Abstract: A photolithography system utilizes tin droplets to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation for photolithography. The photolithography system irradiates the droplets with a laser. The droplets become energized and emit extreme ultraviolet radiation. A collector reflects the extreme ultraviolet radiation toward a photolithography target. The photolithography system reduces splashback of the tin droplets onto the receiver by generating a net electric charge within the droplets using a charge electrode and decelerating the droplets by applying an electric field with a counter electrode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first nanostructure over a substrate, the first nanostructure including a channel region and a first lightly doped source/drain region, the first lightly doped source/drain region adjacent the channel region; a first epitaxial source/drain region wrapped around four sides of the first lightly doped source/drain region; an interlayer dielectric over the first epitaxial source/drain region; a source/drain contact extending through the interlayer dielectric, the source/drain contact wrapped around four sides of the first epitaxial source/drain region; and a gate stack adjacent the source/drain contact and the first epitaxial source/drain region, the gate stack wrapped around four sides of the channel region.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure having bonded wafers with storage layers and a method to bond wafers with storage layers. The semiconductor structure includes a first wafer including a first storage layer with carbon, a second wafer including a second storage layer with carbon, and a bonding layer interposed between the first and second wafers and in contact with the first and second storage layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method that mitigates the formation of facets in source/drain silicon germanium (SiGe) epitaxial layers. The method includes forming an isolation region around a semiconductor layer and a gate structure partially over the semiconductor layer and the isolation region. Disposing first photoresist structures over the gate structure, a portion of the isolation region, and a portion of the semiconductor layer and doping, with germanium (Ge), exposed portions of the semiconductor layer and exposed portions of the isolation region to form Ge-doped regions that extend from the semiconductor layer to the isolation region. The method further includes disposing second photoresist structures over the isolation region and etching exposed Ge-doped regions in the semiconductor layer to form openings, where the openings include at least one common sidewall with the Ge-doped regions in the isolation region. Finally the method includes growing a SiGe epitaxial stack in the openings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides channel structures of a semiconductor device and fabricating methods thereof. The method can include forming a superlattice structure with first nanostructured layers and second nanostructured layers on a fin structure. The method can also include removing the second nanostructured layers to form multiple gate openings; forming a germanium epitaxial growth layer on the first nanostructured layers at a first temperature and a first pressure; and increasing the first temperature to a second temperature and increasing the first pressure to a second pressure over a first predetermined period of time. The method can further include annealing the germanium epitaxial growth layer at the second temperature and the second pressure in the chamber over a second predetermined period of time to form a cladding layer surrounding the first nanostructured layers.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy pattern over test region of a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer laterally surrounding the dummy pattern; removing the dummy pattern to form an opening; forming a dielectric layer in the opening; performing a first testing process on the dielectric layer; performing an annealing process to the dielectric layer; and performing a second testing process on the annealed dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a first liner is deposited to line a recess between a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin, the first liner comprising a first material. The first liner is annealed to transform the first material to a second material. A second liner is deposited to line the recess, the second liner comprising a third material. The second liner is annealed to transform the third material to a fourth material.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for memory cell placement. The method can include placing a memory cell region in a layout area and placing a well pick-up region and a first power supply routing region along a first side of the memory cell region. The method also includes placing a second power supply routing region and a bitline jumper routing region along a second side of the memory cell region, where the second side is on an opposite side to that of the first side. The method further includes placing a device region along the second side of the memory cell region, where the bitline jumper routing region is between the second power supply routing region and the device region.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of forming low thermal budget dielectrics in semiconductor devices. The method includes forming, on a substrate, first and second fin structures with an opening in between, filling the opening with a flowable isolation material, treating the flowable isolation material with a plasma, and removing a portion of the plasma-treated flowable isolation material between the first and second fin structures.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a gate dielectric cap over a gate structure; forming source/drain contacts over the semiconductor substrate, with the gate dielectric cap laterally between the source/drain contacts; depositing an etch-resistant layer over the gate dielectric cap; depositing a contact etch stop layer over the etch-resistant layer and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the contact etch stop layer; performing a first etching process to form a via opening extending through the ILD layer and terminating prior to reaching the etch-resistant layer; performing a second etching process to deepen the via opening such that one of the source/drain contacts is exposed, wherein the second etching process etches the etch-resistant layer at a slower etch rate than etching the contact etch stop layer; and depositing a metal material to fill the deepened via opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of channel regions, including a p-type channel region and an n-type channel region, disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the plurality of channel regions and a work function metal (WFM) structure disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The WFM structure includes an n-type WFM layer over the n-type channel region and not over the p-type channel region and further includes a p-type WFM layer over both the n-type WFM layer and the p-type channel region. The gate structure further includes a fill metal layer disposed over the WFM structure and in direct contact with the p-type WFM layer.

Abstract: A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin over a semiconductor substrate. The second semiconductor fin is wider than the first semiconductor fin. The method also includes forming a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate, and the gate stack extends across the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The method further includes forming a first source/drain structure on the first semiconductor fin, and the first source/drain structure is p-type doped. In addition, the method includes forming a second source/drain structure on the second semiconductor fin, and the second source/drain structure is n-type doped.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided and includes a first gate structure, a second gate structure, and at least one local interconnect that extend continuously across a non-active region from a first active region to a second active region. The semiconductor structure further includes a first separation spacer disposed on the first gate structure and first vias on the first gate structure. The first vias are arranged on opposite sides of the first separation spacer are isolated from each other and apart from the first separation spacer by different distances.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming metallization layers that include a ruthenium metal liner and a cobalt metal fill. The method includes depositing a first dielectric on a substrate having a gate structure and source/drain (S/D) structures, forming an opening in the first dielectric to expose the S/D structures, and depositing a ruthenium metal on bottom and sidewall surfaces of the opening. The method further includes depositing a cobalt metal on the ruthenium metal to fill the opening, reflowing the cobalt metal, and planarizing the cobalt and ruthenium metals to form S/D conductive structures with a top surface coplanar with a top surface of the first dielectric.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first well, a second well, a metal gate, a poly gate, a source region, and a drain region. The first well and the second well are within the substrate. The metal gate is partially over the first well. The poly gate is over the second well. The poly gate is separated from the metal gate, and a width ratio of the poly gate to the metal gate is in a range from about 0.1 to about 0.2. The source region and the drain region are respectively within the first well and the second well.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a channel region, a gate structure, and source/drain regions. The channel region is over the substrate. The gate structure is over the channel region, and includes a high-k dielectric layer, a tungsten layer over the high-k dielectric layer, and a fluorine-containing work function layer over the tungsten layer. The source/drain regions are at opposite sides of the channel region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, first to third isolation structures, and a conductive feature. The first to third isolation structures are over the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from each other. The semiconductor substrate comprises a region surrounded by a sidewall of the first isolation structure and a first sidewall of the second isolation structure. The conductive feature extends vertically in the semiconductor substrate and between the between the second and third isolation structures, wherein the conductive feature has a rounded corner adjoining a second sidewall of the second isolation structure opposite the first sidewall of the second isolation structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of forming an epitaxial layer on a substrate in a chamber. The method includes cleaning the chamber with a first etching gas and depositing the epitaxial layer on the substrate. Deposition of the epitaxial layer includes epitaxially growing a first portion of the epitaxial layer with a precursor, cleaning the substrate and the chamber with a flush of a second etching gas different from the first etching gas, and epitaxially growing a second portion of the epitaxial layer with the precursor. The first portion and the second portion have the same composition. The method furthers includes etching a portion of the epitaxial layer with a third etching gas having a flow rate higher than that of the second etching gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device having a crystalline high-k dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure on a substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the fin structure, and a gate structure on the gate dielectric layer. A top portion of the gate dielectric layer is crystalline and includes a crystalline high-k dielectric material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate spacer and a second gate spacer on a sidewall of a first gate structure. The first gate spacer is between the second gate spacer and the first gate structure. A first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed to surround the first gate spacer, the second gate spacer, and the first gate structure. A portion of the second gate spacer and a portion of the first ILD layer are removed simultaneously. A top surface of the second gate spacer is lower than a top surface of the first ILD layer.