Embodiments of the present invention are directed to techniques for providing an novel field effect transistor (FET) architecture that includes a center fin region and one or more vertically stacked nanosheets. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a non-planar channel region is formed having a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a fin-shaped bridge layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. Forming the non-planar channel region can include forming a nanosheet stack over a substrate, forming a trench by removing a portion of the nanosheet stack, and forming a third semiconductor layer in the trench. Outer surfaces of the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the fin-shaped bridge region define an effective channel width of the non-planar channel region.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include forming a first sacrificial layer including a first portion and a second portion having a thickness thicker than a thickness of the first portion, forming a stack including first material layers and second material layers alternating with each other on the first sacrificial layer, forming a channel structure passing through the stack and extending to the first portion, forming a slit passing through the stack and extending to the second portion, removing the first sacrificial layer through the slit to form a first opening, and forming a second source layer connected to the channel structure in the first opening.

Embodiments of three-dimensional memory device architectures and fabrication methods therefore are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a substrate having a first layer stack on it. The first layer stack includes alternating conductor and insulator layers. A second layer stack is disposed over the first layer stack where the second layer stack also includes alternating conductor and insulator layers. One or more vertical structures extend through the first layers stack. A conductive material is disposed on a top surface of the one or more vertical structures. One or more second vertical structures extend through the second layer stack and through a portion of the conductive material.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a fin protruding above the substrate, the fin including a compound semiconductor material that includes a semiconductor material and a first dopant, the first dopant having a different lattice constant than the semiconductor material, where a concentration of the first dopant in the fin changes along a first direction from an upper surface of the fin toward the substrate; a gate structure over the fin; a channel region in the fin and directly under the gate structure; and source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate structure, the source/drain regions including a second dopant, where a concentration of the second dopant at a first location within the channel region is higher than that at a second location within the channel region, where the concentration of the first dopant at the first location is lower than that at the second location.

A semiconductor device that includes at least one fin structure and a gate structure present on a channel portion of the fin structure. An epitaxial semiconductor material is present on at least one of a source region portion and a drain region portion on the fin structure. The epitaxial semiconductor material includes a first portion having a substantially conformal thickness on a lower portion of the fin structure sidewall and a second portion having a substantially diamond shape that is present on an upper surface of the source portion and drain portion of the fin structure. A spacer present on first portion of the epitaxial semiconductor material.

Device structures and methods are provided for fabricating vertical field-effect transistor devices with non-uniform thickness bottom spacers to achieve increased device performance. For example, a semiconductor substrate surface is etched to form semiconductor fins having bottom portions with concave sidewall surfaces that undercut upper portions of the fins. A doped epitaxial source/drain layer is formed on the concave sidewall surfaces, wherein portions of the doped epitaxial source/drain layer disposed between the fins have a raised curved surface. A bottom spacer layer is formed on the doped epitaxial source/drain layer, wherein portions of the bottom spacer layer disposed between the fins have a curved-shaped profile with a non-uniform thickness. A thermal anneal process is performed to drive dopants from the doped epitaxial source/drain layer into the bottom portions of the fins to form source/drain extension regions with sharp junctions between the source/drain extension regions and channel regions of the fins.

A method of reducing the distance between co-linear vertical fin field effect devices is provided. The method includes forming a first vertical fin on a substrate, forming a second vertical fin on the substrate, and depositing a masking block in the gap between the first vertical fin and second vertical fin. The method further includes depositing a spacer layer on the substrate, masking block, first vertical fin, and second vertical fin, depositing a protective liner on the spacer layer, and removing a portion of the protective liner from the spacer layer on the masking block and substrate adjacent to the first vertical fin. The method further includes removing a portion of the spacer layer from a portion the masking block and a portion of the substrate adjacent to the first vertical fin, and growing a first source/drain layer on an exposed portion of the substrate and first vertical fin.

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first film including a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of insulating layers provided alternately in a first direction, and a first semiconductor layer provided in the first film via a charge storage layer and extending in the first direction. The device further includes a first conductive member provided in the first film and extending in the first direction, and a second semiconductor layer provided on the first film to contact the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer includes a first surface on a side of the first film, and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The second surface is an uneven face protruding towards the first direction.

Device structures and methods are provided for fabricating vertical field-effect transistor devices with non-uniform thickness bottom spacers to achieve increased device performance. For example, a semiconductor substrate surface is etched to form semiconductor fins having bottom portions with concave sidewall surfaces that undercut upper portions of the fins. A doped epitaxial source/drain layer is formed on the concave sidewall surfaces, wherein portions of the doped epitaxial source/drain layer disposed between the fins have a raised curved surface. A bottom spacer layer is formed on the doped epitaxial source/drain layer, wherein portions of the bottom spacer layer disposed between the fins have a curved-shaped profile with a non-uniform thickness. A thermal anneal process is performed to drive dopants from the doped epitaxial source/drain layer into the bottom portions of the fins to form source/drain extension regions with sharp junctions between the source/drain extension regions and channel regions of the fins.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to techniques for providing an novel field effect transistor (FET) architecture that includes a center fin region and one or more vertically stacked nanosheets. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a non-planar channel region is formed having a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a fin-shaped bridge layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. Forming the non-planar channel region can include forming a nanosheet stack over a substrate, forming a trench by removing a portion of the nanosheet stack, and forming a third semiconductor layer in the trench. Outer surfaces of the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the fin-shaped bridge region define an effective channel width of the non-planar channel region.