Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first transistor and a second transistor on a substrate. The first transistor includes a first gate structure, and the second transistor includes a second gate structure. The first gate structure includes a first high-k layer, a first work function layer, an overlying work function layer, and a first capping layer sequentially formed on the substrate. The second gate structure comprising a second high-k layer, a second work function layer, and a second capping layer sequentially formed on the substrate. The first capping layer and the second capping layer comprise materials having higher resistant to oxygen or fluorine than materials of the second work function layer and the overlying work function layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of semiconductor manufacturing, and provides a semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor structure includes: a plurality of dies, where the plurality of dies are stacked layer by layer; one or more interlayer dielectric layers, where each of the interlayer dielectric layers is located between adjacent dies; and a plurality of conductive through vias, where at least one of the plurality of conductive through vias penetrates at least two layers of dies and electrically connects the at least two layers of dies.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of channel layers stacked on the substrate, a gate electrode surrounding the plurality of channel layers, and embedded source/drain layers on opposing sides of the gate electrode. The embedded source/drain layers each have a first region and a second region on the first region. The second region has a plurality of layers having different compositions.

Abstract: A memory formation method includes: providing a substrate; forming a first mask layer on the substrate, in the first mask layer there being formed a plurality of parallel-arranged strip-shaped patterns positioned above the array area, and an end of each of the strip-shaped patterns being connected to the first mask layer on the peripheral area of the substrate; forming a second mask layer on the first mask layer, in the second mask layer there being formed a plurality of first patterns; and etching layer by layer by using the second mask layer and the first mask layer as masks to transfer the strip-shaped patterns and the first patterns into the substrate to form the discrete active areas arranged in an array.

Abstract: A first thin film transistor and a second thin film transistor include a semiconducting metal oxide plate located over a substrate, and a set of electrode structures located on the semiconducting metal oxide plate and comprising, from one side to another, a first source electrode, a first gate electrode, a drain electrode, a second gate electrode, and a second source electrode. A bit line is electrically connected to the drain electrode, and laterally extends along a horizontal direction. A first capacitor structure includes a first conductive node that is electrically connected to the first source electrode. A second capacitor structure includes a second conductive node that is electrically connected to the second source electrode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a gate electrode over a substrate. The gate electrode is laterally separated from a dielectric by a spacer structure. A sacrificial layer is formed over a top surface of the gate electrode. A liner layer is formed along a sidewall of the spacer structure and on the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is removed and a hard mask material is formed over the gate electrode. A part of the dielectric is removed to form a contact opening laterally separated from the gate electrode by the spacer structure. A conductive contact is formed within the contact opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a first protruding structure, a second protruding structure, and a third protruding structure over a substrate. The method also includes performing a depositing process to form a first insulation material layer between the first protruding structure and the second protruding structure. The method further includes performing a first insulation material conversion process onto the first insulation material layer to bend the first protruding structure and the second protruding structure toward opposite directions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate with an active region being provided with a channel pattern, a device isolation layer including a first part defining the active region and a second part surrounding a first portion of the channel pattern, an upper epitaxial pattern disposed on an upper surface of the channel pattern, a gate electrode surrounding a second portion of the channel pattern and extending in a first direction, a gate spacer on the gate electrode, an interlayer dielectric layer on the gate spacer, and an air gap between a bottom surface of the gate electrode and the second part of the device isolation layer. At least a portion of the air gap vertically overlaps the gate electrode. The second portion of the channel pattern is higher than the first portion of the channel pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a contact region present in the semiconductor substrate, and a silicide present on a textured surface of the contact region. A plurality of sputter ions is present between the silicide and the contact region. Since the surface of the contact region is textured, the contact area provided by the silicide is increased accordingly, thus the resistance of an interconnection structure in the semiconductor device is reduced.

Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor capping layer over a first fin in a first region of a substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the semiconductor capping layer, and forming an insulation material over the dielectric layer, an upper surface of the insulation material extending further away from the substrate than an upper surface of the first fin. The method further incudes recessing the insulation material to expose a top portion of the first fin, and forming a gate structure over the top portion of the first fin.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device including a planar transistor having an oxide semiconductor and a capacitor. In a semiconductor device, a transistor includes an oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film over the oxide semiconductor film, a gate electrode over the gate insulating film, a second insulating film over the gate electrode, a third insulating film over the second insulating film, and a source and a drain electrodes over the third insulating film; the source and the drain electrodes are electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film; a capacitor includes a first and a second conductive films and the second insulating film; the first conductive film and the gate electrode are provided over the same surface; the second conductive film and the source and the drain electrodes are provided over the same surface; and the second insulting film is provided between the first and the second conductive films.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a semiconductor-based structure. A non-limiting example of the semiconductor-based structure includes a fin formed over a substrate. A tunnel is formed through the fin to define an upper fin region and a lower fin region. A gate structure is configured to wrap around a circumference of the upper fin region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a trench gate MOSFET including MOSFET cells. Each MOSFET cell includes an active trench gate in an n-epitaxial layer oriented in a first direction with a polysilicon gate over a lower polysilicon portion. P-type body regions are between trench gates and are separated by an n-epitaxial region. N-type source regions are located over the p-type regions. A gate dielectric layer is between the polysilicon gates and the body regions. A metal-containing layer contacts the n-epitaxial region to provide an anode of an embedded Schottky diode. A dielectric layer over the n-epitaxial layer has metal contacts therethrough connecting to the n-type source regions, to the p-type body regions, and to the anode of the Schottky diode.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first transistor having a first source/drain (S/D) feature and a first gate; a second transistor having a second S/D feature and a second gate; a multi-layer interconnection disposed over the first and the second transistors; a signal interconnection under the first and the second transistors; and a power rail under the signal interconnection and electrically isolated from the signal interconnection, wherein the signal interconnection electrically connects one of the first S/D feature and the first gate to one of the second S/D feature and the second gate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes a gate structure, a source epitaxial structure, a drain epitaxial structure, a front-side interconnection structure, a backside dielectric layer, an epitaxial regrowth layer, and a backside via. The source epitaxial structure and the drain epitaxial structure are respectively on opposite sides of the gate structure. The front-side interconnection structure is over a front-side of the source epitaxial structure and a front-side of the drain epitaxial structure. The backside dielectric layer is over a backside of the source epitaxial structure and a backside of the drain epitaxial structure. The epitaxial regrowth layer is on the backside of a first one of the source epitaxial structure and the drain epitaxial structure. The backside via extends through the backside dielectric layer and overlaps the epitaxial regrowth layer.

Abstract: A method of sensing a target gas in an environment in which a response of a semiconducting gas sensor device upon exposure to the environment is measured. The semiconducting gas sensor device includes first and second electrodes in electrical contact with a doped organic semiconductor layer and is, e.g., an organic thin film transistor or organic chemiresistor. The measured response may be indicative of a cumulative amount of a target gas that the semiconducting gas sensor device has been exposed to. A gas sensor module containing the semiconducting gas sensor device may be connectable to a reader configured to read the semiconducting gas sensor device after exposure to the environment. The connection may be wired or wireless. The target gas may be 1-methylcyclopropene.

Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device with high aperture ratio or a manufacturing method thereof. Another object is to provide semiconductor device with low power consumption or a manufacturing method thereof. A light-transmitting conductive layer which functions as a gate electrode, a gate insulating film formed over the light-transmitting conductive layer, a semiconductor layer formed over the light-transmitting conductive layer which functions as the gate electrode with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween, and a light-transmitting conductive layer which is electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and functions as source and drain electrodes are included.

Abstract: A method includes generating a layout diagram of a cell of an integrated circuit (IC), and storing the generated layout diagram on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In the generating the layout diagram of the cell, a first active region is arranged inside a boundary of the cell. The first active region extends along a first direction. At least one gate region is arranged inside the boundary. The at least one gate region extends across the first active region along a second direction transverse to the first direction. A first conductive region is arranged to overlap the first active region and a first edge of the boundary. The first conductive region is configured to form an electrical connection to the first active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a plurality of active patterns. A plurality of gate electrodes intersects the plurality of active patterns. An active contact is electrically connected to the active patterns. A plurality of vias includes a first regular via and a first dummy via. A plurality of interconnection lines is disposed on the vias. The plurality of interconnection lines includes a first interconnection line disposed on both the first regular via and the first dummy via. The first interconnection line is electrically connected to the active contact through the first regular via. Each of the vias includes a via body portion and a via barrier portion covering a bottom surface and sidewalls of the via body portion. Each of the interconnection lines includes an interconnection line body portion and an interconnection line barrier portion covering a bottom surface and sidewalls of the interconnection line body portion.

Abstract: Gate-all-around (GAA) transistors with shallow source/drain regions and methods of fabricating the same provide a GAA transistor that includes one or more channels positioned between a source region and a drain region. The one or more channels, which may be nanowire, nanosheet, or nanoslab semiconductors, are surrounded along a longitudinal axis by gate material. At a first end of the channel is a source region and at an opposite end of the channel is a drain region. To reduce parasitic capacitance between a bottom gate and the source and drain regions, a filler material is provided adjacent the bottom gate, and the source and drain regions are grown on top of the filler material. In this fashion, the bottom gate does not abut the source region or the drain region, reducing geometries which would contribute to parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, at least one first gate structure, at least one first spacer, at least one source drain structure, at least one conductor, and at least one protection layer. The first gate structure is present on the substrate. The first spacer is present on at least one sidewall of the first gate structure. The source drain structure is present adjacent to the first spacer. The conductor is electrically connected to the source drain structure. The protection layer is present between the conductor and the first spacer and on a top surface of the first gate structure.

Abstract: The present description relates to the fabrication of microelectronic transistor source and/or drain regions using angled etching. In one embodiment, a microelectronic transistor may be formed by using an angled etch to reduce the number masking steps required to form p-type doped regions and n-type doped regions. In further embodiments, angled etching may be used to form asymmetric spacers on opposing sides of a transistor gate, wherein the asymmetric spacers may result in asymmetric source/drain configurations.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a gate-all-around (GAA) transistor in a first device area and a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) in a second device area. The GAA transistor includes a plurality of vertically stacked channel members and a first gate structure over and around the plurality of vertically stacked channel members. The FinFET includes a fin-shaped channel member and a second gate structure over the fin-shaped channel member. The fin-shaped channel member includes semiconductor layers interleaved by sacrificial layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor package comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first metal layer, an adhesive layer, a second metal layer, a rigid supporting layer, and a plurality of contact pads. A thickness of the semiconductor substrate is equal to or less than 50 microns. A thickness of the rigid supporting layer is larger than the thickness of the semiconductor substrate. A thickness of the second metal layer is larger than a thickness of the first metal layer. A method comprises the steps of providing a device wafer; providing a supporting wafer; attaching the supporting wafer to the device wafer via an adhesive layer; and applying a singulation process so as to form a plurality of semiconductor packages.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate; an active area including a channel region sandwiched between two source/drain regions; an insulation region surrounding the active area from a top view; and a dielectric layer disposed over and in contact with an interface between the insulation region and the source/drain regions. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a fin. An isolation structure surrounds a lower fin portion, the isolation structure comprising an insulating material having a top surface, and a semiconductor material on a portion of the top surface of the insulating material, wherein the semiconductor material is separated from the fin. A gate dielectric layer is over the top of an upper fin portion and laterally adjacent the sidewalls of the upper fin portion, the gate dielectric layer further on the semiconductor material on the portion of the top surface of the insulating material. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Semiconductor device including a first electrode, a second electrode and at least one semiconductor material or layer between the first and second electrode. The semiconductor device further includes at least one field plate structure for increasing a breakdown voltage of the semiconductor device. The at least one field plate structure comprises at least two recesses in the at least one semiconductor material or layer, the at least two recesses defining a semiconductor region therebetween, and a third electrode contacting or provided on the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A high-voltage transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure, a gate dielectric layer, a gate, a source region and a drain region. The semiconductor substrate has a plurality of grooves extending downward from a surface of the semiconductor substrate to form a sawtooth sectional profile. The isolation structure is disposed on the outside of the plurality of grooves, and extends from the surface downwards into the semiconductor substrate to define a high-voltage area. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on the high-voltage area and partially filled in the plurality of grooves. The gate is disposed on the gate dielectric layer. The source region and the drain region are respectively disposed in the semiconductor substrate and isolated from each other.

Abstract: A stacked nanowire or nanosheet gate-all-around device, including: a silicon substrate; stacked nanowires or nanosheets located on the silicon substrate, extending along a first direction gate stacks and including multiple nanowires or nanosheets that are stacked; a gate stack, surrounding each of the stacked nanowires or nanosheets, and extending along a second direction, where first spacers are located on two sidewalls of the gate stack in the first direction; source-or-drain regions, located at two sides of the gate stack along the first direction; a channel region, including a portion of the stacked nanowires or nanosheets that is located between the first spacers. A notch structure recessed inward is located between the stacked nanowires or nanosheets and the silicon substrate, and includes an isolator that isolates the stacked nanowires or nanosheets from the silicon substrate. A method for manufacturing the stacked nanowire or nanosheet gate-all-around device is further provided.

Abstract: A neuromorphic multi-bit digital weight cell configured to store a series of potential weights for a neuron in an artificial neural network. The neuromorphic multi-bit digital weight cell includes a parallel cell including a series of passive resistors in parallel and a series of gating transistors. Each gating transistor of the series of gating transistors is in series with one passive resistor of the series of passive resistors. The neuromorphic cell also includes a series of programming input lines connected to the series of gating transistors, an input terminal connected to the parallel cell, and an output terminal connected to the parallel cell.

Abstract: A device includes a first nanostructure; a second nanostructure over the first nanostructure; a first high-k gate dielectric around the first nanostructure; a second high-k gate dielectric around the second nanostructure; and a gate electrode over the first and second high-k gate dielectrics. The gate electrode includes a first work function metal; a second work function metal over the first work function metal; and a first metal residue at an interface between the first work function metal and the second work function metal, wherein the first metal residue has a metal element that is different than a metal element of the first work function metal.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit which includes: a plurality of conductive lines extending in a first horizontal direction on a plane separate from a gate line, and including first and second conductive lines; a source/drain contact having a bottom surface connected to a source/drain region, and including a lower source/drain contact and an upper source/drain contact which are connected to each other in a vertical direction; and a gate contact having a bottom surface connected to the gate line, and extending in the vertical direction, in which the upper source/drain contact is placed below the first conductive line, and the gate contact is placed below the second conductive line. A top surface of the lower source/drain contact may be larger than a bottom surface of the upper source/drain contact.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with circuit patterns and dummy patterns. The circuit patterns facilitate circuit operations and the dummy patterns do not facilitate circuit operations. The dummy patterns are formed as patterns at which crystal defects are more likely to be caused by stress than the circuit patterns.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of transistor devices disposed within a substrate and a plurality of memory devices disposed within the substrate. A first isolation structure is disposed within the substrate between the plurality of transistor devices and the plurality of memory devices. The first isolation structure has a protrusion extending outward from an upper surface of the first isolation structure. A logic wall is arranged on the protrusion and surrounds the plurality of memory devices.

Abstract: A device includes a transistor, an insulating structure, a buried conductive line, and a buried via. The transistor is above a substrate and includes a source/drain region and a source/drain contact above the source/drain region. The insulating structure is above the substrate and laterally surrounds the transistor. The buried conductive line is in the insulating structure and spaced apart from the transistor. The buried via is in the insulating structure and interconnects the transistor and the buried conductive line. A height of the buried conductive line is greater than a height of the source/drain contact.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate with an active region being provided with a channel pattern, a device isolation layer including a first part defining the active region and a second part surrounding a first portion of the channel pattern, an upper epitaxial pattern disposed on an upper surface of the channel pattern, a gate electrode surrounding a second portion of the channel pattern and extending in a first direction, a gate spacer on the gate electrode, an interlayer dielectric layer on the gate spacer, and an air gap between a bottom surface of the gate electrode and the second part of the device isolation layer. At least a portion of the air gap vertically overlaps the gate electrode. The second portion of the channel pattern is higher than the first portion of the channel pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first active region and a second active region, the first active region having a conductivity type that is different than a conductivity type of the second active region, and the first active region being spaced apart from the second active region in a first direction, gate electrodes extending in the first direction, the gate electrodes intersecting the first active region and the second active region, a first shallow isolation pattern disposed in an upper portion of the first active region, the first shallow isolation pattern extending in the first direction, and a deep isolation pattern disposed in an upper portion of the second active region, the deep isolation pattern extending in the first direction, and the deep isolation pattern dividing the second active region into a first region and a second region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulator on a substrate and having opposite first and second sides that each extend along a first direction, a first fin pattern extending from a third side of the insulator along the first direction, a second fin pattern extending from a fourth side of the insulator along the first direction, and a first gate structure extending from the first side of the insulator along a second direction transverse to the first direction. The device further includes a second gate structure extending from the second side of the insulator along the second direction, a third fin pattern overlapped by the first gate structure, spaced apart from the first side of the insulator, and extending along the first direction, and a fourth fin pattern which overlaps the second gate structure, is spaced apart from the second side, and extends in the direction in which the second side extends.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a device structure includes a fin structure, a gate on the fin structure, and a source and a drain on the fin structure, where the gate is between the source and the drain. The device structure further includes an insulator layer having a first insulator layer portion adjacent to a sidewall of the source, a second insulator layer portion adjacent to a sidewall of the drain, and a third insulator layer portion therebetween adjacent to a sidewall of the gate, and two or more stressor materials adjacent to the insulator layer. The stressor materials can be tensile or compressively stressed and may strain a channel under the gate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a substrate and a gate electrode overlying the substrate. Further, the integrated chip includes a contact layer overlies the substrate and is laterally spaced apart from the gate electrode by a spacer structure. The spacer structure may surround outermost sidewalls of the gate electrode. A hard mask structure may be arranged over the gate electrode and between portions of the spacer structure. A contact via extends through the hard mask structure and contacts the gate electrode. The integrated chip may further include a liner layer that is arranged directly between the hard mask structure and the spacer structure, wherein the liner layer is spaced apart from the gate electrode.

Abstract: Devices are formed on a substrate. A first-tier alternating stack of first insulating layers and first spacer material layers having first stepped surfaces and a first retro-stepped dielectric material portion are formed over the substrate. A sacrificial contact via structure is formed through the first retro-stepped dielectric material portion. A second-tier alternating stack of second insulating layers and second spacer material layers is formed with second stepped surfaces. A second retro-stepped dielectric material portion including a doped silicate glass liner and a silicate glass material portion is formed over the second stepped surfaces. Memory stack structures are formed through the second-tier alternating stack and the first-tier alternating stack. A contact via cavity is formed down to the sacrificial contact via structure. The doped silicate glass liner is recessed and the sacrificial contact via structure is removed, to form a contact via structure in the contact via cavity.

Abstract: In the examples disclosed herein, a memory array can have a first group of memory cells coupled to a first digit line at a first level and a second group of memory cells coupled to a second digit line at the first level. A third digit line can be at a second level and can be coupled to a main sense amplifier. A first vertical thin film transistor (TFT) can be at a third level between the first and second levels can be coupled between the first digit line and the third digit line. A second vertical TFT can be at the third level and can be coupled between the second digit line and the third digit line. A local sense amplifier can be coupled to the first and second digit lines.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first semiconductor strip protruding above a first region of a substrate and a second semiconductor strip protruding above a second region of the substrate, forming an isolation region between the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip, forming a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip, etching a trench extending into the gate stack and isolation regions, the trench exposing the first region of the substrate and the second region of the substrate, forming a dielectric layer on sidewalls and a bottom surface of the trench and filling a conductive material over the dielectric layer and in the trench to form a contact, where the contact extends below a bottommost surface of the isolation region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes etch stop films formed on the first gate electrode, the first source region, the first drain region, and the shallow trench isolation regions, respectively. First interlayer insulating films are formed on the etch stop film, respectively. Deep trenches are formed in the substrate between adjacent ones of the first interlayer insulating films to overlap the shallow trench isolation regions. Sidewall insulating films are formed in the deep trenches, respectively. A gap-fill insulating film is formed on the sidewall insulating film. A second interlayer insulating film is formed on the gap-fill insulating film. A top surface of the second interlayer insulating film is substantially planar and a bottom surface of the second interlayer insulating film is undulating.

Abstract: An active device substrate includes a substrate, a silicon layer, a first insulating layer, a first gate, a first dielectric layer, a first transfer electrode, a second transfer electrode, and a second dielectric layer. Two openings penetrate through the first dielectric layer and overlap the silicon layer. The first transfer electrode and the second transfer electrode are respectively located in the two openings. The second dielectric layer is located on the first transfer electrode and the second transfer electrode. Two first through-holes penetrate through the second dielectric layer. The first transfer electrode and the second transfer electrode are etch stop layers of the two first through-holes.

Abstract: A transistor channel profile structure may be improved to provide better transistor circuits performance. In one example, a transistor circuit may include different fin profiles for the NMOS transistors and the PMOS transistors, such as the NMOS fins are thicker than the PMOS fins or the NMOS fin has a straight vertical surface and the PMOS fin has a notch at a fin bottom region. In still another example, a transistor circuit may include different nano-sheet profiles for a NMOS GAA device and a PMOS GAA device where the NMOS nano-sheet is thicker than the PMOS nano-sheet. Such configurations optimize the NMOS and the PMOS transistors with the NMOS having a low channel resistance while the PMOS has a lower short channel effect.

Abstract: A method including forming a fin of a nonplanar device on a substrate, the fin including a second layer between a first layer and a third layer; replacing the second layer with a dielectric material; and forming a gate stack on a channel region of the fin. An apparatus including a first multigate device on a substrate including a fin including a conducting layer on a dielectric layer, a gate stack disposed on the conducting layer in a channel region of the fin, and a source and a drain formed in the fin, and a second multigate device on the substrate including a fin including a first conducting layer and a second conducting layer separated by a dielectric layer, a gate stack disposed the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer in a channel region of the fin, and a source and a drain formed in the fin.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for reducing RC delay in radio frequency operated devices or devices that would benefit from an RC delay reduction. The method includes forming, on a substrate, a transistor structure having source/drain regions and a gate structure; depositing a first dielectric layer on the substrate to embed the transistor structure; forming, within the first dielectric layer, source/drain contacts on the source/drain regions of the transistor structure; depositing a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming metal lines in the second dielectric layer; forming an opening in the second dielectric layer between the metal lines to expose the first dielectric layer; etching, through the opening, the second dielectric layer between the metal lines and the first dielectric layer between the source/drain contacts; and depositing a third dielectric layer to form an air-gap in the first and second dielectric layers and over the transistor structure.

Abstract: In a pattern formation method, a bottom layer is formed over an underlying layer. A middle layer is formed over the bottom layer. A resist pattern is formed over the middle layer. The middle layer is patterned by using the resist pattern as an etching mask. The bottom layer is patterned by using the patterned middle layer. The underlying layer is patterned. The middle layer contains silicon in an amount of 50 wt % or more and an organic material. In one or more of the foregoing and following embodiments, an annealing operation is further performed after the middle layer is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure formed over a channel region of the semiconductor device, a source/drain region adjacent the channel region, and an electrically conductive contact layer over the source/drain region. The source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer having a first material composition and a second epitaxial layer formed over the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer has a second material composition different from the first composition. The electrically conductive contact layer is in contact with the first and second epitaxial layers. A bottom of the electrically conductive contact layer is located below an uppermost portion of the first epitaxial layer.