Abstract: Methods and systems for forming water soluble masks by dry film lamination are described. Also described are methods of wafer dicing, including formation of a water soluble mask by dry film lamination. In one embodiment, a method involves moisturizing an inner area of a water soluble dry film. The method involves stretching the water soluble dry film over a surface of the semiconductor wafer, and attaching the moistened inner area of the stretched film to the surface of the semiconductor wafer. A method of wafer dicing may further involve patterning the water soluble dry film, exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the ICs, and etching the semiconductor wafer through gaps in the patterned water soluble dry film.

Abstract: After forming spacers over a hard mask layer using a sidewall image transfer process, a neutral material layer is formed on the portions of the hard mask layer that are not covered by the spacers. The spacers and the neutral material layer guide the self-assembly of a block copolymer material. The microphase separation of the block copolymer material provides a lamella structure of alternating domains of the block copolymer material.

Abstract: At the time of transporting a substrate into or from a space where a film formation process is performed, the space where the film formation process is performed, a space where a lower heater 16 is provided, and a space where an upper heater 19 is provided are made in an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a first dielectric on a substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first dielectric, a second dielectric material disposed next to the first electrode, a patterned material disposed upon the second dielectric material and in contact with part of the first electrode, a third dielectric material disposed next to the patterned material and in contact with another part of the first electrode, wherein the patterned material and the third dielectric material contact at an interface region, wherein the interface region is characterized by a plurality of defects, a second electrode disposed on the patterned material, on the third dielectric, and on the interface region, wherein the second electrode comprises metal particles that are configured to be diffused within the interface region upon application of a bias voltage, and wherein metal particles are disposed within the plurality of defects in the interface region.

Abstract: The number of masks and photolithography processes used in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device are reduced. A first conductive film is formed over a substrate; a first insulating film is formed over the first conductive film; a semiconductor film is formed over the first insulating film; a semiconductor film including a channel region is formed by etching part of the semiconductor film; a second insulating film is formed over the semiconductor film; a mask is formed over the second insulating film; a first portion of the second insulating film that overlaps the semiconductor film and second portions of the first insulating film and the second insulating film that do not overlap the semiconductor film are removed with the use of the mask; the mask is removed; and a second conductive film electrically connected to the semiconductor film is formed over at least part of the second insulating film.

Abstract: Method and structure for enhancing channel performance in a vertical gate all-around device, which provides a device comprising: a source region (140); a drain region (190) aligned substantially vertically to the source region; a channel structure (160) bridging between the source region and the drain region and defining a substantially vertical channel direction; and a gate structure (170) arranged vertically between the source region and the drain region and surrounding the channel structure. The channel structure comprises a plurality of channels (161) extending substantially vertically abreast each other, each bridging the source region and the drain region, and at least one stressor (240) interposed between each pair of adjacent channels and extending substantially along the vertical channel direction; the stressor affects lateral strain on the adjacent channels, thereby straining the channels in the vertical channel direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes etching a substrate to form two first trenches separated by a fin; filling the two first trenches with an isolation layer; and depositing a dielectric layer over the fin and the isolation layer. The method further includes forming a second trench in the dielectric layer over a channel region of the semiconductor device, the second trench exposing the isolation layer. The method further includes etching the isolation layer through the second trench to expose an upper portion of the fin in the channel region of the semiconductor device, and forming a dummy gate in the second trench over the isolation layer and engaging the upper portion of the fin.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first well of the first conductivity type formed in a semiconductor layer where the first well housing active devices and being connected to a first well potential, a second well of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer and encircling the first well where the second well housing active devices and being connected to a second well potential, and a buried layer of the second conductivity type formed under the first well and overlapping at least partially the second well encircling the first well. In an alternate embodiment, instead of the buried layer, the integrated circuit includes a third well of the second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer where the third well contains the first well and overlaps at least partially the second well encircling the first well.

Abstract: A display device comprises a first substrate including a first top portion, a first sidewall portion and a first bent portion, a second substrate including a second top portion, a second sidewall portion and a second bent portion, a display element and a packaging material. The first bent portion is disposed between the first top portion and the first sidewall portion. The second substrate is separated from the first substrate by a predetermined distance to form an accommodating space. The second top portion is disposed corresponding to the first top portion. The second bent portion is disposed between the second top portion and the second sidewall portion. The display element is disposed in the accommodating space. The packaging material is disposed in the accommodating space and corresponding to the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including forming a thin film containing silicon, oxygen and carbon on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including: supplying a precursor gas containing silicon, carbon and a halogen element and having an Si—C bonding, and a first catalytic gas to the substrate; and supplying an oxidizing gas and a second catalytic gas to the substrate.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a structural layer having a top surface. The top surface includes surface regions that are generally parallel to one another but are offset relative to one another such that a stress concentration location is formed between them. Laterally propagating shallow surface cracks have a tendency to form in the structural layer, especially near the joints between the surface regions. A method entails fabricating the MEMS device and forming trenchesin the top surface of the structural layer of the MEMS device. The trenches act as a crack inhibition feature to largely prevent the formation of deep cracks in structural layer which might otherwise result in MEMS device failure.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) device including a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure. The MIM capacitor structure includes a lower metal capacitor electrode, an upper metal capacitor electrode, and a capacitor dielectric separating the lower metal capacitor electrode from the upper metal capacitor electrode. The capacitor dielectric is made up of an amorphous oxide/nitride matrix and a plurality of metal or metal oxide/nitride nano-particles that are randomly distributed over the volume of amorphous oxide/nitride matrix.

Abstract: A system and method of patterning dopants of opposite polarity to form a solar cell is described. Two dopant films are deposited on a substrate. A laser is used to pattern the N-type dopant, by mixing the two dopant films into a single film with an exposure to the laser and/or drive the N-type dopant into the substrate to form an N-type emitter. A thermal process drives the P-type dopant from the P-type dopant film to form P-type emitters and further drives the N-type dopant from the single film to either form or further drive the N-type emitter.

Abstract: Process for fabrication of a micromechanical and/or nanomechanical structure comprising the following steps, starting from an element comprising a support substrate and a sacrificial layer: a) formation of a first layer, at least part of which is porous, b) formation on the first layer of a layer made of one (or several) materials providing the mechanical properties of the structure, called the intermediate layer, c) formation on the intermediate layer of a second layer, at least part of which is porous, d) formation of said structure in the stack composed of the first layer, the intermediate layer and the second layer, e) release of said structure by at least partial removal of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: Forming a field effect transistor device includes forming first and second semiconductor fins on a semiconductor substrate. The first and second semiconductor fins are separated by a trench region. The trench region has a first sidewall corresponding to a sidewall of the first semiconductor fin and a second sidewall corresponding to a sidewall of the second semiconductor fin. A gate stack is arranged over respective channel regions of the first and semiconductor fins. A first sidewall of the gate stack corresponds to a third sidewall of the trench region. A protective layer is formed only on a bottom portion of the trench region and along the first sidewall of the gate stack. The protective layer along the first sidewall of the gate stack defines a gate spacer.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an epitaxially grown replacement channel region within a transistor, which mitigates the variations within the channel of the transistor due to fluctuations in the manufacturing processes. The replacement channel region is formed by recessing source/drain and channel regions of the semiconductor substrate, and epitaxially growing a replacement channel region within the recess, which comprises epitaxially growing a lower epitaxial channel region over a bottom surface of the recess, and epitaxially growing an upper epitaxial channel region over a bottom surface of the recess. The lower epitaxial channel region retards dopant back diffusion from the upper epitaxial channel region, resulting in a steep retrograde dopant profile within the replacement channel region. The upper epitaxial channel region increases carrier mobility within the channel.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes forming a template having a plurality of elements above a process layer and forming spacers on sidewalls of the plurality of elements. Portions of the process layer are exposed between adjacent spacers. At least one of the plurality of elements is removed. A mask structure is formed from a directed self-assembly material over the exposed portions. The process layer is patterned using at least the mask structure as an etch mask.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a substrate including a gate structure is provided. A source region and a drain region are formed at opposing sides of the gate structure and an implant region for a resistor device is formed in the substrate. Pocket implant regions are formed in the source region and the drain region. A dielectric layer is formed to cover the gate structure and the substrate. A portion of dopants in the pocket implant regions interact with portions of dopants in the source region and the drain region to form lightly doped drain regions above the pocket implant regions. A resistor region of the resistor device is defined on the implant region. A portion of the dielectric layer is removed to form a spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure and a resistor protection dielectric layer on a portion of the implant region.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tunneling field effect transistor having a three-side source and a fabrication method thereof, referring to field effect transistor logic devices and circuits in CMOS ultra large scale integrated circuits (ULSI). By means of the strong depletion effect of the three-side source, the transistor can equivalently achieve a steep doping concentration gradient for the source junction, significantly optimizing the sub-threshold slope of the TFET. Meanwhile, the turn-on current of the transistor is boosted. Furthermore, due to a region uncovered by the gate between the gate and the drain, the bipolar conduction effect of the transistor is effectively inhibited, and on the other hand, in the small-size transistor a parasitic tunneling current at the corner of the source junction is inhibited. The fabrication method is simple and can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: Selective deposition of a silicon-germanium surface layer on semiconductor surfaces can be employed to provide two types of channel regions for field effect transistors. Anneal of an adjustment oxide material on a stack of a silicon-based gate dielectric and a high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric can be employed to form an interfacial adjustment oxide layer contacting a subset of channel regions. Oxygen deficiency can be induced in portions of the high-k dielectric layer overlying the interfacial adjustment oxide layer by deposition of a first work function metallic material layer and a capping layer and a subsequent anneal. Oxygen deficiency can be selectively removed by physically exposing portions of the high-k dielectric layer. A second work function metallic material layer and a gate conductor layer can be deposited and planarized to form gate electrodes that provide multiple effective work functions.