Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of preliminary gate structures, forming a capping layer pattern on sidewalls of the plurality of preliminary gate structures, and forming a blocking layer on top surfaces of the plurality of preliminary gate structures and the capping layer pattern such that a void is formed therebetween. The method also includes removing the blocking layer and an upper portion of the capping layer pattern such that at least the upper sidewalls of the plurality of preliminary gate structures are exposed, and a lower portion of the capping layer pattern remains on lower sidewalls of the preliminary gate structures. The method further includes forming a conductive layer on at least the upper sidewalls of the plurality of preliminary gate structures, reacting the conductive layer with the preliminary gate structures, and forming an insulation layer having an air gap therein.

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 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.

Abstract: Spaced apart bonding surfaces are formed on a first substrate. A second substrate is bonded to the bonding surfaces of the first substrate and cleaved to leave respective semiconductor regions from the second substrate on respective ones of the spaced apart bonding surfaces of the first substrate. The bonding surfaces may include surfaces of at least one insulating region on the first substrate, and at least one active device may be formed in and/or on at least one of the semiconductor regions. A device isolation region may be formed adjacent the at least one of the semiconductor regions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device including a channel layer includes forming a single crystalline semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate. The single crystalline semiconductor layer includes a protrusion extending from a surface thereof. A first polishing process is performed on the single crystalline semiconductor layer to remove a portion of the protrusion such that the single crystalline semiconductor layer includes a remaining portion of the protrusion. A second polishing process different from the first polishing process is performed to remove the remaining portion of the protrusion and define a substantially planar single crystalline semiconductor layer having a substantially uniform thickness. A sacrificial layer may be formed on the single crystalline semiconductor layer and used as a polish stop for the first polishing process to define a sacrificial layer pattern, which may be removed prior to the second polishing 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 resistive random access memory (RRAM) device may include a first metal pattern on a substrate, a first insulating layer on the first metal pattern and on the substrate, an electrode, a second insulating layer on the first insulating layer, a resistive memory layer, and a second metal pattern. Portions of the first metal pattern may be between the substrate and the first insulating layer, and the first insulating layer may have a first opening therein exposing a portion of the first metal pattern. The electrode may be in the opening with the electrode being electrically coupled with the exposed portion of the first metal pattern. The first insulating layer may be between the second insulating layer and the substrate, and the second insulating layer may have a second opening therein exposing a portion of the electrode.

Abstract: Spaced apart bonding surfaces are formed on a first substrate. A second substrate is bonded to the bonding surfaces of the first substrate and cleaved to leave respective semiconductor regions from the second substrate on respective ones of the spaced apart bonding surfaces of the first substrate. The bonding surfaces may include surfaces of at least one insulating region on the first substrate, and at least one active device may be formed in and/or on at least one of the semiconductor regions. A device isolation region may be formed adjacent the at least one of the semiconductor regions.

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.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device and methods of forming the same are provided. Forming a ferroelectric device includes forming an insulation layer over a substrate having a conductive region, forming a bottom electrode electrically connected to the conductive region in the insulation layer, recessing the insulation layer, and forming a ferroelectric layer and an upper electrode layer covering the bottom electrode over the recessed insulation layer, The bottom electrode protrudes over an upper surface of the recessed insulation layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device including a channel layer includes forming a single crystalline semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate. The single crystalline semiconductor layer includes a protrusion extending from a surface thereof. A first polishing process is performed on the single crystalline semiconductor layer to remove a portion of the protrusion such that the single crystalline semiconductor layer includes a remaining portion of the protrusion. A second polishing process different from the first polishing process is performed to remove the remaining portion of the protrusion and define a substantially planar single crystalline semiconductor layer having a substantially uniform thickness. A sacrificial layer may be formed on the single crystalline semiconductor layer and used as a polish stop for the first polishing process to define a sacrificial layer pattern, which may be removed prior to the second polishing process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stack-type semiconductor device, in which a first substrate and a second substrate are prepared so that the first substrate has a surface layer and the second substrate has an insulation layer. The first substrate and the second substrate are attached to each other to allow the surface layer to make contact with the insulation layer. The first substrate is partially separated from the second substrate to allow the surface layer to remain on a central portion of the second substrate. A sacrificial layer pattern is then formed on an edge portion of the second substrate having the surface layer. The sacrificial layer pattern and the surface layer are planarized. Thus, the sacrificial layer pattern may reduce damage to the edge portion of the second substrate so that the second substrate may have an improved flatness.

Abstract: In a method of recycling a substrate having an edge portion on which a stepped portion is formed, the substrate is chemically mechanically polished using a first slurry composition including fumed silica to remove the stepped portion. The substrate is then chemically mechanically polished using a second slurry composition including colloidal silica to improve the surface roughness of the substrate. The substrate having the edge region on which the stepped portion is formed may include a donor substrate used for manufacturing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, a chemical-mechanical-polishing (CMP) slurry composition is provided which includes ceria abrasive contained in a solution, where the solution includes a viscosity increasing agent which includes a non-ionic polymer compound, and where a viscosity of the composition is at least 1.5 cP. In other aspects, the viscosity increasing agent includes one or more of poly(ethyleneglycol), a Gum compound and isopropyl alcohol.