Applied Materials, Inc.
METHODS FOR FORMING ULTRA-SHALLOW JUNCTIONS HAVING IMPROVED ACTIVATION

Abstract:

Methods for forming semiconductor devices herein may include providing a metal gate, an interlayer dielectric (ILD), and an etch stop layer over a plurality of fins, wherein the ILD is formed atop the etch stop layer, and wherein the plurality of fins includes a source/drain (S/D) epitaxial region. The method may further include removing the etch stop layer from atop the S/D epitaxial region, and performing, through an opening in the ILD, an ion implant and a dopant ion implant to the S/D epitaxial region. In some embodiments, the method may further include thermally treating the semiconductor device to activate ions of the ion implant or ions of the dopant ion implant in the S/D epitaxial region to form an ultra-shallow junction.