Abstract:
The intrinsic base region of a bipolar transistor is formed to avoid a chemical interaction between the chemicals used in a chemical mechanical polishing step and the materials used to form the base region. The method includes the step of forming a trench in a layer of epitaxial material. After this, a base material that includes silicon and germanium is blanket deposited, followed by the blanket deposition of a layer of protective material. The layer of protective material protects the base material from the chemical mechanical polishing step.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/994,293 filed on Nov. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,234 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/882,740 filed Jun. 15, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,482 by Abdalla Aly Naem for Bipolar Transistor with a Silicon Germanium Base and an Ultra Small Self-Aligned Polysilicon Emitter and Method of Forming the Transistor. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to bipolar transistors and, more particularly, to a bipolar transistor with an ultra small self-aligned polysilicon emitter and a method of forming the silicon germanium base of the transistor. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A bipolar transistor is a three-terminal device that can, when properly biased, controllably vary the magnitude of the current that flows between two of the terminals. The three terminals include a base terminal, a collector terminal, and an emitter terminal. The charge carriers, which form the current, flow between the collector and the emitter terminals, while variations in the voltage on the base terminal cause the magnitude of the current to vary. 
   Due to the increasing speed of, and demand for, battery-powered devices, there is a need for a faster bipolar transistor that utilizes less power. Increased speed can be obtained by using a silicon germanium base. Lower power consumption can be obtained by reducing the maximum current that can flow between the two terminals. 
   One approach for reducing the maximum current is to reduce the size of the base-to-emitter junction, preferably to sub-lithographic feature sizes.  FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional diagram that illustrates a portion of a prior-art bipolar transistor  100  that has a base-to-emitter junction with a sub-lithographic width. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , transistor  100  includes a collector layer  110 , a base layer  112  that is formed on collector layer  110 , and a field oxide region FOX that adjoins layer  112 . In addition, transistor  100  includes a thin oxide layer  114  that is formed on a portion of base layer  112  and the field oxide region FOX, and an n+ extrinsic emitter  116  that is formed on thin oxide layer  114 . 
   As further shown in  FIG. 1 , transistor  100  also includes an n+ intrinsic emitter region  118  that is formed in base layer  112 , and an n+ poly ridge  120  that is connected to extrinsic emitter  116  and n+ intrinsic emitter region  118 . Extrinsic emitter  116 , intrinsic emitter region  118 , and poly ridge  120  form the emitter of transistor  100 . 
   Transistor  100  additionally includes a base silicide contact  122  that is formed on base layer  112 , and an emitter silicide contact  124  that is formed on extrinsic emitter  116 . In addition, an oxide spacer  126  is formed on base layer  112  between poly ridge  120  and base contact  122 . 
   During fabrication, poly ridge  120  is formed to have a maximum width (measured laterally) that is smaller than the minimum feature size that is obtainable with a given photolithographic process. After poly ridge  120  has been formed, emitter region  118  is formed during an annealing step which causes dopants to outdiffuse from poly ridge  120  into base layer  112 . 
   As a result, a very small base-to-emitter junction results. A small base-to-emitter junction limits the magnitude of the current that can flow through transistor  100 . Reduced current, in turn, provides low power operation. (See “Poly Emitter Transistor (PRET): Simple Low Power Option to a Bipolar Process,” Wim van der Wel, et al., IEDM 93-453, 1993, pp. 17.6.1–17.6.4.) 
   One drawback of transistor  100 , however, is that transistor  100  requires the added cost and complexity of a double polysilicon process (extrinsic emitter  116  is formed from a first polysilicon (poly-1) layer, while poly ridge  120  is formed from a second polysilicon (poly-2) layer). In addition, emitter dopant diffusion into base  112  can be less, compared to a conventional single-poly device architecture, due to the possible presence of oxide at the poly1-to-poly2 interface (emitter  116  to poly ridge  120  interface). 
   Another drawback of transistor  100  is that, although  FIG. 1  shows oxide spacer  126  formed on poly ridge  120 , in actual practice it is difficult to form an oxide side-wall spacer on a sloped surface. Gaps can result which, in turn, can lead to an electrical short circuit between base layer  112  and extrinsic emitter  116  following the salicidiation process (the process that forms base silicide contact  122  and emitter silicide contact  124 ). Silicide is not formed on oxide. Thus it is critical that a uniformly thick layer of oxide (spacer  126 ) separate base layer  112  from extrinsic emitter  116 . 
   A further drawback of transistor  100  is that the slope of the end wall of extrinsic emitter  116  can effect the width of poly ridge  120 . Although  FIG. 1  shows extrinsic emitter  116  with a vertical end wall, in actual practice, the end wall is often non-vertical, and non-uniform across a wafer that has a number of bipolar transistors. This, in turn, can result in the bipolar transistors having varying performances. 
   An additional drawback of transistor  100  is that poly ridge  120  is formed around and in contact with each side wall of extrinsic emitter  116 . A plan view of extrinsic emitter  116  would show emitter  116  with a square or rectangular shape with poly ridge  120  surrounding emitter  116 . As a result, transistor  100  has a large base-to-emitter contact area and a high base-to-emitter capacitance. 
   The parent invention discloses a bipolar transistor that has a base and an ultra small self-aligned polysilicon emitter. The base, in turn, includes silicon and germanium. The parent invention also discloses a method of forming the transistor that includes a step of chemically-mechanically polishing the base material to limit the base material to a predefined window. 
   One drawback of this method is that the chemicals used in the chemical-mechanical polishing step could interact with, and change the characteristics of, the base material. One alternate approach to limiting the base material to a predefined window is to use a photo masking step. Although this approach is workable, additional photo masking steps are expensive. 
   The selective deposition of base material is another alternate approach. This process, however, is very complex and typically has poor process yields due to various manufacturing issues. Thus, there is a need for a method of forming a base without subjecting the base material to damaging chemicals. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a method of forming a bipolar transistor that protects the base material from chemical interactions that occur during a chemical-mechanical polishing step. The wafer has a buried layer and an epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type that is formed over the buried layer. The epitaxial layer has a smaller dopant concentration than the buried layer. 
   The method of the present invention includes the steps of forming a trench in the epitaxial layer, and forming a layer of base material on the epitaxial layer and the trench. The method also includes the step of forming a layer of base protection material on the layer of base material. 
   The method additionally includes the step of chemically mechanically polishing the layer of base protection material, the layer of base material, and the epitaxial layer until a top surface of the epitaxial layer and a top surface of the layer of base protection material are substantially coplanar. 
   The method further includes the steps of forming an isolation region on the layer of base material and the layer of base protection material, and removing a portion of the layer of base protection material to expose a portion of the layer of base material. 
   The present invention also includes a bipolar transistor that is formed on a wafer. The wafer has a buried layer and an epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type that is formed over the buried layer. The epitaxial layer has a top surface and a smaller dopant concentration than the buried layer. 
   The transistor includes an intrinsic base region of a second conductivity type that is formed on the epitaxial layer. The intrinsic base region includes silicon and germanium, and has a first top surface and a vertically spaced-apart second top surface. The transistor also has an isolation region formed on the first top surface of the intrinsic base region and over the second top surface of the intrinsic base region. 
   The transistor further includes an extrinsic emitter region that is formed on the isolation region and the intrinsic base region. The extrinsic emitter region has a side wall that is substantially aligned with the side wall of the isolation region. 
   The transistor additionally includes an intrinsic emitter region that is formed in the intrinsic base region. The intrinsic emitter region contacts the extrinsic emitter region. The transistor further includes a spacer that is formed on the intrinsic base region to contact the extrinsic emitter. 
   A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings that set forth an illustrative embodiment in which the principles of the invention are utilized. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a portion of a prior art bipolar transistor  100  that has a base-to-emitter junction with a sub-lithographic width. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a bipolar transistor  200  in accordance with the parent invention. 
       FIGS. 3A–3J  are cross-sectional drawings illustrating a method of forming a bipolar transistor in accordance with the parent invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating top surface  352  of oxide layer  344  following the etch of poly layer  348  in accordance with the parent invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating top surface  352  of oxide layer  344  following a misaligned etch of poly layer  348  when widths W1 and W2 are initially formed to be the same. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating extrinsic emitter  354  following the etch of oxide layer  344  in accordance with the parent invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a bipolar transistor  700  in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 8A–8L  are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of forming a bipolar transistor, such as bipolar transistor  700 , in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a portion of a bipolar transistor  200  in accordance with the parent invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , transistor  200  is formed on a wafer that has an n+ buried layer  210 , an n− epitaxial layer  212  that is formed over n+ buried layer  210 , and a field oxide region FOX that adjoins layer  212 . N+ buried layer  210  and n− epitaxial layer  212  form the collector of transistor  200 . 
   As further shown in  FIG. 2 , transistor  200  includes a p− silicon germanium intrinsic base  216  that is formed on n− epitaxial layer  212 , and an oxide layer  218  formed on the field oxide region FOX to surround base  216 . By using silicon germanium to form base  216 , the speed of transistor  200  is enhanced. 
   In addition, transistor  200  includes an n+ intrinsic emitter region  220  that is formed in p− intrinsic base  216 , and a layer of isolation material  222  that is formed on intrinsic base  216  and oxide layer  218 . Transistor  200  further includes an extrinsic emitter  224  that is formed on isolation layer  222 , and an oxide spacer  226  that is formed on base  216  adjacent to extrinsic emitter  224 . 
   Transistor  200  also includes a base silicide layer  228  that is formed on base  216 , and an emitter silicide layer  230  that is formed on extrinsic emitter  224 . Transistor  200  further includes an extrinsic base region  232  that is formed in base  216 . Extrinsic base region  232  has a higher dopant concentration than base  216 . 
   As described in greater detail below, silicon germanium intrinsic base  216  is formed in a base window in a self-aligned process that does not require a mask. In addition, the side walls of isolation layer  222  and extrinsic emitter  224  (which are formed over both base region  216  and oxide layer  218  in the plane parallel to the page) are formed to be substantially aligned. 
   Further, the method of the present invention forms extrinsic emitter  224  such that an end region  234  of emitter  224  has a width WD that is less than the minimum feature size that can be obtained from the present photolithographic process used to form the wafer. This allows intrinsic emitter region  220  to be very small which, in turn, reduces the size of the base-to-emitter junction. 
   In addition, extrinsic emitter  224  is formed to have a vertical end wall  236 . The advantage of vertical end wall  236  is that a conventional (full height and width) oxide side-wall spacer can then be formed next to vertical end wall  236 , thereby providing the necessary base-to-emitter isolation. In addition, vertical end wall  236  minimizes the variability of width WD. Further, emitter  224  is formed to have a high dopant concentration which, as a result of the present method, also allows intrinsic emitter region  220  to have a high dopant concentration. 
     FIGS. 3A–3J  are cross-sectional views that illustrate a method of forming bipolar transistor  200  in accordance with the parent invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the method utilizes a conventionally-formed wafer  310  that has a semiconductor layer  312 . Semiconductor layer  312 , in turn, has a substrate layer  314 , such as silicon or oxide, and an n+ buried layer  316 . In addition, wafer  310  also has a lightly-doped, n-type epitaxial layer  318  that is formed on n+ buried layer  316 . 
   Wafer  310  further has a deep trench isolation region  322  that isolates epitaxial layer  318  from laterally adjacent regions. A shallow trench isolation region  324  is also formed in epitaxial layer  318 . The shallow trench isolation region  324  separates a collector area from a base area of the to-be-formed bipolar transistor. 
   In addition, wafer  310  can optionally include an n+ diffused contact region  330  that extends down from the surface of the collector area in epitaxial layer  318  to contact n+ buried layer  316 . Contact region  330  is utilized to reduce the series resistance to buried layer  316 . N+ buried layer  316 , n− epitaxial layer  318 , and optional n+ diffused contact region  330  define the collector of the to-be-formed bipolar transistor. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3A , the method of the parent invention begins by forming a layer of oxide  332  approximately 40 nm thick on epitaxial layer  318  and contact region  330 . Once oxide layer  332  has been formed, a layer of nitride  334  approximately 40 nm thick is formed on oxide layer  332 . 
   Following this, a base definition mask  336  is formed and patterned on nitride layer  334  to expose a region of nitride layer  334 . Once mask  336  has been patterned, the exposed regions of nitride layer  334  and underlying oxide layer  332  are etched away to expose a base window on the surface of epitaxial layer  318 . Mask  336  is then stripped. 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 3B , a layer of silicon germanium  340  is blanket deposited on nitride layer  334 , the side walls of oxide layer  332 , and epitaxial layer  318  in the base window. After silicon germanium layer  340  has been deposited, layer  340  is doped with a p-type dopant using conventional methods, such as ion implantation and diffusion, to have a conductivity type opposite that of n− epitaxial layer  318 . 
   After this, as shown in  FIG. 3C , silicon germanium layer  340  and nitride layer  334  are planarized using a conventional approach, such as chemical-mechanical polishing, until nitride layer  334  has been removed from the surface of oxide layer  332 . (The etch can alternately be stopped when silicon germanium layer  340  has been removed from the surface of nitride layer  334 .) 
   The planarizing forms a silicon germanium intrinsic base  342  that is self-aligned with, and isolated by, a surrounding layer of oxide  332  without using a mask. Thus, the area of base  342  and the location of the base-to-collector interface are defined by the area and location of mask  336 . 
   The parent method of forming intrinsic base  342  is substantially less complex that the selective growth techniques that are conventionally used to form a silicon germanium base region. With selective growth techniques, a layer of oxide is etched to form a window that exposes a portion of the underlying epitaxial layer, and then a silicon germanium base is grown in the window on the epitaxial layer. The silicon germanium-to-surrounding oxide interface, however, is typically poor and can effect transistor performance. 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 3D , a layer of oxide  344  approximately 20 nm is formed on oxide layer  332  and intrinsic base  342 . Following this, an oxide definition mask  346  is formed and patterned on oxide layer  344  to expose a region of oxide layer  344 . Once mask  346  has been patterned, the exposed regions of oxide layer  344  are etched away to expose the surface of intrinsic base  342 . Mask  346  is then stripped. 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 3E , a layer of polysilicon (poly)  348  approximately 250 nm thick is deposited on oxide layer  332 , intrinsic base  342 , and oxide layer  344 . Poly layer  348  is conventionally doped with phosphorous or arsenic, such as by ion implantation or diffusion, to have a high (n+) dopant concentration. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3F , after poly layer  348  has been doped, poly layer  348  is planarized using a conventional approach, such as chemical-mechanical-polishing, to have a single-level top surface. Following this, a poly-etch mask  350  is formed and patterned on poly layer  348 . Mask  350  is patterned to define the footprint of the to-be-formed extrinsic emitter which, in turn, includes the length and width of an end region. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3G , once mask  350  has been patterned, the exposed regions of poly layer  348  are etched away to expose the top surface of intrinsic base  342 , expose a top surface  352  of oxide layer  344 , and form an extrinsic emitter  354  that contacts base  342 . Extrinsic emitter  354  has an end  356  that has a width WX (width WD in  FIG. 2 ) and a length of, for example, 100 nm×150 nm. The etch is a timed etch, and care must be exercised to insure that the surface of intrinsic base  342  is not overetched. Following this, mask  350  is stripped. 
     FIG. 4  shows a plan view that illustrates top surface  352  of oxide layer  344  following the etch of poly layer  344  in accordance with the parent invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , oxide layer  344  has a width W1 that is wider than a width W2 of extrinsic emitter  354  (width W2 is equal to the length of end  356 ). Width W1 is larger than width W2 to accommodate misalignment error and insure that only end  356  of extrinsic emitter  354  contacts intrinsic base  342 . 
     FIG. 5  shows a plan view that illustrates top surface  352  of oxide layer  344  following a misaligned etch of poly layer  348  when widths W1 and W2 are initially formed to be the same. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the area of top surface  352  is greater than the area of top surface  352  shown in  FIG. 4  because one side of extrinsic emitter  354  is off of oxide layer  344  and in contact with p− intrinsic base  342 . If more than the end  356  of extrinsic emitter  354  is formed on base  342 , then device performance can be significantly altered. This type of misalignment can vary across the wafer causing device performance variability. 
   In accordance with the parent invention, after poly layer  348  has been etched, top surface  352  and the underlying regions of oxide layer  344  are selectively removed with a wet etch. The etch self-aligns oxide layer  344  to the overlying extrinsic emitter  354 . To avoid further etching of the top surface of intrinsic base  342 , an etchant with a very high selectivity for silicon germanium should be utilized. 
     FIG. 6  shows a plan view that illustrates extrinsic emitter  354  following the etch of oxide layer  344  in accordance with the parent invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the parent invention, width W1 and width W2 are substantially the same. By reducing the width W1 to be substantially equal to the width W2, the base-to-emitter contact area is substantially reduced which, in turn, reduces the base-to-emitter capacitance. 
   Returning to  FIG. 3G , after mask  350  has been removed, a layer of isolation material (not shown), such as oxide, approximately 300 nm thick is formed on intrinsic base  342  and extrinsic emitter  354 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 3H , the layer of isolation material is anisotropically etched to form isolation side-wall spacers  358 . 
   Once side wall spacers  358  have been formed, wafer  310  is blanket implanted with a p-type dopant to form an extrinsic base region  360  in intrinsic base region  342 . (A blanket implant can be used as the dopant concentration of extrinsic emitter  354  is substantially greater.) 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 3I , wafer  310  is subject to rapid thermal annealing (RTA). During the RTA process, dopants from n+ extrinsic emitter  354  diffuse into p− intrinsic base  342  to form an n+ intrinsic emitter region  362  in intrinsic base  342 . The RTA process also activates the implants. (Intrinsic emitter region  362  has a high dopant concentration due to the high dopant concentration of extrinsic emitter  354 .) 
   One of the advantages of the parent invention is that end  356  can be formed to have a sub-lithographic width WX. (Although an end  356  having a width and length of 100 nm×150 nm was described earlier, an end  356  with a width and length of, for example, 50 nm×150 nm is also possible using the same photolithographic process). As a result, intrinsic emitter region  362  can also be formed to have a smaller size. The smaller size of intrinsic emitter region  362 , in turn, reduces the magnitude of the current that can flow through the bipolar transistor, thereby reducing the power consumption. 
   Following this, as shown in  FIG. 3J , a layer of metal is formed over intrinsic base  342 , extrinsic emitter  354 , and spacers  358 . The layer of metal is then reacted (heated) to form an emitter silicide layer  364  and a base silicide layer  366 . (Silicon is consumed when layers  364  and  366  are formed by direct reaction.) The metal does not react with the material used to form spacers  358 , and is subsequently removed. The method then continues with conventional steps. 
   Thus, a method for forming a bipolar transistor in accordance with the parent invention has been described. The parent method forms a silicon germanium intrinsic base  342  that is self-aligned with, and isolated by, a surrounding layer of oxide  332  without using a mask. In addition, the area of base  342  and the location of the base-to-collector interface are defined by the area and location of mask  336 . 
   Further, the parent method reduces the base-to-emitter contact area, and thereby the base-to-emitter capacitance, by forming oxide layer  344  to be self-aligned with extrinsic emitter  354 . In addition, the parent method reduces the maximum current, and thereby the power, that is consumed by the bipolar transistor by forming a small intrinsic emitter region. 
   Another one of the advantages of the parent invention is that transistor  200  is formed with a single polysilicon fabrication process. This is much less expensive and complex than a double polysilicon process. Further, since the poly-1 to poly-2 interface has been eliminated, dopant diffusion is enhanced during the RTA step. In addition, the method forms an extrinsic base with a higher dopant concentration than intrinsic base  342 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view that illustrates a portion of a bipolar transistor  700  in accordance with the present invention. Transistor  700  is similar to transistor  200  and, as a result, utilizes the same reference numerals to designate the structures that are common to both transistors. As shown in  FIG. 7 , transistor  700  differs from transistor  200  in that transistor  700  has a first base surface  710 , and a vertically spaced-apart second base surface  712 . 
     FIGS. 8A–8L  show cross-sectional views that illustrate a method of forming a bipolar transistor, such as bipolar transistor  700 , in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8A , the method utilizes a conventionally-formed wafer  810  that has a semiconductor layer  812 . Semiconductor layer  812 , in turn, has a substrate layer  814 , such as silicon or oxide, and an n+ buried layer  816 . In addition, wafer  810  also has a lightly-doped n-type epitaxial layer  818  that is formed on n+ buried layer  816 . 
   Wafer  810  further has a deep trench isolation region  822  that isolates epitaxial layer  818  from laterally adjacent regions. A shallow trench isolation region  824  is also formed in epitaxial layer  818 . Shallow trench isolation region  824  separates a collector area of epitaxial layer  818  from a base area of epitaxial layer  818  of the to-be-formed bipolar transistor. 
   In addition, wafer  810  can optionally include an n+ diffused contact region  830  that extends down from the surface of the collector area in epitaxial layer  818  to contact n+ buried layer  816 . Contact region  830  is utilized to reduce the series resistance to buried layer  816 . N+ buried layer  816 , n− epitaxial layer  818 , and optional n+ diffused contact region  830  define the collector of the to-be-formed bipolar transistor. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8A , the method of the present invention begins by forming a layer of masking material  832  on epitaxial layer  818 . Once formed, the layer of masking material  832  is then patterned to expose a trench region  834  on the top surface of epitaxial layer  818 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8B , once masking material  832  has been patterned, trench region  834  is anisotropically etched until a trench  836  has been formed in epitaxial layer  818 . Following the etch, masking material  832  is removed. Referring to  FIG. 8C , after material  832  has been removed, a layer of base material  840  is formed on epitaxial layer  818 , including trench  836 . The layer of base material  840 , which is conventionally doped to have a p-type conductivity, includes silicon and germanium, and can also include carbon. Following this, a layer of protective material  842 , such as oxide, is formed on base material  840 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8D , once protective layer  842  has been formed, epitaxial layer  818 , base material  840 , and protective layer  842  are chemically-mechanically polished until the top surface of protective layer  842  is substantially coplanar with the top surface of epitaxial layer  818 . The chemical mechanical polishing step forms an intrinsic base region  844 . 
   Following this, a layer of isolation material  846 , such as pad oxide, is formed on epitaxial layer  818 , intrinsic base region  844 , and protective layer  842 . After isolation layer  846  has been formed, an isolation mask  850  is formed and patterned on isolation layer  846 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8E , following the patterning of mask  850 , the exposed portion of isolation layer  846  is etched until isolation layer  846  has been removed from the surface of epitaxial layer  818  and protective layer  842 . The etch forms an isolation region  852 . After the etch has been completed, mask  850  is removed. 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 8F , in accordance with the present invention, the exposed region of protective layer  842  is next removed from intrinsic base region  844  with a wet etch. The etchant chemistry is selected to minimize damage to intrinsic base region  844 . 
   After the etch, as shown in  FIG. 8G , a layer of polysilicon (poly)  860  approximately 250 nm thick is deposited on epitaxial layer  818 , intrinsic base region  844 , and isolation region  852 . Poly layer  860  is conventionally doped with phosphorous or arsenic, such as by ion implantation or diffusion, to have a high (n+) dopant concentration. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8H , after poly layer  860  has been doped, poly layer  860  is planarized using a conventional approach, such as chemical-mechanical polishing, to have a single level top surface. Following this, an emitter etch mask  862  is formed and patterned on poly layer  860 . Mask  862  is defined to form the footprint of the to-be-formed extrinsic emitter which, in turn, includes the length and width of an end region. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8I , once mask  862  has been patterned, the exposed regions of poly layer  860  are etched away to expose the top surface of intrinsic base region  844 . The etch also forms an extrinsic emitter  864  with an end  866  that contacts intrinsic base region  844 . The etch is a timed etch and care must be exercised to insure that the surface of intrinsic base region  844  is not overetched. Following this, mask  862  is stripped. 
   Returning to  FIG. 8J , after mask  862  has been removed, a first layer of isolation material  868 , such as oxide, is formed on intrinsic base region  844  and extrinsic emitter  864 . Following this, a second layer of isolation material  869 , such as nitride, approximately 300 nm thick is formed on isolation layer  866 . Next, the second layer of isolation material  869  is anisotropically etched to form isolation side-wall spacers  870 . 
   Once side wall spacers  870  have been formed, wafer  810  is wet etched to remove isolation layer  868  from the surface of intrinsic base region  844 . By using a two step etch process to form spacers  870  and expose the surface of intrinsic base region  844 , intrinsic base region  844  is protected during the anisotropic etch step used to form spacers  870 . After this, wafer  810  is blanket implanted with a p-type dopant to form an extrinsic base region  872  in intrinsic base region  844 . (A blanket implant can be used as the dopant concentration of extrinsic emitter  864  is substantially greater.) 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 8K , wafer  810  is subject to rapid thermal annealing (RTA). During the RTA process, dopants from n+ extrinsic emitter  864  diffuse into p− intrinsic base  844  to form an n+ intrinsic emitter region  874  in intrinsic base region  844 . The RTA process also activates the implants. (Intrinsic emitter region  874  has a high dopant concentration due to the high dopant concentration of extrinsic emitter  864 .) 
   As with the parent invention, one of the advantages of the present invention is that end  866  can be formed to have a sub-lithographic width WX (see  FIG. 7 ). (Although an end (end  356 ) having a width and length of 100 nm×150 nm was described earlier, an end with a width and length of, for example, 50 nm×150 nm is also possible using the same photolithographic process). As a result, intrinsic emitter region  874  can also be formed to have a smaller size. The smaller size of intrinsic emitter region  874 , in turn, reduces the magnitude of the current that can flow through the bipolar transistor, thereby reducing the power consumption. 
   Following this, as shown in  FIG. 8L , a layer of metallic material is formed over intrinsic base region  844 , extrinsic emitter  864 , and spacers  870 . The layer of metallic material is then reacted (heated) to form an emitter silicide layer  880  and a base silicide layer  882 . (Silicon is consumed when layers  880  and  882  are formed by direct reaction.) The metal does not react with the material used to form spacers  870 , and is subsequently removed. The method then continues with conventional steps. 
   Thus, the present invention forms a bipolar transistor that has all of the advantages of the bipolar transistor described in the parent invention. In addition, the present invention also has the additional advantage of using a chemical-mechanical polishing step that does not interact with the base material (that includes silicon and germanium, and can include carbon) used to form the intrinsic base region. 
   It should be understood that various alternatives to the method of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. For example, although the material is described with respect to npn transistors, the method applies equally well to pnp transistors where the conductivity types are reversed. 
   In addition, the present method can be incorporated into a BiCMOS process. Thus, it is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.