Patent ID: 8759232
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: exposing surface areas of a transistor of a semiconductor device to a plasma-free ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen (N2) containing atmosphere so as to prepare said surface areas for deposition of a first strain-inducing material layer; forming said first strain-inducing material layer on said surface areas using a first plasma assisted deposition process said first strain-inducing material layer inducing a compressive strain in a channel region of said transistor and having a first internal stress level; wherein the first plasma assisted deposition process comprises: forming a second strain-inducing material layer on said first strain-inducing material layer by using a second plasma assisted deposition process, said first plasma assisted deposition process differing from said second plasma assisted deposition process by at least one process parameter setting, said second strain-inducing material layer inducing a compressive strain in said channel region and having a second internal stress level that is higher than said first internal stress level.