Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) Liner: A New Stressor for P-Channel Multiple-Gate Field-Effect Transistors

We report the first demonstration of a p-channel multiple-gate (trigate) FinFET with a liner stressor comprising diamond-like carbon (DLC) film. We also report on the detailed process that enables the adhesion of DLC with ultrahigh compressive stress on the three-dimension topology of the FinFET structure. The intrinsic compressive stress for the DLC film is 6 GPa, the highest ever reported for a liner stressor formed over a multiple-gate device structure or FinFET. A high stress-thickness product was successfully realized without film delamination. This leads to a very significant drive current boost for the FinFET with DLC liner stressor as compared to a control FinFET without the DLC liner.