Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130207226 | RECESSED DEVICE REGION IN EPITAXIAL INSULATING LAYER - A method for isolating semiconductor devices is described wherein an epitaxial insulating layer is grown on a semiconductor substrate. The epitaxial insulating layer is etched to form a recessed region within the layer. An epitaxial semiconductor material is grown with the recessed region to form a semiconductor device region separated from other potential device regions by non-recessed portions of the epitaxial insulating layer. | 08-15-2013 |
20130313643 | Structure and Method to Modulate Threshold Voltage For High-K Metal Gate Field Effect Transistors (FETs) - A method for forming an electrical device that includes forming a high-k gate dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate that is patterned to separate a first portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer that is present on a first conductivity device region from a second portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer that is present on a second conductivity device region. A connecting gate conductor is formed on the first portion and the second portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer. The connecting gate conductor extends from the first conductivity device region over the isolation region to the second conductivity device region. One of the first conductivity device region and the second conductivity device region may then be exposed to an oxygen containing atmosphere. Exposure with the oxygen containing atmosphere modifies a threshold voltage of the semiconductor device that is exposed. | 11-28-2013 |
20130316503 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO MODULATE THRESHOLD VOLTAGE FOR HIGH-K METAL GATE FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS (FETs) - A method for forming an electrical device that includes forming a high-k gate dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate that is patterned to separate a first portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer that is present on a first conductivity device region from a second portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer that is present on a second conductivity device region. A connecting gate conductor is formed on the first portion and the second portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer. The connecting gate conductor extends from the first conductivity device region over the isolation region to the second conductivity device region. One of the first conductivity device region and the second conductivity device region may then be exposed to an oxygen containing atmosphere. Exposure with the oxygen containing atmosphere modifies a threshold voltage of the semiconductor device that is exposed. | 11-28-2013 |
20130334603 | ISOLATION STRUCTURE FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A method including etching a shallow trench laterally surrounding a portion of a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate comprising a semiconductor-on-insulator SOI layer, a pad oxide layer, and a pad nitride layer, depositing a first nitride liner, a dielectric liner, and a second nitride liner in the shallow trench, wherein the dielectric liner is located between the first and the second nitride liner, and filling the shallow trench with a shallow trench fill portion. | 12-19-2013 |
20140035141 | SELF ALIGNED BORDERLESS CONTACT - A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure having a borderless contact, the method including providing a first semiconductor device adjacent to a second semiconductor device, the first and second semiconductor devices being formed on a semiconductor substrate, depositing a non-conductive liner on top of the semiconductor substrate and the first and second semiconductor devices, depositing a contact level dielectric layer on top of the non-conductive liner, etching a contact hole in the contact-level dielectric between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device, and selective to the non-conductive liner, converting a portion of the non-conductive liner exposed in the contact hole into a conductive liner; and forming a metal contact in the contact hole. | 02-06-2014 |
20140070333 | SELF ALIGNED CONTACT WITH IMPROVED ROBUSTNESS - A method of forming a semiconductor device including providing a functional gate structure on a channel portion of a semiconductor substrate. A gate sidewall spacer is adjacent to the functional gate structure and an interlevel dielectric layer is present adjacent to the gate sidewall spacer. The upper surface of the gate conductor is recessed relative to the interlevel dielectric layer. A multi-layered cap is formed a recessed surface of the gate structure, wherein at least one layer of the multi-layered cap includes a high-k dielectric material and is present on a sidewall of the gate sidewall spacer at an upper surface of the functional gate structure. Via openings are etched through the interlevel dielectric layer selectively to at least the high-k dielectric material of the multi-layered cap, wherein at least the high-k dielectric material protects a sidewall of the gate conductor. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070414 | Semiconductor plural gate lengths - Gate structures with different gate lengths and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a first gate structure with a first critical dimension, using a pattern of a mask. The method further includes forming a second gate structure with a second critical dimension, different than the first critical dimension of the first gate structure, using the pattern of the mask. | 03-13-2014 |
20140103331 | Embedded Source/Drains with Epitaxial Oxide Underlayer - Semiconductor structures having embedded source/drains with oxide underlayers and methods for forming the same. Embodiments include semiconductor structures having a channel in a substrate, and a source/drain region adjacent to the channel including an embedded oxide region and an embedded semiconductor region located above the embedded oxide region. Embodiments further include methods of forming a transistor structure including forming a gate on a substrate, etching a source/drain recess in the substrate, filling a bottom portion of the source/drain recess with an oxide layer, and filling a portion of the source/drain recess not filled by the oxide layer with a semiconductor layer. | 04-17-2014 |
20140124840 | PREVENTION OF FIN EROSION FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin prior to formation of a disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner protects the semiconductor fin during the pattering of the disposable gate structure and a gate spacer. The dielectric metal compound liner can be removed prior to formation of source and drain regions and a replacement gate structure. Alternately, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a gate stack, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer. Further, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a disposable gate structure, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer and removal of the disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner can protect the semiconductor fin during formation of the gate spacer in each embodiment. | 05-08-2014 |
20140145250 | LOCALLY ISOLATED PROTECTED BULK FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device includes a bulk substrate having a plurality of trenches formed therein. The trenches define a plurality of semiconductor fins that are integral with the bulk semiconductor substrate. A local dielectric material is disposed in each trench and between each pair of semiconductor fins among the plurality of semiconductor fins. The semiconductor device further includes an etch resistant layer formed on the local dielectric material. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145263 | Finfet Semiconductor Device Having Increased Gate Height Control - A semiconductor device includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and a plurality of semiconductor fins formed on the BOX layer. The plurality of semiconductor fins include at least one pair of fins defining a BOX region therebetween. Gate lines are formed on the SOI substrate and extend across the plurality of semiconductor fins. Each gate line initially includes a dummy gate and a hardmask. A high dielectric (high-k) layer is formed on the hardmask and the BOX regions. At least one spacer is formed on each gate line such that the high-k layer is disposed between the spacer and the hardmask. A replacement gate process replaces the hardmask and the dummy gate with a metal gate. The high-k layer is ultimately removed from the gate line, while the high-k layer remains on the BOX region. | 05-29-2014 |
20140162452 | BORDERLESS CONTACTS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR TRANSISTORS - Embodiments of the invention include methods of forming borderless contacts for semiconductor transistors. Embodiments may include providing a transistor structure including a gate, a spacer on a sidewall of the gate, a hard cap above the gate, a source/drain region adjacent to the spacer, and an interlevel dielectric layer around the gate, forming a contact hole above the source/drain region, forming a protective layer on portions of the hard cap and of the spacer exposed by the contact hole; deepening the contact hole by etching the interlevel dielectric layer while the spacer and the hard cap are protected by the protective layer, so that at least a portion of the source/drain region is exposed by the deepening of the contact hole; removing the protective layer; and forming a metal contact in the contact hole. | 06-12-2014 |
20140167163 | Multi-Fin FinFETs with Epitaxially-Grown Merged Source/Drains - Embodiments include multi-fin finFET structures with epitaxially-grown merged source/drains and methods of forming the same. Embodiments may include an epitaxial insulator layer above a base substrate, a gate structure above the epitaxial insulator layer, a semiconductor fin below the gate structure, and an epitaxial source/drain region grown on the epitaxial insulator layer adjacent to an end of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxial insulator layer may be made of an epitaxial rare earth oxide material grown on a base semiconductor substrate. Embodiments may further include fin extension regions on the end of the semiconductor fin between the end of the end of the semiconductor fin and the epitaxial source/drain region. In some embodiments, the end of the semiconductor fin may be recessed below the gate structure. | 06-19-2014 |
20140203332 | SELF-ALIGNED BIOSENSORS WITH ENHANCED SENSITIVITY - Non-planar semiconductor FET based sensors are provided that have an enhanced sensing area to volume ratio which results in faster response times than existing planar FET based sensors. The FET based sensors of the present disclosure include a V-shaped gate dielectric portion located in a V-shaped opening formed in a semiconductor substrate. In some embodiments, the FET based sensors of the present disclosure also include a self-aligned source region and a self-aligned drain region located in the semiconductor substrate and on opposing sides of the V-shaped opening. In other embodiments, the FET based sensors include a self-aligned source region and a self-aligned drain region located in the semiconductor substrate and on opposing sides of a gate dielectric material portion that is present on an uppermost surface of the semiconductor substrate. | 07-24-2014 |
20140242797 | SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION METHOD USING STOP LAYER - A method of making a semiconductor assembly including the steps of: (i) providing an initial-state assembly including: (a) a fin layer, and (b) a hard mask layer located on top of at least a portion of the fin layer; (ii) performing a first material removal on the initial-state assembly, by CMP, to yield a second-state assembly; and (iii) performing a second material removal on the second-state assembly to yield a third-state assembly. In the first material-removal step: (i) any remaining portion of the soft sacrificial layer is removed, (ii) a portion of the fin layer is removed, and (iii) the lower portion of the hard mask layer is used as a stop layer for the second material removal. | 08-28-2014 |
20140252427 | Self-aligned Contacts For Replacement Metal Gate Transistors - Embodiments of the invention include methods of forming gate caps. Embodiments may include providing a semiconductor device including a gate on a semiconductor substrate and a source/drain region on the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate, forming a blocking region, a top surface of which extends above a top surface of the gate, depositing an insulating layer above the semiconductor device, and planarizing the insulating layer using the blocking region as a planarization stop. Embodiments further include semiconductor devices having a semiconductor substrate, a gate above the semiconductor substrate, a source/drain region adjacent to the gate, a gate cap above the gate that cover the full width of the gate, and a contact adjacent to the source/drain region having a portion of its sidewall defined by the gate cap. | 09-11-2014 |
20140256106 | PREVENTION OF FIN EROSION FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin prior to formation of a disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner protects the semiconductor fin during the pattering of the disposable gate structure and a gate spacer. The dielectric metal compound liner can be removed prior to formation of source and drain regions and a replacement gate structure. Alternately, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a gate stack, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer. Further, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a disposable gate structure, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer and removal of the disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner can protect the semiconductor fin during formation of the gate spacer in each embodiment. | 09-11-2014 |
20140273418 | BACK-GATED SUBSTRATE AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, AND RELATED METHOD OF FABRICATION - A method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a set of doped regions in a substrate; forming a crystalline dielectric layer on the substrate, the crystalline dielectric layer including an epitaxial oxide; forming a semiconductor layer on the crystalline dielectric layer, the semiconductor layer and the crystalline dielectric layer forming an extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) structure; and forming a set of devices on the semiconductor layer, wherein at least one device in the set of devices is formed over a doped region. | 09-18-2014 |
20140312425 | FINFET WITH CRYSTALLINE INSULATOR - FinFET structures and methods of formation are disclosed. Fins are formed on a bulk substrate. A crystalline insulator layer is formed on the bulk substrate with the fins sticking out of the epitaxial oxide layer. A gate is formed around the fins protruding from the crystalline insulator layer. An epitaxially grown semiconductor region is formed in the source drain region by merging the fins on the crystalline insulator layer to form a fin merging region. | 10-23-2014 |
20140327058 | SELF-ALIGNED CONTACTS FOR REPLACEMENT METAL GATE TRANSISTORS - Embodiments of the invention include methods of forming gate caps. Embodiments may include providing a semiconductor device including a gate on a semiconductor substrate and a source/drain region on the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate, forming a blocking region, a top surface of which extends above a top surface of the gate, depositing an insulating layer above the semiconductor device, and planarizing the insulating layer using the blocking region as a planarization stop. Embodiments further include semiconductor devices having a semiconductor substrate, a gate above the semiconductor substrate, a source/drain region adjacent to the gate, a gate cap above the gate that cover the full width of the gate, and a contact adjacent to the source/drain region having a portion of its sidewall defined by the gate cap. | 11-06-2014 |
20140346573 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING EMBEDDED CRYSTALLINE BACK-GATE BIAS PLANES, RELATED DESIGN STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - A method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a set of bias lines on the first dielectric layer; covering the set of bias lines with a second dielectric layer; forming a semiconductor layer on the second dielectric layer; and forming a set of devices on the semiconductor layer above the set of bias lines. | 11-27-2014 |
20150048455 | SELF-ALIGNED GATE CONTACT STRUCTURE - Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a semiconductor device. The method includes depositing a layer of metal over one or more channel regions of respective one or more transistors in a substrate, the layer of metal having a first region and a second region; lowering height of the first region of the layer of metal; forming an insulating layer over the first region of lowered height, the insulating layer being formed to have a top surface coplanar with the second region of the layer of metal; and forming at least one contact to a source/drain region of the one or more transistors. Structure of the semiconductor device formed thereby is also provided. | 02-19-2015 |
20150064817 | ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED OPTICAL FUSE AND METHOD OF FABRICATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide an electrically controlled optical fuse. The optical fuse is activated electronically instead of by the light source itself. An applied voltage causes the fuse temperature to rise, which induces a transformation of a phase changing material from transparent to opaque. A gettering layer absorbs excess atoms released during the transformation. | 03-05-2015 |
20150076608 | DUAL EPITAXY REGION INTEGRATION - A semiconductor device includes a first device region and second device region of opposite polarity. Each device region includes at least a transistor device and associated epitaxy. A high-k barrier is formed to overlay the first device region epitaxy only. The high-k barrier may include a substantially horizontal portion formed upon a top surface of the first device region epitaxy and a substantially vertical portion formed upon an outer surface of the first device region epitaxy. The substantially vertical portion may partially isolate the first device region from the second device region | 03-19-2015 |
20150147868 | LOCALLY ISOLATED PROTECTED BULK FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device includes a bulk substrate having a plurality of trenches formed therein. The trenches define a plurality of semiconductor fins that are integral with the bulk semiconductor substrate. A local dielectric material is disposed in each trench and between each pair of semiconductor fins among the plurality of semiconductor fins. The semiconductor device further includes an etch resistant layer formed on the local dielectric material. | 05-28-2015 |
20150155306 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO REDUCE CRYSTAL DEFECTS IN EPITAXIAL FIN MERGE USING NITRIDE DEPOSITION - FinFET devices and methods of making the same. A structure includes: a substrate with a buried insulator, a plurality of fins over the buried insulator, and a nitride material filing spaces between the plurality of fins, wherein the plurality of fins remain uncovered by the nitride. | 06-04-2015 |
20150155307 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO REDUCE CRYSTAL DEFECTS IN EPITAXIAL FIN MERGE USING NITRIDE DEPOSITION - FinFET devices and methods of making the same. A structure includes: a substrate with a buried insulator, a plurality of fins over a recessed buried insulator, and a nitride material filing recessed spaces between the plurality of fins, wherein the plurality of fins remain uncovered by the nitride, and wherein the nitride material does not contact the bottom of the plurality of fins. | 06-04-2015 |
20150214331 | REPLACEMENT METAL GATE INCLUDING DIELECTRIC GATE MATERIAL - A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming at least one semiconductor fin on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of gate formation layers is formed on an etch stop layer disposed on the fin. The plurality of gate formation layers include a dummy gate layer formed from a dielectric material. The plurality of gate formation layers is patterned to form a plurality of dummy gate elements on the etch stop layer. Each dummy gate element is formed from the dielectric material. A spacer layer formed on the dummy gate elements is etched to form a spacer on each sidewall of dummy gate elements. A portion of the etch stop layer located between each dummy gate element is etched to expose a portion the semiconductor fin. A semiconductor material is epitaxially grown from the exposed portion of the semiconductor fin to form source/drain regions. | 07-30-2015 |
20150214338 | FINFET WITH SILICON GERMANIUM STRESSOR AND METHOD OF FORMING - The present disclosure generally provides for a method of forming a FinFET with a silicon germanium (SiGe) stressor, in addition to a FinFET structure obtained from embodiments of the method. The method can include forming a semiconductor fin on a buried insulator layer; forming a gate structure on the semiconductor fin; forming a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer on the buried insulator layer, wherein the SiGe layer contacts the semiconductor fin; and heating the SiGe layer, wherein the heating diffuses germanium (Ge) into the semiconductor fin. | 07-30-2015 |
20150228761 | DIAMOND SHAPED EPITAXY - In a first embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device manufacturing process includes forming a plurality of fins on a semiconductor substrate, forming diamond shaped epitaxy on fin sidewalls, merging the diamond shaped epitaxy, and removing the merged epitaxy. In another embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a plurality of fins formed thereupon and unmerged diamond shaped epitaxy formed upon the sidewalls of each fin. The unmerged diamond shaped epitaxy is formed independent from neighboring fin geometry deficiencies. In yet another embodiment, the semiconductor device is included in a design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit. | 08-13-2015 |
20150263046 | FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING INCREASED GATE HEIGHT CONTROL - A semiconductor device includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and a plurality of semiconductor fins formed on the BOX layer. The plurality of semiconductor fins include at least one pair of fins defining a BOX region therebetween. Gate lines are formed on the SOI substrate and extend across the plurality of semiconductor fins. Each gate line initially includes a dummy gate and a hardmask. A high dielectric (high-k) layer is formed on the hardmask and the BOX regions. At least one spacer is formed on each gate line such that the high-k layer is disposed between the spacer and the hardmask. A replacement gate process replaces the hardmask and the dummy gate with a metal gate. The high-k layer is ultimately removed from the gate line, while the high-k layer remains on the BOX region. | 09-17-2015 |
20150348995 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO REDUCE CRYSTAL DEFECTS IN EPITAXIAL FIN MERGE USING NITRIDE DEPOSITION - A FinFET device includes a substrate with a buried insulator, a plurality of fins over the buried insulator, and a nitride material filing spaces between the plurality of fins. At least one sidewall of each of the plurality of fins remain uncovered by the nitride material. The nitride material may also not contact the bottom of the plurality of fins. | 12-03-2015 |
20150357434 | REPLACEMENT METAL GATE INCLUDING DIELECTRIC GATE MATERIAL - A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming at least one semiconductor fin on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of gate formation layers is formed on an etch stop layer disposed on the fin. The plurality of gate formation layers include a dummy gate layer formed from a dielectric material. The plurality of gate formation layers is patterned to form a plurality of dummy gate elements on the etch stop layer. Each dummy gate element is formed from the dielectric material. A spacer layer formed on the dummy gate elements is etched to form a spacer on each sidewall of dummy gate elements. A portion of the etch stop layer located between each dummy gate element is etched to expose a portion the semiconductor fin. A semiconductor material is epitaxially grown from the exposed portion of the semiconductor fin to form source/drain regions. | 12-10-2015 |
20150357440 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR ROBUST FINFET REPLACEMENT METAL GATE INTEGRATION - A robust gate spacer that can resist a long overetch that is required to form gate spacers in fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) and a method of forming the same are provided. The gate spacer includes a first gate spacer adjacent sidewalls of at least one hard mask and a top portion of sacrificial gate material of a sacrificial gate structure and a second gate spacer located beneath the first gate spacer and adjacent remaining portions of sidewalls of the sacrificial gate material. The first gate spacers is composed of a material having a high etch resistance that is not prone to material loss during subsequent exposure to dry or wet etch chemicals employed to form the second gate spacer and to remove the hard mask. | 12-10-2015 |
20160093613 | EPITAXIALLY GROWN QUANTUM WELL FINFETS FOR ENHANCED PFET PERFORMANCE - A method of forming a quantum well having a conformal epitaxial well on a {100} crystallographic orientated fin. The method may include: forming fins in a {100} crystallographic oriented substrate; forming a conformal well on the fins using epitaxial growth; and forming a conformal barrier on the conformal well using epitaxial growth. | 03-31-2016 |
20160093697 | EPITAXIALLY GROWN QUANTUM WELL FINFETS FOR ENHANCED PFET PERFORMANCE - A finFET with a quantum well having a conformal epitaxial well on a {100} crystallographic orientated fin. The structure may include a fin having a {100} crystallographic orientation; a conformal well covering the fin; and a conformal barrier covering the conformal well. | 03-31-2016 |