Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure having a bottom part and an upper part on the bottom part is formed over a substrate. The bottom part is trimmed so that a width of an uppermost portion of the bottom part is smaller than a width of the upper part. Bottom end corners of the upper part are trimmed to reduce a width of the upper part at a bottom of the upper part. An isolation insulating layer is formed so that the upper part protrudes from the isolation insulating layer. A dummy gate structure is formed. A source/drain structure is formed. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the dummy gate structure and the source/drain structure. The dummy gate structure is replaced with a metal gate structure.

Abstract: A fin-type semiconductor device includes a semiconductor structure having a plurality of fins formed in a substrate and a plurality of trenches each disposed between two adjacent fins, a spacer in each of the trenches, and an etch stop layer disposed below an upper surface of the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a powder coating composition comprising a diisocyanate-modified bisphenol A epoxy resin, a curing agent, an auxiliary curing agent, an enhancer, and an extender pigment, wherein the auxiliary curing agent comprises an alkanolamine-modified epoxy polyol resin.

Abstract: There is provided a surface treatment method of a glass substrate having a pit on a surface thereof, a production method of an array substrate comprising this method, and an array substrate. The method includes: forming a layer of SiO2 sol at least at a side wall of the pit; and drying the layer of SiO2 sol to form a smoothening layer so as to smoothen an upper edge and a lower edge of the side wall of the pit.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET device structure includes a first fin structure extending above a substrate and an isolation structure formed on the substrate. The first fin structure is embedded in the isolation structure, and the first fin structure has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is above the isolation structure, and the lower portion is below the isolation structure. The FinFET device structure also includes a protection layer formed on the sidewalls of the lower portion of the first fin structure.

Abstract: Variations in height of a top of an element isolation region, which is embedded in a trench surrounding the periphery of a fin having a channel region of a split-gate MONOS memory, are suppressed to improve reliability of a semiconductor device. An element isolation region embedded in a trench between a plurality of fins, which are part of a semiconductor substrate in a memory cell region and protrude above the semiconductor substrate, is comprised of an insulating film covering the bottom of the trench and a silicon nitride film covering the top of the insulating film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate electrode structure over a first region of a semiconductor substrate, and selectively forming an oxide layer overlying the gate electrode structure by reacting a halide compound with oxygen to increase a height of the gate electrode structure. The halide compound may be silicon tetrachloride, and the oxide layer may be silicon dioxide. The gate electrode structure may be a dummy gate electrode, which is subsequently removed, and replaced with another gate electrode structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first fin-shaped structure on the first region; forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) around the first fin-shaped structure; forming a first oxide layer on the first fin-shaped structure; and then forming a second oxide layer on the first oxide layer and the STI.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes providing a structure having an etch mask layer disposed over a pattern layer disposed over a dielectric layer. Disposing first and second trench plugs having different material compositions in the etch mask layer, the first and second trench plugs overlaying gamma and beta block mask portions respectively of the pattern layer. Forming an array of self-aligned spacers disposed on sidewalls of mandrels, the spacers and mandrels defining alternating beta and gamma regions extending normally to the dielectric layer, the gamma region and beta regions extending though portions of the first and second trench plug respectively. Selectively etching the structure to remove any portion of the first trench plug within the beta region and any portion of the second trench plug within the gamma region. Selectively etching the structure to form a pattern in the pattern layer including the block mask portions.

Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin, performing a first passivation step on a top surface of the semiconductor fin using a first passivation species, and performing a second passivation step on sidewalls of the semiconductor fin using a second passivation species different from the first passivation species. A gate stack is formed on a middle portion of the semiconductor fin. A source or a drain region is formed on a side of the gate stack, wherein the source or drain region and the gate stack form a Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET).

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure and method for forming FinFET device structure are provided. The FinFET structure includes a substrate and a fin structure extending above the substrate. The FinFET structure also includes a gate electrode formed over the fin structure, and the gate electrode has a grid-like pattern when seen from a top-view.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes depositing a gate dielectric layer lining a recess of a gate structure formed on a substrate with a first portion of the gate dielectric layer covering sidewalls of the recess and a second portion of the gate dielectric layer covering a bottom of the recess. A protective layer is deposited above the gate dielectric layer and then recessed selectively to the gate dielectric layer so that a top surface of the protective layer is below of the recess. The first portion of the gate dielectric layer is recessed until a top of the first portion of the gate dielectric layer is approximately coplanar with the top surface of the protective layer. The protective layer is removed and a conductive barrier is deposited above the recessed first portion of the gate dielectric layer to cut a diffusion path to the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming isolation regions in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first semiconductor strip between opposite portions of isolation regions, forming a second semiconductor strip overlying and contacting the first semiconductor strip, and performing a first recessing to recess the isolation regions. A portion of the second semiconductor strip over top surfaces of remaining portions of the isolation regions forms a semiconductor fin. A second recessing is performed to recess the isolation regions to extend the semiconductor fin downwardly, with an inter-diffusion region of the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip being exposed after the second recessing. The inter-diffusion region is then etched.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing an interconnect structure to provide ohmic contact in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor device, such as a transistor, comprising a substrate, a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, and source and drain regions in the substrate. An ultra-thin interfacial dielectric is deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) over the source and drain regions, where the interfacial dielectric can have a thickness between about 3 ? and about 20 ?. The ultra-thin interfacial dielectric is configured to unpin the metal Fermi level from the source and drain regions. Other steps such as the deposition of a metal by CVD and the cleaning of the substrate surface can be performed in an integrated process tool without a vacuum break. The method further includes forming one or more vias through a pre-metal dielectric over the source and drain regions of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of patterning silicon nitride dielectric films are described. For example, a method of isotropically etching a dielectric film involves partially modifying exposed regions of a silicon nitride layer with an oxygen-based plasma process to provide a modified portion and an unmodified portion of the silicon nitride layer. The method also involves removing, selective to the unmodified portion, the modified portion of the silicon nitride layer with a second plasma process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of filling a 3-D structure of a semiconductor substrate with a tungsten-containing material. The 3-D structure may include sidewalls, a plurality of openings in the sidewalls leading to a plurality of features having a plurality of interior regions. The methods may include depositing a first layer of the tungsten-containing material within the 3-D structure such that the first layer partially fills a plurality of interior regions of the 3-D structure, etching vertically and horizontally after depositing the first layer, and depositing a second layer of the tungsten-containing material within the 3-D structure after the vertical and horizontal etching such that the second layer fills at least a portion of the interior regions left unfilled by the first layer. Also disclosed herein are apparatuses for filling a 3-D structure of a semiconductor substrate with a tungsten-containing material having a controller with instructions for etching vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for manufacturing a light-emitting device having high internal quantum efficiency, consuming less power, having high luminance, and having high reliability. The techniques include forming a conductive light-transmitting oxide layer comprising a conductive light-transmitting oxide material and silicon oxide, forming a barrier layer in which density of the silicon oxide is higher than that in the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer over the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer, forming an anode having the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer and the barrier layer, heating the anode under a vacuum atmosphere, forming an electroluminescent layer over the heated anode, and forming a cathode over the electroluminescent layer. According to the techniques, the barrier layer is formed between the electroluminescent layer and the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a method for fabricating a patterned medium. The method includes providing a substrate with an exterior layer under a lithographically patterned surface layer, the lithographically patterned surface layer comprising a first pattern in a first region and a second pattern in a second region, applying a first masking material over the first region, transferring the second pattern into the exterior layer in the second region, forming self-assembled block copolymer structures over the lithographically patterned surface layer, the self-assembled block copolymer structures aligning with the first pattern in the first region, applying a second masking material over the second region, transferring the polymer block pattern into the exterior layer in the first region, and etching the substrate according to the second pattern transferred to the exterior layer in the second region and the polymer block pattern transferred to the exterior layer in the first region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a patterned dielectric layer having a plurality of first openings. The method includes forming a conductive liner layer over the patterned dielectric layer, the conductive liner layer partially filling the first openings. The method includes forming a trench mask layer over portions of the conductive liner layer outside the first openings, thereby forming a plurality of second openings, a subset of which are formed over the first openings. The method includes depositing a conductive material in the first openings to form a plurality of vias and in the second openings to form a plurality of metal lines. The method includes removing the trench mask layer.

Abstract: An approach for providing MOL constructs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a first diffusion region in a substrate; providing, via a first lithography process, a first diffusion contact structure; providing, via a second lithography process, a second diffusion contact structure; and coupling the first diffusion contact structure to the first diffusion region and the second diffusion contact structure. Embodiments include: providing a second diffusion region in the substrate; providing a diffusion gap region between the first and second diffusion regions; providing the diffusion contact structure over the diffusion gap region; and coupling, via the diffusion contact structure, the first and second diffusion regions.

Abstract: A method for flowable oxide deposition is provided. An oxygen source gas is increased as a function of time or film depth to change the flowable oxide properties such that the deposited film is optimized for gap fill near a substrate surface where high aspect ratio shapes are present. The oxygen gas flow rate increases as the film depth increases, such that the deposited film is optimized for planarization quality at the upper regions of the deposited film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an opening on a semiconductor substrate. First, a substrate is provided. Then a dielectric layer and a cap layer are formed on the substrate. A ratio of a thickness of the dielectric layer and a thickness of the cap layer is substantially between 15 and 1.5. Next, a patterned boron nitride layer is formed on the cap layer. Lastly, an etching process is performed by using the patterned hard mask as a mask to etch the cap layer and the dielectric layer so as to form an opening in the cap layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: At least one projecting block is formed in an element. The projecting block is then covered with a first cover layer so as to form a concave ridge self-aligned with the projecting block and having its concavity face towards the projecting block. A first trench is then formed in the ridge in a manner that is self-aligned with both the ridge and the projecting block. The first trench extends to a depth which reaches the projecting block. The projecting block is etched using the ridge and first trench as an etching mask to form a second trench in the projecting block that is self-aligned with the first trench. A pattern is thus produced by the second trench and unetched parts of the projecting block which delimit the second trench.

Abstract: Methods of forming contact holes include forming a first guide pattern over an etching target layer. The first guide pattern has first openings each extending in a first direction and each first opening arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first BCP structure is formed in each first opening. The first BCP structure includes first material layers in the first direction at a first pitch in each of the first openings, and second material layers filling a remaining portion of each first opening. First holes are formed by removing the first material layers. A second guide pattern is formed over the first guide pattern and the second material layers, and the above processes are performed on the second guide pattern to form second holes. Portions of the etching target layer overlapped by the first holes or the second holes are removed to form a desired pattern.

Abstract: Provided are a method for forming a microfine structure and a microfine structure forming body prepared by the method. The method allows a remaining film part to be formed thinner and more uniform on a substrate than the conventional techniques. The method comprises the steps of: forming an oxide layer on a metallic thin film; a photocurable resin layer via first and second adhesive layers over the oxide layer; and transferring a microfine structure formed on a mold by pressing the mold onto the photocurable resin layer. The first adhesive layer includes a compound having at least two hydrolysable functional groups, and the second adhesive layer includes a compound having at least a hydrolysable functional group and a reactive functional group.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of wires arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch, a plurality at first contacts that are each connected to an odd-numbered wire among the wires and are arranged in parallel in an orthogonal direction with respect to a wiring direction of the wires, and a plurality of second contacts that are each connected to an even-numbered wire among the wires and are arranged in parallel in an orthogonal direction with respect to the wiring direction of the wires in such a way as to be offset from the first contacts in the wiring direction of the wires, in which the first contacts are offset from the second contacts by a pitch of the wires in an orthogonal direction with respect to the wiring direction of the wires.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming gates in gate-last processes. The methods may include performing chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) on an interlayer dielectric (ILD) that is on a plurality of dummy gates, each of the plurality of dummy gates including a gate mask in an upper portion thereof, and the CMP exposing the gate mask. The methods may also include removing the gate mask by etching the gate mask. The methods may further include performing CMP on the ILD.

Abstract: A method and a structure for reworking an antireflective coating (ARC) layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method includes providing a substrate having a material layer, forming a planarization layer on the material layer, forming an organic solvent soluble layer on the planarization layer, forming an ARC layer on the organic solvent soluble layer, forming a pattern in the ARC layer, and removing the organic solvent soluble layer and the ARC layer with an organic solvent while leaving the planarization layer unremoved. The structure includes a substrate having a material layer, a planarization layer on the material layer, an organic solvent soluble layer on the planarization layer, and an ARC layer on the organic solvent soluble layer.

Abstract: A first gas for plasma etch and a second gas for plasma deposition are introduced onto a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate including a mask pattern. A flow rate of the first and second gases is periodically changed within a range of flow rates during a process cycle, such that a plasma etch process and a plasma deposition process are performed together to form an opening in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for forming a device are presented. A wafer substrate having first and second regions is provided. The second region includes an inner region of the substrate while the first region includes an outer peripheral region from an edge of the substrate towards the inner region. A protection unit is provided above the substrate. The protection unit includes a region having a total width WT defined by outer and inner rings of the protection unit. The substrate is etched to form at least a trench in the second region of the substrate. The WT of the protection unit is sufficiently wide to protect the first region of the wafer substrate such that the first region is devoid of trench.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern according to an embodiment, includes forming above a first film film patterns of a second film; forming film patterns of the first film by etching the first film using the film patterns of the second film as a mask; converting the film patterns of the second film into film patterns whose width are narrower than the film patterns of the first film by performing a slimming process; forming film patterns of a third film on both sidewalls of the film patterns of the first film and the film patterns of the second film after the slimming process; and etching the first film using the film patterns of the third film as a mask after the film patterns of the second film being removed.

Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure including a substrate and a transistor element. A layer of a spacer material is deposited over the substrate and the gate structure, wherein the deposited layer of spacer material has an intrinsic stress. Ions are implanted into the layer of spacer material. After the deposition of the layer of spacer material and the implantation of ions into the layer of spacer material, a sidewall spacer is formed at sidewalls of the gate structure from the layer of spacer material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a plurality of circuit devices over a substrate. The method includes forming an organic layer over the substrate. The organic layer is formed over the plurality of circuit devices. The method includes polishing the organic layer to planarize a surface of the organic layer. The organic layer is free of being thermally treated prior to the polishing. The organic material is un-cross-linked during the polishing. The method includes depositing a LT-film over the planarized surface of the organic layer. The depositing is performed at a temperature less than about 150 degrees Celsius. The depositing is also performed without using a spin coating process. The method includes forming a patterned photoresist layer over the LT-film.

Abstract: Methods of patterning low-k dielectric films are described. In an example, a method of patterning a low-k dielectric film involves forming and patterning a mask layer above a low-k dielectric layer. The low-k dielectric layer is disposed above a substrate. The method also involves modifying exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer with a plasma process. The method also involves, in the same operation, removing, with a remote plasma process, the modified portions of the low-k dielectric layer selective to the mask layer and unmodified portions of the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, an electrically conductive material layer, and an electrically insulating material layer. At least a portion of one or more of the substrate, the electrically conductive material layer, and the electrically insulating material layer define a reentrant profile.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for direct writing of passive structures having a tolerance of 5% or less in one or more physical, electrical, chemical, or optical properties. The present apparatus is capable of extended deposition times. The apparatus may be configured for unassisted operation and uses sensors and feedback loops to detect physical characteristics of the system to identify and maintain optimum process parameters.

Abstract: A method includes forming patterned lines on a substrate having a predetermined pitch. The method further includes forming spacer sidewalls on sidewalls of the patterned lines. The method further includes forming material in a space between the spacer sidewalls of adjacent patterned lines. The method further includes forming another patterned line from the material by protecting the material in the space between the spacer sidewalls of adjacent patterned lines while removing the spacer sidewalls. The method further includes transferring a pattern of the patterned lines and the patterned line to the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for multiple patterning using image reversal are provided. The methods may include depositing gap-fill ashable hardmasks using a deposition-etch-ash method to fill gaps in a pattern of a semiconductor substrate and eliminating spacer etching steps using a single-etch planarization method. Such methods may be performed for double patterning, multiple patterning, and two dimensional patterning techniques in semiconductor fabrication.

Abstract: A method for patterning a plurality of features in a non-rectangular pattern on an integrated circuit device includes providing a substrate including a surface with a first layer and a second layer. Forming a plurality of elongated protrusions in a third layer above the first and second layers. Forming a first patterned layer over the plurality of elongated protrusions. The plurality of elongated protrusions are etched to form a first pattern of the elongated protrusions, the first pattern including at least one inside corner. Forming a second patterned layer over the first pattern of elongated protrusions and forming a third patterned layer over the first pattern of elongated protrusions. The plurality of elongated protrusions are etched using the second and third patterned layers to form a second pattern of the elongated protrusions, the second pattern including at least one inside corner.

Abstract: Methods of patterning low-k dielectric films are described. For example, a method includes forming and patterning a mask layer above a low-k dielectric layer, the low-k dielectric layer disposed above a substrate. Exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer are modified with a plasma process. The modified portions of the low-k dielectric layer are removed selective to the mask layer and unmodified portions of the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming multiple different width dimension features simultaneously. The method includes forming multiple sidewall spacers of different widths formed from different combinations of conformal layers on different mandrels, removing the mandrels, and simultaneously transferring the pattern of the different sidewall spacers into an underlying layer.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to planarisation of a surface of a substrate. In an embodiment of planarising a surface region of a substrate, the substrate having a body on a portion of said surface region, the method comprises: modifying the wetability of a surface of said body with respect to a liquid planariser composition by providing a surface modifying layer such as a self-assembled monolayer thereon; and then depositing the liquid planariser composition on said substrate and said body such that the planariser composition wets said surface region, wherein said surface modifying layer determines a contact angle of said liquid planariser composition to said surface of said body such that the deposited liquid planariser composition is repelled from said surface of said body.

Abstract: A process is provided for selective removal of one or more unwanted fins during FINFET device fabrication. In one aspect, the process includes: providing a conformal protective layer over multiple fin structures on a substrate; patterning one or more openings over the unwanted fin structure(s); and removing at least a top portion of the unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s), the removing including removing at least a portion of the conformal protective layer over the unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s). In enhanced aspects, the removing includes removing a hard mask from the at least one unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s), and selectively removing semiconductor material of at least one unwanted fin structure(s). The conformal protective layer protects one or more remaining fin structures during the selective removal of the semiconductor material of the unwanted fin structure(s).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to integrated circuit fabrication, and more particularly to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. An exemplary method for fabricating the semiconductor device comprises providing a substrate; forming pad oxide layers over a frontside and a backside of the substrate; forming hardmask layers over the pad oxide layers on the frontside and the backside of the substrate; and thinning the hardmask layer over the pad oxide layer on the frontside of the substrate.

Abstract: A process is provided for selective removal of one or more unwanted fins during FINFET device fabrication. In one aspect, the process includes: providing a conformal protective layer over multiple fin structures on a substrate; patterning one or more openings over the unwanted fin structure(s); and removing at least a top portion of the unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s), the removing including removing at least a portion of the conformal protective layer over the unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s). In enhanced aspects, the removing includes removing a hard mask from the at least one unwanted fin structure(s) exposed through the opening(s), and selectively removing semiconductor material of at least one unwanted fin structure(s). The conformal protective layer protects one or more remaining fin structures during the selective removal of the semiconductor material of the unwanted fin structure(s).

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern on a substrate includes forming a repeating pattern of four first lines elevationally over an underlying substrate. A repeating pattern of four second lines is formed elevationally over and crossing the repeating pattern of four first lines. First alternating of the four second lines are removed from being received over the first lines. After the first alternating of the four second lines have been removed, elevationally exposed portions of alternating of the four first lines are removed to the underlying substrate using a remaining second alternating of the four second lines as a mask. Additional embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device may include forming spacer line patterns on sidewalls of photoresist. A planarization etching process may be performed on a subsequently added planarization layer, after forming a mesh-shaped mask pattern from the spacer line patterns.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving uniformity of chemical-mechanical planarization process, comprising the steps of: forming features on a substrate; forming a first dielectric isolation layer between the features; planarizing the first dielectric isolation layer until the features are exposed, causing the first dielectric isolation layer between the features to have a recess depth; forming a second dielectric isolation layer on the features and the first dielectric isolation layer, whereby reducing the difference in height between the second dielectric isolation layer between the features and the second dielectric isolation layer on the top of the features; planarizing the second dielectric isolation layer until the features are exposed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an opening on a semiconductor substrate. First, a substrate is provided. Then a dielectric layer and a cap layer are formed on the substrate. A ratio of a thickness of the dielectric layer and a thickness of the cap layer is substantially between 15 and 1.5. Next, a patterned boron nitride layer is formed on the cap layer. Lastly, an etching process is performed by using the patterned hard mask as a mask to etch the cap layer and the dielectric layer so as to form an opening in the cap layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with through silicon vias (TSVs) are formed without copper contamination. Embodiments include exposing a passivation layer surrounding a bottom portion of a TSV in a silicon substrate, forming a silicon composite layer over the exposed passivation layer and over a bottom surface of the silicon substrate, forming a hardmask layer over the silicon composite layer and over the bottom surface of the silicon substrate, removing a section of the silicon composite layer around the bottom portion of the TSV using the hardmask layer as a mask, re-exposing the passivation layer, and removing the hardmask layer and the re-exposed passivation layer to expose a contact for the bottom portion of the TSV.