Abstract:
The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a first conductivity type region and a second conductivity type region; forming a gate stack including a gate dielectric atop the first conductivity type region and the second conductivity type region of the substrate and a first metal gate conductor overlying the high-k gate dielectric; removing a portion of the first metal gate conductor that is present in the first conductivity type region to expose the gate dielectric present in the first conductivity type region; applying a nitrogen based plasma to the substrate, wherein the nitrogen based plasma nitrides the gate dielectric that is present in the first conductivity type region and nitrides the first metal gate conductor that is present in the second conductivity type region; and forming a second metal gate conductor overlying at least the gate dielectric that is present in the first conductivity type region.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce or prevent the formation of black silicon by conformally depositing a protective device layer on the surface of a wafer and by patterning the layer to remove the layer from a primary chip region, then depositing a pad stack and a hard mask on the wafer, and then subjecting them to DT etching. SOLUTION: A device layer 210 is formed on a wafer. The device layer 210 conformally covers a wafer surface, including the side and the bottom of the wafer. At least the edge and side of the wafer, where black silicon is produced, is protected, whereas a region 208 on which an IC is formed is not protected. A supporter 205 like a shadow ring is used to protect the edge of the wafer. The unprotected portion of the TEOS layer 210 in a primary chip region 208 is selectively removed from the wafer. A pad stack is formed, and then a hard mask layer 260 is deposited. The pad stack is patterned and then is subjected to a DT etching to form a DT.
Abstract:
A method of forming a wiring structure for an integrated circuit includes the steps of forming a plurality of features (16) in a layer of dielectric material (13), and forming spacers (20) on sidewalls (16s) of the features. Conductors (25) are then formed in the features, being separated from the sidewalls by the spacers. The spacers are then removed, forming air gaps (40) at the sidewalls so that the conductors are separated from the sidewalls by the air gaps. Dielectric layers (42, 12) above and below the conductors may be low-k dielectrics having a dielectric constant less than that of the dielectric between the conductors. A cross-section of each of the conductors (25) has a bottom in contact with a low-k dielectric layer (12), a top in contact with another low-k dielectric (42), and sides in contact only with the air gaps (40). The air gaps serve to reduce the intralevel capacitance.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of removing carbon from a TERA [tunable etch-resistant ARC: adjustable etch-resistant ARC (ARC represents an anti-reflection coating)] layer that is provided on a semiconductor substrate, or stripping the TERA layer. SOLUTION: A TERA layer 26 is exposed to a plasma containing an effective dose of nitrogen, and optionally oxygen or fluorine. Moreover, the method is compatible with a fluorine based etching system. Thus, the method can be executed in the same system as other etching processes. For example, the method can be executed in the same system as that of plasma etching having fluorine of an oxide or nitride as a base. Moreover, this method includes the method of stripping the TERA layer 26 in situ, and etching an oxide layer 24 and etching a nitride layer 22 in the same etching system. In order to avoid that damages are caused to the oxide layer 24 or the nitride layer 22 below the TERA layer 26, and give good selectivity, execution is made with low ion energy. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for anisotropic etching of a nitride layer on a substrate. SOLUTION: In this etching process, an etchant gas containing fluorohydrocarbon rich in hydrogen, oxidant and carbon source is used. It is preferable that the fluorohydrocarbon rich is hydrogen be CH3 or CH2 F2 , the carbon source be CO2 or CO, and the oxidant be O2 . It is preferable that the fluorohydrocarbon exsist in a gas of about 7-35 vol.%, the oxidant exsist in a gas of about 1-35 vol.%, and the carbon source exsists in a gas of about 30-92 vol.%.