Patent ID: 7935617

Claim:
A method of providing a layer in a semiconductor device, wherein the layer includes Si 1-x-y Ge x C y , and wherein the carbon in the layer is in a stable condition, comprising: preparing a silicon substrate; forming a Si 1-x-y Ge x C y layer on the silicon substrate, wherein x is between about 0.00 and 1.0, and wherein y is between 0.001 and 0.05, wherein said forming a Si 1-x-y Ge x C y layer includes preparing a SiGeC precursor taken from the group of precursors consisting of C(SiH 2 Cl) 4 , CH 3 SiH 3 , (CH 3 ) 2 SiH 2 , (CH 3 ) 3 SiH, Si(CH 3 ) 4 , Si(CH 3 CH 2 ) 4 , and C(SiH 3 ) 4 , and substituting at least one Ge atom for a Si atom, and wherein the Si 1-x-y Ge x C y layer is mechanically stressed in a manner taken from the groups of mechanical stresses consisting of strained and unstrained; forming a top layer on the Si 1-x-y Ge x C y layer; and completing the semiconductor device.