U.S. patent application number 15/385811 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-13 for method and apparatus for source-drain junction formation in a finfet with in-situ doping.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Mustafa BADAROGLU, Vladimir MACHKAOUTSAN, Stanley Seungchul SONG, Jeffrey Junhao XU, Choh Fei YEAP.
Application Number | 20170104088 15/385811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54207802 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170104088 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MACHKAOUTSAN; Vladimir ; et
al. |
April 13, 2017 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOURCE-DRAIN JUNCTION FORMATION IN A
FINFET WITH IN-SITU DOPING
Abstract
A portion of a bulk silicon (Si) is formed into a fin, having a
fin base and, on the fin base, an in-process fin. The fin base is
doped Si and the in-process fin is silicon germanium (SiGe). The
in-process SiGe fin has a source region and a drain region. Boron
is in-situ doped into the drain region and into the source region.
Optionally, boron is in-situ doped by forming an epi-layer, having
boron, on the drain region and on the source region, and drive-in
annealing to diffuse boron in the source region and the drain
region.
Inventors: |
MACHKAOUTSAN; Vladimir;
(Leuven, BE) ; XU; Jeffrey Junhao; (San Diego,
CA) ; SONG; Stanley Seungchul; (San Diego, CA)
; BADAROGLU; Mustafa; (Leuven, BE) ; YEAP; Choh
Fei; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54207802 |
Appl. No.: |
15/385811 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14495562 |
Sep 24, 2014 |
9564518 |
|
|
15385811 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 29/66545 20130101;
H01L 29/7848 20130101; H01L 29/785 20130101; H01L 29/6681 20130101;
H01L 29/165 20130101; H01L 29/66803 20130101; H01L 29/1054
20130101; H01L 21/2254 20130101; H01L 29/7851 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 29/66 20060101
H01L029/66; H01L 29/78 20060101 H01L029/78; H01L 29/165 20060101
H01L029/165; H01L 21/225 20060101 H01L021/225 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a bulk silicon (Si), comprising etched
trenches spaced apart by a fin stack, the fin stack comprising a
doped Si fin base and, on the doped Si fin base, a lightly doped
in-process silicon germanium (SiGe) fin; and an epi layer, wherein
the epi layer is on an outer surface of the lightly doped
in-process SiGe fin.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the epi layer comprises
silicon germanium boron (SiGeB).
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lightly doped in-process
SiGe fin includes a source region and a drain region.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the epi layer is on an outer
surface of the drain region and is on an outer surface of the
source region.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bulk silicon Si and the
epi layer are integrated into at least one semiconductor die.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, integrated into a device selected from
the group consisting of a set top box, music player, video player,
entertainment unit, navigation device, communications device,
personal digital assistant (PDA), fixed location data unit, and a
computer.
7. A FinFET apparatus, comprising: a fin stack comprising a silicon
(Si) fin base and, on the Si fin base, a silicon germanium (SiGe)
fin, wherein the SiGe fin comprises a boron doped source region and
a boron doped drain region; and an epi layer, wherein the epi layer
covers at least an outer surface of the boron doped source region,
and wherein the epi layer comprises silicon germanium boron
(SiGeB).
8. The FinFET apparatus of claim 7, wherein the epi layer comprises
a boron concentration in a range that spans from approximately 1E20
atoms per cubic centimeter (at/cm.sup.3) to approximately 2E20
at/cm.sup.3.
9. The FinFET apparatus of claim 7, wherein the epi layer is a
source epi layer, and wherein the FinFET apparatus further
comprises a drain epi layer, wherein the drain epi layer comprises
SiGeB, and wherein the drain epi layer covers at least an outer
surface of the boron doped drain region.
10. The FinFET apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fin stack and the
epi layer are integrated into at least one semiconductor die.
11. The FinFET apparatus of claim 7, integrated into a device
selected from the group consisting of a set top box, music player,
video player, entertainment unit, navigation device, communications
device, personal digital assistant (PDA), fixed location data unit,
and a computer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/495,562, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
SOURCE-DRAIN JUNCTION FORMATION IN A FINFET WITH IN-SITU DOPING,"
filed Sep. 24, 2014, assigned to the assignee hereof, the contents
of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present application generally relates to transistor
structure and, more particularly, to FinFET devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Source-Drain (S/D) doping in scaled Si channel based bulk
FinFET devices can be built by embedding highly in-situ doped
epilayers into recessed S/D areas of a transistor. The in-situ
doped epilayers, according to their structure and material, are
able to efficiently introduce strain into the Si channel and
dopants into the S/D junctions. The combination of the introduced
strain and the dopants can provide increased channel mobility,
improved short channel behavior and reduced parasitic S/D
resistance.
[0004] The introduction of strain by in-situ doped epilayers may
not obtain such mobility benefit in SiGe channel based FinFETs. For
example, a SiGe channel has inherent strain even without any S/D
epitaxy. Recessing Source-Drain may result in partial elastic SiGe
strain relaxation in the channel region. However, SiGe FinFET
devices can still require sufficiently high and conformal junction
doping levels over the entire height of the SiGe channel.
SUMMARY
[0005] The following summary touches on certain examples in
accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The summary is
not a defining overview of all exemplary embodiments or
contemplated aspects. The summary is not intended to prioritize or
even identify key elements of all aspects, and is not intended to
limit the scope of any embodiment or any aspect of any
embodiment.
[0006] Disclosed methods can fabricate a FinFET, for example in
bulk silicon (Si), and example operations can include forming a fin
stack in a portion of the bulk Si, the fin stack may include a fin
base and, on the fin base, a silicon germanium (SiGe) in-process
fin, and further operations may include in-situ boron doping a
region of the SiGe in-process fin.
[0007] In an aspect, disclosed methods can include, in the in-situ
boron doping of the region of the SiGe in-process fin, operations
of depositing an epi layer, configured such that the epi layer may
comprise boron, and to form the epi layer on at least a portion of
an outer surface of the SiGe in-process fin, followed by applying a
drive-in annealing. In a further aspect, the drive-in annealing may
be configured to diffuse boron from the epi layer into the region
of the SiGe in-process fin.
[0008] In an aspect, disclosed methods can include example
operations in forming the fin stack being configured to form the
SiGe in-process fin as a lightly doped SiGe in-process fin.
[0009] Example apparatuses according to various exemplary
embodiments can include bulk silicon, having etched trenches spaced
apart by a fin stack, the fin stack having a doped Si fin base and,
on the doped Si fin base, a lightly doped in-process SiGe fin. In
an aspect, example apparatuses can include an epi layer, and the
epi layer may be on an outer surface of the lightly doped
in-process SiGe fin. In an aspect, the epi layer may comprise
SiGeB. In a further aspect, the lightly doped in-process SiGe fin
may include a source region and a drain region, and the epi layer,
for example the SiGeB epi layer may be on, or may cover an outer
surface of the drain region, and an outer surface of the source
region.
[0010] Example apparatuses according to other exemplary embodiments
can include a fin stack, and the fin stack may comprise a doped Si
fin base and, on the doped Si fin base, a SiGe fin having a source
region and a drain region. In an aspect, example apparatuses can
include means for in-situ doping the source region with boron and
in-situ doping the drain region with boron. In an aspect, means for
in-situ doping the source region with B and in-situ doping the
drain region with boron may be configured to receive an annealing
heat and, in response, to diffuse boron into the drain and region
and into the source region.
[0011] Example apparatuses according to other exemplary embodiments
can include a stack having a Si fin base and, on the doped Si fin
base, a SiGe fin, and the SiGe fin may include a boron doped source
region and a boron doped drain region. In an aspect, example
apparatuses can include an epi layer, which may on at least a
portion of an outer surface of the boron doped source region, or an
outer surface of the boron doped drain region, or both, and the epi
layer may comprise SiGeB.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the
description of embodiments of the disclosure and are provided
solely for illustration of the embodiments and not limitation
thereof.
[0013] FIG. 1A shows a top projection view of one example starting
bulk silicon.
[0014] FIG. 1B shows a front cross-sectional view of the one
example starting bulk silicon, on the FIG. 1A cut-plane 2-2.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view reflecting a
depositing of an example dielectric layer on a surface of the FIG.
1A-1B bulk silicon, in operations further to one example
fabrication process.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view reflecting doping
operations to form, under the dielectric layer of the FIG. 2
in-process structure, a lightly doped Si layer above a doped ground
plane Si layer, further to one example fabrication process.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view reflecting a
depositing, on the dielectric layer of the FIG. 3 in-process
structure, a nitride layer and, on the nitride layer, a hard mask
layer, in operations further to one example fabrication
process.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view reflecting a
patterning, in the hard mask layer of the FIG. 4 in-process
structure, of a patterned hard mask for subsequent etching
in-process fin stacks, in operations further to one example
fabrication process.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view reflecting an etching
of in-process fin stacks using the patterned hard mask shown formed
in FIG. 5, in operations further to one example fabrication
process.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view reflecting silicon isolation
filling and planarizing of the FIG. 6 in-process structure, in
operations further to one example fabrication process.
[0021] FIG. 8 is cross-sectional view, on the FIG. 7 cut-plane 3-3,
of the in-process structure shown by that figure.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, reflecting etching the
silicon isolation material of the FIG. 8 in-process structure,
leaving exposed nitride layer portions on in-process fin stacks, in
operations further to one example fabrication process.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view reflecting removing
exposed nitride layer portions of the FIG. 9 in-process fin stacks,
in operations further to one example fabrication process.
[0024] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view reflecting an etching
the oxide fill of the
[0025] FIG. 10 in-process structure, in operations further to one
example fabrication process.
[0026] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view reflecting conversion,
from Si into SiGe, of lightly doped in-process Si fins at the upper
portion of the FIG. 11 in-process fin stacks, to form a plurality
of lightly doped SiGe in-process fins, in operations further to one
example fabrication process.
[0027] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view reflecting further
etching into a temporary top surface of the oxide fill surrounding
the FIG. 12 the lightly doped SiGe in-process fins, in operations
further to one example fabrication process.
[0028] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the FIG. 13 in-process
structure.
[0029] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view, reflecting a forming of a
dummy gate over respective gate regions of the FIGS. 13 and 14
lightly doped SiGe fins.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a front projection view of the FIG. 15 in-process
structure, seen from that figure's projection plane 4-4, with an
expanded view of one lightly doped SiGe in-process fin, showing an
oxide layer and a cleaning to remove the same and expose outer
surfaces of the source and drain regions
[0031] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a next in-process
structure, resulting from applying a gate spacer patterning, and
applying an SiGeB epi growth process to form an SiGeB epi layer
covering the exposed outer surfaces of the source and drain
regions.
[0032] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of an end-process
structure, obtained by applying a drive-in annealing to the FIG. 17
in-process structure, to drive in B from the SiGeB epi layer, into
the source and drain regions, forming B implanted SiGe source and
drain regions, respectively covered with conductive SiGeB epi
layer, in operations further to one example process.
[0033] FIG. 19 is a partial cut-away of FIG. 18.
[0034] FIG. 20 a high-level logical flow diagram of example
operations in part of one or more processes in accordance with
various exemplary embodiments.
[0035] FIG. 21 shows a functional schematic of one example system
of communication and computing devices having combinations of
stressed fin NMOS FinFET devices in accordance with one or more
exemplary embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the following
description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments
of the disclosure. Alternate embodiments may be devised without
departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally,
well-known elements of the disclosure will not be described in
detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details
of the disclosure.
[0037] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described
herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as
preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the
term "embodiments of the disclosure" does not require that all
embodiments of the disclosure include the discussed feature,
advantage or mode of operation.
[0038] The terminology used herein is for describing particular
examples illustrating various embodiments, and is not intended to
be limiting of embodiments of the disclosure. As used herein, the
singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise. It will be understood that the terms "comprises",
"comprising," "includes" and/or "including", when used herein,
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0039] Further, many embodiments are described in terms of
sequences of actions to be performed or controlled by, for example,
elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that various
actions described herein can be performed by specific circuits
(e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), by
program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or
by a combination of both. Additionally, these sequences of actions
described herein can be embodied entirely within any form of
computer readable storage medium having stored therein a
corresponding set of computer instructions that upon execution
would cause an associated processor to perform the functionality
described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the disclosure may
be embodied in a number of different forms, all of which have been
contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In addition, for each of the embodiments described herein, the
corresponding form of any such embodiments may be described herein
as, for example, "logic configured to" perform the described
action.
[0040] Methods according to various exemplary embodiments can
provide fabricating a FinFET on a bulk silicon, through operations
that can include forming a fin stack, in a portion of the bulk
silicon, such that the fin stack has a fin base and, on the fin
base, a silicon germanium (SiGe) in-process fin. In an aspect,
methods according to various exemplary embodiments can further
include in-situ boron doping a region of the SiGe in-process fin.
In an aspect, in-situ boron doping the region of the SiGe
in-process fin can include depositing an epi layer, the epi layer
comprising boron. The epi layer may be formed on an outer surface
of the SiGe in-process fin. In an aspect, the epi layer may
comprise SiGeB. In an aspect, in-situ boron doping region of the
SiGe in-process fin can further include applying a drive-in
annealing, and the drive-in annealing may be configured to diffuse
boron from the epi layer into the region of the SiGe in-process
fin. In a further aspect, the fin base may be a Si fin base.
[0041] In an aspect, methods for fabricating a FinFET according to
various exemplary embodiments may form the SiGe in-process fin as a
lightly doped SiGe in-process fin.
[0042] In an aspect, the SiGe in-process fin may have a source
region and a drain region. For example, the source region may be at
one end of the SiGe in-process fin and the drain region may be at
the other, opposite, end of the SiGe in process fin. In a related
aspect, in-situ boron doping may be configured to in-situ boron
dope at least a portion of the source region and at least a portion
of the drain region. Examples according to this aspect can include
forming the epi layer, for example as a SiGeB epi layer on an outer
surface of the source region and on an outer surface of the drain
region. Operations such as drive annealing may then be applied, to
diffuse boron from the epi layer into the source region and into
the drain region, resulting in a boron-doped source region, and a
boron-doped drain region.
[0043] In an aspect, an epi layer that contains boron, such as the
described SiGeB epi layer can provide novel means for in-situ boron
doping the source region and in-situ boron doping the drain region.
Such means can be viewed as a novel means for receiving an external
heat, for example, a drive-in annealing heat and, in response,
diffusing boron into the source region and into the drain
region.
[0044] FIG. 1A shows a top projection view of one example of a
starting bulk silicon 10 (hereinafter "bulk Si" 10). It will be
understood that the structure visible in FIG. 1A as the bulk Si 10
may be a region or area of a larger bulk silicon (not explicitly
visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B), e.g., a region of a die, or of a wafer
prior to dicing into multiple dies.
[0045] FIG. 1B shows a front cross-sectional view of the bulk Si
10, viewed on the FIG. 1A cut-plane 2-2. Referring to FIG. 1B, the
bulk Si 10 has a top surface 10T. It will be understood "top
surface 10T" is an arbitrary label, and that "top," in the context
of "top surface 10T" carries no meaning or limitation regarding
orientation with respect to any external reference. A bottom
reference line "BT" demarcates an arbitrary depth position in the
bulk Si 10. The bottom reference line BT may, but does not
necessarily, represent a bottom surface of the bulk Si 10.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of an in-process
structure 20 formed by depositing a dielectric layer 22 on the top
surface 10T of the FIG. 1A-1B bulk Si 10. As will be understood by
persons of ordinary skill upon reading this disclosure, operative
aspects of the dielectric layer 22 can include relief of a stress
that may result from subsequent depositing of a silicon nitride
(SiN) layer (not visible in FIG. 2). In an aspect, operative
aspects of the dielectric layer 22 may also include protection of
channel material during subsequent forming, in order of depth under
the top surface 10T, a light doped layer (not visible in FIG. 2)
above a doped ground plane layer (not visible in FIG. 2).
[0047] The dielectric layer 22 may be formed, for example, of SiOx,
with a thickness D1. Regarding selection of a range for D1, various
considerations will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill
upon reading the present disclosure. For example, it will become
apparent that if D1 is selected overly thin there may be
possibility of the dielectric layer 22 providing less than desired
relief of stress from subsequent depositing (not visible in FIG. 2)
the silicon nitride. Another consideration in selecting the range
of D1 that will become apparent to such persons upon reading this
disclosure is that if D1 is too thick, there may be a resulting
unwanted blockage of implant operations in the forming, under the
top surface 10T, of a later described lightly doped layer (not
visible in FIG. 2) above a doped ground plane layer (not visible in
FIG. 2). Another consideration in selecting the range of D1 that
will become apparent to such persons upon reading this disclosure
is that if D1 is too thick, there may be a possibility of unwanted
erosion during later-described fin patterning operations. On these
and other considerations that will become apparent to persons of
ordinary skill upon reading the present disclosure, selecting a
range for D1 for given applications may be readily performed,
without undue experimentation. As one illustrative example, one
contemplated range of thicknesses D1 that may be used in certain
applications may include a thickness that is approximately 10% of
the thickness of the silicon nitride layer (not visible in FIG. 2).
It will be also be understood that this illustrated example range
of 10% is only one example, and is not intended to limit scope of
any embodiments or aspects thereof.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of a next in-process
structure 30, reflecting doping operations to form, to a depth D2
under the top surface 10T, a lightly doped Si layer 32 and, under
the lightly doped layer, a doped ground plane layer 34 having a
thickness D3.
[0049] For purposes of this description, "lightly doped," in the
context of "lightly doped Si layer 32," can include non-zero doping
that does not result in substantive change in electrical
performance relative to the bulk Si. Persons of ordinary skill will
understand upon reading this disclosure that numerical values of
"lightly doped" within this meaning may be application specific.
For purposes of illustration, and without limiting the scope of
"lightly doped" as used in this description," one example range may
include approximately 1E17 at/cm.sup.3.
[0050] It will be understood that numerical values that constitute
"doped," in the context of "doped ground plane layer 34," may be
application specific. Persons of ordinary skill in the art, though,
upon reading this disclosure, can readily determine ranges of
numerical values that constitute "doped," in the context of "doped
ground plane layer 34, without undue experimentation. For example,
such persons will appreciate, upon reading this disclosure, that
numerical values corresponding to "doped" may be limited or
constrained, at a lower end, by values below which there may be an
unacceptable inefficiency in ground plane function. Such persons
will also appreciate, upon reading this disclosure, that numerical
values corresponding to "doped" may be limited or constrained, at
an upper end, by values above which one or more undesired effects,
e.g., excess channel doping in later formed, lightly doped SiGe
active fins (not visible in FIG. 3) may result. For purposes of
illustration, and without limiting the scope of "doped" as used in
association with "doped ground plane layer 34," one example range
of "doped" may span from less than approximately 1E18 at/cm.sup.3,
and may extend up to and beyond 5E18 at/cm.sup.3.
[0051] Regarding techniques for forming the doped ground plane
layer 34 and the lightly doped Si layer 32, persons of ordinary
skill in the art, upon reading the present disclosure, can readily
adapt various known, conventional doping techniques without undue
experimentation. For example, such persons, upon reading the
present disclosure, can configure conventional doping techniques to
form the doped ground plane layer 34, and to form the lightly doped
layer 32 as incidental to the forming of the doped ground plane
layer 34, as opposed to being a separate processing step. More
particularly, in one example, conventional doping techniques (not
specifically visible in FIG. 3) may be configured to obtain a
desired peak concentration over a range of depth from D2 to D2+D3
below the surface 10T. Persons of ordinary skill in the art, upon
reading the present disclosure, can configure such conventional
doping techniques to provide that retrograde doping profile, i.e.,
having the desired peak concentration over a range of depth from D2
to D2+D3 below the surface 10T, and a light doping tail over D2.
Such configuration of conventional doping techniques may provide
the doped ground plane layer 34 and the lightly doped layer 32 in
one implant step. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will also
understand, upon reading this disclosure, that two or more
conventional-technique implant steps may be adapted to obtain a
desired doping for the doped ground plane layer 34 and the lightly
doped Si layer 32.
[0052] Regarding ranges of numerical values for D3, considerations
in specifying D3 will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill
in the art upon reading the present disclosure, by which such
persons can, given an application, specify an appropriate range for
D3 without undue experimentation. For example, persons of ordinary
skill in the art will understand, upon reading this disclosure,
that operations of the doped ground plane layer 34 can include
prevention of, or preventing a possibility of a creation of, a
parasitic sub-fin leakage path under the SiGe active fin of the end
product. Such persons will also appreciate, upon reading this
disclosure, that operations of the doped ground plane layer 34 can
include providing electrical isolation of NFET and PFET regions
(not explicitly visible in FIG. 3). For purposes of illustration,
and without limiting the scope of any embodiments, one example
range of D3 may encompass and include a range extending down to 30
nm, for purposes of suppressing sub-fin leakage under the SiGe
active fin of the end product. Persons of ordinary skill in the art
will also understand that well doping for NFET and PFET isolation
may extend down to an STI oxide bottom which can include, but is
not limited to, 100-150 nm.
[0053] Regarding ranges of numerical values for the thickness D2,
persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading
this disclosure that such numerical values can depend, at least in
part, on the specified height (not explicitly visible in FIG. 3) of
the end product's SiGe active fin (not specifically visible in FIG.
3) which will be described in greater detail in later paragraphs.
For example, in an aspect, the thickness D2 may be selected to be
close to or slightly deeper than the specified height of the end
product's SiGe active fin. Persons of ordinary skill in the art
will understand upon reading this disclosure that a potential
result of an overly small D2 could be a portion of the end
product's SiGe active fin remaining in an off state, i.e., a
potential reduction in on-state current. Such persons will also
understand upon reading this disclosure that one potential result
of an overly large D2 may be the doped ground plane layer 34 having
such distance from the end product's SiGe active fin as to
adversely affect its operation of prevention of sub-fin leakage.
For purposes of illustration, and without limiting the scope of
embodiments, one example range of D2 may encompass and include a
range extending from less than 30 nm and up to and exceeding 60
nm.
[0054] It will be understood that doping operations may form a
gradient transition between the lightly doped Si layer 32 and the
doped ground plane layer 34, as opposed to a step boundary. Persons
of ordinary skill will understand upon reading this disclosure that
such a gradient may depend in part on the technique selected for
forming the doped ground plane layer 34. For example, such persons
will appreciate upon reading this disclosure that the doped ground
plane layer 34 may be formed by implantation, and will understand
that implantation may form a more extended gradient than other
techniques.
[0055] In an aspect, operations may include forming a fin-pattern
hard mask on the above-described in-process structure having the
lightly doped Si layer 32 upon the doped ground plane layer 34, the
fin-pattern hard mask formed as a top projection plan of one or
more fins. Operations may include applying an etching process,
using the fin-pattern hard mask, to the lightly doped Si layer 32
and to the doped ground plane layer 34, to form one or more fin
stacks. The fin stacks will include a fin base formed of a portion
of the doped ground plane layer 34 and, on the fin base, an
in-process lightly doped Si fin formed of a portion of the lightly
doped Si layer 32. In an aspect, the fin-pattern hard mask and
etching process may be configured to form a single fin stack. In a
further aspect, the fin-pattern hard mask and etching process may
be configured to form a plurality of fin stacks, for example, a set
of parallel fin stacks, spaced apart by a fin pitch. One example of
operations in forming a fin-pattern hard mask will be described in
reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of an in-process
structure 40, reflecting a depositing, on the dielectric layer 22
of the FIG. 3 in-process structure 30, of a nitride layer 42 and,
on the nitride layer 42, a hard mask layer 44, in operations
further to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, the nitride layer
42 may have a depth D4, and the hard mask layer 44 may have a
thickness D5. In an aspect, subsequent operations (not visible in
FIG. 4) can form a fin pattern (not visible in FIG. 4) in the hard
mask layer 44, and can utilize the nitride layer 42 to transfer
that fin pattern into fin stacks (not visible in FIG. 4), for
example, by anisotropic dry etching. Referring to FIG. 4, the hard
mask layer 44 is visibly represented as a single layer. The visible
representation as a single layer, though, is not intended to limit
the hard mask 44 to a single layer structure. Instead, embodiments
contemplate structures implementing the hard mask layer 44 as
comprising a stack of multiple hard mask layers (not separately
visible in FIG. 4) on the nitride layer Conventional hard mask
techniques using such stacked hard mask layers, for example, Spacer
Defined Double and Quadruple Patterning (SADP, SAQP) are known to
persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such conventional hard mask
techniques can be configured by such persons having possession of
the present disclosure to practice in accordance with exemplary
embodiments, without undue experimentation and, therefore, further
detail description is omitted.
[0057] Regarding selection of respective numerical ranges for D4
and D5, persons of ordinary skill, given an application and having
view of the present disclosure, can readily determine such
numerical ranges through use of general convention engineering
methodologies and knowledge of conventional hard mask and etching
techniques that such persons possess, without undue
experimentation. Regarding D4, for purposes of illustration, and
without limiting the scope of embodiments, one example range of
numerical values that may be used may encompass, but is not limited
to, approximately 1/3 of the STI depth (not explicitly visible in
FIG. 4). One specific example range of numerical value for D4 that
may be used may encompass and include a range extending from less
than 25 nm and up to and exceeding 40 nm. Regarding D5,
considerations that will become apparent to persons of ordinary
skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, for specifying or
selecting a range of numerical values D5, is that the values may be
comparable to or, in one aspect, slightly larger than D4. More
particularly, it will become apparent to such persons that it may
be, but is not necessarily preferable, that at least a small
portion of the hard mask layer 44 remain atop the nitride layer 42
at the end of the fin etching. One specific example range of
numerical value for D5 that may be used, for example, together with
the described specific example range for D4, may encompass and
include a range extending from less than 30 nm and up to and
exceeding 40 nm.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an in-process structure 50
reflecting a patterning, in the hard mask layer 44 of the FIG. 4
in-process structure 40, to form a fin patterned hard mask 52 for
subsequent etching of a plurality of fins (not explicitly visible
in FIG. 5), in operations further to one embodiment. The patterned
hard mask 52 includes, for purposes of illustration, six fin hard
masks, of which the fin hard mask 54 is one representative example.
It will be understood that six is only one example quantity of fin
hard masks forming a patterned hard mask such as the fin patterned
hard mask 52, and is not intended to limit any embodiments or
aspects of the same. For example, alternative patterned hard masks
(not explicitly visible in FIG. 5) may have seven or more, or five
or less fin hard masks, or may have just one fin hard mask.
Referring to FIG. 5, the fin patterned hard mask 52 shows all six
of the fin hard masks having the same width D6 and length D7.
However, this is only for purposes of example, as alternatives are
contemplates that may form different ones of the fin patterned hard
masks with respectively different widths and lengths. Similarly,
the fin patterned hard mask 52 shows all six of the fin hard masks
equally spaced by a fin pitch D8, but this is only for purposes of
example, as alternatives are contemplated that may form fin hard
masks spaced apart by varying fin pitches.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an in-process structure 60
reflecting an etching of trenches 62 in the FIG. 5 in-process
structure 50 to form in-process fin stacks 64 using the fin
patterned hard mask 52, followed by a removal of that fin patterned
hard mark 52. Referring to FIG. 6, one example etching can etch the
trenches 62 through the nitride (e.g., Si3N4) layer 42, through the
dielectric layer 22, through the lightly doped Si layer 32, and
into the doped ground plane layer 34. Such example etching can etch
the trenches to a total depth D9, measured from the top surface
(shown but not separately numbered) of the lightly doped Si layer
32 to a recess bottom surface 34T in the doped ground plane layer
34. The trenches 62 may include corresponding recesses 62A etched
into the doped ground plane layer 34. The in-process fin stacks 64
each include, in ascending order starting from the recess bottom
surface 34T, a fin base 66 and, on a top surface of the fin base
66, an in-process silicon fin 68. It will be appreciated that the
fin base 66 of each of the in-process fin stacks is a portion of
the doped ground plane layer 34 between the respective pair of the
trenches 62, and that the in-process Si fin 68 is a portion of the
lightly doped Si layer 32 between the respective pair of trenches.
The in-process fin stacks 64 can each include a temporary cap CP,
wherein the temporary cap CP a remaining portion of the dielectric
layer 22 and, on the remaining portion of dielectric layer 22, a
remaining portion of the Si3N4 layer.
[0060] In an aspect, operations further to methods according to
various exemplary embodiments may include filling each of the
respective pair of trenches with a Si isolation material, to a
height that provides a Si isolation material intermediate upper
surface. Further to this aspect, the filling may be configured so
that the height of the Si isolation material intermediate upper
surface leaves an exposed outer surface of the lightly doped
in-process Si fin. In another aspect, the filling of each of the
respective pair of trenches may include filling to a height greater
than that of the intended Si isolation material surface, followed
by an etching to the intended height. In a further aspect, the
filling to a height greater than that of the intended Si isolation
material upper surface may include filling to a height of the
in-process fin stacks, followed by a planarizing and then an
etching.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of one in-process structure
70, reflecting removal of the patterned hard mask 52 and deposition
of an oxide filling 72 into the trenches 62 of the FIG. 6
in-process structure 60, followed by planarizing, in operations
further to one example fabrication process. Referring to FIG. 7,
the planarizing may form a temporary upper planar surface 72T.
[0062] FIG. 8 is cross-sectional view, on the FIG. 7 projection
plane 3-3, of the in-process structure 70 shown by that figure.
[0063] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an in-process structure
90, reflecting etching the oxide fill of the FIG. 8 in-process
structure, leaving exposed nitride layer portions 92, in operations
further to one example fabrication process.
[0064] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an in-process structure
100 reflecting removing the exposed nitride layer portions 92 of
the FIG. 9 in-process structure 90, and forming another temporary
planar top surface 72L of the oxide filling 72, in operations
further to one example fabrication process. Referring to FIG. 10,
portions 102 of the dielectric layer 22, formed as shown in FIG. 2,
remain on the respective tops (shown but not separately labeled) of
each of the in-process fin stacks (labeled by reference number "64"
in FIG. 6, visible but not labeled on FIG. 10).
[0065] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of another in-process
structure 110, reflecting an etching into the temporary planar top
surface 72L of the oxide fill 72 of the FIG. 10 in-process
structure 100, to form a new temporary top surface 72R. The new
temporary top surface 72R is at a height that exposes an upper
portion 68U of each of the in-process fin stacks 64, in operations
further to one example fabrication process. An enlarged area 110A
shows that a bottom or lower portion 68L of each of the in-process
Si fin 68 is under a top surface 72R. In another aspect (not
explicitly visible in FIG. 10), the top surface 72R may be etched
to fully expose the in-process Si fin 68. In other words, the
etching of the oxide fill 72 of the FIG. 10 in-process structure
100 lowers the height of the upper surface of the remainder of the
oxide fill 72 to a new temporary top surface 72R that exposes all,
or all except for a bottom portion 68L of the in-process Si fin
68.
[0066] In an aspect, after etching of the oxide fill 72 of the FIG.
10 in-process structure 100 to expose all, or all except for a
bottom portion 68L of the in-process Si fin 68. The exposure of
all, or all except for a bottom portion 68L of the in-process Si
fin 68 can enable, in an aspect, conversion of the all, or
substantially all of the in-process Si fin 68 into an in-process
SiGe fin (not explicitly visible in FIG. 11).
[0067] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an in-process
structure 120 produced by converting the lightly doped Si material
under and within the exposed upper portions 68U of the FIG. 11
in-process Si fins 68 to SiGe, in operations further to one example
fabrication process. This conversion forms a plurality of lightly
doped in-process SiGe fins 122
[0068] In an aspect, the height of the Si isolation intermediate
upper surface may be an intermediate height, wherein the
intermediate height may be above a boundary between an upper
surface of the fin base and a lower surface of the in-process Si
fin. In a further aspect, after converting all, or all except for a
lower portion, of the in-process lightly doped Si fins to
in-process lightly doped SiGe fins, a final etching may be applied
to the Si isolation intermediate upper surface to form an Si
isolation final upper surface, wherein the Si isolation final upper
surface has a final height. In an aspect, the final height may be
such that an upper portion of the fin base projects above the Si
isolation.
[0069] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of an in-process
structure 130, reflecting further etching into the temporary top
surface 72R, to form a final top surface 72F of the oxide fill 72,
surrounding the FIG. 12 in-process fin stacks, in operations
further to one example fabrication process. The oxide fill 72 can
provide silicon isolation in the end-process device, as will be
understood by persons of ordinary skill upon reading this
disclosure.
[0070] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the FIG. 13 in-process
structure 130.
[0071] In an aspect, methods according to various exemplary
embodiments may include forming a dummy gate, prior to depositing
the epi layer on the outer surface of the source region and on the
outer surface of the drain region. In an aspect, the dummy gate may
cover an outer surface of the gate region of the lightly doped SiGe
in-process fin.
[0072] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of an in-process structure
150, reflecting a forming of a dummy gate 152 over respective gate
regions (visible but not separately labeled) of the lightly doped
SiGe in-process fins 122 of the FIG. 13 in-process structure 130.
The forming of the dummy gate 152 may include a dummy gate mask
154. The forming of the dummy gate 152 may be according to
conventional techniques for forming dummy gates as used in
conventional FinFET fabrication process. Such conventional
techniques, which are known to persons of ordinary skill in the
art, can be readily applied by such persons upon reading the
present disclosure, to practice the exemplary embodiments without
undue experimentation and, therefore, further detailed description
is omitted.
[0073] FIG. 16 is a front projection view of the FIG. 15 in-process
structure 150, seen from that figure's projection plane 4-4.
Expanded view VA shows an oxide layer 162 on a visible (source or
drain) end of the lightly doped SiGe in-process fins 122 formed,
for example, incidental to conventional techniques operations that
may be applied to form the dummy gate 152. It will be understood
that an oxide layer such as the oxide layer 162 may likewise form
on the visible ends (in FIG. 16) of the other five lightly doped
SiGe in-process fins 122. It will be similarly understood that an
oxide layer such as the oxide layer 162 may form on the opposite
(not visible in FIG. 16) ends of all six of the lightly doped SiGe
in-process fins 122. Referring to FIG. 16, expanded view VB shows
the visible end (source or drain) of the lightly doped SiGe
in-process fin 122 appearing in expanded view VA, after applying an
epi pre-cleaning to expose outer surfaces 122S. It will be
understood epi cleaning operations applied to expose outer surfaces
122S may similarly expose outer surfaces on the ends of the other
five lightly doped SiGe in-process fins 122 that are visible in
FIG. 16. Likewise, epi pre-cleaning operations applied to expose
outer surfaces 122S may expose the outer surfaces at the opposite
ends (not visible in FIG. 16) of all six lightly doped SiGe
in-process fins 122.
[0074] It will be understood that techniques that may be applied
for forming the dummy gate 152 are not necessarily specific to the
exemplary embodiments. For example, the dummy gate 152 may be
formed by techniques, presently known or later discovered, that may
not form an oxide layer such as the oxide layer 162. It will be
understood that practices according to the exemplary embodiments
employing such techniques, if any, that do not form an oxide layer
such as the oxide layer 162 may omit, or reduce or modify
application of epi pre-cleaning or other oxide removal operations
as illustrated by expanded views VA and VB.
[0075] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a next in-process
structure 170, resulting from applying a gate spacer patterning to
form a gate spacer 172, and applying a SiGeB epi growth process to
form a SiGeB epi layer 174. The SiGeB epi growth process may be
configured to form the SiGeB epi layer 174 in a manner covering the
exposed outer surfaces (e.g. 122S visible in the FIG. 16 expanded
view VB) of the source and drain regions. In an aspect, the SiGeB
epi growth process forming the SiGeB epi layer 174 may be a portion
of novel in-situ boron doping methods according to, and provided
by, various exemplary embodiments, as will be later described in
further detail. Further to this in-site boron doping aspect, a
drive-in annealing (not visible in FIG. 17) may be applied to the
FIG. 17 in-process structure, to diffuse boron from the SiGeB epi
layer 174 into the source regions, and into drain regions of the
SiGe in-process fins 122, to form a boron-doped SiGe source region
and boron-doped SiGe drain region (not yet formed in the snapshot
reflected by FIG. 17).
[0076] Regarding the concentration of boron in the SiGeB epi layer
174, persons of ordinary skill in the art, upon reading the present
disclosure, will understand factors on which that concentration may
depend. For example, such persons will understand, upon reading the
present disclosure, that the range of boron concentration in the
SiGeB epi layer 174 can depend at least in part, on the desired
range of boron dopant concentration in the source and drain regions
that may be obtained through subsequent drive-in anneal process.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art, upon reading the present
disclosure and being provided, or selecting, application-specific
parameters (e.g., geometry of the end product FinFET, target
performance of the end product FinFET) can readily determine that
the corresponding range of boron dopant for the SiGeB epi layer
174, without undue experimentation, by applying standard
engineering methodologies such persons know, to concepts and
examples disclosed herein. For purposes of illustration, one
example range of boron concentration that may be used in forming a
SiGeB epi layer such as the SiGeB epi layer 174, for some
applications, may span from, for example, less than 1E20
at/cm.sup.3 and may encompass, for example, greater than 2E20
at/cm.sup.3. It will be understood that this example range of boron
concentration in the SiGeB epi layer 174 is only for purposes of
illustration, and is not intended to limit the scope of any of the
embodiments or any aspect of any embodiment.
[0077] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of an end-process structure
180, obtained by a drive-in annealing that completes an in-situ
boron doping of the source region and drain region, in processes
according to exemplary embodiments. In an aspect, the drive-in
annealing combines with, and furthers operation of the SiGeB epi
layer formed as described in reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 19 shows a
partial cut-away of the FIG. 18 end-process structure 180.
[0078] The drive-in annealing can be configured to apply a
pre-determined temperature, TM, for a pre-determined time duration,
DR. Factors considered in determining TM and DR can include desired
dopant diffusion and, since the SiGe in-process fins 122 are formed
of SiGe, avoidance of strain relaxation. Specific ranges of
numerical values for TM and DR may be, in part,
application-specific. Persons of ordinary skill, upon reading the
present disclosure, can determine ranges of TM and DR for various
given applications, without undue experimentation. For purposes of
illustration, example values for TM and DR can include TM being in
a range spanning from approximately 900 degrees C. to approximately
1050 degrees C., with a corresponding DR of approximately one
second. Example values for TM and DR can also include TM being in a
range spanning from approximately 1200 degrees C. to approximately
1300 degrees C., with a corresponding DR of approximately one
millisecond. It will be understood that the example ranges of TM
and DR only for purposes of illustration, and is not intended to
limit the scope of any of the embodiments or any aspect of any
embodiment.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the drive-in annealing
operations can be configured to diffuse boron from the FIG. 17
SiGeB epi layer 174, into the source regions and drain regions of
the SiGe in-process fins 122, to form a boron-doped SiGe source
region 182 and a boron-doped SiGe drain region 184. In a further
aspect, a portion of the FIG. 17 SiGeB epi layer 174 that, in FIGS.
18 and 19, covers what is now (in FIGS. 18 and 19) the boron-doped
SiGe source region 182 will be referred as the "SiGeB source epi
layer" 186. Similarly, a portion of the FIG. 17 SiGeB epi layer 174
that covers what is now (in FIGS. 18 and 19), the boron-doped SiGe
drain region 184 will be referred as the "SiGeB drain epi layer"
188.
[0080] Regarding structure and composition of the SiGeB source epi
layer 186 and SiGeB drain epi layer 188, it will be understood that
due to various operations of the drive-in annealing these
structures may have differences from the SiGeB epi layer 174, for
example, reduction in boron concentration. However, in an aspect,
the FIG. 17 SiGeB epi layer 174 may be configured with a boron
concentration to provide a high remnant B concentration in the
SiGeB source epi layer 186 and SiGeB drain epi layer 188. This
aspect may provide, for example, features and benefits such as
providing source and drain junctions over the entire channel height
of the SiGe fin. Referring to FIG. 19, a gate region 190,
comprising lightly doped SiGe material of the lightly doped SiGe
in-process fins 122.
[0081] Since the drive-annealing diffused boron from the SiGeB epi
layer 174, it will be understood that the concentration of boron in
the SiGeB epi layer 174 will determine, at least in part, the
concentration of boron in the boron-doped SiGe source region 182,
as well as in the boron-doped SiGe drain region 184, the SiGeB
source epi layer 186 and the SiGeB drain epi layer 188. Persons of
ordinary skill in the art, upon reading this disclosure, will
understand that desired, or target ranges of boron in these FIGS.
18 and 19 structures may be, at least in part, application
specific. However, upon reading this disclosure and having a
defined application, persons of ordinary skill can readily
determine target ranges of boron in the FIGS. 18 and 19 structures,
without undue experimentation, by applying standard engineering
methodologies such persons know, to concepts and examples disclosed
herein. Based on such target ranges, persons of ordinary skill can
then determine a target range of boron in the FIG. 17 SiGeB epi
layer 174, without undue experimentation.
[0082] Features and advantages of disclosed embodiments may
include, but are not limited to, eliminating source and drain
contacts to a parasitic n-Si resistor under SiGe sources and
drains. This and other features and benefits can be provided by the
described counter-doping the exposed n-source and n-drain with
boron. Other features and aspect may include, without limitation,
providing source and drain junctions over an entire SiGe channel
height. Further benefits and advantages can include, for example, a
provision of gate overlap with the SiGe and the ground plane.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate, upon
reading this disclosure, that FinFETs processed and structured
according to various exemplary embodiments will maintain low drive
current contribution from parasitic Si-based transistor because of,
for example, higher threshold voltage and reduced carrier mobility
relative to SiGe. Such persons will also appreciate, among other
features and benefits provided by the disclosed embodiments, that
the disclosed raised source and drain epitaxy can eliminate
recessing of a SiGe source and drain and that this can provide, in
turn, a minimizing of elastic channel relaxation.
[0083] FIG. 20 is a high-level flow diagram 200 of operations
forming part of a fabrication process according to various
exemplary embodiments. For brevity, the phrase "in the flow 200" is
used, and will be understood to mean "in a process that may include
operations having a logical flow as represented by the high-level
flow diagram 200."
[0084] Referring to FIG. 20, operations in the flow 200 may begin
at an arbitrary start 202, which may include, for example,
providing a starting bulk silicon such as the bulk silicon 10
described in reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and other of the attached
figures. Operations in the flow 200 may then, at 204, form a
portion of bulk Si into a fin stack, or a plurality of fin stacks.
Each fin stack may include a doped Si fin base and, on the doped Si
fin base, a lightly doped in-process SiGe fin. One flow of example
operations at 204 is shown on FIG. 20, and that one flow will be
later described in further detail. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14,
one example structure formed at 204 may be the in-process structure
130, with the doped Si fin base 66 and lightly doped SiGe
in-process fin 122.
[0085] With continuing reference to FIG. 20, operations in the
flow, after 204, may include, at 206, forming dummy gates and
spacers. Referring to FIG. 17, the example dummy gate 152 and gate
spacer 172 may be an example of structure formed at 206. Referring
to FIG. 20, a next operation in the flow 200 may be, at 208,
growing an epi layer, of a material that includes boron, on source
and drain outer surfaces of the lightly doped SiGe in-process fin
formed at 204. In an aspect, operations at 208 may include an epi
pre-cleaning, for example, to remove oxides deposited on the source
and drain outer surfaces during the formation of the dummy gates or
other operations. Referring to FIG. 16, the removal of the oxide
layer 162, as shown in expanded views VA and VB, may reflect one
example of pre-cleaning operations at 208.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 20, after growing the epi layer at 208,
operations in the flow 200 may include, at 210, an annealing to
diffuse boron from that epi layer into the source region and drain
region, to effectively dope these regions with boron. Referring to
FIGS. 17 and 18, annealing operations forming the boron doped SiGe
source region 182 and the boron doped drain SiGe region 184 may
reflect one example of operations at 210. The operations at 208 and
210 may be collectively referred to as examples of in-situ doping
boron in the drain region and in the source region of the lightly
doped SiGe in-process fin to form an end-process lightly doped SiGe
active fin, with B-doped source and drain regions. The end-process
lightly doped SiGe active fin, with B-doped source and drain
regions may also include a SiGeB source epi layer (e.g., FIG. 18,
174A) and a SiGeB drain epi layer (e.g., FIG. 18, 174B), which can
operate as source and drain contacts respectively. Example
operations in the flow 200 may, after the annealing at 210, end the
flow at 212.
[0087] FIG. 20 shows one example flow of operations that may be
performed at, or associated with 204. Operations at 204 may start
at 214 with depositing a dielectric layer on a top surface of the
bulk Si, and implanting a lightly doped fin layer and underlying
ground plane in the bulk Si. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, one
example of operations at 214 may be the described deposition of the
dielectric layer 22 and implanting, through the dielectric layer,
the lightly doped Si layer 32 above the doped ground plane layer
34. Next, at 216, a nitride layer may be formed, for example, on
the dielectric layer and on the nitride layer, and a fin pattern
hard mask may be disposed, for example, as described in reference
to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0088] Continuing to refer to FIG. 20, operations in the flow
performing at 204 may include, at 218, etching trenches in the
structure formed at 214, using the fin pattern hard mask formed at
216, to form fin stacks. In an aspect, each fin stack may have an
in-process lightly doped Si fin on a doped Si fin base, such as the
in-process fin stacks 64 described in reference to FIG. 6. Example
operations in the flow at 204 may include a depositing, at 220, of
silicon isolation material in the trenches, and etching a top
surface of the silicon isolation material to expose (or expose all
except for a lower portion of) the in-process Si fins for
Si-to-SiGe conversion, as described, for example, in reference to
FIGS. 7-11.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 20, operations in the flow performed at
204 may include, at 222, converting the lightly doped Si in-process
fins formed at 220 to lightly doped SiGe in-process fins. Referring
to FIGS. 12 and 20, the operations reflected by forming the FIG. 12
lightly doped SiGe in-process fins 122 may be one example of
operations performed at 222. Next, at 224, an etching of the
silicon isolation material may be performed, to lower the upper
surface of the silicon isolation material to a final height, e.g.,
the upper surface 72F described in reference to FIG. 13, for the
epi growth and boron drive-in operations at 208 and 210.
[0090] FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication
system 300 in which one or more embodiments of the disclosure may
be advantageously employed. For purposes of illustration, FIG. 21
shows three remote units 320, 330, and 350 and two base stations
340. It will be recognized that conventional wireless communication
systems may have many more remote units and base stations. The
remote units 320, 330, and 350 include integrated circuit or other
semiconductor devices 325, 335 and 355 (including on-chip voltage
regulators, as disclosed herein), employing stressed fin NMOS
FinFET devices, for example, as described in reference to FIGS.
1A-1D and 2A-2G. FIG. 21 shows forward link signals 380 from the
base stations 340 and the remote units 320, 330, and 350 and
reverse link signals 390 from the remote units 320, 330, and 350 to
the base stations 340.
[0091] In FIG. 21, the remote unit 320 is shown as a mobile
telephone, the remote unit 330 is shown as a portable computer, and
the remote unit 350 is shown as a fixed location remote unit in a
wireless local loop system. For example, the remote units may be
any one or combination of a mobile phone, hand-held personal
communication system (PCS) unit, portable data unit such as a
personal data assistant (PDA), navigation device (such as GPS
enabled devices), set top box, music player, video player,
entertainment unit, fixed location data unit such as meter reading
equipment, or any other device that stores or retrieves data or
computer instructions, or any combination thereof. Although FIG. 21
illustrates remote units according to the teachings of the
disclosure, the disclosure is not limited to these exemplary
illustrated units. Embodiments of the disclosure may be suitably
employed in any device having active integrated circuitry including
memory and on-chip circuitry for test and characterization.
[0092] The foregoing disclosed devices and functionalities may be
designed and configured into computer files (e.g., RTL, GDSII,
GERBER, etc.) stored on computer readable media. Some or all such
files may be provided to fabrication handlers who fabricate devices
based on such files. Resulting products include semiconductor
wafers that are then cut into semiconductor die and packaged into a
semiconductor chip. The chips are then employed in devices
described above.
[0093] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0094] Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the
various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and
algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments
disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware,
computer software, or combinations of both. To illustrate this
interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative
components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been
described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether
such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends
upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on
the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described
functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but
such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing
a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0095] The methods, sequences and/or algorithms described in
connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied
directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor,
or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM
memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,
registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form
of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is
coupled to the processor such that the processor can read
information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In
the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the
processor.
[0096] While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative
embodiments of the disclosure, it should be noted that various
changes and modifications could be made herein without departing
from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The functions, steps and/or actions of the method claims in
accordance with the embodiments of the disclosure described herein
need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore,
although elements of the disclosure may be described or claimed in
the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the
singular is explicitly stated.
* * * * *