Abstract: Gate profile tuning techniques are disclosed herein. An exemplary gate profile tuning method includes forming a gate structure over a channel layer. The gate structure includes a dummy gate and gate spacers disposed along sidewalls of the dummy gate. The method further includes partially removing the dummy gate to form a gate opening that defines a gate profile. The gate profile is then modified by treating portions of the gate spacers (for example, by oxygen plasma treatment) and removing the treated portions of the gate spacers (for example, by oxide removal). After removing a remainder of the dummy gate to expose the channel layer, a gate stack of the gate structure is formed in the gate opening. The gate stack has a funnel-shaped profile. In some embodiments, a width of the gate stack above the channel layer is greater than a width of the gate stack below the channel layer.

Abstract: A device includes a first channel layer, a second channel layer, a gate structure, a source/drain epitaxial structure, and a source/drain contact. The first channel layer and the second channel layer are arranged above the first channel layer in a spaced apart manner over a substrate. The gate structure surrounds the first and second channel layers. The source/drain epitaxial structure is connected to the first and second channel layers. The source/drain contact is connected to the source/drain epitaxial structure. The second channel layer is closer to the source/drain contact than the first channel layer is to the source/drain contact, and the first channel layer is thicker than the second channel layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin protruding higher than top surfaces of isolation regions. The isolation regions extend into a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes etching a portion of the semiconductor fin to form a trench, filling the trench with a first dielectric material, wherein the first dielectric material has a first bandgap, and performing a recessing process to recess the first dielectric material. A recess is formed between opposing portions of the isolation regions. The recess is filled with a second dielectric material. The first dielectric material and the second dielectric material in combination form an additional isolation region. The second dielectric material has a second bandgap smaller than the first bandgap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack over an active region of a substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The first work function layer includes a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers arranged in an alternating manner over the gate dielectric layer. The plurality of first layers include a first material. The plurality of second layers include a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a fin extending from a substrate and forming a gate dielectric layer along a top surface and sidewalls of the fin. A first thickness of the gate dielectric layer along the top surface of the fin is greater than a second thickness of the gate dielectric layer along the sidewalls of the fin.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first capacitor electrode; forming a first oxygen-blocking layer on the first capacitor electrode; forming an capacitor insulator layer on the first oxygen-blocking layer; forming a second oxygen-blocking layer on the capacitor insulator layer; forming a second capacitor electrode on the second oxygen-blocking layer; and forming a first contact plug that is electrically coupled to the first capacitor electrode and a second contact plug that is electrically coupled to the second capacitor electrode.

Abstract: A method includes performing an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to form a dielectric layer on a wafer. The ALD process comprises an ALD cycle includes pulsing calypso ((SiCl3)2CH2), purging the calypso, pulsing ammonia, and purging the ammonia. The method further includes performing a wet anneal process on the dielectric layer, and performing a dry anneal process on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, forming epitaxial source/drain regions on opposite sides of the dummy gate stack, removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench, depositing a gate dielectric layer extending into the trench, and depositing a work-function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The work-function layer comprises a seam therein. A silicon-containing layer is deposited to fill the seam. A planarization process is performed to remove excess portions of the silicon-containing layer, the work-function layer, and the gate dielectric layer. Remaining portions of the silicon-containing layer, the work-function layer, and the gate dielectric layer form a gate stack.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack on a semiconductor region, etching the gate stack to form a first trench separating the gate stack into a first gate stack portion and a second gate stack portion, and forming a gate isolation region filling the first trench. The gate isolation region includes a silicon nitride liner, and a silicon oxide filling-region overlapping a first bottom portion of the silicon nitride liner. The method further includes etching the gate stack to form a second trench and to reveal a protruding semiconductor fin, and etching the protruding semiconductor fin to extend the second trench into the bulk semiconductor substrate. A fin isolation region is formed to fill the second trench. The fin isolation region includes a silicon oxide liner, and a silicon nitride filling-region overlapping a second bottom portion of the silicon oxide liner.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin over a substrate, the fin comprising alternately stacking first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers, removing the first semiconductor layers to form spaces each between the second semiconductor layers, forming a gate dielectric layer wrapping around each of the second semiconductor layers, forming a fluorine-containing layer on the gate dielectric layer, performing an anneal process to drive fluorine atoms from the fluorine-containing layer into the gate dielectric layer, removing the fluorine-containing layer, and forming a metal gate on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A device includes a memory layer over a substrate; a first source/drain structure and a second source/drain structure on the memory layer, wherein the first source/drain structure and the second source drain structure each include a first source/drain layer on the memory layer; a second source/drain layer on the first source/drain layer, wherein the second source/drain layer is different from the first source/drain layer; and a metal layer on the second source/drain layer; and a channel region extending on the memory layer from the first source/drain layer of the first source/drain structure to the first source/drain layer of the second source/drain structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes a first gate structure over a substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode over a first side of a first gate dielectric; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed over a second side of the first gate dielectric opposite the first side; a second gate structure disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode and a second gate dielectric, the second gate dielectric at least laterally surrounding the second gate electrode; and a semiconductor film disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and at least laterally surrounding the second gate structure, wherein at least one of the first gate dielectric or the second gate dielectric is a memory film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first isolation structure and a second isolation structure over the substrate, a semiconductor fin over the substrate and between the first isolation structure and the second isolation structure, and a third isolation structure extending through the semiconductor fin and between the first isolation structure and the second isolation structure. A top surface of the semiconductor fin is above a top surface of the first isolation structure and a top surface of the second isolation structure. The third isolation structure includes a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material over the first dielectric material. An interface between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material is below the top surface of the first isolation structure and the top surface of the second isolation structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: depositing a gate dielectric layer on a first fin and a second fin, the first fin and the second fin extending away from a substrate in a first direction, a distance between the first fin and the second fin decreasing along the first direction; depositing a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer by exposing the gate dielectric layer to a self-limiting source precursor and a self-reacting source precursor, the self-limiting source precursor reacting to form an initial layer of a material of the sacrificial layer, the self-reacting source precursor reacting to form a main layer of the material of the sacrificial layer; annealing the gate dielectric layer while the sacrificial layer covers the gate dielectric layer; after annealing the gate dielectric layer, removing the sacrificial layer; and after removing the sacrificial layer, forming a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods for tuning effective work functions of gate electrodes in semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a channel region over a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric layer over the channel region; and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer, the gate electrode including a first work function metal layer over the gate dielectric layer, the first work function metal layer including aluminum (Al); a first work function tuning layer over the first work function metal layer, the first work function tuning layer including aluminum tungsten (AlW); and a fill material over the first work function tuning layer.

Abstract: Small sized and closely pitched features can be formed by patterning a layer to have holes therein and then expanding the layer so that the holes shrink. If the expansion is sufficient to pinch off the respective holes, multiple holes can be formed from one larger hole. Holes smaller and of closer pitch than practical or possible may be obtained in this way. One process for expanding the layer includes implanting a dopant species having a larger average atomic spacing than does the material of the layer.

Abstract: Methods for forming contacts to source/drain regions and gate electrodes in low- and high-voltage devices and devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment a device includes a first channel region in a substrate adjacent a first source/drain region; a first gate over the first channel region; a second channel region in the substrate adjacent a second source/drain region, a top surface of the second channel region being below a top surface of the first channel region; a second gate over the second channel region; an ILD over the first gate and the second gate; a first contact extending through the ILD and coupled to the first source/drain region; and a second contact extending through the ILD, coupled to the second source/drain region, and having a width greater a width of the first contact and a height greater than a height of the first contact.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor nanostructure, and an oxide layer, which includes horizontal portions on a top surface and a bottom surface of the semiconductor nanostructure, vertical portions on sidewalls of the semiconductor nanostructure, and corner portions on corners of the semiconductor nanostructure. The horizontal portions have a first thickness. The vertical portions have a second thickness. The corner portions have a third thickness. Both of the second thickness and the third thickness are greater than the first thickness. A high-k dielectric layer surrounds the oxide layer. A gate electrode surrounds the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a fin structure that includes a first negative capacitance material, and an isolation structure formed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate structure formed over the fin structure, and a source feature and a drain feature formed over the fin structure. An interface between the fin structure and the source feature is lower than a top surface of the isolation structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are provided wherein a ferroelectric random access memory array is formed with bit line drivers and source line drivers formed below the ferroelectric random access memory array. A through via is formed using the same processes as the processes used to form individual memory cells within the ferroelectric random access memory array.