Germanium MOSFET devices: Advances in materials understanding, process development, and electrical performance

Germanium possesses higher electron and hole mobilities than silicon. There is a big leap, however, between these basic material parameters and implementation for high-performance microelectronics. Here we discuss some of the major issues for Ge metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). Substrate options are overviewed. A dislocation reduction anneal >800 degrees C decreases threading dislocation densities for Ge-on-Si wafers 10-fold to 10(7) cm(-2); however, only a 2 times reduction in junction leakage is observed and no benefit is seen in on-state current. Ge wet etch rates are reported in a variety of acidic, basic, oxidizing, and organic solutions, and modifications of the RCA clean suitable for Ge are discussed. Thin, strained epi-Si is examined as a passivation of the Ge/gate dielectric interface, with an optimized thickness found at similar to 6 monolayers. Dopant species are overviewed. P and As halos are compared, with better short channel control observed for As. Area leakage currents are presented for p +/n diodes, with the n-doping level varied over the range relevant for pMOS. Germanide options are discussed, with NiGe showing the most promise. A defect mode for NiGe is reported, along with a fix involving two anneal steps. Finally, the benefit of an end-of-process H-2 anneal for device performance is shown. (C) 2008 The Electrochemical Society.