Abstract: A photo key has a plurality of first regions spaced apart from one another on a semiconductor substrate, and a second region surrounding the first regions, and one of the first regions and the second region constitutes a plurality of photo key regions spaced apart from one another. Each of the photo key regions includes a plurality of first conductive patterns spaced apart from one another; and a plurality of second conductive patterns interposed between the first conductive patterns.

Abstract: Provided herein are etching, cleaning and drying methods using a supercritical fluid, and a chamber system for conducting the same. The etching method includes etching the material layer using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which an etching chemical is dissolved, and removing an etching by-product created from a reaction between the material layer and the etching chemical using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which a cleaning chemical is dissolved. Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are etching, cleaning and drying methods using a supercritical fluid, and a chamber system for conducting the same. The etching method includes etching the material layer using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which an etching chemical is dissolved, and removing an etching by-product created from a reaction between the material layer and the etching chemical using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which a cleaning chemical is dissolved. Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are also provided.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device including a first contact region and a second contact region formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating layer with a first contact hole and a second contact hole is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, exposing the first and second contact regions. A first conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating interlayer to fill the first and the second contact holes. A first protection layer pattern and a lower wiring protection pattern are disposed on the first conductive layer. A first contact with a first electrode and a second contact with a lower wiring are disposed so as to connect the first and second contact regions. A second protection layer with a second electrode is disposed on the first protection layer pattern and the lower wiring protection pattern. A via filled with a phase-change material is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: In methods of forming a thin ferroelectric layer and methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a preliminary ferroelectric layer is formed on a substrate by depositing a metal oxide including lead, zirconium and titanium. The surface of the preliminary ferroelectric layer is polished using a slurry composition including an acrylic acid polymer, abrasive particles, and water to form a thin ferroelectric layer on the substrate. The slurry composition may reduce a polishing rate of the preliminary ferroelectric layer such that removal of a bulk portion of the preliminary ferroelectric layer may be suppressed and the surface roughness of the preliminary ferroelectric layer may be improved.

Abstract: An insulation layer may be formed on an object having a contact region. The insulation layer may be partially etched to form an opening exposing the contact region. A material layer including silicon and oxygen may be formed on the exposed contact region. A metal layer may be formed on the material layer including silicon and oxygen. The material layer including silicon and oxygen may be reacted with the metal layer to form a metal oxide silicide layer at least on the contact region. A conductive layer may be formed on the metal oxide silicide layer to fill up the opening.

Abstract: In a reliable semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device, a difference in height between upper surfaces of a cell region and a peripheral region (also referred to as a level difference) is minimized by optimizing dummy gate parts. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a peripheral region surrounding the cell region, a plurality of dummy active regions surrounded by a device isolating region and formed apart from each other, and a plurality of dummy gate parts formed on the dummy active regions and on the device isolating regions located between the dummy active regions, wherein each of the dummy gate parts covers two or more of the dummy active regions.

Abstract: Slurry compositions for selectively polishing silicon nitride relative to silicon oxide, methods of polishing a silicon nitride layer and methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same are provided. The slurry compositions include a first agent for reducing an oxide polishing rate, an abrasive particle and water. The first agent includes poly(acrylic acid), The slurry composition may have a high polishing selectivity of silicon nitride relative to silicon oxide to be employed in selectively polishing a silicon nitride layer in a semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides etchant solutions including deionized water and an organic acid having a carboxyl radical and a hydroxyl radical. Methods of forming magnetic memory devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a contact plug of a semiconductor device is provided, the method includes forming a gate pattern on a substrate, forming a capping pattern to cover an upper surface and sidewalls of the gate pattern, forming an interlayer insulation layer on the substrate such that the interlayer insulation layer exposes an upper surface of the capping pattern, and removing a portion of the capping pattern and the interlayer insulation layer such that the upper surface of the capping pattern is planarized.

Abstract: Provided herein are etching, cleaning and drying methods using a supercritical fluid, and a chamber system for conducting the same. The etching method includes etching the material layer using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which an etching chemical is dissolved, and removing an etching by-product created from a reaction between the material layer and the etching chemical using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which a cleaning chemical is dissolved. Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are also provided.

Abstract: A photo key has a plurality of first regions spaced apart from one another on a semiconductor substrate, and a second region surrounding the first regions, and one of the first regions and the second region constitutes a plurality of photo key regions spaced apart from one another. Each of the photo key regions includes a plurality of first conductive patterns spaced apart from one another; and a plurality of second conductive patterns interposed between the first conductive patterns.

Abstract: In a reliable semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device, a difference in height between upper surfaces of a cell region and a peripheral region (also referred to as a level difference) is minimized by optimizing dummy gate parts. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a peripheral region surrounding the cell region, a plurality of dummy active regions surrounded by a device isolating region and formed apart from each other, and a plurality of dummy gate parts formed on the dummy active regions and on the device isolating regions located between the dummy active regions, wherein each of the dummy gate parts covers two or more of the dummy active regions.

Abstract: A slurry composition for polishing metal includes a polymeric polishing accelerating agent, the polymeric polishing accelerating agent including a backbone of hydrocarbon and a side substituent having at least one of a sulfonate ion (SO3?) and a sulfate ion (OSO3?), and an acidic aqueous solution.

Abstract: Slurry compositions for selectively polishing silicon nitride relative to silicon oxide, methods of polishing a silicon nitride layer and methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same are provided. The slurry compositions include a first agent for reducing an oxide polishing rate, an abrasive particle and water, and the first agent includes poly(acrylic acid). The slurry composition may have a high polishing selectivity of silicon nitride relative to silicon oxide to be employed in selectively polishing a silicon nitride layer in a semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: A wafer polishing apparatus includes a polishing tape extending between two guide rollers, a first surface of the polishing tape contacting a surface of a wafer to be polished, a polishing head including a pusher pad, the pusher pad adapted to push the polishing tape against the surface of the wafer to be polished, a color image sensor adjacent to the polishing tape, the color image sensor being adapted to detect a color image of the polishing tape and to output a signal corresponding to the detected color image, and a controller connected to the color image sensor, the controller being adapted to receive the signal output from the color image sensor and to determine when a color of the color image detected by the color image sensor changes, a change in the color image indicating a polishing end point.

Abstract: A plug comprises a first insulating interlayer, a tungsten pattern and a tungsten oxide pattern. The first insulating interlayer has a contact hole formed therethrough on a substrate. The tungsten pattern is formed in the contact hole. The tungsten pattern has a top surface lower than an upper face of the first insulating interlayer. The tungsten oxide pattern is formed in the contact hole and on the tungsten pattern. The tungsten oxide pattern has a level face.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device and a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device fabricated by using the method are provided. A device isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. A plurality of first and second pre-stacked gate structures is formed in the cell array region, and each has a structure in which a lower structure, a conductive pattern and a first sacrificial layer pattern are stacked. Junction regions are formed in the cell array region. Spacers are formed on side walls of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures. A second sacrificial layer pattern filling each space between the second pre-stacked gate structures is formed. The first sacrificial layer pattern is removed from each of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures.

Abstract: A photo key has a plurality of first regions spaced apart from one another on a semiconductor substrate, and a second region surrounding the first regions, and one of the first regions and the second region constitutes a plurality of photo key regions spaced apart from one another. Each of the photo key regions includes a plurality of first conductive patterns spaced apart from one another; and a plurality of second conductive patterns interposed between the first conductive patterns.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a pattern having trenches on a semiconductor substrate; forming a semiconductor layer on the semiconductor device that fills the trenches; planarizing the semiconductor layer using a first planarization process without exposing the pattern; performing an epitaxy growth process on the first planarized semiconductor layer to form a crystalline semiconductor layer; and planarizing the crystalline semiconductor layer until the pattern is exposed to form a crystalline semiconductor pattern.