Magali Gregoire

Three dimensional distributions of arsenic and platinum within NiSi contact and gate of an n-type transistor

Atom probe tomography was used to study the redistribution of platinum and arsenic atoms after Ni(Pt) silicidation of As-doped polycrystalline Si. These measurements were performed on a field-effect transistor and compared with those obtained in unpatterned region submitted to the same process. These results suggest that Pt and As redistribution during silicide formation is only marginally influenced by the confinement in microelectronic devices. On the contrary, there is a clear difference with the redistribution reported in the literature for the blanket wafers. Selective etching used to remove the non-reacted Ni(Pt) film after the first rapid heat treatment may induce this difference.

Three-dimensional distribution of Al in high-k metal gate: Impact on transistor voltage threshold

The three-dimensional spatial distribution of Al in the high-k metal gates of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors is measured by atom probe tomography. Chemical distribution is correlated with the transistor voltage threshold (VTH) shift generated by the introduction of a metallic Al layer in the metal gate. After a 1050 °C annealing, it is shown that a 2-A thick Al layer completely diffuses into oxide layers, while a positive VTH shift is measured. On the contrary, for thicker Al layers, Al precipitation in the metal gate stack is observed and the VTH shift becomes negative.

First integration of Ni0.9Co0.1 on pMOS transistors

In 3D sequential integration, the top transistor thermal budget must be reduced to preserve bottom MOSFET performance. In order to relax this thermal budget limitation, the thermal stability of the bottom level must be increased, especially for the silicide. In that purpose, Ni_0.9Co_0.1 alloy is proposed to replace the current Ni_0.85Pt_0.15 silicide. For the first time, this Ni_0.9Co_0.1 salicide has been integrated on pMOS FDSOI transistors with state of the art process leading to performance improvements compared to the standard Ni_0.85Pt_0.15 salicide. In this study, the cobalt incorporation into the salicide has been investigated to enhance its thermal stability.

Macroscopic and nanometer scale stress measurement of Ni(Pt)Si silicide: Impact of thermal treatments ranging from millisecond to several hours

The authors have measured and compared the stress in nickel silicide full sheet layers prepared with added platinum on (001) p-type Si wafers by using either a rapid thermal anneal (RTA) at 390 °C or a millisecond submelt laser dynamic scanning anneal (DSA) at 800 °C. The room temperature tensile stress of the silicide annealed with DSA is 1.65 GPa, whereas that of the silicide annealed with RTA at 390 °C is 800 MPa. Our analysis confirms that the origin of the stress lies in thermal expansion factors. Despite some small variations, the stress remains highly tensile in both layers after a 1 h post-treatment at 400 °C, with values of 1.4 GPa and 850 MPa for the DSA and RTA samples, respectively. The authors also performed strain measurements with dark field electron holography in the source drain region of 28 nm field complementary metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors, under the silicide dot. They then determined the stress inside the silicide by combining the strain measurement with finite element mechanical simulations; values of 1.5 GPa and 600 MPa were found at the nanometer scale for the DSA and RTA samples, respectively, which are consistent with the macroscopic observations.

Thermal stability of Ni1−uPtu (0 < u < 0.15) germanosilicide

Solid-state reactions between Ni1−uPtu (0 < u < 0.15 at. %) and Si0.7Ge0.3 after rapid thermal annealing at 280 to 700 °C were studied. Numerous physical and chemical characterizations such as sheet resistance analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction measurement, and atom probe tomography were used to determine the formation and morphological degradation mechanisms of the pure Ni-based germanosilicide. In particular, atom probe tomography was used to quantitatively determine the element distribution in 3D and at the atomic scale. Similar mechanisms for the degradation were found for the Ni mono germano-silicide with and without Pt and led to Ge rich Si1−xGex regions that are etched away by the selective etch. These mechanisms, Ge out-diffusion and agglomeration, have a combined effect on the germanosilicide degradation and occurs through Ge and Ni diffusion, respectively. Adding Pt increases the thermal stability of the layer owing to changes in the phase...

Boron atomic-scale mapping in advanced microelectronics by atom probe tomography

Two types of industrial transistor technologies have been studied using atom probe tomography (APT). Both 14 nm node high-K metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) on ultrathin body and buried oxide and 320 GHz Ft Si/SiGe Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBT) embedded in a 55-nm BiCMOS chip have been analysed and their atomic distribution has been mapped. Due to the limitations of routine characterisation techniques, boron can remain invisible in such nanometric sized structures. Also, size effects can induce differences between the actual device and larger test zones used for monitoring these technologies. This paper presents results obtained by APT from two advanced nodes, in contrast to complementary techniques. Using different methodologies, including specific APT-friendly test structures and multiple-impact data filtering, the dopant behaviour in these structures can be better understood. An unexpected boron distribution in both the MOSFET source/drain and HBT base regions has been highlighted.Two types of industrial transistor technologies have been studied using atom probe tomography (APT). Both 14 nm node high-K metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) on ultrathin body and buried oxide and 320 GHz Ft Si/SiGe Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBT) embedded in a 55-nm BiCMOS chip have been analysed and their atomic distribution has been mapped. Due to the limitations of routine characterisation techniques, boron can remain invisible in such nanometric sized structures. Also, size effects can induce differences between the actual device and larger test zones used for monitoring these technologies. This paper presents results obtained by APT from two advanced nodes, in contrast to complementary techniques. Using different methodologies, including specific APT-friendly test structures and multiple-impact data filtering, the dopant behaviour in these structures can be better understood. An unexpected boron distribution in both the MOSFET source/drain and HBT base regions has...

Metal/Insulator/Semiconductor contacts for ultimately scaled CMOS nodes: Projected benefits and remaining challenges

In this paper, some key fundamental aspects of Metal / Insulator / Semiconductor contacts as well as practical issues occurring with their implementation are reviewed in order to fully comprehend the opportunities and limitations of this approach.

3D Atomic Scale Analysis of CMOS type structures for 14 nm UTBB-SOI technology

As the dimensions of microelectronic devices are progressively reduced new architectures and materials are being introduced to try and meet ever stricter performance criteria. The use of high-k dielectrics (hafnium based oxides) can reduce leakage current leading to better electrical properties. The coupling of these dielectrics with metallic gate materials (TiN) has led to structures of greater complexity in CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) devices. Due to current dimensions (a few nanometres) atom probe tomography (APT) is one of the very few techniques which can give 3D chemical information at this scale [1-2]. But due to the insulating and high evaporation field nature of these materials analysis is often difficult, with very low analysis yields, or even impossible [3].

Millisecond annealing for salicide formation: Challenges of NiSi agglomeration free process

Replacing conventional low temperature second rapid thermal anneal by a high temperature millisecond anneal has been introduced in the last technology node in order to improve device performance or reduce leakage. Highest temperature induce highest performance boost however this induces the destructing NiSi agglomeration phenomena. The influence of dopant, Si microstructure and NiSi phase have been deeply investigated to evaluate the best process condition.

Redistribution of phosphorus during Ni0.9Pt0.1-based silicide formation on phosphorus implanted Si substrates

Phosphorus diffusion and its distribution during the solid-state reactions between Ni0.9Pt0.1 and implanted Si substrates are studied. Silicidation is achieved through a first rapid thermal annealing followed by a selective etching and a direct surface annealing. The redistribution of phosphorus in silicide layers is investigated after the first annealing for different temperatures and after the second annealing. Phosphorus concentration profiles obtained thanks to time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography characterizations for partial and total reactions of the deposited 7 nm thick Ni0.9Pt0.1 film are presented. Phosphorus segregation is observed at the Ni0.9Pt0.1 surface and at Ni2Si interfaces during Ni2Si formation and at the NiSi surface and the NiSi/Si interface after NiSi formation. The phosphorus is evidenced in low concentrations in the Ni2Si and NiSi layers. Once NiSi is formed, a bump in the phosphorus concentration is highlighted in the NiSi layer before the NiSi/Si interface. Based on these profiles, a model for the phosphorus redistribution is proposed to match this bump to the former Ni2Si/Si interface. It also aims to bind the phosphorus segregation and its low concentration in different silicides to a low solubility of phosphorus in Ni2Si and in NiSi and a fast diffusion of phosphorus at their grain boundaries. This model is also substantiated by a simulation using a finite difference method in one dimension.Phosphorus diffusion and its distribution during the solid-state reactions between Ni0.9Pt0.1 and implanted Si substrates are studied. Silicidation is achieved through a first rapid thermal annealing followed by a selective etching and a direct surface annealing. The redistribution of phosphorus in silicide layers is investigated after the first annealing for different temperatures and after the second annealing. Phosphorus concentration profiles obtained thanks to time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography characterizations for partial and total reactions of the deposited 7 nm thick Ni0.9Pt0.1 film are presented. Phosphorus segregation is observed at the Ni0.9Pt0.1 surface and at Ni2Si interfaces during Ni2Si formation and at the NiSi surface and the NiSi/Si interface after NiSi formation. The phosphorus is evidenced in low concentrations in the Ni2Si and NiSi layers. Once NiSi is formed, a bump in the phosphorus concentration is highlighted in the NiSi layer before the NiSi...