The embodiments described herein are directed to a method for the fabrication of transistors with aluminum-free n-type work function layers as opposed to aluminum-based n-type work function layers. The method includes forming a channel portion disposed between spaced apart source/drain epitaxial layers and forming a gate stack on the channel portion, where forming the gate stack includes depositing a high-k dielectric layer on the channel portion and depositing a p-type work function layer on the dielectric layer. After depositing the p-type work function layer, forming without a vacuum break, an aluminum-free n-type work function layer on the p-type work function layer and depositing a metal on the aluminum-free n-type work function layer. The method further includes depositing an insulating layer to surround the spaced apart source/drain epitaxial layers and the gate stack.

A exemplary semiconductor device includes a first gate structure overlying a surface of the semiconductor body, the first gate structure being silicided. A second gate structure overlies the surface of the semiconductor body and not being silicided. An oxide layer overlies the second gate structure and extends toward the first gate structure. A silicon nitride region is laterally spaced from the second gate structure and overlies a portion of the oxide layer between the first gate structure and the second gate structure.

A semiconductor device includes a first barrier film covering the main surface of the active region and the insulating film layer, the first barrier film having an ohmic contact hole that exposes a contact portion of the ohmic contact formation region within the window of the insulating film layer; a base contact layer filled into the ohmic contact hole and making ohmic contact with the contact portion of the ohmic contact formation region; a second barrier film made of titanium, covering the base contact layer and the first barrier film; and a third barrier film made of titanium oxide and titanium nitride, covering a surface of the second barrier film.

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.

A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first gate, a gate dielectric layer, a pair of second gates, a first spacer, and a second spacer. The first gate is disposed on a substrate. The gate dielectric layer is disposed between the first gate and the substrate. The pair of second gates are disposed on the substrate and respectively located at two sides of the first gate, wherein top surfaces of the pair of second gates are higher than a top surface of the first gate. The first spacer is disposed on sidewalls of the pair of second gates protruding from the top surface of the first gate and covers the top surface of the first gate. The second spacer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the pair of second gates, between the first gate and the pair of second gates, and between the first spacer and the pair of second gates.

A method for forming a silicon structure. The method includes forming a trench silicide contact between two spacers, each spacer beside respective high-k metal gates. The method planarizes the trench silicide contact, the spacers, and the high-k metal gates. An inner layer dielectric is deposited over the trench silicide contact, the spacers, and the high-k metal gates. A first opening is patterned in the inner layer dielectric for a gate contact over the high-k metal gate, one of the spacers and a portion of the trench silicide contact. The method recesses the portion of the trench silicide contact and deposits a liner within the recessed portion of the trench silicide contact and on sidewalls of the first opening of the inner layer dielectric. A metallization layer is deposited in the opening in the inner layer dielectric to form the gate contact.

A method for forming a silicon structure. The method includes forming a trench silicide contact between two spacers, each spacer beside respective high-k metal gates. The method planarizes the trench silicide contact, the spacers, and the high-k metal gates. An inner layer dielectric is deposited over the trench silicide contact, the spacers, and the high-k metal gates. A first opening is patterned in the inner layer dielectric for a gate contact over the high-k metal gate, one of the spacers and a portion of the trench silicide contact. The method recesses the portion of the trench silicide contact and deposits a liner within the recessed portion of the trench silicide contact and on sidewalls of the first opening of the inner layer dielectric. A metallization layer is deposited in the opening in the inner layer dielectric to form the gate contact.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming a fully silicided (FUSI) gated device, the method including: forming a masking layer onto a gate structure over a substrate, the gate structure comprising a polysilicon layer. Forming a first source region and a first drain region on opposing sides of the gate structure within the substrate, the gate structure is formed before the first source and drain regions. Performing a first removal process to remove a portion of the masking layer and expose an upper surface of the polysilicon layer. The first source and drain regions are formed before the first removal process. Forming a conductive layer directly contacting the upper surface of the polysilicon layer. The conductive layer is formed after the first removal process. Converting the conductive layer and polysilicon layer into a FUSI layer. The FUSI layer is thin and uniform in thickness.

Reliability of a semiconductor device is improved. The semiconductor device includes a silicon pattern for a fuse element, a metal silicide layer formed on an upper surface and a side surface of the silicon pattern, a gate electrode for MISFET, and a metal silicide layer formed on an upper surface of the gate electrode. The height from the lower surface of the silicon pattern to the lower end of the metal silicide layer is lower than the height from the lower surface of the gate electrode to the lower end of the metal silicide layer.

A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a protective layer on a portion of the semiconductor body that is not to be silicided. The protective layer includes a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer over the silicon oxide layer. At least a portion of the silicon nitride layer of the protective layer is removed. A silicided portion of the semiconductor body is laterally spaced from the protective layer. The siliciding is performed by an ion sputtering in a plasma environment on both the silicided portion of the semiconductor body and the portion of the semiconductor body that is not to be silicided.