| GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20160141379 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH MIDDLE OF LINE CAPACITANCE REDUCTION IN SELF-ALIGNED CONTACT PROCESS FLOW AND FABRICATION METHODS - Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with middle of line capacitance reduction in self-aligned contact process flow and fabrication are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining a wafer with at least one source, drain, and gate; forming a first contact region over the at least one source and a second contact region over the at least one drain; and forming at least one first and second small contact over the first and second contact regions. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a wafer with a gate, source region, and drain region; at least one first contact region positioned over a portion of the source; at least one second contact region positioned over a portion of the drain; at least one first small contact positioned above the first contact region; and at least one second small contact positioned above the second contact region. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160141368 | TALL STRAINED HIGH PERCENTAGE SILICON-GERMANIUM FINS - The present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices and more particularly, to a structure and method of forming one or more tall strained silicon germanium (SiGe) fins on a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate. The fins have a germanium (Ge) concentration which may differ from the Ge concentration within the top layer of the SOI substrate. The difference in Ge concentration between the fins and the top layer of the SOI substrate may range from approximately 10 atomic percent to approximately 40 atomic percent. This Ge concentration differential may be used to tailor a strain on the fins. The strain on the fins may be tailored to increase the critical thickness and allow for a greater height of the fins as compared to conventional strained fins of the same SiGe concentration formed from bulk material. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160133716 | ALTERNATIVE GATE DIELECTRIC FILMS FOR SILICON GERMANIUM AND GERMANIUM CHANNEL MATERIALS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a high-K dielectric film for use with silicon germanium (SiGe) or germanium channel materials, and methods of fabrication. As a first step of this process, an interfacial layer (IL) is formed on the semiconductor substrate providing reduced interface trap density. However, an ultra-thin layer is used as a barrier film to avoid germanium diffusion in high-k film and oxygen diffusion from the high-k film to the interfacial layer (IL), therefore, dielectric films such as aluminum oxide (Al | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160126352 | HYBRID ORIENTATION FIN FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR AND PLANAR FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR - A substrate including a handle substrate, a lower insulator layer, a buried semiconductor layer, an upper insulator layer, and a top semiconductor layer is provided. Semiconductor fins can be formed by patterning a portion of the buried semiconductor layer after removal of the upper insulator layer and the top semiconductor layer in a fin region, while a planar device region is protected by an etch mask. A disposable fill material portion is formed in the fin region, and a shallow trench isolation structure can be formed in the planar device region. The disposable fill material portion is removed, and gate stacks for a planar field effect transistor and a fin field effect transistor can be simultaneously formed. Alternately, disposable gate structures and a planarization dielectric layer can be formed, and replacement gate stacks can be subsequently formed. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160126316 | TRANSISTOR STRUCTURES AND FABRICATION METHODS THEREOF - Transistor structures and methods of fabricating transistor structures are provided. The methods include: fabricating a transistor structure at least partially within a substrate, the fabricating including: providing a cavity within the substrate; and forming a first portion and a second portion of the transistor structure at least partially within the cavity, the first portion being disposed at least partially between the substrate and the second portion, where the first portion inhibits diffusion of material from the second portion into the substrate. In one embodiment, the transistor structure is a field-effect transistor structure, and the first portion and the second portion include one of a source region or a drain region of the field-effect transistor structure. In another embodiment, the transistor structure is a bipolar junction transistor structure. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160126141 | METHODS FOR FORMING FINFETS HAVING A CAPPING LAYER FOR REDUCING PUNCH THROUGH LEAKAGE - A method for forming FinFETs having a capping layer for reducing punch through leakage includes providing an intermediate semiconductor structure having a semiconductor substrate and a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A capping layer is disposed over the fin, and an isolation fill is disposed over the capping layer. A portion of the isolation fill and the capping layer is removed to expose an upper surface portion of the fin. Tapping layer and a lower portion of the fin define an interface dipole layer barrier, a portion of the capping layer operable to provide an increased negative charge or an increased positive charge adjacent to the fin, to reduce punch-through leakage compared to a fin without the capping layer. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160124308 | ALTERNATING SPACE DECOMPOSITION IN CIRCUIT STRUCTURE FABRICATION - Fabrication of a circuit structure is facilitated, in which a first exposure of a multi-layer structure is performed using a first mask, which defines positioning of at least one edge of an element to be formed above a substrate of the multi-layer structure. A second exposure of the multi-layer structure is performed using a second mask, which defines positioning of at least one other edge of the element. At least some material of the multi-layer structure is removed using, at least in part, the defined positioning of the at least one edge and the at least one other edges of the element, to form the element above the substrate. In some examples, multiple elements are formed, the multiple elements being hardmask elements to facilitate an etch process to etch a substrate material. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160118473 | NON-PLANAR SCHOTTKY DIODE AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - A non-planar Schottky diode includes a semiconductor substrate of a first type, the first type including one of n-type and p-type. The structure further includes raised semiconductor structure(s) of a second type opposite the first type coupled to the substrate, isolation material surrounding a lower portion of the raised structure(s), a first well of the second type directly under the raised structure(s), a guard ring of the first type around an edge of a top portion of the first well, a conformal layer of silicide over a top portion of the raised structure(s) above the isolation material, and a common contact above the conformal layer of silicide. The non-planar Schottky diode can be fabricated with non-planar transistors, e.g., FinFETs. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160118468 | MULTIPLE LAYER INTERFACE FORMATION FOR SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE - There is set forth herein a method of fabricating a contact interface formation. A layer of Ti metal can be deposited on a substrate and a layer of Ni metal can be deposited over the layer of Ti metal. An annealing process can be performed to form a contact interface formation having Ti in reacted form and Ni in reacted form. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160118458 | METAL-INSULATOR-METAL BACK END OF LINE CAPACITOR STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the present invention provide improved metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors. In embodiments, series resistance is reduced by forming a via underneath the bottom plate of a MIM capacitor, leading to a metallization layer or intermediate metal sublayer. In embodiments, the MIM capacitor is formed with a corrugated shape to increase the plate surface area, allowing a thicker dielectric to be used, thereby mitigating leakage issues. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160118414 | DUAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL AND RF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES USING LOCAL SOI - Co-fabrication of a radio-frequency (RF) semiconductor device with a three-dimensional semiconductor device includes providing a starting three-dimensional semiconductor structure, the starting structure including a bulk silicon semiconductor substrate, raised semiconductor structure(s) coupled to the substrate and surrounded by a layer of isolation material. Span(s) of the layer of isolation material between adjacent raised structures are recessed, and a layer of epitaxial semiconductor material is created over the recessed span(s) of isolation material over which another layer of isolation material is created. The RF device(s) are fabricated on the layer of isolation material above the epitaxial material, which creates a local silicon-on-insulator, while the three-dimensional semiconductor device(s) can be fabricated on the raised structure(s). | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160118386 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE HAVING FINFET ULTRA THIN BODY AND METHODS OF FABRICATION THEREOF - In one aspect there is set forth herein a semiconductor structure having fins extending upwardly from an ultrathin body (UTB). In one embodiment a multilayer structure can be disposed on a wafer and can be used to pattern voids extending from a UTB layer of the wafer. Selected material can be formed in the voids to define fins extending upward from the UTB layer. In one embodiment silicon (Si) can be grown within the voids to define the fins. In one embodiment, germanium based material can be grown within the voids to define the fins. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160118341 | PRECUT METAL LINES - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for cuts of sacrificial metal lines in a back end of line structure. Sacrificial Mx+1 lines are formed above metal Mx lines. A line cut lithography stack is deposited and patterned over the sacrificial Mx+1 lines and a cut cavity is formed. The cut cavity is filled with dielectric material. A selective etch process removes the sacrificial Mx+1 lines, preserving the dielectric that fills in the cut cavity. Precut metal lines are then formed by depositing metal where the sacrificial Mx+1 lines were removed. Thus embodiments of the present invention provide precut metal lines, and do not require metal cutting. By avoiding the need for metal cutting, the risks associated with metal cutting are avoided. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160118298 | OXIDE MEDIATED EPITAXIAL NICKEL DISILICIDE ALLOY CONTACT FORMATION - Contact openings are formed into a dielectric material exposing a surface portion of a semiconductor substrate. An interfacial oxide layer is then formed in each contact opening and on an exposed surface portion of the interfacial oxide layer. A NiPt alloy layer is formed within each opening and on the exposed surface portion of each interfacial oxide layer. An anneal is then performed that forms a contact structure of, from bottom to top, a nickel disilicide alloy body having an inverted pyramidal shape, a Pt rich silicide cap region and an oxygen rich region. A metal contact is then formed within each contact opening and atop the oxygen rich region of each contact structure. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160116435 | NANOCHANNEL ELECTRODE DEVICES - A nanoscale electrode device can be fabricated by forming a pair of semiconductor fins laterally spaced from each other by a uniform distance and formed on a substrate. The pair of semiconductor fins can function as a pair of electrodes that can be biased to detect the leakage current through a nanoscale string to pass therebetween. A nanochannel having a uniform separation distance is formed between the pair of semiconductor fins. The nanochannel may be defined by a gap between a pair of raised active regions formed on the pair of semiconductor fins, or between proximal sidewalls of the pair of semiconductor fins. An opening is formed through the portion of the substrate underlying the region of the nanochannel to enable passing of a nanoscale string. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160111539 | HIGH MOBILITY PMOS AND NMOS DEVICES HAVING Si-Ge QUANTUM WELLS - At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves semiconductor base structure adapted for accepting at least one of a NMOS device and a PMOS device. A substrate is formed. A strained relaxed layer is formed on the substrate. A first tensile strained layer is formed on the strained relaxed layer. A first compressive strain layer is formed on the first tensile strained layer. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160111514 | ULTRA-LOW RESISTANCE GATE STRUCTURE FOR NON-PLANAR DEVICE VIA MINIMIZED WORK FUNCTION MATERIAL - A non-planar semiconductor structure includes an ultra-low resistance gate structure. The non-planar structure includes a semiconductor substrate and raised semiconductor structures coupled to the substrate, a lower portion of the raised structures surrounded by a layer of isolation material. The structure further includes gate structures surrounding an upper portion of the raised structures, the gate structures including a conductive material and a layer of work function material present only in a limited area surrounding each raised structure. The limited area of work function material is achieved in fabrication by including dummy gate structures covering a layer of selectively removable material above the raised structures and a layer of hard mask material above the selectively removable layer, removing the selectively removable layer with the dummy gate structures, filling the resulting gate openings with work function material and then removing most of it, using the layer of hard mask material to delimit the limited area of work function material. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160111406 | TOP-SIDE INTERCONNECTION SUBSTRATE FOR DIE-TO-DIE INTERCONNECTION - At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves a multi-die integrated circuit device. A first substrate portion having a first height is formed. A first device over the first substrate portion is formed. A second substrate portion having a second height is formed. A second device is formed over the second substrate portion. An interconnect substrate feature is formed above the first and second devices. The interconnect substrate is configured to accommodate a plurality of interconnect lines electrically coupling the first and second devices. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160111339 | CONTACT LINERS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND FABRICATION METHODS THEREOF - Contact liners for integrated circuits and fabrication methods thereof are presented. The methods include: fabricating an integrated circuit structure having a first transistor having at least one of a p-type source region or a p-type drain region and a second transistor having at least one of an n-type source region or an n-type drain region, and the fabricating including: forming a contact liner at least partially over both the first transistor and the second transistor, the contact liner including a first contact liner material and a second contact liner material, wherein the first contact liner material is selected to facilitate electrical connection to the at least one p-type source region or p-type drain region of the first transistor, and the second contact liner material is selected to facilitate electrical connection to the at least one n-type source region or n-type drain region of the second transistor. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160111322 | FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING LOCAL BURIED OXIDE - There is set forth herein in one embodiment a FinFET semiconductor device having a fin extending from a bulk silicon substrate, wherein there is formed wrapped around a portion of the fin a gate, and wherein proximate a channel area of the fin aligned to the gate there is formed a local buried oxide region aligned to the gate. In one embodiment, the local buried oxide region is formed below a channel area of the fin. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160111320 | T-SHAPED FIN ISOLATION REGION AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided having an isolation feature within a fin structure which, for instance, facilitates isolating circuit elements supported by the fin structure. The fabrication method includes, for instance, providing an isolation material disposed, in part, within the fin structure, the isolation material being formed to include a T-shaped isolation region and a first portion extending into the fin structure, and a second portion disposed over the first portion and extending above the fin structure. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160110489 | METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR USING FILLER CELLS IN DESIGN OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICES - At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves circuit layout for an integrated circuit device. A design for an integrated circuit device is received; The design comprises a first functional cell and a second functional cell. The first functional cell is placed on a circuit layout. A determination is made as to whether the first cell comprises a vertical boundary that is electrically floating. A filler cell is placed adjacent to the vertical boundary on the circuit layout in response to determining that the first cell comprises the vertical boundary that is electrically floating. The second functional cell is placed adjacent to the filler cell to form a contiguous active area on the circuit layout. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160105179 | LEVEL SHIFTING AN I/O SIGNAL INTO MULTIPLE VOLTAGE DOMAINS - Embodiments disclosed herein include an I/O module with multiple level shifters that establish a plurality of voltage domains. Using the level shifters, the I/O module converts data signals in a core logic voltage domain to data signals in an external voltage domain. In one embodiment, when transmitting data signals to an external device, the I/O module level shifts the data signals from a core logic voltage domain to a low voltage domain. The I/O module then level shifts the data signals from the low voltage domain to an intermediate voltage domain. The I/O module may further shift the data signals from the intermediate voltage domain to both a low voltage domain and a high voltage domain. Using the data signals from both of these domains, the I/O module outputs the data signals in a voltage domain corresponding to a communication technique used to transmit data to the external device. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160104774 | NON-PLANAR VERTICAL DUAL SOURCE DRIFT METAL-OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR (VDSMOS) - A non-planar lateral drift MOS device eliminates the need for a field plate extension, which reduces gate width. In one example, two sources and two comparatively small gates in a raised structure allow for two channels and a dual current with mirrored flows, each traveling into and downward through a center region of a connecting well that connects the substrate with the drain areas and shallow wells containing the source areas, the current then traveling in opposite directions within the substrate region of the connecting well toward the two drains. The source and drain areas may be separate raised structures or isolated areas of a continuous raised structure. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160104707 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR TRANSISTORS USING GATE STACK DOPANTS WITH MINIMAL NITROGEN PENETRATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide CMOS structures and methods of gate formation that combine a keep-cap scheme in which a protective layer is maintained on a PFET during a replacement metal gate process that utilizes an NFET-first process flow. Selective nitridation is used to provide nitrogen to the NFET while the PFET is protected from nitrogen by the keep-cap. Additional dopants are provided to the NFET using a gate stack dopant material (GSDM) layer. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160104644 | PROCESS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FABRICATION INCLUDING A UNIFORM DEPTH TUNGSTEN RECESS TECHNIQUE - Dummy gates are removed from a pre-metal layer to produce a first opening (with a first length) and a second opening (with a second length longer than the first length). Work function metal for a metal gate electrode is provided in the first and second openings. Tungsten is deposited to fill the first opening and conformally line the second opening, thus leaving a third opening. The thickness of the tungsten layer substantially equals the length of the first opening. The third opening is filled with an insulating material. The tungsten is then recessed in both the first and second openings using a dry etch to substantially a same depth from a top surface of the pre-metal layer to complete the metal gate electrode. Openings left following the recess operation are then filled with a dielectric material forming a cap on the gate stack which includes the metal gate electrode. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160104621 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING COMMON CONTACT AND GATE PROPERTIES - In one aspect there is set forth herein a semiconductor device wherein a contact conductive layer and a gate conductive layer include a common conductive material. In one aspect a source/drain region contact conductive layer of an nFET, and a gate conductive layer of a gate of the nFET can be fabricated to include an n material. In one aspect a source/drain region contact conductive layer of a pFET, and a gate conductive layer of the pFET can be fabricated to include an p material. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160104541 | NOVEL OTPROM FOR POST-PROCESS PROGRAMMING USING SELECTIVE BREAKDOWN - At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves hard-coding data into an integrated circuit device. An integrated circuit device provided. Data for hard-wiring information into a portion of the integrated circuit device is received. A stress voltage signal is provided to a portion of a transistor of the integrated circuit device for causing a dielectric breakdown of the portion of the transistor for hard-wiring the data. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160099333 | FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - An improved field effect transistor and method of fabrication are disclosed. A barrier layer stack is formed in the base and sidewalls of a gate cavity. The barrier layer stack has a first metal layer and a second metal layer. A gate electrode metal is deposited in the cavity. The barrier layer stack is thinned or removed on the sidewalls of the gate cavity, to more precisely control the voltage threshold of the field effect transistor. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160099329 | SUSPENDED BODY FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR - A semiconductor fin including a vertical stack, from bottom to top, of a second semiconductor material and a first semiconductor material is formed on a substrate. A disposable gate structure straddling the semiconductor fin is formed. A source region and a drain region are formed employing the disposable gate structure as an implantation mask, At least one semiconductor shell layer or a semiconductor cap layer can be formed as an etch stop structure. A planarization dielectric layer is subsequently formed. A gate cavity is formed by removing the disposable gate structure. A portion of the second semiconductor material is removed selective to the first semiconductor material within the gate cavity so that a middle portion of the semiconductor fin becomes suspended over the substrate. A gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode are sequentially formed. The gate electrode laterally surrounds a body region of a fin field effect transistor. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160099239 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCTION OF POWER CONSUMPTION IN A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves performing power reduction process on a FinFET device. A first design is provided. The first design comprises a process mask definition, a FinFET device that comprises a plurality of fins characterized by said process mask, and a timing requirement relating to an operation of said FinFET device. A timing parameter of said operation of said FinFET device is determined. Based upon said timing parameter, a determination is made as to whether a drive capability of said FinFET device is above a level required to maintain said timing requirement. The process mask is modified for reducing at least one of said fins in response to said determining that said drive capability is above said level required to maintain said timing requirement. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160099171 | DIMENSION-CONTROLLED VIA FORMATION PROCESSING - Methods are provided for dimension-controlled via formation over a circuit structure, including over multiple adjacent conductive structures. The method(s) includes, for instance, providing a patterned multi-layer stack structure above the circuit structure, the stack structure including at least one layer, and a pattern transfer layer above the at least one layer, the pattern transfer layer being patterned with at least one via opening; providing a sidewall spacer layer within the at least one via opening to form at least one dimension-controlled via opening; and etching through the at least one layer of the stack structure using the at least one dimension-controlled via opening to facilitate providing the via(s) over the circuit structure. In one implementation, the stack structure includes a trench-opening within a patterned hard mask layer disposed between a dielectric layer and a planarization layer, and the via(s) is partially self-aligned to the trench. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160099168 | METHOD FOR DEFINING AN ISOLATION REGION(S) OF A SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE - Methods for defining an isolation region of a semiconductor structure are provided. The method includes, for instance: providing a semiconductor structure with a recess therein; disposing an insulator layer conformally within the recess in the semiconductor structure to partially fill the recess; modifying at least one material property of the insulator layer to obtain a densified insulator layer within the recess, where the modifying reduces a thickness of the densified insulator layer compared to that of the insulator layer; and depositing at least one additional insulator layer within the recess over the densified insulator layer, where the densified insulator layer within the recess defines, at least in part, an isolation region of the semiconductor structure. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160086952 | PREVENTING EPI DAMAGE FOR CAP NITRIDE STRIP SCHEME IN A FIN-SHAPED FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FINFET) DEVICE - Approaches for forming an oxide cap to protect a semiconductor device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor device (FinFET)) are provided. Specifically, approaches are provided for forming an oxide cap over a subset (e.g., SiP regions) of raised source drain (RSD) structures on the set of fins of the FinFET device to mitigate damage during subsequent processing. The oxide spacer is deposited before the removal of a nitride capping layer from the FinFET device (e.g., by a hot phosphorus wash). The oxide cap on top of the RSD structures will be preserved throughout the removal of the nitride capping layer to provide hardmask protection during this process. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160086886 | NANOWIRE COMPATIBLE E-FUSE - An e-fuse is provided in one area of a semiconductor substrate. The E-fuse includes a vertical stack of from, bottom to top, base metal semiconductor alloy portion, a first metal semiconductor alloy portion, a second metal semiconductor portion, a third metal semiconductor alloy portion and a fourth metal semiconductor alloy portion, wherein the first metal semiconductor alloy portion and the third metal semiconductor portion have outer edges that are vertically offset and do not extend beyond vertical edges of the second metal semiconductor alloy portion and the fourth metal semiconductor alloy portion. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160079397 | PARTIAL FIN ON OXIDE FOR IMPROVED ELECTRICAL ISOLATION OF RAISED ACTIVE REGIONS - A semiconductor fin suspended above a top surface of a semiconductor layer and supported by a gate structure is formed. An insulator layer is formed between the top surface of the semiconductor layer and the gate structure. A gate spacer is formed, and physically exposed portions of the semiconductor fin are removed by an anisotropic etch. Subsequently, physically exposed portions of the insulator layer can be etched with a taper. Alternately, a disposable spacer can be formed prior to an anisotropic etch of the insulator layer. The lateral distance between two openings in the dielectric layer across the gate structure is greater than the lateral distance between outer sidewalls of the gate spacers. Selective deposition of a semiconductor material can be performed to form raised active regions. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160079242 | PATTERNING MULTIPLE, DENSE FEATURES IN A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING A MEMORIZATION LAYER - Provided are approaches for patterning multiple, dense features in a semiconductor device using a memorization layer. Specifically, an approach includes: patterning a plurality of openings in a memorization layer; forming a gap-fill material within each of the plurality of openings; removing the memorization layer; removing an etch stop layer adjacent the gap-fill material, wherein a portion of the etch stop layer remains beneath the gap-fill material; etching a hardmask to form a set of openings above the set of gate structures, wherein the etch to the hardmask also removes the gap-fill material from atop the remaining portion of the etch stop layer; and etching the semiconductor device to remove the hardmask within each of the set of openings. In one embodiment, a set of dummy S/D contact pillars is then formed over a set of fins of the semiconductor device by etching a dielectric layer selective to the gate structures. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160079168 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH METAL-TITANIUM OXIDE CONTACTS AND FABRICATION METHODS - Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with metal-titanium oxide contacts are provided. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a substrate, at least one field-effect transistor disposed on the substrate, a first contact region positioned over at least a first portion of the at least one field-effect transistor between a spacer and an interlayer dielectric, and a second contact region positioned over at least a second portion of the at least one field-effect transistor between a spacer and an interlayer dielectric. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device and forming at least one contact on the intermediate semiconductor device. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160071962 | SYMMETRICAL LATERAL BIPOLAR JUNCTION TRANSISTOR AND USE OF SAME IN CHARACTERIZING AND PROTECTING TRANSISTORS - A symmetrical lateral bipolar junction transistor (SLBJT) is provided. The SLBJT includes a p-type semiconductor substrate, a n-type well, an emitter of a SLBJT situated in the n-type well, a base of the SLBJT situated in the n-type well and spaced from the emitter by a distance on one side of the base, a collector of the SLBJT situated in the n-type well and spaced from the base by the distance on an opposite side of the base, and an electrical connection to the substrate outside the n-type well. The SLBJT is used to characterize a transistor in a circuit by electrically coupling the SLBJT to a gate of the test transistor, applying a voltage to the gate, and characterizing aspect(s) of the test transistor under the applied voltage. The SLBJT protects the gate against damage to the gate dielectric. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160071932 | FINFET STRUCTURES HAVING UNIFORM CHANNEL SIZE AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - Methods of fabricating circuit structures including FinFET structures are provided, including: providing a substrate and a first material having a first threshold voltage above the substrate, and a second material having a second threshold voltage lower than the first threshold voltage above the first material; forming fins having base fin portions formed from the first material and upper fin portions formed from the second material; providing gate structures over the fins to form one or more FinFET structures, wherein the gate structures wrap around at least the upper fin portions and have an operating voltage lower than the first threshold voltage and higher than the second threshold voltage, so that the upper fin portions define a channel size of the one or more FinFET structures. Circuit structures including FinFET structures are also provided, in which the FinFET structures have a uniform channel size defined only by upper fin portions thereof. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160071742 | PHOTORESIST COLLAPSE METHOD FOR FORMING A PHYSICAL UNCLONABLE FUNCTION - An organic material layer is lithographically patterned to include a linear array portion of lines and spaces. In one embodiment, the organic material layer can be an organic planarization layer that is patterned employing a photoresist layer, which is consumed during patterning of the organic planarization layer. Volume expansion of the organic planarization layer upon exposure to a halogen-including gas causes portions of the linear array to collapse at random locations. In another embodiment, the height of the photoresist layer is selected such that the linear array portion of the photoresist layer is mechanically unstable and produces random photoresist collapses. The pattern including random modifications due to the collapse of the organic material layer is transferred into an underlying layer to generate an array of conductive material lines with random electrical disruption of shorts or opens. The structure with random shorts can be employed as a physical unclonable function. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160064523 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE HAVING A SOURCE AND A DRAIN WITH REVERSE FACETS - A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer includes a gate structure, a first trench in the semiconductor wafer adjacent to a first side of the gate structure and a second trench adjacent to a second side of the gate structure, the first and second trenches filled with a doped epitaxial silicon to form a source in the filled first trench and a drain in the filled second trench such that each of the source and drain are recessed and have an inverted facet. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the epitaxial silicon is doped with boron. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160064372 | ESD SNAPBACK BASED CLAMP FOR FINFET - There is set forth herein a field effect transistor (FET) configured as an ESD protection device. In one embodiment, the FET can be configured to operate in a snapback operating mode. The FET can include a semiconductor substrate, a gate formed on the substrate and a dummy gate formed on the substrate spaced apart from the gate. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160064371 | NON-PLANAR ESD DEVICE FOR NON-PLANAR OUTPUT TRANSISTOR AND COMMON FABRICATION THEREOF - Protecting non-planar output transistors from electrostatic discharge (ESD) events includes providing a non-planar semiconductor structure, the structure including a semiconductor substrate with a well of n-type or p-type. The provided non-planar structure further includes raised semiconductor structure(s) coupled to the substrate, non-planar transistor(s) of a type opposite the well, each transistor being situated on one of the raised structure(s), the non-planar transistor(s) each including a source, a drain and a gate, the non-planar structure further including parasitic bipolar junction transistor(s) (BJT(s)) on the raised structure(s), each BJT including a collector and an emitter situated on the raised structure and a base being the well, and a well contact for the base of the BJT. Protecting the non-planar output transistors further includes electrically coupling the drain of the non-planar transistor and the collector of the BJT to an output of a circuit, and electrically coupling the source of the non-planar transistor, the emitter of the BJT and the well contact to a ground of the circuit. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160061880 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR TDDB TESTING - At least one method and system disclosed herein involves performing a time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) on a plurality of devices. A first device and a second device are provided for testing. A test signal is provided for performing a time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) test on the first and second devices. A selection signal for selecting said first and second devices for performing said TDDB test. The first and second devices are arranged in series with a first resistor such that based upon said selecting, the test signal is applied substantially simultaneously to the first and second devices through the first resistor. A determination is made as to whether a breakdown and/or a failure of at least one of the first and second devices has occurred based upon a change in voltage across the first resistor. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160056231 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND FABRICATION METHODS THEREOF - Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The semiconductor devices include: a substrate, the substrate including a p-type well adjoining an n-type well; a first p-type region and a first n-type region disposed within the n-type well of the substrate, where the first p-type region at least partially encircles the first n-type region; and a second p-type region and a second n-type region disposed in the p-type well of the substrate, where the second n-type region at least partially encircles the second p-type region. In one embodiment, the first p-type region fully encircles the first n-type region and the second n-type region fully encircles the second p-type region. In another embodiment, the semiconductor device may be a bipolar junction transistor or a rectifier. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160054383 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE HAVING TEST DEVICE - There is set forth herein a semiconductor structure including a plurality of test devices, the plurality of test devices including a first test device and a second test device. A semiconductor structure can also include a waveform generating circuit, the waveform generating circuit configured for application of a first stress signal waveform having a first duty cycle to the first test device, and a second stress signal waveform having a second duty cycle to the second test device. A semiconductor structure can include a selection circuit associated with each of the first test device and the second test device for switching between a stress cycle and a sensing cycle. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160049495 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES WITH COPLANAR RECESSED GATE LAYERS AND FABRICATION METHODS - Semiconductor structures and fabrication methods are provided which includes, for instance, providing a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure including multiple conformal gate layers and a gate material disposed within the multiple conformal gate layers; recessing a portion of the multiple conformal gate layers below an upper surface of the gate structure, where upper surfaces of recessed, multiple conformal gate layers are coplanar; and removing a portion of the gate material to facilitate an upper surface of a remaining portion of the gate material to be coplanar with an upper surface of the recessed, multiple conformal gate layers. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160049488 | SEMICONDUCTOR GATE WITH WIDE TOP OR BOTTOM - A semiconductor structure with wide-bottom and/or wide-top gates includes a semiconductor substrate, a source region(s), a drain region(s) associated with the source region(s), and a gate(s) associated with the source region(s) and the drain region(s) having a top portion and a bottom portion. One of the top portion and the bottom portion of the gate(s) is wider than the other of the top portion and bottom portion. The wide-bottom gate is created using a dummy wide-bottom gate etched from a layer of dummy gate material, creating spacers for the dummy gate, removing the dummy gate material and filling the opening created with conductive material. For the wide-top gate, first and second spacers are included, and instead of removing all the dummy gate material, only a portion is removed, exposing the first spacers. The exposed portion of the first spacers may either be completely or partially removed (e.g., tapered), in order to increase the area of the top portion of the gate to be filled. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160049481 | TRANSISTOR CONTACTS SELF-ALIGNED TWO DIMENSIONS - Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved semiconductor structure and methods of fabrication that provide transistor contacts that are self-aligned in two dimensions. Two different capping layers are used, each being comprised of a different material. The two capping layers are selectively etchable to each other. One capping layer is used for gate coverage while the other capping layer is used for source/drain coverage. Selective etch processes open the desired gates and source/drains, while block masks are used to cover elements that are not part of the connection scheme. A metallization line (layer) is deposited, making contact with the open elements to provide electrical connectivity between them. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160049427 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH SELF ALIGNED CONTACT STRUCTURES FOR IMPROVED WINDOWS AND FABRICATION METHODS - Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with self aligned contacts for improved process windows are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining a wafer with at least two gates, forming partial spacers adjacent to the at least two gates, and forming at least one contact on the wafer. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a wafer with an isolation region, at least two gates disposed on the isolation region, at least one source region disposed on the isolation region, at least one drain region disposed on the isolation region, and at least one contact positioned between the at least two gates, wherein a first portion of the at least one contact engages the at least one source region or the at least one drain region and a second portion of the at least one contact extends above a top surface of the at least two gates. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160049401 | HYBRID CONTACTS FOR COMMONLY FABRICATED SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES USING SAME METAL - A non-planar semiconductor structure, for example, a dual FinFET structure, includes a n-type semiconductor device and a p-type semiconductor device. Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) contacts provide electrical connection to the n-type device, and metal-semiconductor (MS) contacts provide electrical connection to the p-type device. The metal of both MIS and MS contacts is a same n-type work function metal. In one example, the semiconductor of the MIS contact includes epitaxial silicon germanium with a relatively low percentage of germanium, the insulator of the MIS contact includes titanium dioxide, the semiconductor for the MS contact includes silicon germanium with a relatively high percentage of germanium or pure germanium, and the metal for both contacts includes a n-type work function metal. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160049400 | THRESHOLD VOLTAGE CONTROL FOR MIXED-TYPE NON-PLANAR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A range of lowest, low and regular threshold voltages are provided to three p-type devices and three n-type devices co-fabricated on a same substrate. For the p-type devices, the range is achieved for the lowest using an additional thick layer of a p-type work function metal in a gate structure and oxidizing it, the low Vt is achieved with the thick p-type work function metal alone, and the regular Vt is achieved with a thinner layer of the p-type work function metal. For the n-type devices, the lowest Vt is achieved by implanting tantalum nitride with arsenic, argon, silicon or germanium and not adding any of the additional p-type work function metal in the gate structure, the low Vt is achieved by not adding the additional p-type work function metal, and the regular Vt is achieved with a thinnest layer of the p-type work function metal. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160049327 | METHODS OF FABRICATING BEOL INTERLAYER STRUCTURES - Methods are provided for fabricating an interlayer structure useful in, for instance, providing BEOL interconnect for circuit structures. The method includes, for instance, providing an interlayer structure, including: providing an uncured insulating layer above a substrate structure; forming an energy removal film over the uncured insulated layer; forming at least one opening through the energy removal film and extending at least partially into the uncured insulating layer; and applying energy to cure the uncured insulating layer, establishing a cured insulating layer, and decomposing in part the energy removal film, establishing a reduced thickness, energy removal film over the cured insulating layer, the interlayer structure including the cured insulating layer, and the applying energy decreasing an aspect ratio(s) of the one opening(s). In one implementation, the uncured insulating layer includes porogens which also decompose partially during applying energy to further improve the aspect ratio(s). | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160044023 | AUTHENTICATION POLICY ENFORCEMENT - A method of operating a network message interceptor for enforcing an authentication policy for communication over a network between first and second network endpoints, the interceptor being in communication with the network and external to the first and second endpoints, the network including transport layer security, the method comprising the steps of: intercepting a handshake message transmitted over the network between the first and second endpoints; extracting a certificate for an authenticating one of the endpoints from the handshake message; determining a validity status of the certificate for confirming an identity of the authenticating endpoint; and preventing communication between the first and second endpoints based on a negatively determined validity status of the certificate. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160043190 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE(S) WITH EXTENDED SOURCE/DRAIN CHANNEL INTERFACES AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - Semiconductor structures and methods of fabrication are provided, with one or both of an extended source-to-channel interface or an extended drain-to-channel interface. The fabrication method includes, for instance, recessing a semiconductor material to form a cavity adjacent to a channel region of a semiconductor structure being fabricated, the recessing forming a first cavity surface and a second cavity surface within the cavity; and implanting one or more dopants into the semiconductor material through the first cavity surface to define an implanted region within the semiconductor material, and form an extended channel interface, the extended channel interface including, in part, an interface of the implanted region within the semiconductor material to the channel region of the semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, the semiconductor structure with the extended channel interface is a FinFET. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160043081 | METHOD OF FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR FINS - Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of removing fin portions from a finFET. At a starting point, a high-K dielectric layer is disposed on a substrate. A fin hardmask and lithography stack is deposited on the high-k dielectric. A fin hardmask is exposed, and a first portion of the fin hardmark is removed. The lithography stack is removed. A second portion of the fin hardmask is removed. Fins are formed. A gap fill dielectric is deposited and recessed. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160035906 | PLANAR SEMICONDUCTOR ESD DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - An ESD device is provided for protecting a circuit from electrostatic discharge, and includes a planar diode having an anode and a cathode. The anode is electrically coupled to a signal path of the circuit, and the cathode is electrically coupled to a ground of the circuit. The ESD device is configured to be off during normal operation of the circuit and to turn on in response to an electrostatic discharge on the signal path. Two depletion regions in the device are separated by an isolation well. In response to the electrostatic discharge, the depletion regions modulate (e.g., widen and merge), providing a path for the discharge to the ground of the circuit. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160035820 | UNIAXIALLY-STRAINED FD-SOI FINFET - Methods and structures for forming uniaxially-strained, nanoscale, semiconductor bars from a biaxially-strained semiconductor layer are described. A spatially-doubled mandrel process may be used to form a mask for patterning dense, narrow trenches through the biaxially-strained semiconductor layer. The resulting slicing of the biaxially-strained layer enhances carrier mobility and can increase device performance. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160035743 | FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FET) WITH SELF-ALIGNED CONTACTS, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (IC) CHIP AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - Field Effect Transistors (FETs), Integrated Circuit (IC) chips including the FETs, and a method of forming the FETs and IC. FET locations and adjacent source/drain regions are defined on a semiconductor wafer, e.g., a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer. Source/drains are formed in source/drains regions. A stopping layer is formed on source/drains. Contact spacers are formed above gates. Source/drain contacts are formed to the stopping layer, e.g., after converting the stopping layer to silicide. The contact spacers separate source/drain contacts from each other. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160035728 | RETROGRADE DOPED LAYER FOR DEVICE ISOLATION - Embodiments herein provide device isolation in a complimentary metal-oxide fin field effect transistor. Specifically, a semiconductor device is formed with a retrograde doped layer over a substrate to minimize a source to drain punch-through leakage. A set of high mobility channel fins is formed over the retrograde doped layer, each of the set of high mobility channel fins comprising a high mobility channel material (e.g., silicon or silicon-germanium). The retrograde doped layer may be formed using an in situ doping process or a counter dopant retrograde implant. The device may further include a carbon liner positioned between the retrograde doped layer and the set of high mobility channel fins to prevent carrier spill-out to the high mobility channel fins. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160035631 | Atomic Layer Deposition of HfAlC as a Metal Gate Workfunction Material in MOS Devices | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160027905 | BIPOLAR JUNCTION TRANSISTORS AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - A structure, including a bipolar junction transistor and method of fabrication thereof, is provided herein. The bipolar junction transistor includes: a substrate including a substrate region having a first conductivity type; an emitter region over a first portion of the substrate region, the emitter region having a second conductivity type; a collector region over a second portion of the substrate region, the collector region having the second conductivity type; and, a base region overlie structure disposed over, in part, the substrate region. The base region overlie structure separates the emitter region from the collector region and aligns to a base region of the bipolar junction transistor within the substrate region, between the first portion and the second portion of the substrate region. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160025805 | WAFER TEST STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF PROVIDING WAFER TEST STRUCTURES - Wafer test structures and methods of providing wafer test structures are described. The methods include: fabricating multiple test devices and multiple fuse devices on the wafer, each test device having a respective fuse device associated therewith, which open circuits upon failure of the test device; and fabricating a selection circuit operative to selectively connect one test device to a sense contact pad, and the other test devices to a stress contact pad. The selection circuit facilitates sensing one or more electrical signals of the one test device by electrical contact with the sense contact pad, while stress testing the other test devices by electrical contact with the stress contact pad. In one embodiment, each test device has respective first and second switch devices, operative to selectively electrically connect the test device to the sense or stress contact pads. In another embodiment, the method includes wafer testing using the test structure. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160020277 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Three-dimensional electrostatic discharge (ESD) semiconductor devices are fabricated together with three-dimensional non-ESD semiconductor devices. For example, an ESD diode and FinFET are fabricated on the same bulk semiconductor substrate. A spacer merger technique is used in the ESD portion of a substrate to create double-width fins on which the ESD devices can be made larger to handle more current. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160020204 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Three-dimensional electrostatic discharge (ESD) semiconductor devices are fabricated together with three-dimensional non-ESD semiconductor devices. For example, an ESD diode and FinFET are fabricated on the same bulk semiconductor substrate. A spacer merger technique is used in the ESD portion of a substrate to create double-width fins on which the ESD devices can be made larger to handle more current. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160005867 | SILICIDE PROTECTION DURING CONTACT METALLIZATION AND RESULTING SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES - A semiconductor transistor has a structure including a semiconductor substrate, a source region, a drain region and a channel region in between the source region and the drain region. A metal gate, having a top conductive portion of tungsten is provided above the channel region. A first silicon nitride protective layer over the source region and the drain region and a second silicon nitride protective layer over the gate region are provided. The first silicon nitride protective layer and the second silicon nitride protective layer are configured to allow punch-through of the first silicon nitride protective layer while preventing etching through the second silicon nitride protective layer. Source and drain silicide is protected by avoiding fully etching a gate opening unless either the etching used would not harm the silicide, or the silicide and source and drain contacts are created prior to fully etching an opening to the gate for a gate contact. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160005657 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE WITH INCREASED SPACE AND VOLUME BETWEEN SHAPED EPITAXIAL STRUCTURES - A semiconductor structure includes a bulk silicon substrate and one or more silicon fins coupled to the bulk silicon substrate. Stress-inducing material(s), such as silicon, are epitaxially grown on the fins into naturally diamond-shaped structures using a controlled selective epitaxial growth. The diamond shaped structures are subjected to annealing at about 750° C. to about 850° C. to increase an area of (100) surface orientation by reshaping the shaped structures from the annealing. Additional epitaxial material is grown on the increased (100) area. Multiple cycles of increasing the area of (100) surface orientation (e.g., by the annealing) and growing additional epitaxial material on the increased area are performed to decrease the width of the shaped structures, increasing the space between them to prevent them from merging, while also increasing their volume. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160005598 | INHIBITING DIFFUSION OF ELEMENTS BETWEEN MATERIAL LAYERS OF A LAYERED CIRCUIT STRUCTURE - Methods for fabricating a layered circuit structure are provided, which include, for instance: depositing a first material layer above a substrate, the first material layer having an oxidized upper surface; providing a second material layer over the oxidized upper surface of the first material layer; and inhibiting diffusion of one or more elements from the oxidized upper surface of the first material layer into either the first material layer or the second material layer during the providing of the second material layer over the oxidized upper surface of the first material layer. The inhibiting may include one or more of modifying a characteristic(s) of the first material layer, forming a protective layer over the oxidized upper surface of the first material layer, or altering at least one process parameter employed in providing the second material layer. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20150380510 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING SILICIDE ON FINS - Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor structure and a method of forming a semiconductor structure. Embodiments of the semiconductor structure have a plurality of fins on a substrate. The semiconductor has, and the method achieves, a silicide layer formed on and substantially surrounding at least one epitaxial region formed on a top portion of the plurality of fins. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and structure for forming a conformal silicide layer on the epitaxial regions that are formed on the top portion of unmerged fins of a finFET. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150380502 | METHOD TO FORM WRAP-AROUND CONTACT FOR FINFET - Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved contact formation process for a finFET. Epitaxial semiconductor regions are formed on the fins. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) is deposited on the epitaxial regions. A nitride-oxide conversion process converts a portion of the nitride CESL into oxide. The oxide-converted portions are removed using a selective etch process, and a fill metal is deposited which is in direct physical contact with the epitaxial regions. Damage, such as gouging, of the epitaxial regions is minimized during this process, resulting in an improved contact for finFETs. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150380409 | THRESHOLD VOLTAGE CONTROL FOR MIXED-TYPE NON-PLANAR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A range of lowest, low and regular threshold voltages are provided to three p-type devices and three n-type devices co-fabricated on a same substrate. For the p-type devices, the range is achieved for the lowest using an additional thick layer of a p-type work function metal in a gate structure and oxidizing it, the low Vt is achieved with the thick p-type work function metal alone, and the regular Vt is achieved with a thinner layer of the p-type work function metal. For the n-type devices, the lowest Vt is achieved by implanting tantalum nitride with arsenic, argon, silicon or germanium and not adding any of the additional p-type work function metal in the gate structure, the low Vt is achieved by not adding the additional p-type work function metal, and the regular Vt is achieved with a thinnest layer of the p-type work function metal. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150380405 | REMOVAL OF SEMICONDUCTOR GROWTH DEFECTS - After semiconductor material portions and gate structures are formed on a substrate, a dielectric material layer is deposited on the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures. An anisotropic etch is performed on the dielectric material layer to form gate spacers, while a mask layer protects peripheral portions of the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures to avoid unwanted physical exposure of semiconductor surfaces. A selective epitaxy can be performed to form raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions. Formation of semiconductor growth defects during the selective epitaxy is prevented by the dielectric material layer. Alternately, a selective semiconductor deposition process can be performed after formation of dielectric gate spacers on gate structures overlying semiconductor material portions. Semiconductor growth defects can be removed by an etch while a mask layer protects raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150380404 | NON-PLANAR STRUCTURE WITH EXTENDED EXPOSED RAISED STRUCTURES AND SAME-LEVEL GATE AND SPACERS - A starting non-planar semiconductor structure is provided having a semiconductor substrate, raised semiconductor structures coupled to the substrate, and a layer of isolation material(s) surrounding the raised structures. The isolation layer is recessed to expose about 40 nm to about 70 nm of the raised structures. The increased height of the exposed raised structures, compared to conventional, allows for a taller gate and taller spacers, which reduces undercut under the spacers and short-channel effects from the loss of isolation material in fabrication. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150380316 | UNIFORM EXPOSED RAISED STRUCTURES FOR NON-PLANAR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - The use of two different materials for shallow trench isolation and deep structural trenches with a dielectric material therein (e.g., flowable oxide and a HARP oxide, respectively) causes non-uniform heights of exposed portions of raised semiconductor structures for non-planar semiconductor devices, due to the different etch rates of the materials. Non-uniform openings adjacent the exposed portions of the raised structures from recessing the isolation and dielectric materials are filled with additional dielectric material to create a uniform top layer of one material (the dielectric material), which can then be uniformly recessed to expose uniform portions of the raised structures. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150380258 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEIGHT OF A FIN STRUCTURE - Methods and structures for forming fin structures whilst controlling the height of the fin structures with high uniformity across large areas are described. According to some aspects, a multi-layer structure comprising a first etch-stop layer and a second etch-stop layer separated from a substrate and from each other by spacer layers is formed on a substrate. Trenches may be formed through the first and second etch-stop layers. A buffer layer may be formed in the trenches, filling the trenches to a level approximately at a position of the first etch-stop layer. A semiconductor layer may be formed above the buffer layer and etched back to the second etch-stop layer to form semiconductor fins of highly uniform heights. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150380246 | DIMENSION-CONTROLLED VIA FORMATION PROCESSING - Methods are provided for dimension-controlled via formation over a circuit structure, including over multiple adjacent conductive structures. The method(s) includes, for instance, providing a patterned multi-layer stack structure above the circuit structure, the stack structure including at least one layer, and a pattern transfer layer above the at least one layer, the pattern transfer layer being patterned with at least one via opening; providing a sidewall spacer layer within the at least one via opening to form at least one dimension-controlled via opening; and etching through the at least one layer of the stack structure using the at least one dimension-controlled via opening to facilitate providing the via(s) over the circuit structure. In one implementation, the stack structure includes a trench-opening within a patterned hard mask layer disposed between a dielectric layer and a planarization layer, and the via(s) is partially self-aligned to the trench. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150372140 | FINFETS HAVING STRAINED CHANNELS, AND METHODS OF FABRICATING FINFETS HAVING STRAINED CHANNELS - Techniques and structures for controlling etch-back of a finFET fin are described. One or more layers may be deposited over the fin and etched. Etch-back of a planarization layer may be used to determine a self-limited etch height of one or more layers adjacent the fin and a self-limited etch height of the fin. Strain-inducing material may be formed at regions of the etched fin to induce strain in the channel of a finFET. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150372107 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING FINS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING FINS - Methods and structures associated with forming finFETs that have fin pitches less than 30 nm are described. A selective nitridation process may be used during spacer formation on the gate to enable finer fin pitch than could be achieved using traditional spacer deposition processes. The spacer formation may also allow precise control over formation of source and drain junctions. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150372084 | RAISED FIN STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - A method of fabricating raised fin structures is provided, the fabricating including: providing a substrate and at least one dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a trench in the at least one dielectric layer, the trench having a lower portion, a lateral portion, and an upper portion, the upper portion being at least partially laterally offset from the lower portion and being joined to the lower portion by the lateral portion; and, growing a material in the trench to form the raised fin structure, wherein the trench is formed to ensure that any growth defect in the lower portion of the trench terminates either in the lower portion or the lateral portion of the trench and does not extend into the upper portion of the trench. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150371899 | MINIMIZING VOID FORMATION IN SEMICONDUCTOR VIAS AND TRENCHES - Circuit structure fabrication methods are provided which include: patterning at least one opening within a dielectric layer disposed over a substrate structure; providing a liner material within the at least one opening of the dielectric layer; disposing a surfactant over at least a portion of the liner material; and depositing, using an electroless process, a conductive material over the liner material to form a conductive structure, and the disposed surfactant inhibits formation of a void within the conductive structure. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150364578 | METHOD OF FORMING A REDUCED RESISTANCE FIN STRUCTURE - Methods and structures for forming a reduced resistance region of a finFET are described. According to some aspects, a dummy gate and first gate spacer may be formed above a fin comprising a first semiconductor composition. At least a portion of source and drain regions of the fin may be removed, and a second semiconductor composition may be formed in the source and drain regions in contact with the first semiconductor composition. A second gate spacer may be formed covering the first gate spacer. The methods may be used to form finFETs having reduced resistance at source and drain junctions. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150364540 | CAPACITOR AND CONTACT STRUCTURES, AND FORMATION PROCESSES THEREOF - Capacitor and contact structures are provided, as well as methods for forming the capacitor and contact structures. The methods include, for instance, providing a layer of conductive material above a conductive structure and above a lower electrode of a capacitor; etching the layer of conductive material to define a conductive material hard mask and an upper electrode of the capacitor, the conductive material hard mask being disposed at least partially above the conductive structure; and forming a first conductive contact structure and a second conductive contact structure, the first conductive contact structure extending through an opening in the conductive material hard mask and conductively contacting the conductive structure, and the second conductive contact structure conductively contacting one of the lower electrode of the capacitor, or the upper electrode of the capacitor. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150364336 | UNIFORM GATE HEIGHT FOR MIXED-TYPE NON-PLANAR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A semiconductor structure with mixed n-type and p-type non-planar transistors includes a residual overlapping mask bump on one or more of the dummy gates. A dielectric layer is created over the structure having a top surface above the residual bump, for example, using a blanket deposition and chemical-mechanical underpolish (i.e., stopping before exposing the gate cap). The residual bump is then transformed into a same material as the dielectric, either in its entirety and then removing the combined dielectric, or by removing the dielectric first and partly removing the residual bump, the remainder of which is then transformed and the dielectric removed. In either case, the structure is planarized for further processing. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150357425 | BURIED SOURCE-DRAIN CONTACT FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT TRANSISTOR DEVICES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - An integrated circuit transistor is formed on a substrate. A trench in the substrate is at least partially filed with a metal material to form a source (or drain) contact buried in the substrate. The substrate further includes a source (or drain) region in the substrate which is in electrical connection with the source (or drain) contact. The substrate further includes a channel region adjacent to the source (or drain) region. A gate dielectric is provided on top of the channel region and a gate electrode is provided on top of the gate dielectric. The substrate may be of the silicon on insulator (SOI) or bulk type. The buried source (or drain) contact makes electrical connection to a side of the source (or drain) region using a junction provided at a same level of the substrate as the source (or drain) and channel regions. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150357332 | DEVICES AND METHODS OF FORMING BULK FINFETS WITH LATERAL SEG FOR SOURCE AND DRAIN ON DIELECTRICS - Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with FinFETs are provided. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a substrate with at least one fin with at least one channel; at least one gate over the channel; at least one hard-mask over the gate; and at least one spacer disposed over the gate and hard-mask. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device; forming at least one recess into the substrate, the recess including a bottom and at least one sidewall exposing a portion of the at least one fin; depositing a dielectric layer into the at least one recess; removing at least a portion of the dielectric layer to form a barrier dielectric layer; and performing selective epitaxial growth in the at least one recess over the barrier dielectric layer. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150357292 | METHODS OF FABRICATING DEFECT-FREE SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES - Methods of facilitating fabrication of defect-free semiconductor structures are provided which include, for instance: providing a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer comprising at least one consumable material; selectively removing a portion of the dielectric layer, wherein the selectively removing consumes, in part, a remaining portion of the at least one consumable material, leaving, within the remaining portion of the dielectric layer, a depleted region; and subjecting the depleted region of the dielectric layer to a treatment process, to restore the depleted region with at least one replacement consumable material, thereby facilitating fabrication of a defect-free semiconductor structure. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150357285 | FORMATION OF CARBON-RICH CONTACT LINER MATERIAL - Conductive contact structure of a circuit structures and methods of fabrication thereof are provided. The fabrication includes, for instance, providing at least one contact opening disposed over a semiconductor substrate; forming a carbon-rich contact liner material having a set carbon content conformally within the at least one contact opening disposed over the semiconductor substrate. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150349085 | METHOD FOR MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH SIDEWALL SPACERS FOR CONFINING EPITAXIAL GROWTH - A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming laterally spaced-apart semiconductor fins above a substrate. At least one dielectric layer is formed adjacent an end portion of the semiconductor fins and within the space between adjacent semiconductor fins. A pair of sidewall spacers is formed adjacent outermost semiconductor fins at the end portion of the semiconductor fins. The at least one dielectric layer and end portion of the semiconductor fins between the pair of sidewall spacers are removed. Source/drain regions are formed between the pair of sidewall spacers. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150349083 | METHODS OF FORMING MIS CONTACT STRUCTURES FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND THE RESULTING DEVICES - One method disclosed includes, among other things, conformably depositing a layer of contact insulating material and a conductive material layer in a contact opening, forming a reduced-thickness sacrificial material layer in the contact opening so as to expose a portion, but not all, of the conductive material layer, removing portions of the conductive material layer and the layer of contact insulating material positioned above the upper surface of the reduced-thickness sacrificial material layer, removing the reduced-thickness sacrificial material layer, and forming a conductive contact in the contact opening that contacts the recessed portions of the conductive material layer and the layer of contact insulating material. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150348913 | PLANAR METROLOGY PAD ADJACENT A SET OF FINS IN A FIN FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR DEVICE - Approaches for providing a planar metrology pad adjacent a set of fins of a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device are disclosed. A previously deposited amorphous carbon layer can be removed from over a mandrel that has been previously formed on a subset of a substrate, such as using a photoresist. A pad hardmask can be formed over the mandrel on the subset of the substrate. This formation results in the subset of the substrate having the pad hardmask covering the mandrel thereon and the remainder of the substrate having the amorphous carbon layer covering the mandrel thereon. This amorphous carbon layer can be removed from over the mandrel on the remainder of the substrate, allowing a set of fins to be formed therein while the amorphous carbon layer keeps the set of fins from being formed in the portion of the substrate that it covers. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150348849 | TRANSISTOR WITH EMBEDDED STRESS-INDUCING LAYERS - A method of forming a transistor device is provided, including the subsequently performed steps of forming a gate electrode on a first semiconductor layer, forming an interlayer dielectric over the gate electrode and the first semiconductor layer, forming a first opening in the interlayer dielectric at a predetermined distance laterally spaced from the gate electrode on one side of the gate electrode and a second opening in the interlayer dielectric at a predetermined distance laterally spaced from the gate electrode on another side of the gate electrode, the first and second openings reaching to the first semiconductor layer, forming cavities in the first semiconductor layer through the first and second openings formed in the interlayer dielectric, and forming embedded second semiconductor layers in the cavities. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150348830 | SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION - A semiconductor structure with an improved shallow trench isolation (STI) region and method of fabrication is disclosed. The STI region comprises a lower portion filled with oxide and an upper portion comprising a high Young's modulus (HYM) liner disposed on the lower portion and trench sidewalls and filled with oxide. The HYM liner is disposed adjacent to source-drain regions, and serves to reduce stress relaxation within the shallow trench isolation (STI) oxide, which has a relatively low Young's modulus and is soft. Hence, the HYM liner serves to increase the desired stress imparted by the embedded stressor source-drain regions, which enhances carrier mobility, thus increasing semiconductor performance. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150348787 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND METHODS FOR FORMING A GATE WITH REDUCED DEFECTS - A method for forming a gate of a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming an active region with trench isolation in the semiconductor substrate, providing a polysilicon layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and providing a hard mask layer disposed on the polysilicon layer. An ash resistant layer is disposed on the hard mask layer. Patterned portions of the ash resistant layer, the hard mask, and the polysilicon layer are moved, and the remaining portions of the ash resistant layer is wherein the patterned polysilicon layer defines the gate. The resistant layer inhibits or reduces the likelihood of pitting of the polysilicon layer and substrate during subsequent etching processes. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346271 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR SCREENING PROCESS SPLITS FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT - At least one method and system disclosed herein involves performing a time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) test and a bias temperature instability (BTI) test on a device. A device having at least one transistor and at least one dielectric layer is provided. A test signal is provided for performing a TDDB test and a BTI test on the device. The TDDB test and the BTI test are performed substantially simultaneously on the device based upon the test signal. The data relating to a breakdown of the dielectric layer and at least one characteristic of the transistor based upon the TDDB test and the BTI test is acquired, stored, and/or transmitted. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150340501 | FORMING INDEPENDENT-GATE FINFET WITH TILTED PRE-AMORPHIZATION IMPLANTATION AND RESULTING DEVICE - Methods for producing independent-gate FinFETs with improved channel mobility and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include forming an independent-gate fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) above a substrate; and forming stress within the fin between two independent gates of the independent-gate FinFET. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340500 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE WITH SELF-ALIGNED WELLS AND MULTIPLE CHANNEL MATERIALS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor structure having a strain relaxed buffer, and method of fabrication. A strain relaxed buffer is disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A silicon region and silicon germanium region are disposed adjacent to each other on the strain relaxed buffer. An additional region of silicon or silicon germanium provides quantum well isolation. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340497 | METHODS OF INCREASING SILICIDE TO EPI CONTACT AREAS AND THE RESULTING DEVICES - One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a gate structure above an active region of a semiconductor substrate, performing an epitaxial deposition process to form an epi semiconductor material on the active region in the source/drain region of the device, performing an etching process on the epi semiconductor material to remove a portion of the epi semiconductor material so as to define at least one epi recess in the epi semiconductor material, forming a metal silicide layer on the upper surface of the epi semiconductor material and in the at least one epi recess in the epi semiconductor material, and forming a conductive structure that is conductively coupled to the metal silicide layer. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340491 | SPACER CHAMFERING FOR A REPLACEMENT METAL GATE DEVICE - Approaches for spacer chamfering in a replacement metal gate (RMG) device are provided. Specifically, a semiconductor device is provided with a set of fins formed from a substrate; a silicon-based layer conformally deposited over the set of fins; an etch-stop layer (e.g., titanium nitride (TiN)) formed over the silicon-based layer, the etch-stop layer being selective to at least one of: silicon, oxide, and nitride; a set of RMG structures formed over the substrate; a set of spacers formed along each of the set of RMG structures, wherein a vertical layer of material from each of the set of spacers is removed selective to the etch-stop layer. By chamfering each sidewall spacer, a wider area for subsequent work-function (WF) metal deposition is provided. Meanwhile, each transistor channel region is covered by the etch-stop layer (e.g., TiN), which maintains the original gate critical dimension during reactive ion etching. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340471 | RAISED SOURCE/DRAIN EPI WITH SUPPRESSED LATERAL EPI OVERGROWTH - A method of forming raised S/D regions by partial EPI growth with a partial EPI liner therebetween and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming groups of fins extending above a STI layer; forming a gate over the groups of fins; forming a gate spacer on each side of the gate; forming a raised S/D region proximate to each spacer on each fin of the groups of fins, each raised S/D region having a top surface, vertical sidewalls, and an undersurface; forming a liner over and between each raised S/D region; removing the liner from the top surface of each raised S/D region and from in between a group of fins; forming an overgrowth region on the top surface of each raised S/D region; forming an ILD over and between the raised S/D regions; and forming a contact through the ILD, down to the raised S/D regions. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340468 | RECESSED CHANNEL FIN DEVICE WITH RAISED SOURCE AND DRAIN REGIONS - A method includes forming at least one fin in a semiconductor substrate. A sacrificial gate structure is formed around a first portion of the at least one fin. Sidewall spacers are formed adjacent the sacrificial gate structure. The sacrificial gate structure and spacers expose a second portion of the at least one fin. An epitaxial material is formed on the exposed second portion. At least one process operation is performed to remove the sacrificial gate structure and thereby define a gate cavity between the spacers that exposes the first portion of the at least one fin. The first portion of the at least one fin is recessed to a first height less than a second height of the second portion of the at least one fin. A replacement gate structure is formed within the gate cavity above the recessed first portion of the at least one fin. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340467 | MERGED GATE AND SOURCE/DRAIN CONTACTS IN A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Provided are approaches for forming merged gate and source/drain (S/D) contacts in a semiconductor device. Specifically, one approach provides a dielectric layer over a set of gate structures formed over a substrate; a set of source/drain (S/D) openings patterned in the dielectric layer between the gate structures; a fill material formed over the gate structures, including within the S/D openings; and a set of gate openings patterned over the gate structures, wherein a portion of the dielectric layer directly adjacent the fill material formed within one of the S/D openings is removed. The fill material is then removed, selective to the dielectric layer, and a metal material is deposited over the semiconductor device to form a set of gate contacts within the gate openings, and a set of S/D contacts within the S/D openings, wherein one of the gate contacts and one of the S/D contacts are merged. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340461 | METAL GATE STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide a metal gate structure and method of formation. In the replacement metal gate (RMG) process flow, the gate cut process is performed after the metal gate is formed. This allows for a reduced margin between the end of the gate and an adjacent fin. It enables a thinner sacrificial layer on top of the dummy gate, since the gate cut step is deferred. The thinner sacrificial layer improves device quality by reducing the adverse effect of shadowing during implantation. Furthermore, in this process flow, the work function metal layer is terminated along the semiconductor substrate by a capping layer, which reduces undesirable shifts in threshold voltage that occurred in prior methods and structures. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340457 | METHODS OF FORMING CONDUCTIVE CONTACT STRUCTURES FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH A LARGER METAL SILICIDE CONTACT AREA AND THE RESULTING DEVICES - One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a first epi semiconductor material in a source/drain region of a transistor device, the first epi semiconductor material having a first lateral width at an upper surface thereof, forming a second epi semiconductor material on the first epi semiconductor material and above at least a portion of one of a gate cap layer or one of the sidewall spacers of the device, wherein the second epi semiconductor material has a second lateral width at an upper surface thereof that is greater than the first lateral width, and forming a metal silicide region on the upper surface of the second epi semiconductor material. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340319 | E-FUSE STRUCTURE FOR AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PRODUCT - An e-fuse device disclosed herein includes an anode and a cathode that are conductively coupled to the doped region formed in a substrate, wherein the anode includes a first metal silicide region positioned on the doped region and a first conductive metal-containing contact that is positioned above and coupled to the first metal silicide region, and the cathode includes a second metal silicide region positioned on the doped region and a second conductive metal-containing contact that is positioned above and conductively coupled to the second metal silicide region. A method disclosed herein includes forming a doped region in a substrate for an e-fuse device and performing at least one common process operation to form a first conductive structure on the doped region of the e-fuse device and a second conductive structure on a source/drain region of a transistor. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340296 | PLANAR METROLOGY PAD ADJACENT A SET OF FINS OF A FIN FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR DEVICE - Approaches for providing a substrate having a planar metrology pad adjacent a set of fins of a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device are disclosed. Specifically, the FinFET device comprises a finned substrate, and a planar metrology pad formed on the substrate adjacent the fins in a metrology measurement area of the FinFET device. Processing steps include forming a first hardmask over the substrate, forming a photoresist over a portion of the first hardmask in the metrology measurement area of the FinFET device, removing the first hardmask in an area adjacent the metrology measurement area remaining exposed following formation of the photoresist, patterning a set of openings in the substrate to form the set of fins in the FinFET device in the area adjacent the metrology measurement area, depositing an oxide layer over the FinFET device, and planarizing the FinFET device to form the planar metrology pad in the metrology measurement area. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340289 | METHODS OF FABRICATING SEMICONDUCTOR FIN STRUCTURES - Methods of fabricating one or more semiconductor fin structures are provided which include: providing a substrate structure including a first semiconductor material; providing a fin stack(s) above the substrate structure, the fin stack(s) including at least one semiconductor layer, which includes a second semiconductor material; depositing a conformal protective film over the fin stack(s) and the substrate structure; and etching the substrate structure using, at least in part, the fin stack(s) as a mask to facilitate defining the one or more semiconductor fin structures. The conformal protective film protects sidewalls of the at least one semiconductor layer of the fin stack(s) from etching during etching of the substrate structure. As one example, the first semiconductor material may be or include silicon, the second semiconductor material may be or include silicon germanium, and the conformal protective film may be, in one example, silicon nitride. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340274 | METHODS FOR PRODUCING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH AN INSULTATING LAYER - Methods for producing integrated circuits are provided. A method for producing an integrated circuit includes forming an insulating layer overlying a substrate, where the insulating layer is formed within a trench. The insulating layer is infused with water, and the insulating layer is annealed while being irradiated. The insulating layer is annealed at a dry anneal temperature of about 800 degrees centigrade or less. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150340229 | TRANSISTOR(S) WITH DIFFERENT SOURCE/DRAIN CHANNEL JUNCTION CHARACTERISTICS, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - Field-effect transistors (FETs) and methods of fabricating field-effect transistors are provided, with one or both of a source cavity or a drain cavity having different channel junction characteristics. The methods include, for instance, recessing a semiconductor material to form a cavity adjacent to a channel region of the transistor, the recessing defining a bottom channel interface surface and a sidewall channel interface surface within the cavity; providing a protective liner over the sidewall channel interface surface, with the bottom channel interface surface being exposed within the cavity; processing the bottom channel interface surface to facilitate forming a first channel junction of the transistor; and removing the protective liner from over the sidewall channel interface surface, and subsequently processing the sidewall channel interface surface to form a second channel junction of the transistor, where the first and second channel junctions have different channel junction characteristics. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150339429 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING GENERATING PHOTOMASKS FOR DIRECTED SELF-ASSEMBLY (DSA) USING DSA TARGET PATTERNS - Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes generating a photomask for forming a DSA directing pattern overlying a semiconductor substrate. The DSA directing pattern is configured to guide a self-assembly material deposited thereon that undergoes directed self-assembly (DSA) to form a DSA pattern. Generating the photomask includes identifying placement of DSA target patterns in a design layout. The DSA target patterns are grouped into groups including a first group and a first group boundary is defined around the first group. The method further includes determining if a neighboring DSA target pattern to the first group boundary is at least a predetermined minimal keep-away distance from an adjacent DSA target pattern that is within the first group boundary. The method also includes determining if the DSA target patterns in the first group are DSA compatible. An output mask pattern is generated using the first group boundary. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150333162 | METHODS OF FORMING NANOWIRE DEVICES WITH METAL-INSULATOR-SEMICONDUCTOR SOURCE/DRAIN CONTACTS AND THE RESULTING DEVICES - A device includes a gate structure and a nanowire channel structure positioned under the gate structure. The nanowire channel structure includes first and second end surfaces. The device further includes a first insulating liner positioned on the first end surface and a second insulating liner positioned on the second end surface. The device further includes a metal-containing source contact positioned on the first insulating liner and a metal-containing drain contact positioned on the second insulating liner. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150333155 | METHOD FOR MAKING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH FILLED GATE LINE END RECESSES - A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming first and second spaced apart semiconductor active regions with an insulating region therebetween, forming at least one sacrificial gate line extending between the first and second spaced apart semiconductor active regions and over the insulating region, and forming sidewall spacers on opposing sides of the at least one sacrificial gate line. The method may further include removing portions of the at least one sacrificial gate line within the sidewall spacers and above the insulating region defining at least one gate line end recess, filling the at least one gate line end recess with a dielectric material, and forming respective replacement gates in place of portions of the at least one sacrificial gate line above the first and second spaced apart semiconductor active regions. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150333121 | SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION INTEGRATION METHODS AND DEVICES FORMED THEREBY - Aspects of the present invention generally relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a TSV device having a “buffer zone” or gap layer between the TSV and transistor(s). The gap layer is typically filled with a low stress thin film fill material that controls stresses and crack formation on the devices. Further, the gap layer ensures a certain spatial distance between TSVs and transistors to reduce the adverse effects of temperature excursion. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150333086 | METHOD FOR MAKING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH DIFFERENT FIN SETS - A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming, above a substrate, first and second semiconductor regions laterally adjacent one another and each including a first semiconductor material. The first semiconductor region may have a greater vertical thickness than the second semiconductor region and define a sidewall with the second semiconductor region. The method may further include forming a spacer above the second semiconductor region and adjacent the sidewall, and forming a third semiconductor region above the second semiconductor region and adjacent the spacer, with the second semiconductor region including a second semiconductor material different than the first semiconductor material. The method may also include removing the spacer and portions of the first semiconductor material beneath the spacer, forming a first set of fins from the first semiconductor region, and forming a second set of fins from the second and third semiconductor regions. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150333067 | DEVICES AND METHODS OF FORMING FINFETS WITH SELF ALIGNED FIN FORMATION - Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with FinFETs are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device with a substrate and at least one shallow trench isolation region; depositing a hard mask layer over the intermediate semiconductor device; etching the hard mask layer to form at least one fin hard mask; and depositing at least one sacrificial gate structure over the at least one fin hard mask and at least a portion of the substrate. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a substrate with at least one shallow trench isolation region; at least one fin hard mask over the substrate; at least one sacrificial gate structure over the at least one fin hard mask; at least one spacer disposed on the at least one sacrificial gate structure; and at least one pFET region and at least one nFET region grown into the substrate. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150333062 | FINFET FABRICATION METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method for fabrication of fin field effect transistors (finFETs). Sacrificial regions are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Spacers are formed adjacent to two sides of the sacrificial regions. Fins are formed based on the spacers. One set of spacers is treated as dummy spacers, and is removed prior to fin formation, leaving the other set of spacers to be used for forming fins on the final semiconductor structure. All the fins on the final semiconductor structure are formed from spacers on one side of the sacrificial material. This reduces variation in width of the fins. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150333057 | MEANDER RESISTOR - The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure comprising a resistor, at least part of the resistor forming a meandering shape in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate of the semiconductor structure. The disclosure further relates to a semiconductor manufacturing process comprising a step for realizing at least one first fin, and a step for realizing a resistor comprising a meandering shape in a vertical direction based on the at least one first fin. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150332972 | FABRICATING RAISED FINS USING ANCILLARY FIN STRUCTURES - A method of fabricating a raised fin structure including a raised contact structure is provided. The method may include: providing a base fin structure; providing at least one ancillary fin structure, the at least one ancillary fin structure contacting the base fin structure at a side of the base fin structure; growing a material over the base fin structure to form the raised fin structure; and, growing the material over the at least one ancillary fin structure, wherein the at least one ancillary fin structure contacting the base fin structure increases a volume of material grown over the base fin structure near the contact between the base fin structure and the at least one ancillary fin structure to form the raised contact structure. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150332963 | T-SHAPED CONTACTS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A transistor, planar or non-planar (e.g., FinFET), includes T-shaped contacts to the source, drain and gate. The top portion of the T-shaped contact is wider than the bottom portion, the bottom portion complying with design rule limits. A conductor-material filled trench through a multi-layer etching stack above the transistor provides the top portions of the T-shaped contacts. Tapered spacers along inner sidewalls of the top contact portion prior to filling allow for etching a narrower bottom trench down to the gate, and to the source/drain for silicidation prior to filling. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150332959 | METHODS AND STRUCTURES FOR BACK END OF LINE INTEGRATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor structure for BEOL (back end of line) integration. A directed self assembly (DSA) material is deposited and annealed to form two distinct phase regions. One of the phase regions is selectively removed, and the remaining phase region serves as a mask for forming cavities in an underlying layer of metal and/or dielectric. The process is then repeated to form complex structures with patterns of metal separated by dielectric regions. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150332934 | LITHOGRAPHIC STACK EXCLUDING SiARC AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A lithographic stack over a raised structure (e.g., fin) of a non-planar semiconductor structure, such as a FinFET, includes a bottom layer of spin-on amorphous carbon or spin-on organic planarizing material, a hard mask layer of a nitride and/or an oxide on the spin-on layer, a layer of a developable bottom anti-reflective coating (dBARC) on the hard mask layer, and a top layer of photoresist. The stack is etched to expose and recess the raised structure, and epitaxial structure(s) are grown on the recess. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150331988 | WIDE PIN FOR IMPROVED CIRCUIT ROUTING - Embodiments described herein provide approaches for improved circuit routing using a wide-edge pin. Specifically, provided is an integrated circuit (IC) device comprising a standard cell having a first metal layer (M1) pin coupled to a second metal layer (M2) wire at a via. The M1 pin has a width greater than a width of the via sufficient to satisfy an enclosure rule for the via, while the M1 pin extends vertically past the via a distance substantially equal to or greater than zero. This layout increases the number of available pin access points within the standard cell and thus improves routing efficiency and chip size. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150325692 | FIN FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FINFET) DEVICE INCLUDING A SET OF MERGED FINS FORMED ADJACENT A SET OF UNMERGED FINS - Approaches for simultaneously providing a set of merged and unmerged fins in a fin field effect transistor device (FinFET) are disclosed. In at least one approach, the FinFET device includes: a set of merged fins and a set of unmerged fins formed from a substrate, the set of unmerged fins adjacent the set of merged fins; and a planar block formed from the substrate, the planar block adjacent one of: the set of merged fins, and the set of unmerged fins. The FinFET device further includes an epitaxial material over each of the set of merged fins and each of the set of unmerged fins, wherein the epitaxial material merges together over the set of merged fins and remains unmerged over the set of unmerged fins. In at least one approach, the set of merged fins and the set of unmerged fins is formed using a sidewall image transfer process. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325635 | METAL-INSULATOR-METAL BACK END OF LINE CAPACITOR STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the present invention provide improved metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors. In embodiments, series resistance is reduced by forming a via underneath the bottom plate of a MIM capacitor, leading to a metallization layer or intermediate metal sublayer. In embodiments, the MIM capacitor is formed with a corrugated shape to increase the plate surface area, allowing a thicker dielectric to be used, thereby mitigating leakage issues. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325622 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS HAVING MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTIONS (MTJ) AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - Integrated circuits with magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with MTJ structures are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a first conductive line in electrical connection with an underlying semiconductor device. The method exposes a surface of the first conductive line. Further, the method selectively deposits a conductive material on the surface of the first conductive line to form an electrode contact. The method includes forming a MTJ structure over the electrode contact. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325525 | FORMING INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE WITH POLYMERIC LAYER AND RESULTING DEVICE - Methods for forming an interconnect structure using a carbon-rich polymeric layer and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include forming a carbon-rich polymeric layer above a semiconductor element, forming a silicon oxide material layer above the carbon-rich polymeric layer, and forming an interconnect through the silicon oxide material layer and the carbon-rich polymeric layer. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325482 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS HAVING IMPROVED GATE STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING SAME - Integrated circuits with improved gate structures and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with improved gate structures are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate with fin structures. A gate-forming material is deposited over the semiconductor substrate and fin structures. The method includes performing a first etch process to etch the gate-forming material to form a gate line having a first side and a second side. The first side and second side of the gate line are bounded with material. The method includes performing a second etch process to etch a portion of the gate line bound by the material to separate the gate line into adjacent gate structures and to define a tip-to-tip distance between the adjacent gate structures. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325473 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH METAL-TITANIUM OXIDE CONTACTS AND FABRICATION METHODS - Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with metal-titanium oxide contacts are provided. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a substrate, at least one field-effect transistor disposed on the substrate, a first contact region positioned over at least a first portion of the at least one field-effect transistor between a spacer and an interlayer dielectric, and a second contact region positioned over at least a second portion of the at least one field-effect transistor between a spacer and an interlayer dielectric. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device and forming at least one contact on the intermediate semiconductor device. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325467 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING BARRIER LAYERS FOR INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES - Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a barrier layer overlying a metal line of a metallization layer above a semiconductor substrate using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process and a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. A liner-forming material is deposited overlying the barrier layer to form a liner. A conductive metal is deposited overlying the liner. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325445 | REDUCED SILICON GOUGING DURING OXIDE SPACER FORMATION - An improved method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided to decrease substrate gouging during oxide spacer formation. The method includes: forming a gate structure on a substrate; depositing an oxide layer along the sidewalls of the gate structure and on the substrate; removing some of the oxide layer to define oxide spacers along sidewalls of the gate structure; and performing an isotropic etch process to remove a residual portion of the oxide layer. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150325436 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES INCLUDING AN ELECTRICALLY-DECOUPLED FIN AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - Semiconductor devices including a fin and method of forming the semiconductor devices are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin overlying a semiconductor substrate. The fin is formed by epitaxially-growing a semiconductor material over the semiconductor substrate, and the fin has a first portion that is proximal to the semiconductor substrate and a second portion that is spaced from the semiconductor substrate by the first portion. A gate structure is formed over the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The first portion of the fin is etched to form a gap between the second portion and the semiconductor substrate. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150318398 | METHODS OF FORMING EPI SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL IN A TRENCH FORMED ABOVE A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND THE RESULTING DEVICES - One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a gate structure above an active region of a semiconductor substrate, wherein a first portion of the gate structure is positioned above the active region and second portions of the gate structure are positioned above an isolation region formed in the substrate, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent opposite sides of the first portion of the gate structure so as to define first and second continuous epi formation trenches comprised of the spacer that extend for less than the axial length of the gate structure, and forming an epi semiconductor material on the active region within each of the first and second continuous epi formation trenches. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318351 | MULTIPLE EPITAXIAL HEAD RAISED SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A non-planar semiconductor structure includes raised semiconductor structures, e.g., fins, having epitaxial structures grown on top surfaces thereof, for example, epitaxial silicon naturally growing into a diamond shape. The surface area of the epitaxial structure may be increased by removing portion(s) thereof. The removal may create a multi-head (e.g., dual-head) epitaxial structure, together with the neck of the raised structure resembling a Y-shape. Raised structures that are not intended to include an epitaxial structure will be masked during epitaxial structure creation and modification. In addition, in order to have a uniform height, the filler material surrounding the raised structures is recessed around those to receive epitaxial structures. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318345 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE CONFIGURED FOR AVOIDING ELECTRICAL SHORTING - In one aspect a semiconductor device as set forth herein can include a spacer having a first section of a first material and a second section of a second material, the second section disposed above a certain elevation and the first section disposed below the certain elevation. In one aspect a semiconductor device as set forth herein can include a conductive gate structure having a first length at elevations below a certain elevation and a second length at elevations above the certain elevation, the second length being less than the first length. A semiconductor device having one or more of a plural material spacer or a reduced length upper elevation conductive gate structure can feature a reduced likelihood of electrical shorting. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318288 | VERTICAL TRANSISTOR STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY CELL - Various methods of forming a vertical static random access memory cell and the resulting devices are disclosed. One method includes forming a plurality of pillars of semiconductor material on a substrate, forming first source/drain regions on a lower portion of each of the pillars, forming a gate electrode around each of the pillars above the first source/drain region, forming a second source/drain region on a top portion of each of the pillars above the gate electrode, wherein the first and second source/drain regions and the gate electrode on each pillar defines a vertical transistor, and interconnecting the vertical transistors to define a static random access memory cell. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318280 | WIDE-BOTTOM CONTACT FOR NON-PLANAR SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A wide-bottom contact to epitaxial structures in a non-planar semiconductor structure is provided. A starting structure includes a non-planar semiconductor structure, the structure including a semiconductor substrate, fins coupled to the substrate, and epitaxial structures (e.g., diamond-shaped silicon epitaxy) on the fins. Trenches to the epitaxial structures with roughly vertical sidewalls are created from a field oxide and photoresist. Silicide is formed on the epitaxial structures, and bottom contact portions (of metal, e.g., tungsten) are conformally created on the silicide. The vertical sidewalls allow for a wider bottom. Contact bodies are then formed on the bottom contact portions. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318215 | METHODS FOR REMOVING SELECTED FINS THAT ARE FORMED FOR FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate to thereby define a plurality of fins in the substrate, forming a layer of insulating material in the trenches, performing an etching process sequence to remove at least a portion of one of the plurality of fins and thereby define a fin cavity, wherein the etching process sequence includes performing a first anisotropic etching process and, after performing the first anisotropic etching process, performing a second isotropic etching process. In this embodiment, the method concludes with the step of forming additional insulating material in the fin cavity. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318204 | SPACER TO PREVENT SOURCE-DRAIN CONTACT ENCROACHMENT - Aspects of the present invention relate to approaches for preventing contact encroachment in a semiconductor device. A first portion of a contact trench can be etched partway to a source-drain region of the semiconductor device. A dielectric liner can be deposited in this trench. A second etch can be performed on the lined trench to etch the contact trench channel the remainder of the way to the source-drain region. This leaves a portion of the dielectric liner remaining in the trench (e.g., covering the vertical walls of the trench) after the second etch. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318181 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS USING SELF-ALIGNED QUADRUPLE PATTERNING - Methods for fabricating integrated circuits and for forming masks for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a patternable structure having first and second regions and including upper and lower mandrel layers. The method etches upper mandrels from the upper mandrel layer in the first and second regions. The method includes forming first upper spacer structures having a first width adjacent upper mandrels in the first region and forming second upper spacer structures having a second width not equal to the first width adjacent upper mandrels in the second region. The method etches the lower mandrel layer using the first and second upper spacer structures as an etch mask to form lower mandrels. Further, the method includes forming spacers adjacent the lower mandrels and etching a material using the spacers as an etch mask to form variably spaced features. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318178 | METHODS OF FORMING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH A SPACER ETCH BLOCK CAP AND THE RESULTING DEVICE - One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a sacrificial gate structure above a semiconductor substrate, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent opposite sides of the sacrificial gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate structure and forming a replacement gate structure in its place, at some point after forming the replacement gate structure, performing an etching process to reduce the height of the spacers so as to thereby define recessed spacers having an upper surface that partially defines a spacer recess, and forming a spacer etch block cap on the upper surface of each recessed spacer structure and within the spacer recess. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150318176 | FORMING ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL FINS WITH REDUCED DEFECT DENSITY BY PERFORMING AN IMPLANTATION/ANNEAL DEFECT GENERATION PROCESS - One method disclosed includes removing at least a portion of a fin to thereby define a fin trench in a layer of insulating material, forming a substantially defect-free first layer of semiconductor material in the fin trench, forming a second layer of semiconductor material on an as-formed upper surface of the first layer of semiconductor material, forming an implant region at the interface between the first layer of semiconductor material and the substrate, performing an anneal process to induce defect formation in at least the first layer of semiconductor material, forming a third layer of semiconductor material on the second layer of semiconductor material, forming a layer of channel semiconductor material on the third layer of semiconductor material, and forming a gate structure around at least a portion of the channel semiconductor material. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150311337 | FINFET DEVICE COMPRISING A THERMAL OXIDE REGION POSITIONED BETWEEN A PORTION OF THE FIN AND A LAYER OF INSULATING MATERIAL - Disclosed herein are various methods of forming isolation structures on FinFETs and other semiconductor devices, and the resulting devices that have such isolation structures. In one example, the method includes forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate, wherein the trenches define a fin for a FinFET device, forming a layer of insulating material in the trenches, wherein the layer of insulating material covers a lower portion of the fin but not an upper portion of the fin, forming a protective material on the upper portion of the fin, and performing a heating process in an oxidizing ambient to form a thermal oxide region on the covered lower portion of the fin. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311308 | ALTERNATIVE GATE DIELECTRIC FILMS FOR SILICON GERMANIUM AND GERMANIUM CHANNEL MATERIALS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a high-K dielectric film for use with silicon germanium (SiGe) or germanium channel materials, and methods of fabrication. As a first step of this process, an interfacial layer (IL) is formed on the semiconductor substrate providing reduced interface trap density. However, an ultra-thin layer is used as a barrier film to avoid germanium diffusion in high-k film and oxygen diffusion from the high-k film to the interfacial layer (IL), therefore, dielectric films such as aluminum oxide (Al | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311293 | SOURCE/DRAIN PROFILE ENGINEERING FOR ENHANCED P-MOSFET - P-type metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (pMOSFET's), semiconductor devices comprising the pMOSFET's, and methods of forming pMOSFET's are provided. The pMOSFET's include a silicon-germanium (SiGe) film that has a lower interface in contact with a semiconductor substrate and an upper surface, and the SiGe film has a graded boron doping profile where boron content increases upwardly over a majority of the width of boron-doped SiGe film between the lower interface of the SiGe film and the upper surface of the SiGe film. Methods of forming the pMOSFET's include: providing a semiconductor substrate; depositing a SiGe film on the semiconductor substrate, thereby forming a lower interface of the SiGe film in contact with the semiconductor substrate, and an upper surface of the SiGe film; and doping the SiGe film with boron to form a SiGe film having a graded boron doping profile where boron content increases upwardly over a majority of the width of boron-doped SiGe film between the lower interface of the SiGe film and the upper surface of the SiGe film. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311272 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH RESISTOR STRUCTURES FORMED FROM GATE METAL AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING SAME - Integrated circuits having resistor structures formed from gate metal and methods for fabricating such integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a resistor area and a transistor area. The method deposits a gate metal over the resistor area and the transistor area of the semiconductor substrate, and the gate metal forms a gate metal layer in the resistor area. The method includes etching the gate metal to form a resistor structure from the gate metal layer in the resistor area. Further, the method includes forming contacts to the resistor structure in the resistor area. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311199 | MULTIPLE FIN FINFET WITH LOW-RESISTANCE GATE STRUCTURE - Embodiments of the present invention provide a multiple fin field effect transistor (finFET) with low-resistance gate structure. A metallization line is formed in parallel with the gate, and multiple contacts are formed over the fins which connect the metallization line to the gate. The metallization line provides reduced gate resistance, which allows fewer transistors to be used for providing In-Out (IO) functionality, thereby providing space savings that enable an increase in circuit density. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311122 | FORMING GATE TIE BETWEEN ABUTTING CELLS AND RESULTING DEVICE - Methods for forming abutting FinFET cells with a single dummy gate and continuous fins, and the resulting devices, are disclosed. Embodiments may include forming one or more continuous fins on a substrate, forming gates perpendicular to and over the one or more continuous fins to form a first FinFET cell and a second FinFET cell, and forming source and drain contact lines parallel to and between the gates, wherein a source contact line of the first FinFET cell is adjacent to a drain contact line of the second FinFET cell, and the source contact line and the drain contact line are on opposite sides of a gate. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311085 | FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FINFET) DEVICE WITH A PLANAR BLOCK AREA TO ENABLE VARIALBLE FIN PITCH AND WIDTH - Approaches for providing a fin field effect transistor device (FinFET) with a planar block area to enable variable fin pitch and width are disclosed. Specifically, approaches are provided for forming a plurality of fins patterned from a substrate, the plurality of fins comprising: a first set of fins having a variable pitch and a variable width; and a second set of fins having a variable pitch and a uniform width, wherein the first set of fins is adjacent the second set of fins. In one approach, the first set of fins is patterned from the planar block area, which is formed over the substrate, and the second set of fins is formed using a sidewall image transfer (SIT) process. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311083 | REPLACEMENT LOW-K SPACER - A method includes providing a gate structure having a dummy gate, a first spacer along a side of the gate. The dummy gate and the spacer are removed to expose a gate dielectric. A second spacer is deposited on at least one side of a gate structure cavity and a top of the gate dielectric. A bottom portion of the second spacer is removed to expose the gate dielectric and the gate structure is wet cleaned. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311082 | SELF-ALIGNED GATE CONTACT FORMATION - Provided are approaches for forming gate and source/drain (S/D) contacts. Specifically, a gate contact opening is formed over at least one of a set of gate structures, a set of S/D contact openings is formed over fins of the semiconductor device, and a metal material is deposited over the semiconductor device to form a gate contact within the gate contact opening and a set of S/D contacts within the set of S/D contact openings. In one approach, nitride remains between the gate contact and at least one of the S/D contacts. In another approach, the device includes merged gate and S/D contacts. This approach provides selective etching to partition areas where oxide will be further removed selectively to nitride to create cavities to metallize and create contact to the S/D, while isolation areas between contact areas are enclosed in nitride and do not get removed during the oxide etch. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150311081 | METHODS OF FORMING GATE STRUCTURES FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES USING A REPLACEMENT GATE TECHNIQUE AND THE RESULTING DEVICES - One method disclosed herein includes forming a sacrificial gate structure comprised of upper and lower sacrificial gate electrodes, performing at least one etching process to define a patterned upper sacrificial gate electrode comprised of a plurality of trenches that expose a portion of a surface of the lower sacrificial gate electrode and performing another etching process through the patterned upper sacrificial gate electrode to remove the lower sacrificial gate electrode and a sacrificial gate insulation layer and thereby define a first portion of a replacement gate cavity that is at least partially positioned under the patterned upper sacrificial gate electrode. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309113 | MEASURING SETUP AND HOLD TIMES USING A VIRTUAL DELAY - Methodologies and an apparatus for measuring setup and hold times of fabricated semiconductor devices are provided. Embodiments include: providing a first digital frequency divider having an input and an output, the input of the first digital frequency divider receiving a first signal indicating an oscillating signal with a first delay; providing a second digital frequency divider having an input and output, the input of the second digital frequency divider receiving a second signal indicating the oscillating signal with a second delay; and providing a flip-flop having an input and an output, wherein the input of the flip-flop is coupled to the output of the second digital frequency divider and a data signal and clock signal for measuring a set-up time or hold time of a device under test are generated. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150303295 | SELF-ALIGNED CONTACT OPENINGS OVER FINS OF A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Approaches for forming a set of contact openings in a semiconductor device (e.g., a FinFET device) are provided. Specifically, the semiconductor device includes a set of fins formed in a substrate, a gate structure (e.g., replacement metal gate (RMG)) formed over the substrate, and a set of contact openings adjacent the gate structure, each of the set of contact openings having a top section and a bottom section, wherein a width of the bottom section, along a length of the gate structure, is greater than a width of the top section. The semiconductor device further includes a set of metal contacts formed within the set of contact openings. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150303273 | PATTERNING MULTIPLE, DENSE FEATURES IN A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING A MEMORIZATION LAYER - Provided are approaches for patterning multiple, dense features in a semiconductor device using a memorization layer. Specifically, an approach includes: patterning a plurality of openings in a memorization layer; forming a gap-fill material within each of the plurality of openings; removing the memorization layer; removing an etch stop layer adjacent the gap-fill material, wherein a portion of the etch stop layer remains beneath the gap-fill material; etching a hardmask to form a set of openings above the set of gate structures, wherein the etch to the hardmask also removes the gap-fill material from atop the remaining portion of the etch stop layer; and etching the semiconductor device to remove the hardmask within each of the set of openings. In one embodiment, a set of dummy S/D contact pillars is then formed over a set of fins of the semiconductor device by etching a dielectric layer selective to the gate structures. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150303261 | TENSILE NITRIDE PROFILE SHAPER ETCH TO PROVIDE VOID FREE GAPFILL - A method of reducing the impact of FEoL topography on dual stress liner depositions and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include forming a first nitride layer between and over a pFET and an nFET; thinning the first nitride layer; forming a second nitride layer over the first nitride layer; and removing the first and the second nitride layers from over the pFET. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150303249 | METHODS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS COMPRISING EPITAXIALLY GROWN REPLACEMENT STRUCTURES - Integrated circuits and methods for producing such integrated circuits are provided. A method for producing the integrated circuit includes forming dummy structures in a substrate, and forming shallow trench isolation regions between the dummy structures where the shallow trench isolation regions includes a liner overlying a core. The dummy structures are etched to expose structure bases, and the structure bases are precleaned. Replacement structures are epitaxially grown over the structure bases. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150303115 | MODIFICATION OF A THRESHOLD VOLTAGE OF A TRANSISTOR BY OXYGEN TREATMENT - Methodologies and resulting devices are provided for modified FET threshold voltages. Embodiments include: providing an active region of a transistor on a semiconductor substrate; depositing a workfunction metal on the active region; and modifying a threshold voltage of the transistor by treating the workfunction metal with oxygen. Other embodiments include: providing first and second active regions in a semiconductor substrate for first and second transistors, respectively; forming a first workfunction metal on the first active region; forming a second workfunction metal on the second active region; and modifying a first threshold voltage level of the first transistor, a second threshold voltage level of the second transistor, or a combination thereof by treating the first workfunction metal, second workfunction metal, or a combination thereof with oxygen, wherein the second threshold voltage level is greater than the first threshold voltage level. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150303057 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING FLUORINE INCORPORATION - Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming an interlayer of dielectric oxide material in a FET region and overlying a semiconductor substrate. A high-K dielectric layer is deposited overlying the interlayer. Fluorine is incorporated into the interlayer and/or the high-K dielectric layer. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150303055 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING SURFACE TREATING FOR DIRECTED SELF-ASSEMBLY - Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes surface treating exposed portions of an anti-reflective coating (ARC) that overlie a semiconductor substrate to form surface treated ARC portions. A neutral layer is formed overlying the anti-reflective coating including over the surface treated ARC portions. First portions of the neutral layer are selectively removed and second portions of the anti-reflective coating that are disposed under the first portions laterally adjacent to the surface treated ARC portions are exposed to define a guide pattern. A block copolymer layer is deposited overlying the guide pattern. The block copolymer layer is phase separated to define a nanopattern that is registered to the guide pattern. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150295047 | DEFECT-FREE RELAXED COVERING LAYER ON SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE WITH LATTICE MISMATCH - A defect-free, relaxed semiconductor covering layer (e.g., epitaxial SiGe) over a semiconductor substrate (e.g., Si) is provided having a strain relaxation degree above about 80% and a non-zero threading dislocation density of less than about 100/cm | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150287824 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH STRESSED SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATES AND PROCESSES FOR PREPARING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING THE STRESSED SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATES - Integrated circuits with stressed semiconductor substrates, processes for preparing stressed semiconductor substrates, and processes for preparing integrated circuits including stressed semiconductor substrates are provided herein. An exemplary process for preparing a stressed semiconductor substrate includes providing a semiconductor substrate of a semiconductor material having a first crystalline lattice constant; introducing a dopant on and into a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate via ion implantation at an amount above a solubility limit of the dopant in the semiconductor material to form a dopant-containing surface layer of the semiconductor substrate; applying energy to the dopant-containing surface layer of the semiconductor substrate with an ultra-short pulse laser to form a molten semiconductor:dopant layer on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; and removing the energy such that the molten semiconductor:dopant layer forms a solid semiconductor:dopant layer with a second crystalline lattice having a second lattice constant that differs from the first lattice constant. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287795 | PROCESSES FOR PREPARING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH IMPROVED SOURCE/DRAIN CONTACT STRUCTURES AND INTEGRATED CIRCUITS PREPARED ACCORDING TO SUCH PROCESSES - Processes for preparing an integrated circuit for contact landing, processes for fabricating an integrated circuit, and integrated circuits prepared according to these processes are provided herein. An exemplary process for preparing an integrated circuit for contact landing includes providing a semiconductor structure that includes a transistor with source and drain regions, wherein at least one of the source and drain regions has a shaped contact structure overlaid with a contact etch stop layer and a pre-metal dielectric material. The pre-metal dielectric material is removed with one or more anisotropic etches, including at least one anisotropic etch selective to the pre-metal dielectric material. And, the contact etch stop layer overlaying the shaped contact structure is removed with a third anisotropic etch selective to the contact etch stop layer material to expose the shaped contact structure. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287782 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND METHODS OF FABRICATION THEREOF - Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, defining a length on the semiconductor substrate corresponding to opposing vertices of a nanowire, removing a portion of the semiconductor substrate to provide a first fin structure and a second fin structure, etching a first cavity proximate to the first side, depositing a protective layer in the first cavity, removing a portion of the protective layer to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate, and etching a second cavity at the exposed semiconductor substrate where the first and second cavities communicate. The first and second fin structures are adjacent where the length of the first fin structure corresponds to the opposing vertices and has a first side and a second side. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287727 | SILICON-ON-INSULATOR FINFET WITH BULK SOURCE AND DRAIN - Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor structure including a finFET having an epitaxial semiconductor region in direct physical contact with a plurality of fins, wherein the epitaxial semiconductor region traverses an insulator layer and is in direct physical contact with the semiconductor substrate. The gate of the finFET is disposed over an insulator layer, such as a buried oxide layer. Methods of forming the semiconductor structure are also included. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287725 | MULTIPLE THRESHOLD VOLTAGE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - In one aspect there is set forth herein a semiconductor device having a first field effect transistor formed in a substrate structure, a second field effect transistor formed in the substrate structure, and a third field effect transistor formed in the substrate structure. The first field effect transistor can include a first gate stack configuration, and a first threshold voltage. The second field effect transistor can include a second gate stack configuration, and a second threshold voltage. The third field effect transistor can include a third gate stack configuration, and a third threshold voltage. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287651 | OVERLAY MARK DEPENDENT DUMMY FILL TO MITIGATE GATE HEIGHT VARIATION - A method of forming dummy structures and an overlay mark protection zone over an active layer zone based on the shape of an overlay mark and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark protection zone based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a shape of a plurality of dummy structures based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an active layer zone based on the size and the shape of the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures; forming the active layer zone in an active layer of a semiconductor substrate; forming the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures over the active layer zone in a poly layer of the semiconductor substrate; and planarizing the poly layer. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287646 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH IMPROVED IMPLANTATION PROCESSES - Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a structure having an n-channel gate stack and a p-channel gate stack formed over a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming halo implant regions in the semiconductor substrate adjacent the p-channel gate stack and forming extension implant regions in the semiconductor substrate adjacent the p-channel gate stack. The method further includes annealing the halo implant regions and the extension implant regions in the semiconductor substrate adjacent the p-channel gate stack by performing a laser anneal process. Also, the method forms extension implant regions in the semiconductor substrate adjacent the n-channel gate stack. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287636 | TRANSISTOR CONTACTS SELF-ALIGNED IN TWO DIMENSIONS - Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved semiconductor structure and methods of fabrication that provide transistor contacts that are self-aligned in two dimensions. Two different capping layers are used, each being comprised of a different material. The two capping layers are selectively etchable to each other. One capping layer is used for gate coverage while the other capping layer is used for source/drain coverage. Selective etch processes open the desired gates and source/drains, while block masks are used to cover elements that are not part of the connection scheme. A metallization line (layer) is deposited, making contact with the open elements to provide electrical connectivity between them. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287604 | METHODS OF CROSS-COUPLING LINE SEGMENTS ON A WAFER - A method is provided for fabricating cross-coupled line segments on a wafer for use, for instance, in fabricating cross-coupled gates of two or more transistors. The fabricating includes: patterning a first line segment with a first side projection using a first mask; and patterning a second line segment with a second side projection using a second mask. The second line segment is offset from the first line segment, and the patterned second side projection overlies the patterned first side projection, and facilitates defining a cross-stitch segment connecting the first and second line segments. The method further includes selectively cutting the first and second line segments in defining the cross-coupled line segments from the first and second line segments and the cross-stitch segment. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150287176 | METHOD AND APPRATUS FOR HYBRID TEST PATTERN GENERATION FOR OPC MODEL CALIBRATION - A method and apparatus for hybrid test pattern generation for optical proximity correction (OPC) model calibration is disclosed. Embodiments may include receiving a mask pattern of a chip layout, extracting one or more patterns from the mask pattern, determining one or more parametric data sets for the one or more patterns, retrieving one or more calibration parametric data sets based on one or more other mask patterns, determining a difference between the one or more parametric data sets and the one or more calibration parametric data sets, and adding the one or more parametric data sets to the one or more calibration parametric data sets if the difference satisfies a threshold value. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150286764 | METHODS OF GENERATING CIRCUIT LAYOUTS USING SELF-ALLIGNED DOUBLE PATTERNING (SADP) TECHNIQUES - At least one method disclosed herein involves creating an overall pattern layout for an integrated circuit that is to be manufactured using a self-aligned double patterning (SADP) process, forming a first metal feature having a first width on a first track of a metal layer using the SADP process, forming a second metal feature having a second width on a second track of the metal layer. The second track is adjacent to the first track. The method also includes forming an electrical connection between the first metal feature and the second metal feature to provide an effectively single metal pattern having a third width that is the sum of the first and second widths, rendering the first and second features decomposable using the SADP process; and decomposing e overall pattern layout with the first and second metal features into a mandrel mask pattern and a block mask pattern. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150286763 | PATTERN MATCHING FOR PREDICTING DEFECT LIMITED YIELD - Methods and apparatuses for pattern-based methodology for CAA and defect limited yield analysis are disclosed. Embodiments may include matching one or more patterns within a layer of an integrated circuit design layout to one or more pre-characterized patterns within a pattern library, determining respective critical areas of the one or more patterns based on respective pre-characterized critical areas of the one or more pre-characterized patterns, and predicting a defect limited yield of the layer based on the respective pre-characterized critical areas. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150279973 | METHODS OF FORMING SUBSTANTIALLY DEFECT-FREE, FULLY-STRAINED SILICON-GERMANIUM FINS FOR A FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, performing an epitaxial deposition process to form an epi SiGe layer above a recessed layer of insulating material and on an exposed portion of a fin, wherein the concentration of germanium in the layer of epi silicon-germanium (Si | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279972 | METHODS OF FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES USING A LAYER OF MATERIAL HAVING A PLURALITY OF TRENCHES FORMED THEREIN - One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a plurality of laterally spaced-apart source/drain trenches and a gate trench in a layer of material above an active region, performing at least one process operation through the spaced-apart source/drain trenches to form doped source/drain regions, forming a gate structure within the gate trench, and forming a gate cap layer above the gate structure positioned within the gate trench. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279963 | METHODS OF FORMING A FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE SO AS TO REDUCE PUNCH-THROUGH LEAKAGE CURRENTS AND THE RESULTING DEVICE - One method disclosed includes, among other things, covering a top surface and a portion of the sidewalls of a fin with etch stop material, forming a sacrificial gate structure above and around the fin, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the sacrificial gate structure, performing at least one process operation to remove the sacrificial gate structure and thereby define a replacement gate cavity, forming a counter-doped region in the fin below an upper surface of the fin and below the channel region of the device, wherein the counter-doped region is doped with a second type of dopant material that is of an opposite type relative to the first type of dopant material, and forming a replacement gate structure in the replacement gate cavity. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279959 | METHODS OF REMOVING PORTIONS OF FINS BY PREFORMING A SELECTIVELY ETCHABLE MATERIAL IN THE SUBSTRATE - One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a region of a sacrificial material in a semiconductor substrate at a location where the portion of the fin to be removed will be located, after forming the region of sacrificial material, performing at least one first etching process to form a plurality of fin-formation trenches that define the fin, wherein at least a portion of the fin is comprised of the sacrificial material, and performing at least one second etching process to selectively remove substantially all of the sacrificial material portion of the fin relative to the substrate. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279935 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES WITH CONTACT STRUCTURES AND A GATE STRUCTURE POSITIONED IN TRENCHES FORMED IN A LAYER OF MATERIAL - One illustrative device disclosed herein includes, among other things, an active region defined in a semiconductor substrate, a layer of material positioned above the substrate, a plurality of laterally spaced-apart source/drain trenches formed in the layer of material above the active region, a conductive source/drain contact structure formed within each of the source/drain trenches, a gate trench formed at least partially in the layer of material between the spaced-apart source/drain trenches in the layer of material, wherein portions of the layer of material remain positioned between the source/drain trenches and the gate trench, a gate structure positioned within the gate trench, and a gate cap layer positioned above the gate structure. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279742 | METHODS OF FORMING REPLACEMENT GATE STRUCTURES USING A GATE HEIGHT REGISTER PROCESS TO IMPROVE GATE HEIGHT UNIFORMITY AND THE RESULTING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PRODUCTS - One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a gate registration structure above an isolation region, wherein the gate registration structure comprises a plurality of layers of material, the uppermost layer of which is a polish-stop layer, forming first and second sacrificial gate structures above first and second active regions, respectively, wherein the first and second sacrificial gate structures abut and engage opposite sides of the gate registration structure, and performing at least one first chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process to remove the gate cap layer so as to thereby expose a sacrificial gate electrode in each of the first and second sacrificial gate structures, wherein the uppermost layer of the gate registration structure serves as a polish-stop layer during the at least one first CMP process. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279738 | SELF-ALIGNED CONTACTS AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved contact and method of fabrication. A dielectric layer is formed over transistor structures which include gates and source/drain regions. A first etch, which may be a reactive ion etch, is used to partially recess the dielectric layer. A second etch is then used to continue the etch of the dielectric layer to form a cavity adjacent to the gate spacers. The second etch is highly selective to the spacer material, which prevents damage to the spacers during the exposure (opening) of the source/drain regions. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279684 | METHOD OF FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR FINS - Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of removing fin portions from a finFET. At a starting point, a high-K dielectric layer is disposed on a substrate. A fin hardmask and lithography stack is deposited on the high-k dielectric. A fin hardmask is exposed, and a first portion of the fin hardmark is removed. The lithography stack is removed. A second portion of the fin hardmask is removed. Fins are formed. A gap fill dielectric is deposited and recessed. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150279680 | DEPOSITION OF TITANIUM-ALUMINUM LAYERS - Transistors having a work function layer and methods of fabricating thereof are disclosed herein. The work function layer includes aluminum and titanium layers which are deposited in separate atomic layer deposition (ALD) operations. The depositions of the titanium layers and the aluminum layers may be separated by a purge operation or even performed in different ALD chambers. The work function layer may include alternating sets of titanium layers and sets of aluminum layers, thereby forming a nanolaminate structure. As such, a ratio of titanium to aluminum may be controlled and varied as needed throughout the thickness of the work function layer. For example, the work function layer may be titanium rich at the surface facing the gate dielectric in order to reduce or prevent diffusion of aluminum into the gate dielectric. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150278426 | METROLOGY PATTERN LAYOUT AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A metrology pattern layout for a circuit structure is provided, the metrology pattern layout including a plurality of quadrants, in which quadrants a first wafer measurement pattern, a second wafer measurement pattern, a reticle registration pattern, and a reticle measurement pattern may be arranged to facilitate correlation of reticle metrology data with wafer metrology data. The reticle registration pattern may further include one or more outermost structural elements designed to protect other structural elements within the reticle measurement pattern from being modified in an optical proximity correction process. A method of optical proximity correction process is provided, in which a reticle measurement pattern may be obtained and classified to add or modify a rule set of the optical proximity correction process. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150270400 | SPLIT WELL ZERO THRESHOLD VOLTAGE FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - Approaches for altering the threshold voltage (e.g., to zero threshold voltage) in a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) device are provided. In embodiments of the invention, a first N+ region and a second N+ region are formed on a finned substrate that has a p-well construction. A region of the finned substrate located between the first N+ region and the second N+ region is doped with a negative implant species to form an n-well. The size and/or composition of this n-well region can be adjusted in view of the existing p-well construction of the substrate device to change the threshold voltage of the FinFET device (e.g., to yield a zero threshold voltage FinFET device). | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150270398 | METHODS OF FORMING ISOLATED CHANNEL REGIONS FOR A FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND THE RESULTING DEVICE - One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a fin structure comprised of a semiconductor material, a first epi semiconductor material and a second epi semiconductor material, forming a sacrificial gate structure above the fin structure, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the sacrificial gate structure, performing at least one etching process to remove the portions of the fin structure positioned laterally outside of the sidewall spacer so as to thereby define a fin cavity in the source/drain regions of the device and to expose edges of the fin structure positioned under the sidewall spacer, and performing an epitaxial deposition process to form an epi etch stop layer on the exposed edges of the fin structure positioned under the sidewall spacer and within the fin cavity. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150270364 | GATE HEIGHT UNIFORMITY IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - Methods of facilitating gate height uniformity by controlling recessing of dielectric material and semiconductor devices formed from the methods are provided. The methods include, for instance, forming a transistor of the semiconductor device with an n-type transistor and a p-type transistor, the n-type transistor and the p-type transistor including plurality of sacrificial gate structures and protective masks at upper surfaces of the plurality of sacrificial gate structures; providing a dielectric material over and between the plurality of sacrificial gate structures; partially densifying the dielectric material to form a partially densified dielectric material; further densifying the partially densified dielectric material to create a modified dielectric material; and creating substantially planar surface on the modified dielectric material, to control dielectric material recess and gate height. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150270176 | METHODS OF FORMING REDUCED RESISTANCE LOCAL INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES AND THE RESULTING DEVICES - A method includes forming a layer of insulating material above first and second transistors, within the layer of insulating material, forming a set of initial device-level contacts for each of the first and second transistors, wherein each set of initial device-level contacts comprises a plurality of source/drain contacts and a gate contact, forming an initial local interconnect structure that is conductively coupled to one of the initial device-level contacts in each of the first and second transistors, and removing the initial local interconnect structure and portions, but not all, of the initial device-level contacts for each the first and second transistors. The method also includes forming a copper local interconnect structure and copper caps above the recessed device-level contacts. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150270175 | PARTIALLY CRYSTALLIZED FIN HARD MASK FOR FIN FIELD-EFFECT-TRANSISTOR (FINFET) DEVICE - Provided herein are approaches for forming a fin field-effect-transistor (FinFET) device using a partially crystallized fin hard mask. Specifically, a hard mask is patterned over a substrate, and the FinFET device is annealed to form a set of crystallized hard mask elements adjacent a set of non-crystallized hard mask elements. A masking structure is provided over a first section of the patterned hard mask to prevent the set of non-crystallized hard mask elements from being crystallized during the anneal. During a subsequent fin cut process, the non-crystallized mask elements are removed, while crystallized mask elements remain. A set of fins is then formed in the FinFET device according to the location(s) of the crystallized mask elements. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150270159 | FABRICATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES USING OXIDIZED POLYCRYSTALLINE SILICON AS CONFORMAL STOP LAYERS - Semiconductor structure fabrication methods are provided which include: forming one or more trenches and a plurality of plateaus within a substrate structure; providing a conformal stop layer over the substrate structure, including over the plurality of plateaus, the conformal stop layer being or including oxidized polycrystalline silicon; depositing a material over the substrate structure to fill the one or more trenches and cover the plurality of plateaus thereof; and planarizing the material using a slurry to form coplanar surfaces of the material and the conformal stop layer, wherein the slurry reacts with the oxidized polycrystalline silicon of the conformal stop layer to facilitate providing the coplanar surfaces with minimal dishing of the material. Various embodiments are provided, including different methods of providing the conformal stop layer, such as by oxidizing at least an upper portion of polycrystalline silicon, or by performing an in-situ steam growth process. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150270142 | DE-OXIDATION OF METAL GATE FOR IMPROVED GATE PERFORMANCE - Aspects of the present invention relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a field-effect-transistor (FET) having a metal gate with improved performance. A metal gate is formed on a substrate in the semiconductor device. Further processing can result in unwanted oxidation in the metal that forms the metal gate. A reducing agent can be used to de-oxidize the metal that forms the metal gate, leaving a substantially non-oxidized surface. | 09-24-2015 |
| 20150263169 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES WITH BRIDGING FILMS AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - Semiconductor structures and fabrication methods are provided having a bridging film which facilitates adherence of both an underlying layer of dielectric material and an overlying stress-inducing layer. The method includes, for instance, providing a layer of dielectric material, with at least one gate structure disposed therein, over a semiconductor substrate; providing a bridging film over the layer of dielectric material with the at least one gate structure; and providing a stress-inducing layer over the bridging film. The bridging film is selected to facilitate adherence of both the underlying layer of dielectric material and the overlying stress-inducing layer by, in part, forming a chemical bond with the layer of dielectric material, without forming a chemical bond with the stress-inducing layer. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150261084 | METHODS OF MODIFYING MASKING RETICLES TO REMOVE FORBIDDEN PITCH REGIONS THEREOF - A method is provided, in which a masking reticle including a plurality of pattern blocks is modified, the modifying including: identifying a first pattern block and a second pattern block of the plurality of pattern blocks where at least a first portion of the first pattern block and a second portion of the second pattern block are in parallel relation; and reducing a length of the first portion of the first pattern block when a transverse separation S between corresponding length edges of the first portion of the first pattern block the second portion of the second pattern block falls within a pre-defined forbidden pitch range for the masking reticle. The method may include repeating the identifying and reducing of pairs of pattern blocks on the mask reticle to remove portions of pattern block pairs spaced apart by a transverse separation falling within a forbidden-pitch range. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150255608 | METHODS OF FORMING STRESSED CHANNEL REGIONS FOR A FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND THE RESULTING DEVICE - One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming an initial fin structure comprised of portions of a substrate, a first epi semiconductor material and a second epi semiconductor material, forming a layer of insulating material so as to over-fill the trenches that define the fin, recessing a layer of insulating material such that a portion, but not all, of the second epi semiconductor portion of the final fin structure is exposed, forming a gate structure around the final fin structure, further recessing the layer of insulating material such that the first epi semiconductor material is exposed, removing the first epi semiconductor material to thereby define an under-fin cavity and substantially filling the under-fin cavity with a stressed material. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255561 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH LOW-K SPACERS - One method disclosed herein includes forming at least one sacrificial sidewall spacer adjacent a sacrificial gate structure that is formed above a semiconducting substrate, removing at least a portion of the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity that is laterally defined by the sacrificial spacer, forming a replacement gate structure in the gate cavity, removing the sacrificial spacer to thereby define a spacer cavity adjacent the replacement gate structure, and forming a low-k spacer in the spacer cavity. A novel device disclosed herein includes a gate structure positioned above a semiconducting substrate, wherein the gate insulation layer has two upstanding portions that are substantially vertically oriented relative to an upper surface of the substrate. The device further includes a low-k sidewall spacer positioned adjacent each of the vertically oriented upstanding portions of the gate insulation layer. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255555 | METHODS OF FORMING A NON-PLANAR ULTRA-THIN BODY DEVICE - One illustrative method disclosed herein involves, among other things, forming a first epi semiconductor material on the exposed opposite sidewalls of a fin to thereby define a semiconductor body, performing at least one etching process to remove at least a portion of the substrate portion of the fin positioned between the first epi semiconductor materials positioned on the opposite sidewalls of the fin and to thereby define a back-gate cavity, forming a back-gate insulating material within the back-gate cavity and on the first epi semiconductor materials, forming a back-gate electrode on the back-gate insulation material within the back-gate cavity and forming a gate structure comprised of a gate insulation layer and a gate electrode around the semiconductor bodies. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255542 | METHODS OF FORMING STRESSED CHANNEL REGIONS FOR A FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND THE RESULTING DEVICE - One method disclosed includes, among other things, covering the top surface and a portion of the sidewalls of an initial fin structure with etch stop material, forming a sacrificial gate structure around the initial fin structure, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the sacrificial gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate structure, with the etch stop material in position, to thereby define a replacement gate cavity, performing at least one etching process through the replacement gate cavity to remove a portion of the semiconductor substrate material of the fin structure positioned under the replacement gate cavity that is not covered by the etch stop material so as to thereby define a final fin structure and a channel cavity positioned below the final fin structure and substantially filling the channel cavity with a stressed material. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255456 | REPLACEMENT FIN INSOLATION IN A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Embodiments herein provide approaches for forming a set of replacement fins in a semiconductor device. Specifically, a device is formed having a set of replacement fins over a substrate, each of the set of replacement fins comprising a first section separated from a second section by a liner layer, the first section having a lower dopant centration than a dopant concentration of the second section. In one embodiment, sequential epitaxial deposition with insitu doping is used to form the second section, the liner layer, and then the first section of each of the set of replacement fins. In another embodiment, the second section is formed over the substrate, and the liner layer is formed through a carbon implant. The first section is then epitaxially formed over the liner layer, and serves as the fin channel. As provided, upward dopant diffusion is suppressed, resulting in the first section of each fin being maintained with low doping so that the fin channel is fully depleted channel during device operation. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255353 | FORMING SOURCE/DRAIN REGIONS WITH SINGLE RETICLE AND RESULTING DEVICE - Methods for forming FinFET source/drain regions with a single reticle and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include forming a first fin and a second fin above a substrate, forming a gate crossing over the first fin and the second fin, removing portions of the first fin and the second fin on both sides the gate, forming silicon phosphorous tops on the first fin and the second fin in place of the portions, removing the silicon phosphorous tops on the first fin, and forming silicon germanium tops on the first fin in place of the silicon phosphorous tops. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255340 | METHOD TO ETCH CU/TA/TAN SELECTIVELY USING DILUTE AQUEOUS HF/HCL SOLUTION - Copper can be etched with selectivity to Ta/TaN barrier liner and SiC hardmask layers, for example, to reduce the potential copper contamination. The copper film can be recessed more than the liner to further enhance the protection. Wet etch solutions including a mixture of HF and HCl can be used for selective etching copper with respect to the liner material, for example, the copper film can be recessed between 2 and 3 nm, and the barrier liner film can be recessed between 1.5 and 2 nm. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255339 | METHODS OF FORMING A METAL CAP LAYER ON COPPER-BASED CONDUCTIVE STRUCTURES ON AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE - One method includes forming a barrier layer in a trench/opening in an insulating material, forming a first region of a copper material above the barrier layer, forming a metal layer in the trench/opening on the first region of copper material, forming a second region of copper material on the metal layer, performing at least one CMP process to remove any materials positioned above a planarized upper surface of the layer of insulating material outside of the trench/opening so as to thereby define a structure comprised of the metal layer positioned between the first and second regions of copper material, forming a dielectric cap layer above the layer of insulating material and above the structure, and performing a metal diffusion anneal process to form a metal cap layer adjacent at least the upper surface of a conductive copper structure. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150255335 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING CONTACTS FOR METAL RESISTORS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes etching an ILD layer of dielectric material overlying a semiconductor substrate that includes a device region to form first contact vias that expose active areas of the device region. The ILD layer is etched to form second contact vias that correspondingly expose a gate that is disposed in the device region and a patterned resistive metal-containing layer that is disposed in the ILD layer adjacent to the device region. The first contact vias and the second contact vias are filled with an electrically-conductive material to form first contacts that are in electrical communication with the active areas and second contacts that include a gate contact and a metal resistor contact that are in electrical communication with the gate and the patterned resistive metal-containing layer, respectively. | 09-10-2015 |
