Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080203485 | STRAINED METAL GATE STRUCTURE FOR CMOS DEVICES WITH IMPROVED CHANNEL MOBILITY AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A gate structure for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices includes a first gate stack having a first gate dielectric layer formed over a substrate, and a first metal layer formed over the first gate dielectric layer. A second gate stack includes a second gate dielectric layer formed over the substrate and a second metal layer formed over the second gate dielectric layer. The first metal layer is formed in manner so as to impart a tensile stress on the substrate, and the second metal layer is formed in a manner so as to impart a compressive stress on the substrate. | 08-28-2008 |
20080217747 | INTRODUCTION OF METAL IMPURITY TO CHANGE WORKFUNCTION OF CONDUCTIVE ELECTRODES - Semiconductor structures, such as, for example, field effect transistors (FETs) and/or metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor (MOSCAPs), are provided in which the workfunction of a conductive electrode stack is changed by introducing metal impurities into a metal-containing material layer which, together with a conductive electrode, is present in the electrode stack. The choice of metal impurities depends on whether the electrode is to have an n-type workfunction or a p-type workfunction. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such semiconductor structures. The introduction of metal impurities can be achieved by codeposition of a layer containing both a metal-containing material and workfunction altering metal impurities, forming a stack in which a layer of metal impurities is present between layers of a metal-containing material, or by forming a material layer including the metal impurities above and/or below a metal-containing material and then heating the structure so that the metal impurities are introduced into the metal-containing material. | 09-11-2008 |
20080249650 | METHOD FOR COMPOSITION CONTROL OF A METAL COMPOUND FILM - Measurement of the extinction coefficient k is employed for effective and prompt in-line monitoring and/or controlling of the metal film composition. The dependency of the extinction coefficient on the composition of a metal compound is characterized by measuring the extinction coefficients of a series of the metal compound with different compositions. A monitor metal film is then deposited on a wafer. The extinction coefficient k of the film on the wafer is measured and a film compositional parameter is extracted. The wafer processing may continue if k is in specification or the needed compositional change in the film may be extracted from the measured value of the k and the established dependence of k on the composition of the film for out-of-spec k values. | 10-09-2008 |
20080258198 | STABILIZATION OF FLATBAND VOLTAGES AND THRESHOLD VOLTAGES IN HAFNIUM OXIDE BASED SILICON TRANSISTORS FOR CMOS - The present invention provides a metal stack structure that stabilizes the flatband voltage and threshold voltages of material stacks that include a Si-containing conductor and a Hf-based dielectric. This present invention stabilizes the flatband voltages and the threshold voltages by introducing a rare earth metal-containing layer into the material stack that introduces, via electronegativity differences, a shift in the threshold voltage to the desired voltage. Specifically, the present invention provides a metal stack comprising:
| 10-23-2008 |
20090108356 | INTEGRATION SCHEME FOR MULTIPLE METAL GATE WORK FUNCTION STRUCTURES - A metal gate stack containing a metal layer having a mid-band-gap work function is formed on a high-k gate dielectric layer. A threshold voltage adjustment oxide layer is formed over a portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer to provide devices having a work function near a first band gap edge, while another portion of the high-k dielectric layer remains free of the threshold voltage adjustment oxide layer. A gate stack containing a semiconductor oxide based gate dielectric and a doped polycrystalline semiconductor material may also be formed to provide a gate stack having a yet another work function located near a second band gap edge which is the opposite of the first band gap edge. A dense circuit containing transistors of p-type and n-type with the mid-band-gap work function are formed in the region containing the threshold voltage adjustment oxide layer. | 04-30-2009 |
20090152636 | HIGH-K/METAL GATE STACK USING CAPPING LAYER METHODS, IC AND RELATED TRANSISTORS - Methods, IC and related transistors using capping layer with high-k/metal gate stacks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the IC includes a first type transistor having a gate electrode including a first metal, a second metal and a first dielectric layer, the first dielectric layer including oxygen; a second type transistor separated from the first type transistor by an isolation region, the second type transistor having a gate electrode including the second metal having a work function appropriate for the second type transistor and the first dielectric layer; and wherein the gate electrode of the first type transistor includes a rare earth metal between the first metal and the second metal and the gate electrode of the second type transistor includes a second dielectric layer made of an oxide of the rare earth metal. | 06-18-2009 |
20090152637 | PFET WITH TAILORED DIELECTRIC AND RELATED METHODS AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A PFET having tailored dielectric constituted in part by an NFET threshold voltage (Vt) work function tuning layer in a gate stack thereof, related methods and integrated circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the PFET includes an n-type doped silicon well (N-well), a gate stack including: a doped band engineered PFET threshold voltage (Vt) work function tuning layer over the N-well; a tailored dielectric layer over the doped band engineered PFET Vt work function tuning layer, the tailored dielectric layer constituted by a high dielectric constant layer over the doped band engineered PFET Vt work function tuning layer and an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) threshold voltage (Vt) work function tuning layer over the high dielectric constant layer; and a metal over the NFET Vt work function tuning layer. | 06-18-2009 |
20090152650 | HIGH-K DIELECTRIC AND METAL GATE STACK WITH MINIMAL OVERLAP WITH ISOLATION REGION AND RELATED METHODS - A high-k dielectric and metal gate stack with minimal overlap with an adjacent oxide isolation region and related methods are disclosed. One embodiment of the gate stack includes a high dielectric constant (high-k) dielectric layer, a tuning layer and a metal layer positioned over an active region defined by an oxide isolation region in a substrate, wherein an outer edge of the high-k dielectric layer, the tuning layer and the metal layer overlaps the oxide isolation region by less than approximately 200 nanometers. The gate stack and related methods eliminate the regrowth effect in short channel devices by restricting the amount of overlap area between the gate stack and adjacent oxide isolation regions. | 06-18-2009 |
20090152651 | GATE STACK STRUCTURE WITH OXYGEN GETTERING LAYER - A transistor has a channel region in a substrate and source and drain regions in the substrate on opposite sides of the channel region. A gate stack is formed on the substrate above the channel region. This gate stack comprises an interface layer contacting the channel region of the substrate, and a high-k dielectric layer (having a dielectric constant above 4.0) contacting (on) the interface layer. A Nitrogen rich first metal Nitride layer contacts (is on) the dielectric layer, and a metal rich second metal Nitride layer contacts (is on) the first metal Nitride layer. Finally, a Polysilicon cap contacts (is on) the second metal Nitride layer. | 06-18-2009 |
20090212369 | Gate Effective-Workfunction Modification for CMOS - CMOS circuit structures are disclosed with the PFET and NFET devices having high-k dielectric layers consisting of the same gate insulator material, and metal gate layers consisting of the same gate metal material. The PFET device has a “p” interface control layer which is capable of shifting the effective-workfunction of the gate in the p-direction. In a representative embodiment of the invention the “p” interface control layer is aluminum oxide. The NFET device may have an “n” interface control layer. The materials of the “p” and “n” interface control layers are differing materials. The “p” and “n” interface control layers are positioned to the opposite sides of their corresponding high-k dielectric layers. Methods for fabricating the CMOS circuit structures with the oppositely positioned “p” and “n” interface control layers are also disclosed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090236691 | DEEP TRENCH (DT) METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITOR - A deep trench metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor in an SOI-type substrate. In the deep trench, a layer of TiN, followed by a layer of high-k dielectric, followed by a second layer of TiN. The resulting capacitor is completely buried below the SOI layer, thereby allowing for subsequent structures to be placed over the deep trench. | 09-24-2009 |
20090250760 | METHODS OF FORMING HIGH-K/METAL GATES FOR NFETS AND PFETS - Methods of forming high-k/metal gates for an NFET and PFET and a related structure are disclosed. One method includes recessing a PFET region; forming a first high-k dielectric layer and a first metal layer over the substrate; removing the first high-k dielectric layer and the first metal over the NFET region using a mask; forming a forming a second high-k dielectric layer and a second metal layer over the substrate, the first high-k dielectric layer being different then the second high-k dielectric layer and the first metal being different than the second metal; removing the second high-k dielectric layer and the second metal over the PFET region using a mask; depositing a polysilicon over the substrate; and forming a gate over the NFET region and the PFET region by simultaneously etching the polysilicon, the first high-k dielectric layer, the first metal, the second high-k dielectric layer and the second metal. | 10-08-2009 |
20090280631 | Electroless Metal Deposition For Dual Work Function - The present invention, in one embodiment provides a method of forming a semiconducting device including providing a substrate including a semiconducting surface, the substrate comprising a first device region and a second device region; forming a high-k dielectric layer atop the semiconducting surface of the substrate; forming a block mask atop the second device region of the substrate, wherein the first device region of the substrate is exposed; forming a first metal layer atop the high-k dielectric layer present in the first device region of the substrate; removing the block mask to expose a portion of the high-k dielectric layer in the first device region of the substrate; forming a second metal layer atop the portion of the high-k dielectric layer in the second device region and atop the first metal in the first device region of the substrate; and forming gate structures in the first and second device regions of the substrate. | 11-12-2009 |
20090283830 | DUAL METAL GATE SELF-ALIGNED INTEGRATION - A semiconductor structure including at least one n-type field effect transistor (nFET) and at least one p-type field effect transistor (pFET) that both include a metal gate having nFET behavior and pFET behavior, respectively, without including an upper polysilicon gate electrode is provided. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a semiconductor structure. | 11-19-2009 |
20090283838 | Fabrication of self-aligned CMOS structure - A method for fabricating a CMOS structure is disclosed. The method includes the blanket disposition of a high-k gate insulator layer in an NFET device and in a PFET device, and the implementation of a gate metal layer over the NFET device. This is followed by a blanket disposition of an Al layer over both the NFET device and the PFET device. The method further involves a blanket disposition of a shared gate metal layer over the Al layer. When the PFET device is exposed to a thermal annealing, the high-k dielectric oxidizes the Al layer, thereby turning the Al layer into a PFET interfacial control layer, while in the NFET device the Al becomes a region of the metal gate. | 11-19-2009 |
20090294920 | METHOD FOR FORMING DUAL HIGH-K METAL GATE USING PHOTORESIST MASK AND STRUCTURES THEREOF - Methods for forming a front-end-of-the-line (FEOL) dual high-k gate using a photoresist mask and structures thereof are disclosed. One embodiment of the disclosed method includes depositing a high-k dielectric film on a substrate of a FEOL CMOS structure followed by depositing a photoresist thereon; patterning the high-k dielectric according to the photoresist; and removing the photoresist thereafter. The removing of the photoresist includes using an organic solvent followed by removal of any residual photoresist including organic and/or carbon film. The removal of residual photoresist may include a degas process, alternatively known as a bake process. Alternatively, a nitrogen-hydrogen forming gas (i.e., a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen) (N | 12-03-2009 |
20090308636 | IN-SITU SILICON CAP FOR METAL GATE ELECTRODE - Structure and method of improving the performance of metal gate devices by depositing an in-situ silicon (Si) cap are disclosed. A wafer including a substrate and a dielectric layer is heated through a degas process, and then cooled to approximately room temperature. A metal layer is then deposited, and then an in-situ Si cap is deposited thereon. The Si cap is deposited without vacuum break, i.e., in the same mainframe or in the same chamber, as the heating, cooling and metal deposition processes. As such, the amount of oxygen available for interlayer oxide regrowth during subsequent processing is reduced as well as the amount oxygen trapped in the metal gate. | 12-17-2009 |
20100038725 | CHANGING EFFECTIVE WORK FUNCTION USING ION IMPLANTATION DURING DUAL WORK FUNCTION METAL GATE INTEGRATION - Ion implantation to change an effective work function for dual work function metal gate integration is presented. One method may include forming a high dielectric constant (high-k) layer over a first-type field effect transistor (FET) region and a second-type FET region; forming a metal layer having a first effective work function compatible for a first-type FET over the first-type FET region and the second-type FET region; and changing the first effective work function to a second, different effective work function over the second-type FET region by implanting a species into the metal layer over the second-type FET region. | 02-18-2010 |
20100041221 | HIGH PERFORMANCE CMOS CIRCUITS, AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING SAME - The present invention relates to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuits that each contains at least a first and a second gate stacks. The first gate stack is located over a first device region (e.g., an n-FET device region) in a semiconductor substrate and comprises at least, from bottom to top, a gate dielectric layer, a metallic gate conductor, and a silicon-containing gate conductor. The second gate stack is located over a second device region (e.g., a p-FET device region) in the semiconductor substrate and comprises at least, from bottom to top, a gate dielectric layer and a silicon-containing gate conductor. The first and second gate stacks can be formed over the semiconductor substrate in an integrated manner by various methods of the present invention. | 02-18-2010 |
20100044805 | METAL GATES WITH LOW CHARGE TRAPPING AND ENHANCED DIELECTRIC RELIABILITY CHARACTERISTICS FOR HIGH-k GATE DIELECTRIC STACKS - A multilayered gate stack having improved reliability (i.e., low charge trapping and gate leakage degradation) is provided. The inventive multilayered gate stack includes, from bottom to top, a metal nitrogen-containing layer located on a surface of a high-k gate dielectric and Si-containing conductor located directly on a surface of the metal nitrogen-containing layer. The improved reliability is achieved by utilizing a metal nitrogen-containing layer having a compositional ratio of metal to nitrogen of less than 1.1. The inventive gate stack can be useful as an element of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a gate stack in which the process conditions of a sputtering process are varied to control the ratio of metal and nitrogen within the sputter deposited layer. | 02-25-2010 |
20100181630 | DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN HIGH-K/METAL GATE AND WIRING PROCESS FLOW - A low resistance contact is formed to a metal gate or a transistor including a High-K gate dielectric in a high integration density integrated circuit by applying a liner over a gate stack, applying a fill material between the gate stacks, planarizing the fill material to support high-resolution lithography, etching the fill material and the liner selectively to each other to form vias and filling the vias with a metal, metal alloy or conductive metal compound such as titanium nitride. | 07-22-2010 |
20100187610 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING DUAL METAL GATES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a PFET formed on the substrate, the PFET includes a SiGe layer disposed on the substrate, a high-K dielectric layer disposed on the SiGe layer, a first metallic layer disposed on the high-k dielectric layer, a first intermediate layer disposed on the first metallic layer, a second metallic layer disposed on the first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer disposed on the second metallic layer, and a third metallic layer disposed on the second intermediate layer; an NFET formed on the substrate, the NFET includes the high-k dielectric layer, the high-k dielectric layer being disposed on the substrate, the second intermediate layer, the second intermediate layer being disposed on the high-k dielectric layer, and the third metallic layer, the third metallic layer being disposed on the second intermediate layer. Alternatively, the first metallic layer is omitted. A method to fabricate the device includes providing SiO | 07-29-2010 |
20100187643 | METHOD FOR TUNING THE THRESHOLD VOLTAGE OF A METAL GATE AND HIGH-K DEVICE - A metal gate and high-k dielectric device includes a substrate, an interfacial layer on top of the substrate, a high-k dielectric layer on top of the interfacial layer, a metal film on top of the high-k dielectric layer, a cap layer on top of the metal film and a metal gate layer on top of the cap layer. The thickness of the metal film and the thickness of the cap layer are tuned such that a target concentration of a cap layer material is present at an interface of the metal film and the high-k dielectric layer. | 07-29-2010 |
20100200937 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR PMOS DEVICES WITH HIGH K METAL GATE INTEGRATION AND SiGe CHANNEL ENGINEERING - Various techniques for changing the workfunction of the substrate by using a SiGe channel which, in turn, changes the bandgap favorably for a p-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (pMOSFETs) are disclosed. In the various techniques, a SiGe film that includes a low doped SiGe region above a more highly doped SiGe region to allow the appropriate threshold voltage (Vt) for pMOSFET devices while preventing pitting, roughness and thinning of the SiGe film during subsequent cleans and processing is provided. | 08-12-2010 |
20100237435 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR GATE HEIGHT SCALING WITH HIGH-K/METAL GATE TECHNOLOGY - A method and structure to scale metal gate height in high-k/metal gate transistors. A method includes forming a dummy gate and at least one polysilicon feature, all of which are formed from a same polysilicon layer and wherein the dummy gate is formed over a gate metal layer associated with a transistor. The method also includes selectively removing the dummy gate while protecting the at least one polysilicon feature. The method further includes forming a gate contact on the gate metal layer to thereby form a metal gate having a height that is less than half a height of the at least one polysilicon feature. | 09-23-2010 |
20100244206 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR THRESHOLD VOLTAGE CONTROL AND DRIVE CURRENT IMPROVEMENT FOR HIGH-K METAL GATE TRANSISTORS - A method of forming a device includes providing a substrate, forming an interfacial layer on the substrate, depositing a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, depositing an oxygen scavenging layer on the high-k dielectric layer and performing an anneal. A high-k metal gate transistor includes a substrate, an interfacial layer on the substrate, a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer and an oxygen scavenging layer on the high-k dielectric layer. | 09-30-2010 |
20100258881 | DUAL METAL AND DUAL DIELECTRIC INTEGRATION FOR METAL HIGH-K FETS - The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a first conductivity type region and a second conductivity type region; forming a gate stack including a gate dielectric atop the first conductivity type region and the second conductivity type region of the substrate and a first metal gate conductor overlying the high-k gate dielectric; removing a portion of the first metal gate conductor that is present in the first conductivity type region to expose the gate dielectric present in the first conductivity type region; applying a nitrogen based plasma to the substrate, wherein the nitrogen based plasma nitrides the gate dielectric that is present in the first conductivity type region and nitrides the first metal gate conductor that is present in the second conductivity type region; and forming a second metal gate conductor overlying at least the gate dielectric that is present in the first conductivity type region. | 10-14-2010 |
20100264495 | High-K Metal Gate CMOS - A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided that includes forming a Ge-containing layer atop a p-type device regions of the substrate. Thereafter, a first dielectric layer is formed in a second portion of a substrate, and a second dielectric layer is formed overlying the first dielectric layer in the second portion of the substrate and overlying a first portion of the substrate. Gate structures may then formed atop the p-type device regions and n-type device regions of the substrate, in which the gate structures to the n-type device regions include a rare earth metal. | 10-21-2010 |
20100276753 | Threshold Voltage Adjustment Through Gate Dielectric Stack Modification - Multiple types of gate stacks are formed on a doped semiconductor well. A high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric is formed on the doped semiconductor well. A metal gate layer is formed in one device area, while the high-k gate dielectric is exposed in other device areas. Threshold voltage adjustment oxide layers having different thicknesses are formed in the other device areas. A conductive gate material layer is then formed over the threshold voltage adjustment oxide layers. One type of field effect transistors includes a gate dielectric including a high-k gate dielectric portion. Other types of field effect transistors include a gate dielectric including a high-k gate dielectric portion and a first threshold voltage adjustment oxide portions having different thicknesses. Field effect transistors having different threshold voltages are provided by employing different gate dielectric stacks and doped semiconductor wells having the same dopant concentration. | 11-04-2010 |
20110001195 | Fabrication of self-aligned CMOS structure - A method for fabricating a CMOS structure is disclosed. The method includes the blanket disposition of a high-k gate insulator layer in an NFET device and in a PFET device, and the implementation of a gate metal layer over the NFET device. This is followed by a blanket disposition of an Al layer over both the NFET device and the PFET device. The method further involves a blanket disposition of a shared gate metal layer over the Al layer. When the PFET device is exposed to a thermal annealing, the high-k dielectric oxidizes the Al layer, thereby turning the Al layer into a PFET interfacial control layer, while in the NFET device the Al becomes a region of the metal gate. | 01-06-2011 |
20110121401 | Gate Effective-Workfunction Modification for CMOS - CMOS circuit structures are disclosed with the PFET and NFET devices having high-k dielectric layers consisting of the same gate insulator material, and metal gate layers consisting of the same gate metal material. The PFET device has a “p” interface control layer which is capable of shifting the effective-workfunction of the gate in the p-direction. In a representative embodiment of the invention the “p” interface control layer is aluminum oxide. The NFET device may have an “n” interface control layer. The materials of the “p” and “n” interface control layers are differing materials. The “p” and “n” interface control layers are positioned to the opposite sides of their corresponding high-k dielectric layers. Methods for fabricating the CMOS circuit structures with the oppositely positioned “p” and “n” interface control layers are also disclosed. | 05-26-2011 |
20110121436 | METHOD FOR FORMING DUAL HIGH-K METAL GATE USING PHOTORESIST MASK AND STRUCTURES THEREOF - Methods for forming a front-end-of-the-line (FEOL) dual high-k gate using a photoresist mask and structures thereof are disclosed. One embodiment of the disclosed method includes depositing a high-k dielectric film on a substrate of a FEOL CMOS structure followed by depositing a photoresist thereon; patterning the high-k dielectric according to the photoresist; and removing the photoresist thereafter. The removing of the photoresist includes using an organic solvent followed by removal of any residual photoresist including organic and/or carbon film. The removal of residual photoresist may include a degas process, alternatively known as a bake process. Alternatively, a nitrogen-hydrogen forming gas (i.e., a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen) (N | 05-26-2011 |
20110156158 | HIGH-K METAL GATE CMOS - A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided that includes forming a Ge-containing layer atop a p-type device regions of the substrate. Thereafter, a first dielectric layer is formed in a second portion of a substrate, and a second dielectric layer is formed overlying the first dielectric layer in the second portion of the substrate and overlying a first portion of the substrate. Gate structures may then formed atop the p-type device regions and n-type device regions of the substrate, in which the gate structures to the n-type device regions include a rare earth metal. | 06-30-2011 |
20110180880 | DUAL METAL AND DUAL DIELECTRIC INTEGRATION FOR METAL HIGH-K FETS - The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a first conductivity type region and a second conductivity type region; forming a gate stack including a gate dielectric atop the first conductivity type region and the second conductivity type region of the substrate and a first metal gate conductor overlying the high-k gate dielectric; removing a portion of the first metal gate conductor that is present in the first conductivity type region to expose the gate dielectric present in the first conductivity type region; applying a nitrogen based plasma to the substrate, wherein the nitrogen based plasma nitrides the gate dielectric that is present in the first conductivity type region and nitrides the first metal gate conductor that is present in the second conductivity type region; and forming a second metal gate conductor overlying at least the gate dielectric that is present in the first conductivity type region. | 07-28-2011 |
20110221012 | HIGH-K DIELECTRIC GATE STRUCTURES RESISTANT TO OXIDE GROWTH AT THE DIELECTRIC/SILICON SUBSTRATE INTERFACE AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - Methods for fabricating gate electrode/high-k dielectric gate structures having an improved resistance to the growth of silicon dioxide (oxide) at the dielectric/silicon-based substrate interface. In an embodiment, a method of forming a transistor gate structure comprises: incorporating nitrogen into a silicon-based substrate proximate a surface of the substrate; depositing a high-k gate dielectric across the silicon-based substrate; and depositing a gate electrode across the high-k dielectric to form the gate structure. In one embodiment, the gate electrode comprises titanium nitride rich in titanium for inhibiting diffusion of oxygen. | 09-15-2011 |
20110227171 | HIGH-K DIELECTRIC AND METAL GATE STACK WITH MINIMAL OVERLAP WITH ISOLATION REGION - A high-k dielectric and metal gate stack with minimal overlap with an adjacent oxide isolation region and related methods are disclosed. One embodiment of the gate stack includes a high dielectric constant (high-k) dielectric layer, a tuning layer and a metal layer positioned over an active region defined by an oxide isolation region in a substrate, wherein an outer edge of the high-k dielectric layer, the tuning layer and the metal layer overlaps the oxide isolation region by less than approximately 200 nanometers. The gate stack and related methods eliminate the regrowth effect in short channel devices by restricting the amount of overlap area between the gate stack and adjacent oxide isolation regions. | 09-22-2011 |
20110248350 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR WORK FUNCTION ENGINEERING IN TRANSISTORS INCLUDING A HIGH DIELECTRIC CONSTANT GATE INSULATOR AND METAL GATE (HKMG) - Adjustment of a switching threshold of a field effect transistor including a gate structure including a Hi-K gate dielectric and a metal gate is achieved and switching thresholds coordinated between NFETs and PFETs by providing fixed charge materials in a thin interfacial layer adjacent to the conduction channel of the transistor that is provided for adhesion of the Hi-K material, preferably hafnium oxide or HfSiON, depending on design, to semiconductor material rather than diffusing fixed charge material into the Hi-K material after it has been applied. The greater proximity of the fixed charge material to the conduction channel of the transistor increases the effectiveness of fixed charge material to adjust the threshold due to the work function of the metal gate, particularly where the same metal or alloy is used for both NFETs and PFETs in an integrated circuit; preventing the thresholds from being properly coordinated. | 10-13-2011 |
20110298061 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR REPLACEMENT GATE MOSFET WITH SELF-ALIGNED CONTACT USING SACRIFICIAL MANDREL DIELECTRIC - The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a replacement gate structure overlying a channel region of a substrate. A mandrel dielectric layer is formed overlying source and drain regions of the substrate. The replacement gate structure is removed to provide an opening exposing the channel region of the substrate. A functional gate structure is formed over the channel region including a work function metal layer. A protective cap structure is formed over the functional gate structure. At least one via is etched through the mandrel dielectric layer selective to the protective cap structure to expose a portion of at least one of the source region and the drain region. A conductive fill is then formed in the vias to provide a contact to the at least one of the source region and the drain region. | 12-08-2011 |
20120068261 | Replacement Metal Gate Structures for Effective Work Function Control - A stack of a barrier metal layer and a first-type work function metal layer is deposited in replacement metal gate schemes. The barrier metal layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The first-type work function metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the barrier metal layer in the regions of a second type field effect transistor. Alternately, the first-type work function layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The barrier metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer in the regions of the second type field effect transistor. A conductive material fill and planarization form dual work function replacement gate structures. | 03-22-2012 |
20120108017 | THRESHOLD VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT THROUGH GATE DIELECTRIC STACK MODIFICATION - Multiple types of gate stacks are formed on a doped semiconductor well. A high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric is formed on the doped semiconductor well. A metal gate layer is formed in one device area, while the high-k gate dielectric is exposed in other device areas. Threshold voltage adjustment oxide layers having different thicknesses are formed in the other device areas. A conductive gate material layer is then formed over the threshold voltage adjustment oxide layers. One type of field effect transistors includes a gate dielectric including a high-k gate dielectric portion. Other types of field effect transistors include a gate dielectric including a high-k gate dielectric portion and a first threshold voltage adjustment oxide portions having different thicknesses. Field effect transistors having different threshold voltages are provided by employing different gate dielectric stacks and doped semiconductor wells having the same dopant concentration. | 05-03-2012 |
20120119204 | Replacement Gate Having Work Function at Valence Band Edge - Replacement gate stacks are provided, which increase the work function of the gate electrode of a p-type field effect transistor (PFET). In one embodiment, the work function metal stack includes a titanium-oxide-nitride layer located between a lower titanium nitride layer and an upper titanium nitride layer. The stack of the lower titanium nitride layer, the titanium-oxide-nitride layer, and the upper titanium nitride layer produces the unexpected result of increasing the work function of the work function metal stack significantly. In another embodiment, the work function metal stack includes an aluminum layer deposited at a temperature not greater than 420° C. The aluminum layer deposited at a temperature not greater than 420° C. produces the unexpected result of increasing the work function of the work function metal stack significantly. | 05-17-2012 |
20120126335 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR GATE HEIGHT SCALING WITH HIGH-K/METAL GATE TECHNOLOGY - A method and structure to scale metal gate height in high-k/metal gate transistors. A method includes forming a dummy gate and at least one polysilicon feature, all of which are formed from a same polysilicon layer and wherein the dummy gate is formed over a gate metal layer associated with a transistor. The method also includes selectively removing the dummy gate while protecting the at least one polysilicon feature. The method further includes forming a gate contact on the gate metal layer to thereby form a metal gate having a height that is less than half a height of the at least one polysilicon feature. | 05-24-2012 |
20120139053 | Replacement Gate Devices With Barrier Metal For Simultaneous Processing - A method of simultaneously fabricating n-type and p type field effect transistors can include forming a first replacement gate having a first gate metal layer adjacent a gate dielectric layer in a first opening in a dielectric region overlying a first active semiconductor region. A second replacement gate including a second gate metal layer can be formed adjacent a gate dielectric layer in a second opening in a dielectric region overlying a second active semiconductor region. At least portions of the first and second gate metal layers can be stacked in a direction of their thicknesses and separated from each other by at least a barrier metal layer. The NFET resulting from the method can include the first active semiconductor region, the source/drain regions therein and the first replacement gate, and the PFET resulting from the method can include the second active semiconductor region, source/drain regions therein and the second replacement gate. | 06-07-2012 |
20120181616 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF Tinv SCALING FOR HIGH k METAL GATE TECHNOLOGY - A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structure including a scaled n-channel field effect transistor (nFET) and a scaled p-channel field transistor (pFET) which do not exhibit an increased threshold voltage and reduced mobility during operation is provided Such a structure is provided by forming a plasma nitrided, nFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within an nFET gate stack, and forming at least a pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within a pFET gate stack. In some embodiments, the pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion in the pFET gate stack is also plasma nitrided. The plasma nitrided, nFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion includes up to 15 atomic % N | 07-19-2012 |
20120181630 | REPLACEMENT GATE WITH REDUCED GATE LEAKAGE CURRENT - Replacement gate work function material stacks are provided, which provides a work function about the energy level of the conduction band of silicon. After removal of a disposable gate stack, a gate dielectric layer is formed in a gate cavity. A metallic compound layer including a metal and a non-metal element is deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. At least one barrier layer and a conductive material layer is deposited and planarized to fill the gate cavity. The metallic compound layer includes a material having a work function about 4.4 eV or less, and can include a material selected from tantalum carbide and a hafnium-silicon alloy. Thus, the metallic compound layer can provide a work function that enhances the performance of an n-type field effect transistor employing a silicon channel. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181631 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR PMOS DEVICES WITH HIGH K METAL GATE INTEGRATION AND SiGe CHANNEL ENGINEERING - Various techniques for changing the workfunction of the substrate by using a SiGe channel which, in turn, changes the bandgap favorably for a p-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (pMOSFETs) are disclosed. In the various techniques, a SiGe film that includes a low doped SiGe region above a more highly doped SiGe region to allow the appropriate threshold voltage (Vt) for pMOSFET devices while preventing pitting, roughness and thinning of the SiGe film during subsequent cleans and processing is provided. | 07-19-2012 |
20120184093 | HIGH-K/METAL GATE STACK USING CAPPING LAYER METHODS, IC AND RELATED TRANSISTORS - Methods, IC and related transistors using capping layer with high-k/metal gate stacks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the IC includes a first type transistor having a gate electrode including a first metal, a second metal and a first dielectric layer, the first dielectric layer including oxygen; a second type transistor separated from the first type transistor by an isolation region, the second type transistor having a gate electrode including the second metal having a work function appropriate for the second type transistor and the first dielectric layer; and wherein the gate electrode of the first type transistor includes a rare earth metal between the first metal and the second metal and the gate electrode of the second type transistor includes a second dielectric layer made of an oxide of the rare earth metal. | 07-19-2012 |
20120187420 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO MAKE REPLACEMENT METAL GATE AND CONTACT METAL - An electrical device is provided that in one embodiment includes a p-type semiconductor device having a first gate structure that includes a gate dielectric that is present on the semiconductor substrate, a p-type work function metal layer, a metal layer composed of titanium and aluminum, and a metal fill composed of aluminum. An n-type semiconductor device is also present on the semiconductor substrate that includes a second gate structure that includes a gate dielectric, a metal layer composed of titanium and aluminum, and a metal fill composed of aluminum. An interlevel dielectric is present over the semiconductor substrate. The interlevel dielectric includes interconnects to the source and drain regions of the p-type and n-type semiconductor devices. The interconnects are composed of a metal layer composed of titanium and aluminum, and a metal fill composed of aluminum. The present disclosure also provides a method of forming the aforementioned structure. | 07-26-2012 |
20120196424 | METHOD OF FABRICATING A DEEP TRENCH (DT) METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITOR - A method includes providing an SOI substrate including a layer of silicon disposed atop a layer of an oxide, the layer of an oxide being disposed atop the semiconductor substrate; forming a deep trench having a sidewall extending through the layer of silicon and the layer of an oxide and into the substrate; depositing a continuous spacer on the sidewall to cover the layer of silicon, the layer of an oxide and a part of the substrate; depositing a first conformal layer of a conductive material throughout the inside of the deep trench; creating a silicide within the deep trench in regions extending through the sidewall into an uncovered part of the substrate; removing the first conformal layer from the continuous spacer; removing the continuous spacer; depositing a layer of a high k dielectric material throughout the inside of the deep trench, and depositing a second conformal layer of a conductive material onto the layer of a high-k dielectric material. | 08-02-2012 |
20120214299 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR WORK FUNCTION ENGINEERING IN TRANSISTORS INCLUDING A HIGH DIELECTRIC CONSTANT GATE INSULATOR AND METAL GATE (HKMG) - Adjustment of a switching threshold of a field effect transistor including a gate structure including a Hi-K gate dielectric and a metal gate is achieved and switching thresholds coordinated between NFETs and PFETs by providing fixed charge materials in a thin interfacial layer adjacent to the conduction channel of the transistor that is provided for adhesion of the Hi-K material, preferably hafnium oxide or HfSiON, depending on design, to semiconductor material rather than diffusing fixed charge material into the Hi-K material after it has been applied. The greater proximity of the fixed charge material to the conduction channel of the transistor increases the effectiveness of fixed charge material to adjust the threshold due to the work function of the metal gate, particularly where the same metal or alloy is used for both NFETs and PFETs in an integrated circuit; preventing the thresholds from being properly coordinated. | 08-23-2012 |
20120270385 | SWITCHING DEVICE HAVING A MOLYBDENUM OXYNITRIDE METAL GATE - A field effect transistor (FET) includes a body region and a source region disposed at least partially in the body region. The FET also includes a drain region disposed at least partially in the body region and a molybdenum oxynitride (MoNO) gate. The FET also includes a dielectric having a high dielectric constant (k) disposed between the body region and the MoNO gate. | 10-25-2012 |
20120280370 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE DEVOID OF AN INTERFACIAL LAYER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - A method of forming a dielectric stack devoid of an interfacial layer includes subjecting an exposed interfacial layer provided on a semiconductor material to a low pressure thermal anneal process for a predetermined time period at a temperature of about 900° C. to about 1000° C. with an inert gas purge. A semiconductor structure is also disclosed, with a dielectric stack devoid of an interfacial layer. | 11-08-2012 |
20120286374 | HIGH-K DIELECTRIC GATE STRUCTURES RESISTANT TO OXIDE GROWTH AT THE DIELECTRIC/SILICON SUBSTRATE INTERFACE AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - Methods for fabricating gate electrode/high-k dielectric gate structures having an improved resistance to the growth of silicon dioxide (oxide) at the dielectric/silicon-based substrate interface. In an embodiment, a method of forming a transistor gate structure comprises: incorporating nitrogen into a silicon-based substrate proximate a surface of the substrate; depositing a high-k gate dielectric across the silicon-based substrate; and depositing a gate electrode across the high-k dielectric to form the gate structure. In one embodiment, the gate electrode comprises titanium nitride rich in titanium for inhibiting diffusion of oxygen. | 11-15-2012 |
20120329230 | FABRICATION OF SILICON OXIDE AND OXYNITRIDE HAVING SUB-NANOMETER THICKNESS - A method of fabricating a silicon-containing oxide layer that includes providing a chemical oxide layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, removing the chemical oxide layer in an oxygen-free environment at a temperature of 1000° C. or greater to provide a bare surface of the semiconductor substrate, and introducing an oxygen-containing gas at a flow rate to the bare surface of the semiconductor substrate for a first time period at the temperature of 1000° C. The temperature is then reduced to room temperature during a second time period while maintaining the flow rate of the oxygen containing gas to provide a silicon-containing oxide layer having a thickness ranging from 0.5 Å to 10 Å. | 12-27-2012 |
20130062677 | SELF-ALIGNED BOTTOM PLATE FOR METAL HIGH-K DIELECTRIC METAL INSULATOR METAL (MIM) EMBEDDED DYNAMIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY - A memory device, and a method of forming a memory device, is provided that includes a capacitor with a lower electrode of a metal semiconductor alloy. In one embodiment, the memory device includes a trench present in a semiconductor substrate including a semiconductor on insulating (SOI) layer on top of a buried dielectric layer, wherein the buried dielectric layer is on top of a base semiconductor layer. A capacitor is present in the trench, wherein the capacitor includes a lower electrode of a metal semiconductor alloy having an upper edge that is self-aligned to the upper surface of the base semiconductor layer, a high-k dielectric node layer, and an upper electrode of a metal. The memory device further includes a pass transistor in electrical communication with the capacitor. | 03-14-2013 |
20130082337 | OXYGEN SCAVENGING SPACER FOR A GATE ELECTRODE - At least one layer including a scavenging material and a dielectric material is deposited over a gate stack, and is subsequently anisotropically etched to form a oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer. The oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer can be a scavenging-nanoparticle-including gate spacer or a scavenging-island-including gate spacer. The scavenging material is distributed within the oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer in a manner that prevents an electrical short between a gate electrode and a semiconductor material underlying a gate dielectric. The scavenging material actively scavenges oxygen that diffuses toward the gate dielectric from above, or from the outside of, a dielectric gate spacer that can be formed around the oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer. | 04-04-2013 |
20130105879 | NON-VOLATILE MEMORY STRUCTURE EMPLOYING HIGH-K GATE DIELECTRIC AND METAL GATE | 05-02-2013 |
20130126986 | GERMANIUM OXIDE FREE ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION OF SILICON OXIDE AND HIGH-K GATE DIELECTRIC ON GERMANIUM CONTAINING CHANNEL FOR CMOS DEVICES - A semiconductor device including a germanium containing substrate including a gate structure on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate. The gate structure may include a silicon oxide layer that is in direct contact with an upper surface of the germanium containing substrate, at least one high-k gate dielectric layer in direct contact with the silicon oxide layer, and at least one gate conductor in direct contact with the high-k gate dielectric layer. The interface between the silicon oxide layer and the upper surface of the germanium containing substrate is substantially free of germanium oxide. A source region and a drain region may be present on opposing sides of the channel region. | 05-23-2013 |
20130143377 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR REPLACEMENT GATE MOSFET WITH SELF-ALIGNED CONTACT USING SACRIFICIAL MANDREL DIELECTRIC - The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a replacement gate structure overlying a channel region of a substrate. A mandrel dielectric layer is formed overlying source and drain regions of the substrate. The replacement gate structure is removed to provide an opening exposing the channel region of the substrate. A functional gate structure is formed over the channel region including a work function metal layer. A protective cap structure is formed over the functional gate structure. At least one via is etched through the mandrel dielectric layer selective to the protective cap structure to expose a portion of at least one of the source region and the drain region. A conductive fill is then formed in the vias to provide a contact to the at least one of the source region and the drain region. | 06-06-2013 |
20130161764 | REPLACEMENT GATE HAVING WORK FUNCTION AT VALENCE BAND EDGE - Replacement gate stacks are provided, which increase the work function of the gate electrode of a p-type field effect transistor (PFET). In one embodiment, the work function metal stack includes a titanium-oxide-nitride layer located between a lower titanium nitride layer and an upper titanium nitride layer. The stack of the lower titanium nitride layer, the titanium-oxide-nitride layer, and the upper titanium nitride layer produces the unexpected result of increasing the work function of the work function metal stack significantly. In another embodiment, the work function metal stack includes an aluminum layer deposited at a temperature not greater than 420° C. The aluminum layer deposited at a temperature not greater than 420° C. produces the unexpected result of increasing the work function of the work function metal stack significantly. | 06-27-2013 |
20130168780 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE TO REDUCE FET THRESHOLD VOLTAGE SHIFT DUE TO OXYGEN DIFFUSION - Oxygen scavenging material embedded in an isolation structure provides improved protection of high dielectric constant (Hi-K) materials from oxygen contamination while avoiding alteration of work function and switching threshold shift in transistors including such Hi-K materials. | 07-04-2013 |
20130175635 | REPLACEMENT METAL GATE STRUCTURES FOR EFFECTIVE WORK FUNCTION CONTROL - A stack of a barrier metal layer and a first-type work function metal layer is deposited in replacement metal gate schemes. The barrier metal layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The first-type work function metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the barrier metal layer in the regions of a second type field effect transistor. Alternately, the first-type work function layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The barrier metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer in the regions of the second type field effect transistor. A conductive material fill and planarization form dual work function replacement gate structures. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175665 | THERMALLY STABLE HIGH-K TETRAGONAL HFO2 LAYER WITHIN HIGH ASPECT RATIO DEEP TRENCHES - A trench structure that in one embodiment includes a trench present in a substrate, and a dielectric layer that is continuously present on the sidewalls and base of the trench. The dielectric layer has a dielectric constant that is greater than 30. The dielectric layer is composed of tetragonal phase hafnium oxide with silicon present in the grain boundaries of the tetragonal phase hafnium oxide in an amount ranging from 3 wt. % to 20 wt. %. | 07-11-2013 |
20130187239 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF Tinv SCALING FOR HIGH k METAL GATE TECHNOLOGY - A complementary metal oxide semiconductor structure including a scaled nFET and a scaled pFET which do not exhibit an increased threshold voltage and reduced mobility during operation is provided. The method includes forming a plasma nitrided, nFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within an nFET gate stack, and forming at least a pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within a pFET gate stack. The pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion in the pFET gate stack can also be plasma nitrided. The plasma nitrided, nFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion contains up to 15 atomic % N | 07-25-2013 |
20130217219 | REPLACEMENT GATE WITH REDUCED GATE LEAKAGE CURRENT - Replacement gate work function material stacks are provided, which provides a work function about the energy level of the conduction band of silicon. After removal of a disposable gate stack, a gate dielectric layer is formed in a gate cavity. A metallic compound layer including a metal and a non-metal element is deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. At least one barrier layer and a conductive material layer is deposited and planarized to fill the gate cavity. The metallic compound layer includes a material having a work function about 4.4 eV or less, and can include a material selected from tantalum carbide and a hafnium-silicon alloy. Thus, the metallic compound layer can provide a work function that enhances the performance of an n-type field effect transistor employing a silicon channel. | 08-22-2013 |
20130277764 | Etch Stop Layer Formation In Metal Gate Process - A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a metal gate conductor of a gate structure on a channel portion of a semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric cap is formed on the metal gate conductor. The gate dielectric cap is a silicon oxide that is catalyzed by a metal element from the gate conductor so that edges of the gate dielectric cap are aligned with a sidewall of the metal gate conductor. Contacts are then formed to at least one of a source region and a drain region that are on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein the gate dielectric cap obstructs the contacts from contacting the metal gate conductor. | 10-24-2013 |
20130277765 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING GRADED GATE STACK, RELATED METHOD AND DESIGN STRUCTURE - A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; and a gate structure disposed directly on the substrate, the gate structure including: a graded region with a varied material concentration profile; and a metal layer disposed on the graded region. | 10-24-2013 |
20130277767 | ETCH STOP LAYER FORMATION IN METAL GATE PROCESS - A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a metal gate conductor of a gate structure on a channel portion of a semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric cap is formed on the metal gate conductor. The gate dielectric cap is a silicon oxide that is catalyzed by a metal element from the gate conductor so that edges of the gate dielectric cap are aligned with a sidewall of the metal gate conductor. Contacts are then formed to at least one of a source region and a drain region that are on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein the gate dielectric cap obstructs the contacts from contacting the metal gate conductor. | 10-24-2013 |
20130292778 | Techniques for the Fabrication of Thick Gate Dielectric - A method for fabricating a CMOS device includes the following steps. A wafer is provided. STI is used to form at least one active area in the wafer. A silicon oxide layer is deposited onto the wafer covering the active area. A first high-k material is deposited onto the silicon oxide layer. Portions of the silicon oxide layer and the first high-k material are selectively removed, such that the silicon oxide layer and the first high-k material remain over one or more first regions of the active area and are removed from over one or more second regions of the active area. A second high-k material is deposited onto the first high-k material over the one or more first regions of the active area and onto a surface of the wafer in the one or more second regions of the active area. A CMOS device is also provided. | 11-07-2013 |
20140001570 | COMPOSITE HIGH-K GATE DIELECTRIC STACK FOR REDUCING GATE LEAKAGE | 01-02-2014 |
20140001575 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING DIFFERENT GATE OXIDE THICKNESSES | 01-02-2014 |
20140057426 | NON-VOLATILE MEMORY STRUCTURE EMPLOYING HIGH-K GATE DIELECTRIC AND METAL GATE - A high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric for a field effect transistor (FET) and a high-k tunnel dielectric for a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) device are simultaneously formed on a semiconductor substrate. A stack of at least one conductive material layer, a control gate dielectric layer, and a disposable material layer is subsequently deposited and lithographically patterned. A planarization dielectric layer is deposited and patterned, and disposable material portions are removed. A remaining portion of the control gate dielectric layer is preserved in the NVRAM device region, but is removed in the FET region. A conductive material is deposited in gate cavities to provide a control gate for the NVRAM device and a gate portion for the FET. Alternately, the control gate dielectric layer may replaced with a high-k control gate dielectric in the NVRAM device region. | 02-27-2014 |
20140061819 | GERMANIUM OXIDE FREE ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION OF SILICON OXIDE AND HIGH-K GATE DIELECTRIC ON GERMANIUM CONTAINING CHANNEL FOR CMOS DEVICES - A semiconductor device including a germanium containing substrate including a gate structure on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate. The gate structure may include a silicon oxide layer that is in direct contact with an upper surface of the germanium containing substrate, at least one high-k gate dielectric layer in direct contact with the silicon oxide layer, and at least one gate conductor in direct contact with the high-k gate dielectric layer. The interface between the silicon oxide layer and the upper surface of the germanium containing substrate is substantially free of germanium oxide. A source region and a drain region may be present on opposing sides of the channel region. | 03-06-2014 |
20140065783 | OXYGEN SCAVENGING SPACER FOR A GATE ELECTRODE - At least one layer including a scavenging material and a dielectric material is deposited over a gate stack, and is subsequently anisotropically etched to form a oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer. The oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer can be a scavenging-nanoparticle-including gate spacer or a scavenging-island-including gate spacer. The scavenging material is distributed within the oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer in a manner that prevents an electrical short between a gate electrode and a semiconductor material underlying a gate dielectric. The scavenging material actively scavenges oxygen that diffuses toward the gate dielectric from above, or from the outside of, a dielectric gate spacer that can be formed around the oxygen-scavenging-material-including gate spacer. | 03-06-2014 |
20140070293 | SELF-ALIGNED BOTTOM PLATE FOR METAL HIGH-K DIELECTRIC METAL INSULATOR METAL (MIM) EMBEDDED DYNAMIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY - A memory device, and a method of forming a memory device, is provided that includes a capacitor with a lower electrode of a metal semiconductor alloy. In one embodiment, the memory device includes a trench present in a semiconductor substrate including a semiconductor on insulating (SOI) layer on top of a buried dielectric layer, wherein the buried dielectric layer is on top of a base semiconductor layer. A capacitor is present in the trench, wherein the capacitor includes a lower electrode of a metal semiconductor alloy having an upper edge that is self-aligned to the upper surface of the base semiconductor layer, a high-k dielectric node layer, and an upper electrode of a metal. The memory device further includes a pass transistor in electrical communication with the capacitor. | 03-13-2014 |
20140103457 | FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR DEVICE HAVING A HYBRID METAL GATE STACK - A semiconductor device including a gate structure present on a channel portion of a semiconductor substrate and at least one gate sidewall spacer adjacent to the gate structure. In one embodiment, the gate structure includes a work function metal layer present on a gate dielectric layer, a metal semiconductor alloy layer present on a work function metal layer, and a dielectric capping layer present on the metal semiconductor alloy layer. The at least one gate sidewall spacer and the dielectric capping layer may encapsulate the metal semiconductor alloy layer within the gate structure. | 04-17-2014 |
20140106531 | FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR DEVICE HAVING A HYBRID METAL GATE STACK - A semiconductor device including a gate structure present on a channel portion of a semiconductor substrate and at least one gate sidewall spacer adjacent to the gate structure. In one embodiment, the gate structure includes a work function metal layer present on a gate dielectric layer, a metal semiconductor alloy layer present on a work function metal layer, and a dielectric capping layer present on the metal semiconductor alloy layer. The at least one gate sidewall spacer and the dielectric capping layer may encapsulate the metal semiconductor alloy layer within the gate structure. | 04-17-2014 |
20140120708 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES INCLUDING REPLACEMENT METAL GATE PROCESS INCORPORATING A CONDUCTIVE DUMMY GATE LAYER - A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a replacement metal gate process incorporating a conductive dummy gate layer (e.g., silicon germanium (SiGe), titanium nitride, etc.) and a related are disclosed. The method includes forming an oxide layer on a substrate; removing a gate portion of the oxide layer from the substrate in a first region of the semiconductor device; forming a conductive dummy gate layer on the semiconductor device in the first region; and forming a gate on the semiconductor device, the gate including a gate conductor disposed in the first region and directly connected to the substrate. | 05-01-2014 |
20140170844 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF Tinv SCALING FOR HIGH k METAL GATE TECHNOLOGY - A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structure including a scaled n-channel field effect transistor (nFET) and a scaled p-channel field transistor (pFET) is provided. Such a structure is provided by forming a plasma nitrided, nFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within an nFET gate stack, and forming at least a pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion within a pFET gate stack. The pFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion in the pFET gate stack may also plasma nitrided. The plasma nitrided, nFET threshold voltage adjusted high k gate dielectric layer portion includes up to 15 atomic % N | 06-19-2014 |
20140183051 | DEPOSITION OF PURE METALS IN 3D STRUCTURES - A system and method generate atomic hydrogen (H) for deposition of a pure metal in a three-dimensional (3D) structure. The method includes forming a monolayer of a compound that includes the pure metal. The method also includes depositing the monolayer on the 3D structure and immersing the 3D structure with the monolayer in an electrochemical cell chamber including an electrolyte. Applying a negative bias voltage to the 3D structure with the monolayer and a positive bias voltage to a counter electrode generates atomic hydrogen from the electrolyte and deposits the pure metal from the monolayer in the 3D structure. | 07-03-2014 |
20140187028 | Concurrently Forming nFET and pFET Gate Dielectric Layers - Embodiments include methods of forming an nFET-tuned gate dielectric and a pFET-tuned gate dielectric. Methods may include forming a high-k layer above a substrate having a pFET region and an nFET region, forming a first sacrificial layer, a pFET work-function metal layer, and a second sacrificial layer above the first high-k layer in the pFET region, and an nFET work-function metal layer above the first high-k layer in the nFET region and above the second sacrificial layer in the pFET region. The first high-k layer then may be annealed to form an nFET gate dielectric layer in the nFET region and a pFET gate dielectric layer in the pFET region. The first high-k layer may be annealed in the presence of a nitrogen source to cause atoms from the nitrogen source to diffuse into the first high-k layer in the nFET region. | 07-03-2014 |
20140252503 | MULTI-PLASMA NITRIDATION PROCESS FOR A GATE DIELECTRIC - A gate dielectric can be formed by depositing a first silicon oxide material by a first atomic layer deposition process. The thickness of the first silicon oxide material is selected to correspond to at least 10 deposition cycles of the first atomic layer deposition process. The first silicon oxide material is converted into a first silicon oxynitride material by a first plasma nitridation process. A second silicon oxide material is subsequently deposited by a second atomic layer deposition process. The second silicon oxide material is converted into a second silicon oxynitride material by a second plasma nitridation process. Multiple repetitions of the atomic layer deposition process and the plasma nitridation process provides a silicon oxynitride material having a ratio of nitrogen atoms to oxygen atoms greater than 1/3, which can be advantageously employed to reduce the leakage current through a gate dielectric. | 09-11-2014 |
20140262803 | METAL PLATING SYSTEM INCLUDING GAS BUBBLE REMOVAL UNIT - An electroplating apparatus includes an anode configured to electrically communicate with an electrical voltage and an electrolyte solution. A cathode module includes a cathode that is configured to electrically communicate with a ground potential and the electrolyte solution. The cathode module further includes a wafer in electrical communication with the cathode. The wafer is configured to receive metal ions from the anode in response to current flowing through the anode via electrodeposition. The electroplating apparatus further includes at least one agitating device interposed between the wafer and the anode. The agitating device is configured to apply a force to gas bubbles adhering to a surface of the wafer facing the agitating device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140308821 | HYDROXYL GROUP TERMINATION FOR NUCLEATION OF A DIELECTRIC METALLIC OXIDE - A surface of a semiconductor-containing dielectric material/oxynitride/nitride is treated with a basic solution in order to provide hydroxyl group termination of the surface. A dielectric metal oxide is subsequently deposited by atomic layer deposition. The hydroxyl group termination provides a uniform surface condition that facilitates nucleation and deposition of the dielectric metal oxide, and reduces interfacial defects between the oxide and the dielectric metal oxide. Further, treatment with the basic solution removes more oxide from a surface of a silicon germanium alloy with a greater atomic concentration of germanium, thereby reducing a differential in the total thickness of the combination of the oxide and the dielectric metal oxide across surfaces with different germanium concentrations. | 10-16-2014 |
20150021699 | FIN Field Effect Transistors Having Multiple Threshold Voltages - 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. | 01-22-2015 |
20150044853 | THERMALLY STABLE HIGH-K TETRAGONAL HFO2 LAYER WITHIN HIGH ASPECT RATIO DEEP TRENCHES - A trench structure that in one embodiment includes a trench present in a substrate, and a dielectric layer that is continuously present on the sidewalls and base of the trench. The dielectric layer has a dielectric constant that is greater than 30. The dielectric layer is composed of tetragonal phase hafnium oxide with silicon present in the grain boundaries of the tetragonal phase hafnium oxide in an amount ranging from 3 wt. % to 20 wt. %. | 02-12-2015 |