Patent ID: 12211836

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific embodiments or examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, dimensions of elements are not limited to the disclosed range or values, but may depend upon process conditions and/or desired properties of the device. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Various features may be arbitrarily drawn in different scales for simplicity and clarity. In the accompanied drawings, some layers/features may be omitted for simplification.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly. In addition, the term “made of” may mean either “comprising” or “consisting of.” Further, in the following fabrication process, there may be one or more additional operations in/between the described operations, and the order of operations may be changed.

The following embodiments disclose embedded ferroelectric metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structures for multiple threshold voltage negative-capacitance fin field effect transistors (NC-FinFETs) with subthreshold swing improvement, and a hybrid gate-last manufacturing method for integrating multiple threshold voltage NC-FinFETs and FinFETs in a single chip.

As the transistor size is scaled down, continuously scaling down of voltage (e.g., power supply) is rather important for ultra-low power devices. However, voltage scaling down will meet the bottleneck of physical limitation of subthreshold swing with 60 mV/decade, which is accompanied with a higher off-state leakage current. An NC-FET, which introduces a negative ferroelectric metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor onto a gate electrode (internal gate) of MOSFET, will overcome the problem.

An exemplary structure of an NC-FET is shown inFIG.1. An NC-FET includes a substrate200, a channel201and source and drain202. The source and drain202are appropriately doped with impurities. Further, the source and drain and the channel (active regions) are surrounded by an isolation insulating layer, such as shallow trench isolation (STI), made of, for example, silicon oxide.

A first gate dielectric layer203is disposed over the channel201. The first gate dielectric layer203is made of oxide, such as silicon oxide, or silicon oxynitride in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the first gate dielectric layer203includes one or more high-k dielectric (oxide) layers (e.g., having a dielectric constant greater than 3.9).

A first gate electrode204as an internal electrode is disposed on the first gate dielectric layer203. The first gate electrode204may be a metal selected from a group of W, Cu, Ti, Ag, Al, TiAl, TiAlN, TaC, TaCN, TaSiN, Mn, Co, Pd, Ni, Re, Ir, Ru, Pt, and Zr. In some embodiments, the first gate electrode204includes a metal selected from a group of TiN, WN, TaN, and Ru. Metal alloys such as Ti—Al, Ru—Ta, Ru—Zr, Pt—Ti, Co—Ni and Ni—Ta may be used and/or metal nitrides, such as WNx, TiNx, MoNx, TaNx, and TaSixNymay be used. In some embodiments, TiN is used as the first gate electrode204.

A second gate dielectric layer205, which is made of a ferroelectric material, is formed on the first gate electrode204.

Further, a second gate electrode206as an external gate is disposed on the second gate dielectric layer205. The second gate electrode206may be a metal selected from a group of W, Cu, Ti, Ag, Al, TiAl, TiAlN, TaC, TaCN, TaSiN, Mn, Co, Pd, Ni, Re, Ir, Ru, Pt, and Zr. The second gate electrode206is made of the same material as or different material from the first gate electrode204.

The channel201, the gate dielectric layer203and the first gate electrode204constitute a MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor) structure and the first gate electrode204, the ferroelectric layer205and the second gate electrode206constitute a MIM (metal-insulator-metal) structure.

The voltage across the ferroelectric MIM capacitor (VFE) formed by the first gate electrode204, the ferroelectric layer205and the second gate electrode206is calculated from the ferroelectric equation: VFE=(2□Q+4□Q3)*TFE, where □ and □ are anisotropy constant, Q is the surface charge density and TFEis the ferroelectric layer thickness. When imposing a voltage on the ferroelectric MIM capacitor, the internal gate (layer204) voltage is amplified due to the induced negative voltage across the ferroelectric MIM capacitor, resulting in a sub-60 mV/decade subthreshold swing for an NC-FET. The transport physics of the intrinsic MOSFET is still kept unchanged even when connecting the ferroelectric MIM capacitor in series with the MOSFET. The dominant performance gain of an NC-FET is in the reduction of subthreshold swing, which provides the benefits of not only smaller voltage but also a lower off-state leakage current.

When an FET is formed by a gate-first process flow, the gate dielectric layer may degrade due to subsequent processes, including a high temperature thermal process, which causes uncontrolled threshold voltage, higher gate leakage current and insufficient reliability issues. In contrast, in a gate-last process flow, it is possible to achieve adjustable threshold voltage and better gate dielectric quality due to a low thermal budget.

However, in the gate-last process flow, as the dimensions of FETs, in particular fin field FETs (FinFETs) become further smaller, after a dummy gate removal, an aspect ratio of the gate space and fin spaces becomes higher, and then a conformal deposition of the ferroelectric layer and the external gate electrode becomes more difficult.

Further, a semiconductor device includes multiple threshold voltage (Vth) transistors, for example, an n-channel ultra-low threshold voltage (N-uLVT) FET, an n-channel standard threshold voltage (N-SVT) FET, a p-channel standard threshold voltage (P-SVT) FET and a p-channel ultra-low threshold voltage (P-uLVT) FET, which are fabricated with different work-function adjustment metal (WFM) thicknesses. After the deposition of WFM of different thicknesses on the gate spaces, different aspect ratios of the gate spaces are obtained, which makes the formation of the subsequent ferroelectric layer and the external gate electrode layer difficult.

For example, for a P-uLVT FET with the thinnest WFM, a conformal ferroelectric layer and the external gate electrode layer are formed on the top of the fin. However, for an N-uLVT FET, an N-SVT FET and a P-SVT FET with a thicker WFM, the ferroelectric layer can fully fill the gate space, and the external gate layer may not fill the gate space. In such a case, a relatively thicker thickness and smaller area of the ferroelectric layer is formed on the top of the fin. However, in some cases, the external gate electrode may not be formed in the gate space to form an MIM structure, because the gate space is filled with the ferroelectric layer.

In the circuit operation perspective, if regular FinFETs and NC-FinFETs coexist in one semiconductor device (chip), the circuit design will have more flexibility. For example, in the power gating technique, the standby power of the controlled logic-block can be reduced by connecting in series with large-area switching FinFETs. Generally, for switching transistors, if multiple threshold voltage NC-FinFETs are substituted for FinFETs, the area consumption and standby power of switching transistors can be greatly reduced, while the logic-block can still keep the same circuit function with FinFET structures.

In the following embodiments, methods and structures for integrating FinFETs and NC-FinFETs in a single chip will be described.

FIGS.2-19Bshow exemplary views of various stages for manufacturing FinFETs and NC FinFETs according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. It is understood that additional operations can be provided before, during, and after processes shown byFIGS.2-19B, and some of the operations described below can be replaced or eliminated, for additional embodiments of the method. The order of the operations/processes may be interchangeable.

In the present disclosure, the gate-last process is employed, and the operations shown byFIGS.2-14are the same for the regular FinFETs and the NC-FinFETs.

A mask layer15is formed over a substrate10. The mask layer15is formed by, for example, a thermal oxidation process and/or a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.

In some embodiments, the substrate10is made of a suitable elemental semiconductor, such as silicon, diamond or germanium; a suitable alloy or compound semiconductor, such as Group-IV compound semiconductors (silicon germanium (SiGe), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon germanium carbide (SiGeC), GeSn, SiSn, SiGeSn)), Group III-V compound semiconductors (e.g., gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), indium arsenide (InAs), indium phosphide (InP), indium antimonide (InSb), gallium arsenic phosphide (GaAsP), or gallium indium phosphide (GaInP)), or the like. Further, the substrate200may include an epitaxial layer (epi-layer), which may be strained for performance enhancement, and/or may include a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure. When the substrate10is Si, the Si substrate is, for example, a p-type silicon or germanium substrate with an impurity concentration in a range from about 1×1015cm−3to about 1×1016cm−3. In other embodiments, the substrate is an n-type silicon or germanium substrate with an impurity concentration in a range from about 1×1015cm−3to about 1×1016cm−3.

The mask layer15includes, for example, a pad oxide (e.g., silicon oxide) layer15A and a silicon nitride mask layer15B in some embodiments.

The pad oxide layer15A may be formed by using thermal oxidation or a CVD process. The silicon nitride mask layer15B may be formed by a physical vapor deposition (PVD), such as a sputtering method, a CVD, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD), a low-pressure CVD (LPCVD), a high density plasma CVD (HDPCVD), an atomic layer deposition (ALD), and/or other processes.

The thickness of the pad oxide layer15A is in a range from about 2 nm to about 15 nm and the thickness of the silicon nitride mask layer15B is in a range from about 2 nm to about 50 nm in some embodiments. A mask pattern is further formed over the mask layer. The mask pattern is, for example, a resist pattern formed by lithography operations.

By using the mask pattern as an etching mask, a hard mask pattern15of the pad oxide layer and the silicon nitride mask layer is formed, as shown inFIG.2.

Then, as shown inFIG.3, by using the hard mask pattern15as an etching mask, the substrate10is patterned into fin structures20by trench etching using a dry etching method and/or a wet etching method.

InFIG.3, three fin structures20are disposed over the substrate10. However, the number of the fin structures is not limited to three. The numbers may be as small as one, or more than three. In addition, one or more dummy fin structures may be disposed adjacent both sides of the fin structure20to improve pattern fidelity in patterning processes.

The fin structure20may be made of the same material as the substrate10and may continuously extend from the substrate10. In this embodiment, the fin structure is made of Si. The silicon layer of the fin structure20may be intrinsic, or appropriately doped with an n-type impurity or a p-type impurity.

The width W1of the fin structure20is in a range from about 5 nm to about 40 nm in some embodiments, and is in a range from about 7 nm to about 12 nm in other embodiments. The space S1between two fin structures is in a range from about 10 nm to about 50 nm in some embodiments. The height (along the Z direction) of the fin structure20is in a range from about 100 nm to about 300 nm in some embodiments, and is in a range from about 50 nm to 100 nm in other embodiments.

The lower part of the fin structure20under the gate structure40(see,FIG.6A) may be referred to as a well region, and the upper part of the fin structure20may be referred to as a channel region. Under the gate structure40, the well region is embedded in the isolation insulating layer30(see,FIG.6A), and the channel region protrudes from the isolation insulating layer30. A lower part of the channel region may also be embedded in the isolation insulating layer30to a depth of about 1 nm to about 5 nm.

The height of the well region is in a range from about 60 nm to 100 nm in some embodiments, and the height of the channel region is in a range from about 40 nm to 60 nm, and is in a range from about 38 nm to about 55 nm in other embodiments.

After the fin structures20are formed, the substrate10is further etched to form a mesa shape10M, as shown inFIG.4. In other embodiments, the mesa shape10M is first formed, and then the fin structures20are formed.

After the fin structures20and the mesa shape10M are formed, the isolation insulating layer30is formed in spaces between the fin structures and/or a space between one fin structure and another element formed over the substrate10. The isolation insulating layer30may also be called a “shallow-trench-isolation (STI)” layer. The insulating material for the isolation insulating layer30may include one or more layers of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride (SiON), SiOCN, fluorine-doped silicate glass (FSG), or a low-k dielectric material. The isolation insulating layer is formed by LPCVD (low pressure chemical vapor deposition), plasma-CVD or flowable CVD. In the flowable CVD, flowable dielectric materials instead of silicon oxide may be deposited. Flowable dielectric materials, as their name suggest, can “flow” during deposition to fill gaps or spaces with a high aspect ratio. Usually, various chemistries are added to silicon-containing precursors to allow the deposited film to flow. In some embodiments, nitrogen hydride bonds are added. Examples of flowable dielectric precursors, particularly flowable silicon oxide precursors, include a silicate, a siloxane, a methyl silsesquioxane (MSQ), a hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ), an MSQ/HSQ, a perhydrosilazane (TCPS), a perhydro-polysilazane (PSZ), a tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), or a silyl-amine, such as trisilylamine (TSA). These flowable silicon oxide materials are formed in a multiple-operation process. After the flowable film is deposited, it is cured and then annealed to remove un-desired element(s) to form silicon oxide. When the un-desired element(s) is removed, the flowable film densifies and shrinks. In some embodiments, multiple anneal processes are conducted. The flowable film is cured and annealed more than once. The flowable film may be doped with boron and/or phosphorous.

The insulating layer30is first formed in a thick layer so that the fin structures are embedded in the thick layer, and the thick layer is recessed so as to expose the upper portions of the fin structures20, as shown inFIG.5. The height H1 of the fin structures from the upper surface of the isolation insulating layer30is in a range from about 20 nm to about 100 nm in some embodiments, and is in a range from about 30 nm to about 50 nm in other embodiments. After or before recessing the isolation insulating layer30, a thermal process, for example, an anneal process, may be performed to improve the quality of the isolation insulating layer30. In certain embodiments, the thermal process is performed by using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at a temperature in a range from about 900° C. to about 1050° C. for about 1.5 seconds to about 10 seconds in an inert gas ambient, such as an N2, Ar or He ambient.

After the insulating layer30is formed, a gate structure40is formed over the fin structures20, as shown inFIGS.6A-6C.FIG.6Ais an exemplary perspective view,FIG.6Bis an exemplary cross sectional view along line a-a ofFIG.6AandFIG.6Cis an exemplary cross sectional view along line b-b ofFIG.6A.

As shown inFIG.6A, the gate structure40extends in the X direction, while the fin structures20extend in the Y direction.

To fabricate the gate structure40, a dielectric layer and a poly silicon layer are formed over the isolation insulating layer30and the exposed fin structures20, and then patterning operations are performed so as to obtain gate structures including a gate pattern44made of poly silicon and a dielectric layer42. In some embodiments, the polysilicon layer is patterned by using a hard mask and the hard mask remains on the gate pattern44as a cap insulating layer46. The hard mask (cap insulating layer46) includes one or more layers of insulating material. The cap insulating layer46includes a silicon nitride layer formed over a silicon oxide layer in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the cap insulating layer46includes a silicon oxide layer formed over a silicon nitride layer. The insulating material for the cap insulating layer46may be formed by CVD, PVD, ALD, e-beam evaporation, or other suitable process. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer42may include one or more layers of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxy-nitride, or high-k dielectrics. In some embodiments, a thickness of the dielectric layer42is in a range from about 2 nm to about 20 nm, and in a range from about 2 nm to about 10 nm in other embodiments. The height H2 of the gate structures is in a range from about 50 nm to about 400 nm in some embodiments, and is in a range from about 100 nm to 200 nm in other embodiments.

In present embodiments, a gate replacement technology is employed, and the gate pattern44and the dielectric layer42are a dummy gate electrode and a dummy gate dielectric layer, respectively, which are subsequently removed. Thus, the gate structure40is a dummy gate structure.

Further, gate sidewall spacers48are formed on both sidewalls of the gate pattern. The sidewall spacers48include one or more layers of insulating material, such as SiO2, SiN, SiON, SiOCN or SiCN or any other suitable dielectric material, which are formed by CVD, PVD, ALD, e-beam evaporation, or other suitable process. A low-k dielectric material may be used as the sidewall spacers. The sidewall spacers48are formed by forming a blanket layer of insulating material and performing anisotropic etching. In one embodiment, the sidewall spacer layers are made of silicon nitride based material, such as SiN, SiON, SiOCN or SiCN.

Then, as shown inFIG.7, the upper portion of the fin structures20are recessed by a dry etching and/or a wet etching operation. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the fin structures20are recessed (etched) down to the level equal to or below the upper surface isolation insulating layer30.

Then, as shown inFIG.8, an epitaxial source/drain structure60is formed over the recessed fin structures20. The epitaxial source/drain structure60is made of one or more layers of semiconductor material having a different lattice constant than the fin structures20(channel regions). When the fin structures are made of Si, the epitaxial source/drain structure60includes SiP, SiC or SiCP for an n-channel Fin FET and SiGe or Ge for a p-channel Fin FET. The epitaxial source/drain structure60is epitaxially formed over the upper portions of the recessed fin structures. Due to the crystal orientation of the substrate formed into the fin structures20, the epitaxial source/drain structure60grows laterally and has a hexagonal shape. In other embodiments, a diamond-like shape is obtained.

The source/drain epitaxial layer60may be grown at a temperature of about 600 to 800° C. under a pressure of about 80 to 150 Torr, by using a Si containing gas such as SiH4, Si2H6or SiCl2H2, a Ge containing gas, such as GeH4, Ge2H6or GeCl2H2, a C containing gas, such as CH4or C2H6, and/or a dopant gas, such as PH3. The source/drain structure for an n-channel FET and the source/drain structure for a p-channel FET may be formed by separate epitaxial processes.

In some embodiments, the source/drain epitaxial layers60are separately formed on respective recessed fin structures20. In other embodiments, the adjacent epitaxial source/drain structures formed over each of the recessed fin structures20are merged. In such a case, a void or a gap (an air gap) may be formed between the merged epitaxial source/drain structure60the upper surface of the isolation insulating layer30.

Subsequently, an etch-stop layer (ESL)62is formed over the source/drain epitaxial layer60and the dummy gate structure40. Further, a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer70is formed over the ESL62. In some embodiments, an additional dielectric layer72is formed over the ILD layer. Further, a planarization operation, such as chemical mechanical polishing, is performed, thereby obtaining the structures ofFIGS.9A and9B.FIG.9Ais an exemplary cross sectional views along the X direction andFIG.9Bis an exemplary cross sectional view along the Y direction. By the planarization process, the upper surface of the dummy gate electrode44is exposed.

The first ILD layer70may include a single layer or multiple layers. In some embodiments, the ILD layer70includes SiO2, SiCN, SiOC, SiON, SiOCN, SiN or a low-k material, but other suitable dielectric film may be used. The ILD layer70maybe formed by CVD, PECVD or ALD, FCVD, or a spin-on-glass process. The additional dielectric layer72is made of different material than the ILD layer70and is made of one or more layers of SiO2, SiCN, SiOC, SiON, SiOCN, SiN, or any other suitable dielectric material. In certain embodiments, the additional dielectric layer72is made of SiN.

FIGS.10-18Bshow various stages for manufacturing a regular FinFET and an NC-FinFET according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG.10shows an exemplary perspective view after gate spaces90are formed by removing the dummy gate electrode44and the dummy gate dielectric layer42. InFIG.10, the structure for an NC-FET and the structure for a regular FinFET are disposed adjacent to each other with a first ILD layer70interposed therebetween. Of course, the structure for the NC-FET and the structure for the regular FinFET may not necessarily be disposed adjacent to each other.

After the dummy gate electrode44and the dummy gate dielectric layer42are removed, upper portions24of the fin structures20, which become channels, are exposed in the gate spaces90, while lower portions22of the fin structures20are embedded in the isolation insulating layer30. In some embodiments, a first fin liner layer26is formed on the lower portions22of the fin structures20, and a second fin liner layer28is formed on the first fin liner layer26. Each of the liner layers has a thickness between about 1 nm and about 20 nm in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first fin liner layer26includes silicon oxide and has a thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 5 nm, and the second fin liner layer28includes silicon nitride and has a thickness between about 0.5 nm and about 5 nm. The liner layers may be deposited through one or more processes such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or atomic layer deposition (ALD), although any acceptable process may be utilized.

After the dummy gate electrode44and the dummy gate dielectric layer42are removed, a gate dielectric layer100is conformally formed over the upper portions24(channels) of the fin structures, side faces of the insulating structure including the ILD layer70, the sidewall spacers48and the dielectric layer72, as show inFIG.11.FIG.11is the cross sectional view corresponding the line Y1-Y1ofFIG.10.

In some embodiments, the gate dielectric layer100includes one or more high-k dielectric layers (e.g., having a dielectric constant greater than 3.9). For example, the one or more gate dielectric layers may include one or more layers of a metal oxide or a silicate of Hf, Al, Zr, combinations thereof, and multi-layers thereof. Other suitable materials include La, Mg, Ba, Ti, Pb, Zr, in the form of metal oxides, metal alloy oxides, and combinations thereof. Exemplary materials include MgOx, BaTixOy, BaSrxTiyOz, PbTixOy, PbZrxTiyOz, SiCN, SiON, SiN, Al2O3, La2O3, Ta2O3, Y2O3, HfO2, ZrO2, GeO2, ZrO2, HfZrO2, Ga2O3, Gd2O3, TaSiO2, TiO2. HfSiON, YGexOy, YSixOyand LaAlO3, and the like. The formation methods of gate dielectric layer100include molecular-beam deposition (MBD), ALD, PVD, and the like. In some embodiments, the gate dielectric layer100has a thickness of about 0.5 nm to about 5 nm.

In some embodiments, an interfacial layer (not shown) may be formed over the channels24prior to forming the gate dielectric layer100, and the gate dielectric layer100is formed over the interfacial layer. The interfacial layer helps buffer the subsequently formed high-k dielectric layer from the underlying semiconductor material. In some embodiments, the interfacial layer is a chemical silicon oxide, which may be formed by chemical reactions. For example, a chemical silicon oxide may be formed using deionized water+ozone (DIO3), NH4OH+H2O2+H2O (APM), or other methods. Other embodiments may utilize a different material or processes for the interfacial layer. In an embodiment, the interfacial layer has a thickness of about 0.2 nm to about 1 nm.

Subsequently, a work function adjustment metal (WFM) layer110is formed over the gate dielectric layer100, as shown inFIG.12.

The WFM layer110is made of one or more layers of conductive material, such as a single layer of TiN, TaN, TaAlC, TiC, TaC, Co, Al, TiAl, HfTi, TiSi, TaSi or TiAlC, or a multilayer of two or more of these materials. For the n-channel FinFET, one or more of TaN, TaAlC, TiN, TiC, Co, TiAl, HfTi, TiSi and TaSi is used as the work function adjustment layer, and for the p-channel FinFET, one or more of TiAlC, Al, TiAl, TaN, TaAlC, TiN, TiC and Co is used as the work function adjustment layer.

The thickness and the material of the WFM layer110can be selected for the types (p or n) of FETs and operational voltages. When the thickness is WFM layer110is small with respect to the aspect ratio of the gate space90, the WFM layer110can be conformally formed on the bottom and the sides of the gate space90on which the gate dielectric layer100is formed, such that the gate space90is not filled with the WFM layer110, as shown inFIG.12. When the thickness is WFM layer110is large with respect to the aspect ratio of the gate space90, the WFM layer110fills the gate space90on which the gate dielectric layer100is formed.

Then, a first conductive layer115for a first gate electrode (internal gate) for the NC-FET and a metal gate electrode for the regular FET is formed over the WFM layer110, as shown inFIGS.13A and13B.FIG.13Bis the cross sectional view corresponding the line Y1-Y1ofFIG.13A. The first conductive layer115fills the gate space90, and may be formed over the insulating structure.

The conductive material for the first conductive layer115includes one or more material selected from a group of W, Cu, Ti, Ag, Al, TiAl, TiAlN, TaC, TaCN, TaSiN, Mn, Co, Pd, Ni, Re, Ir, Ru, Pt, Zr, TiN, WN, TaN, Ru, alloys such as Ti—Al, Ru—Ta, Ru—Zr, Pt—Ti, Co—Ni, WNx, TiNx, MoNx, TaNx, and TaSixNy. In one embodiment, W is used as the first conductive layer115. In some embodiments, the first conductive layer115may be formed using a suitable process such as ALD, CVD, PVD, plating, or combinations thereof.

Subsequently, a planarization process, such as a CMP, is performed to remove excess materials, as shown inFIG.14. By this operation, a metal gate structure for the regular FET is formed (except for a gate cap insulating layer).

Then, the structures for the regular FETs are covered by a mask layer95as shown inFIG.15A, and the first conductive layer115, the WFM layer110and the gate dielectric layer100for the NC-FETs are recessed by using an etching operation, thereby forming a recessed gate space92as shown inFIGS.15A and15B.FIG.15Bis the cross sectional view corresponding the line Y-Y1ofFIG.15A. The mask layer95may be a photo resist pattern or a hard mask pattern.

In some embodiments, the height H11 of the remaining first conductive layer115from the channel24is in a range from about 5 nm to about 50 nm in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, due to different etching rates, the WFM layer110is etched more than the first conductive layer115, and the remaining first conductive layer115protrudes from the WFM layer110. In certain embodiments, the gate dielectric layer100is not etched. After the recess etching, the mask layer95is removed.

Then, the ferroelectric layer120, a conductive liner layer125and a second conductive layer130are sequentially formed in the recessed gate space92, as shown inFIGS.16A and16B.FIG.16Bis the cross sectional view corresponding the line Y-Y1ofFIG.16A.

The ferroelectric layer120is made of one or more material selected from the group consisting of Pb3Ge5O11(PGO), lead zirconate titanate (PZT), SrBi2Ta2O9(SBT or SBTO), SrB4O7(SBO), SraBibTacNbdOx(SBTN), SrTiO3(STO), BaTiO3(BTO), (BixLay)Ti3O12(BLT), LaNiO3(LNO), YMnO3, ZrO2, zirconium silicate, ZrAlSiO, HfO2, HfZrO2, hafnium silicate, HfAlO, LaAlO, lanthanum oxide, HfO2doped with Si (HfSiOx), and Ta2O5. In some embodiments, PbZr0.5Ti0.5O3or Hf0.5Zr0.5O2is used as the ferroelectric layer120.

The thickness of the ferroelectric layer120is in a range from about 1 nm to about 20 nm in some embodiments, and may be formed by a suitable process such as ALD or CVD. As shown inFIG.16B, the ferroelectric layer120is conformally formed in some embodiments.

The conductive liner layer125is an adhesive layer for the second conductive layer, and is made of, for example, Ti, Ta, TiN and/or TaN. The thickness of the conductive liner layer125is in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10 nm in some embodiments, and may be formed by a suitable process such as ALD, CVD, PVD, plating, or combinations thereof. As shown inFIG.16B, the conductive liner layer125is conformally formed in some embodiments.

The second conductive layer130is made of the same as or similar material to the first conductive layer115, and may be formed using a suitable process such as ALD, CVD, PVD, plating, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, W is used as the second conductive layer130.

After the second conductive layer130, an annealing operation is performed, thereby transforming the phase of the ferroelectric layer from a polycrystalline structure to a crystalline structure, for example, an orthorhombic structure which exhibits ferroelectricity. The annealing operation includes rapid thermal annealing (RTA) performed at a temperature between about 400° C. to about 900° C., in some embodiments.

Subsequently, a planarization process, such as a CMP, is performed to remove excess materials, as shown inFIGS.17A and17B.FIG.17Bis the cross sectional view corresponding the line Y-Y1ofFIG.17A. By this operation, upper portions of the sidewall spacers48, the ESL layer62and the dielectric layer72are exposed. The ferroelectric layer120and the conductive liner layer125formed in the regular FET region are removed by the planarization operation.

Then, a recess etching operation is performed, thereby reducing the height of the gate structure for the NC-FinFET and the height of the gate structure for the regular FET and forming a second recessed gate space94, as shown inFIGS.18A and18B.

Further, as shown inFIGS.19A and19B, the recess etching operation, a gate cap layer140is formed in the second recessed gate space94to protect the gate electrodes during subsequent processes. In some embodiments, the gate cap layer140includes SiO2, SiCN, SiON, SiN, Al2O3, La2O3, SiN, a combination thereof, or the like, but other suitable dielectric films may be used. The gate cap layer140may be formed using, for example, CVD, PVD, spin-on-glass, or the like. Other suitable process steps may be used. A planarization process, such as a CMP, may be performed to remove excess materials. During the planarization process, the dielectric layer72is also removed, as shown inFIGS.19A and19B, in some embodiments. The thickness of the gate cap layer140after the planarization process is in a range from about 5 nm to about 50 nm in some embodiments.

FIG.20Ashows an exemplary cross sectional view of a semiconductor device along the X direction according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.20Bshows an exemplary cross sectional view of the NC-FinFET portion along the Y direction, andFIG.20Cshows an exemplary cross sectional view of the regular FinFET portion along the Y direction according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.20A, the NC-FinFET portion includes an MIM structure formed by the second conductive layer130, the conductive liner layer125, the ferroelectric layer120and the first conductive layer115, together with a MOS structure formed by the first conductive layer115, the WFM layer110, the gate dielectric layer100and the channel24, while the regular FinFET portion includes the MOS structure only.

In the NC-FinFET portion, the upper surface of the MIM structure is substantially flat, as shown inFIG.20B. In other words, a bottom of the gate cap insulating layer140is substantially flat, which means that the variation is less than 1.0 nm.

The thickness H21 of the WFM layer110above the channel (upper portion of the fin structure)24varies depending on the types of the NC-FET (conductivity type and/or operational voltage), and is in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 20 nm in some embodiments. The thickness H22 of the first conductive layer115above the channel24is in a range from about 5 nm to about 50 nm in some embodiments. The thickness H23 of the ferroelectric layer120above the first conductive layer (internal gate)115is in a range from about 2 nm to about 20 nm in some embodiments. The thickness H24 of the conductive liner layer125above the first conductive layer (internal gate)115is in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10 nm in some embodiments. The thickness H25 of the second conductive layer130above the channel24is in a range from about 5 nm to about 50 nm in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, H22 is equal to or greater than H25, and in other embodiments, H22 is smaller than H25.

In the regular FinFET portion, the height H25 of the metal gate (the first conductive layer115and the WFM layer110) above the channel (upper portion of the fin structure)24is in a range from about 10 nm to about 110 nm in some embodiments.

As shown inFIGS.20B and20C, the gate dielectric layer100and the WFM layer110have a “U-shape” in the Y directional cross section having a thin center portion and thick side portions, and as shown inFIG.20A, the gate dielectric layer100and the WFM layer110have a “U-shape” between adjacent channels24and/or between the sidewall spacer48and the channel24, in the X directional cross section.

Further, as shown inFIG.20B, the ferroelectric layer120, the conductive liner layer125and the second conductive layer130have a “U-shape” in the Y directional cross section, as shown inFIG.20A, the ferroelectric layer120, the conductive liner layer125and the second conductive layer130have a “U-shape” between the sidewall spacers48, in the X directional cross section, althoughFIG.20Ashows only one end portion of the U-shape.

After forming the gate cap layer140to be in direct contact with the second conductive layer130for the NC-FET and with the first conductive layer115for the regular FET, further CMOS processes are performed to form various features such as additional interlayer dielectric layers, contacts/vias, interconnect metal layers, and passivation layers, etc.

In the present disclosure, as set forth above, the semiconductor device includes multiple threshold voltage (Vth) transistors, for example, an n-channel ultra-low threshold voltage (N-uLVT) FET, an n-channel standard threshold voltage (N-SVT) FET, a p-channel standard threshold voltage (P-SVT) FET and a p-channel ultra-low threshold voltage (P-uLVT) FET. Depending on the thicknesses of the WFM layer, the gates of these four types of FETs have different structures, in some embodiments.

FIGS.21A-25Dshow exemplary cross sectional views illustrating the various stages for manufacturing NC-FinFET portions of a semiconductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. InFIGS.21A-25D, the “A” figures show exemplary views for an N-uLVT FET, the “B” figures show exemplary views for an N-SVT FET, the “C” figures show exemplary views for a P-SVT FET, and the “D” figures show exemplary views for a P-uLVT FET. Material, configuration, dimensions and/or processes the same as or similar to the foregoing embodiments described with respect toFIGS.1-20Bmay be employed in the following embodiments, and detailed explanation thereof may be omitted.

FIGS.21A-21Dshow exemplary cross sectional views after the WFM layer110and the first conductive layer115are formed in the gate spaces90by the planarization operation. Comparing the N-uLVT FET and the N-SVT FET, the N-uLVT FET has a WFM layer110thinner than the N-SVT FET, as shown inFIGS.21A and21B. In some embodiments, the WFM layer100for the N-SVT FET completely fills the gate space and thus no second conductive layer is formed in the gate space. Comparing the P-SVT FET and the P-uLVT FET, the P-SVT FET has a WFM layer110thicker than the P-uLVT FET, as shown inFIGS.21C and21D. In some embodiments, the WFM layer100for the P-uLVT FET completely fills the gate space and thus no first conductive layer (for example, W) is formed in the gate space.

Comparing the N-uLVT FET and the P-uLVT FET, the N-uLVT FET has a WFM layer110thinner than the P-uLVT FET, as shown inFIGS.21A and21D. In some embodiments, the volume of the first conductive layer115for the N-uLVT FET is smaller than the volume of the first conductive layer115for the P-uLVT FET. For example, in the cross sections along the Y direction, the area for the first conductive layer115for the N-uLVT FET is about 70% or less of the area of the first conductive layer115for the P-uLVT FET, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the area for the first conductive layer115for the N-uLVT FET is about 1% to about 50% of the area of the first conductive layer115for the P-uLVT FET.

After the WFM layer110and the first conductive layer115are formed in the gate spaces90, as shown inFIGS.22A-22D, the WFM layer110and/or the first conductive layer115are recessed, thereby forming a recessed gate space92, by operations similar toFIGS.15A and15B.

FIGS.23A-24Dshow exemplary views after the ferroelectric layer120and the conductive liner layer125are formed over the recessed WFM layer110and/or first conductive layer115.FIGS.23A-23Dshow exemplary perspective views,FIGS.24A-24Dshow exemplary cross sectional view along the X direction, andFIGS.25A-25Dshow exemplary cross sectional view along the Y direction.

For the N-SVT FET and P-SVT-FET, the ferroelectric layer120is formed over the WFM layer110with no first conductive layer interposed therebetween. Further, the conductive liner layer125is formed in the ferroelectric layer120. For the N-uLVT FET and P-uLVT-FET, the ferroelectric layer120is formed over the WFM layer110and the first conductive layer115. The amount of the first conductive layer115for the N-uLVT FET is smaller than the amount of the first conductive layer115for the P-uLVT FET.

In for all four FETs, since the WFM layer110and/or the first conductive layer115are recessed to form the recessed gate space, of which width along the Y direction is defined by the sidewall spacers48, the ferroelectric layer120can be conformally formed in the recessed gate space92, without fully filling the recessed gate space92. Accordingly the thickness of the ferroelectric layer120at the center of the WFM layer110and/or the first conductive layer115is substantially the same for all four FETs.

As shown inFIGS.24A and24D, the WFM layer110can be conformally formed over the channels24(upper portion of the fin structure), forming a U-shape cross section, while inFIGS.24B and24C, the WFM layer110fully fills spaces between the channels24.

Further, as shown inFIGS.26A-26D, the operations the same as or similar to those explained withFIGS.16A-19Bare performed, thereby forming gate structures for multiple threshold voltage NC-FETs. As set forth above, the structure formed by the ferroelectric layer120, the conductive liner layer125and the second conductive layer130are substantially the same for the N-uLVT FET, the N-SLy FET, the P-SLy FET and P-uLVT FET. In particular, as shown inFIGS.26A-26D, the ferroelectric layer120, the conductive liner layer125and the second conductive layer130have a “U-shape” in the Y directional cross section, and the ferroelectric layer120, the conductive liner layer125and the second conductive layer130have a “U-shape” between the sidewall spacers48, also in the X directional cross section. Further, the upper surface of the MIM structure is substantially flat, as shown inFIGS.26A-26D.

FIG.27Ais an exemplary cross sectional view corresponding toFIG.26A, andFIG.27Bis an exemplary cross sectional view corresponding toFIGS.26B and26C.FIG.20Bcorresponds toFIG.26D.

InFIG.27A, the thickness H31 of the WFM layer110above the channel24between the gate dielectric layer and the bottom of the first conductive layer115is in a range from about 5 nm to about 20 nm in some embodiments. The thickness H32 of the first conductive layer115is in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 5 nm in some embodiments. InFIG.27B, the thickness H33 of the WFM layer110above the channel24is in a range from about 5 nm to about 50 nm in some embodiments. Different FETs with different threshold voltages have different WFM layer thicknesses and thus the amount (volume) of the first conductive layer115(e.g., W, Co, Ni and/or Cu) varies, including zero.

In the foregoing embodiments, FinFETs are employed. However, the foregoing technologies may be applied to planar type FET or any other suitable transistors formed by the gate replacement technology.

It will be understood that not all advantages have been necessarily discussed herein, no particular advantage is required for all embodiments or examples, and other embodiments or examples may offer different advantages.

For example, in the present disclosure, an NC-FET is formed by utilizing a gate replacement technology. After the materials/layers for the lower MOS structure is formed in the gate space, the materials/layers for the lower MOS structure is recessed to make a space for the upper MIM structure. Accordingly, the ferroelectric material layer can be conformally formed in the space, regardless of the lower MOS structures for FETs with various threshold voltages. Further, the NC-FET can be formed with a regular FET with an additional one photolithography operation, and thus, an increase in cost can be minimized.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a semiconductor device includes a first channel region disposed over a substrate, and a first gate structure disposed over the first channel region. The first gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the channel region, a lower conductive gate layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, a ferroelectric material layer disposed over the lower conductive gate layer, and an upper conductive gate layer disposed over the ferroelectric material layer. The ferroelectric material layer is in direct contact with the gate dielectric layer and the lower gate conductive layer, and has a U-shape cross section.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a semiconductor device includes a first field effect transistor (FET) and a second FET. A gate structure of the first FET includes a first gate dielectric layer made of a dielectric material, a first conductive layer made of a first conductive material, a second conductive layer made of a second conductive material and a first gate cap insulating layer disposed on the second conductive layer. A gate structure of the second FET includes a second gate dielectric layer made of the dielectric material, a third conductive layer made of the first conductive material, a ferroelectric material layer disposed over the second gate dielectric layer and the third conductive layer, a fourth conductive layer disposed over the ferroelectric material layer, and a second gate cap insulating layer disposed on the fourth conductive layer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, in a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) structure is formed. The FinFET structure has a fin structure including a channel region and a dummy gate structure disposed over the channel region. The dummy gate structure is removed, thereby forming a gate space. A gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate space over the channel region. A lower gate electrode layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer and the lower gate electrode layer are recessed, thereby forming a recessed gate space. A ferroelectric material layer is formed on the recessed gate dielectric layer and lower gate electrode layer in the recessed gate space. An upper gate electrode layer is formed on the ferroelectric material layer.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments or examples so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments or examples introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.