Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method. The method includes generating a first beam of radiation toward a first slot of a workpiece carrier. The first beam of radiation has a first beam area that is greater than or equal to an area of an opening of the first slot. The method further includes measuring a reflected portion of the first beam of radiation that is reflected toward, and impinges on, a radiation sensor. The method further includes determining if the first slot of the workpiece carrier is holding a workpiece based on the measured reflected portion of the first beam of radiation.

Abstract: A lamination chuck for lamination of film materials includes a support layer and a top layer. The top layer is disposed on the support layer. The top layer includes a polymeric material having a Shore A hardness lower than a Shore hardness of a material of the support layer. The top layer and the support layer have at least one vacuum channel formed therethrough, vertically extending from a top surface of the top layer to a bottom surface of the support layer.

Abstract: A method includes: determining a first material and a second material of a photonic waveguide for propagating light, the photonic waveguide having a first section and a second section arranged in a first layer and a second layer, respectively, of the photonic waveguide; determining a spacing between the first layer and the second layer; determining a parameter set of a crosstalk reduction structure, according to the spacing, the first material and a wavelength of the light, to cause insertion losses of the first section and the second section to be lower than a predetermined threshold; and forming the first and second sections with the first and second materials, respectively, the first section having the crosstalk reduction structure overlapping the second section.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first transistor, a second type-one transistor, a first type-two transistor, a third type-one transistor, a fourth type-one transistor, and a fifth type-one transistor. The first type-one transistor has a gate configured to have a first supply voltage of a first power supply. The first type-two transistor has a gate configured to have a second supply voltage of the first power supply. The third type-one transistor has a first active-region conductively connected with an active-region of the first type-one transistor. Third type-one transistor has a second active-region and a gate conductively connected to each other. The fifth type-one transistor has a first active-region conductively connected with the gate of the third type-one transistor and has a second active-region configured to have a first supply voltage of a second power supply. The fifth type-one transistor is configured to be at a conducting state.

Abstract: A method includes forming a conductive feature through a first dielectric layer, sequentially forming a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and etching the third dielectric layer to form an opening. A first width of the opening at a top surface of the third dielectric layer is greater than a second width of the opening at a first interface between the third dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The method also includes etching the second dielectric layer until the opening extends to the conductive feature, thereby forming an enlarged opening, and forming a metal material in the enlarged opening. A third width of the enlarged opening at the first interface is equal to or less than a fourth width of the enlarged opening at a second interface between the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structure including a composite spring. A first substrate underlies a second substrate. A third substrate overlies the second substrate. The first, second, and third substrates at least partially define a cavity. The second substrate comprises a moveable mass in the cavity and between the first and third substrates. The composite spring extends from a peripheral region of the second substrate to the moveable mass. The composite spring is configured to suspend the moveable mass in the cavity. The composite spring includes a first spring layer comprising a first crystal orientation, and a second spring layer comprising a second crystal orientation different than the first crystal orientation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an underlying structure in a first area and a second area over a substrate. A first layer is formed over the underlying structure. The first layer is removed from the second area while protecting the first layer in the first area. A second layer is formed over the first area and the second area, wherein the second layer has a smaller light transparency than the first layer. The second layer is removed from the first area, and first resist pattern is formed over the first layer in the first area and a second resist pattern over the second layer in the second area.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a first base portion and a second base portion, an isolation feature sandwiched between the first base portion and the second base portion, a center dielectric fin over the isolation feature, a first anti-punch-through (APT) feature over the first base portion, a second APT feature over the second base portion, a first stack of channel members over the first APT feature, and a second stack of channel members over the second APT feature. The center dielectric fin is sandwiched between the first stack of channel members and the second stack of channel members as well as between the first APT feature and the second APT feature.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first active region of a first set of transistors of a first type, a second active region of a second set of transistors of the first type, a third active region of a third set of transistors of the first type, a fourth active region of a fourth set of transistors of the first type and a fifth active region of a fifth set of transistors of a second type. The first, second, fourth and fifth active region have a first width in a second direction, and are on a first level. The third active region is on the first level, and has a second width different from the first width. The second active region is adjacent to the first boundary, and is separated from the first active region in the second direction. The fourth active region is adjacent to the second boundary.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins extending from a substrate and a source/drain region epitaxially grown in recesses of the first and second semiconductor fins. A top surface of the source/drain region is higher than a surface level with top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The source/drain region includes a plurality of buffer layers. Respective layers of the plurality of buffer layers are embedded between respective layers of the source/drain region.

Abstract: A testing device for testing an integrated circuit package is provided, including a printed circuit board, a testing socket, a conductive fastener, a cover, and a conductive element assembly. The printed circuit board includes a first metal layer formed on the bottom surface thereof. The testing socket is disposed above the printed circuit board. The conductive fastener is configured to secure the testing socket to the printed circuit board, wherein the conductive fastener is electrically connected to the first metal layer and the testing socket. The cover is disposed above the testing socket to form a space for accommodating the integrated circuit package between the cover and the testing socket, wherein the cover makes electrical contact with the integrated circuit package. The conductive element assembly is disposed between and electrically connected to the cover and the testing socket.

Abstract: A method of forming a gas spacer in a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device including the same are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming a first gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack; forming a second gate spacer on sidewalls of the first gate spacer; removing the second gate spacer using an etching process to form a first opening, the etching process being performed at a temperature less than 0° C., the etching process using an etching solution including hydrogen fluoride; and depositing a dielectric layer over the first gate spacer and the gate stack, the dielectric layer sealing a gas spacer in the first opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes providing a metal gate (MG), an etch stop layer (ESL) formed on the MG, and a dielectric layer formed on the ESL. The method further includes etching the ESL and the dielectric layer to form a trench. A surface of the MG exposed in the trench is oxidized to form a first oxide layer on the MG. The method further includes removing the first oxide layer using a H3PO4 solution.

Abstract: A memory device for CIM has a memory array including a plurality of memory cells arranged in an array of rows and columns. The memory cells have a first group of memory cells and a second group of memory cells. Each row of the array has a corresponding word line, with each memory cell of a row of the array coupled to the corresponding word line. Each column of the array has a corresponding bit line, with each memory cell of a column of the array coupled to the corresponding bit line. A control circuit is configured to select the first group of memory cells or the second group of memory cells in response to a group enable signal.

Abstract: An interconnect structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a first dielectric layer over one or more devices, forming a first conductive feature in the first dielectric layer, and forming two dielectric features over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive feature. At least one of the two dielectric features has a first width, and each dielectric feature includes a first low-k dielectric layer, an oxide layer, and a first etch stop layer. The method further includes forming a second conductive feature between the two dielectric features, and the second conductive feature has a second width substantially the same as the first width.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes first spacers over the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes second spacers over the semiconductor fin. The second spacers vertically extend farther from the semiconductor fin than the first spacers. The semiconductor device includes a metal gate over the semiconductor fin, the metal gate is sandwiched by the first spacers. The metal gate includes a glue layer that contains tantalum nitride.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of gate electrodes over a substrate, and a source/drain epitaxial layer. The source/drain epitaxial layer is disposed in the substrate and between two adjacent gate electrodes, wherein a bottom surface of the source/drain epitaxial layer is buried in the substrate to a depth less than or equal to two-thirds of a spacing between the two adjacent gate electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabricating a semiconductor device involves formation of a trench above a fin (e.g. a fin of a FinFET device) of the semiconductor device and formation of a multi-layer dielectric structure within the trench. The profile of the multi-layer dielectric structure can be controlled depending on the application to reduce shadowing effects and reduce cut failure risk, among other possible benefits. The multi-layer dielectric structure can include two layers, three layers, or any number of layers and can have a stepped profile, a linear profile, or any other type of profile.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor stack, a second semiconductor stack, a first gate structure, and a second gate structure. The semiconductor substrate comprising a first device region and a second device region. The first semiconductor stack is located on the semiconductor substrate over the first device region, and has first channels. The second semiconductor stack is located on the semiconductor substrate over the second device region, and has second channels. A total number of the first channels is greater than a total number of the second channels. The first gate structure encloses the first semiconductor stack. The second gate structure encloses the second semiconductor stack.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor structure according to one embodiment includes first nanostructures, a first gate structure wrapping around each of the first nanostructures and disposed over an isolation structure, and a backside gate contact disposed below the first nanostructures and adjacent to the isolation structure. A bottom surface of the first gate structure is in direct contact with the backside gate contact.