Abstract: A structure is provided that includes a first conductive component and a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) that surrounds the first conductive component. A self-assembly layer is formed on the first conductive component but not on the first ILD. A first dielectric layer is formed over the first ILD but not over the first conductive component. A second ILD is formed over the first conductive component and over the first ILD. An opening is etched in the second ILD. The opening is at least partially aligned with the first conductive component. The first dielectric layer protects portions of the first ILD located therebelow from being etched. The opening is filled with a conductive material to form a second conductive component in the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a method of forming an integrated circuit structure. The method includes forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in a semiconductor substrate of a first semiconductor material, thereby defining a plurality of fin-type active regions separated from each other by the STI structure; forming gate stacks on the fin-type active regions; forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer filling in gaps between the gate stacks; patterning the ILD layer to form a trench between adjacent two of the gate stacks; depositing a first dielectric material layer that is conformal in the trench; filling the trench with a second dielectric material layer; patterning the second dielectric material layer to form a contact opening; and filling a conductive material in the contact opening to form a contact feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes channel members vertically stacked over a substrate, a gate structure engaging the channel members, a gate spacer layer disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure, an epitaxial feature abutting the channel members, an inner spacer layer interposing the gate structure and the epitaxial feature, and a semiconductor layer interposing the inner spacer layer and the epitaxial feature.

Abstract: A planarization process is performed to a wafer. In various embodiments, the planarization process may include a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. A byproduct generated by the planarization process is collected and analyzed. Based on the analysis, one or more process controls are performed for the planarization process. In some embodiments, the process controls include but are not limited to process endpoint detection or halting the planarization process based on detecting an error associated with the planarization process.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a gate stack over a channel region of a substrate; a source/drain region adjacent the channel region; a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the source/drain region; a silicide between the first ILD layer and the source/drain region, the silicide contacting a top surface of the source/drain region and a bottom surface of the source/drain region; and a first source/drain contact having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first source/drain contact disposed between the silicide and the first ILD layer, the second portion of the first source/drain contact extending through the first ILD layer and contacting the silicide.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode, a source/drain contact, a conductive structure, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, an etch stop layer, and a dielectric liner. The semiconductor substrate has a channel region and a source/drain region. The gate electrode is over the channel region. The source/drain contact is over the source/drain region. The conductive structure is over a top surface of the source/drain contact. The ILD layer surrounds the conductive structure and over the gate electrode. The etch stop layer is over the conductive structure and the ILD layer. The etch stop layer comprises a material different from that of the ILD layer. A dielectric liner at a sidewall the conductive structure. The dielectric liner extends from the top surface of the source/drain contact to a bottom surface of the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A device includes a FinFET on a first region of a substrate and a planar-FET on a second region of the substrate. The FinFET includes a FinFET source region, a FinFET drain region, and a FinFET gate between the FinFET source region and the FinFET drain region. The planar-FET includes a planar-FET source region, a planar-FET drain region, and a planar-FET gate between the planar-FET source region and the planar-FET drain region. A bottommost position of the FinFET source region is lower than a bottommost position of the planar-FET source region.

Abstract: A method includes attaching an integrated circuit die adjacent to a first substrate, the integrated circuit die comprising: an active device in a second substrate; a pad adjacent to the second substrate; and a first dielectric layer adjacent to the second substrate, the first dielectric layer comprising a polyimide with an ester group; forming an encapsulant around the integrated circuit die; and removing the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes etching a dielectric layer to form a dielectric fin, depositing a transition metal dichalcogenide layer on the dielectric fin, and performing an anisotropic etching process on the transition metal dichalcogenide layer. Horizontal portions of the transition metal dichalcogenide layer are removed, and vertical portions of the transition metal dichalcogenide layer on sidewalls of the dielectric fin remain to form a vertical semiconductor ring. The method further includes forming a gate stack on a first portion of the two-dimensional semiconductor vertical semiconductor ring, and forming a source/drain contact plug, wherein the source/drain contact plug contacts sidewalls of a second portion of the vertical semiconductor ring.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and a staggered dielectric feature interposed between the first and second conductive feature. The staggered dielectric feature includes first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers being interdigitated. The first dielectric layers include a first dielectric material and the second dielectric layers include a second dielectric material being different from the first dielectric material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a metal seed layer over a first conductive feature of a wafer, forming a patterned photo resist on the metal seed layer, forming a second conductive feature in an opening in the patterned photo resist, and heating the wafer to generate a gap between the second conductive feature and the patterned photo resist. A protection layer is plated on the second conductive feature. The method further includes removing the patterned photo resist, and etching the metal seed layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature on a substrate, forming a via that contacts the first conductive feature, the via comprising a conductive material, performing a Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process to a top surface of the via, depositing an Interlayer Dielectric (ILD) layer on the via, forming a trench within the ILD layer to expose the via, and filling the trench with a second conductive feature that contacts the via, the second conductive feature comprising a same material as the conductive material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate, a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the semiconductor fin, a silicide layer disposed over the S/D feature, where the silicide layer extends along a sidewall of the S/D feature, and an etch-stop layer (ESL) disposed along a sidewall of the silicide layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus comprising: a heater configured to heat a wafer located on a wafer staging area of the heater, the heater comprising a heater shaft extending below the wafer staging area; and a heater lift assembly comprising: a lift shaft configured to move the heater shaft in a vertical direction; a clamp that connects the heater shaft to the lift shaft; and a damper disposed on top of the clamp.

Abstract: An electrostatic substrate holder for use in an extreme ultraviolet radiation lithography system includes a substrate receiving surface having a plurality of gas passages in fluid communication with a variable gas pressure pump. Varying the pressure in a void space between the backside of the substrate and the substrate receiving surface of the substrate holder promotes removal of non-gaseous materials within the void space between the backside of the substrate and the substrate receiving surface of the substrate holder.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method to reduce power consumption in a fin structure. For example, the method includes forming a first and a second semiconductor fins on a substrate with different heights. The method also includes forming insulating fins between and adjacent to the first and the second semiconductor fins. Further, the method includes forming a first and second epitaxial stacks with different heights on each of the first and second semiconductor fins.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device includes a substrate and first and second spacers on the substrate. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack between the first and second spacers. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer having a first portion formed on the substrate and a second portion formed on the first and second spacers. The first portion includes a crystalline material and the second portion comprises an amorphous material. The gate stack further includes a gate electrode on the first and second portions of the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure having a stack of alternating first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers over a substrate, the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers having different compositions, forming a dummy gate structure across the fin structure, forming gate spacers on opposite sidewalls of the dummy gate structure, respectively, removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate trench between the gate spacers, removing portions of the first semiconductor layers in the gate trench, such that the second semiconductor layers are suspended in the gate trench to serve as nanosheets, forming a first titanium nitride layer wrapping around the nanosheets, wherein an atomic ratio of titanium to nitrogen of the first titanium nitride layer is less than 1, and forming a metal fill layer over the first titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: A lithography system includes an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source, a reticle stage, a reflection layer, and a plurality of light permeable protrusions. The EUV light source is configured for generating an EUV light beam. The reticle stage is configured for holding a reticle with a front surface of the reticle facing in a downward direction. The reflection layer is below the reticle stage. The light permeable protrusions are formed on the reflection layer. Each of the light permeable protrusions includes a bouncing surface facing in a direction that forms an acute angle with the downward direction. A first portion of the EUV light beam from the EUV light source passes through the bouncing surface of each of the light permeable protrusions to the reflection layer and is reflected to the reticle by the reflection layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes first forming a metal gate (MG) over a semiconductor layer, a gate spacer on a sidewall of the MG, and a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in the semiconductor layer and adjacent to the MG, forming an S/D contact (MD) over the S/D feature, forming a first ILD layer over the MG and the MD, and subsequently patterning the first ILD layer to form an opening. The method further includes forming a metal layer in the opening, such that the metal layer contacts both the MG and the MD, removing a top portion of the metal layer to form a trench, filling the trench with a dielectric layer, and subsequently forming a second ILD layer over the dielectric layer.