Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a fin that is formed over the substrate and extends along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that straddles the fin and extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a first source/drain structure coupled to a first end of the fin along the first direction. The gate structure includes a first portion protruding toward the first source/drain structure along the first direction. A tip edge of the first protruded portion is vertically above a bottom surface of the gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy, gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy, gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes first and second features, each including an end portion arranged along a common axis, and separated by a space. The end portion of the first feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space. The end portion of the second feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space, mirroring the first indention of the first feature about the space. The end portions are substantially similar in shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes first and second features, each including an end portion arranged along a common axis, and separated by a space. The end portion of the first feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space. The end portion of the second feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space, mirroring the first indention of the first feature about the space. The end portions are substantially similar in shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes first and second features, each including an end portion arranged along a common axis, and separated by a space. The end portion of the first feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space. The end portion of the second feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space, mirroring the first indention of the first feature about the space. The end portions are substantially similar in shape.

Abstract: A method for patterning fins for FinFET devices are disclosed. The method includes forming elongated protrusions on a semiconductor substrate and forming a mask covering a first portion of the elongated protrusions. The method further includes forming a spacer surrounding the mask. The mask and the spacer together cover a second portion of the elongated protrusions. The method further includes removing a portion of the elongated protrusions not covered by the mask and the spacer. In an embodiment, an outer boundary of the spacer and the mask corresponds to an outer boundary of a non-rectangular pattern.

Abstract: A photomask and method for fabricating an integrated circuit is provided. A design layout is provided, wherein the design layout has a plurality of main features. A plurality of assistant features are added in an assistant region of the design layout to form a first layout, wherein the assistant region has no main feature and a width of the assistant region is larger than five times of a width of the main feature. A plurality of optical proximity correction (OPC) features are added on the first layout to form a second layout. And a photomask is formed according to the second layout.

Abstract: A method includes forming an isolation feature in a semiconductor substrate; forming a first fin-like active region and a second fin-like active region in the semiconductor substrate and interposed by the isolation feature; forming a dummy gate stack on the isolation feature, wherein the dummy gate extends to the first fin-like active region from one side and to the second fin-like active region from another side.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mask for use in a lithography system having a defined resolution. The mask comprises first and second patterns that are greater than the defined resolution and a sub-resolution feature that is less than the defined resolution. Portions of the first and second patterns are positioned close to each other and separated by the sub-resolution feature in an intersection area. The size and shape of the sub-resolution feature are such that when the mask is used in the lithography system, a resulting pattern includes the first and second patterns interconnected with each other through the interconnection area.

Abstract: A device for semiconductor fabrication includes a substrate and a layer formed over the substrate, wherein the layer includes an alignment mark. The alignment mark includes a first plurality of elongated members that are oriented lengthwise along a first direction and are distributed along a second direction. The alignment mark further includes a second plurality of elongated members that are oriented lengthwise along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and are distributed along the second direction, wherein the second direction is different from each of the first and third directions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an IC method that includes receiving an IC design layout including a first main feature and inserting a first plurality of scattering bars in the IC design layout to form a first circular pattern of scattering bars around the first main feature. The first main feature is positioned at a center portion of the first circular pattern of scattering bars.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: A photomask and method for fabricating an integrated circuit is provided. A design layout is provided, wherein the design layout has a plurality of main features. A plurality of assistant features are added in an assistant region of the design layout to form a first layout, wherein the assistant region has no main feature and a width of the assistant region is larger than five times of a width of the main feature. A plurality of optical proximity correction (OPC) features are added on the first layout to form a second layout. And a photomask is formed according to the second layout.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes first and second features, each including an end portion arranged along a common axis, and separated by a space. The end portion of the first feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space. The end portion of the second feature includes a first indention adjacent to the space, mirroring the first indention of the first feature about the space. The end portions are substantially similar in shape.