A control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode of a memory cell of a non-volatile memory are formed in a memory cell region of a semiconductor substrate, and a dummy gate electrode is formed in a peripheral circuit region. Then, n.sup.+-type semiconductor regions for a source or a drain of the memory cell are formed in the memory cell region and n.sup.+-type semiconductor regions for a source or a drain of MISFET are formed in the peripheral circuit region. Then, a metal silicide layer is formed over the n.sup.+-type semiconductor regions but the metal silicide layer is not formed over the control gate electrode, the memory gate electrode, and the gate electrode. Subsequently, the gate electrode is removed and replaced with the gate electrode for MISFET, Then, after removing the gate electrode and replacing it with a gate electrode for MISFET, a metal silicide layer is formed over the memory gate electrode and the control gate electrode.

A varactor transistor includes a semiconductor fin having a first conductivity type, a plurality of gate structures separated from each other and surrounding a portion of the semiconductor fin. The plurality of gates structures include a dummy gate structure on an edge of the semiconductor fin, and a first gate structure spaced apart from the dummy gate structure. The dummy gate structure and the gate structure each include a gate insulator layer on a surface portion of the semiconductor fin, a gate on the gate insulator layer, and a spacer on the gate. The varactor transistor also includes a raised source/drain region on the semiconductor fin and between the dummy gate structure and the first gate structure, the raised source/drain region and the gate of the dummy gate structure being electrically connected to a same potential.

A semiconductor device includes: a sidewall insulating film; a gate electrode; source and drain regions; a first stress film; and a second stress film.

Integrated circuit devices include a substrate including first and second fin-type active regions and first and second gate structures. The first gate structure includes first gate insulating layer on the first fin-type active region to cover upper surface and both side surfaces of the first fin-type active region, first gate electrode on the first gate insulating layer and has first thickness in first direction perpendicular to upper surface of the substrate, and second gate electrode on the first gate electrode. The second gate structure includes second gate insulating layer on the second fin-type active region to cover upper surface and both side surfaces of the second fin-type active region, third gate insulating layer on the second gate insulating layer, third gate electrode on the third gate insulating layer and has second thickness different from the first thickness in the first direction, and fourth gate electrode on the third gate electrode.

An integrated circuit device is provided that includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure extending from a substrate. The first fin structure is a first composition, and includes rounded corners. The second fin structure is a second composition, different than the first composition. A first interface layer is formed directly on the first fin structure including the rounded corners and a second interface layer directly on the second fin structure. The first interface layer is an oxide of the first composition and the second interface layer is an oxide of the second composition. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the first interface layer and the second interface layer.

Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method to integrate NVM devices with a logic or BCD device. In some embodiments, an isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure demarcates a memory region of the semiconductor substrate, and further demarcates a peripheral region of the semiconductor substrate. The peripheral region may, for example, correspond to BCD device or a logic device. A doped well is formed in the peripheral region. A dielectric seal layer is formed covering the memory and peripheral regions, and further covering the doped well. The dielectric seal layer is removed from the memory region, but not the peripheral region. A memory cell structure is formed on the memory region using a thermal oxidation process. The dielectric seal layer is removed from the peripheral region, and a peripheral device structure including a gate electrode is formed on the peripheral region.

A method of fabricating a metal gate transistor includes providing a substrate. Then, a high-k dielectric layer is formed to cover the substrate. Later, an ion implantation process is performed to implant fluoride ions into the high-k dielectric layer. After the ion implantation process, a polysilicon gate is formed on the high-k dielectric layer. Next, an interlayer dielectric layer is formed to cover the substrate and the polysilicon gate. Finally, the polysilicon gate is replaced by a metal gate.

Techniques are disclosed for an integrated circuit including a ferroelectric gate stack including a ferroelectric layer, an interfacial oxide layer, and a gate electrode. The ferroelectric layer can be voltage activated to switch between two ferroelectric states. Employing such a ferroelectric layer provides a reduction in leakage current in an off-state and provides an increase in charge in an on-state. The interfacial oxide layer can be formed between the ferroelectric layer and the gate electrode. Alternatively, the ferroelectric layer can be formed between the interfacial oxide layer and the gate electrode.

Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus may include one or more charge trap structures for use in a variety of electronic systems and devices, where each charge trap structure includes a dielectric barrier between a gate and a blocking dielectric on a charge trap region of the charge trap structure. In various embodiments, a void is located between the charge trap region and a region on which the charge trap structure is disposed. In various embodiments, a tunnel region separating a charge trap region from a semiconductor pillar of a charge trap structure, can be arranged such that the tunnel region and the semiconductor pillar are boundaries of a void. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.