Abstract:
A method and device for improved salicide resistance in polysilicon gates under 0.20 μm. The several embodiments of the invention provide for formation of gate electrode structures with recessed and partially recessed spacers. One embodiment, provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thick inner spacers and thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack within inner spacers and thin outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thin outer spacers.

Description:
This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/191,729, filed Nov. 13, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,598. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and device for improved resistance on gate electrodes. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and device for improved salicide resistance on polysilicon gates. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Transistors are commonly used in semiconductor circuitry to control current flow. For example, a transistor can be used as a switching mechanism to allow the flow of current between a source and a drain region in a circuit when a certain threshold voltage is met. Transistors generally include a gate electrode that allows or prevents the flow of current in the transistor based on applied voltage. 
     FIG. 1   a  shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional gate electrode  100  formed on a substrate  110 , the underlying structure of which is not shown. It should be noted that the figures are merely illustrative and have been simplified for clarity purposes. A thin insulative layer  120  is formed on the substrate  110  to act as a barrier between the substrate  110  and the conductive portions of the gate electrode  100 . An example of an insulative layer  120  can be an oxide layer, such as silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ). Formed on the insulative layer  120  is a gate layer  130 . An example of a gate layer  130  can be a polysilicon layer. Formed on the gate layer  130  is a conductive layer  160 . An example of a conductive layer  160  can be a polycide layer, such as titanium salicide (TiSi 2 ). When a threshold voltage is applied to the gate layer  130  by the conductive layer  160 , current will flow through the gate layer  130 . Often insulative spacers  140  and  150  are formed to each side of the gate layer  130  to prevent transfer of current between the gate layer  130  and surrounding structures in the semiconductor. 
   In semiconductor circuit design, frequently, gate electrodes are designed in long continuous lines on the semiconductor substrate to efficiently provide current to several transistors in a circuit. Currently, improved semiconductor transistor performance is being achieved through device scaling in which the gate layer widths are being reduced from 0.20 μm to 0.15 μm and below (sub-0.15 μm). As the gate layer width dimensions decrease, so do the conductive layer line widths formed above them. 
   When the gate layer widths decrease below 0.20 μm, current process techniques produce conductive lines with sharply increasing resistance. This is detrimental to the efficiency of the semiconductor, as higher resistance decreases the speed of the semiconductor circuitry. Additionally, process yields drop due to defective conductive line formation reducing manufacturing output. These problems have been particularly noted in current fabrication processes where titanium salicide (TiSi 2 ) is formed as the conductive layer in a polysilicon gate. 
     FIG. 1   b  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional gate electrode  100  formed on a substrate  110 , the underlying structure of which is not shown. An example of a gate electrode  100  can be a polysilicon gate electrode. Formed on the substrate  110  is an insulative layer  120 . An example of an insulative layer  120  can be an oxide. Formed on the insulative layer  120  is a conductive gate layer  130 . An example of a gate layer  130  is a polysilicon layer. Formed on the gate layer  130  is a conductive layer  160 . An example of a conductive layer  160  can be a polycide, such as titanium salicide. Insulative spacers  140  and  150  are formed adjacent to the gate layer  130  and conductive layer  160  to prevent current flow between the gate layer  100  and surrounding structures. 
   During formation of the conductive layer  160 , components from underlying gate layer  130  often out diffuse into a reactant layer that is used to form the conductive layer  160 . For example, silicon components of an underlying gate layer  130  may out diffuse into the conductive layer  160 . This out diffusion results in a conductive layer  160  wider than the gate layer  130 . When the gate layer  100  width is decreased below 0.20 μm, the conductive layer  160  becomes stressed by its enclosure between the side walls of the spacers  140 . This results in increased resistance in the conductive layer  160 . Increased resistance in the conductive layer directly impacts the quality of the semiconductor circuit. The circuit becomes inefficient and circuit failure or device failure may occur. 
   Another result of decreasing the gate line widths below 0.20 μm is a decrease in process yields. This is due to non-formation of the conductive layer. This is attributed to the reduced reaction area, or nucleation sites, available at such small dimensions. The reduced dimensions of the gate layer reduces nucleation sites on which the conductive layer can form during processing. Using current process techniques, if sufficient nucleation sites are not provided, the conductive layer often won&#39;t form. This directly impacts the semiconductor manufacturer by reducing output. 
   Based on the above described problems, it would be desirable to have a method and/or device which will improve the polycide resistance in polysilicon gate widths below 0.20 μm. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a method and a device which improves polycide resistance in gate electrode widths below 0.20 μm. The invention provides several embodiments one embodiment of which is described below. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a gate electrode comprising a tin insulative layer. A gate layer is formed on the thin insulative layer. A conductive layer is formed on the gate layer. Thick first spacers are formed adjacent to opposite sides of the gate layer. Thick second spacers are formed adjacent to the thick first spacers. The thick first spacers are recessed to create an open space between the gate layer and thick second spacers. 

   
     BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in the following detailed description of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1(   a ) is a cross-sectional illustration of a conventional gate electrode in the prior art depicting a non-stressed conductive layer. 
       FIG. 1(   b ) is a cross-sectional illustration of a conventional gate electrode in the prior art depicting a stressed conductive layer. 
       FIGS. 2(   a )–( h ) are cross-sectional illustrations of the formation of a gate electrode with a conductive layer and recessed thick inner spacers and non-recessed thick outer spacers. 
       FIGS. 3(   a )–( i ) are cross-sectional illustrations of the formation of a gate electrode with a conductive layer and recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. 
       FIGS. 4(   a )–( i ) are cross-sectional illustrations of the formation of a gate electrode with a conductive layer and non-recessed thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. 
       FIGS. 5(   a )–( m ) are cross-sectional illustrations of the formation of a gate electrode with a conductive layer and two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack having recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack having non-recessed thin inner spacers and non-recessed thin outer spacers. 
       FIGS. 6(   a )–( p ) are cross-sectional illustrations of the formation of a gate electrode with a conductive layer and two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack having recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack having recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thin outer spacers. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a method and a device to improve polycide resistance on gate electrodes less than 0.20 μm in width. In the following description of the several embodiments of the invention, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well known structures and techniques have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. It will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that the structures of the present invention may be formed by various techniques. 
   Referring now to the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 2   a–h .  FIG. 2   a  illustrates a gate layer  220  formed on a thin insulative layer  210  on a substrate  200 . In one embodiment, the gate layer  220  can be a polysilicon. In one embodiment, the gate layer  220  is less than 0.20 μm in width. These structures are formed using conventional deposition and etching techniques well-known in the art. 
   In  FIG. 2   b ; a thick first spacer layer  230  is deposited or grown on the gate layer  220  and substrate  200 . In one embodiment, the thick first spacer layer  230  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the thick first spacer layer  230  can be deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 200–600 Å, for example, 300 Å. It should be noted that the thick first spacer layer  230  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   In  FIG. 2   c , a thick second spacer layer  240  is deposited or grown on the thick first spacer layer  230 . In one embodiment, the thick second spacer layer  240  can be a nitride. In one embodiment, the thick second spacer layer  240  can be deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 300–2000 Å, for example, 800 Å. It should be noted that the thick second spacer layer  240  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   The thick second spacer layer  240  is etched to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 2   d . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   The thick first spacer layer  230  is recessed by etching to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 2   e . The recessing creates an open space between the thick second spacer layer  240  and the gate layer  220 . In one embodiment, the thick first spacer layer  230  is etched approximately 60 nm deeper than the surface of the gate layer  220 . In one embodiment, the etching forms a space approximately 200–600 Å, for example, 300 Å, between the thick second spacer layer  240  and the gate layer  220 . In one embodiment this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are dry or wet etches. It should be noted that the side walls of the gate layer  220  are now exposed creating a larger contact (reaction) surface area. 
   In  FIG. 2   f , a reactant layer  250  is deposited, for example by sputter, electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor, or plasma deposition. In one embodiment, the reactant layer  250  can be a metal, such as titanium. 
   The reactant layer  250  and the gate layer  220  are then annealed to form a conductive layer  260  as shown in  FIG. 2   g . In one embodiment, the formed conductive layer  260  can be a polycide, such as titanium salicide. A polycide may also be called a polysilicide. It should be noted that silicides can be self-aligning or non-self-aligning, and if the silicide is self-aligning, it may be called a salicide. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that polycides, other than self-aligning silicides, may also be formed. In one embodiment, the anneal may be performed using a rapid thermal annealing process in a nitrogen ambient. In one embodiment, additional anneals can be performed to decrease the resistance of the conductive layer  260 . It is to be noted that the conductive layer  260  can now extend beyond the edges of the gate layer  220  and is not constrained and stressed by the thick first spacer layer  230 . 
   The unreacted portion of reactant layer  250  is etched away leaving the conductive layer  260  as illustrated in  FIG. 2   h . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic etch which will remove unreacted titanium, but not titanium salicide. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a–i .  FIG. 3   a  illustrates a gate layer  320  formed on a thin insulative layer  310  on a substrate  300 . In one embodiment, the gate layer  320  can be a polysilicon. In one embodiment, the gate layer  320  is less than 0.20 μm in width. These structures are formed using conventional deposition and etching techniques well-known in the art. 
   In  FIG. 3   b , a thin first spacer layer  330  is deposited or grown on the gate layer  320  and substrate  300 . In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  330  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  330  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–300 Å, for example, 100 Å. It should be noted that the thin first spacer layer  330  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   In  FIG. 3   c , a thick second spacer layer  340  is deposited or grown on the thin first spacer layer  330 . In one embodiment, the thick second spacer layer  340  can be a nitride. In one embodiment, the thick second spacer layer  340  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 300–2000 Å, for example, 800 Å. It should be noted that the thick second spacer layer  340  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   The thick second spacer layer  340  is etched a first time to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 3   d . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   The thick second spacer layer  340  is then recessed by etching a second time to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 3   e . In one embodiment, the thick second spacer layer  340  is etched approximately 60 nm deeper than the surface level of the gate layer  320 . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of isotropic etches are a wet or dry etch. 
   The thin first spacer layer  330  is then recessed by etching to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 3   f . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are a dry, wet or chemical bath etch. It should further be noted that the side walls of the gate layer  320  are now exposed creating a larger contact (reaction) surface area. 
   In  FIG. 3   g , a reactant layer  350  is deposited, for example, by sputter, electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor, or plasma deposition. In one embodiment, the reactant layer  350  can be a metal, such as titanium. 
   The reactant layer  350  and the gate layer  320  are then annealed to form a conductive layer  360  as shown in  FIG. 3   h . In one embodiment, the formed conductive layer  360  can be a polycide, such as titanium salicide. A polycide may also be called a polysilicide. It should be noted that silicides can be self-aligning or non-self-aligning, and if the silicide is self-aligning, it may be called a salicide. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that polycides, other than self-aligning silicides, may also be formed. In one embodiment, the anneal may be performed using a rapid thermal annealing process in a nitrogen ambient. In one embodiment, additional anneals can be performed to decrease the resistance of the conductive layer  360 . It is to be noted that the conductive layer  360  can now extend beyond the edges of the gate layer  320  and is not constrained and stressed. 
   The unreacted portion of reactant layer  350  is etched away leaving the conductive layer  360  as illustrated in  FIG. 3   i . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic etch which will remove unreacted titanium, but not titanium salicide. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a–i .  FIG. 4   a  illustrates a gate layer  420  formed on a thin insulative layer  410  on a silicon substrate  400 . In one embodiment, the gate layer  420  can be polysilicon. In one embodiment, the gate layer  420  is less than 0.20 μm in width. These structures are formed using conventional deposition and etching techniques well-known in the art. 
   In  FIG. 4   b , a thin first spacer layer  430  is deposited or grown on the gate layer  420  and substrate  400 . In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  430  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  430  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–300 Å, for example, 100 Å. It should be noted that the thin first spacer layer  430  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   In  FIG. 4   c , a thick second spacer layer  440  is deposited or grown on the thin first spacer layer  430 . In one embodiment, the thick second spacer layer  440  can be a nitride. In one embodiment, the thick second spacer layer  440  can be deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 300–2000 Å, for example, 800 Å. It should be noted that the thick second spacer layer  440  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   The thick second spacer layer  440  is etched a first time to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 4   d . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   The thick second spacer layer  440  is then partially recessed by etching a second time to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 4   e . In one embodiment, the partial recess creates a thin second spacer wall  470  adjacent to the thin first spacer layer  430 . In one embodiment, the thin second spacer wall  470  can be in the range of approximately 50–200 Å, for example, 100 Å, in width and can extend approximately 60 nm deeper than the surface level of the gate layer  420 . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   Following the partial recessing of the thick second spacer layer  440 , the thin first spacer layer  430  is etched to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 4   f . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are a dry, wet or chemical bath etch. 
   In  FIG. 4   g , a reactant layer  450  is deposited, for example, by sputter, electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor, or plasma deposition. In one embodiment, the reactant layer  450  can be a metal, such as titanium. 
   The reactant layer  450  and the gate layer  420  are then annealed to form a conductive layer  460  as shown in  FIG. 4   h . In one embodiment, the conductive layer  460  can be a polycide, such as titanium salicide. A polycide may also be called a polysilicide. It should be noted that silicides can be self-aligning or non-self-aligning, and if the silicide is self-aligning, it may be called a salicide. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that polycides, other than self-aligning silicides, may also be formed. In one embodiment, the anneal may be performed using a rapid thermal annealing process in a nitrogen ambient. In one embodiment, additional anneals can be performed to decrease the resistance of the conductive layer  460 . It is to be noted that the conductive layer  460  can now extend beyond the edges of the gate layer  420  due to flexibility in the thin spacer walls formed from the thin first spacer layer  430  and the thin second spacer walls  470 . 
   The unreacted portion of reactant layer  450  is etched away leaving the conductive layer  460  as illustrated in  FIG. 4   i . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic etch which will remove unreacted titanium, but not titanium salicide. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a–m .  FIG. 5   a  illustrates a gate layer  520  formed on a thin insulative layer  510  on a substrate  500 . In one embodiment, the gate layer  520  can be polysilicon. In one embodiment, the polysilicon gate layer  520  is less than 0.20 μm in width. These structures are formed using conventional deposition and etching techniques well-known in the art. 
   In  FIG. 5   b , a thin first spacer layer  530  is deposited or grown on the gate layer  520  and substrate  500 . In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  530  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  530  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–150 Å, for example, 50 Å. It should be noted that the thin first spacer layer  530  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   In  FIG. 5   c , a thin second spacer layer  540  is deposited or grown on the thin first spacer layer  530 . In one embodiment, the thin second spacer layer  540  can be a nitride. In one embodiment, the thin second spacer layer  540  can be deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–150 Å, for example, 50 Å. It should be noted that the thin second spacer layer  540  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   The thin second spacer layer  540  is etched a first time to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 5   d . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   Following the etch of the thin second spacer layer  540 , the thin first spacer layer  530  is etched to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 5   e . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) which will remove oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are dry or wet etches. It should be further noted that at this point in a process flow, implants of dopants can be added to the structure to enhance circuit performance. 
   In  FIG. 5   f , a thin third spacer layer  550  is deposited or grown. In one embodiment, the thin third spacer layer  550  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the thin third spacer layer  550  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–300 Å, for example, 100 Å. It should be noted that the thin third spacer layer  550  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   In  FIG. 5   g , a thick fourth spacer layer  560  is deposited or grown on the thin third spacer layer  550 . In one embodiment, the thick fourth spacer layer  560  can be a nitride. In one embodiment, the thick fourth spacer layer  560  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 300–2000 Å, for example, 800 Å. It should be noted that the thick fourth spacer layer  560  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   The thick fourth spacer layer  560  is etched a first time to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 5   h . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   The thick fourth spacer layer  560  is then recessed by etching a second time to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 5   i . In one embodiment, the thick fourth spacer layer  560  is etched approximately 60 nm deeper than the surface level of the gate layer  520 . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of isotropic etches are wet or dry etches. 
   The thin third spacer layer  550  is then recessed by etching to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 5   j . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are a dry, wet or chemical bath etch. 
   In  FIG. 5   k , a reactant layer  570  is deposited, for example, by sputter, electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor, or plasma deposition. In one embodiment, the reactant layer  570  can be a metal such as titanium. 
   The reactant layer  570  and the gate layer  520  are then annealed to form a conductive layer  580  as shown in  FIG. 5   l . In one embodiment, the conductive layer  580  can be a polycide, such as titanium salicide. A polycide may also be called a polysilicide. It should be noted that silicides can be self-aligning or non-self-aligning, and if the silicide is self-aligning, it may be called a salicide. It is to be understood by on of ordinary skill in the art that polycides, other than self-aligning silicides, may also be formed. In one embodiment, the anneal may be performed using a rapid thermal annealing process in a nitrogen ambient. In one embodiment, additional anneals can be performed to decrease the resistance of the conductive layer  580 . It is to be noted that the conductive layer  580  can now extend beyond the edges of the gate layer  520  due to flexibility in the thin spacer walls formed from the thin first spacer layer  530  and the thin second spacer layer  540 . 
   The unreacted reactant layer  570  is etched away leaving the conductive layer  580  as illustrated in  FIG. 5   m . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic etch which will remove unreacted titanium, but not titanium salicide. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a–p .  FIG. 6   a  illustrates a gate layer  620  formed on a thin insulative layer  610  on a substrate  600 . In one embodiment, the gate layer  620  can be polysilicon. In one embodiment, the gate layer  620  is less than 0.20 μm in width. These structures are formed using conventional deposition and etching techniques well-known in the art. 
   In  FIG. 6   b , a thin first spacer layer  630  is deposited or grown on the gate layer  620  and substrate  600 . In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  630  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  630  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–150 Å, for example, 50 Å. It should be noted that the thin first spacer layer  630  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   In  FIG. 6   c , a thin second spacer layer  640  is deposited or grown on the thin first spacer layer  630 . In one embodiment, the thin second spacer layer  640  can be a nitride. In one embodiment, the thin second spacer layer  640  can be deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–150 Å, for example, 50 Å. It should be noted that the thin second spacer layer  640  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   The thin second spacer layer  640  is etched a first time to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 6   d . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   Following the etch of the thin second spacer layer  640 , the thin first spacer layer  630  is etched to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 6   e . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) which will attack oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are a dry, wet or chemical bath etch. It should be further noted that at this point in a process flow, implants of dopants can be added to the structure to enhance circuit performance. 
   In  FIG. 6   f , a thin third spacer layer  650  is deposited or grown. In one embodiment, the thin third spacer layer  650  can be an oxide. In one embodiment, the thin third spacer layer  650  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–300 Å, for example 100 Å. It should be noted that the thin third spacer layer  650  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   In  FIG. 6   g , a thick fourth spacer layer  660  is deposited or grown on the thin third spacer layer  650 . In one embodiment, the thick fourth spacer layer  660  can be a nitride. In one embodiment, the thick fourth spacer layer  660  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 300–2000 Å, for example, 800 Å. It should be noted that the thick fourth spacer layer  660  can be deposited or grown using deposition techniques that are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. 
   The thick fourth spacer layer  660  is etched a first time to form the structure illustrated in  FIG. 6   h . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   The thick fourth spacer layer  660  is then recessed by etching a second time to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 6   i . In one embodiment, the thick fourth spacer layer  660  is etched approximately 60 nm deeper than the surface level of the gate layer  620 . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of isotropic etches are a wet or dry etch. 
   The thin third spacer layer  650  is then recessed by etching to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 6   j . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are dry or wet etches. 
   At this point, further etches are still to be performed, however, the substrate  600  is left exposed. Thus, if a following etch chemistry is utilized which can remove the substrate  600 , the substrate  600  will need to be protected. Thus, a protective layer, for example, an oxide layer, can be provided. The provision of a protective layer is described together with the figures that follow. Alternatively, if a following etch chemistry does not remove the substrate  600 , then the process can continue without the necessity of providing and removing a protective layer. 
   In  FIG. 6   k , a thin protective layer  670  is deposited or grown on the substrate  600 . In one embodiment, the thin protective layer  670  can be oxide. In one embodiment, the thin protective layer  670  is deposited or grown to a thickness in the range of approximately 50–300 Å, for example, 50 Å. In one embodiment, the thin protective layer  670  can be an oxide grown by annealing a silicon substrate  600  in an oxygen ambient. 
   The thin second spacer layer  640  is recessed by etching to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 6   l . In one embodiment, this etch is an anisotropic (directional) etch which will remove nitride, but not oxide. Examples of anisotropic etches are a dry etch or a plasma etch. 
   The thin protective layer  670  is removed and the thin first spacer layer  630  recessed by etching a second time to form the spacer structure illustrated in  FIG. 6   m . In one embodiment, the thin first spacer layer  630  is recessed approximately 60 nm deeper than the surface level of the gate layer  620 . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic (multidirectional) etch which will remove oxide, but not nitride. Examples of isotropic etches are a wet, dry or chemical bath etch. It should be noted that the side walls of the gate layer  620  are now exposed creating a larger contact (reaction) surface area. 
   In  FIG. 6   n , a reactant layer  680  is deposited, for example, by sputter, electron beam evaporation, chemical vapor, or plasma deposition. In one embodiment, the reactant layer  680  can be a metal, such as titanium. 
   The reactant layer  680  and the gate layer  620  are then annealed to form a conductive layer  690  as shown in  FIG. 6   o . In one embodiment, the conductive layer  690  can be a polycide, such as titanium salicide. A polycide may also be called a polysilicide. It should be noted that silicides can be self-aligning or non-self-aligning, and if the silicide is self-aligning, it may be called a salicide. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that polycides, other than self-aligning silicides, may also be formed. In one embodiment, the anneal may be performed using a rapid thermal annealing process in a nitrogen ambient. In one embodiment, additional anneals can be performed to decrease the resistance of the conductive layer  690 . It is to be noted that the conductive layer  690  can now extend beyond the edges of the gate layer  620  and is not constrained and stressed. 
   The unreacted reactant layer  680  is etched away leaving the conductive layer  690  as illustrated in  FIG. 6   p . In one embodiment, this etch is an isotropic etch which will remove unreacted titanium, but not titanium salicide. 
   Through out the specification, reference has been made to isotropic and anisotropic etching. It should be noted that the present invention may be performed using these etch processes interchangeably, however, such interchanging of etch processes may cause other complications. The process steps as defined above are the preferred manner in which to perform the present invention. 
   Additionally, throughout the specification, it has been stated that the etch processes remove only the nitride or oxide layers, however, it should be noted that such etch processes selectively remove the nitride or oxide. In other words, an etch to remove nitride will remove nitride at a faster rate than oxide, such that more nitride is removed and very little oxide is removed; and, an etch to remove oxide will remove oxide at a faster rate than nitride, such that more oxide is removed and very little nitride is removed. 
   The above described embodiments of the method and device of the present invention provide improved polycide resistance in polysilicon gate widths below 0.20 μm. As earlier described, conductive layers, such as the polycide, titanium salicide, can expand during formation. Previous gate electrode structures had spacer structures which constrained this expansion. This led to a stressed conductive layer that exhibited increased resistance. The several embodiments of the present invention, reduce the stress on the formed conductive layer thereby improving the resistance. In some embodiments, spacers are recessed to remove constraints on the expansion of the conductive layer. In other embodiments, spacers are partially recessed to provide thin spacer walls which flex to dissipate stress. In other embodiments, dual spacer stacks that are recessed and partially recessed also provide dissipate or remove stress on the conductive layer. It is this reduction in the stress by the several embodiments of the present invention, that provides improved resistance. Also, in several of the embodiments the side walls of the gate layer are exposed to allow greater surface area. This aids in formation of the conductive layer by providing for increased nucleation sites. By aiding in formation of the conductive layer, process yields increase. 
   In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.