Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first fin structure and a second fin structure over a substrate. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the substrate, the first fin structure, and the second fin structure. The method includes forming a first work function layer in the first trench and the second trench. The method includes forming a first mask layer over the first work function layer in the first trench. The method includes removing the first work function layer exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first mask layer. The method includes forming a first gate electrode in the first trench and a second gate electrode in the second trench. The method includes forming a first hard mask layer in the first trench and a second hard mask layer in the second trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having an improved source/drain region profile and a method for forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes etching one or more semiconductor fins to form one or more recesses; and forming a source/drain region in the one ore more recesses, the forming the source/drain region including epitaxially growing a first semiconductor material in the one or more recesses at a temperature of 600° C. to 800° C., the first semiconductor material including doped silicon germanium; and conformally depositing a second semiconductor material over the first semiconductor material at a temperature of 300° C. to 600° C., the second semiconductor material including doped silicon germanium and having a different composition than the first semiconductor material.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided. The processing apparatus includes a chamber and a carrier that is positioned in the chamber for holding a substrate. The processing apparatus further includes a gas inlet connected to the chamber. The gas inlet is configured to supply a process gas into the chamber. The processing apparatus also includes a coil module positioned around the chamber and configured to transfer the process gas into plasma. In addition, the processing apparatus includes a filter disposed in the chamber. The coil module is configured to change a position of the plasma between a first position and a second position, the first position is located between the gas inlet and the filter, and the second position is located between the filter and the carrier.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a Fin FET, a fin structure extending in a first direction is formed over a substrate. An isolation insulating layer is formed over the substrate so that an upper portion of the fin structure is exposed from the isolation insulating layer. A gate structure extending in a second direction crossing the first direction is formed over a part of the fin structure. A fin mask layer is formed on sidewalls of a source/drain region of the fin structure. The source/drain region of the fin structure is recessed by a plasma etching process. An epitaxial source/drain structure is formed over the recessed fin structure. In the recessing the source/drain region of the fin structure, the plasma process comprises applying pulsed bias voltage and RF voltage with pulsed power.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate and forming a dehydrated film over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is developed to remove the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer and a first portion of the dehydrated film over the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. In an embodiment, the method includes etching the substrate by using the exposed portion of the photoresist layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal stack is received. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and a top surface of the first metal layer and a top surface of the second metal layer are exposed. A protecting layer is formed over the second metal layer. A portion of the first metal layer is etched. The protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the etching of the portion of the first metal layer. A top surface of the etched first metal layer is lower than a top surface of the protecting layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure over a fin; forming a first dielectric layer around the first dummy gate structure and around the second dummy gate structure; removing the first dummy gate structure and the second dummy gate structure to form a first recess and a second recess in the first dielectric layer, respectively; forming a gate dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess; forming a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer in the first and the second recesses; removing the first work function layer from the first recess; converting a surface layer of the first work function layer in the second recess into an oxide; and forming a second work function layer in the first recess over the gate dielectric layer and in the second recess over the oxide.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate layer, a semiconductor layer and a ferroelectric layer disposed between the gate layer and the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first material containing a Group III element, a rare-earth element and a Group VI element, the ferroelectric layer includes a second material containing a Group III element, a rare-earth element and a Group V element and the gate layer includes a third material containing a Group III element and a rare-earth element. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of forming the same are provided. The method includes: forming a plurality of mandrel patterns over a dielectric layer; forming a first spacer and a second spacer on sidewalls of the plurality of mandrel patterns, wherein a first width of the first spacer is larger than a second width of the second spacer; removing the plurality of mandrel patterns; patterning the dielectric layer using the first spacer and the second spacer as a patterning mask; and forming conductive lines laterally aside the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure on a substrate, forming a seal spacer covering a sidewall of the gate structure, forming a sacrificial spacer covering a sidewall of the seal spacer, forming source/drain regions sandwiching a channel region that is under the gate structure, and depositing a contact etch stop layer covering a sidewall of the sacrificial spacer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial spacer to form a trench, wherein the trench exposes a sidewall of the contact etch stop layer and the sidewall of the seal spacer, and depositing an inter-layer dielectric layer, wherein the inter-layer dielectric layer caps the trench, thereby defining an air gap inside the trench.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure including a stacked layer of first and second semiconductor layers and a hard mask layer over the stacked layer is formed. A sacrificial cladding layer is formed over at least sidewalls of the exposed hard mask layer and stacked layer. An etching is performed to remove lateral portions of the sacrificial cladding layer, thereby leaving the sacrificial cladding layer on sidewalls of the exposed hard mask layer and stacked layer. A first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer made of a different material than the first dielectric layer are formed. The second dielectric layer is recessed, and a third dielectric layer made of a different material than the second dielectric layer is formed on the recessed second dielectric layer. During the etching operation, a protection layer is formed over the sacrificial cladding layer.

Abstract: A method of plasma etching a semiconductor wafer includes: securing the semiconductor wafer to a mounting platform within a process chamber such that an outer edge of the semiconductor wafer is encircled by a sloped annular ring having a plurality of perforation therein, the sloped annular ring having an inner edge at a first end of the sloped annular ring and an outer edge at a second end of the sloped annular ring. Suitably, the first end is opposite the second end and the first end resides in a first plane and the second end resides in a second plane different from the first plane. The method further includes generating a plasma within the process chamber such that the semiconductor wafer is exposed to the plasma and creating a flow of at least one of plasma and gas through the perforations in the sloped annular ring.

Abstract: A chip package structure is provided. The chip package structure includes a first wiring substrate including a substrate, a first pad, a second pad, and an insulating layer. The chip package structure includes a nickel-containing layer over the first pad. The chip package structure includes a conductive protection layer over the nickel-containing layer. The conductive protection layer includes tin, and a recess is surrounded by the conductive protection layer and the insulating layer over the first pad. The chip package structure includes a chip over the second surface of the substrate. The chip package structure includes a conductive bump between the second pad and the chip.

Abstract: An assembly present in an ion source for supporting an arc chamber upon a base plate includes a first arc support plate, a first screw, and a second screw. The first screw passes through a smooth through-hole in an arm of the first arc support plate and extends into a bore in the base plate. The second (or adjustable) screw passes through a threaded through-hole in an arm of the first arc support plate and engages an upper surface of the base plate itself, and can be used to change the altitude and angle of the first arc support plate relative to the base plate. This adjustment ability improves the beam quality of the ion source.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein are related to a memory system. In one aspect, the memory system includes a first set of memory cells including a first string of memory cells and a second string of memory cells; and a first switch including: a first electrode connected to first electrodes of the first string of memory cells and first electrodes of the second string of memory cells, and a second electrode connected to a first global bit line, wherein gate electrodes of the first string of memory cells are connected to a first word line and gate electrodes of the second string of memory cells are connected to a second word line.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided herein for enhancing robustness of a bipolar electrostatic discharge (ESD) device. The robustness of a bipolar ESD device includes providing an emitter region and a collector region adjacent to the emitter region. An isolation structure is provided between the emitter region and the collector region. A ballasting characteristic at the isolation structure is modified by inserting at least one partition structure therein. Each partition structure extends substantially abreast at least one of the emitter and the collector regions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes providing a first substrate comprising a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. A package is attached to the first side of the first substrate. A second substrate is attached to the second side of the first substrate. A plurality of electrical connectors is bonded between the second side of the first substrate and the second substrate. A lid is attached to the first substrate and the second substrate. The lid includes a ring part and a plurality of overhang parts. The ring part is over the first side of the first substrate. The plurality of overhang parts extends from corner sidewalls of the ring part toward the second substrate. The plurality of overhang parts are laterally aside the plurality of electrical connectors.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first metallic feature, forming a dielectric layer over the first metallic feature, etching the dielectric layer to form an opening, with a top surface of the first metallic feature being exposed through the opening, and performing a first treatment on the top surface of the first metallic feature. The first treatment is performed through the opening, and the first treatment is performed using a first process gas. After the first treatment, a second treatment is performed through the opening, and the second treatment is performed using a second process gas different from the first process gas. A second metallic feature is deposited in the opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having fin structures. The substrate includes a material having a substrate thermal expansion coefficient. The semiconductor structure also includes an isolation structure between the fin structures. The isolation structure includes a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material. The first dielectric material has a first thermal expansion coefficient and the second dielectric material has a second thermal expansion coefficient. The substrate thermal expansion coefficient is in between the first thermal expansion coefficient and the second thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an interconnect structure, including a first metal line, a second metal line spaced away from the first metal line, a conductive contact over the first metal line, including a first portion, a second portion over the first portion, wherein a bottom width of the second portion is greater than a top width of the first portion, wherein a shortest distance between the second portion and the second metal line is in a range from 50 Angstrom to 200 Angstrom, and a third portion over the second portion, wherein a bottom width of the third portion is greater than a top width of the second portion, the entire first portion and the entire second portion are under a coverage of a vertical projection area of the third portion, a first layer, and a second layer over the first layer.