Ion implantation compositions, systems and methods are described, for implantation of dopant species. Specific selenium dopant source compositions are described, as well as the use of co-flow gases to achieve advantages in implant system characteristics such as recipe transition, beam stability, source life, beam uniformity, beam current, and cost of ownership.

A method includes forming a fin over a substrate, forming a dummy gate structure over the fin, forming a first spacer over the dummy gate structure, implanting a first dopant in the fin to form a doped region of the fin adjacent the first spacer, removing the doped region of the fin to form a first recess, wherein the first recess is self-aligned to the doped region, and epitaxially growing a source/drain region in the first recess.

A method includes forming a fin over a substrate, forming a dummy gate structure over the fin, forming a first spacer over the dummy gate structure, implanting a first dopant in the fin to form a doped region of the fin adjacent the first spacer, removing the doped region of the fin to form a first recess, wherein the first recess is self-aligned to the doped region, and epitaxially growing a source/drain region in the first recess.

A semiconductor device has transistor portions and diode portions. The transistor portions have a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, second semiconductor regions of the first conductivity type, gate insulating films, gate electrodes, a first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The diode portions have the semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor region, the first semiconductor layer, a fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, the first electrode, and the second electrode. The first semiconductor layer has a predetermined region, a depth of the predetermined region from a second main surface of the semiconductor substrate is greater than a depth of a region of the first semiconductor layer excluding the predetermined region, from the second main surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Disclosed is a vertical heat treatment apparatus. The apparatus includes: a heat treatment furnace provided with a furnace inlet at a lower end thereof; a cover unit disposed on the furnace inlet of the heat treatment furnace; a cover unit opening/closing mechanism configured to support the cover unit in a cantilever manner from a bottom side of the cover unit; and an auxiliary mechanism configured to press the cover unit from the bottom side of the cover unit when the cover unit is disposed on the furnace inlet. The auxiliary mechanism is provided with a toggle mechanism.

The disclosed heat-treatment furnace, used in a semiconductor-substrate heat-treatment step, is characterized by the provision of a cylindrical core, both ends of which have openings sized so as to allow insertion and removal of semiconductor substrates. This reduces standby time between batches during consecutive semiconductor heat treatment, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, the use of a simple cylindrical shape for the structure of the core reduces the frequency at which gas-introduction pipe sections fail, thereby decreasing the running cost of the heat-treatment process.

The disclosed heat-treatment furnace, used in a semiconductor-substrate heat-treatment step, is characterized by the provision of a cylindrical core, both ends of which have openings sized so as to allow insertion and removal of semiconductor substrates. This reduces standby time between batches during consecutive semiconductor heat treatment, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, the use of a simple cylindrical shape for the structure of the core reduces the frequency at which gas-introduction pipe sections fail, thereby decreasing the running cost of the heat-treatment process.

Aspects of the present disclosure include fabricating integrated circuit (IC) structures using a boron etch-stop layer, and IC structures with a boron-rich region therein. Methods of forming an IC structure according to the present disclosure can include: growing a conductive epitaxial layer on an upper surface of a semiconductor element; forming a boron etch-stop layer directly on an upper surface of the conductive epitaxial layer; forming an insulator on the boron etch-stop layer; forming an opening within the insulator to expose an upper surface of the boron etch-stop layer; annealing the boron etch-stop layer to drive boron into the conductive epitaxial layer, such that the boron etch-stop layer becomes a boron-rich region; and forming a contact to the boron-rich region within the opening, such that the contact is electrically connected to the semiconductor element through at least the conductive epitaxial layer.

Paste compositions, methods of making a paste composition, photovoltaic cells, and methods of making a photovoltaic cell contact are disclosed. The paste composition can include a conductive metal component such as aluminum, phosphate glass, phosphorus compounds such as alky! phosphate, and a vehicle. The contact can be formed on a passivation layer on a silicon wafer by applying the paste on the passivation layer and firing the paste. During firing, the metal component can fire through the passivation layer, thereby electrically contacting the silicon substrate.

A heater supporting device for use in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is provided so as to improve the uniformity of a temperature property and the expected lifespan by preventing support pieces from being damaged and separated from piece holders, and preventing deterioration in adiabatic efficiency in the vicinity of a ceiling of a vertical type furnace. A heating element of a coil shape is disposed around an object. The support pieces are vertically connected in multiple. Hollows of an elliptical shape are formed between the respective support pieces. Concave insertions are formed on one of upper and lower surfaces of the respective support pieces, and convex insertions are formed on the other one of the upper and lower surfaces of the respective support pieces. The convex insertions are insert-fitted with the concave insertions. The support pieces are vertically connected in multiple by insert-fitting the concave insertions to the convex insertions.