Abstract: A method includes performing a first sputtering to form a first metal film on a surface of a semiconductor region. The first sputtering is performed using a first ion energy. The method further includes performing a second sputtering to form a second metal film over and contacting the first metal film, wherein the first and the second metal films includes a same metal. The second sputtering is performed using a second ion energy lower than the first ion energy. An annealing is performed to react the first and the second metal films with the semiconductor region to form a metal silicide.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to methods of stabilizing metal silicide contact regions formed in a silicon-germanium active area of a semiconductor device, and devices comprising stabilized metal silicides. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes performing an activation anneal to activate dopants implanted in an active area of a semiconductor device, wherein the active area comprises germanium. Additionally, the method includes, among other things, performing an ion implantation process to implant ions into the active area after performing the activation anneal, forming a metal silicide contact region in the active area, and forming a conductive contact element to the metal silicide contact region.

Abstract: A method of performing a silicide contact process comprises a forming a nickel-platinum alloy (NiPt) layer over a semiconductor device structure; performing a first rapid thermal anneal (RTA) so as to react portions of the NiPt layer in contact with semiconductor regions of the semiconductor device structure, thereby forming metal rich silicide regions; performing a first wet etch to remove at least a nickel constituent of unreacted portions of the NiPt layer; performing a second wet etch using a dilute Aqua Regia treatment comprising nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and water (H2O) to remove any residual platinum material from the unreacted portions of the NiPt layer; and following the dilute Aqua Regia treatment, performing a second RTA to form final silicide contact regions from the metal rich silicide regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in which a metal silicide layer is formed by a salicide process is improved in reliability. By a salicide process according to a partial reaction method, metal silicide layers are formed over respective surfaces of gate electrodes, n+-type semiconductor regions, and p+-type semiconductor regions. In a first heat treatment when the metal silicide layers are formed, a heat-conduction type anneal apparatus is used for the heat treatment of a semiconductor wafer. In a second heat treatment, a microwave anneal apparatus is used for the heat treatment of the semiconductor wafer, thereby reducing the temperature of the second heat treatment and preventing abnormal growth of the metal silicide layers. Thus, a junction leakage current in the metal silicide layers is reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a metal silicide layer on a substrate. According to one embodiment the method includes providing the substrate in a process chamber, exposing the substrate at a first substrate temperature to a plasma generated from a deposition gas containing a metal precursor, where the plasma exposure forms a conformal metal-containing layer on the substrate in a self-limiting process. The method further includes exposing the metal-containing layer at a second substrate temperature to a reducing gas in the absence of a plasma, where the exposing steps are alternatively performed at least once to form the metal silicide layer, and the deposition gas does not contain the reducing gas. The method provides conformal metal silicide formation in deep trenches with high aspect ratios.

Abstract: In sophisticated metallization systems of semiconductor devices, a sensitive core metal, such as copper, may be efficiently confined by a conductive barrier material comprising a copper/silicon compound, such as a copper silicide, which may provide superior electromigration behavior and higher electrical conductivity compared to conventionally used tantalum/tantalum nitride barrier systems.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal-semiconductor alloy layer uses particular thermal annealing conditions to provide a stress free metal-semiconductor alloy layer through interdiffusion of a buried semiconductor material layer and a metal-semiconductor alloy forming metal layer that contacts the buried semiconductor material layer within an aperture through a capping layer beneath which is buried the semiconductor material layer. A resulting semiconductor structure includes the metal-semiconductor alloy layer that further includes an interconnect portion beneath the capping layer and a contiguous via portion that penetrates at least partially through the capping layer. Such a metal-semiconductor alloy layer may be located interposed between a substrate and a semiconductor device having an active doped region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating black silicon by using plasma immersion ion implantation is provided, which includes: putting a silicon wafer into a chamber of a black silicon fabrication apparatus; adjusting processing parameters of the black silicon fabrication apparatus to preset scales; generating plasmas in the chamber of the black silicon fabrication apparatus; implanting reactive ions among the plasmas into the silicon wafer, and forming the black silicon by means of the reaction of the reactive ions and the silicon wafer. The method can form the black silicon which has a strong light absorption property and is sensitive to light, and has advantages of high productivity, low cost and simple production process.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises: forming a transistor structure including a gate, and source and drain regions on a semiconductor substrate; carrying out a first silicidation to form a first metal silicide layer on the source and drain regions; depositing a first dielectric layer on the substrate, the top of the first dielectric layer being flush with the top of the gate region; forming contact holes at the portions corresponding to the source and drain regions in the first dielectric layer; and carrying out a second silicidation to form a second metal silicide at the gate region and in the contact holes, wherein the first metal silicide layer is formed to prevent silicidation from occurring at the source and drain regions during the second silicidation.

Abstract: A semiconductor package and testing method is disclosed. The package includes a substrate having top and bottom surfaces, a semiconductor chip mounted in a centrally located semiconductor chip mounting area of the substrate, and a plurality of test pads disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and comprising a first group of test pads configured on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and having a first height above the respective top and bottom surface of the substrate, and a second group of test pads disposed on the lower surface of the substrate and having a second height greater than the first, wherein each one of the second group of test pads includes a solder ball attached thereto.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method which achieves a contact of a low resistivity is provided. In a state where a first metal layer in contact with a semiconductor is covered with a second metal layer for preventing oxidation, only the first metal layer is silicided to form a silicide layer with no oxygen mixed therein. As a material of the first metal layer, a metal having a work function difference of a predetermined value from the semiconductor is used. As a material of the second metal layer, a metal which does not react with the first metal layer at an annealing temperature is used.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to obtain a transistor with a high ON current including a silicide layer without increasing the number of steps. A semiconductor device comprising the transistor includes a first region in which a thickness is increased from an edge on a channel formation region side and a second region in which a thickness is more uniform than that of the first region. The first and second region are separated by a line which is perpendicular to a horizontal line and passes through a point where a line, which passes through the edge of the silicide layer and forms an angle ? (0°<?<45°) with the horizontal line, intersects with an interface between the silicide layer and an impurity region, and the thickness of the second region to a thickness of a silicon film is 0.6 or more.

Abstract: A process for forming an integrated circuit with reduced sidewall spacers to enable improved silicide formation between minimum spaced transistor gates. A process for forming an integrated circuit with reduced sidewall spacers by first forming sidewall spacer by etching a sidewall dielectric and stopping on an etch stop layer, implanting source and drain dopants self aligned to the sidewall spacers, followed by removing a portion of the sidewall dielectric and removing the etch stop layer self aligned to the reduced sidewall spacers prior to forming silicide.

Abstract: A system, method, and layout for a semiconductor integrated circuit device allows for improved scaling down of various back-end structures, which can include contacts and other metal interconnection structures. The resulting structures can include a semiconductor substrate, a buried diffusion region formed on the semiconductor substrate, and at least one of a silicide film, for example tungsten silicide (WSix), and a self-aligned silicide (salicide) film, for example cobalt silicide (CoSi) and/or nickel silicide (NiSi), above the buried diffusion (BD) layer. The semiconductor integrated circuit can also include a memory gate structure formed over at least a portion of the contact layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes removing a silicon material from a gate structure located on a substrate through a cycle including: etching the silicon material to remove a portion thereof, where the substrate is spun at a spin rate, applying a cleaning agent to the substrate, and drying the substrate; and repeating the cycle, where a subsequent cycle includes a subsequent spin rate for spinning the substrate during the etching and where the subsequent spin rate does not exceed the spin rate of the previous cycle.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicide contact includes depositing a metal layer on silicon such that the metal layer intermixes with the silicon to form an intermixed region on the silicon; removing an unintermixed portion of the metal layer from the intermixed region; and annealing the intermixed region to form a silicide contact on the silicon. A semiconductor device comprising a silicide contact located over a silicon layer of the semiconductor device, the silicide contact comprising nickel (Ni) and silicon (Si) and having Ni amount equivalent to a thickness of about 21 angstroms or less.

Abstract: Contact with a floating body of an FET in SOI may be formed in a portion of one of the two diffusions of the FET, wherein the portion of the diffusion (such as N?, for an NFET) which is “sacrificed” for making the contact is a portion of the diffusion which is not immediately adjacent (or under) the gate. This works well with linked body FETs, wherein the diffusion does not extend all the way to BOX, hence the linked body (such as P?) extends under the diffusion where the contact is being made. An example showing making contact for ground to two NFETs (PG and PD) of a 6T SRAM cell is shown.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) stop layer is implemented in a semiconductor fabrication process. The CMP stop layer, among other things, mitigates erosion of sidewall spacers during semiconductor fabrication and adverse effects associated therewith.

Abstract: A phase change memory device having multiple metal silicide layers which enhances the current driving capability of switching elements and a method of manufacturing the same are presented. The device also includes switching elements, heaters, stack patterns, top electrodes, bit lines, word line contacts and word lines. The bottom of the switching elements are in electrical contact with the lower metal silicide layer and with an active area of silicon substrate. An upper metal silicide layer is interfaced between the top of the switching elements and the heaters. The stack patterns include phase change layers and top electrodes and are between the heaters and the top electrodes are in electrical contact with the top electrodes. The bit lines contact with the top electrode contacts. The word line contacts to the lower metal silicide film.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microelectronic device including forming a dielectric layer surrounding a dummy feature located over a substrate, removing the dummy feature to form an opening in the dielectric layer, and forming a metal-silicide layer conforming to the opening. The metal-silicide layer may then be annealed.

Abstract: Silicide films with high quality are formed with treatment of laser light irradiation, so that miniaturization and higher performance is achieved in a field-effect transistor that is formed over an insulating substrate and has little variation in electric characteristics. An island-shaped semiconductor film including a pair of impurity regions and a channel formation region is formed over an insulating substrate, a first metal film is formed on the pair of impurity regions, and a second metal film that functions as a reflective film is formed over a gate electrode located over the channel formation region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The first metal film is irradiated with laser light and a region where the second metal film is formed reflects the laser light, so that the island-shaped semiconductor film and the first metal film selectively react with each other in the pair of impurity regions.

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.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate electrode, a source region and a drain region, forming a first metal layer, forming silicide layers by first annealing, removing a remainder of the first metal layer after the first annealing, performing a second annealing, forming a second metal layer, performing a third annealing, and removing a remainder of the second metal layer.

Abstract: A method of forming the conductive lines of a semiconductor memory device comprises forming a first polysilicon layer over an underlying layer, forming first polysilicon patterns by patterning the first polysilicon layer, filling the space between the first polysilicon patterns with an insulating layer, etching a top portion of the first polysilicon patterns to form recess regions, forming spacers on the sidewalls of the recess regions, filling the recess regions with a second polysilicon layer to form second polysilicon patterns, and performing a metal silicidation process to convert the second polysilicon patterns to metal silicide patterns.

Abstract: A device for regulating a flow of electric current and its manufacturing method are provided. The device includes metal-insulator-semiconductor source-drain contacts forming Schottky barrier or Schottky-like junctions to the semiconductor substrate. The device includes an interfacial layer between the semiconductor substrate and a metal source and/or drain electrode, thereby dynamically adjusting a Schottky barrier height by applying different bias conditions. The dynamic Schottky barrier modulation provides increased electric current for low drain bias conditions, reducing the sub-linear turn-on characteristic of Schottky barrier MOSFET devices and improving device performance.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes: forming a photoresist film on a semiconductor substrate including a silicide forming region and non-silicide forming region; forming a photoresist pattern as a non-salicide pattern by patterning the photoresist film, so as to cover the non-silicide forming region and open the silicide forming region, with an overhang structure that a bottom is removed more compared to a top; forming a metal film on a top of the photoresist pattern and overall the semiconductor substrate in the silicide forming region; stripping the photoresist pattern and the metal film on the photoresist pattern; and forming a silicide metal film by annealing the metal film remaining on the semiconductor substrate. Therefore, the present invention simplifies a salicide process of a semiconductor device, making it possible to improve yields.

Abstract: Transistor devices are formed with nickel silicide layers formulated to prevent degradation upon removal of overlying stress liners. Embodiments include transistors with nickel silicide layers having a platinum composition gradient increasing in platinum content toward the upper surfaces thereof, i.e., increasing in platinum in a direction away from the gate electrode and source/drain regions. Embodiments include forming a first layer of nickel having a first amount of platinum and forming, on the first layer of nickel, a second layer of nickel having a second amount of platinum, the second weight percent of platinum being greater than the first weight percent. The layers of nickel are then annealed to form a nickel silicide layer having the platinum composition gradient increasing in platinum toward the upper surface.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor layer having regions into which a p-type impurity, an n-type impurity and a (p+n) impurity are respectively introduced is formed as a surface layer by being heat-treated. An impurity segregation layer on these regions is removed, and a film of a metallic material is thereafter formed on the regions and is heat-treated, thereby forming a silicide film on the semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, an impurity is introduced into the impurity segregation layer, and a film of a metallic material is thereafter formed on the impurity segregation layer and is heat-treated to form a silicide film.

Abstract: A first structure is formed, having a contact plug formed on the bottom of a first opening in an interlayer insulating film, a second opening formed through the interlayer insulating film to reach a semiconductor substrate, and a third opening formed through the interlayer insulating film to reach a polymetal gate electrode. A cobalt layer is deposited on the surface of the structure, and thermally treated to form a cobalt silicide layer on the surface of the contact plug and on the bottom face of the second opening. The structure is then treated to remove the cobalt, in the state in which the cobalt silicide layer is formed, with the use of a chemical solution capable of dissolving cobalt but not the polymetal.

Abstract: A process for the in situ formation of a selective contact and a local interconnect on a semiconductor substrate. The exposed semiconductor substrate regions of a semiconductor device structure may be treated in a plasma to enhance the adhesiveness of a selective contact thereto. The semiconductor device structure is positioned within a reaction chamber, wherein a selective contact is deposited onto the exposed semiconductor substrate regions. Any residual selective contact material may be removed from oxide surfaces either intermediately or after selective contact deposition. While the semiconductor device remains in the reaction chamber, a local interconnect is deposited over the semiconductor device structure. The local interconnect may then be patterned. Subsequent layers may be deposited over the local interconnect. The present invention also includes semiconductor device structures formed by the inventive process.

Abstract: Silicide films with high quality are formed with treatment of laser light irradiation, so that miniaturization and higher performance is achieved in a field-effect transistor that is formed over an insulating substrate and has little variation in electric characteristics. An island-shaped semiconductor film including a pair of impurity regions and a channel formation region is formed over an insulating substrate, a first metal film is formed on the pair of impurity regions, and a second metal film that functions as a reflective film is formed over a gate electrode located over the channel formation region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The first metal film is irradiated with laser light and a region where the second metal film is formed reflects the laser light, so that the island-shaped semiconductor film and the first metal film selectively react with each other in the pair of impurity regions.

Abstract: By performing a silicidation process on the basis of a patterned dielectric layer, such as an interlayer dielectric material, the respective metal silicide portions may be provided in a highly localized manner at the respective contact regions, while the overall amount of metal silicide may be significantly reduced. In this way, a negative influence of the stress of metal silicide on the channel regions of field effect transistors may be significantly reduced, while nevertheless maintaining a low contact resistance.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating low contact resistance CMOS integrated circuits are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, a method for fabricating a CMOS integrated circuit including an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor disposed in and on a silicon-comprising substrate includes depositing a first silicide-forming metal on the NMOS and PMOS transistors. The first silicide-forming metal forms a silicide at a first temperature. At least a portion of the first silicide-forming metal is removed from the NMOS or PMOS transistor and a second silicide-forming metal is deposited. The second silicide-forming metal forms a silicide at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The first silicide-forming metal and the second silicide-forming metal are heated at a temperature that is no less than the higher of the first temperature and the second temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to a single silicon wafer having metal and alloy silicides are described. In one embodiment, two different silicides may be provided on the same wafer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, silicide layers are formed on two oppositely doped adjacent semiconductor regions. A conductor material is formed electrically contacting both of the two silicides.

Abstract: A low contact resistance CMOS integrated circuit and method for its fabrication are provided. The CMOS integrated circuit comprises a first transition metal electrically coupled to the N-type circuit regions and a second transition metal different than the first transition metal electrically coupled to the P-type circuit regions. A conductive barrier layer overlies each of the first transition metal and the second transition metal and a plug metal overlies the conductive barrier layer.

Abstract: Contacts having different characteristics may be created by forming a first silicide layer over a first device region of a substrate, and then forming a second silicide layer over a second device region while simultaneously further forming the first silicide layer. A first contact hole may be formed in a dielectric layer over a first device region of a substrate. A silicide layer may then be formed in the first contact hole. A second contact hole may be formed after the first contact hole and silicide layer is formed. A second silicidation may then be performed in the first and second contact holes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complementary metal oxide semiconductor integration process whereby a plurality of silicided metal gates are fabricated atop a gate dielectric. Each silicided metal gate that is formed using the integration scheme of the present invention has the same silicide metal phase and substantially the same height, regardless of the dimension of the silicide metal gate. The present invention also provides various methods of forming a CMOS structure having silicided contacts in which the polySi gate heights are substantially the same across the entire surface of a semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a layer of a dielectric material. A recess is provided in the layer of dielectric material. The recess is filled with a material comprising silver.

Abstract: An MOS transistor with a fully silicided gate is produced by forming a silicide compound in the gate separately and independently of silicide portions located in source and drain zones of the transistor. To this end, the silicide portions of the source and drain zones are covered by substantially impermeable coatings. The coatings prevent the silicide portions of the source and drain zones from increasing in volume during separate and independent formation of the gate silicide compound. The silicide gate may thus be thicker than the silicide portions of the source and drain zones.

Abstract: Formation of an WNx film 24 constituting a barrier layer of a gate electrode 7A having a polymetal structure is effected in an atmosphere containing a high concentration nitrogen gas, whereby release of N (nitrogen) from the WNx film 24 is suppressed in the heat treatment step after the formation of the gate electrode 7A.

Abstract: Methods of stressing a channel of a transistor as a result of a material volume change in a gate structure and a related structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a gate over the channel, wherein the gate includes several materials, such as layers of silicon materials and a conducting material layer, above a gate dielectric, and is surrounded by a spacer, and then providing a volume change to some of the materials in the gate so that a stress is induced in the channel as a result of the volume change. A gate structure for a MOSFET structure may include a layer of silicon material over a gate dielectric and a first silicide and second silicide over the silicon material, where the first silicide induces a stress in a channel of the device. The first and second suicides may be separated by a layer of silicon material or in contact with each other.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is silicided by depositing at least one metal on a silicon-containing region and forming a metal silicide. Residue metal that has not been silicided during the formation of the metal silicide is then removed. The removal of the residue metal involves the conversion of the residue metal to an alloy containing the germanide of said metal with minimal if any adverse affect on the silicide. Next, the alloy is removed, in a manner selective to the silicide, by dissolving the alloy in a chemical solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a metal silicide layer. The method comprises steps of providing a substrate and forming a nickel-noble metal layer over the substrate. A grain boundary sealing layer is formed on the nickel-noble metal layer and then an oxygen diffusion barrier layer is formed on the grain boundary sealing layer. Thereafter, a rapid thermal process is performed to transform a portion of the nickel-noble metal layer into a metal silicide layer. Finally, the oxygen diffusion barrier layer, the grain boundary sealing layer and the rest portion of the nickel-noble metal layer are removed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating conductive lines is described. A substrate having a polysilicon layer thereon is provided. A mask layer having an opening that exposes the polysilicon layer is formed on the polysilicon layer. Then, spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the mask layer. Using the mask layer and the spacers as a mask, a portion of the polysilicon layer is removed until the substrate is exposed. After that, an insulating layer that completely fills the opening is formed over the substrate. The insulating layer has an etching selectivity different from the mask layer. Thereafter, the mask layer is removed to expose the polysilicon layer and then a metal silicide layer is formed on the upper surface of the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) structure that includes multiple and distinct self-aligned silicide contacts and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The MOSFET structure includes at least one metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor having a gate conductor including a gate edge located on a surface of a Si-containing substrate; a first inner silicide having an edge that is substantially aligned to the gate edge of the at least one metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor; and a second outer silicide located adjacent to the first inner silicide. In accordance with the present invention, the second outer silicide has second thickness is greater than the first thickness of the first inner silicide. Moreover, the second outer silicide has a resistivity that is lower than the resistivity of the first inner silicide.

Abstract: A fully silicided gate with a selectable work function includes; a gate dielectric over the substrate; and a first metal silicide layer over the gate dielectric, and a second metal silicide layer wherein the first metal silicide has a different phase then the second metal silicide layer. The metal silicide layers comprises at least one alloy element. The concentration of the alloy element on the interface between the gate dielectric and the metal silicide layers influence the work function of the gate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method comprises forming a metal layer on a silicon-containing layer located on a semiconductor substrate. The method also comprises reacting a portion of the metal layer with the silicon-containing layer to form a metal silicide layer. The method further comprises removing an unreacted portion of the metal layer on the metal silicide layer by a removal process. The removal process includes delivering a flow of an acidic solution to a surface of the unreacted portion of the metal layer, wherein the acidic solution delivered to the surface is substantially gas-free.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided in which non-directional and directional metal (e.g. Ni) deposition steps are performed in the same process chamber. A first plasma is formed for removing material from a target; a secondary plasma for increasing ion density in the material is formed in the interior of an annular electrode (e.g. a Ni ring) connected to an RF generator. Material is deposited non-directionally on the substrate in the absence of the secondary plasma and electrical biasing of the substrate, and deposited directionally when the secondary plasma is present and the substrate is electrically biased. Nickel silicide formed from the deposited metal has a lower gate polysilicon sheet resistance and may have a lower density of pipe defects than NiSi formed from metal deposited in a solely directional process, and has a lower source/drain contact resistance than NiSi formed from metal deposited in a solely non-directional process.

Abstract: A contact structure having silicide layers, a semiconductor device employing the same, and methods of fabricating the contact structure and semiconductor device are provided. The contact structure includes a first conductive region and a second conductive region on a substrate. An insulating layer covers the first and second conductive regions. A first contact hole and a second contact hole are formed through the insulating layer and expose the first and second conductive regions, respectively. A first silicide layer having a first thickness is on the first conductive region exposed by the first contact hole. A second silicide layer having a second thickness different than the first thickness is on the second conductive region exposed by the second contact hole.