IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,387,344
Granted Patent B2
US 11,387,344 · App. 16/889,217 · Granted Jul 12, 2022

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a doped work-function layer

Inventors: Chia-Ching Lee (New Taipei, TW); Hung-Chin Chung (Pingzhen, TW); Chung-Chiang Wu (Taichung, TW); Hsuan-Yu Tung (Keelung, TW); Kuan-Chang Chiu (Hsinchu, TW); Chien-Hao Chen (Chuangwei Township, TW); Chi On Chui (Hsinchu, TW)
Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
H01L29/4966H01L21/28097H01L21/82345H01L21/823828H01L21/823842H01L29/401H01L29/4975H01L29/66545H01L29/66795H01L29/785H01L29/7851
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,387,344
App. No.
16/889,217
Granted
Jul 12, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In some embodiments a treatment process is utilized to treat a work function layer. The treatment prevents excessive oxidation of the work function layer during subsequent processing steps, such as application of a subsequent photoresist material, thereby allowing the work function layer to be thinner than otherwise.

Claims (32)

1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:

forming a fin from a semiconductor substrate;

forming a gate dielectric over the fin;

forming a work function layer over the gate dielectric;

modifying a surface of the work function layer, wherein the modifying the surface is performed at least in part with a chemical soak that implants an active element; and

performing a post-treatment process after the modifying the surface of the work function layer, the post-treatment process reducing a number of dangling bonds within the work function layer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active element is aluminum.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chemical soak comprises introducing tungsten fluoride to the work function layer.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming the work function layer is performed at least in part with an atomic layer deposition process to a thickness of between about 5 Å and about 30 Å.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reacting the active element with oxygen.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active element is chromium.

7. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:

depositing a gate dielectric over a channel region of a semiconductor material, the channel region being adjacent to multiple sides of the semiconductor material;

depositing a work function layer over the gate dielectric using an atomic layer deposition process;

soaking the work function layer in a precursor material, wherein the precursor material is titanium chloride, and wherein the soaking the work function layer forms a dopant layer within the work function layer; and

depositing a fill material over the work function layer.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the depositing the work function layer deposits the work function layer to a thickness of between about 10 Å and about 30 Å.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the soaking the work function layer is performed in-situ with the depositing the work function layer.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the depositing the work function layer deposits titanium nitride.

11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising performing a post-treatment process after the soaking the work function layer in the precursor material, the post-treatment process reducing a number of dangling bonds within the work function layer.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the post-treatment process adds nitrogen to the work function layer.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the post-treatment process flows ammonia over the work function layer.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the dopant layer comprises titanium.

15. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:

forming a dielectric material adjacent to a semiconductor fin;

forming a work function layer over the dielectric material, the work function layer comprising a dopant layer, wherein the dopant layer comprises titanium, boron, or chromium; and

forming a fill material over the work function layer.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the dopant layer comprises titanium.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the dopant layer comprises boron.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the dopant layer comprises chromium.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the work function layer has a thickness no greater than 30 Å.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the dopant layer has a thickness of between about 1 Å and about 10 Å.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2020
From: LEE, CHIA-CHING; CHUNG, HUNG-CHIN; WU, CHUNG-CHIANG; TUNG, HSUAN-YU; CHIU, KUAN-CHANG; CHEN, CHIEN-HAO; CHUI, CHI ON
To: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 052802/0614 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62982465 · Feb 27, 2020
Related Publication 20210273070A1 · Sep 2, 2021