Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies fabricated using hybrid manufacturing, as well as related devices and methods, are disclosed herein. As used herein, “hybrid manufacturing” refers to fabricating a microelectronic assembly by arranging together at least two IC structures fabricated by different manufacturers, using different materials, or different manufacturing techniques. For example, a microelectronic assembly may include a first IC structure that includes first interconnects and a second IC structure that includes second interconnects, where at least some of the first and second interconnects may include a liner and an electrically conductive fill material, and where a material composition of the liner/electrically conductive fill material of the first interconnects may be different from a material composition of the liner/electrically conductive fill material of the second interconnects.

Abstract: Methods of forming silicon nitride thin films on a substrate in a reaction space under high pressure are provided. The methods can include a plurality of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) cycles, where at least one PEALD deposition cycle comprises contacting the substrate with a nitrogen plasma at a process pressure of 20 Torr to 500 Torr within the reaction space. In some embodiments the silicon precursor is a silyl halide, such as H2SiI2. In some embodiments the processes allow for the deposition of silicon nitride films having improved properties on three dimensional structures. For example, such silicon nitride films can have a ratio of wet etch rates on the top surfaces to the sidewall of about 1:1 in dilute HF.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a lithium-ion cell by depositing from an atmospheric plasma deposition device inorganic oxide particles produced from a precursor in an atmospheric plasma as a coating on a surface of a lithium-ion electrochemical cell component. The coating formed by the inorganic oxide particles may be an insulating coating or may provide dimensional stability during a thermal runaway.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward optical elements, such as sample cuvettes, lenses, prisms, and the like, whose transmissivity is increased by the addition of a geometric anti-reflection layer disposed on at least one surface of the optical element, where the geometric anti-reflection layer includes a plurality of geometric features that collectively reduce the reflectivity of the interface between the surface and another medium. As a result, more of an optical signal incident on the surface passes through the interface. In some embodiments, every surface through which an optical signal passes includes a geometric anti-reflection layer. Due to the increased transmissivity of the optical element, in some embodiments, the use of low-cost, high-refractive-index materials, such as conventional silicon, is enabled.

Abstract: A plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method is disclosed for forming a SiON encapsulation layer on a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sidewall that minimizes attack on the MTJ sidewall during the PECVD or subsequent processes. The PECVD method provides a higher magnetoresistive ratio for the MTJ than conventional methods after a 400° C. anneal. In one embodiment, the SiON encapsulation layer is deposited using a N2O:silane flow rate ratio of at least 1:1 but less than 15:1. A N2O plasma treatment may be performed immediately following the PECVD to ensure there is no residual silane in the SiON encapsulation layer. In another embodiment, a first (lower) SiON sub-layer has a greater Si content than a second (upper) SiON sub-layer. A second encapsulation layer is formed on the SiON encapsulation layer so that the encapsulation layers completely fill the gaps between adjacent MTJs.

Abstract: A nitride film forming method includes repeating a cycle a plurality of times, wherein the cycle includes: forming a layer containing an element to be nitrided on a substrate by supplying a source gas including the element to the substrate; plasmarizing a modifying gas including a hydrogen gas, and modifying the layer containing the element with the plasmarized modifying gas; and activating a nitriding gas including nitrogen by heat, and thermally nitriding the layer containing the element with the nitriding gas activated by heat.

Abstract: There is provision of a processing method including a) depositing deposits on a patterned mask layer formed over an etching film; b) removing a part of the mask layer, a part of the deposits, or both the part of the mask layer and the part of the deposits; and c) repeating a) and b) at least once, thereby causing a taper angle of a side surface of a pattern formed in the mask layer to be a desired angle.

Abstract: Methods for plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) of low-K films are described. A method of depositing a film comprises exposing a substrate to a silicon precursor having the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen (H), substituted alkyl, or unsubstituted alkyl; purging the processing chamber of the silicon precursor; exposing the substrate to a carbon monoxide (CO) plasma to form one or more of a silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) or silicon oxycarbonitride (SiOCN) film on the substrate; and purging the processing chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally related to methods for forming a flowable low-k dielectric layer over a trench formed on a surface of a patterned substrate. The methods include delivering a silicon and carbon containing precursor into a substrate processing region of a substrate processing chamber for a first period of time and a second period of time, flowing an oxygen-containing precursor into a remote plasma region of a plasma source while igniting a remote plasma to form a radical-oxygen precursor, flowing the radical-oxygen precursor into the substrate processing region at a second flow rate after the first period of time has elapsed and during the second period of time, and exposing the silicon and carbon containing dielectric precursor to electromagnetic radiation for a third period of time after the second period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A method and resulting structure that includes depositing two or more elements on a substrate. A rate of one of the two or more elements provided during the depositing is restricted to target where one or more energy levels are set within a bandgap of a nonstoichiometric structure generated by the depositing. The generated nonstoichiometric bandgap structure with the one or more set energy levels within the bandgap is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for forming memory devices, and more specifically to improved methods for forming a dielectric encapsulation layer over a memory material in a memory device. In one embodiment, the method includes thermally depositing a first material over a memory material at a temperature less than the temperature of the thermal budget of the memory material, exposing the first material to nitrogen plasma to incorporate nitrogen in the first material, and repeating the thermal deposition and nitrogen plasma operations to form a hermetic, conformal dielectric encapsulation layer over the memory material. Thus, a memory device having a hermetic, conformal dielectric encapsulation layer over the memory material is formed.

Abstract: A method for forming features over a wafer with a carbon based deposition is provided. The carbon based deposition is pretuned, wherein the pretuning causes a non-uniform removal of some of the carbon based deposition. An oxide deposition of a silicon oxide based material is deposited through an atomic layer deposition process, wherein the depositing the oxide deposition causes a non-uniform removal of some of the carbon based deposition, which is complementary to the non-uniform removal of some of the carbon based deposition by the pretuning.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and a method for forming the same are provided. In various embodiments, a method for forming a semiconductor device includes receiving a semiconductor substrate including a channel. An atmosphere-modulation layer is formed over the channel. An annealing process is performed to form an interfacial layer between the channel and the atmosphere-modulation layer.

Abstract: Plasma atomic layer deposition (ALD) is optimized through modulation of the gas residence time during an excited species phase, wherein activated reactant is supplied such as from a plasma. Reduced residence time increases the quality of the deposited layer, such as reducing wet etch rates, increasing index of refraction and/or reducing impurities in the layer. For example, dielectric layers, particularly silicon nitride films, formed from such optimized plasma ALD processes have low levels of impurities remaining from the silicon precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an organic light-emitting display (OLED) device. The OLED device includes a pixel drive circuit and an organic light-emitting element on an array substrate, a passivation layer covering the pixel drive circuit and the organic light-emitting element so as to block permeation of moisture, and an adhesive layer on the passivation layer. The passivation layer is an inorganic thin film including an organosilicon compound.

Abstract: There is provided a technique that includes forming a nitride film on a pattern including a concave portion formed in a surface of a substrate by repeating a cycle. The cycle includes non-simultaneously performing: (a) forming a first layer by supplying a precursor gas to the substrate; (b) forming an NH-terminated second layer by supplying a hydrogen nitride-based gas to the substrate to nitride the first layer; and (c) modifying a part of the NH termination to an N termination, and maintaining another part of the NH termination as it is without modifying the another part to the N termination by plasma-exciting and supplying a nitrogen gas to the substrate, wherein in (c), an N termination ratio in an upper portion of the concave portion of the pattern is made higher than an N termination ratio in a lower portion of the concave portion of the pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing processes, apparatuses, software, and systems for the production of at least one desired 3D object. The 3D printer system (e.g., comprising a processing chamber, build module, or an unpacking station) described herein may retain a desired (e.g., inert) atmosphere around the material bed and/or 3D object at multiple 3D printing stages. The 3D printer described herein comprises one or more build modules that may have a controller separate from the controller of the processing chamber. The 3D printer described herein comprises a platform that may be automatically constructed. The invention(s) described herein may allow the 3D printing process to occur for a long time without operator intervention and/or down time.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor wafer bonding, and more particularly to direct bonding by contacting surfaces of the semiconductor wafers. In one aspect, a method for bonding a first semiconductor substrate to a second semiconductor substrate by direct bonding is described. The substrates are both provided on their contact surfaces with a dielectric layer, followed by a CMP step for reducing the roughness of the dielectric layer. Then a layer of SiCN is deposited onto the dielectric layer, followed by a CMP step which reduces the roughness of the SiCN layer to the order of 1 tenth of a nanometer. Then the substrates are subjected to a pre-bond annealing step and then bonded by direct bonding, possibly preceded by one or more pre-treatments of the contact surfaces, and followed by a post-bond annealing step, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C.

Abstract: Reliability of a semiconductor device is improved. A wire bonding step includes a step of exposing a wire and a pad electrode to a reducing gas atmosphere, forming a first hydroxyl layer on a surface of a ball portion, and forming a second hydroxyl layer on a surface of the pad electrode, a first bonding step of temporarily joining the ball portion to the pad electrode through the first hydroxyl layer and the second hydroxyl layer, and after the first bonding step, a step of actually joining the ball portion to the pad electrode by performing a heat treatment on a semiconductor chip and a base material.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a film on a substrate surface include surface mediated reactions in which a film is grown over one or more cycles of reactant adsorption and reaction. In one aspect, the method is characterized by intermittent delivery of dopant species to the film between the cycles of adsorption and reaction.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provides methods for forming a PVD silicon oxide or silicon rich oxide, or PVD SiN or silicon rich SiN, or SiC or silicon rich SiC, or combination of the preceding including a variation which includes controlled doping of hydrogen into the compounds heretofore referred to as SiOxNyCz:Hw, where w, x, y, and z can vary in concentration from 0% to 100%, is produced as a hardmask with optical properties that are substantially matched to the photo-resists at the exposure wavelength. Thus making the hardmask optically planarized with respect to the photo-resist. This allows for multiple sequences of litho and etches in the hardmask while the photo-resist maintains essentially no optical topography or reflectivity variations.

Abstract: The present claimed subject matter is directed to memory device that includes substrate, a tunneling layer over the substrate, a floating gate over the tunneling layer, a dielectric over the floating gate and including silicon oxynitride, and a control gate over the dielectric.

Abstract: A substrate processing system that has a plurality of deposition chambers, and one or more robotic arms for moving a substrate between one or more of a deposition chamber, load lock holding area, and a curing and treatment module. The substrate curing and treatment module is attached to the load-lock substrate holding area, and may include: The curing chamber for curing a dielectric layer in an atmosphere comprising ozone, and a treatment chamber for treating the cured dielectric layer in an atmosphere comprising water vapor. The chambers may be vertically aligned, have one or more access doors, and may include a heating system to adjust the curing and/or heating chambers between two or more temperatures respectively.

Abstract: This silicon carbide semiconductor device includes: a silicon carbide semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer which is arranged over the silicon carbide semiconductor layer and which includes a silicon oxide film; a gate electrode which is arranged on the gate insulating layer; and a carbon transition layer which is interposed between the silicon carbide semiconductor layer and the silicon oxide film and which has a carbon atom concentration is 10% to 90% of a carbon atom concentration of the silicon carbide semiconductor layer. In a region of the carbon transition layer which is located closer to the silicon oxide film than a position where a nitrogen atom concentration becomes the highest is, a ratio of an integral of nitrogen atom concentrations to an integral of carbon atom concentrations is equal to or greater than 0.11.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a low k dielectric layer of porous SiCOH. A method includes placing a semiconductor substrate into a vapor deposition chamber; introducing reactive gases into the vapor deposition chamber to form a dielectric film comprising SiCOH and a decomposable porogen; depositing the dielectric film to have a ratio of Si—CH3 to SiOnetwork bonds of less than or equal to 0.25; and performing a cure for a cure time to remove substantially all of the porogen from the dielectric film. In one embodiment the porogen comprises a cyclic hydrocarbon. The porogen may be UV curable. In embodiments, different lowered Si—CH3 to SiOnetwork ratios for the deposition of the dielectric film are disclosed. An apparatus of a semiconductor device including the low k dielectric layers is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating the surface of a metal-containing hardmask used in the manufacture of semiconductors by contacting the hardmask surface with a composition capable of adjusting the water contact angle so as to substantially match that of subsequently applied organic coatings are provided.

Abstract: A capacitor dielectric can be between the storage node and the electrode layer. A supporting pattern can be connected to the storage node, where the supporting pattern can include at least one first pattern and at least one second pattern layered on one another, where the first pattern can include a material having an etch selectivity with respect to the second pattern.

Abstract: The negative effect of oxygen on some metal films can be reduced or prevented by contacting the films with a treatment agent comprising silane or borane. In some embodiments, one or more films in an NMOS gate stack are contacted with a treatment agent comprising silane or borane during or after deposition.

Abstract: Replacement metal gates well suited for self-aligned contact formation are made by replacing the dummy gate with a recessed polysilicon layer and then effecting an aluminum-polysilicon substitution. The resulting upper polysilicon layer is easily removed from the recessed aluminum layer, which can then be protected with a protective dielectric layer for subsequent formation of a source or drain contact hole.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method for removing a dielectric layer from a bottom of a trench while maintaining the dielectric layer on sidewalls of the trench. The method includes etching the dielectric layer at the bottom of the trench and generating a passivation layer on the dielectric layer at an upper portion of the trench by adjusting the conditions of a plasma etch process to a first mode; and a step of etching the dielectric layer at the bottom of the trench and etching the passivation layer at the upper portion of the trench by adjusting the conditions of the plasma etch process to a second mode before the dielectric layer at the bottom of the trench is completely removed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes supplying a precursor gas to a substrate; supplying a reaction gas to a plasma generation region; supplying high frequency power to the plasma generation region; and generating plasma of the reaction gas by adjusting a pressure of the plasma generation region to a first pressure before the reaction gas is supplied and adjusting the pressure of the plasma generation region to a second pressure lower than the first pressure while the reaction gas and the high frequency power are supplied.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus, which comprises a process chamber configured to process a substrate, a first plasma generation chamber in the process chamber, a first reactive gas supply unit configured to supply first reactive gas into the first plasma generation chamber, a pair of first discharge electrodes configured to generate plasma and to excite the first reactive gas, a first gas ejection port installed in a side wall of the first plasma generation chamber to eject an active species toward the substrate, a second plasma generation chamber in the process chamber, a second reactive gas supply unit configured to supply second reactive gas into the second plasma generation chamber, a pair of second discharge electrodes configured to generate plasma and to excite the second reactive gas, and a second gas ejection port installed in a side wall of the second plasma generation chamber to eject an active species.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicon oxycarbonitride film includes supplying a gas containing a silicon precursor having an oxygen-containing group onto a process surface of a workpiece, supplying a gas containing a carbon precursor onto the process surface, and supplying a nitriding gas onto the process surface subjected to the supplying a gas containing a silicon precursor and the supplying a gas containing a carbon precursor. The silicon oxycarbonitride film is formed on the process surface by the supplying the gas containing the silicon precursor, the supplying gas containing the carbon precursor and the supplying a nitriding gas without performing an oxidation process.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including forming an insulating film having a prescribed composition and a prescribed film thickness on a substrate by alternately performing the following steps prescribed number of times: supplying one of the sources of a chlorosilane-based source and an aminosilane-based source to a substrate in a processing chamber, and thereafter supplying the other source, to form a first layer containing silicon, nitrogen, and carbon on the substrate; and supplying a reactive gas different from each of the sources, to the substrate in the processing chamber, to modify the first layer and form a second layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a film deposition tool are provided. The film deposition tool includes a plasma source and a substrate processing region connected to the plasma source. The film deposition tool also includes a pedestal for supporting a substrate in the substrate processing region, wherein the substrate is prepared to be deposited with a film. The film deposition tool further includes electrodes embedded in the pedestal and separated from each other. The film deposition tool also includes a direct current bias system having variable voltage sources. The variable voltage sources are electrically connected to the electrodes, respectively, for providing direct current voltages to the electrodes independently.

Abstract: An object is to improve water resistance and reliability of a semiconductor device by reducing the degree of peeling of a film. In a semiconductor device, a first inorganic insulating layer, a semiconductor element layer, a second inorganic insulating layer, an organic insulating layer, and a third inorganic insulating layer are sequentially stacked over a substrate. The second inorganic insulating layer is in contact with the first inorganic insulating layer in an opening portion provided in the semiconductor element layer. The third inorganic insulating layer is in contact with the second inorganic insulating layer in an opening portion provided in the organic insulating layer. In a region where the second inorganic insulating layer and the third inorganic insulating layer are in contact with each other, the second inorganic insulating layer has a plurality of irregularities or openings.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first type region including a first conductivity type. The semiconductor device includes a second type region including a second conductivity type. The semiconductor device includes a channel region extending between the first type region and the second type region. The semiconductor device includes a gate region surrounding the channel region. The gate region includes a gate electrode. A gate electrode length of the gate electrode is less than about 10 nm. A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nonvolatile charge trap memory device and the device are described. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate in an oxidation chamber, wherein the substrate comprises a first exposed crystal plane and a second exposed crystal plane, and wherein the crystal orientation of the first exposed crystal plane is different from the crystal orientation of the second exposed crystal plane. The substrate is then subjected to a radical oxidation process to form a first portion of a dielectric layer on the first exposed crystal plane and a second portion of the dielectric layer on the second exposed crystal plane, wherein the thickness of the first portion of the dielectric layer is approximately equal to the thickness of the second portion of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of forming SiC/SiCN film layers on surfaces of semiconductor substrates. The methods may include introducing a silicon-containing film-precursor and an organometallic ligand transfer reagent into a processing chamber, adsorbing the silicon-containing film-precursor, the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, or both onto a surface of a semiconductor substrate under conditions whereby either or both form an adsorption-limited layer, and reacting the silicon-containing film-precursor with the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, after either or both have formed the adsorption-limited layer. The reaction results in the forming of the film layer. In some embodiments, a byproduct is also formed which contains substantially all of the metal of the organometallic ligand transfer reagent, and the methods may further include removing the byproduct from the processing chamber. Also disclosed herein are semiconductor processing apparatuses for forming SiC/SiCN film layers.

Abstract: Described herein are precursors and methods for forming silicon-containing films. In one aspect, the precursor comprises a compound represented by one of following Formulae A through E below: In one particular embodiment, the organoaminosilane precursors are effective for a low temperature (e.g., 350° C. or less), atomic layer deposition (ALD) or plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) of a silicon-containing film. In addition, described herein is a composition comprising an organoaminosilane described herein wherein the organoaminosilane is substantially free of at least one selected from the amines, halides (e.g., Cl, F, I, Br), higher molecular weight species, and trace metals.

Abstract: A lithographic material stack including a metal-compound hard mask layer is provided. The lithographic material stack includes a lower organic planarizing layer (OPL), a dielectric hard mask layer, and the metal-compound hard mask layer, an upper OPL, an optional anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer, and a photoresist layer. The metal-compound hard mask layer does not attenuate optical signals from lithographic alignment marks in underlying material layers, and can facilitate alignment between different levels in semiconductor manufacturing.

Abstract: Multilayer dielectric structures are provided having silicon nitride (SiN) and silicon oxynitride (SiNO) films for use as capping layers, liners, spacer barrier layers, and etch stop layers, and other components of semiconductor nano-devices. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a multilayer dielectric structure having multiple layers of dielectric material including one or more SiN layers and one or more SiNO layers. The layers of dielectric material in the multilayer dielectric structure have a thickness in a range of about 0.5 nanometers to about 3 nanometers.

Abstract: Multilayer dielectric structures are provided having silicon nitride (SiN) and silicon oxynitride (SiNO) films for use as capping layers, liners, spacer barrier layers, and etch stop layers, and other components of semiconductor nano-devices. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a multilayer dielectric structure having multiple layers of dielectric material including one or more SiN layers and one or more SiNO layers. The layers of dielectric material in the multilayer dielectric structure have a thickness in a range of about 0.5 nanometers to about 3 nanometers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a thin film containing silicon, oxygen and carbon or a thin film containing silicon, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide hardmask on a template includes: providing a template constituted by a photoresist or amorphous carbon formed on a substrate; and depositing by atomic layer deposition (ALD) a metal oxide hardmask on the template constituted by a material having a formula SixM(1-x)Oy wherein M represents at least one metal element, x is less than one including zero, and y is approximately two or a stoichiometrically-determined number.

Abstract: Graded dielectric layers and methods of fabricating such dielectric layers provide dielectrics in a variety of electronic structures for use in a wide range of electronic devices and systems. In an embodiment, a dielectric layer is graded with respect to a doping profile across the dielectric layer. In an embodiment, a dielectric layer is graded with respect to a crystalline structure profile across the dielectric layer. In an embodiment, a dielectric layer is formed by atomic layer deposition incorporating sequencing techniques to generate a doped dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a thin film containing a specific element, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes supplying a specific element-containing gas, supplying a carbon-containing gas, supplying an oxidizing gas, and supplying a nitriding gas. The act of supplying the nitriding gas is performed before the act of supplying the specific element-containing gas, and the act of supplying the carbon-containing gas and the act of supplying the oxidizing gas are not performed until the act of supplying the specific element-containing gas is performed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nonvolatile charge trap memory device is described. The method includes subjecting a substrate to a first oxidation process to form a tunnel oxide layer overlying a polysilicon channel, and forming over the tunnel oxide layer a multi-layer charge storing layer comprising an oxygen-rich, first layer comprising a nitride, and an oxygen-lean, second layer comprising a nitride on the first layer. The substrate is then subjected to a second oxidation process to consume a portion of the second layer and form a high-temperature-oxide (HTO) layer overlying the multi-layer charge storing layer. The stoichiometric composition of the first layer results in it being substantially trap free, and the stoichiometric composition of the second layer results in it being trap dense. The second oxidation process can comprise a plasma oxidation process or a radical oxidation process using In-Situ Steam Generation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device for forming a metal element-containing layer on an insulating layer in which a concave portion is formed, includes: forming an oxide layer including mainly an oxide of the metal element on the insulating layer including the concave portion; and forming a silicate layer including mainly a silicate of the metal element by making the oxide layer into silicate by annealing under a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: A structure and method for fabricating an improved SiCOH hardmask with graded transition layers having an improved profile for forming sub-20 nm back end of the line (BEOL) metallized interconnects are provided. In one embodiment, the improved hardmask may be comprised of five layers: an oxide adhesion layer, a graded transition layer, a dielectric layer, an inverse graded transition layer, and an oxide layer. In another embodiment, the improved hardmask may be comprised of four layers; an oxide adhesion layer, a graded transition layer, a dielectric layer, and an oxide layer. In another embodiment, a method of forming an improved hardmask may comprise a continuous five step plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process utilizing a silicon precursor, a porogen, and oxygen. In yet another embodiment, a method of forming an improved hardmask may comprise a continuous four step PECVD process utilizing a silicon precursor, a porogen, and oxygen.