Silicon Front-end Junction Formation Technologies

Book excerpt: Unlike the previous three volumes in the series on silicon front-end processing, this volume expands its focus to include more topics related to formation of ultrashallow junctions. With the challenges presented by the requirements of the sub- 100nm node, the need for new activation technologies which yield minimal diffusion of the dopant while producing high activation are paramount. In addition, the metrology required to measure these shallow profiles in both one and two dimensions becomes more critical. The volume attempts to address these new requirements and potential solutions by covering a variety of topics that include: alternate annealing technologies; device engineering options; dopant activation; epitaxial techniques primarily employing SiGe; defect and diffusion models; characterization using surface analysis techniques; and characterization technologies.