Patent · US Expired

Nickel salicide process with reduced dopant deactivation

US7232756B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
6References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 2004
Grant dateJun 19, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D64/021
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Provided are exemplary methods for forming a semiconductor devices incorporating silicide layers formed at temperatures below about 700° C., such as nickel silicides, that are formed after completion of a silicide blocking layer (SBL). The formation of the SBL tends to deactivate dopant species in the gate, lightly-doped drain and/or source/drain regions. The exemplary methods include a post-SBL activation anneal either in place of or in addition to the traditional post-implant activation anneal. The use of the post-SBL anneal produces CMOS transistors having properties that reflect reactivation of sufficient dopant to overcome the SBL process effects, while allowing the use of lower temperature silicides, including nickel silicides and, in particular, nickel silicides incorporating a minor portion of an alloying metal, such as tantalum, the exhibits reduced agglomeration and improved temperature stability.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.