature aluminum planarization process. Vias, including high aspect ratio vias, are filled using a liner layer, a seed layer, and a fill layer. The device associated with the via is exposed to a reactive gas prior to applying the fill layer to the device.

Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device comprises patterning a hard mask layer with a first pattern, then only partially etching through an underlying dielectric layer using the hard mask as a pattern. Next, the hard mask is patterned with a second pattern and the dielectric layer is completely etched through using the hard mask as a pattern. The dielectric etch stops on an etch stop layer. Finally, the etch stop layer is patterned which is defined only by the first pattern of the hard mask.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuitry memory device. In one preferred implementation, a conductive layer is formed over both memory array areas and peripheral circuitry areas A refractory metal layer is formed over the conductive layer to provide conductive structure in both areas. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer which is formed over the memory array provides an electrical contact for a capacitor container to be formed. According to another preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer formed over the peripheral circuitry area constitutes a conductive line which includes at least some of the silicide. In another preferred implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a capacitor container over a substrate. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, a conductive layer is elevationally interposed between an upper insulating layer and a lower conductive layer over the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a thin film transistor with sub-gates and Schottky source/drain and a method of manufacturing the same. Doping of source/drain, and the following annealing steps used conventionally are omitted and the complexity of process and process costs are reduced. The temperature of the process is also decreased. A thin film transistor with sub-gates and Schottky source/drain of the invention is able to operate in both the n type and p type channel modes on the same transistor element depending on the biased voltage of the sub-gate. Moreover, an electric junction is formed by induction, using bias voltage applied on the sub-gate, which takes the place of the conventional source/drain extensions. Consequently, the off-state leakage current is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selectively electrically connecting an electrical interconnect line, such as a bit line of a memory cell, with an associated contact stud and electrically isolating the interconnect line from other partially underlying contact studs for other electrical features, such as capacitor bottom electrodes. The interconnect line can be formed as initially partially-connected to all contact studs, thereby allowing the electrical features to be formed in closer proximity to one another for higher levels of integration. In subsequent steps of fabrication, the contact studs associated with memory cell features other than the interconnect line can be isolated from the interconnect line by the removal of a silicide cap, or the selective etching of a portion of these contact studs, and the formation of an insulating sidewall between the non-selected contact stud and the interconnect line.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device with a polysilicon layer having a multi-layer tungsten-silicide (WSix) film formed on a surface thereof includes the steps of (1) forming a first layer of tungsten-silicide on the surface of the polysilicon layer; (2) forming a second layer of a material selected from tungsten and silicon on the first layer; (3) forming a third layer of tungsten-silicide on the second layer; and (4) thermally treating the multi-layer film resulting from steps (a)-(c) to form a multi-layer WSix film on the surface of the polysilicon layer, the multi-layer WSix film having a uniform small grain size. In various embodiments, steps (1)-(3) may be repeated one or more times. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a polysilicon layer formed on a surface thereof and a multilayered WSix film formed on a surface of the polysilicon layer by the process described above.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for depositing a tungsten silicide layer on a wafer coated with a polysilicon layer in a CVD process chamber. A surface of the polysilicon layer is pre-treated by introducing a hydrogen compound gas including any elements among group III elements or group V elements of the periodic table into the CVD process chamber. The tungsten silicide layer is deposited on the polysilicon layer by introducing a silane source gas and a tungsten source gas into the CVD process chamber. Since the surface of the polysilicon layer is pre-treated using the hydrogen compound gas before the tungsten silicide layer is deposited on the polysilicon layer, void generation is prevented on an interfacial surface between the tungsten silicide layer and the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A method of forming contact for a semiconductor device is disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises impurity diffusion layers formed in a semiconductor substrate and containing a metal element, whose siliciding activation energy is less than 1.8 eV, at a concentration of more than 1×1011 atoms/cm2 and less than 1×1015 atoms/cm2, an insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, contact holes formed in the insulating film on the impurity diffusion layers, and contact plugs formed via the contact holes. Accordingly, there is provided the semiconductor device that has a connection structure between an impurity-containing semiconductor layer and a conductive film and is capable of suppressing a leakage current generated at a contact portion between the impurity diffusion layer and the conductive film.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicide layer in contact with a silicon substrate. The method comprises forming the silicide layer by supplying a silicon-containing source that is different from the silicon substrate, such that the silicon in the silicide layer originates primarily from the silicon-containing source.