(19)
(11)EP 2 901 485 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
29.12.2021 Bulletin 2021/52

(21)Application number: 13840258.1

(22)Date of filing:  12.06.2013
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H01L 29/775(2006.01)
H01L 29/06(2006.01)
H01L 29/51(2006.01)
B82Y 10/00(2011.01)
H01L 29/786(2006.01)
H01L 29/423(2006.01)
H01L 21/336(2006.01)
(52)Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
H01L 29/0673; B82Y 10/00; H01L 29/785; H01L 29/517; H01L 29/42364; H01L 29/78696; H01L 29/42392; H01L 29/78; H01L 29/512; H01L 29/518; H01L 29/513; H01L 29/775
(86)International application number:
PCT/US2013/045507
(87)International publication number:
WO 2014/051738 (03.04.2014 Gazette  2014/14)

(54)

NON-PLANAR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING GROUP III-V MATERIAL ACTIVE REGION WITH MULTI-DIELECTRIC GATE STACK

NICHTPLANARES HALBLEITERBAUELEMENT MIT AKTIVER REGION AUS GRUPPE-III-V-MATERIAL MIT MULTIDIELEKTRISCHEM GATESTAPEL

DISPOSITIF SEMI-CONDUCTEUR NON PLANAIRE AYANT UNE ZONE ACTIVE EN MATÉRIAU DU GROUPE III-V À EMPILEMENT DE GRILLE MULTIDIÉLECTRIQUE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 27.09.2012 US 201213629154

(43)Date of publication of application:
05.08.2015 Bulletin 2015/32

(60)Divisional application:
16153103.3 / 3035387

(73)Proprietor: Intel Corporation
Santa Clara, CA 95054 (US)

(72)Inventors:
  • DEWEY, Gilbert
    Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 (US)
  • RADOSAVLJEVIC, Marko
    Beaverton, Oregon 97006 (US)
  • PILLARISETTY, Ravi
    Santa Clara, CA 95054 (US)
  • CHU-KUNG, Benjamin
    Santa Clara, CA 95054 (US)
  • MUKHERJEE, Niloy
    Santa Clara, CA 95054 (US)

(74)Representative: Goddar, Heinz J. 
Boehmert & Boehmert Anwaltspartnerschaft mbB Pettenkoferstrasse 22
80336 München
80336 München (DE)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A1-2008/036681
WO-A1-2011/141229
KR-A- 20050 099 324
US-A1- 2006 065 927
US-A1- 2008 242 075
US-A1- 2011 062 421
US-A1- 2011 147 710
US-A1- 2011 291 190
WO-A1-2010/094360
WO-A2-2012/040681
KR-B1- 100 801 063
US-A1- 2007 249 119
US-A1- 2008 242 075
US-A1- 2011 133 169
US-A1- 2011 291 190
US-A1- 2012 138 886
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD



    [0001] Embodiments of the invention are in the field of semiconductor devices and, in particular, non-planar semiconductor devices having group III-V material active regions with multi- dielectric gate stacks.

    BACKGROUND



    [0002] For the past several decades, the scaling of features in integrated circuits has been a driving force behind an ever-growing semiconductor industry. Scaling to smaller and smaller features enables increased densities of functional units on the limited real estate of semiconductor chips. For example, shrinking transistor size allows for the incorporation of an increased number of memory devices on a chip, lending to the fabrication of products with increased capacity. The drive for ever-more capacity, however, is not without issue. The necessity to optimize the performance of each device becomes increasingly significant.

    [0003] Semiconductor devices formed in epitaxially grown semiconductor hetero-structures, such as in group III-V material systems, offer exceptionally high carrier mobility in the transistor channels due to low effective mass along with reduced impurity scattering. Such devices provide high drive current performance and appear promising for future low power, high speed logic applications. However, significant improvements are still needed in the area of group III-V material-based devices.

    [0004] Additionally, in the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, multi-gate transistors, such as tri-gate transistors, have become more prevalent as device dimensions continue to scale down. Many different techniques have been attempted to reduce junction leakage of such transistors. However, significant improvements are still needed in the area of junction leakage suppression.

    [0005] US 2011/062421 A1 discloses a group-IV semiconductor device comprising a heterostructure formed by a barrier layer and a nanowire. Said heterostructure is used to engineer the electronic structure between semiconductor materials having different band gaps and/or different lattice constants. Specifically, according to US 2011/062421 A1, the group-IV semiconductor device is provided with two source/drain regions S/D and a channel region CH that connects the source/drain regions S/D. The channel region is implemented as a silicon nanowire. The channel region is surrounded by a gate stack. The silicon nanowire is provided over a SiGe layer that is formed on a semiconductor substrate.

    [0006] WO 2011/141229 A1 and US 2011/133169 A1 disclose double layered gate insulating stacks in the field of nanowire transistors.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0007] 

    Figure 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-planar semiconductor device having group III-V material active region with a single-dielectric gate stack.

    Figure 1B is a plot of C/A as a function of VG for the device of Figure 1A over a spectrum of 100kHz to 2MHz.

    Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an example useful for understanding the present invention.

    Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

    Figure 4 illustrates an angled view of a non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an example which is not part of the present invention.

    Figure 5A illustrates a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a nanowire-based semiconductor structure, in accordance with an example which is not part of the present invention.

    Figure 5B illustrates a cross-sectional channel view of the nanowire-based semiconductor structure of Figure 5A, as taken along the a-a' axis, in accordance with an example which is not part of the present invention.

    Figure 5C illustrates a cross-sectional spacer view of the nanowire-based semiconductor structure of Figure 5A, as taken along the b-b' axis, in accordance with an example which is not part of the present invention.

    Figures 6A-6E illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in a method of fabricating a non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an example which is not part of the present invention.

    Figure 7 illustrates a computing device in accordance with an example which is not part of the invention.


    DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS



    [0008] Non-planar semiconductor devices having group III-V material active regions with multi- dielectric gate stacks are described. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific integration and material regimes, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention as defined in appended claims may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features, such as integrated circuit design layouts, are not described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure embodiments of the present invention and examples which are not part of the invention.

    [0009] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the various embodiments shown in the Figures are illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

    [0010] One or more embodiments of the invention and examples which are not part of the invention described herein are directed to non-planar semiconductor devices having group III-V material active regions with multi-dielectric gate stacks. In particular, dual oxide/passivation features for group III-V material non-planar transistors are described. Embodiments cover approaches for fabricating devices having a dual oxide, a III-V channel, low off-state leakage, and are applicable to transistors based on non- silicon channel configurations.

    [0011] With respect to providing a context for one or more embodiments of the invention and examples which are not part of the invention described herein. past architectures for related devices may include or invoke a leakage path in a III-V material based transistor. The leakage path may be below the gate electrode and through a larger band-gap bottom barrier since the larger band-gap material is in contact with a high-k gate dielectric and may not be compatible with such a dielectric. Such contact with a high-k gate dielectric may result in an large density of interface traps and allow for a conduction path outside of the gate control of the device, thereby limiting the off-state leakage of the III-V transistor. Such issues may be enhanced in non-planar transistor structures.

    [0012] As an example of a conventional approach, Figure 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-planar semiconductor device having group III-V material active region with a single-dielectric gate stack. Referring to Figure 1A, a semiconductor device 100 includes a hetero-structure 104 disposed above a substrate 102. The hetero-structure 104 includes a three-dimensional group III-V material body 106 with a channel region 108. A source and drain material region 110 is disposed above the three-dimensional group III-V material body 106. A trench 112 having is disposed in the source and drain material region 110, separating a source region 114 from a drain region 116, and exposing at least a portion of the channel region 108. A gate stack 118 is disposed in the trench 112 and on the exposed portion of the channel region 108. The gate stack 118 includes a high-k gate dielectric layer 122 and a gate electrode 124. It is to be understood that the gate stack 118 includes a portion below the channel region, labeled 118A in Figure 1A. The hetero-structure 104 further includes a top barrier layer 126 and a bottom barrier layer 128. The trench 112 is further disposed in the top barrier layer 126 and partially into bottom barrier layer 128. As such, the gate stack 118 may completely surround the channel region 108, as depicted in Figure 1A.

    [0013] Referring again to Figure 1A, the high-k gate dielectric layer 122 is in contact with a high band-gap bottom barrier layer 128 (e.g., InAlAs). Interface states 140 may thus be generated and result in an unwanted leakage path 142 from source 114 to drain 116. Such a leakage path 142 may detrimentally increase the off-state leakage of the device 100. Furthermore, providing such a thin and high capacitance gate dielectric as a spacer also results in high parasitic capacitance and may result in slower transistor operation in circuits (e.g., poor RF performance). As an example, Figure 1B is a plot 150 of C/A as a function of VG for device 100 over a spectrum of 100kHz to 2MHz. As shown in plot 150, a high Dit is observed for current state of the art devices.

    [0014] In order to address the above issues, one or more embodiments of the invention and examples which are not part of the invention described herein are directed to approaches for, and the resulting devices, introducing a dual oxide/passivation layer into a non-planar III-V semiconductor device. Such a dual oxide/passivation layer may be included to reduce interface state generation below the transistor channel. In one example which is useful for understanding the invention, an outer oxide layer has a low dielectric constant so if it is thin, it can be used both in the gate stack or also as a spacer oxide. In an example which is useful for understanding the invention inclusion of such a stack results in less Dit, reduces the parasitic drain off-state leakage, and lowers parasitic capacitance. Furthermore, improvements in mobility in the channel may be realized because of reduced scattering.

    [0015] In a first example, Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an embodiment which is useful for understanding the present invention.

    [0016] Referring to Figure 2, a semiconductor device 200 includes a hetero-structure 204 disposed above a substrate 202. The hetero-structure 204 includes a three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 with a channel region 208. A source and drain material region 210 is disposed above the three-dimensional group III-V material body 206. A trench 212 having a width W1 is disposed in the source and drain material region 210, separating a source region 214 from a drain region 216, and exposing at least a portion of the channel region 208. A gate stack 218 is disposed in the trench 212 and on the exposed portion of the channel region 208.

    [0017] The gate stack 218 includes a first dielectric layer 220 conformal with the trench 212 and disposed on outer portions, but not an inner portion, of the channel region 208, as depicted in Figure 2. A second, different, dielectric layer 222 is conformal with the first dielectric layer 220 and is disposed on the inner portion of the channel region 208, as is also depicted in Figure 2. A gate electrode 224 is disposed on the second dielectric layer 222. Although depicted as T-shaped, gate electrode 224 may instead have the T-portions in order to reduce capacitance effects. The first dielectric layer 220 has a thickness approximately in the range of 2 - 15 nanometers, and the second dielectric layer 222 has a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5 - 3 nanometers. The trench 212 has a width (W1) approximately in the range of 15 - 60 nanometers. It is to be understood that the gate stack 218 includes a portion below the channel region, labeled 218A in Figure 2.

    [0018] Referring again to Figure 2, the hetero-structure 204 further includes a top barrier layer 226 disposed between the source and drain material region 210 and the three-dimensional group III-V material body 206. The trench 212 is also disposed in the top barrier layer 226. The hetero-structure 204 further includes a bottom barrier layer 228 disposed between the substrate 202 and the three-dimensional group III-V material body 206. The trench 212 is also partially disposed in the bottom barrier layer 228, completely exposing the channel region 208. The gate stack 218 completely surrounds the channel region 208, as indicated in Figure 2.

    [0019] In a second example, both dielectric layers may be included in a stack covering all of the exposed channel. For example, Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

    [0020] Referring to Figure 3, a semiconductor device 300 includes a hetero-structure 204 disposed above a substrate 202. The hetero-structure 204 includes a three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 with a channel region 208. A source and drain material region 210 is disposed above the three-dimensional group III-V material body 206. A trench 312 having a width W2 is disposed in the source and drain material region 210, separating a source region 214 from a drain region 216, and exposing at least a portion of the channel region 208. A gate stack 318 is disposed in the trench 312 and on the exposed portion of the channel region 208. It is to be understood that the gate stack 318 includes a portion below the channel region, labeled 318A in Figure 3.

    [0021] The gate stack 218 includes a first dielectric layer 220 conformal with the trench 312 and disposed on the exposed portion of the channel region 208. A second, different, dielectric layer 222 is conformal with and disposed on the first dielectric layer 220, but not directly on the channel region 208. A gate electrode 224 is disposed on the second dielectric layer 222. Although depicted as T-shaped, gate electrode 224 may instead have the T-portions in order to reduce capacitance effects. In an embodiment, the first dielectric layer 220 has a thickness approximately in the range of 0.3 - 2 nanometers, and the second dielectric layer 222 has a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5 - 3 nanometers. In one such embodiment, the trench 312 has a width (W2) approximately in the range of 5 - 25 nanometers.

    [0022] Referring again to Figure 2, in an embodiment, the hetero-structure 204 further includes a top barrier layer 226 disposed between the source and drain material region 210 and the three-dimensional group III-V material body 206. The trench 312 is also disposed in the top barrier layer 226. In an embodiment, the hetero-structure 204 further includes a bottom barrier layer 228 disposed between the substrate 202 and the three-dimensional group III-V material body 206. In one such embodiment, the trench 312 is also partially disposed in the bottom barrier layer 228, completely exposing the channel region 208. In that embodiment, the gate stack 318 completely surrounds the channel region 208, as indicated in Figure 3. It is also to be understood that like feature designations of Figure 3 may be as described in association with Figure 2.

    [0023] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in an embodiment which is useful for understanding the invention as shown in Figure 2 and in an embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 3, the second dielectric layer 222 has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric layer 220. In one such embodiment, the second dielectric layer 222 has a dielectric constant greater than approximately 8 and the first dielectric layer 220 has a dielectric constant approximately in the range of 4 - 8. In another such embodiment, the second dielectric layer 222 is composed of a material such as, but not limited to, tantalum silicon oxide (TaSiOx), aluminum oxide (AlOx, with a dielectric constant of approximately 8), hafnium oxide (HfO2, with a dielectric constant greater than 8), zirconium oxide (ZrO2, with a dielectric constant greater than 8), and lanthanum oxide (La2O3, with a dielectric constant greater than 8). The first dielectric layer is composed of a material such as, but not limited to, aluminum silicate (AlSiOx, with a dielectric constant of approximately 6, where varying the Si content in the AlSiOx can move the dielectric constant higher, e.g., up to 7), silicon oxynitride (SiON, with a dielectric constant of approximately 5.5), silicon dioxide (SiO2, with a dielectric constant of approximately 4) and silicon nitride (Si3N4, with a dielectric constant approximately in the range of 6-7). In an embodiment, gate electrode 224 is composed of a material such as, but not limited to, a metal nitride, a metal carbide, a metal silicide, hafnium, zirconium, titanium, tantalum, aluminum, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, cobalt or nickel. The gate electrode stack 218 may also include dielectric spacers, not depicted.

    [0024] Substrate 202 may be composed of a material suitable for semiconductor device fabrication. In one embodiment, substrate 202 is a bulk substrate composed of a single crystal of a material which may include, but is not limited to, silicon, germanium, silicon-germanium or a III-V compound semiconductor material. In another embodiment, substrate 202 includes a bulk layer with a top epitaxial layer. In a specific embodiment, the bulk layer is composed of a single crystal of a material which may include, but is not limited to, silicon, germanium, silicon-germanium, a III-V compound semiconductor material or quartz, while the top epitaxial layer is composed of a single crystal layer which may include, but is not limited to, silicon, germanium, silicon-germanium or a III-V compound semiconductor material. In another embodiment, substrate 202 includes a top epitaxial layer on a middle insulator layer which is above a lower bulk layer. The top epitaxial layer is composed of a single crystal layer which may include, but is not limited to, silicon (e.g., to form a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) semiconductor substrate), germanium, silicon-germanium or a III-V compound semiconductor material. The insulator layer is composed of a material which may include, but is not limited to, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride or silicon oxy-nitride. The lower bulk layer is composed of a single crystal which may include, but is not limited to, silicon, germanium, silicon-germanium, a III-V compound semiconductor material or quartz. Substrate 202 may further include dopant impurity atoms.

    [0025] Hetero-structure 204 include a stack of crystalline semiconductor layers, such as a compositional buffer layer (not shown) with the bottom barrier layer 228 disposed thereon. The compositional buffer layer may be composed of a crystalline material suitable to provide a specific lattice structure onto which a bottom barrier layer may be formed with negligible dislocations. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the compositional buffer layer is used to change, by a gradient of lattice constants, the exposed growth surface of semiconductor hetero-structure 204 from the lattice structure of substrate 202 to one that is more compatible for epitaxial growth of high quality, low defect layers thereon. In one embodiment, the compositional buffer layer acts to provide a more suitable lattice constant for epitaxial growth instead of an incompatible lattice constant of substrate 202. In an embodiment, substrate 202 is composed of single-crystal silicon and the compositional buffer layer grades to a bottom barrier layer composed of a layer of InAlAs having a thickness of approximately 1 micron. In an alternative embodiment, the compositional buffer layer is omitted because the lattice constant of substrate 202 is suitable for the growth of a bottom barrier layer 228 for a quantum-well semiconductor device.

    [0026] The bottom barrier layer 228 may be composed of a material suitable to confine a wave-function in a quantum-well formed thereon. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom barrier layer 228 has a lattice constant suitably matched to the top lattice constant of the compositional buffer layer, e.g., the lattice constants are similar enough that dislocation formation in the bottom barrier layer 228 is negligible. In one embodiment, the bottom barrier layer 228 is composed of a layer of approximately In0.65Al0.35As having a thickness of approximately 10 nanometers. In a specific embodiment, the bottom barrier layer 228 composed of the layer of approximately In0.65Al0.35As is used for quantum confinement in an N-type semiconductor device. In another embodiment, the bottom barrier layer 228 is composed of a layer of approximately In0.65Al0.35Sb having a thickness of approximately 10 nanometers. In a specific embodiment, the bottom barrier layer 228 composed of the layer of approximately In0.65Al0.35Sb is used for quantum confinement in a P-type semiconductor device.

    [0027] The three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 may be composed of a material suitable to propagate a wave-function with low resistance. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 has a lattice constant suitably matched to the lattice constant of the bottom barrier layer 228 of hetero-structure 204, e.g., the lattice constants are similar enough that dislocation formation in three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 is negligible. In an embodiment, three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 is composed of groups III (e.g. boron, aluminum, gallium or indium) and V (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorous, arsenic or antimony) elements. In one embodiment, three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 is composed of InAs or InSb. The three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 may have a thickness suitable to propagate a substantial portion of a wave-function, e.g. suitable to inhibit a significant portion of the wave-function from entering the bottom barrier layer 228 of hetero-structure 204 or a top barrier layer (e.g., barrier layer 226) formed on three-dimensional group III-V material body 206. In an embodiment, three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 has a thickness (height) approximately in the range of 50 - 100 Angstroms. The width (dimension taken into the page as shown) may have approximately the same dimension, providing a three-dimensional wire-type feature.

    [0028] Top barrier layer 226 may be composed of a material suitable to confine a wave-function in a III-V material body/channel region formed there under. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, top barrier layer 226 has a lattice constant suitably matched to the lattice constant of channel region 206, e.g., the lattice constants are similar enough that dislocation formation in top barrier layer 226 is negligible. In one embodiment, top barrier layer 226 is composed of a layer of material such as, but not limited to, N-type InGaAs. Source and drain material region 210 may be doped group III-V material region, such a more heavily doped structure formed from the same or similar material as top barrier layer 226. In other embodiments, the composition of source and drain material region 210, aside from doping differences, differs from the material of top barrier layer 226.

    [0029] Semiconductor device 200 according to an example useful for understanding the invention may be a semiconductor device incorporating a gate, a channel region and a pair of source/drain regions. Semiconductor device 200 is one such as, but not limited to, a MOS-FET or a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS). Semiconductor device 200 is a planar or three-dimensional MOS-FET and is an isolated device or is one device in a plurality of nested devices. According to the invention, semiconductor device 300 is a semiconductor device incorporating a gate, a channel region and a pair of source/drain regions. Semiconductor device 300 is one such as a three-dimensional MOS-FET and is an isolated device or is one device in a plurality of nested devices.

    [0030] As will be appreciated for a typical integrated circuit, both N- and P-channel transistors may be fabricated on a single substrate to form a CMOS integrated circuit. Furthermore, additional interconnect wiring may be fabricated in order to integrate such devices into an integrated circuit.

    [0031] The above described devices can be viewed as trench-based devices, where a gate wraps a channel region within a trench of a stack of III-V material layers. However, according to examples useful for understanding the invention, other devices may include a protruding III-V channel regions, such as in a tri-gate or FIN-FET based MOS-FETs. For example, Figure 4 illustrates an angled view of a non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an example useful for understanding the present invention.

    [0032] Referring to Figure 4, a semiconductor device 400 includes a hetero-structure 404 disposed above a substrate 202. The hetero-structure 404 includes a bottom barrier layer 228. A three-dimensional group III-V material body 206 with a channel region 208 is disposed above the bottom barrier layer 228. A gate stack 218 is disposed to surround at least a portion of the channel region 208. Not viewable from the perspective of Figure 4, the gate stack completely surrounds the channel region 208. The gate stack 218 includes a gate electrode 224 and a dual gate dielectric layer 220/222, such as the dual date dielectric layers described in association with Figures 2 and 3. The gate stack may further include dielectric spacers 460.

    [0033] Source and drain regions 414/416 may be formed in or on portions of the three-dimensional group ni-V material body 206 not surrounded by gate stack 218. Furthermore, a top barrier layer may be included in those regions as well. Also, isolation regions 470 may be included. Although depicted in Figure 4 as being somewhat aligned with the bottom of the bottom barrier layer 228, it is to be understood that the depth of the isolation regions 470 may vary. Also, although depicted in Figure 4 as being somewhat aligned with the top of the bottom barrier layer 228, it is to be understood that the height of the isolation regions 470 may vary. It is also to be understood that like feature designations of Figure 4 may be as described in association with Figure 2.

    [0034] In another aspect, Figure 5A illustrates a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a group III-V material nanowire-based semiconductor structure, in accordance with an example which is not part of the present invention. Figure 5B illustrates a cross-sectional channel view of the group III-V material nanowire-based semiconductor structure of Figure 5 A, as taken along the a-a' axis. Figure 5C illustrates a cross-sectional spacer view of the group III-V material nanowire-based semiconductor structure of Figure 5A, as taken along the b-b' axis.

    [0035] Referring to Figure 5A, a semiconductor device 500 includes one or more vertically stacked group III-V material nanowires (550 set) disposed above a substrate 202. Examples herein are targeted at both single wire devices and multiple wire devices. As an example, a three nanowire-based devices having nanowires 550A, 550B and 550C is shown for illustrative purposes. For convenience of description, nanowire 550A is used as an example where description is focused on only one of the nanowires. It is to be understood that where attributes of one nanowire are described, examples based on a plurality of nanowires may have the same attributes for each of the nanowires.

    [0036] At least the first nanowire 550A includes a group III-V material channel region 208. The group III-V material channel region 208 has a length (L). Referring to Figure 5B, the group III-V material channel region 208 also has a perimeter orthogonal to the length (L). Referring to both Figures 5A and 5B, a gate electrode stack 218 surrounds the entire perimeter of each of the channel regions of each nanowire 550, including group III-V material channel region 208. The gate electrode stack 218 includes a gate electrode along with a gate dielectric layer disposed between the channel regions and the gate electrode (not individually shown). The group III-V material channel region 208 and the channel regions of the additional nanowires 550B and 550C are discrete in that they are completely surrounded by the gate electrode stack 218 without any intervening material such as underlying substrate material or overlying channel fabrication materials. Accordingly, in examples having a plurality of nanowires 550, the channel regions of the nanowires are also discrete relative to one another, as depicted in Figure 5B. Referring to

    [0037] Figures 5A-5C, a bottom barrier layer 228 is disposed above substrate 202. The bottom barrier layer 228 is further disposed below the one or more nanowires 550. In an example, the group III-V material channel region 208 is completely surrounded by gate electrode 218, as depicted in Figure 5B.

    [0038] Referring again to Figure 5A, each of the nanowires 550 also includes source and drain regions 214 and 216 disposed in or on the nanowire on either side of the channel regions, including on either side of group III-V material channel region 208. In an example, the source and drain regions 214/216 are embedded source and drain regions, e.g., at least a portion of the nanowires is removed and replaced with a source/drain material region. However, in another example, the source and drain regions 214/216 are composed of, or at least include, portions of the one or more nanowires 550.

    [0039] A pair of contacts 570 is disposed over the source/drain regions 214/216. In an example, the semiconductor device 500 further includes a pair of spacers 540. The spacers 540 are disposed between the gate electrode stack 218 and the pair of contacts 570. As described above, the channel regions and the source/drain regions are, in at least several example, made to be discrete. However, not all regions of the nanowires 550 need be, or even can be made to be discrete. For example, referring to Figure 5C, nanowires 550A-550C are not discrete at the location under spacers 540. In one example, the stack of nanowires 550A-550C have intervening semiconductor material 580 there between. In one example, the bottom nanowire 550A is still in contact with a portion of the bottom buffer layer 228, which is otherwise recessed for gate stack 218 formation (Figure 5B). Thus, in an example, a portion of the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires 550 under one or both of the spacers 540 is non- discrete.

    [0040] It is to be understood that like feature designations of Figure 5A-5C may be as described in association with Figure 2. Also, although the device 500 described above is for a single device, a CMOS architecture may also be formed to include both NMOS and PMOS nanowire- based devices disposed on or above the same substrate. In an example, the nanowires 550 may be sized as wires or ribbons, and may have squared-off or rounded corners.

    [0041] In an example, gate stack 218 is formed in a wide trench formed around nanowires 550. In one such example, the gate stack includes a first dielectric layer disposed on outer portions, but not an inner portion, of each of the channel regions. A second, different, dielectric layer is conformal with the first dielectric layer and disposed on the inner portion of each of the channel regions. A gate electrode is disposed on the second dielectric layer. In a specific such example, the first dielectric layer has a thickness approximately in the range of 2 -15 nanometers, and the second dielectric layer has a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5 - 3 nanometers.

    [0042] In another example, gate stack 218 is formed in a narrow trench formed around nanowires 550. In one such example, the gate stack includes a first dielectric layer disposed on each of the channel regions. A second, different, dielectric layer is conformal with the first dielectric layer and is disposed on the first dielectric layer, but not on each of the channel regions. A gate electrode is disposed on the second dielectric layer. In a specific such example, the first dielectric layer has a thickness approximately in the range of 0.3 - 2 nanometers, and the second dielectric layer has a thickness approximately in the range of 0.5 - 3 nanometers.

    [0043] In another aspect, methods of fabricating a group III-V material-based semiconductor structure are provided. For example, Figures 6A-6E illustrate cross-sectional views representing various operations in a method of fabricating a non-planar semiconductor device having a group III-V material active region with a multi-dielectric gate stack, in accordance with an example which is not part of the present invention. It is also to be understood that like feature designations of Figures 6A- 6E may be as described in association with Figure 2 and 3.

    [0044] Referring to Figure 6A, a bottom barrier layer 228 is formed above a substrate 202. A III- V material layer is then formed on bottom barrier layer 228 and patterned to form three-dimensional material body 206 with channel region 208. Alternatively, the III-V material layer may be formed after or during the trench formation described in association with Figure 6C.

    [0045] Referring to Figure 6B, a hetero-structure 690, which may include a top barrier layer 226 and source and drain material region 210, is formed above the three-dimensional material body 206 (or above the III-V material layer, if not yet patterned).

    [0046] Referring to Figure 6C, a trench 612 is formed in hetero-structure 690 and partially into bottom barrier layer 228, exposing channel region 208. Trench 612 is formed by a dry or wet etch process.

    [0047] Referring to Figure 6D, a dual dielectric stack 220/222 is formed in trench 612 and surrounding channel region 208. Then, referring to Figure 6E, a gate electrode 224 is formed on the dual dielectric stack 220/222.

    [0048] Referring again to Figure 6E, the trench 612 may be formed as a relatively wide trench or a relatively narrow trench, as was described in association with Figure s2 and 3. The process flow depicted in Figures 6A-6E generally represents fabrication of a narrow trench and a specific dual dielectric stack formed therein. In another example, a wide trench may be formed and then completely filled with a first dielectric layer of the dual gate stack. The first dielectric layer may then be patterned and a second dielectric layer formed thereon.

    [0049] Thus, one or more embodiments of the invention and examples useful for understanding the invention described herein are targeted at III-V material active region arrangements integrated with dual gate dielectric stacks. Although described above with respect to benefits for non-planar and gate-all-around devices, benefits may also be achieved for planar devices without gate wrap-around features. Thus, such arrangements may be included to form III-V material-based transistors such as planar devices, fin or tri-gate based devices, and gate all around devices, including nanowire-based devices. Embodiments of the invention and examples useful for understanding the invention described herein may be effective for junction isolation in metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). It is to be understood that formation of materials such as the III-V material layers described herein may be performed by techniques such as, but not limited to, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), or other like processes.

    [0050] Figure 7 illustrates a computing device 700. The computing device 700 houses a board 702. The board 702 may include a number of components, including but not limited to a processor 704 and at least one communication chip 706. The processor 704 is physically and electrically coupled to the board 702. In some implementations the at least one communication chip 706 is also physically and electrically coupled to the board 702. In further implementations, the communication chip 706 is part of the processor 704.

    [0051] Depending on its applications, computing device 700 may include other components that may or may not be physically and electrically coupled to the board 702. These other components include, but are not limited to, volatile memory (e.g., DRAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM), flash memory, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, a crypto processor, a chipset, an antenna, a display, a touchscreen display, a touchscreen controller, a battery, an audio codec, a video codec, a power amplifier, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a speaker, a camera, and a mass storage device (such as hard disk drive, compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), and so forth).

    [0052] The communication chip 706 enables wireless communications for the transfer of data to and from the computing device 700. The term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some examples useful for understanding the invention they might not. The communication chip 706 may implement any of a number of wireless standards or protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long term evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless protocols that are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing device 700 may include a plurality of communication chips 706. For instance, a first communication chip 706 may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a second communication chip 706 may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.

    [0053] The processor 704 of the computing device 700 includes an integrated circuit die packaged within the processor 704. In some implementations, the integrated circuit die of the processor includes one or more devices, such as MOS-FET transistors built in accordance with implementations. The term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored in registers and/or memory.

    [0054] The communication chip 706 also includes an integrated circuit die packaged within the communication chip 706. In accordance with another implementation, the integrated circuit die of the communication chip includes one or more devices, such as MOS- FET transistors built in accordance with implementations.

    [0055] In further implementations, another component housed within the computing device 700 may contain an integrated circuit die that includes one or more devices, such as MOS-FET transistors built in accordance with implementations.

    [0056] In various implementations, the computing device 700 may be a laptop, a netbook, a notebook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ultra mobile PC, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a server, a printer, a scanner, a monitor, a set-top box, an entertainment control unit, a digital camera, a portable music player, or a digital video recorder. In further implementations, the computing device 700 may be any other electronic device that processes data.

    [0057] Thus, embodiments of the present invention include non-planar semiconductor devices having group III-V material active regions with multi-dielectric gate stacks.


    Claims

    1. A semiconductor device, comprising:

    a semiconductor substrate (202);

    a bottom barrier layer (228) above the semiconductor substrate (208);

    a three-dimensional group Ill - V material body (206) with a channel region (208) above the bottom barrier layer (228);

    a source region (214) disposed above the three-dimensional III-V material body and on a first side of the channel region (208);

    a drain region (216) disposed above the three-dimensional III-V material body and on a second side of the channel region (208), the second side of the channel region (208) being opposite the first side;

    a top barrier layer (226) provided between the three-dimensional group III - V material body and source/drain regions (214, 216), the top barrier layer (226), the bottom barrier layer (228) and the three-dimensional group Ill - V material body forming a heterostructure (204);

    a trench (312) separating the source region from the drain region, said trench being disposed in the top barrier layer (226) and partially disposed in the bottom barrier layer (228) and exposing the channel region (208);

    a gate stack disposed in the trench (312) and on the exposed portion of the channel region, the gate stack comprising:

    a first dielectric layer (220) conformal with the trench (312) and disposed on the exposed portion of the channel region (208);

    a second gate dielectric layer (222) conformal with and disposed on the first dielectric layer (220) around the channel region, the second gate dielectric layer (222) being on the first gate dielectric layer (220) and separated from the channel region by the first gate dielectric layer (220), the second gate dielectric layer (222) having a higher dielectric constant than the first gate dielectric layer (220);

    a gate electrode (224) disposed on the second dielectric layer (222) around the channel region (208), the gate electrode (224) being separated from the channel region (208) by both the first gate dielectric layer (220) and the second gate dielectric layer (222), wherein

    the gate stack completely surrounds the channel region.


     
    2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second dielectric layer (222) has a dielectric constant greater than 8 and the first dielectric layer (220) has a dielectric constant in th range of 4-8.
     
    3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second gate dielectric layer (222) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of tantalum silicon oxide, TaSiOx, aluminum oxide, AlOx, hafnium oxide, HfO2, zirconium oxide, ZrO2, and lanthanum oxide, La2O3, and the first gate dielectric layer (220) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum silicate, AlSiOx, silicon oxynitride, SiON, silicon dioxide, Si02, and silicon nitride, Si3N4.
     
    4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first gate dielectric layer (220) has a thickness between 0,3-2 nanometers, inclusive, and the second gate dielectric layer (222) has a thickness between 0.5-3 nanometers, inclusive.
     
    5. The device of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional group III - V material body is composed of InAs.
     
    6. The device of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional group III - V material body is composed of InSb.
     
    7. The device of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional group III-V material body (206) has a height in the range of 50-100 Angstroms and a width, and the height is approximately the same as the width.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Halbleiterbauelement, umfassend:

    ein Halbleitersubstrat (202);

    eine unterste Barriereschicht (228) über dem Halbleitersubstrat (208);

    einen dreidimensionalen Körper aus Material der Gruppe III-V (206) mit einer Kanalregion (208) über der untersten Barriereschicht (228);

    eine Source-Region (214), die über dem dreidimensionalen Körper aus III-V-Material und auf der ersten Seite der Kanalregion (208) angeordnet ist;

    eine Drain-Region (216), die über dem dreidimensionalen Körper aus III-V-Material und auf der zweiten Seite der Kanalregion (208) angeordnet ist, wobei die zweite Seite der Kanalregion (208) der ersten Seite gegenüber liegt;

    eine oberste Barriereschicht (226), die zwischen dem dreidimensionalen Körper aus Material der Gruppe III-V und Source/Drain-Regionen (214, 216) bereitgestellt wird, wobei die oberste Barriereschicht (226), die unterste Barriereschicht (228) und der dreidimensionale Körper aus Material der Gruppe III-V eine Heterostruktur (204) bilden;

    einen Graben (312), der die Source-Region von der Drain-Region trennt, wobei der Graben in der obersten Barriereschicht (226) angeordnet ist und teilweise in der untersten Barriereschicht (228) angeordnet ist und die Kanalregion (208) exponiert;

    einen Gate-Stapel, der in dem Graben (312) und auf dem exponierten Anteil der Kanalregion angeordnet ist, wobei der Gate-Stapel umfasst:

    eine erste dielektrische Schicht (220), die formangeglichen mit dem Graben (312) ist und auf dem exponierten Anteil der Kanalregion (208) angeordnet ist;

    eine zweite dielektrische Gate-Schicht (222), die formangeglichen mit der ersten dielektrischen Schicht (220) um die Kanalregion herum und auf dieser angeordnet ist, wobei die zweite dielektrische Gate-Schicht (222) sich auf der ersten dielektrischen Gate-Schicht (220) befindet und durch die erste dielektrische Gate-Schicht (220) von der Kanalregion getrennt ist, wobei die zweite dielektrische Gate-Schicht (222) eine höhere Dielektrizitätskonstante als die erste dielektrische Gate-Schicht (220) hat;

    eine Gate-Elektrode (224), die auf der zweiten dielektrischen Schicht (222) um die Kanalregion (208) herum angeordnet ist, wobei die Gate-Elektrode (224) durch sowohl die erste dielektrische Gate-Schicht (220) als auch die zweite dielektrische Gate-Schicht (222) von der Kanalregion (208) getrennt ist,

    wobei der Gate-Stapel die Kanalregion vollständig umgibt.


     
    2. Bauelement nach Anspruch 1, wobei die zweite dielektrische Schicht (222) eine Dielektrizitätskonstante größer als 8 hat und die erste dielektrische Schicht (220) eine Dielektrizitätskonstante im Bereich von 4 bis 8 hat.
     
    3. Bauelement nach Anspruch 2, wobei die zweite dielektrische Gate-Schicht (222) ein Material ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Tantalsiliciumoxid, TaSiOx, Aluminiumoxid, AlOx, Hafniumoxid, HfO2, Zirconiumoxid, ZrO2 und Lanthanoxid, La2O3 umfasst, und die erste dielektrische Gate-Schicht (220) ein Material ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Aluminiumsilikat, AlSiOx, Siliciumoxynitrid, SiON, Siliciumdioxid, SiO2, und Siliciumnitrid, Si3N4 umfasst.
     
    4. Bauelement nach Anspruch 2, wobei die erste dielektrische Gate-Schicht (220) eine Dicke zwischen 0,3 und 2 Nanometern einschließlich aufweist, und die zweite dielektrische Gate-Schicht (222) eine Dicke zwischen 0,5 und 3 Nanometern einschließlich aufweist.
     
    5. Bauelement nach Anspruch 1, wobei der dreidimensionale Körper aus Material der Gruppe III-V aus InAs zusammengesetzt ist.
     
    6. Bauelement nach Anspruch 1, wobei der dreidimensionale Körper aus Material der Gruppe III-V aus InSb zusammengesetzt ist.
     
    7. Bauelement nach Anspruch 1, wobei der dreidimensionale Körper aus Material der Gruppe III-V (206) eine Höhe im Bereich von 50 bis 100 Angström und eine Breite aufweist, und wobei die Höhe ungefähr gleich der Breite ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Dispositif semi-conducteur, comprenant :

    un substrat semi-conducteur (202) ;

    une couche barrière inférieure (228) au-dessus du substrat semi-conducteur (208) ;

    un corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V (206) avec une région de canal (208) au-dessus de la couche barrière inférieure (228) ;

    une région de source (214) disposée au-dessus du corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V et sur un premier côté de la région de canal (208) ;

    une région de drain (216) disposée au-dessus du corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V et sur un deuxième côté de la région de canal (208), le deuxième côté de la région de canal (208) étant à l'opposé du premier côté ;

    une couche barrière supérieure (226) disposée entre le corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V et les régions de source/drain (214, 216), la couche barrière supérieure (226), la couche barrière inférieure (228) et le corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V formant une hétérostructure (204) ;

    une tranchée (312) séparant la région de source de la région de drain, ladite tranchée étant disposée dans la couche barrière supérieure (226) et partiellement disposée dans la couche barrière inférieure (228) et exposant la région de canal (208) ;

    un empilement de grille disposé dans la tranchée (312) et sur la partie exposée de la région de canal, l'empilement de grille comprenant :

    une première couche de diélectrique (220) épousant la forme de la tranchée (312) et disposée sur la partie exposée de la région de canal (208) ;

    une deuxième couche de diélectrique de grille (222) épousant la forme de et disposée sur la première couche de diélectrique (220) autour de la région de canal, la deuxième couche de diélectrique de grille (222) étant sur la première couche de diélectrique de grille (220) et séparée de la région de canal par la première couche de diélectrique de grille (220), la deuxième couche de diélectrique de grille (222) ayant une plus grande constante diélectrique que la première couche de diélectrique de grille (220) ;

    une électrode de grille (224) disposée sur la deuxième couche de diélectrique (222) autour de la région de canal (208), l'électrode de grille (224) étant séparée de la région de canal (208) à la fois par la première couche de diélectrique de grille (220) et la deuxième couche de diélectrique de grille (222), dans lequel l'empilement de grille entoure complètement la région de canal.


     
    2. Dispositif de la revendication 1, dans lequel la deuxième couche de diélectrique (222) a une constante diélectrique supérieure à 8 et la première couche de diélectrique (220) a une constante diélectrique dans la gamme de 4-8.
     
    3. Dispositif de la revendication 2, dans lequel la deuxième couche de diélectrique de grille (222) comprend un matériau choisi dans le groupe constitué par un oxyde de tantale et de silicium, TaSiOx, un oxyde d'aluminium, AlOx, l'oxyde de hafnium, HfO2, l'oxyde de zirconium, ZrO2, et l'oxyde de lanthane, La2O3, et la première couche de diélectrique de grille (220) comprend un matériau choisi dans le groupe constitué par un silicate d'aluminium, AlSiOx, l'oxynitrure de silicium, SiON, le dioxyde de silicium, SiO2, et le nitrure de silicium, Si3N4.
     
    4. Dispositif de la revendication 2, dans lequel la première couche de diélectrique de grille (220) a une épaisseur comprise entre 0,3 et 2 nanomètres, inclus, et la deuxième couche de diélectrique de grille (222) a une épaisseur comprise entre 0,5 et 3 nanomètres, inclus.
     
    5. Dispositif de la revendication 1, dans lequel le corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V est composé d'InAs.
     
    6. Dispositif de la revendication 1, dans lequel le corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V est composé d'InSb.
     
    7. Dispositif de la revendication 1, dans lequel le corps tridimensionnel en matériau des groupes III-V (206) a une hauteur dans la gamme de 50-100 angströms et une largeur, et la hauteur est approximativement égale à la largeur.
     




    Drawing


























    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description