Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110129983 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING A DUAL-ORIENTATION GROUP-IV SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE - The present invention relates to method for fabricating a dual-orientation group-IV semiconductor substrate and comprises in addition to performing a masked amorphization on a DSB-like substrate only in first lateral regions of the surface layer, and a solid-phase epitaxial regrowth of the surface layer in only the first lateral regions so as to establish their (100)-orientation. Subsequently, a cover layer on the surface layer is fabricated, followed by fabricating isolation regions, which laterally separate (1 1θ)-oriented first lateral regions and (100)-oriented second lateral regions from each other. Then the cover layer is removed in a selective manner with respect to the isolation regions so as to uncover the surface layer in the first and second lateral regions and a refilling of the first and second lateral regions between the isolation regions is performed using epitaxy. | 06-02-2011 |
20120142121 | HYDROCHLORIC ACID ETCH AND LOW TEMPERATURE EPITAXY IN A SINGLE CHAMBER FOR RAISED SOURCE-DRAIN FABRICATION - A raised source-drain structure is formed using a process wherein a semiconductor structure is received in a process chamber that is adapted to support both an etching process and an epitaxial growth process. This semiconductor structure includes a source region and a drain region, wherein the source and drain regions each include a damaged surface layer. The process chamber is controlled to set a desired atmosphere and set a desired temperature. At the desired atmosphere and temperature, the etching process of process chamber is used to remove the damaged surface layers from the source and drain regions and expose an interface surface. Without releasing the desired atmosphere and while maintaining the desired temperature, the epitaxial growth process of the process chamber is used to grow, from the exposed interface surface, a raised region above each of the source and drain regions. | 06-07-2012 |
20120146175 | INSULATING REGION FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE - An insulating region for a semiconductor wafer and a method of forming same. The insulating region can include a tri-layer structure of silicon oxide, boron nitride and silicon oxide. The insulating region may be used to insulate a semiconductor device layer from an underlying bulk semiconductor substrate. The insulating region can be formed by coating the sides of a very thin cavity with silicon oxide, and filling the remainder of the cavity between the silicon oxide regions with boron nitride. | 06-14-2012 |
20120156847 | LAYER FORMATION WITH REDUCED CHANNEL LOSS - Insulating layers can be formed over a semiconductor device region and etched in a manner that substantially reduces or prevents the amount of etching of the underlying channel region. A first insulating layer can be formed over a gate region and a semiconductor device region. A second insulating layer can be formed over the first insulating layer. A third insulating layer can be formed over the second insulating layer. A portion of the third insulating layer can be etched using a first etching process. A portion of the first and second insulating layers beneath the etched portion of the third insulating layer can be etched using at least a second etching process different from the first etching process. | 06-21-2012 |
20120252174 | PROCESS FOR FORMING AN EPITAXIAL LAYER, IN PARTICULAR ON THE SOURCE AND DRAIN REGIONS OF FULLY-DEPLETED TRANSISTORS - A layer of a semiconductor material is epitaxially grown on a single-crystal semiconductor structure and on a polycrystalline semiconductor structure. The epitaxial layer is then etched in order to preserve a non-zero thickness of said material on the single-crystal structure and a zero thickness on the polycrystalline structure. The process of growth and etch is repeated, with the same material or with a different material in each repetition, until a stack of epitaxial layers on said single-crystal structure has reached a desired thickness. The single crystal structure is preferably a source/drain region of a transistor, and the polycrystalline structure is preferably a gate of that transistor. | 10-04-2012 |
20130193514 | METHOD TO ENABLE THE FORMATION OF SILICON GERMANIUM CHANNEL OF FDSOI DEVICES FOR PFET THRESHOLD VOLTAGE ENGINEERING - An SOI substrate has a first region isolated from a second region. An SiGe layer is deposited on top of the SOI substrate in the second region. The substrate is subjected to a thermal oxidation process which drives in Ge from the SiGe layer to form an SiGeOI structure in the second region and an overlying oxide layer. If the SOI substrate is exposed in the first region, the thermal oxidation process further produces an oxide layer overlying the first region. The oxide layer(s) is(are) removed to expose an Si channel layer in the first region and an SiGe channel layer in the second region. Transistor gate stacks are formed over each of the Si channel layer and SiGe channel layer. Raised source and drain regions are formed from the Si channel layer and SiGe channel layer adjacent the transistor gate stacks. | 08-01-2013 |
20130277747 | TRANSISTOR HAVING A STRESSED BODY - An embodiment of a transistor includes a body and a semiconductor region configured to stress a portion of the body. For example, stressing a channel of the transistor may increase the mobility of carriers in the channel, and thus may reduce the “on” resistance of the transistor. For example, the substrate, source/drain regions, or both the substrate and source/drain regions of a PFET may be doped to compressively stress the channel so as to increase the mobility of holes in the channel. Or, the substrate, source/drain regions, or both the substrate and source/drain regions of an NFET may be doped to tensile stress the channel so as to increase the mobility of electrons in the channel. | 10-24-2013 |
20130319613 | CUT-VERY-LAST DUAL-EPI FLOW - A method for making dual-epi FinFETs is described. The method includes adding a first epitaxial material to an array of fins. The method also includes covering at least a first portion of the array of fins using a first masking material and removing the first epitaxial material from an uncovered portion of the array of fins. Adding a second epitaxial material to the fins in the uncovered portion of the array of fins is included in the method. The method also includes covering a second portion of the array of fins using a second masking material and performing a directional etch using the first masking material and the second masking material. Apparatus and computer program products are also described. | 12-05-2013 |
20130334651 | DUAL SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION LINER FOR PREVENTING ELECTRICAL SHORTS - A shallow trench is formed to extend into a handle substrate of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer. A dielectric liner stack of a dielectric metal oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer is formed in the shallow trench, followed by deposition of a shallow trench isolation fill portion. The dielectric liner stack is removed from above a top surface of a top semiconductor portion, followed by removal of a silicon nitride pad layer and an upper vertical portion of the dielectric metal oxide layer. A divot laterally surrounding a stack of a top semiconductor portion and a buried insulator portion is filled with a silicon nitride portion. Gate structures and source/drain structures are subsequently formed. The silicon nitride portion or the dielectric metal oxide layer functions as a stopping layer during formation of source/drain contact via holes, thereby preventing electrical shorts between source/drain contact via structures and the handle substrate. | 12-19-2013 |
20140024203 | SHALLOW HEAVILY DOPED SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER BY CYCLIC SELECTIVE EPITAXIAL DEPOSITION PROCESS - The deposition method comprises providing a substrate with a first mono-crystalline zone made of a semiconductor material and a second zone made of an insulating material. During a passivation step, a passivation atmosphere is applied on the substrate so as to cover the first zone with doping impurities. During a deposition step, gaseous silicon and/or germanium precursors are introduced and a doped semiconductor film is formed. The semiconductor film is mono-crystalline over the first zone and has a different texture over the second zone. During an etching step, a chloride gaseous precursor is applied on the substrate so as to remove the semiconductor layer over the second zone. | 01-23-2014 |
20140054698 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION (STI) REGIONS WITH BOTTOM NITRIDE LINER AND UPPER OXIDE LINER AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include a substrate, a buried oxide (BOX) layer overlying the substrate, at least one semiconductor device overlying the BOX layer, and at least one STI region in the substrate and adjacent the at least one semiconductor device. The at least one STI region defines a sidewall surface with the substrate and may include a nitride layer lining a bottom portion of the sidewall surface, an oxide layer lining a top portion of the sidewall surface above the bottom portion, and an insulating material within the nitride and oxide layers. | 02-27-2014 |
20140054699 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION (STI) REGIONS WITH BOTTOM OXIDE LINER AND UPPER NITRIDE LINER AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include a substrate, a buried oxide (BOX) layer overlying the substrate, at least one semiconductor device overlying the BOX layer, and at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) region in the substrate and adjacent the at least one semiconductor device. The at least one STI region defines a sidewall surface with the substrate and may include an oxide layer lining a bottom portion of the sidewall surface, a nitride layer lining a top portion of the sidewall surface above the bottom portion, and an insulating material within the nitride and oxide layers. | 02-27-2014 |
20140054706 | MULTI-FIN FINFET DEVICE INCLUDING EPITAXIAL GROWTH BARRIER ON OUTSIDE SURFACES OF OUTERMOST FINS AND RELATED METHODS - A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FINFET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof. | 02-27-2014 |
20140054715 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH AN INCLINED SOURCE/DRAIN AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a channel region therein, a gate structure above the channel region, and source and drain regions on opposite sides of the gate structure. A respective contact is on each of the source and drain regions. At least one of the source and drain regions has an inclined upper contact surface with the respective contact. The inclined upper contact surface has at least a 50% greater area than would a corresponding flat contact surface. | 02-27-2014 |
20140084372 | DUAL SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION LINER FOR PREVENTING ELECTRICAL SHORTS - A shallow trench is formed to extend into a handle substrate of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer. A dielectric liner stack of a dielectric metal oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer is formed in the shallow trench, followed by deposition of a shallow trench isolation fill portion. The dielectric liner stack is removed from above a top surface of a top semiconductor portion, followed by removal of a silicon nitride pad layer and an upper vertical portion of the dielectric metal oxide layer. A divot laterally surrounding a stack of a top semiconductor portion and a buried insulator portion is filled with a silicon nitride portion. Gate structures and source/drain structures are subsequently formed. The silicon nitride portion or the dielectric metal oxide layer functions as a stopping layer during formation of source/drain contact via holes, thereby preventing electrical shorts between source/drain contact via structures and the handle substrate. | 03-27-2014 |
20140087524 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR WITH IMPLANTATION THROUGH THE SPACERS - The substrate successively includes a support substrate, an electrically insulating layer, a semiconductor material layer, and a gate pattern. The semiconductor material layer and gate pattern are covered by a covering layer. A first doping impurity is implanted in the semiconductor material layer through the covering layer so as to place the thickness of maximum concentration of the first doping impurity in the first layer. The covering layer is partly eliminated so as to form lateral spacers leaving source/drain electrodes free. | 03-27-2014 |
20140099769 | METHOD TO PROTECT AGAINST CONTACT RELATED SHORTS ON UTBB - Isolation trenches are etched through an active silicon layer overlying a buried oxide on a substrate into the substrate, and through any pad dielectric(s) on the active silicon layer. Lateral epitaxial growth of the active silicon layer forms protrusions into the isolation trenches to a lateral distance of at least about 5 nanometers, and portions of the isolation trenches around the protrusions are filled with dielectric. Raised source/drain regions are formed on portions of the active silicon layer including a dielectric. As a result, misaligned contacts passing around edges of the raised source/drain regions remain spaced apart from sidewalls of the substrate in the isolation trenches. | 04-10-2014 |
20140099773 | DUAL SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION LINER FOR PREVENTING ELECTRICAL SHORTS - A shallow trench is formed to extend into a handle substrate of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer. A dielectric liner stack of a dielectric metal oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer is formed in the shallow trench, followed by deposition of a shallow trench isolation fill portion. The dielectric liner stack is removed from above a top surface of a top semiconductor portion, followed by removal of a silicon nitride pad layer and an upper vertical portion of the dielectric metal oxide layer. A divot laterally surrounding a stack of a top semiconductor portion and a buried insulator portion is filled with a silicon nitride portion. Gate structures and source/drain structures are subsequently formed. The silicon nitride portion or the dielectric metal oxide layer functions as a stopping layer during formation of source/drain contact via holes, thereby preventing electrical shorts between source/drain contact via structures and the handle substrate. | 04-10-2014 |
20140138775 | DUAL EPI CMOS INTEGRATION FOR PLANAR SUBSTRATES - Silicon germanium regions are formed adjacent gates electrodes over both n-type and p-type regions in an integrated circuit. A hard mask patterned by lithography then protects structures over the p-type region while the silicon germanium is selectively removed from over the n-type region, even under remnants of the hard mask on sidewall spacers on the gate electrode. Silicon germanium carbon is epitaxially grown adjacent the gate electrode in place of the removed silicon germanium, and source/drain extension implants are performed prior to removal of the remaining hard mask over the p-type region structures. | 05-22-2014 |
20140151746 | FINFET DEVICE WITH ISOLATED CHANNEL - Despite improvements in FinFETs and strained silicon devices, transistors continue to suffer performance degradation as device dimensions shrink. These include, in particular, leakage of charge between the semiconducting channel and the substrate. An isolated channel FinFET device prevents channel-to-substrate leakage by inserting an insulating layer between the channel (fin) and the substrate. The insulating layer isolates the fin from the substrate both physically and electrically. To form the isolated FinFET device, an array of bi-layer fins can be grown epitaxially from the silicon surface, between nitride columns that provide localized insulation between adjacent fins. Then, the lower fin layer can be removed, while leaving the upper fin layer, thus yielding an interdigitated array of nitride columns and semiconducting fins suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the upper fin layer can then be filled in with oxide to isolate the array of fin channels from the substrate. | 06-05-2014 |
20140151759 | FACET-FREE STRAINED SILICON TRANSISTOR - The presence of a facet or a void in an epitaxially grown crystal indicates that crystal growth has been interrupted by defects or by certain material boundaries. Faceting can be suppressed during epitaxial growth of silicon compounds that form source and drain regions of strained silicon transistors. It has been observed that faceting can occur when epitaxial layers of certain silicon compounds are grown adjacent to an oxide boundary, but faceting does not occur when the epitaxial layer is grown adjacent to a silicon boundary or adjacent to a nitride boundary. Because epitaxial growth of silicon compounds is often necessary in the vicinity of isolation trenches that are filled with oxide, techniques for suppression of faceting in these areas are of particular interest. One such technique, presented herein, is to line the isolation trenches with SiN to provide a barrier between the oxide and the region in which epitaxial growth is intended. | 06-05-2014 |
20140170834 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A HYBRID SOI/BULK SEMICONDUCTOR WAFER - A method for manufacturing a hybrid SOI/bulk substrate, including the steps of starting from an SOI wafer comprising a single-crystal semiconductor layer called SOI layer, on an insulating layer, on a single-crystal semiconductor substrate; depositing on the SOI layer at least one masking layer and forming openings crossing the masking layer, the SOI layer, and the insulating layer, to reach the substrate; growing by a repeated alternation of selective epitaxy and partial etching steps a semiconductor material; and etching insulating trenches surrounding said openings filled with semiconductor material, while encroaching inwards over the periphery of the openings. | 06-19-2014 |
20140175554 | FULLY SUBSTRATE-ISOLATED FINFET TRANSISTOR - Channel-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device can be prevented by inserting an insulating layer between the semiconducting channel (fin) and the substrate. Similarly, source/drain-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device can be prevented by isolating the source/drain regions from the substrate by inserting an insulating layer between the source/drain regions and the substrate. The insulating layer isolates the conduction path from the substrate both physically and electrically, thus preventing current leakage. If an array of semiconducting fins is made up of a multi-layer stack, the bottom material can be removed thus yielding a fin array that is suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the remaining top fin material can then be filled in with oxide to better support the fins and to isolate the array of fins from the substrate. The resulting FinFET device is fully substrate-isolated in both the gate region and the source/drain regions. | 06-26-2014 |
20140291749 | MEMORY DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE DIELECTRIC GATE STACKS AND RELATED METHODS - A memory device may include a semiconductor substrate, and a memory transistor in the semiconductor substrate. The memory transistor may include source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate and a channel region therebetween, and a gate stack. The gate stack may include a first dielectric layer over the channel region, a first diffusion barrier layer over the first dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer over the first diffusion barrier layer, a second dielectric layer over the first electrically conductive layer, a second diffusion barrier layer over the second dielectric layer, and a second electrically conductive layer over the second diffusion barrier layer. The first and second dielectric layers may include different dielectric materials, and the first diffusion barrier layer may be thinner than the second diffusion barrier layer. | 10-02-2014 |
20140291750 | MEMORY DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE DIELECTRIC GATE STACKS WITH FIRST AND SECOND DIELECTRIC LAYERS AND RELATED METHODS - A memory device may include a semiconductor substrate, and a memory transistor in the semiconductor substrate. The memory transistor may include source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate and a channel region therebetween, and a gate stack having a first dielectric layer over the channel region, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, a first diffusion barrier layer over the second dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer over the first diffusion barrier layer, a second diffusion barrier layer over the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer over the second diffusion barrier layer. The first and second dielectric layers may include different dielectric materials, and the first diffusion barrier layer may be thinner than the second diffusion barrier layer. | 10-02-2014 |
20140299880 | LAYER FORMATION WITH REDUCED CHANNEL LOSS - Insulating layers can be formed over a semiconductor device region and etched in a manner that substantially reduces or prevents the amount of etching of the underlying channel region. A first insulating layer can be formed over a gate region and a semiconductor device region. A second insulating layer can be formed over the first insulating layer. A third insulating layer can be formed over the second insulating layer. A portion of the third insulating layer can be etched using a first etching process. A portion of the first and second insulating layers beneath the etched portion of the third insulating layer can be etched using at least a second etching process different from the first etching process. | 10-09-2014 |
20140312423 | SIMPLIFIED MULTI-THRESHOLD VOLTAGE SCHEME FOR FULLY DEPLETED SOI MOSFETS - A method for semiconductor fabrication includes providing channel regions on a substrate including at least one Silicon Germanium (SiGe) channel region, the substrate including a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region. Gate structures are formed for a first n-type field effect transistor (NFET) and a first p-type field effect transistor (PFET) in the first region and a second NFET and a second PFET in the second region, the gate structure for the first PFET being formed on the SiGe channel region. The gate structure for the first NFET includes a gate material having a first work function and the gate structures for the first PFET, second NFET and second PFET include a gate material having a second work function such that multi-threshold voltage devices are provided. | 10-23-2014 |
20140353714 | METHODS FOR MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH SHAPED SOURCE AND DRAIN RECESSES AND RELATED DEVICES - A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming at least one gate stack on a layer comprising a first semiconductor material and etching source and drain recesses adjacent the at least one gate stack. The method further includes shaping the source and drain recesses to have a vertical side extending upwardly from a bottom to an inclined extension adjacent the at least one gate stack. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353716 | METHOD OF MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING A DUMMY GATE - A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a fin mask layer on a semiconductor layer, forming a dummy gate over the fin mask layer, and forming source and drain regions on opposite sides of the dummy gate. The dummy gate is removed and the underlying fin mask layer is used to define a plurality of fins in the semiconductor layer. A gate is formed over the plurality of fins. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353717 | SILICON-ON-NOTHING TRANSISTOR SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE WITH CHANNEL EPITAXIAL SILICON REGION - An improved transistor with channel epitaxial silicon. In one aspect, a method of fabrication includes: forming a gate stack structure on an epitaxial silicon region disposed on a substrate, a width dimension of the epitaxial silicon region approximating a width dimension of the gate stack structure; and growing a raised epitaxial source and drain from the substrate, the raised epitaxial source and drain in contact with the epitaxial silicon region and the gate stack structure. For a SRAM device, further: removing an epitaxial layer in contact with the silicon substrate and the raised source and drain and to which the epitaxial silicon region is coupled leaving a space above the silicon substrate and under the raised epitaxial source and drain; and filling the space with an insulating layer and isolating the raised epitaxial source and drain and a channel of the transistor from the silicon substrate. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353718 | SILICON-ON-NOTHING TRANSISTOR SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE WITH CHANNEL EPITAXIAL SILICON-GERMANIUM REGION - An improved transistor with channel epitaxial silicon and methods for fabrication thereof. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a transistor includes: forming a gate stack structure on an epitaxial silicon region, a width dimension of the epitaxial silicon region approximating a width dimension of the gate stack structure; encapsulating the epitaxial silicon region under the gate stack structure with sacrificial spacers formed on both sides of the gate stack structure and the epitaxial silicon region; forming a channel of the transistor having a width dimension that approximates that of the epitaxial silicon region and the gate stack structure, the epitaxial silicon region and the gate stack structure formed on the channel of the transistor; removing the sacrificial spacers; and growing a raised epitaxial source and drain from the silicon substrate, with portions of the raised epitaxial source and drain in contact with the epitaxial silicon region. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353753 | FIN FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR DEVICE WITH REDUCED OVERLAP CAPACITANCE AND ENHANCED MECHANICAL STABILITY - Improved fin field effect transistor (FinFET) devices and methods for fabrication thereof. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a FinFET device comprises: a silicon substrate on which a silicon epitaxial layer is grown is provided. Sacrificial structures on the substrate are formed from the epitaxial layer. A blanket silicon layer is formed over the sacrificial structures and exposed substrate portions, the blanket silicon layer having upper and lower portions of uniform thickness and intermediate portions interposed between the upper and lower portions of non-uniform thickness and having an angle of formation. An array of semiconducting fins is formed from the blanket silicon layer and a non-conformal layer formed over the blanket layer. The sacrificial structures are removed and the resulting void filled with isolation structures under the channel regions. Source and drain are formed in the source/drain regions during a fin merge of the FinFET. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353760 | METHOD TO CO-INTEGRATE SiGe AND Si CHANNELS FOR FINFET DEVICES - A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level. | 12-04-2014 |
20140353767 | METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF FIN STRUCTURES FOR FINFET DEVICES - On a first semiconductor material substrate, an overlying sacrificial layer formed of a second semiconductor material is deposited. In a first region, a first semiconductor material region is formed over the sacrificial layer. In a second region, a second semiconductor material region is formed over the sacrificial layer. The first semiconductor material region is patterned to define a first FinFET fin. The second semiconductor material region is patterned to define a second FinFET fin. The fins are each covered with a cap and sidewall spacer. The sacrificial layer formed of the second semiconductor material is then selectively removed to form an opening below each of the first and second FinFET fins (with those fins being supported by the sidewall spacers). The openings below each of the fins are then filled with a dielectric material that serves to isolate the semiconductive materials of the fins from the substrate. | 12-04-2014 |
20140357029 | METHOD OF MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING SACRIFICIAL FINS - A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a sacrificial layer above a semiconductor layer. Portions of the sacrificial layer are selectively removed to define a first set of spaced apart sacrificial fins over a first region of the semiconductor layer, and a second set of spaced apart sacrificial fins over a second region of the semiconductor layer. An isolation trench is formed in the semiconductor layer between the first and second regions. The isolation trench and spaces are filled with a dielectric material. The first and second sets of sacrificial fins are removed to define respective first and second sets of fin openings. The first set of fin openings is filled to define a first set of semiconductor fins for a first conductivity-type transistor, and the second set of fin openings is filled to define a second set of semiconductor fins for a second conductivity-type transistor. | 12-04-2014 |
20140357036 | METHOD OF MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING AN ALL AROUND GATE - A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming an intermediate structure including second semiconductor fin portions above a first semiconductor layer, and top first semiconductor fin portions extending from respective ones of the second semiconductor fin portions. The second semiconductor fin portions are selectively etchable with respect to the top first semiconductor fin portions. A dummy gate is on the intermediate structure. The second semiconductor fin portions are selectively etched to define bottom openings under respective ones of the top first semiconductor fin portions. The bottom openings are filled with a dielectric material. | 12-04-2014 |
20140357039 | METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF A PROTECTIVE DUAL LINER FOR A SHALLOW TRENCH ISOLATION STRUCTURE - On a substrate formed of a first semiconductor layer, an insulating layer and a second semiconductor layer, a silicon oxide pad layer and a silicon nitride pad layer are deposited and patterned to define a mask. The mask is used to open a trench through the first semiconductor layer and insulating layer and into the second semiconductor layer. A dual liner of silicon dioxide and silicon nitride is conformally deposited within the trench. The trench is filled with silicon dioxide. A hydrofluoric acid etch removes the silicon nitride pad layer along with a portion of the conformal silicon nitride liner. A hot phosphoric acid etch removes the silicon oxide pad layer, a portion of the silicon oxide filling the trench and a portion of the conformal silicon nitride liner. The dual liner protects against substrate etch through at an edge of the trench between the first and second semiconductor layers. | 12-04-2014 |
20140357040 | METHOD OF MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING SPACERS FOR SOURCE/DRAIN CONFINEMENT - A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first spacer for at least one gate stack on a first semiconductor material layer, and forming a respective second spacer for each of source and drain regions adjacent the at least one gate. Each second spacer has a pair of opposing sidewalls and an end wall coupled thereto. The method includes filling the source and drain regions with a second semiconductor material while the first and second spacers provide confinement. | 12-04-2014 |
20140357060 | METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF FIN STRUCTURES FOR FINFET DEVICES - A SOI substrate layer formed of a silicon semiconductor material includes adjacent first and second regions. A portion of the silicon substrate layer in the second region is removed such that the second region retains a bottom portion made of the silicon semiconductor material. An epitaxial growth of a silicon-germanium semiconductor material is made to cover the bottom portion. Germanium is then driven from the epitaxially grown silicon-germanium material into the bottom portion to convert the bottom portion to silicon-germanium. Further silicon-germanium growth is performed to define a silicon-germanium region in the second region adjacent the silicon region in the first region. The silicon region is patterned to define a first fin structure of a FinFET of a first (for example, n-channel) conductivity type. The silicon-germanium region is also patterned to define a second fin structure of a FinFET of a second (for example, p-channel) conductivity type. | 12-04-2014 |
20150021690 | FIN TRANSFORMATION PROCESS AND ISOLATION STRUCTURES FACILITATING DIFFERENT FIN ISOLATION SCHEMES - Methods and semiconductor structures formed from the methods are provided which facilitate fabricating semiconductor fin structures. The methods include, for example: providing a wafer with at least one semiconductor fin extending above a substrate; transforming a portion of the semiconductor fin(s) into an isolation layer, the isolation layer separating a semiconductor layer of the semiconductor fin(s) from the substrate; and proceeding with forming a fin device(s) of a first architectural type in a first fin region of the semiconductor fin(s), and a fin device(s) of a second architectural type in a second fin region of the semiconductor fin(s), where the first architectural type and the second architectural type are different fin device architectures. | 01-22-2015 |
20150024572 | PROCESS FOR FACILTIATING FIN ISOLATION SCHEMES - Semiconductor fabrication methods are provided which include facilitating fabricating semiconductor fin structures by: providing a wafer with at least one fin extending above a substrate, the at least one fin including a first layer disposed above a second layer; mechanically stabilizing the first layer; removing at least a portion of the second layer of the fin(s) to create a void below the first layer; filling the void, at least partially, below the first layer with an isolation material to create an isolation layer within the fin(s); and proceeding with forming a fin device(s) of a first architectural type in a first fin region of the fin(s), and a fin device(s) of a second architectural type in a second fin region of the fin(s), where the first architectural type and the second architectural type are different fin device architectures. | 01-22-2015 |
20150028349 | METHOD TO INDUCE STRAIN IN 3-D MICROFABRICATED STRUCTURES - Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed in two epitaxial layers that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin epitaxial layer may be cut and used to impart strain to an adjacent channel region of the finFET via elastic relaxation. The structures exhibit a preferred design range for increasing induced strain and uniformity of the strain over the fin height. | 01-29-2015 |
20150041898 | BULK FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR-ON-NOTHING INTEGRATION - Methods and structures for forming fully insulated finFETs beginning with a bulk semiconductor substrate are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed in two epitaxial layers that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first epitaxial layer may be sacrificial. A final gate structure may be formed around the fin structures, and the first epitaxial layer removed to form a void between a fin and the substrate. The void may be filled with an insulator to fully insulate the fin. | 02-12-2015 |
20150054032 | METHODS FOR MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH SHAPED SOURCE AND DRAIN RECESSES AND RELATED DEVICES - A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming at least one gate stack on a layer comprising a first semiconductor material and etching source and drain recesses adjacent the at least one gate stack. The method further includes shaping the source and drain recesses to have a vertical side extending upwardly from a bottom to an inclined extension adjacent the at least one gate stack. | 02-26-2015 |
20150076514 | METHOD TO INDUCE STRAIN IN FINFET CHANNELS FROM AN ADJACENT REGION - Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures. | 03-19-2015 |