Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110006390 | STI STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING BOTTOM VOID IN SAME - A method for forming an STI structure is provided. In one embodiment, a trench is formed in a substrate, the trench having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the sidewalls extending down to a bottom portion of the trench. An insulating material is deposited to line the surfaces of the sidewalls and the bottom portion. The insulating material proximate the top portions and the bottom portion of the trench are thereafter etched back. The insulating material is deposited to line the inside surfaces of the trench at a rate sufficient to allow a first protruding insulating material deposited on the first sidewall and a second protruding insulating material deposited on the second sidewall to approach theretogether. The steps of etching back and depositing are repeated to have the first and second protruding materials abut, thereby forming a void near the bottom of the trench. | 01-13-2011 |
20110059407 | DOUBLE PATTERNING STRATEGY FOR FORMING FINE PATTERNS IN PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY - A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first resist pattern over a substrate, baking the first resist features, hardening the first resist features, forming a second resist layer within the hardened first resist features, and patterning the second resist layer to form at least one second resist feature between the hardened first features. | 03-10-2011 |
20110171804 | Multilayer Hard Mask - A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method may include providing a semiconductor substrate; forming gate material layers over the semiconductor substrate; forming a multi-layer hard mask layer over the gate material layers, wherein the multi-layer hard mask layer includes a plurality of film stacks, each film stack having a silicon oxide layer and a carbon-containing material layer, each film stack having a thickness equal to or less than about 10 angstrom; patterning the multi-layer hard mask layer, forming an opening of the multi-hard mask layer; etching the gate material layers within the opening of the multi-layer hard mask layer, forming a gate structure; performing a tilt-angle ion implantation process to the semiconductor substrate, wherein a first remaining thickness of the multi-layer hard mask layer is less than a first thickness; and thereafter performing an epitaxy growth to the semiconductor substrate, wherein a second remaining thickness of the multi-layer hard mask layer is greater than a second thickness. | 07-14-2011 |
20110195548 | METHOD OF FABRICATING GATE ELECTRODE USING A TREATED HARD MASK - A method for fabricating an integrated device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a hard mask layer with a limited thickness is formed over a gate electrode layer. A treatment is provided to the hard mask layer to make the hard mask layer more resistant to a wet etch solution. Then, a patterning is provided on the treated hard mask layer and the gate electrode to from a gate structure. | 08-11-2011 |
20110195575 | NOVEL HARD MASK REMOVAL METHOD - The embodiments of methods described in this disclosure for removing a hard mask layer(s) over a polysilicon layer of a gate stack after the gate stack is etched allows the complete removal of the hard mask layer without the assistance of photolithography. A dielectric material is deposited over the substrate with the gate stacks. The topography of the substrate is removed by chemical mechanical polishing first. Afterwards, an etching gas (or vapor) is used to etch a portion of the remaining dielectric layer and the hard mask layer. The etching gas forms an etch byproduct that deposits on the substrate surface and can be subsequently removed by heating. The etching and heating to remove etch byproduct are repeated until the hard mask layer is completed removed. Afterwards, the remaining dielectric layer is removed by wet etch. The methods described are simpler and cheaper to use than conventional methods for hard mask removal. | 08-11-2011 |
20110201164 | Method of Dual EPI Process For Semiconductor Device - The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming first and second gate structures over first and second regions of a substrate, respectively, forming spacers on sidewalls of the first and second gate structures, the spacers being formed of a first material, forming a capping layer over the first and second gate structures, the capping layer being formed of a second material different from the first material, forming a protection layer over the second region to protect the second gate structure, removing the capping layer over the first gate structure; removing the protection layer over the second region, epitaxially (epi) growing a semiconductor material on exposed portions of the substrate in the first region, and removing the capping layer over the second gate structure by an etching process that exhibits an etching selectivity of the second material to the first material. | 08-18-2011 |
20110230029 | METHOD OF FABRICATING GATE ELECTRODE USING A HARD MASK WITH SPACERS - A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method may include providing a semiconductor substrate; forming gate material layers over the semiconductor substrate; forming a hard mask layer over the gate material layers; patterning the hard mask layer to from a hard mask pattern; forming a spacer layer over the hard mask pattern; etching back the spacer layer to form spacers over sidewalls of the hard mask pattern; etching the gate material layers by using the spacers and the hard mask pattern as an etching mask to form a gate structure; and performing a tilt-angle ion implantation process to the semiconductor substrate. | 09-22-2011 |
20110312180 | POST CMP PLANARIZATION BY CLUSTER ION BEAM ETCH - The embodiments of mechanisms described enables improved planarity of substrates, which is crucial for patterning and device yield improvement. Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is used to remove film to planarize the substrate before the final thickness is reached or before all removal film is polished. The substrate is then measured for its topography and film thickness. The topography and thickness data are used by the gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) etch tool to determine how much film to remove on a particular location. GCIB etch enables removal of final layer to meet the requirements of substrate uniformity and thickness target. The mechanisms enable improved planarity to meet the requirement of advanced processing technologies. | 12-22-2011 |
20120003806 | METHOD OF FABRICATING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE - A method for fabricating an integrated device is disclosed. A sacrificial gate stack is provided with a line width narrower than the target width of the final gate structure. After performing a tilt-angle implantation process, L-shape spacers are formed over the sidewalls of the sacrificial gate stack, and offset spacers are formed over the sidewalls of the L-shape spacers. An insulating layer is formed over the offset spacers and the substrate. Then, the sacrificial gate stack and the L-shape spacers are removed to form a trench in the insulating layer. A metal gate is then filled in the trench to form the final gate structure. | 01-05-2012 |
20120098070 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING A CONTACT ETCH STOP LAYER AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a gate stack and a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) is formed overlying the gate spacer and the gate stack. The CESL includes a top portion over the gate stack, a bottom portion lower than the top portion, and a sidewall portion over a sidewall of the gate spacer. The top and bottom portions are spaced apart from each other by the sidewall portion. The sidewall portion has a thickness less than a thickness of the top portion or a thickness of the bottom portion. | 04-26-2012 |
20120205746 | END-TO-END GAP FILL USING DIELECTRIC FILM - A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of gate structures on a semiconductor substrate. The plurality of gate structures are arranged in a plurality of lines, wherein an end-to-end spacing between the lines is smaller than a line-to-line spacing between the lines. The method further includes forming an etch stop layer over the gate structures, forming an interlayer dielectric over the gate structures, and forming a dielectric film over the gate structures before the interlayer dielectric is formed. The dielectric film merges in end-to-end gaps formed in the end-to-end spacing between the gate structures. | 08-16-2012 |
20120205774 | ISOLATION STRUCTURE PROFILE FOR GAP FILLING - An trench isolation structure and method for manufacturing the trench isolation structure are disclosed. An exemplary trench isolation structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from a surface of a semiconductor substrate to a first depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has a width that tapers from a first width at the surface of the semiconductor substrate to a second width at the first depth, the first width being greater than the second width. The second portion extends from the first depth to a second depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has substantially the second width from the first depth to the second depth. | 08-16-2012 |
20120217587 | POST CMP PLANARIZATION BY CLUSTER ION BEAM ETCH - The embodiments of mechanisms described enables improved planarity of substrates, which is crucial for patterning and device yield improvement. Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is used to remove film to planarize the substrate before the final thickness is reached or before all removal film is polished. The substrate is then measured for its topography and film thickness. The topography and thickness data are used by the gas cluster ion beam (GOB) etch tool to determine how much film to remove on a particular location. GOB etch enables removal of final layer to meet the requirements of substrate uniformity and thickness target. The mechanisms enable improved planarity to meet the requirement of advanced processing technologies. | 08-30-2012 |
20130015533 | EPITAXIAL PROCESS FOR FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICESAANM WANG; Shiang-BauAACI Pingzchen CityAACO TWAAGP WANG; Shiang-Bau Pingzchen City TW - A method for forming a semiconductor device such as a MOSFET. The method includes forming gate electrode pillars on a silicon substrate via material deposition and etching. Following the etching step to define the pillars, an epitaxial silicon film is grown on the substrate between the pillars prior to forming recesses in the substrate for the source/drain regions of the transistor. The epitaxial silicon film compensates for substrate material that may be lost during formation of the gate electrode pillars, thereby producing source/drain recesses having a configuration amenable to be filled uniformly with silicon for later forming the source/drain regions in the substrate. | 01-17-2013 |
20130122699 | NOVEL HARD MASK REMOVAL METHOD - A method of removing a hard mask used for patterning gate stacks including patterning gate stacks on a substrate, wherein the hard mask is deposited over the gate stacks. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer on the substrate after the gate stacks are patterned and planarizing a first portion of the dielectric layer. The method further includes removing a second portion of the dielectric layer and the hard mask by using an etching gas and etching the remaining dielectric layer by using a wet etching chemistry. | 05-16-2013 |
20130126982 | EPITAXIAL PROCESS FOR FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A method for forming a semiconductor device such as a MOSFET. The method includes forming gate electrode pillars on a silicon substrate via material deposition and etching. Following the etching step to define the pillars, an epitaxial silicon film is grown on the substrate between the pillars prior to forming recesses in the substrate for the source/drain regions of the transistor. The epitaxial silicon film compensates for substrate material that may be lost during formation of the gate electrode pillars, thereby producing source/drain recesses having a configuration amenable to be filled uniformly with silicon for later forming the source/drain regions in the substrate. | 05-23-2013 |
20130130461 | EPITAXIAL PROCESS FOR FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A method for forming a semiconductor device such as a MOSFET. The method includes forming gate electrode pillars on a silicon substrate via material deposition and etching. Following the etching step to define the pillars, an epitaxial silicon film is grown on the substrate between the pillars prior to forming recesses in the substrate for the source/drain regions of the transistor. The epitaxial silicon film compensates for substrate material that may be lost during formation of the gate electrode pillars, thereby producing source/drain recesses having a configuration amenable to be filled uniformly with silicon for later forming the source/drain regions in the substrate. | 05-23-2013 |
20130193519 | END-TO-END GAP FILL USING DIELECTRIC FILM - A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of gate structures on a semiconductor substrate. The plurality of gate structures are arranged in a plurality of lines, wherein an end-to-end spacing between the lines is smaller than a line-to-line spacing between the lines. The method further includes forming an etch stop layer over the gate structures, forming an interlayer dielectric over the gate structures, and forming a dielectric film over the gate structures before the interlayer dielectric is formed. The dielectric film merges in end-to-end gaps formed in the end-to-end spacing between the gate structures. | 08-01-2013 |
20130270651 | Sidewall-Free CESL for Enlarging ILD Gap-Fill Window - An integrated circuit structure includes a first gate strip; a gate spacer on a sidewall of the first gate strip; and a contact etch stop layer (CESL) having a bottom portion lower than a top surface of the gate spacer, wherein a portion of a sidewall of the gate spacer has no CESL formed thereon. | 10-17-2013 |
20130337631 | Semiconductor Structure and Method - A system and method for providing support to semiconductor wafer is provided. An embodiment comprises introducing a vacancy enhancing material during the formation of a semiconductor ingot prior to the semiconductor wafer being separated from the semiconductor ingot. The vacancy enhancing material forms vacancies at a high density within the semiconductor ingot, and the vacancies form bulk micro defects within the semiconductor wafer during high temperature processes such as annealing. These bulk micro defects help to provide support and strengthen the semiconductor wafer during subsequent processing and helps to reduce or eliminate a fingerprint overlay that may otherwise occur. | 12-19-2013 |
20140011348 | Wafer Alignment System and Method - A system and method for mitigating annealing fingerprints in semiconductor wafers is provided. An embodiment comprises aligning the semiconductor wafers prior to each annealing step. This alignment generates similar or identical fingerprints in each of the semiconductor wafers manufactured. With the fingerprint known, a single compensation model for a subsequent photoresist may be utilized to compensate for the fingerprint in each of the semiconductor wafers. | 01-09-2014 |
20140054744 | Isolation Structure Profile for Gap Filing - An trench isolation structure and method for manufacturing the trench isolation structure are disclosed. An exemplary trench isolation structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from a surface of a semiconductor substrate to a first depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has a width that tapers from a first width at the surface of the semiconductor substrate to a second width at the first depth, the first width being greater than the second width. The second portion extends from the first depth to a second depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has substantially the second width from the first depth to the second depth. | 02-27-2014 |
20140057409 | Isolation Structure Profile for Gap Filing - An trench isolation structure and method for manufacturing the trench isolation structure are disclosed. An exemplary trench isolation structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from a surface of a semiconductor substrate to a first depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has a width that tapers from a first width at the surface of the semiconductor substrate to a second width at the first depth, the first width being greater than the second width. The second portion extends from the first depth to a second depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has substantially the second width from the first depth to the second depth. | 02-27-2014 |
20140073096 | METHOD OF DUAL EPI PROCESS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming first and second gate structures over first and second regions of a substrate, respectively, forming spacers on sidewalls of the first and second gate structures, the spacers being formed of a first material, forming a capping layer over the first and second gate structures, the capping layer being formed of a second material different from the first material, forming a protection layer over the second region to protect the second gate structure, removing the capping layer over the first gate structure; removing the protection layer over the second region, epitaxially (epi) growing a semiconductor material on exposed portions of the substrate in the first region, and removing the capping layer over the second gate structure by an etching process that exhibits an etching selectivity of the second material to the first material. | 03-13-2014 |
20140073097 | METHOD OF DUAL EPI PROCESS FOR SEMICONDCUTOR DEVICE - The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming first and second gate structures over first and second regions of a substrate, respectively, forming spacers on sidewalls of the first and second gate structures, the spacers being formed of a first material, forming a capping layer over the first and second gate structures, the capping layer being formed of a second material different from the first material, forming a protection layer over the second region to protect the second gate structure, removing the capping layer over the first gate structure; removing the protection layer over the second region, epitaxially (epi) growing a semiconductor material on exposed portions of the substrate in the first region, and removing the capping layer over the second gate structure by an etching process that exhibits an etching selectivity of the second material to the first material. | 03-13-2014 |
20140170846 | SIDEWALL-FREE CESL FOR ENLARGING ILD GAP-FILL WINDOW - An integrated circuit structure includes a first gate strip; a gate spacer on a sidewall of the first gate strip; and a contact etch stop layer (CESL) having a bottom portion lower than a top surface of the gate spacer, wherein a portion of a sidewall of the gate spacer has no CESL formed thereon. | 06-19-2014 |