Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130270709 | NON-BRIDGING CONTACT VIA STRUCTURES IN PROXIMITY - A first photoresist layer is patterned with a first pattern that includes an opening in a region between areas of two adjacent via holes to be formed. The opening in the first photoresist is transferred into a template layer to form a line trench therein. The lateral dimension of the trench is reduced by depositing a contiguous spacer layer that does not fill the trench completely. An etch-resistant material layer is conformally deposited and fills the trench, and is subsequently recessed to form an etch-resistant material portion filling the trench. A second photoresist layer is applied and patterned with a second pattern, which includes an opening that includes areas of two via holes and an area therebetween. A composite pattern of an intersection of the second pattern and the complement of the pattern of the etch-resistant material portion is transferred through the template layer. | 10-17-2013 |
20140027878 | SELF-ALIGNED TRENCH OVER FIN - A stack of a first hard mask portion and a second hard mask portion is formed over a semiconductor material layer by anisotropically etching a stack, from bottom to top, of a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer. The first hard mask portion is laterally recessed by an isotropic etch. A dielectric material layer is conformally deposited and planarized. The dielectric material layer is etched employing an anisotropic etch that is selective to the first hard mask portion to form a dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the first hard mask portion. After removal of the second and first hard mask portions, the semiconductor material layer is etched employing the dielectric material portion as an etch mask. Optionally, portions of the semiconductor material layer underneath the first and second hard mask portions can be undercut at a periphery. | 01-30-2014 |
20140027917 | NON-LITHOGRAPHIC LINE PATTERN FORMATION - A metal layer is deposited over an underlying material layer. The metal layer includes an elemental metal that can be converted into a dielectric metal-containing compound by plasma oxidation and/or nitridation. A hard mask portion is formed over the metal layer. Plasma oxidation or nitridation is performed to convert physically exposed surfaces of the metal layer into the dielectric metal-containing compound. The sequence of a surface pull back of the hard mask portion, trench etching, another surface pull back, and conversion of top surfaces into the dielectric metal-containing compound are repeated to form a line pattern having a spacing that is not limited by lithographic minimum dimensions. | 01-30-2014 |
20140027923 | NON-LITHOGRAPHIC HOLE PATTERN FORMATION - A metal layer is deposited over a material layer. The metal layer includes an elemental metal that can be converted into a dielectric metal-containing compound by plasma oxidation or nitridation. A hard mask portion is formed over the metal layer. A plasma impermeable spacer is formed on at least one first sidewall of the hard mask portion, while at least one second sidewall of the hard mask portion is physically exposed. Plasma oxidation or nitridation is performed to convert physically exposed surfaces of the metal layer into the dielectric metal-containing compound. A sequence of a surface pull back of the hard mask portion, cavity etching, another surface pull back, and conversion of top surfaces into the dielectric metal-containing compound are repeated to form a hole pattern having a spacing that is not limited by lithographic minimum dimensions. | 01-30-2014 |
20140145295 | DOUBLE DENSITY SEMICONDUCTOR FINS AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - Methods and structures having increased fin density are disclosed. Structures with two sets of fins are provided. A lower set of fins is interleaved with an upper set of fins in a staggered manner, such that the lower set of fins and upper set of fins are horizontally and vertically non-overlapping. | 05-29-2014 |
20140167162 | FINFET WITH MERGE-FREE FINS - A semiconductor device comprises an insulation layer, an active semiconductor layer formed on an upper surface of the insulation layer, and a plurality of fins formed on the insulation layer. The fins are formed in the gate and spacer regions between a first source/drain region and second source/drain region, without extending into the first and second source/drain regions. | 06-19-2014 |
20140170825 | FINFET WITH MERGE-FREE FINS - A semiconductor device comprises an insulation layer, an active semiconductor layer formed on an upper surface of the insulation layer, and a plurality of fins formed on the insulation layer. The fins are formed in the gate and spacer regions between a first source/drain region and second source/drain region, without extending into the first and second source/drain regions. | 06-19-2014 |
20140256139 | SELF-ALIGNED TRENCH OVER FIN - A stack of a first hard mask portion and a second hard mask portion is formed over a semiconductor material layer by anisotropically etching a stack, from bottom to top, of a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer. The first hard mask portion is laterally recessed by an isotropic etch. A dielectric material layer is conformally deposited and planarized. The dielectric material layer is etched employing an anisotropic etch that is selective to the first hard mask portion to form a dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the first hard mask portion. After removal of the second and first hard mask portions, the semiconductor material layer is etched employing the dielectric material portion as an etch mask. Optionally, portions of the semiconductor material layer underneath the first and second hard mask portions can be undercut at a periphery. | 09-11-2014 |
20140264596 | PARTIALLY ISOLATED FIN-SHAPED FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS - A transistor device and a method for forming a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET) device, with the channel portion of the fins on buried silicon oxide, while the source and drain portions of the fins on silicon. An example method includes receiving a wafer with a silicon layer electrically isolated from a silicon substrate by a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The BOX layer is in physical contact with the silicon layer and the silicon substrate. The method further comprises implanting a well in the silicon substrate and forming vertical sources and drains over the well between dummy gates. The vertical sources and drains extend through the BOX layer, fins, and a portion of the dummy gates. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264603 | PARTIALLY ISOLATED FIN-SHAPED FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS - A transistor device and a method for forming a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET) device, with the channel portion of the fins on buried silicon oxide, while the source and drain portions of the fins on silicon. An example method includes receiving a wafer with a silicon layer electrically isolated from a silicon substrate by a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The BOX layer is in physical contact with the silicon layer and the silicon substrate. The method further comprises implanting a well in the silicon substrate and forming vertical sources and drains over the well between dummy gates. The vertical sources and drains extend through the BOX layer, fins, and a portion of the dummy gates. | 09-18-2014 |
20140312433 | CONTACT STRUCTURE EMPLOYING A SELF-ALIGNED GATE CAP - After formation of a replacement gate structure, a template dielectric layer employed to pattern the replacement gate structure is removed. After deposition of a dielectric liner, a first dielectric material layer is deposited by an anisotropic deposition and an isotropic etchback. A second dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized employing the first dielectric material portion as a stopping structure. The first dielectric material portion is removed selective to the second dielectric material layer, and is replaced with gate cap dielectric material portion including at least one dielectric material different from the materials of the dielectric material layers. A contact via hole extending to a source/drain region is formed employing the gate cap dielectric material portion as an etch stop structure. A contact via structure is spaced from the replacement gate structure at least by remaining portions of the gate cap dielectric material portion. | 10-23-2014 |
20140315379 | CONTACT STRUCTURE EMPLOYING A SELF-ALIGNED GATE CAP - After formation of a replacement gate structure, a template dielectric layer employed to pattern the replacement gate structure is removed. After deposition of a dielectric liner, a first dielectric material layer is deposited by an anisotropic deposition and an isotropic etchback. A second dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized employing the first dielectric material portion as a stopping structure. The first dielectric material portion is removed selective to the second dielectric material layer, and is replaced with gate cap dielectric material portion including at least one dielectric material different from the materials of the dielectric material layers. A contact via hole extending to a source/drain region is formed employing the gate cap dielectric material portion as an etch stop structure. A contact via structure is spaced from the replacement gate structure at least by remaining portions of the gate cap dielectric material portion. | 10-23-2014 |
20140315380 | TRENCH PATTERNING WITH BLOCK FIRST SIDEWALL IMAGE TRANSFER - A method including forming a tetra-layer hardmask above a substrate, the tetra-layer hardmask including a second hardmask layer above a first hardmask layer; removing a portion of the second hardmask layer of the tetra-layer hardmask within a pattern region of a structure comprising the substrate and the tetra-layer hardmask; forming a set of sidewall spacers above the tetra-layer hardmask to define a device pattern; and transferring a portion of the device pattern into the substrate and within the pattern region of the structure. | 10-23-2014 |
20140346640 | NON-LITHOGRAPHIC HOLE PATTERN FORMATION - A metal layer is deposited over a material layer. The metal layer includes an elemental metal that can be converted into a dielectric metal-containing compound by plasma oxidation or nitridation. A hard mask portion is formed over the metal layer. A plasma impermeable spacer is formed on at least one first sidewall of the hard mask portion, while at least one second sidewall of the hard mask portion is physically exposed. Plasma oxidation or nitridation is performed to convert physically exposed surfaces of the metal layer into the dielectric metal-containing compound. A sequence of a surface pull back of the hard mask portion, cavity etching, another surface pull back, and conversion of top surfaces into the dielectric metal-containing compound are repeated to form a hole pattern having a spacing that is not limited by lithographic minimum dimensions. | 11-27-2014 |
20140349088 | NON-LITHOGRAPHIC LINE PATTERN FORMATION - A metal layer is deposited over an underlying material layer. The metal layer includes an elemental metal that can be converted into a dielectric metal-containing compound by plasma oxidation and/or nitridation. A hard mask portion is formed over the metal layer. Plasma oxidation or nitridation is performed to convert physically exposed surfaces of the metal layer into the dielectric metal-containing compound. The sequence of a surface pull back of the hard mask portion, trench etching, another surface pull back, and conversion of top surfaces into the dielectric metal-containing compound are repeated to form a line pattern having a spacing that is not limited by lithographic minimum dimensions. | 11-27-2014 |
20140367826 | MAKING AN EFUSE - A wafer chip and a method of designing the chip is disclosed. A first fuse is formed having a first critical dimension and a second fuse having a second critical dimension are formed in a layer of the chip. A voltage may be applied to burn out at least one of the first fuse and the second fuse. The first critical dimension of the first fuse may result from applying a first mask to the layer and applying light having a first property to the mask. The second critical dimension of the second fuse may result from applying a second mask to the layer and applying light having a second property to the mask. | 12-18-2014 |
20140374839 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING SOURCE/DRAIN FORMED ON BULK AND GATE CHANNEL FORMED ON OXIDE LAYER - A semiconductor device having a doped well area includes a doped substrate layer formed on a substrate portion of the semiconductor device. The doped substrate layer extends along a first direction to define a length and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define a width. A plurality of fins is formed on the doped substrate layer and an oxide substrate layer is formed between each fin. At least one gate is formed on the oxide substrate layer and extends across at least one fin among the plurality of fins. | 12-25-2014 |
20140377917 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING SOURCE/DRAIN FORMED ON BULK AND GATE CHANNEL FORMED ON OXIDE LAYER - A semiconductor device having a doped well area includes a doped substrate layer formed on a substrate portion of the semiconductor device. The doped substrate layer extends along a first direction to define a length and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define a width. A plurality of fins is formed on the doped substrate layer and an oxide substrate layer is formed between each fin. At least one gate is formed on the oxide substrate layer and extends across at least one fin among the plurality of fins. | 12-25-2014 |
20150031201 | TRENCH PATTERNING WITH BLOCK FIRST SIDEWALL IMAGE TRANSFER - A method including forming a tetra-layer hardmask above a substrate, the tetra-layer hardmask including a second hardmask layer above a first hardmask layer; removing a portion of the second hardmask layer of the tetra-layer hardmask within a pattern region of a structure comprising the substrate and the tetra-layer hardmask; forming a set of sidewall spacers above the tetra-layer hardmask to define a device pattern; and transferring a portion of the device pattern into the substrate and within the pattern region of the structure. | 01-29-2015 |
20150048429 | SIDEWALL IMAGE TRANSFER WITH A SPIN-ON HARDMASK - Semiconductor devices and sidewall image transfer methods with a spin on hardmask. Methods for forming fins include forming a trench through a stack of layers that includes a top and bottom insulator layer, and a layer to be patterned on a substrate; isotropically etching the top and bottom insulator layers; forming a hardmask material in the trench to the level of the bottom insulator layer; isotropically etching the top insulator layer; and etching the bottom insulator layer and the layer to be patterned down to the substrate to form fins from the layer to be patterned. | 02-19-2015 |
20150048430 | SIDEWALL IMAGE TRANSFER WITH A SPIN-ON HARDMASK - Semiconductor devices include a first and a second set of parallel fins, each set of fins having a same number of fins and a pitch between adjacent fins below a minimum pitch of an associated lithography process, where a spacing between the first and second set of fins is greater than the pitch between adjacent fins; a gate structure over the first and second sets of fins; a merged source region that connects the first and second sets of fins on a first side of the gate structure; and a merged drain region that connects the first and second sets of fins on a second side of the gate structure. | 02-19-2015 |
20150054077 | FINFET FORMED OVER DIELECTRIC - A method for semiconductor fabrication includes patterning one or more mandrels over a semiconductor substrate, the one or more mandrels having dielectric material formed therebetween. A semiconductor layer is formed over exposed portions of the one or more mandrels. A thermal oxidation is performed to diffuse elements from the semiconductor layer into an upper portion of the one or more mandrels and concurrently oxidize a lower portion of the one or more mandrels to form the one or more mandrels on the dielectric material. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054121 | FINFET FORMED OVER DIELECTRIC - A method for semiconductor fabrication includes patterning one or more mandrels over a semiconductor substrate, the one or more mandrels having dielectric material formed therebetween. A semiconductor layer is formed over exposed portions of the one or more mandrels. A thermal oxidation is performed to diffuse elements from the semiconductor layer into an upper portion of the one or more mandrels and concurrently oxidize a lower portion of the one or more mandrels to form the one or more mandrels on the dielectric material. | 02-26-2015 |
20150061015 | NON-MERGED EPITAXIALLY GROWN MOSFET DEVICES - Semiconductor devices having non-merged fin extensions and methods for forming the same. Methods for forming semiconductor devices include forming fins on a substrate; forming a dummy gate over the fins, leaving a source and drain region exposed; etching the fins below a surface level of a surrounding insulator layer; and epitaxially growing fin extensions from the etched fins. | 03-05-2015 |