Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first active fin on a substrate; a second active fin on the substrate and separate from the first active fin; and a first fin stub on the substrate, wherein the first fin stub connects a first end of the first active fin and a first end of the second active fin, wherein the fin stub is lower than both the first and the second active fins in height, wherein from a top view the first active fin is oriented lengthwise in a first direction, and the first fin stub is oriented lengthwise in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask includes a multilayer Mo/Si stack comprising alternating Mo and Si layers disposed over a first major surface of a mask substrate, a capping layer made of ruthenium (Ru) disposed over the multilayer Mo/Si stack, and an absorber layer on the capping layer. The EUV mask includes a circuit pattern area and a particle attractive area, and the capping layer is exposed at bottoms of patterns in the particle attractive area.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a layout is prepared. The layout includes active region patterns, each of the active region patterns corresponding to one or two fin structures, first fin cut patterns and second fin cut patterns. At least one pattern selected from the group consisting of the first fin cut patterns and the second fin cut patterns has a non-rectangular shape. The layout is modified by adding one or more dummy active region patterns and by changing the at least one pattern to be a rectangular pattern. Base fin structures are formed according to a modified layout including the active region patterns and the dummy active region patterns. Part of the base fin structures is removed according to one of a modified layout of the first fin cut patterns and a modified layout of the second fin cut patterns.

Abstract: A method for exposing a wafer substrate includes forming a reticle having a device pattern. A relative orientation between the device pattern and a mask field of an exposure tool is determined based on mask field utilization. The reticle is loaded on the exposure tool. The wafer substrate is rotated based on an orientation of the device pattern. Radiation is projected through the reticle onto the rotated wafer substrate by the exposure tool, thereby imaging the device pattern onto the rotated wafer substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first active fin on a substrate; a second active fin on the substrate and separate from the first active fin; a first fin stub on the substrate, wherein the first fin stub connects a bottom portion of the first active fin and a bottom portion of the second active fin; and an isolation feature over the first fin stub and between the first and second active fins. The first fin stub is lower than both the first and the second active fins in height. The isolation feature is higher than the first fin stub and lower than both the first and the second active fins in height. From a top view, the first active fin is oriented lengthwise in a first direction, and the first fin stub is oriented lengthwise in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A device includes a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) array, and an SRAM cell edge region abutting the SRAM array. The SRAM array and the SRAM cell edge region in combination include first gate electrodes having a uniform pitch. A word line driver abuts the SRAM cell edge region. The word line driver includes second gate electrodes, and the first gate electrodes have lengthwise directions aligned to lengthwise directions of respective ones of the second gate electrodes.

Abstract: A device includes a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) array, and an SRAM cell edge region abutting the SRAM array. The SRAM array and the SRAM cell edge region in combination include first gate electrodes having a uniform pitch. A word line driver abuts the SRAM cell edge region. The word line driver includes second gate electrodes, and the first gate electrodes have lengthwise directions aligned to lengthwise directions of respective ones of the second gate electrodes.

Abstract: A method includes the operations below. A first and second layout patterns corresponding to a first and second area are placed. Third layout patterns corresponding to a first continuous fin over the first area and second area, and corresponding to a second fin including separate portions spaced apart by a first recess over the first area are placed. A fourth layout pattern, corresponding to a dummy gate, at the recess portion and between the first layout pattern and the second layout pattern, is placed to generate a layout design of a semiconductor device. A side of the second area facing the first recess is substantially flat, and the semiconductor device is fabricated by a tool based on the layout design. A first length of the first continuous fin is equal to a sum of a second length of the second fin and a third length of the first recess.

Abstract: A method for exposing a wafer substrate includes forming a reticle having a device pattern. A relative orientation between the device pattern and a mask field of an exposure tool is determined based on mask field utilization. The reticle is loaded on the exposure tool. The wafer substrate is rotated based on an orientation of the device pattern. Radiation is projected through the reticle onto the rotated wafer substrate by the exposure tool, thereby imaging the device pattern onto the rotated wafer substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and fins. The fins are formed on a first area and a second area of the substrate. The first area includes a first recess. The second area is located with respect to the first area. The first recess is disposed at a side of the first area, and faces the second area. A projection area of the first recess on a side of the second area is substantially flat.

Abstract: A method for exposing a wafer substrate includes forming a reticle having a device pattern. A relative orientation between the device pattern and a mask field of an exposure tool is determined based on mask field utilization. The reticle is loaded on the exposure tool. The wafer substrate is rotated based on an orientation of the device pattern. Radiation is projected through the reticle onto the rotated wafer substrate by the exposure tool, thereby imaging the device pattern onto the rotated wafer substrate.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes forming a hard mask layer over an integrated circuit layer and implanting ions into a first portion of the hard mask layer without implanting ions into a second portion of the hard mask layer. An etching characteristic of the first portion is different than an etching characteristic of the second portion. After the implanting, the method includes annealing the hard mask layer. After the annealing, the method includes selectively etching the second portion of the hard mask layer, thereby forming an etching mask from the first portion of the hard mask layer. The method can further include using the etching mask to pattern the integrated circuit layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first active fin on a substrate; a second active fin on the substrate and separate from the first active fin; a first fin stub on the substrate, wherein the first fin stub connects a bottom portion of the first active fin and a bottom portion of the second active fin; and an isolation feature over the first fin stub and between the first and second active fins. The first fin stub is lower than both the first and the second active fins in height. The isolation feature is higher than the first fin stub and lower than both the first and the second active fins in height. From a top view, the first active fin is oriented lengthwise in a first direction, and the first fin stub is oriented lengthwise in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A device includes a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) array, and an SRAM cell edge region abutting the SRAM array. The SRAM array and the SRAM cell edge region in combination include first gate electrodes having a uniform pitch. A word line driver abuts the SRAM cell edge region. The word line driver includes second gate electrodes, and the first gate electrodes have lengthwise directions aligned to lengthwise directions of respective ones of the second gate electrodes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an integrated circuit design layout that includes first and second layout blocks separated by a first space. The first and second layout blocks include, respectively, first and second line patterns oriented lengthwise in a first direction. The method further includes adding a dummy pattern to the first space, which connects the first and second line patterns. The method further includes outputting a mandrel pattern layout and a cut pattern layout in a computer-readable format. The mandrel pattern layout includes the first and second line patterns and the dummy pattern. The cut pattern layout includes a pattern corresponding to the first space. In embodiments, the method further includes manufacturing a first mask with the mandrel pattern layout and manufacturing a second mask with the cut pattern layout. In embodiments, the method further includes patterning a substrate with the first mask and the second mask.

Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate includes forming a hard mask layer over the substrate; forming a first material layer over the hard mask layer; and forming a trench in the first material layer. The method further includes treating the hard mask layer with an ion beam through the trench. An etching rate of a treated portion of the hard mask layer reduces with respect to an etching process while an etching rate of untreated portions of the hard mask layer remains substantially unchanged with respect to the etching process. After the treating of the hard mask layer, the method further includes removing the first material layer and removing the untreated portions of the hard mask layer with the etching process, thereby forming a hard mask over the substrate. The method further includes etching the substrate with the hard mask as an etch mask.

Abstract: A device includes a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) array, and an SRAM cell edge region abutting the SRAM array. The SRAM array and the SRAM cell edge region in combination include first gate electrodes having a uniform pitch. A word line driver abuts the SRAM cell edge region. The word line driver includes second gate electrodes, and the first gate electrodes have lengthwise directions aligned to lengthwise directions of respective ones of the second gate electrodes.

Abstract: A device includes a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) array, and an SRAM cell edge region abutting the SRAM array. The SRAM array and the SRAM cell edge region in combination include first gate electrodes having a uniform pitch. A word line driver abuts the SRAM cell edge region. The word line driver includes second gate electrodes, and the first gate electrodes have lengthwise directions aligned to lengthwise directions of respective ones of the second gate electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and fins. The fins are formed on a first area and a second area of the substrate. The first area includes a first recess. The second area is located with respect to the first area. The first recess is disposed at a side of the first area, and faces the second area. A projection area of the first recess on a side of the second area is substantially flat.

Abstract: A structure and method for fabricating a spacer structure for semiconductor devices, such as a multi-gate structure, is provided. The dummy gate structure is formed by depositing a dielectric layer, forming a mask over the dielectric layer, and patterning the dielectric layer. The mask is formed to have a tapered edge. In an embodiment, the tapered edge is formed in a post-patterning process, such as a baking process. In another embodiment, a relatively thick mask layer is utilized such that during patterning a tapered results. The profile of the tapered mask is transferred to the dielectric layer, thereby providing a tapered edge on the dielectric layer.