Abstract: A method includes forming a gate dielectric layer and a dummy gate layer; forming a mask over the dummy gate layer; patterning the gate dielectric layer and the dummy gate layer to form a dummy gate structure, the dummy gate structure including a remaining portion of the gate dielectric layer and a remaining portion of the dummy gate layer; epitaxially growing a first spacer layer on the dummy gate structure and the substrate, in which the first spacer layer has a higher growth rate on the exposed surfaces of the dummy gate structure and the substrate than on exposed surfaces of the mask; doping the first spacer layer to form a doped spacer layer having a different lattice constant than the substrate; depositing a second spacer layer over the doped spacer layer; and etching the second spacer layer and the doped spacer layer to form a gate spacer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate. Alternating layers of a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer are formed. The first semiconductor layer is formed of a first semiconductor material, the second semiconductor layer formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material. The alternating layers of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer are patterned to form stacks of the alternating layers and to expose lateral edges of the alternating layers in the stacks. Under etch conditions, the lateral edges of the alternating layers in the stacks are exposed to etchant to selectively etch recesses in the lateral edges of the first semiconductor layer such that a size of the recesses is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductive substrate, a fin structure, and an isolation material. The fin structure extends from the semiconductive substrate. The isolation material is over the semiconductive substrate and adjacent to the fin structure, wherein the isolation material includes a first metal element, a second metal element, and oxide.

Abstract: A package includes a first die, a second die, a bridge structure, a first redistribution structure, and an encapsulant. The first die and the second die are disposed side by side. The bridge structure is disposed over the first die and the second die. The bridge structure includes a plurality of routing patterns and a plurality of connectors disposed on the plurality of routing patterns. The first redistribution structure is sandwiched between the first die and the bridge structure and is sandwiched between the second die and the bridge structure. The plurality of connectors of the bridge structure is in physical contact with the first redistribution structure. The encapsulant encapsulates the bridge structure. The plurality of routing patterns and the plurality of connectors of the bridge structure are completely spaced apart from the encapsulant.

Abstract: A device includes a conductive feature, a first dielectric layer, a via, an etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer, and a conductive line. The first dielectric layer is above the conductive feature. The via is in the first dielectric layer and above the conductive feature. The etch stop layer is above the first dielectric layer. A side surface of the etch stop layer is coterminous with a sidewall of the via. The second dielectric layer is above the etch stop layer. The conductive line is in the second dielectric layer and over the via. The conductive line is in contact with the side surface of the etch stop layer and a top surface of the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A memory array and a structure of the memory array are provided. The memory array includes flash transistors, word lines and bit lines. The flash transistors are arranged in columns and rows. The flash transistors in each column are in serial connection with one another. The word lines are respectively coupled to gate terminals of a row of the flash transistors. The bit lines are respectively coupled to opposite ends of a column of the flash transistors. Band-to-band tunneling current at a selected flash transistor is utilized as read current during a read operation. The BTB tunneling current flows from one of the source/drain terminals of the selected flash transistor to the substrate, rather than flowing from one of the source/drain terminals to the other. As a result, charges stored in multiple programming sites of each flash transistor can be respectively sensed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a metal thin film disposed on a semiconductor substrate; and first and second contact structures disposed on the metal thin film, wherein the first and second contact structures are laterally spaced from each other by a dummy layer that comprises at least one polishing resistance material.

Abstract: A method includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer, depositing a seed layer in the opening, wherein first portions of the seed layer have a first concentration of impurities, exposing the first portions of the seed layer to a plasma, wherein after exposure to the plasma the first portions have a second concentration of impurities that is less than the first concentration of impurities, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a conductive feature. In an embodiment, the seed layer includes tungsten, and the conductive material includes tungsten. In an embodiment, the impurities include boron.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a dielectric region, a first fin structure, a second fin structure, a plurality of conductive regions, a first conductive rail and a conductive structure. The dielectric region is situated on the substrate. The first fin structure protrudes from the substrate and the dielectric region. The second fin structure protrudes from the substrate and the dielectric region, and extends parallel to the first fin structure. The conductive regions are situated on the dielectric region. The first conductive rail is situated within the dielectric region, and electrically connected to a first conductive region of the plurality of conductive regions. Opposite sides of the first conductive rail face the first fin structure and the second fin structure, respectively. The conductive structure penetrates through the substrate and formed under the first conductive rail, and is electrically connected to the first conductive rail.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a first trench in the material layer, forming a conformal capping layer along sidewalls of the first trench, forming a second trench in the material layer while the capping layer is disposed along sidewalls of the first trench and forming a conductive feature within the first trench and the second trench.

Abstract: A package structure and method of forming the same are provided. The package structure includes a first die and a second die disposed side by side, a first encapsulant laterally encapsulating the first and second dies, a bridge die disposed over and connected to the first and second dies, and a second encapsulant. The bridge die includes a semiconductor substrate, a conductive via and an encapsulant layer. The semiconductor substrate has a through substrate via embedded therein. The conductive via is disposed over a back side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the through substrate via. The encapsulant layer is disposed over the back side of the semiconductor substrate and laterally encapsulates the conductive via. The second encapsulant is disposed over the first encapsulant and laterally encapsulates the bridge die.

Abstract: A method includes forming an adhesive layer over a carrier, forming a sacrificial layer over the adhesive layer, forming through-vias over the sacrificial layer, and placing a device die over the sacrificial layer. The Method further includes molding and planarizing the device die and the through-vias, de-bonding the carrier by removing the adhesive layer, and removing the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a wafer cooling/heating system that includes a load-lock and a thermo module. The load-lock uses a level stream design to improve temperature uniformity across one or more wafers during a cooling/heating process. The load-lock can include (i) a wafer holder configured to receive wafers at a front side of the load-lock; (ii) a gas diffuser with one or more nozzles along a back side of the load-lock, a side surface of the load-lock, or a combination thereof; and (iii) one or more exhaust lines. Further, the thermo module can be configured to control a temperature of a gas provided to the load-lock.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory bank. The memory bank includes a plurality N of memory arrays and a local control circuit. Each memory array includes a plurality of bit cells configured to store bits of information and connected between a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of complement bit lines. The local control circuit is configured to pre-charge the bit lines and the complement bit lines at most N?1 memory array at a time. A method of operating the semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device that is protected from the effects of an oxide on the metal gate layers of ferroelectric field effect transistors. In some embodiments, the device includes a substrate with fins thereon; an interfacial layer on the fins; a crystallized ferroelectric layer on the interfacial layer; and a metal gate layer on the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor package and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor package includes a package substrate, a semiconductor device, an underfill element, and a groove. The semiconductor device is bonded to the surface of the package substrate through multiple electrical connectors. The underfill element is formed between the semiconductor device and the surface of the package substrate to surround and protect the electrical connectors. The underfill element includes a fillet portion that extends laterally beyond the periphery of the semiconductor device and is formed along the periphery of the semiconductor device. The groove is formed in the fillet portion and spaced apart from the periphery of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gated circuit configured to operate on at least a first or a second voltage, a header circuit coupled to the gated circuit, a first and second power rail on a back-side of a wafer, and a third power rail on a front-side of the wafer. The header circuit is configured to supply the first voltage to the gated circuit by the first power rail. The first power rail includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the third portion being between the first portion and the second portion. The second power rail is configured to supply the second voltage to the gated circuit, and is between the first portion and the second portion. The third power rail includes a first set of conductors. Each of the first set of conductors being configured to supply a third voltage to the header circuit.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, and n interconnect structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect structure includes a dielectric structure and a plurality of metal lines that are stacked over one another in the dielectric structure. A through substrate via (TSV) extends through the semiconductor substrate to contact a metal line of the plurality of metal lines. A protective sleeve is disposed along outer sidewalls of the TSV and separates the outer sidewalls of the TSV from the dielectric structure of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A package structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The package structure includes a carrier substrate, an integrated circuit (IC) die thermally coupled to the carrier substrate through a thermally conductive layer, an antenna pattern disposed over the carrier substrate and the IC die, a redistribution structure disposed between the antenna pattern and the IC die, and an underfill disposed below and thermally coupled to the carrier substrate. The antenna pattern is electrically coupled to the IC die.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate structure extending along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a first interconnect structure, disposed above the first gate structure, that extends along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The first interconnect structure includes a first portion and a second portion electrically isolated from each other by a first dielectric structure. The semiconductor device includes a second interconnect structure, disposed between the first gate structure and the first interconnect structure, that electrically couples the first gate structure to the first portion of the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a recessed portion that is substantially aligned with the first gate structure and the dielectric structure along a vertical direction.