Abstract: A layout for measuring an overlapping state includes a layout region, a first dummy active area region, and dummy component regions. The first dummy active area region is located in the layout region. The dummy component regions are stacked in the layout region. At the moment when one of the dummy component regions is formed on the first dummy active area region, the one of the dummy component regions and the first dummy active area region have a first overlapping region, and the first overlapping region does not include other dummy component regions among the dummy component regions.

Abstract: An inspection method for a multilayer semiconductor device is provided. The inspection method can investigate multilayered ensembles of a multilayer semiconductor device and obtain stratigraphic thickness (ST) maps of each layer in the multilayer semiconductor device by utilizing absorption edges of materials of interests and obtaining calibration quality curves.

Abstract: A polishing pad for CMP is provided. The polishing pad includes a layer of material having a surface, a plurality of grooves indented into the surface in the layer of material, and a fluorescent indicator in the layer of material. Each of the plurality of grooves has a first depth, the fluorescent indicator has a second depth, and the second depth is equal to or less than the first depth.

Abstract: A substrate that includes a first film of a silicon-containing film and a second film having a second aperture formed on the first film is subjected to processing that includes: preparing the substrate; controlling a temperature of the substrate to ?30° C. or less; and etching the first film through the second aperture using a plasma formed from a first process gas containing a fluorocarbon gas. By etching the first film through the second aperture, a first aperture of a tapered shape is formed in the first film such that a width of the first aperture gradually decreases toward a bottom of the first aperture.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes an operating unit for transmitting apparatus data to a memory, the apparatus data being required while a recipe for processing a substrate is executed; and a data matching unit for comparing the apparatus data stored in the memory. When an error occurs in the substrate processing apparatus, the operating unit transmits data representing the error to the data matching unit. The data matching unit includes: a selection unit for selecting first apparatus data which was acquired when the recipe was executed without an occurrence of the error, and stored in the memory; an acquisition unit for acquiring first and second apparatus data from the memory, the first apparatus data being acquired when an error did not occur and the second apparatus data being acquired when an error occurred; and a calculation unit for comparing the first and second apparatus data and calculating a difference therebetween.

Abstract: A polishing unit 3A includes a state acquisition section 846 and a learning section. The state acquisition section can acquire a state variable including at least one of data on a state of a top ring making up the polishing unit and data on a state of a semiconductor wafer. The learning section has learned a relationship between the state variable and a change in film thickness of the semiconductor wafer using a neural network, the learning section being capable of receiving the state variable from the state acquisition section to predict the change and/or receiving the state variable from the state acquisition section to determine that the change is abnormal.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is provided. First features are formed in a first product region of each die area in a material layer through a first mask. Second features are formed in a second product region of each die area in the material layer through a second mask. Third features are formed in a third product region of each die area in the material layer through a third mask. Fourth features are formed in a fourth product region of each die area in the material layer through a fourth mask. Fifth features are formed in an alignment region of each die area in the material layer through the first through fourth masks. The first product region is adjacent to and in physical contact with the second and third product regions, and the first product region is free of the second, third, and fourth features.

Abstract: A substrate processing method includes a substrate rotating step of rotating a substrate in a horizontal posture, a processing liquid supplying step of supplying a processing liquid to an upper surface of the substrate which is being rotated in the substrate rotating step, a liquid film state monitoring step of monitoring a state of a liquid film formed on the upper surface of the substrate by the processing liquid supplied to the upper surface of the substrate, and a substrate rotational speed changing step of changing rotational speed of the substrate in accordance with the state of the liquid film monitored in the liquid film state monitoring step during execution of the processing liquid supplying step.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus that processes a workpiece using laser light outputted from a laser processing head includes an output detection unit for detecting an output of the laser light for a predetermined time period; a fluctuation calculation unit for calculating a fluctuation in the output of the laser light detected by the output detection unit; and an angle command unit for commanding an angle by which the laser processing head is to be inclined with respect to the normal of the workpiece, based on the fluctuation calculated by the fluctuation calculation unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure for manufacturing a semiconductor package device is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a carrier and a dielectric layer. The carrier has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The carrier includes an inner core layer and an exterior clad layer, and the inner core layer is covered by the exterior clad layer. The dielectric layer is formed on the first surface of the carrier. The carrier supports the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A drying system comprises a drying box, a carrier moving and holding device, and a high pressure jet device mounted in the drying box. The carrier moving and holding device is configured to move a carrier into the drying box and hold the carrier in the drying box. A plurality of fiber optic ferrules are mounted on the carrier. The high pressure jet device is adapted to spray a high pressure gas on the carrier held in the drying box to dry the fiber optic ferrules.

Abstract: A method of controlling polishing includes polishing a substrate at a first polishing station, monitoring the substrate with a first eddy current monitoring system to generate a first signal, determining an ending value of the first signal for an end of polishing of the substrate at the first polishing station, determining a first temperature at the first polishing station, polishing the substrate at a second polishing station, monitoring the substrate with a second eddy current monitoring system to generate a second signal, determining a starting value of the second signal for a start of polishing of the substrate at the second polishing station, determining a gain for the second polishing station based on the ending value, the starting value and the first temperature, and calculating a third signal based on the second signal and the gain.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a semiconductor substrate includes measuring light intensity of light reflected on the rotating semiconductor substrate, analyzing a frequency distribution of the measured light intensity, and determining a state of the semiconductor substrate by using the frequency distribution. The analyzing of the frequency distribution of the measured light intensity includes extracting a plurality of frequency components corresponding respectively to a plurality of frequencies from the measured light intensity.

Abstract: A method of forming matched PFET/NFET spacers with differential widths for SG and EG structures and a method of forming differential width nitride spacers for SG NFET and SG PFET structures and PFET/NFET EG structures and respective resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include providing PFET SG and EG structures and NFET SG and EG structures; forming a first nitride layer over the substrate; forming an oxide liner; forming a second nitride layer on sidewalls of the PFET and NFET EG structures; removing horizontal portions of the first nitride layer and the oxide liner over the PFET SG and EG structures; forming RSD structures on opposite sides of each of the PFET SG and EG structures; removing horizontal portions of the first nitride layer and the oxide liner over the NFET SG and EG structures; and forming RSD structures on opposite sides of each of the NFET SG and EG structures.

Abstract: A wafer processing method uses a chuck table with smaller diameter than a semiconductor wafer to be processed. A cut through edge trimming is therefore implemented on the periphery of the semiconductor wafer to form a cut through straight side at the periphery and also form a flat portion at the periphery as a positioning means for taping and backside grind processes.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining and utilizing process completion of post heat treatment (PHT) of a dry etch process, the method comprising: providing a substrate in a process chamber, the substrate having a film layer and an underlying layer, the film layer having one or more regions; performing a dry etch process to remove the film layer or region of the film layer, the dry etch process generating a byproduct layer; measuring one or more properties of the byproduct layer; adjusting the PHT process based on the measured one or more properties of the byproduct layer; and performing the PHT process to remove the byproduct layer on the substrate; wherein the PHT process utilizes a real time in-situ process to concurrently determine when removal of the byproduct layer is complete.

Abstract: A Critical Dimensions Scanning Electron Microscope (CD-SEM) is described that comprises a unit for performing CD-SEM measurements of a semiconductor wafer, a BSE imaging unit for obtaining a Grey Level image (GL) of the wafer, and a unit for GL analysis and for processing the GL analysis results with reference to results of the CD-measurements.

Abstract: A method of controlling polishing includes polishing a region of a substrate at a first polishing rate, measuring a sequence of characterizing values for the region of the substrate during polishing with an in-situ monitoring system, determining a polishing rate adjustment for each of a plurality of adjustment times prior to a polishing endpoint time, and adjusting a polishing parameter to polish the substrate at a second polishing rate. The time period is greater than a period between the adjustment times and the projected time is before the polishing endpoint time. The second polishing rate is the first polishing rate as adjusted by the polishing rate adjustment.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first material layer on a substrate and performing a first patterning process using a first layout to form a first plurality of trenches in the first material layer. The method further includes performing a second patterning process using a second layout to form a second plurality of trenches in the first material layer, wherein the second layout a cut pattern for the first layout. The method further includes forming spacer features on sidewalls of both the first and second pluralities of trenches, wherein the spacer features have a thickness and the cut pattern corresponds to a first trench of the second plurality whose width is less than twice the thickness of the spacer features. The method further includes removing the first material layer; forming a second material layer on the substrate and within openings defined by the spacer features; and removing the spacer features.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a film made out of a first material on a polymer support, said method comprising bonding a first wafer to a second wafer, thereby defining a bonding interface between said first wafer and said second wafer, at least one of said first and second wafers comprising a layer of said first material situated in proximity to said bonding interface, in said first wafer, hollowing out a cavity, said cavity comprising a bottom parallel to said bonding interface that defines, in said first wafer, a bottom zone at a controlled distance relative to said second wafer, forming, in said cavity, a polymer layer on a thickness controlled from a bottom thereof to obtain a combined wafer portion, said combined wafer portion comprising a bottom zone formed by said polymer layer on said bottom and a peripheral zone, and eliminating said second wafer on a major portion of a thickness thereof, thereby releasing, beneath said polymer layer, a film comprising said layer of said first material.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus includes a supporting unit, provided in a processing chamber having a gas exhaust port, for supporting a substrate; one or more nozzle units, each for ejecting gas clusters to a peripheral portion of the substrate supported by the supporting unit to remove unnecessary substances from the peripheral portion; and a moving mechanism for changing relative positions of the supporting unit and the nozzle unit during ejecting the gas clusters. Each nozzle unit discharges a cleaning gas having a pressure higher than that in the processing chamber so that the cleaning gas is adiabatically expanded to form aggregates of atoms and/or molecules.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a first material layer on a substrate; performing a first patterning process using a first layout to form a first plurality of trenches in the first material layer; performing a second patterning process using a second layout to form a second plurality of trenches in the first material layer; forming spacer features on sidewalls of both the first plurality of trenches and the second plurality of trenches, the spacer features having a thickness; removing the first material layer; etching the substrate using the spacer features as an etch mask; and thereafter removing the spacer features. The target pattern is to be formed with the first layout and the second layout.

Abstract: A process control monitor for determination of alignment between layers of a semiconductor structure includes a patterned layer having a plurality of lines formed on a base layer, the plurality of lines enclosed within a circle. A photo-resist layer is deposited on top of the base layer and over the patterned layer. The photo-resist layer may be patterned to include an opening that exposes a portion of the base layer adjacent the patterned layer and that exposes a portion of the patterned layer. Alignment between the patterned layer and the patterned photo-resist layer may be determined according to a contrast between the exposed portion of the base layer and the exposed portion of the patterned layer.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for etching an organic layer, in which an organic material deposited in a non-layer forming area of a substrate is etched. The apparatus includes an etching chamber; a plasma generator configured to supply plasma into the etching chamber; a stage disposed in the etching chamber and configured to support the substrate; and a mask configured to guide the plasma toward the non-pixel area.

Abstract: A method of controlling polishing includes polishing a region of a substrate at a first polishing rate, measuring a sequence characterizing values for the region of the substrate during polishing with an in-situ monitoring system, determining a polishing rate adjustment for each of a plurality of adjustment times prior to a polishing endpoint time, and adjusting a polishing parameter to polish the substrate at a second polishing rate. The time period is greater than a period between the adjustment times and the projected time is before the polishing endpoint time. The second polishing rate is the first polishing rate as adjusted by the polishing rate adjustment.

Abstract: A method for planarizing semiconductor devices, wherein the method comprises steps as follows: At least one patterned metal layer is formed on a substrate. A material layer having a first area and a second area is provided on the patterned metal layer and the substrate, in which there is a step height existing between the first area and the second area. A first polishing process having a first selection ratio of relative speeds for removing the material layer at the first area to that at the second area is then performed on the material layer. Subsequently, a second polishing process having a second selection ratio of relative speeds for removing the material layer at the first area to that at the second area is performed on the material layer, and the second selection ratio is greater than the first selection ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing chemical-mechanical planarization on an article. An example system for performing chemical-mechanical planarization on an article includes a polishing head configured to perform a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) on an article, a polishing pad configured to support the article, a light source configured to emit an incident light, a polishing fluid including a plurality of emitter particles capable of emitting a fluorescent light in response to the incident light, a fluorescence light detector configured to detect the fluorescent light, and at least one processor configured to control the polishing head based on the detected fluorescent light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electron beam induced etching of a material (100, 200) with the method steps providing at least one etching gas at a position of the material (100, 200) at which an electron beam impacts on the material (100, 200) and simultaneously providing at least one passivation gas which is adapted for slowing down or inhibiting a spontaneous etching by the at least one etching gas.

Abstract: An efficient method of detecting defects in metal patterns on the surface of wafers. Embodiments include forming a metal pattern on each of a plurality of wafers, polishing each wafer, and analyzing the surface of the metal pattern on each polished wafer for the presence of defects in the metal pattern by analyzing an optical across-wafer endpoint signal, generated at the endpoint of polishing. Embodiments include determining the location of defects in the metal pattern by determining the position of non-uniformities in the optical-across-wafer endpoint signal.

Abstract: A method of polishing a substrate having a film is provided. The method includes: performing polishing of the substrate in a polishing section; transporting the polished substrate to a wet-type film thickness measuring device prior to cleaning and drying of the substrate; measuring a thickness of the film by the wet-type film thickness measuring device; comparing the thickness with a predetermined target value; and if the thickness has not reached the predetermined target value, performing re-polishing of the substrate in the polishing section prior to cleaning and drying of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes generating a mask layout of patterns in which the distance between adjacent ones of the patterns is equal to or less than a resolution of a lithography process, the patterns are apportioned among a plurality of masks such that in each of the masks the space between adjacent ones of the patterns is greater than the resolution, and a dual pattern is added to one of the masks. A semiconductor pattern is formed on a substrate using the mask(s) and the mask to which the dual pattern has been added. Patterns having a pitch equal to or less than the resolution may be formed on the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A monitoring structure and a relevant monitoring method for the silicon wet etching depth are provided. The structure includes a wet etched groove formed on a monocrystalline silicon material with at least two top surfaces thereof being rectangular; and the top surface widths of the grooves are Wu and W1 respectively, Wu=du/0.71, and W1=du/0.71, where du is the maximum wet etching depth to be monitored, and d1 is the minimum of the wet etching depth to be monitored. The method includes: performing anisotropic wet etching on a monocrystalline silicon wafer according to a pattern with a monitoring pattern, forming an etched groove to be monitored and a structure for monitoring the depth of the groove, and then monitoring the structure to monitor the wet etching depth. The etching depth of the groove can be monitored with low costs, and a higher monitoring accuracy is obtained.

Abstract: Methods for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of semiconductor substrates, and more particularly to temperature control during such chemical mechanical polishing are provided. In one aspect, the method comprises polishing the substrate with a polishing surface during a polishing process to remove a portion of the conductive material, repeatedly monitoring a temperature of the polishing surface during the polishing process, and exposing the polishing surface to a rate quench process in response to the monitored temperature so as to achieve a target value for the monitored temperature during the polishing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring a width of a color filter unit of a liquid crystal panel. The method includes providing a bottom glass substrate having a TFT array thereon; forming the color filter plate locating within an effective region of the liquid crystal panel by photo-etching process, and forming one or more measure modules locating of the liquid crystal panel and on the TFT array by the photo-etching process; and measuring widths of the one or more measure modules out of the effective region to obtain the width of the filter units within the effective region. The method provided is capable of effectively controlling widths of the color filter units formed in process of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel, thus quality of the liquid crystal panel is raised.

Abstract: A method for reducing the effects of cracks in an epitaxial film. The method includes; providing a semiconductor wafer with an epitaxial film thereon; inspecting the epitaxial film to determine outer peripheral edge regions of the epitaxial film having cracks therein; and selectively removing the determined outer peripheral edge regions of the epitaxial film while leaving portions of the semiconductor wafer underlying the removed determined outer peripheral regions of the epitaxial film.

Abstract: A method and system to map density and temperature of a chip, in situ, is disclosed. The method includes measuring a propagation time that a mechanical propagation wave travels along at least one predefined path in a substrate. The method further includes calculating an average substrate density and temperature along the at least one predefined path as a function of the propagation time and distance. The method further includes determining a defect or unauthorized modification in the substrate based on the average substrate density being different than a baseline substrate density.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of controlling a photoresist trimming process in a semiconductor manufacturing process may include forming a photoresist layer atop a first surface of a substrate, wherein the photoresist layer comprises a lower layer having a first pattern to be etched into the first surface of the substrate, and an upper layer having a second pattern that is not etched into the first surface of the substrate; trimming the photoresist layer in a direction parallel to the first surface of the substrate; measuring a trim rate of the second pattern using an optical measuring tool during the trimming process; and correlating the trim rate of the second pattern to a trim rate of the first pattern to control the trim rate of the first pattern during the trimming process.

Abstract: Embodiments described relate to a method and apparatus for reducing lithographic distortion. A backside of a semiconductor substrate may be texturized. Then a lithographic process may be performed on the semiconductor substrate having the texturized backside.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a semiconductor layer on a germanium-containing silicon layer and forming a gate structure on a surface of a channel portion of the semiconductor layer. Well trenches are etched into the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the gate structure. The etch process for forming the well trenches forms an undercut region extending under the gate structure and is selective to the germanium-containing silicon layer. Stress inducing semiconductor material is epitaxially grown to fill at least a portion of the well trench to provide at least one of a stress inducing source region and a stress inducing drain region having a planar base.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for identifying the amount of hydrofluoric acid in a buffered oxide etching composition. In buffered oxide etching compositions it is very difficult to measure the amount of hydrofluoric acid because it has varying equilibriums and it is toxic so it hard to handle and sample. When used to manufacture microchips however, incorrect amounts of hydrofluoric acid will ruin those chips. The invention utilizes a unique method of spectrographically measuring the hydrofluoric acid when in contact with added chromogenic agents to obtain exact measurements that are accurate, immediate, and safe.

Abstract: A method of generating a library of reference spectra includes storing an optical model for a layer stack having at a plurality of layers, receiving user input identifying a set of one or more refractive index functions and a set of one or more extinction coefficient functions a first layer from the plurality of layers, wherein the set of one or more refractive index functions includes a plurality of different refractive index functions or the set of one or more extinction coefficient functions includes a plurality of different extinction coefficient functions, and for each combination of a refractive index function from the set of refractive index functions and an extinction coefficient function from the set of extinction coefficient functions, calculating a reference spectrum using the optical model based on the refractive index function, the extinction coefficient function and a first thickness of the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring a contact hole etching process of a TFT substrate, which includes: (1) providing a substrate having a first metal layer and a monitoring machine; (2) providing a target value of reflection rate of the substrate having the first metal layer; (3) applying a masking operation to patternize the first metal layer for forming a gate terminal; (4) forming a gate insulation layer on the gate terminal; and (5) forming a contact hole in the gate insulation layer through etching and simultaneously operating the monitoring machine to measure the reflection rate of a bottom of the contact hole, whereby when the reflection rate of the bottom of the contact hole is substantially equal to the target value, the etching operation is stopped. The variation of reflection rate of the metal layer is monitored to identify if the insulation layer is completely etched away.

Abstract: A hard mask, a protective film, which protects the hard mask film from oxidation, a first mask film and a first organic film are sequentially stacked. The first organic film is processed into a first pattern, and the first mask film is etched using the patterned first organic film as a mask. After the first organic film is removed, a second organic film is formed. The second organic film is processed into a second pattern. The first mask film is secondary etched using the patterned second organic film as a mask so that the surface of the first mask film is exposed but the surface of the protective film is not exposed, thereby selectively patterning only the first mask film. After that, when removing the residual second organic film by ashing, it is possible to ensure the function of the protective film that protects the hard mask film from oxidation.

Abstract: A polishing method capable of preventing damage to a substrate is disclosed. The polishing method includes inspecting a periphery of a substrate for an abnormal portion, polishing the substrate if the abnormal portion is not detected, and not polishing the substrate if the abnormal portion is detected. The abnormal portion of the substrate may be an foreign matter, such as an adhesive, attached to the periphery of the substrate. After polishing of the substrate, the periphery of the substrate may be inspected again for an abnormal portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for identifying the amount of ammonium acid in a buffered oxide etching composition. In buffered oxide etching compositions it is very difficult to measure the amount of ammonium acid because it has varying equilibriums and it is toxic so it hard to handle and sample. When used to manufacture microchips however, incorrect amounts of ammonium acid will ruin those chips. The invention utilizes a unique method of spectrographically measuring the ammonium acid when in contact with added chromogenic agents to obtain exact measurements that are accurate, immediate, and safe.

Abstract: A method for planarizing semiconductor devices, wherein the method comprises steps as follows: At least one patterned metal layer is formed on a substrate. A material layer having a first area and a second area is provided on the patterned metal layer and the substrate, in which there is a step height existing between the first area and the second area. A first polishing process having a first selection ratio of relative speeds for removing the material layer at the first area to that at the second area is then performed on the material layer. Subsequently, a second polishing process having a second selection ratio of relative speeds for removing the material layer at the first area to that at the second area is performed on the material layer, and the second selection ratio is greater than the first selection ratio.

Abstract: A method of etching including providing a plurality of nanostructures extending away from a support, the support comprising a dielectric layer located between the plurality of nanowires, forming a patterned mask over a first portion of the plurality of nanostructures, such that a second portion of the plurality of nanostructures are exposed and are not located under the patterned mask, etching the second portion of the plurality of nanostructures to remove at least a portion of the patterned mask and the second portion of the plurality of nanostructures, monitoring at least one gaseous byproduct of the etching of the plurality of nanostructures during the etching of the plurality of nanostructures and stopping the etching on detecting that the dielectric layer is substantially removed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dry eteching a photodetector array based on InAsSb are provided. A method for fabricating an array of photodetectors includes receiving a pattern of an array of photodetectors formed from InAsSb, the pattern including at least one trench defined between adjacent photodetectors, and dry etching the at least one trench with a plasma including BrCl3 and Ar.

Abstract: Conventional techniques are used to control the flux of an LED element, by modifying a surface of a light emitting element. One type of modification is roughening the surface, to enhance the light extraction efficiency. The degree of modification of the surface is controlled by controlling one or more of the parameters associated with the modification process. A given LED technology will have some minimum flux without modification and some maximum flux with optimal modification. By characterizing the relationship between the parameters of the modifying process and the resultant flux, the parameters of the modification process can be controlled to achieve a desired flux between the minimum and maximum flux achievable by the given LED technology.

Abstract: Provided are methods of high productivity combinatorial (HPC) inspection of semiconductor substrates. A substrate includes two layers of dissimilar materials interfacing each other, such as a stack of a silicon bottom layer and an indium gallium arsenide top layer. The dissimilar materials have one or more of thermal, structural, and lattice mismatches. As a part of the inspection, the top layer is etched in a combinatorial manner. Specifically, the top layer is divided into multiple different site-isolated regions. One such region may be etched using different process conditions from another region. Specifically, etching temperature, etching duration and/or etchant composition may vary among the site-isolated regions. After combinatorial etching, each region is inspected to determine its etch-pit density (EPD) value. These values may be then analyzed to determine an overall EPD value for the substrate, which may involve discarding EPD values for over-etched and under-etched regions.