Abstract: A method of forming a conductive plug is disclosed. A material layer having at least one opening is provided on a substrate. A first conductive layer is deposited in the opening, wherein the first conductive layer does not completely fill up the opening. A second conductive layer is deposited on the first conductive layer. A surface treatment is performed after the step of depositing the first conductive layer and before the step of depositing the second conductive layer, so that the first deposition rate of the second conductive layer at the lower portion of the opening is greater the second deposition rate of the second conductive layer at the upper portion of the opening. A void-free conductive plug can be easily formed with the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive plug is disclosed. A material layer having at least one opening is provided on a substrate. A first conductive layer is deposited in the opening, wherein the first conductive layer does not completely fill up the opening. A second conductive layer is deposited on the first conductive layer. A surface treatment is performed after the step of depositing the first conductive layer and before the step of depositing the second conductive layer, so that the first deposition rate of the second conductive layer at the lower portion of the opening is greater the second deposition rate of the second conductive layer at the upper portion of the opening. A void-free conductive plug can be easily formed with the method of the invention.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which includes a first conductive layer disposed on a substrate, a dielectric layer with at least an opening disposed on the first conductive layer, and a plurality of plugs filling up the openings. At least a portion of the dielectric layer adjacent to the openings is Si-rich, and each of the plugs includes a second conductive layer surrounded by a barrier layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first and second region, a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is formed over the substrate in the first region. The first structure has a first height. The second structure is formed over the substrate in the second region. The second structure has a second height different from the first height.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a conductive layer, a via, and a barrier layer disposed between the conductive layer and the via. The barrier layer is stuffed with oxygen.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a conductive layer, a via, and a barrier layer disposed between the conductive layer and the via. The barrier layer is stuffed with oxygen.

Abstract: A memory cell having a kinked polysilicon layer structure, or a polysilicon layer structure with a top portion being narrower than a bottom portion, may greatly reduce random single bit (RSB) failures and may improve high density plasma (HDP) oxide layer fill-in by reducing defects caused by various impurities and/or a polysilicon layer short path. A kinked polysilicon layer structure may also be applied to floating gate memory cells either at the floating gate structure or the control gate structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A substrate is provided. Thereafter, a dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first portion adjacent to the substrate and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. Afterwards, the dielectric layer is treated with nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) to remove the second portion of the dielectric layer and therefore expose the first portion of the dielectric layer. A semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A substrate is provided. Thereafter, a dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first portion adjacent to the substrate and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. Afterwards, the dielectric layer is treated with nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) to remove the second portion of the dielectric layer and therefore expose the first portion of the dielectric layer. A semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a power supply connectable to a semiconductor wafer including opposing, major front and back surfaces joined by a circumferential side, with the wafer undergoing processing including electroplating a damascene layer on the wafer. The system also includes an arrangement configured to apply a polymer coating to the side of the wafer before electroplating the damascene layer, with the system being configured to apply the polymer coating in accordance with an electrophoresis technique driven by the power supply. In this regard, the polymer coating is applied to the side but not at least a portion of the front and back surfaces of the wafer, and the polymer coating provides a barrier to formation of the damascene layer on the side of the wafer.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating conductive metal lines of a semiconductor device are described herein. In one embodiment, such a method may comprise depositing a conductive material over a substrate, and depositing a first barrier layer on the conductive layer. Such a method may also comprise patterning a mask on the first barrier layer, the pattern comprising a layout of the conductive lines. Such an exemplary method may also comprise etching the conductive material and the first barrier layer using the patterned mask to form the conductive lines. In addition, a low temperature post-flow may be performed on the structure. The method may also include depositing a dielectric material over and between the patterned conductive lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first and second region, a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is formed over the substrate in the first region. The first structure has a first height. The second structure is formed over the substrate in the second region. The second structure has a second height different from the first height.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a pedestal and a showerhead. The pedestal is inside the process chamber and holds a semiconductor wafer. The showerhead supplies process gas to the process chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming an isolation structure, comprising: (a) providing a base having a recess; (b) forming a stop layer on the base and in the recess; (c) forming a dielectric material on the stop layer so as to allow the rest of the recess to be filled with the dielectric material; (d) removing the dielectric material over the base by performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process until a part of the stop layer is exposed so as to form a dielectric layer in the recess; and (e) removing a part of the stop layer, wherein the another part of the stop layer and the dielectric layer filled in the recess constitute the isolation structure.

Abstract: Closed loop control may be used to improve uniformity of within wafer uniformity using chemical mechanical planarization. For example, closed loop control may be used to determine a control profile for a chemical mechanical planarization process to more uniformly and consistently achieve the desired extent of variation of within wafer uniformity of a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Techniques for forming metal silicide contact pads on semiconductor devices are disclosed, and in one exemplary embodiment, a method may comprise depositing a metal layer on and between a plurality of raised silicon-based features formed on a semiconductor substrate, the metal layer comprising metal capable of reacting with external silicon-based portions of the features to form a metal silicide. In addition, such a method may also include depositing a cap layer on the metal layer deposited on and between the plurality of raised silicon-based features, wherein a thickness of the cap layer on the metal layer between the raised features is greater than or equal to a thickness of the cap layer on the metal layer on the raised features. Furthermore, such a method may also include annealing the structure to cause portions of the metal layer to react with portions of the external silicon-based portions of the features to form metal silicide pads on and between the raised features.

Abstract: Closed loop control may be used to improve uniformity of contact or via critical dimension using chemical mechanical planarization. For example, real-time closed loop control may be used to adjust oxide buffing or over-polishing time in a chemical mechanical planarization process to more uniformly and consistently achieve a target critical dimension of a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate such as bare silicon is provided, and a dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate. An opening is provided within the dielectric layer by removing a portion of the dielectric layer. A conformal first conductive layer is formed over the dielectric layer and the opening. A conformal second conductive layer is formed over the first conductive layer. A conformal barrier layer is formed over the second conductive layer.

Abstract: An advance process control (APC) system for a plasma process machine is provided, which includes at least an optical emission spectroscopy (OES) system and an APC analysis apparatus. The OES system is used for monitoring a testing object in the plasma process machine. The APC analysis apparatus is used for analyzing the data received from the OES system.

Abstract: A polysilicon structure and method of forming the polysilicon structure are disclosed, where the method includes a two-step deposition and planarization process. The disclosed process reduces the likelihood of defects such as voids, particularly where polysilicon is deposited in a trench having a high aspect ratio. A first polysilicon structure is deposited that includes a trench liner portion and a first upper portion. The trench liner portion only partially fills the trench, while the first upper portion extends over the adjacent field isolation structures. Next, at least a portion of the first upper portion of the first polysilicon structure is removed. A second polysilicon structure is then deposited that includes a trench plug portion and a second upper portion. The trench is filled by the plug portion, while the second upper portion extends over the adjacent field isolation structures. The second upper portion is then removed.