Patent ID: 8536052
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: forming a contact opening in a dielectric material of a contact level of a semiconductor device, said contact opening connecting to a doped semiconductor region; forming a semiconductor layer on inner surface areas of said contact opening, said semiconductor layer contacting an exposed surface of said doped semiconductor region at a bottom of said contact opening; after forming said semiconductor layer, performing a plasma-based etch process so as to remove at least a portion of said semiconductor layer and thereby re-expose said surface of said doped semiconductor region at said bottom of said contact opening; forming a refractory metal layer on said semiconductor layer and said re-exposed surface of said doped semiconductor region; and performing a heat treatment so as to form a metal silicide from said semiconductor layer on said inner surface areas of said contact opening and in said doped semiconductor region.