Intel Corporation

Mehmet O Baykan

Szuya S Liao

Anurag Jain

Tahir Ghani

Biswajeet Guha

William Hsu

Anupama Bowonder

Techniques are disclosed for forming integrated circuit structures having a plurality of semiconductor fins, which in turn can be used to form non-planar transistor structures. The techniques include a mid-process removal of one or more partially-formed fins. The resulting integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of semiconductor fins having relatively uniform dimensions (e.g., fin width and trough depth). In an embodiment, the fin forming procedure includes partially forming a plurality of fins, using a selective etch stop built into the semiconductor structure in which the fins are being formed. One or more of the partially-formed fins are removed via sacrificial fin cut mask layer(s). After fin removal, the process continues by further etching trenches between the partially-formed fins (deep etch) to form portion of fins that will ultimately include transistor channel portion. A liner material may be deposited to protect the partially-formed fins during this subsequent deep trench etch.

Mid-processing removal of semiconductor fins during fabrication of integrated circuit structures

Techniques are disclosed for forming integrated circuits configured with self-aligned isolation walls and alternate channel materials. The alternate channel materials in such integrated circuits provide improved carrier mobility through the channel. In an embodiment, an isolation wall is between sets of fins, at least some of the fins including an alternate channel material. In such cases, the isolation wall laterally separates the sets of fins, and the alternate channel material provides improved carrier mobility. For instance, in the case of an NMOS device the alternate channel material is a material optimized for electron flow, and in the case of a PMOS device the alternate channel material is a material optimized for hole flow.

Self-aligned gate edge architecture with alternate channel material

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Beaverton, OR, United States of America

Mehmet O Baykan