IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,682,731
Granted Patent B2
US 11,682,731 · App. 16/700,826 · Granted Jun 20, 2023

Fin smoothing and integrated circuit structures resulting therefrom

Inventors: Cory Bomberger (Portland, OR); Anand S. Murthy (Portland, OR); Tahir Ghani (Portland, OR); Anupama Bowonder (Portland, OR)
Assignee: Intel Corporation
H01L29/7853H01L29/165H01L29/66818H01L29/7851
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,682,731
App. No.
16/700,826
Granted
Jun 20, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Fin smoothing, and integrated circuit structures resulting therefrom, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor fin having a protruding fin portion above an isolation structure, the protruding fin portion having substantially vertical sidewalls. The semiconductor fin further includes a sub-fin portion within an opening in the isolation structure, the sub-fin portion having a different semiconductor material than the protruding fin portion. The sub-fin portion has a width greater than or less than a width of the protruding portion where the sub-fin portion meets the protruding portion. A gate stack is over and conformal with the protruding fin portion of the semiconductor fin. A first source or drain region at a first side of the gate stack, and a second source or drain region at a second side of the gate stack opposite the first side of the gate stack.

Claims (41)

1. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:

a semiconductor fin having a protruding fin portion above an isolation structure, the protruding fin portion having substantially vertical sidewalls, and the semiconductor fin further comprising a sub-fin portion within an opening in the isolation structure, the sub-fin portion comprising a different semiconductor material than the protruding fin portion, wherein the sub-fin portion has a width greater than a width of the protruding portion where the sub-fin portion meets the protruding portion;

a gate stack over and conformal with the protruding fin portion of the semiconductor fin;

a first source or drain region at a first side of the gate stack; and

a second source or drain region at a second side of the gate stack opposite the first side of the gate stack.

2. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the sub-fin portion comprises silicon, and the protruding fin portion comprises silicon and germanium.

3. The integrated circuit structure of claim 2 , wherein the protruding fin portion comprises Si 70 Ge 30 .

4. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the sub-fin portion meets the protruding portion at a location co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure.

5. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the sub-fin portion is on a monocrystalline silicon substrate.

6. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the first and second source or drain regions are embedded source or drain regions.

7. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the first and second source or drain regions are formed in regions of the semiconductor fin at the first and second sides of the gate stack, respectively.

8. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the gate stack comprises a gate dielectric comprising a high-k dielectric material, and a gate electrode comprising a metal.

9. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:

a semiconductor fin having a protruding fin portion above an isolation structure, the protruding fin portion having substantially vertical sidewalls, and the semiconductor fin further comprising a sub-fin portion within an opening in the isolation structure, the sub-fin portion comprising a different semiconductor material than the protruding fin portion, wherein the sub-fin portion has a width less than a width of the protruding portion where the sub-fin portion meets the protruding portion;

a gate stack over and conformal with the protruding fin portion of the semiconductor fin;

a first source or drain region at a first side of the gate stack; and

a second source or drain region at a second side of the gate stack opposite the first side of the gate stack.

10. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9 , wherein the sub-fin portion comprises silicon, and the protruding fin portion comprises silicon and germanium.

11. The integrated circuit structure of claim 10 , wherein the protruding fin portion comprises Si 70 Ge 30 .

12. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9 , wherein the sub-fin portion meets the protruding portion at a location co-planar with a top surface of the isolation structure.

13. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9 , wherein the sub-fin portion is on a monocrystalline silicon substrate.

14. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9 , wherein the first and second source or drain regions are embedded source or drain regions.

15. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9 , wherein the first and second source or drain regions are formed in regions of the semiconductor fin at the first and second sides of the gate stack, respectively.

16. The integrated circuit structure of claim 9 , wherein the gate stack comprises a gate dielectric comprising a high-k dielectric material, and a gate electrode comprising a metal.

17. A computing device, comprising:

a board; and

a component coupled to the board, the component including an integrated circuit structure, comprising:

a semiconductor fin having a protruding fin portion above an isolation structure, the protruding fin portion having substantially vertical sidewalls, and the semiconductor fin further comprising a sub-fin portion within an opening in the isolation structure, the sub-fin portion comprising a different semiconductor material than the protruding fin portion, wherein the sub-fin portion has a width greater than or less than a width of the protruding portion

where the sub-fin portion meets the protruding portion;

a gate stack over and conformal with the protruding fin portion of the semiconductor fin;

a first source or drain region at a first side of the gate stack; and

a second source or drain region at a second side of the gate stack opposite the first side of the gate stack.

18. The computing device of claim 17 , further comprising:

a memory coupled to the board.

19. The computing device of claim 17 , further comprising:

a camera coupled to the board.

20. The computing device of claim 17 , further comprising:

a battery coupled to the board.

21. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die.

22. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a processor, a communications chip, and a digital signal processor.

23. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the computing device is selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a laptop, a desk top computer, a server, and a set-top box.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBER 16700782 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 051892 FRAME 0504. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE APPLICATION NUMBER TO BE 16700826. Recorded Feb 24, 2020
From: BOMBERGER, CORY; MURTHY, ANAND S.; GHANI, TAHIR; BOWONDER, ANUPAMA
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052004/0156 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2020
From: BOMBERGER, CORY; MURTHY, ANAND S.; GHANI, TAHIR; BOWONDER, ANUPAMA
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051892/0504 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210167210A1 · Jun 3, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,237,420