IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,660,241
Granted Patent B2
US 12,660,241 · App. 17/357,748 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Released fin for advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication

Inventors: Leonard P. Guler (Hillsboro, OR); Oleg Golonzka (Beaverton, OR); Charles H. Wallace (Portland, OR); Tahir Ghani (Portland, OR)
Assignee: Intel Corporation
H10D30/6735H10D30/6757H10D62/115H10D62/121H10D84/0151H10D84/038
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,660,241
App. No.
17/357,748
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Released fins for advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a sub-fin. A dielectric spacer material is on the sub-fin. A fin is on the dielectric spacer material. A void in the dielectric spacer material, the void vertically between the sub-fin and the fin.

Claims (43)

1 . An integrated circuit structure, comprising:

a sub-fin adjacent to a trench isolation structure;

a dielectric spacer material on the sub-fin, the dielectric spacer material over and in contact with a top surface of the trench isolation structure, and the dielectric spacer material separate and distinct from the trench isolation structure;

a fin on the dielectric spacer material; and

a void in the dielectric spacer material, the void vertically between the sub-fin and the fin.

2 . The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , further comprising a gate structure over the fin.

3 . The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric spacer material comprises silicon nitride.

4 . The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the fin comprises a plurality of horizontally stacked nanowires.

5 . The integrated circuit structure of claim 1 , wherein the fin is a unitary body.

6 . A method of fabricating an integrated circuit structure, the method comprising:

forming a fin along a first direction, the fin on a sacrificial layer on a sub-fin, the sub-fin adjacent to a trench isolation structure;

forming a plurality of gate structures over the fin, individual ones of the plurality of gate structures along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;

subsequent to forming the plurality of gate structures, removing the sacrificial layer to release the fin; and

forming a dielectric spacer material between the released fin and the sub-fin, the dielectric spacer material over and in contact with a top surface of the trench isolation structure, and the dielectric spacer material separate and distinct from the trench isolation structure.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein forming the dielectric spacer material between the released fin and the sub-fin comprises forming a void in the dielectric spacer material, the void vertically between the sub-fin and the fin.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the fin comprises a plurality of horizontally stacked nanowires.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the fin is a unitary body.

10 . A computing device, comprising:

a board; and

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

a sub-fin adjacent to a trench isolation structure;

a dielectric spacer material on the sub-fin, the dielectric spacer material over and in contact with a top surface of the trench isolation structure, and the dielectric spacer material separate and distinct from the trench isolation structure;

a fin on the dielectric spacer material; and

a void in the dielectric spacer material, the void vertically between the sub-fin and the fin.

11 . The computing device of claim 10 , further comprising:

a memory coupled to the board.

12 . The computing device of claim 10 , further comprising:

a communication chip coupled to the board.

13 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die.

14 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a processor, a communications chip, and a digital signal processor.

15 . A computing device, comprising:

a board; and

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

forming a fin along a first direction, the fin on a sacrificial layer on a sub-fin, the sub-fin adjacent to a trench isolation structure;

forming a plurality of gate structures over the fin, individual ones of the plurality of gate structures along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;

subsequent to forming the plurality of gate structures, removing the sacrificial layer to release the fin; and

forming a dielectric spacer material between the released fin and the sub-fin, the dielectric spacer material over and in contact with a top surface of the trench isolation structure, and the dielectric spacer material separate and distinct from the trench isolation structure.

16 . The computing device of claim 15 , further comprising:

a memory coupled to the board.

17 . The computing device of claim 15 , further comprising:

a communication chip coupled to the board.

18 . The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the component is a packaged integrated circuit die.

19 . The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a processor, a communications chip, and a digital signal processor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: GULER, LEONARD P.; GOLONZKA, OLEG; WALLACE, CHARLES H.; GHANI, TAHIR
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057865/0825 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220416040A1 · Dec 29, 2022
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