Abstract: Various embodiments provide an MOS transistor, a formation method thereof, and an SRAM memory cell circuit. An exemplary MOS transistor can include a semiconductor substrate including a first groove on one side of a gate structure and a second groove on the other side of the gate structure. The first groove can have a sidewall perpendicular to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second groove can have a sidewall protruding toward a channel region under the gate structure. A stressing material can be disposed in the first groove to form a drain region and in the second groove to form a source region. Stress generated in the channel region of the MOS transistor can be asymmetric. The MOS transistor can be used as a transfer transistor in an SRAM memory cell circuit to increase both read and write margins of the SRAM memory.

Abstract: A method for forming a TSV structure includes providing a silicon substrate with an interlayer dielectric layer formed thereon, forming a hard mask structure including a first hard mask layer including a metal element on the interlayer dielectric layer and a second hard mask layer on the first hard mask layer; forming an opening through the hard mask structure and the interlayer dielectric layer, the opening has a bottom and sidewalls in the silicon substrate. The method further includes depositing an insulating material on the hard mask structure and on the bottom and the sidewalls of the opening, subsequently removing the insulating material and the second hard mask layer until the first hard mask layer is exposed, and filling a conductive material into the opening. The method also includes removing the conductive material and the first hard mask layer by a CMP process until the interlayer dielectric layer is exposed.

Abstract: A method for correcting layout pattern and a mask having the corrected layout pattern thereon are provided. In an exemplary method, a first layout pattern including a plurality of first hole patterns can be provided to form an auxiliary pattern in each first hole pattern and to obtain a second layout pattern. The auxiliary pattern can have a dimension smaller than an exposure resolution in a photolithography process. The second layout pattern can then be processed by an optical proximity correction (OPC) to obtain a first modified layout pattern. The first modified layout pattern can include a plurality of modified first hole patterns modified by the OPC. The first modified layout pattern can be simulated to obtain an actual layout pattern such that the actual layout pattern and the first layout pattern have an edge placement error (EPE) within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method is provided for inspecting a chip layout. The method includes providing a chip layout having a plurality of patterns designed according to a design rule and performing a first inspection to the plurality of patterns according to the design rule. The method also includes determining patterns violating the design rule, as violating patterns, and corresponding violation values, and determining violating patterns having a minimum violation value among the violating patterns. Further, the method includes classifying the violating patterns having the minimum violation value into at least one sub-category based on characteristics of the violating patterns having the minimum violation value, and performing a second inspection on a selected violating pattern from the sub-category to determine whether the selected violating pattern and other violating patterns in the sub-category satisfy fabrication process conditions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including contact holes and method for forming the same are provided. A dual-stress liner is formed on a substrate. A first, second and third dielectric layers are then formed over the dual-stress liner. The second dielectric layer has a top surface leveling with that of an overlapping portion of the dual-stress liner. The third dielectric layer is etched to form first openings to have the etching stop at the second dielectric layer and at the upper stress liner of the overlapping portion. The second dielectric layer, the first dielectric layer and the upper stress liner are etched along the first openings to form second openings having the etching stop at the lower stress liner of the overlapping portion and the dual-stress liner in other regions. The stress liners are etched to form contact holes.

Abstract: An SOI substrate and a method for forming the SOI substrate are provided. An SOI substrate can be formed by forming a silicon-germanium layer on a first baseplate. A top silicon layer can be formed on the silicon-germanium layer. A first insulating layer can be formed on the top silicon layer. An ion implanted layer can be formed in one of the silicon-germanium layer and the first baseplate. A second baseplate can be bonded to the first insulating layer. A first annealing process can be performed to anneal and split the one of the silicon-germanium layer and the first baseplate at the ion implanted layer. The silicon-germanium layer can be removed from the top silicon layer to expose the top silicon layer and to form the SOI substrate comprising the first insulating layer formed between the top silicon layer and the second baseplate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a double patterned structure and a method for forming the semiconductor structure are provided. A positive photoresist layer is formed on a negative photoresist layer, which is formed over a substrate. An exposure process is performed to form a first exposure region in the positive photoresist layer and to form a second exposure region in the negative photoresist layer in response to a first and a second intensity thresholds of the exposure energy. A positive-tone development process is performed to remove the first exposure region from the positive photoresist layer to form first opening(s). The second exposure region in the negative photoresist layer is then etched along the first opening(s) to form second opening(s) therein. A negative-tone development process is performed to remove portions of the negative photoresist layer outside of remaining second exposure region to form a double patterned negative photoresist layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a double patterned structure and a method for forming the semiconductor structure are provided. A negative photoresist layer is formed on a positive photoresist layer, which is formed over a substrate. An exposure process is performed to form a first exposure region in the positive photoresist layer and to form a second exposure region in the negative photoresist layer in response to a first and a second intensity thresholds of the exposure energy. A negative-tone development process is performed to remove portions of the negative photoresist layer to form first opening(s). The positive photoresist layer is then etched along the first opening(s) to form second opening(s) therein. A positive-tone development process is performed to remove the first exposure region therefrom to form a double patterned positive photoresist layer.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor and a method for forming the fin field effect transistor are provided. In an exemplary method, the Fin FET can be formed by forming a dielectric layer and a fin on a semiconductor substrate. The fin can be formed throughout an entire thickness of the dielectric layer and a top surface of the fin is higher than a top surface of the dielectric layer. The fin can be annealed using a hydrogen-containing gas and a repairing gas containing at least an element corresponding to a material of the fin. A gate structure can be formed on the top surface of the dielectric layer and at least on sidewalls of a length portion of the fin after the annealing process.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FET) including a fin structure and a method for forming the fin FET are provided. In an exemplary method, the fin FET can be formed by forming at least one fin seed, including a top surface and sidewalls, on a substrate. A first semiconductor layer can then be formed at least on the sidewalls of the at least one fin seed. A second semiconductor layer can be formed on the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer and the at least one fin seed can be made of a same material. The first semiconductor layer can be removed to form a fin structure including the at least one fin seed and the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (Fin FET) and a method for forming the Fin FET are provided. In an exemplary method, the Fin FET can be formed by providing a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer and the semiconductor substrate can be etched to form a groove including a second sub-groove, formed through the dielectric layer, and a first sub-groove, formed in the semiconductor substrate and connected to the second sub-groove. A fin can then be formed in the groove. The fin can have a top surface higher than a top surface of the dielectric layer. A gate structure can then be formed at least partially around a length portion of the fin on the top surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A transistor and a method for forming the transistor are provided. The transistor can be formed over a substrate including a first region and second regions on opposite sides of the first region. On the substrate, a first SiGe layer can be formed, followed by forming a first silicon layer on the first SiGe layer and forming a second SiGe layer on the first silicon layer. The second SiGe layer and the first silicon layer within the second regions are removed. The first silicon layer within the first region is removed to form a cavity such that the second SiGe layer is floated. An isolating layer is formed in the cavity. Second silicon layers are formed in the second regions. A gate structure is formed on the second SiGe layer within the first region and the second silicon layers are doped to form a source and a drain.

Abstract: The invention provides a phase change memory and a method for forming the phase change memory. The phase change memory includes a storage region and a peripheral circuit region. The peripheral circuit region has a peripheral substrate, a plurality of peripheral shallow trench isolation (STI) units in the peripheral substrate, and at least one MOS transistor on the peripheral substrate and between the peripheral STI units. The storage region has a storage substrate, an N-type ion buried layer on the storage substrate, a plurality of vertical LEDs on the N-type ion buried layer, a plurality of storage shallow trench isolation (STI) units between the vertical LEDs, and a plurality of phase change layers on the vertical LED and between the storage STI units. The storage STI units have thickness substantially equal to thickness of the vertical LEDs. The peripheral STI units have thickness substantially equal to thickness of the storage STI units. The N-type conductive region contains SiC.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lithography machine and a scanning and exposing method thereof. According to the scanning and exposing method, the scanning and exposing process for a whole wafer includes two alternately circulated motions: a scanning and exposing motion and a stepping motion; and the scanning and exposing motion is a sinusoidal motion rather than a rapid-acceleration uniform-speed rapid-deceleration scanning and exposing motion in the conventional techniques. During the scanning of a single exposure shot, it may begin to scan the exposure shot once a wafer stage and a reticle stage begin to accelerate from zero speed. And the scanning and exposing may not end until the speeds of the wafer stage and the reticle decrease to zero. Therefore, the effective time of the scanning and exposing in the scanning and exposing motion is greatly increased and the production efficiency of the wafer is improved.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes providing a mask on a semiconductor member. The method further includes providing a dummy element to cover a portion of the mask that overlaps a first portion of the semiconductor member and to cover a second portion of the semiconductor member. The method further includes removing a third portion of the semiconductor member, which has not been covered by the mask or the dummy element. The method further includes providing a silicon compound that contacts the first portion of the semiconductor member. The method further includes removing the dummy element to expose and to remove the second portion of the semiconductor member. The method further includes forming a gate structure that overlaps the first portion of the semiconductor member. The first portion of the semiconductor member is used as a channel region and is supported by the silicon compound.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing method includes providing a device layer having a surface to be polished, polishing the surface using an alkaline grinding slurry, removing a residual layer that is been formed on the polished surface using an acid buffer, forming a passivation layer covering the polished surface of the device layer after the residual layer has been removed, and cleaning the passivation layer using deionized water. A semiconductor device thus fabricated has surfaces with excellent flatness, good manufacturing yield and long-term reliability.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The fin semiconductor device includes a fin formed on a substrate and an insulating material layer formed on the substrate and surrounding the fin. The fin has a semiconductor layer that has a source region portion and a drain region portion. The fin includes a first channel control region, a second channel control region, and a channel region between the two channel control regions, all of which are positioned between the source region portion and the drain region portion. The two channel control regions may have the same conductivity type, different from the channel region.

Abstract: A method for post-etching treatment of copper interconnecting wires that are used to electrically couple an upper interconnecting layer with a lower interconnecting layer includes forming the lower interconnecting layer on a substrate, and forming the upper interconnecting layer on the lower interconnecting layer. The lower interconnecting layer includes a first dielectric layer, a plurality of wire trenches formed in the first dielectric layer and being filled with copper, and a first top barrier layer overlying the first dielectric layer and the wire trenches. The upper interconnecting layer includes a second dielectric layer on the top barrier layer, and a plurality of vias extending through the second dielectric layer and the top barrier layer and exposing the copper in the wire trenches. The method further includes treating the exposed copper using a plasma process comprising NH3.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a transistor which includes: providing a substrate having a plurality of transistors formed thereon, wherein each transistor includes a gate; forming a stressed layer and a first oxide layer on the transistors and on the substrate successively; forming a sacrificial layer on the first oxide layer; patterning the sacrificial layer to remove a part of the sacrificial layer which covers on the gates of the transistors; forming a second oxide layer on the residual sacrificial layer and on a part of the first oxide layer which is exposed after the part of the sacrificial layer is removed; performing a first planarization process to remove a part of the second oxide layer located on the gates of the transistors; performing a second planarization process to remove the residual second oxide layer; and performing a third planarization process to remove the stressed layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a transistor, which includes: providing a substrate, a semiconductor layer being formed on the substrate; forming a dummy gate structure on the semiconductor layer; forming a source region and a drain region in the substrate and the semiconductor layer and at opposite sides of the dummy gate structure; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the semiconductor layer; removing the dummy gate structure for forming an opening in the interlayer dielectric layer; non-crystallizing the semiconductor layer exposed in the opening for forming a channel layer; annealing the channel layer so that the channel layer and the substrate have same crystal orientation; and forming a metal gate structure in the opening, the metal gate being formed on the channel layer. Saturation current of the transistor is raised, and the performance of a semiconductor device is promoted.