Patent ID: 8232171
Filing Date: 2012-07-31
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprising: forming a trench in a semiconductor material layer; forming a contiguous semiconductor oxide liner on sidewalls and a bottom surface of said trench; exposing sidewall surfaces of said trench by removing vertical portions of said contiguous semiconductor oxide liner while a remaining horizontal semiconductor oxide portion of said contiguous semiconductor oxide liner overlies a portion of said semiconductor material layer located underneath said trench; and laterally etching said sidewall surfaces of said trench while said remaining horizontal semiconductor oxide portion covers said portion of said semiconductor material layer located underneath said trench, wherein said semiconductor material layer has a first semiconductor material, and said method further comprises filling said trench with a second semiconductor material that is different from said first semiconductor material, wherein said second semiconductor material generates mechanical stress in a portion of said semiconductor material layer around said second semiconductor material, and wherein said second semiconductor material is selected from a single crystalline silicon-germanium alloy, a single crystalline silicon-carbon alloy, and a single crystalline silicon-germanium-carbon alloy.