In this article we review the characteristics of ultrashallow junctions pro
duced by plasma doping (PLAD). PLAD is one of the alternate doping techniqu
es being developed for sub-0.18 mu m devices. Here, we describe results fro
m a wide range of experiments aimed at the production of ultrashallow junct
ions. For the results shown here, a BF3 plasma was used to provide the dopa
nt ions that were implanted into 150 and 200 mm Si substrates using wafer b
iases ranging from -0.14 to -5.0 kV. The ultrashallow junctions formed with
this technique have been examined with both secondary ion mass spectrometr
y and electrical profiling techniques. Good sheet resistance uniformity, ch
arging performance, structural quality, and photoresist integrity have been
obtained. When PLAD is used in the production of sub-0.2 mu m gate length
p-metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors, one finds subthreshol
d swing, off-state leakage, and hot-carrier reliability that are similar to
beamline-implanted ones. In addition, higher drive currents an seen in the
plasma-doped devices. (C) 1999 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-211X(99)065
05-1].