Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same

A semiconductor device includes first and second active patterns on a substrate, the first and second active patterns adjacent to each other in a first direction with a first trench between the first and second active patterns, third and fourth active patterns on the substrate, the third and fourth active patterns adjacent to each other in the first direction with a second trench between the third and fourth active patterns. The semiconductor device includes a first device isolation layer in the first trench, and a second device isolation layer in the second trench. A width of the second trench in the first direction is greater than a width of the first trench in the first direction. The second device isolation layer includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion which protrude from a top surface of the second device isolation layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0130689, filed on Oct. 21, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device including a field effect transistor and a method of manufacturing the same.

Semiconductor devices are widely used in an electronic industry because of their small sizes, multi-functional characteristics, and/or low manufacturing costs. Some semiconductor devices may be categorized as semiconductor memory devices for storing logical data, semiconductor logic devices for processing logical data, and hybrid semiconductor devices having both the function of the semiconductor memory devices and the function of the semiconductor logic devices. Semiconductor devices with excellent characteristics have been in demand with the development of the electronics industry. For example, highly reliable, high-speed, and/or multi-functional semiconductor devices have been increasingly in demand. To satisfy these demands, semiconductor devices have been highly integrated and structures in semiconductor devices have become more complicated.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concepts may provide a semiconductor device with improved electrical characteristics.

Embodiments of the inventive concepts may also provide a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with improved electrical characteristics.

In some embodiments, a semiconductor device may include a first active pattern and a second active pattern on a substrate, the first and second active patterns adjacent to each other in a first direction with a first trench between the first and second active patterns, a third active pattern and a fourth active pattern on the substrate, the third and fourth active patterns adjacent to each other in the first direction with a second trench between the third and fourth active patterns, a first device isolation layer in the first trench, and a second device isolation layer in the second trench. A width of the second trench in the first direction may be greater than a width of the first trench in the first direction. The second device isolation layer may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion which protrude from a top surface of the second device isolation layer.

In some embodiments, a semiconductor device may include a substrate including an active region, a device isolation layer on the substrate that defines active patterns on the active region. The active patterns may be in a first direction. The semiconductor device includes source/drain patterns in upper portions of the active patterns, such that gate electrodes are intersecting the active patterns and extending in the first direction. The gate electrodes are in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and an interlayer insulating layer overlaps the source/drain patterns and the gate electrodes. The active patterns may include a first active pattern and a second active pattern adjacent to each other in the first direction, and a third active pattern and a fourth active pattern adjacent to each other in the first direction. The device isolation layer may include a first device isolation layer between the first and second active patterns, and a second device isolation layer between the third and fourth active patterns. A width of the second device isolation layer in the first direction may be greater than a width of the first device isolation layer in the first direction. The second device isolation layer may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion which protrude from a top surface of the second device isolation layer.

In some embodiments, a semiconductor device may include a first active pattern and a second active pattern on a substrate with a first trench therebetween, a third active pattern and a fourth active pattern on the substrate, with a second trench therebetween, a first device isolation layer in the first trench, a second device isolation layer in the second trench, and a plurality of semiconductor patterns that are vertically stacked on the active patterns, and a gate electrode overlapping the active patterns, the first trench and the second trench and extending between ones of the plurality of semiconductor patterns, wherein a first distance between the first active pattern and the second active pattern is less than a second distance between the third active pattern and the fourth active pattern, and wherein the second device isolation layer comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion which protrude from a top surface of the second device isolation layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts.FIGS. 2A to 2Eare cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2A, a substrate100may be provided. The substrate100may be patterned to form active patterns AP. The active patterns AP may include first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4. A first trench TR1may be formed between the first active pattern AP1and the second active pattern AP2, and a second trench TR2may be formed between the third active pattern AP3and the fourth active pattern AP4(S10). A width W2of the second trench TR2in a first direction D1may be greater than a width W1of the first trench TR1in the first direction D1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2B, a first insulating layer IL1may be formed on or deposited on the first trench TR1and the second trench TR2(S20). The first insulating layer IL1may include an insulating material such as silicon oxide. The first insulating layer IL1may be formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2C, a liner layer LIN may be formed on the first insulating layer IL1(S30). The liner layer LIN may include poly-crystalline silicon or amorphous silicon. The liner layer LIN may be formed by a CVD process.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2D, a second insulating layer IL2may be formed on or deposited on the liner layer LIN (S40). The second insulating layer IL2may include an insulating material such as silicon oxide. The second insulating layer IL2may be formed by a CVD process.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2E, an annealing process may be performed on the substrate100after the formation of the second insulating layer IL2(S50). For example, a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process may be performed as the annealing process.

After performing the annealing process, an etching process may be performed on the second insulating layer IL2to form a first device isolation layer ST1and a second device isolation layer ST2(S60). The first device isolation layer ST1and the second device isolation layer ST2may be formed by an anisotropic etching process (e.g., an etch-back process) and/or an isotropic etching process. The first device isolation layer ST1may be formed in the first trench TR1, and the second device isolation layer ST2may be formed in the second trench TR2. In other words, the first device isolation layer ST1may be formed between the first active pattern AP1and the second active pattern AP2, and the second device isolation layer ST2may be formed between the third active pattern AP3and the fourth active pattern AP4. A width T2of the second device isolation layer ST2in the first direction D1may be greater than a width T1of the first device isolation layer ST1in the first direction D1.

The proportionality of the device isolation layer may be characterized by an aspect ratio that is based on a height and width of the device isolation layer. For example, an aspect ratio of the first device isolation layer ST1may be greater than an aspect ratio of the second device isolation layer ST2. For example, the aspect ratio of the first device isolation layer ST1may range from 25 to 100, and the aspect ratio of the second device isolation layer ST2may range from 1 to 20. Here, the aspect ratio of the first device isolation layer ST1may be a ratio of a distance from a top surface to a bottom surface of the first device isolation layer ST1(i.e., in the third direction D3) to the maximum width of the first device isolation layer ST1in the first direction D1. The aspect ratio of the second device isolation layer ST2may be a ratio of a distance from a top surface to a bottom surface of the second device isolation layer ST2to the maximum width of the second device isolation layer ST2in the first direction D1.

As illustrated inFIG. 2E, since the etching process is performed, boundaries of the first insulating layer IL1, the liner layer LIN and the second insulating layer IL2may disappear. For example, when the liner layer LIN includes poly-crystalline silicon or amorphous silicon, the poly-crystalline silicon or amorphous silicon may be oxidized in the etching process so as to be formed into silicon oxide.

The second device isolation layer ST2may include a first protrusion OH1and a second protrusion OH2which protrude from its top surface. The first protrusion OH1and the second protrusion OH2may be formed from the liner layer LIN. In detail, the poly-crystalline silicon or amorphous silicon included in the liner layer LIN may be oxidized to form silicon oxide that has a purity higher than the respective purities of silicon oxides included in the first and second insulating layers IL1and IL2. As a result, the silicon oxide formed from the liner layer LIN may have an etch resistance higher than the respective etch resistances of the first and second insulating layers IL1and IL2. Thus portions of the liner layer LIN may remain to form the first protrusion OH1and the second protrusion OH2.

For example, a distance L1between the third active pattern AP3and the first protrusion OH1may be substantially equal to a distance L2between the fourth active pattern AP4and the second protrusion OH2.

FIGS. 3 and 5are plan views illustrating a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts.FIGS. 4 and 6Aare cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A′ ofFIGS. 3 and 5, respectively.FIG. 6Bis a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B′ ofFIG. 5.FIG. 6Cis a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C′ ofFIG. 5. Hereinafter, the descriptions to the same technical features as mentioned with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2A to 2Emay be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in explanation. In other words, differences between the embodiments ofFIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, and 6Cwith the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2A to 2Ewill be mainly described.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, a substrate100including an active region AR may be provided. The substrate100may be patterned to form first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4on the active region AR. A first trench TR1may be formed between the first active pattern AP1and the second active pattern AP2which are adjacent to each other, and a second trench TR2may be formed between the third active pattern AP3and the fourth active pattern AP4which are adjacent to each other. A depth of the first trench TR1may be substantially equal to a depth of the second trench TR2.

A first device isolation layer ST1and a second device isolation layer ST2may fill the first trench TR1and the second trench TR2, respectively. The first device isolation layer ST1and the second device isolation layer ST2may be formed by the same method or a similar method as described above with reference toFIGS. 2A to 2E.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6A to 6C, sacrificial patterns PP may be formed to intersect the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4. The sacrificial patterns PP may have line shapes or bar shapes, which extend in the first direction D1. For example, the formation of the sacrificial patterns PP may include forming a sacrificial layer on an entire top surface of the substrate100, forming hard mask patterns MA on the sacrificial layer, and patterning the sacrificial layer using the hard mask patterns MA as etch masks. The sacrificial layer may include poly-crystalline silicon.

Gate spacers GS may be formed on sidewalls of each of the sacrificial patterns PP. The gate spacers GS may also be formed on sidewalls of each of the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4. The sidewalls of each of the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may not be covered or overlapped by the first and second device isolation layers ST1and ST2and the sacrificial patterns PP but may be exposed.

The formation of the gate spacers GS may include conformally forming a gate spacer layer on an entire top surface of the substrate100and anisotropically etching the gate spacer layer. For example, the gate spacer layer may include at least one of SiCN, SiCON, or SiN. In some embodiments, the gate spacer layer may be formed of a multi-layer including at least two of SiCN, SiCON, or SiN.

FIG. 7is a plan view illustrating a semiconductor device according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts.FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8Care cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A′, B-B′ and C-C′ ofFIG. 7, respectively.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8A to 8C, a substrate100may include an active region AR. In some embodiments, the active region AR may be a PMOSFET region or an NMOSFET region.

First to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may be provided on the active region AR. The first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may be formed by patterning the substrate100. The first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may be portions of the substrate100, which vertically protrude. The first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may extend in parallel to each other in a second direction D2. A first trench TR1may be formed between the first active pattern AP1and the second active pattern AP2which are adjacent to each other, and a second trench TR2may be formed between the third active pattern AP3and the fourth active pattern AP4which are adjacent to each other.

A first device isolation layer ST1and a second device isolation layer ST2may fill the first trench TR1and the second trench TR2, respectively. The first device isolation layer ST1and the second device isolation layer ST2may be formed by the same method or a similar method as described above with reference toFIGS. 2A to 2E. A width T2of the second device isolation layer ST2may be greater than a width T1of the first device isolation layer ST1. The second device isolation layer ST2may include a first protrusion OH1and a second protrusion OH2which protrude from the top surface of the second device isolation layer ST2. For example, a distance L1between the third active pattern AP3and the first protrusion OH1may be substantially equal to a distance L2between the fourth active pattern AP4and the second protrusion OH2.

Upper portions of the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may vertically protrude upward from the first and second device isolation layers ST1and ST2. Each of the upper portions of the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may have a fin shape. The first and second device isolation layers ST1and ST2may not cover or overlap the upper portions of the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4. The first and second device isolation layers ST1and ST2may cover, overlap, or be in contact with sidewalls of lower portions of the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4.

Source/drain patterns SD may be provided in the upper portions of the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4. The source/drain patterns SD may be P-type or N-type dopant regions. A channel pattern CH may be disposed between a pair of the source/drain patterns SD.

The source/drain patterns SD may include epitaxial patterns formed using a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process. Upon formation of the source/drain patterns SD, the channel pattern CH may be defined between the source/drain patterns SD. For example, the SEG process may include a CVD process or a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) process.

In some embodiments, top surfaces of the source/drain patterns SD may be substantially coplanar with top surfaces of the channel patterns CH. In some embodiments, the top surfaces of the source/drain patterns SD may be higher than the top surfaces of the channel patterns CH, with respect to the substrate.

The source/drain pattern SD may include a second semiconductor element for which a lattice constant is greater than that of a first semiconductor element of the substrate100. For example, the first semiconductor element may be silicon (Si), and the second semiconductor element may be germanium (Ge). In some embodiments, the source/drain pattern SD may be formed of a plurality of stacked semiconductor layers. The formation of the source/drain patterns SD may include sequentially forming the semiconductor layers. For example, the semiconductor layers may include a buffer layer, a main layer, and a capping layer.

Gate electrodes GE may extend in the first direction D1to intersect the first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4. The gate electrodes GE may be arranged in the second direction D2. The gate electrodes GE may vertically overlap with the channel patterns CH with respect to the third direction D3.

A pair of gate spacers GS may be disposed on both sidewalls of each of the gate electrodes GE, respectively. The gate spacers GS may extend along the gate electrodes GE in the first direction D1. Top surfaces of the gate spacers GS may be higher than top surfaces of the gate electrodes GE in the third direction D3, with respect to the substrate. The top surfaces of the gate spacers GS may be coplanar with a top surface of a first interlayer insulating layer110to be described later. The gate spacers GS may include at least one of SiCN, SiCON, or SiN. In some embodiments, each of the gate spacers GS may have a multi-layered structure formed of at least two of SiCN, SiCON, or SiN.

A gate capping pattern GP may be provided on each of the gate electrodes GE. The gate capping pattern GP may extend along the gate electrode GE in the first direction D1. The gate capping pattern GP may include a material having an etch selectivity with respect to first and second interlayer insulating layers110and120to be described later. For example, the gate capping pattern GP may include at least one of SiON, SiCN, SiCON, or SiN.

A gate dielectric pattern GI may be disposed between the gate electrode GE and the active patterns AP1to AP4. The gate dielectric pattern GI may extend along a bottom surface of the gate electrode GE thereon. For example, the gate dielectric pattern GI may cover or overlap the top surface and sidewalls of the channel pattern CH. The gate dielectric pattern GI may cover or overlap top surfaces of the device isolation layers ST1and ST2under the gate electrode GE. The gate dielectric pattern GI may cover or overlap top surfaces of the first and second protrusions OH1and OH2on the second device isolation layer ST2.

In some embodiments, the gate dielectric pattern GI may include a high-k dielectric material of which a dielectric constant is higher than that of silicon oxide. For example, the high-k dielectric material may include at least one of hafnium oxide, hafnium-silicon oxide, hafnium-zirconium oxide, hafnium-tantalum oxide, lanthanum oxide, zirconium oxide, zirconium-silicon oxide, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, barium-strontium-titanium oxide, barium-titanium oxide, strontium-titanium oxide, lithium oxide, aluminum oxide, lead-scandium-tantalum oxide, or lead-zinc niobate.

The gate electrode GE may include a first metal pattern and a second metal pattern on the first metal pattern. The first metal pattern may be provided on the gate dielectric pattern GI and may be adjacent to the channel patterns CH. The first metal pattern may include a work function metal for adjusting a threshold voltage of a transistor. A desired threshold voltage may be obtained by adjusting a thickness and/or a composition of the first metal pattern.

The first metal pattern may include a metal nitride layer. For example, the first metal pattern may include nitrogen (N) and at least one metal selected from a group consisting of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), and molybdenum (Mo). The first metal pattern may further include carbon (C). In some embodiments, the first metal pattern may include a plurality of stacked work function metal layers.

The second metal pattern may include a metal having a resistance lower than that of the first metal pattern. For example, the second metal pattern may include at least one metal selected from a group consisting of tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), and tantalum (Ta).

A first interlayer insulating layer110may be provided on the substrate100. The first interlayer insulating layer110may cover, overlap, or be adjacent the gate spacers GS and the source/drain patterns SD. A top surface of the first interlayer insulating layer110may be substantially coplanar with top surfaces of the gate capping patterns GP and top surfaces of the gate spacers GS. A second interlayer insulating layer120may be provided on the first interlayer insulating layer110covering or overlapping the gate capping patterns GP.

Active contacts AC may penetrate the second and first interlayer insulating layers120and110so as to be electrically connected to the source/drain patterns SD. Each of the active contacts AC may be provided between a pair of the gate electrodes GE.

The active contact AC may be a self-aligned contact. In other words, the active contact AC may be formed to be self-aligned using the gate capping pattern GP and the gate spacer GS. For example, the active contact AC may cover, overlap, or be adjacent at least a portion of a sidewall of the gate spacer GS. Even though not shown in the drawings, the active contact AC may cover, overlap, or be adjacent a portion of the top surface of the gate capping pattern GP.

A silicide pattern SC may be disposed between the active contact AC and the source/drain pattern SD. The active contact AC may be electrically connected to the source/drain pattern SD through the silicide pattern SC. The silicide pattern SC may include a metal silicide and may include at least one of, for example, titanium silicide, tantalum silicide, tungsten silicide, nickel silicide, or a cobalt silicide.

The active contact AC may include a conductive pattern FM and a barrier pattern BM surrounding the conductive pattern FM. For example, the conductive pattern FM may include at least one metal of aluminum, copper, tungsten, molybdenum, or cobalt. The barrier pattern BM may cover, overlap, or be adjacent a bottom surface and sidewalls of the conductive pattern FM. The barrier pattern BM may include a metal layer/a metal nitride layer. The metal layer may include at least one of titanium, tantalum, tungsten, nickel, cobalt, or platinum. The metal nitride layer may include at least one of titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum nitride (TaN), tungsten nitride (WN), nickel nitride (NiN), cobalt nitride (CoN), or platinum nitride (PtN).

Referring again toFIG. 8B, the gate electrode GE may surround the top surface and both sidewalls of each of the channel patterns CH. In other words, the transistor according to the present embodiment may be a three-dimensional (3D) field effect transistor (e.g., FinFET) in which the gate electrode GE three-dimensionally surrounds the channel pattern CH.

FIGS. 9A to 9Eare cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hereinafter, the descriptions to the same technical features as mentioned with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2A to 2Ewill be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in explanation. In other words, differences between the present embodiments and the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2A to 2Ewill be mainly described.

Referring toFIGS. 9A to 9E, sacrificial layers SAC and semiconductor layers SEL may be alternately and repeatedly stacked on an entire top surface of a substrate100. Three semiconductor layers SEL are stacked inFIG. 9A. However, embodiments of the inventive concepts are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layers SAC may include a material having an etch selectivity with respect to the semiconductor layers SEL. In other words, the semiconductor layers SEL may include a material which may not be etched in a process of etching the sacrificial layers SAC. For example, the sacrificial layers SAC may include silicon-germanium (SiGe) or germanium (Ge), and the semiconductor layers SEL may include silicon (Si).

The sacrificial layers SAC, the semiconductor layers SEL and the substrate100may be patterned to form first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4. A first trench TR1may be formed between the first active pattern AP1and the second active pattern AP2, and a second trench TR2may be formed between the third active pattern AP3and the fourth active pattern AP4. As described above with reference toFIGS. 2A to 2E, the first insulating layer IL1, the liner layer LIN and the second insulating layer IL2may be sequentially deposited on the first trench TR1and the second trench TR2, and the deposited layers IL1, LIN and IL2may be etched to form a first device isolation layer ST1and a second device isolation layer ST2.

FIGS. 10, 12, 14 and 16are plan views illustrating a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts.FIGS. 11A, 13A, 15A and 17Aare cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A′ ofFIGS. 10, 12, 14 and 16, respectively.FIGS. 11B, 13B, 15B and 17Bare cross-sectional views taken along lines B-B′ ofFIGS. 10, 12, 14 and 16, respectively.FIGS. 13C, 15C and 17Care cross-sectional views taken along lines C-C′ ofFIGS. 12, 14 and 16, respectively. Hereinafter, the descriptions to the same technical features as mentioned with reference toFIGS. 3 to 9Ewill be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in explanation. In other words, differences between the present embodiments and the embodiments ofFIGS. 3 to 9Ewill be mainly described.

Referring toFIGS. 10, 11A and 11B, preliminary patterns PAP may be formed on an active region AR of a substrate100by patterning sacrificial layers SAC and semiconductor layers SEL which are alternately and repeatedly stacked on the substrate100. In the patterning process, an upper portion of the substrate100may be etched to form a first trench TR1and a second trench TR2which define first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4.

The preliminary patterns PAP may be disposed on the active patterns AP1to AP4, respectively. The preliminary patterns PAP may vertically overlap, in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, with the active patterns AP1to AP4, respectively. In other words, a planar shape of each of the preliminary patterns PAP may be substantially the same as a planar shape of a corresponding one of the active patterns AP1to AP4. The preliminary patterns PAP and the active patterns AP1to AP4may have line shapes or bar shapes, which extend in the second direction D2.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13A to 13C, sacrificial patterns PP may be formed to intersect the preliminary patterns PAP. Each of the sacrificial patterns PP may have a line shape or bar shape extending in the first direction D1. The sacrificial patterns PP may be formed using mask patterns MA thereon as etch masks. A pair of gate spacers GS may be formed on both sidewalls of each of the sacrificial patterns PP, respectively.

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15A to 15C, the preliminary patterns PAP may be etched using the mask patterns MA and the gate spacers GS as etch masks, thereby forming channel patterns CH. The semiconductor layers SEL of the preliminary pattern PAP may be patterned to form first to third semiconductor patterns SP1, SP2and SP3. The channel pattern CH may include the first to third semiconductor patterns SP1, SP2and SP3.

In addition, a pair of recesses may be respectively formed at both sides of the channel pattern CH by the etching of the preliminary pattern PAP. Source/drain patterns SD may be formed to fill the recesses. The formation of the source/drain patterns SD may include performing a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process using the active patterns AP1to AP4and the first to third semiconductor patterns SP1, SP2and SP3as a seed layer.

Referring toFIGS. 16 and 17A to 17C, a first interlayer insulating layer110may be formed on the substrate100. Next, a planarization process may be performed on the first interlayer insulating layer110until top surfaces of the sacrificial patterns PP are exposed.

The sacrificial patterns PP exposed by the planarization process may be selectively removed. An empty space may be formed between the pair of gate spacers GS adjacent to each other by the removal of the sacrificial pattern PP. The empty space may expose the first to third semiconductor patterns SP1, SP2and SP3and the sacrificial layers SAC.

The sacrificial layers SAC exposed by the empty space may be selectively removed. For example, when the sacrificial layers SAC includes silicon-germanium (SiGe) and the first to third semiconductor patterns SP1, SP2and SP3includes silicon (Si), the selective etching process may be performed using an etching solution including peracetic acid. The etching solution may further include a hydrofluoric acid (HF) aqueous solution and deionized water.

FIG. 18is a plan view illustrating a semiconductor device according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts.FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19Care cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A′, B-B′ and C-C′ ofFIG. 18, respectively. Hereinafter, the descriptions to the same technical features as mentioned with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8A to 8Cwill be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in explanation. In other words, differences between the present embodiments and the embodiments ofFIGS. 7 and 8A to 8Cwill be mainly described.

Referring toFIGS. 18 and 19A to 19C, a substrate100including an active region AR may be provided. The substrate100may be patterned to form first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4on the active region AR. A first device isolation layer ST1may be formed between the first active pattern AP1and the second active pattern AP2, and a second device isolation layer ST2may be formed between the third active pattern AP3and the fourth active pattern AP4. A width T2of the second device isolation layer ST2may be greater than a width T1of the first device isolation layer ST1. The second device isolation layer ST2may include a first protrusion OH1and a second protrusion OH2which protrude from its top surface.

Each of the first to fourth active patterns AP1to AP4may include a channel pattern CH including semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3that are vertically stacked. The stacked semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3may be spaced apart from each other in a third direction D3that is perpendicular to the substrate100. The stacked semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3may vertically overlap with each other. The stacked semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3may function as channel regions. The semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3may include at least one of silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), or silicon-germanium (SiGe).

The first to fourth active patterns AP1, AP2, AP3and AP4may further include source/drain patterns SD. The stacked semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3may be disposed between a pair of the source/drain patterns SD adjacent to each other. The stacked semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3may connect the pair of source/drain patterns SD adjacent to each other.

Gate electrodes GE may intersect the channel patterns CH and may extend in the first direction D1. The gate electrode GE may vertically overlap with the channel patterns CH. A pair of gate spacers GS may be disposed on both sidewalls of the gate electrode GE, respectively. A gate capping pattern GP may be provided on the gate electrode GE.

A gate dielectric pattern GI may be provided between the gate electrode GE and each of the semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3. The gate dielectric pattern GI may surround each of the semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3. The gate dielectric pattern GI may cover or overlap top surfaces of the first and second protrusions OH1and OH2on the second device isolation layer ST2.

A first interlayer insulating layer110and a second interlayer insulating layer120may be provided on an entire top surface of the substrate100. Active contacts AC may penetrate the second and first interlayer insulating layers120and110so as to be connected to the source/drain patterns SD.

The gate electrode GE may surround each of the semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3(seeFIG. 19B). The gate electrode GE may be provided on a top surface, at least one sidewall and a bottom surface of each of the semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3. In other words, the gate electrode GE may surround the top surface, the bottom surface and both sidewalls of each of the semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3. In other words, the gate electrode GE may be between semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3in addition to be being adjacent the semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3in the direction D1that is parallel to the substrate100. A transistor according to the present embodiment may be a 3D field effect transistor (e.g., MBCFET) in which the gate electrode GE three-dimensionally surrounds each of the semiconductor patterns SP1to SP3.

FIG. 20is a plan view illustrating a semiconductor device according to some embodiments of the inventive concepts.FIGS. 21A and 21Bare cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′ ofFIG. 20, respectively. Hereinafter, the descriptions to the same technical features as mentioned with reference toFIGS. 18 and 19A to 19Cwill be omitted for the purpose of ease and convenience in explanation. In other words, differences between the present embodiments and the embodiments ofFIGS. 18 and 19A to 19Cwill be mainly described.

Referring toFIGS. 20, 21A and 21B, widths A1of the first and second active patterns AP1and AP2adjacent to the first device isolation layer ST1in the first direction D1may be equal to each other. Widths A2of the third and fourth active patterns AP3and AP4adjacent to the second device isolation layer ST2in the first direction D1may be equal to each other. In some embodiments, the width A2of each of the third and fourth active patterns AP3and AP4in the first direction D1may be greater than the width A1of each of the first and second active patterns AP1and AP2in the first direction D1.

According to the embodiments of the inventive concepts, the liner layer may be deposited on the insulating layer in the process of forming the device isolation layer, as illustrated inFIGS. 2C and 2D. Thus it may be possible to improve the etch resistance (e.g., a wet etch resistance) of the device isolation layer having a relatively great width.