Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: performing a self-limiting process to modify a top surface of a wafer; after the self-limiting process completes, removing the modified top surface from the wafer; and repeating the performing the self-limiting process and the removing the modified top surface from the wafer until a thickness of the wafer is decreased to a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A method for performing a CMP process is provided. The method includes performing the CMP process. The method further includes during the CMP process detecting a motion of a carrier head about a rotation axis beside a polishing pad. The method also includes producing a control signal corresponding to a detected result of the motion. In addition, the method includes prohibiting the rotation of the carrier head about a rotation axis by a driving motor which is controlled by the control signal. And, the method includes selecting a point of time at which the CMP process is terminated after the control signal is substantially the same as a threshold value.

Abstract: A method includes forming a flowable dielectric layer in a trench of a substrate; curing the flowable dielectric layer; and annealing the cured flowable dielectric layer to form an insulation structure and a liner layer. The insulation structure is formed in the trench, the liner layer is formed between the insulation structure and the substrate, and the liner layer includes nitrogen.

Abstract: Methods for a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device are disclosed. A bottom electrode is formed over a substrate. A top electrode is formed over the bottom electrode. A resistive switching layer is formed interposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The resistive switching is made of a composite of a metal, Si, and O, formed by oxidation of a metal silicide of a metal, co-deposition of the metal and silicon in oxygen ambiance, co-deposition of a metal oxide of the metal and silicon, or co-deposition of a metal oxide of the metal and silicon oxide. There may be an additional tunnel barrier layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The top electrode and the bottom electrode may comprise multiple sub-layers.

Abstract: A wafer edge trimming tool includes an abrasive tape and a holding module configured to hold the abrasive tape against portions of an edge of a rotating wafer during a wafer edge trimming process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes following steps. A trench is formed in a substrate. A barrier layer and an epitaxy layer are formed in sequence in the trench. The barrier layer has a first dopant. A source/drain recess cavity is formed by etching at least the epitaxial layer. A source/drain region is formed in the source/drain recess cavity. The source/drain region has a second dopant.

Abstract: A trench structure of a semiconductor device includes a substrate, an isolation structure, and a liner layer. The substrate has a trench therein. The isolation structure is disposed in the trench. The liner layer is disposed between the substrate and the isolation structure. The liner layer includes nitrogen, and the liner layer has spatially various nitrogen concentration.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a p-type metal oxide semiconductor device (PMOS) and an n-type metal oxide semiconductor device (NMOS) disposed over a substrate. The PMOS has a first gate structure located on the substrate, a carbon doped n-type well disposed under the first gate structure, a first channel region disposed in the carbon doped n-type well, and activated first source/drain regions disposed on opposite sides of the first channel region. The NMOS has a second gate structure located on the substrate, a carbon doped p-type well disposed under the second gate structure, a second channel region disposed in the carbon doped p-type well, and activated second source/drain regions disposed on opposite sides of the second channel region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device are disclosed. The RRAM device comprises a bottom electrode, a resistive switching layer disposed on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed on the resistive switching layer. The resistive switching layer is made of a composite of a metal, Si, and O. There may be an additional tunnel barrier layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The top electrode and the bottom electrode may comprise multiple sub-layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a wafer is provided. The apparatus includes a platen, a chamber, an etch gas supplier and a tilting mechanism. The chamber has at least one aperture at least partially facing to the platen. The etch gas supplier is fluidly connected to the chamber. The tilting mechanism is coupled with the platen for allowing the platen to have at least one first degree of freedom to tilt relative to the aperture of the chamber.

Abstract: Methods for processing a substrate having a structure formed thereon and a system for processing a substrate are provided. A substrate is received from first processing equipment, where the first processing equipment has formed the structure on the substrate. A lithography process is performed on the received substrate. The lithography process includes exposing the substrate under an optical condition. The lithography process further includes polishing a backside of the substrate prior to the exposing of the substrate, where the polishing is configured to remove a topographical feature of the backside of the substrate or to remove a contaminant from the backside of the substrate. The substrate does not undergo a cleaning procedure during a period of time between i) the forming of the structure on the substrate, and ii) the exposing of the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is comprised in a wafer, removing the dummy gate stack to form a recess, forming a gate dielectric layer in the recess, and forming a metal layer in the recess and over the gate dielectric layer. The metal layer has an n-work function. A block layer is deposited over the metal layer using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The remaining portion of the recess is filled with metallic materials, wherein the metallic materials are overlying the metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; a source/drain region having a first dopant in the substrate; a barrier layer having a second dopant formed around the source/drain region in the substrate. When a semiconductor device is scaled down, the doped profile in source/drain regions might affect the threshold voltage uniformity, the provided semiconductor device may improve the threshold voltage uniformity by the barrier layer to control the doped profile.

Abstract: A backside illumination image sensor structure comprises an image sensor formed adjacent to a first side of a semiconductor substrate, wherein an interconnect layer is formed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate, a backside illumination film formed over a second side of the semiconductor substrate, a metal shielding layer formed over the backside illumination film and a via embedded in the backside illumination film and coupled between the metal shielding layer and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type region including a first conductivity type impurity. A first gate structure is on the semiconductor substrate overlying the first conductivity type region. A second conductivity type region including a second conductivity type impurity is formed in the semiconductor substrate. A barrier layer is located between the first conductivity type region and the second conductivity type region. The barrier layer prevents diffusion of the second conductivity type impurity from the second conductivity type region into the first conductivity type region.

Abstract: A fin-type field effect transistor comprising a substrate, at least one gate structure, first spacers, second spacers and source and drain regions is described. The substrate has fins and insulators disposed between the fins. The at least one gate structure is disposed over the fins and disposed on the insulators. The first spacers are disposed on opposite sidewalls of the at least one gate structure. The source and drain regions are disposed on two opposite sides of the at least one gate structure and beside the first spacers. The second spacers are disposed on the two opposite sides of the at least one gate structure and beside the first spacers. The source and drain regions are sandwiched between the opposite second spacers.

Abstract: A method includes method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is comprised in a wafer, removing the dummy gate stack to form a recess, forming a gate dielectric layer in the recess, and forming a metal layer in the recess and over the gate dielectric layer. The metal layer has an n-work function. A block layer is deposited over the metal layer using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The remaining portion of the recess is filled with metallic materials, wherein the metallic materials are overlying the metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an isolation feature in a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a first source/drain feature in the substrate, wherein a first side of the first source/drain feature contacts the isolation feature, and the first source/drain feature exposes a portion of the isolation feature below a top surface of the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a silicide layer over the first source/drain feature. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric layer along the exposed portion of the isolation feature below the top surface of the substrate, wherein the dielectric layer contacts the silicide layer. The semiconductor device further includes a second source/drain feature in the substrate on an opposite side of a gate stack from the first source/drain feature, wherein the second source/drain feature has a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer includes a substrate, an integrated circuit and a die seal ring structure. The substrate is with a die region, a die seal ring region surrounding the die region and a scribe line region surrounding the die seal ring region. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and periodic recesses within the first surface of the die seal ring region, the scribe line region or both the die seal ring region and the scribe line region. The integrated circuit is located on the first surface and the second surface of the die region. The die seal ring structure is located on the second surface of the die seal ring region. A semiconductor die is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type region including a first conductivity type impurity. A first gate structure is on the semiconductor substrate overlying the first conductivity type region. A second conductivity type region including a second conductivity type impurity is formed in the semiconductor substrate. A barrier layer is located between the first conductivity type region and the second conductivity type region. The barrier layer prevents diffusion of the second conductivity type impurity from the second conductivity type region into the first conductivity type region.