Abstract:
A structure has at least one field effect transistor having a gate stack disposed between raised source drain structures that are adjacent to the gate stack. The gate stack and raised source drain structures are disposed on a surface of a semiconductor material. The structure further includes a layer of field dielectric overlying the gate stack and raised source drain structures and first contact metal and second contact metal extending through the layer of field dielectric. The first contact metal terminates in a first trench formed through a top surface of a first raised source drain structure, and the second contact metal terminates in a second trench formed through a top surface of a second raised source drain structure. Each trench has silicide formed on sidewalls and a bottom surface of at least a portion of the trench. Methods to fabricate the structure are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A transistor is formed in a semiconductor substrate with a gate over a channel region, source/drain extension regions in the substrate adjacent the channel region, and source/drain regions in the substrate adjacent the source/drain extension regions. Silicide is formed on the source/drain extension regions and the source/drain regions so that the silicide has a first thickness over the source/drain extension regions and a second thickness over source/drain regions, with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness. Silicide on the source/drain extension regions lowers transistor series resistance which boosts transistor performance and also protects the source/drain extension regions from silicon loss and silicon damage during contact etch.
Abstract:
Provided are a semiconductor device, which can facilitate a salicide process and can prevent a gate from being damaged due to misalign, and a method of manufacturing of the semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first insulation layer pattern on a substrate having a gate pattern and a source/drain region formed at both sides of the gate pattern, the first insulation layer pattern having an exposed portion of the source/drain region, forming a silicide layer on the exposed source/drain region, forming a second insulation layer on the entire surface of the substrate to cover the first insulation layer pattern and the silicide layer, and forming a contact hole in the second insulation layer to expose the silicide layer.
Abstract:
A gate insulating film and a gate electrode of non-single crystalline silicon for forming an nMOS transistor are provided on a silicon substrate. Using the gate electrode as a mask, n-type dopants having a relatively large mass number (70 or more) such as As ions or Sb ions are implanted, to form a source/drain region of the nMOS transistor, whereby the gate electrode is amorphized. Subsequently, a silicon oxide film is provided to cover the gate electrode, at a temperature which is less than the one at which recrystallization of the gate electrode occurs. Thereafter, thermal processing is performed at a temperature of about 1000° C., whereby high compressive residual stress is exerted on the gate electrode, and high tensile stress is applied to a channel region under the gate electrode. As a result, carrier mobility of the nMOS transistor is enhanced.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. A strained material is formed in a cavity of a substrate and adjacent to an isolation structure in the substrate. The strained material has a corner above the surface of the substrate. The disclosed method provides an improved method for forming the strained material adjacent to the isolation structure with an increased portion in the cavity of a substrate to enhance carrier mobility and upgrade the device performance. In an embodiment, the improved formation method is achieved using an etching process to redistribute the strained material by removing at least a portion of the corner to be located in the cavity.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature in a substrate. The source/drain feature has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a lower concentration of Ge than the lower portion. A Si-containing layer over the source/drain feature includes a metal silicide layer.
Abstract:
Transistors with memorized stress and methods for making such transistors. The methods include forming a transistor structure having a channel region, a source and drain region, and a gate dielectric; depositing a stressor over the channel region of the transistor structure, wherein the stressor provides a stress to the channel region; removing the stressor metal after the stress is memorized within the channel region; and depositing a work function metal over the channel region of the transistor structure, where the work function metal applies less stress to the channel region than the stress applied by the stressor. A transistor with memorized stress includes a source and drain region on a substrate; a stress-memorized channel region on the substrate that retains an externally applied stress; and a gate structure including a work function gate metal that applies less stress to the stress-memorized channel region than the externally applied stress.
Abstract:
In semiconductor devices in which both NMOS devices and PMOS devices are used to perform in different modes such as analog and digital modes, stress engineering is selectively applied to particular devices depending on their required operational modes. That is, the appropriate mechanical stress, i.e., tensile or compressive, can be applied to and/or removed from devices, i.e., NMOS and/or PMOS devices, based not only on their conductivity type, i.e., n-type or p-type, but also on their intended operational application, for example, analog/digital, low-voltage/high-voltage, high-speed/low-speed, noise-sensitive/noise-insensitive, etc. The result is that performance of individual devices is optimized based on the mode in which they operate. For example, mechanical stress can be applied to devices that operate in high-speed digital settings, while devices that operate in analog or RF signal settings, in which electrical noise such as flicker noise that may be introduced by applied stress may degrade performance, have no stress applied.
Abstract:
The use of strained gate electrodes in integrated circuits results in a transistor having improved carrier mobility, improved drive characteristics, and reduced source drain junction leakage. The gate electrode strain can be obtained through non symmetric placement of stress inducing structures as part of the gate electrode.
Abstract:
Methods of forming semiconductor structures having channel regions strained by encapsulated silicide formation. Embodiments include forming a transistor, depositing an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer above the transistor, forming contact recesses exposing portions of source/drain regions of the transistor, forming metal-rich silicide layers on the exposed portions of the source/drain regions, forming metal contacts in the contact recesses above the metal-rich silicide layers, and converting the metal-rich silicide layer to a silicon-rich silicide layer. In other embodiments, the metal-rich silicide layers are formed on the source/drain regions prior to ILD layer deposition. Embodiments further include forming a transistor, depositing an ILD layer above the transistor, forming contact recesses exposing portions of source/drain regions of the transistor, forming metal liners in the contact recesses, forming metal fills in the contact recesses, and forming silicide layers on the source/drain regions by reacting portions of the metal liners with portions of the source/drain regions.