Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of processing a semiconductor substrate includes positioning a semiconductor substrate in a plasma chamber of a plasma tool. The semiconductor substrate includes a film stack that includes silicon layers and germanium-containing layers in an alternating stacked arrangement, with at least two silicon layers and at least two germanium-containing layers. The method includes exposing, in a first plasma step executed in the plasma chamber, the film stack to a first plasma. The first plasma is generated from first gases that include nitrogen gas, hydrogen gas, and fluorine gas. The method includes exposing, in a second plasma step executed in the plasma chamber, the film stack to a second plasma. The second plasma is generated from second gases comprising fluorine gas and oxygen gas. The second plasma selectively etches the silicon layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing mismatch of semiconductor device patterns, which comprises the following steps: defining an initial lithography area which partially overlaps a target gate structure, a first gate structure and a second gate structure; if a length and a width of the target gate structure are smaller than a preset channel length and a preset channel width respectively, adjusting and reducing the area of the initial lithography area to define a second lithography area. The second lithography area partially overlaps with the target gate structure but does not overlap with the first gate structure and the second gate structure, and the second lithography region is defined as the active area.

Abstract: A method for etching a ruthenium film includes a first step of etching the ruthenium film by plasma processing using oxygen-containing gas, and a second step of etching the ruthenium film by plasma processing using chlorine-containing gas. The first step and the second step are alternately performed. In the first step and the second step, the ruthenium film is etched at a target control temperature for a target processing time that are determined based on a pre-obtained relation between an etching amount per one cycle including the first step and the second step as a set, a control temperature of the ruthenium film, and processing times of each of the first step and the second step.

Abstract: Technologies are described for methods and systems effective for etching nanostructures in a substrate. The methods may comprise depositing a patterned block copolymer on the substrate. The patterned block copolymer may include first and second polymer block domains. The methods may comprise applying a precursor to the patterned block copolymer to generate an infiltrated block copolymer. The precursor may infiltrate into the first polymer block domain and generate a material in the first polymer block domain. The methods may comprise applying a removal agent to the infiltrated block copolymer to generate a patterned material. The removal agent may be effective to remove the first and second polymer block domains from the substrate. The methods may comprise etching the substrate. The patterned material on the substrate may mask the substrate to pattern the etching. The etching may be performed under conditions to produce nanostructures in the substrate.

Abstract: Processes are provided herein for deposition of organic films. Organic films can be deposited, including selective deposition on one surface of a substrate relative to a second surface of the substrate. For example, polymer films may be selectively deposited on a first metallic surface relative to a second dielectric surface. Selectivity, as measured by relative thicknesses on the different layers, of above about 50% or even about 90% is achieved. The selectively deposited organic film may be subjected to an etch process to render the process completely selective. Processes are also provided for particular organic film materials, independent of selectivity.

Abstract: A deposition mask includes: a first mask having an opening formed therein; and a second mask superposed on the first mask and having a plurality of through-holes formed therein, the through-hole having a planar dimension smaller than a planar dimension of the opening; wherein: the deposition mask has a plurality of joints that join the second mask and the first mask to each other; the plurality of joints are arranged along an outer edge of the second mask; and a notch is formed at a position in the outer edge of the second mask, the position corresponding to a space between the adjacent two joints.

Abstract: A plasma processing method of etching an organic film through a mask having an opening is provided. The mask is formed on the organic film, and is made of a silicon-containing film. The method includes rectifying a shape of the mask. The rectifying of the shape of the mask includes refining a side wall of the opening of the mask, and etching an upper surface of the mask.

Abstract: Smoothness of glass is improved. A polishing slurry (A) contains amorphous carbon and water, and a total amount of the amorphous carbon and the water is equal to or more than 90% of the whole polishing slurry in terms of mass ratio.

Abstract: A plasma treatment method is provided. The method includes generating a planar plasma in a plasma treatment chamber, observing an effective influence region of the planar plasma by using an optical observation system in which an observation lens has a transparent substrate and a fluorescent coating thereon, adjusting a location of the observation lens to observe a brightness change of the fluorescent coating and the transparent substrate to obtain a location and a thickness range of the effective influence region of the planar plasma, and then adjusting a location of the observation lens to observe a brightness change of the fluorescent coating and the transparent substrate to obtain a location and a thickness range of the effective influence region of the planar plasma. A location of a sample is adjusted to within the effective influence region, and a plasma treatment is then performed on the sample.

Abstract: A film forming method includes: removing a natural oxide film formed on a front surface of a metal-containing film by supplying a hydrogen fluoride gas to a substrate accommodated in a processing container, the substrate having the metal-containing film formed thereon, and the metal-containing film including no metal oxide film; and forming a silicon film on the metal-containing film by supplying a silicon-containing gas into the processing container, wherein the step of forming the silicon film occurs after the step of removing the natural oxide film.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, comprises the following steps: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a dummy insulation layer and a dummy electrode sequentially stacked on the semiconductor substrate; forming spacers on sidewalls of the dummy electrode; removing the dummy electrode to exposes inner sidewalls of the spacers; and performing an ion implantation process to the inner sidewalls of the spacers and the dummy insulation layer.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polishing liquid containing abrasive grains, a hydroxy acid, a polyol, at least one zwitterionic compound selected from the group consisting of an aminocarboxylic acid and an aminosulfonic acid, and a liquid medium, in which a zeta potential of the abrasive grains is positive, an isoelectric point of the aminocarboxylic acid is smaller than 7.0, and pKa of the aminosulfonic acid is larger than 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an etchant composition, in particular to an aqueous masking layer etchant composition for use in the removal of tungsten-doped carbon masking layers from a surface of a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer. The composition comprises (a) 10 to 40 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of hydrogen peroxide; and (b) 0.1 to 2.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of one or more corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a deposition mask includes preparing a mask-target substrate which has one surface on which a sacrificed layer pattern is formed and comprises a cover area covered by the sacrificed layer pattern and a plurality of exposed areas exposed by the sacrificed layer pattern; forming holes in the exposed areas of the mask-target substrate by emitting laser toward the mask-target substrate; and removing the sacrificed layer pattern, wherein the sacrificed layer pattern has a higher reflectance with respect to the laser than a reflectance of the mask-target substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a structure manufacturing method, including: preparing an etching target with at least one surface comprising group III nitride; then in a state where the etching target is immersed in an etching solution containing peroxodisulfate ions; irradiating the surface of the etching target with light through the etching solution, and generating sulfate ion radicals from the peroxodisulfate ions and generating holes in the group III nitride, thereby etching the group III nitride, wherein in the etching of the group III nitride, the etching solution remains acidic during a period for etching the group III nitride by making the etching solution acidic at a start of etching the group III nitride, and the etching is performed, with a resist mask formed on the surface.

Abstract: A technique improves selectivity in etching of a silicon-containing film over etching of a mask in plasma etching. A substrate processing method includes placing a substrate in a chamber in a plasma processing apparatus. The substrate includes a silicon-containing film and a mask on the silicon-containing film. The substrate processing method further includes generating plasma from a first process gas containing a hydrogen fluoride gas in the chamber. The generating plasma includes etching the silicon-containing film with a chemical species contained in the plasma. A flow rate of the hydrogen fluoride gas is at least 80 vol % of a total flow rate of non-inert components of the first process gas.

Abstract: Improved process flows and methods are provided that use a cyclic dry process to transfer a pattern from a patterned organic layer to an underlying silicon-containing layer. The cyclic dry process disclosed herein includes a deposition step, an etch step and a purge step, which may be repeated a number of cycles to progressively etch the exposed portions of the silicon-containing layer. Unlike conventional pattern transfer processes, the cyclic dry process described herein anisotropically etches the silicon-containing layer with high selectivity to the patterned organic layer. In doing so, the disclosed process improves pattern transfer performance and avoids problems typically seen in conventional pattern transfer processes such as, e.g., CD enlargement, CD distortion and/or complete loss of photoresist.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor processing approach wherein a wafer twist is employed to increase etch rate, at select locations, along a hole or space end arc. By doing so, a finished hole may more closely resemble the shape of the incoming hole end. In some embodiments, a method may include providing an elongated contact hole formed in a semiconductor device, and etching the elongated contact hole while rotating the semiconductor device, wherein the etching is performed by an ion beam delivered at a non-zero angle relative to a plane defined by the semiconductor device. The elongated contact hole may be defined by a set of sidewalls opposite one another, and a first end and a second end connected to the set of sidewalls, wherein etching the elongated contact hole causes the elongated contact hole to change from an oval shape to a rectangular shape.

Abstract: A process for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate containing cobalt, zirconium oxide, poly-silicon and silicon dioxide, wherein the cobalt, zirconium, and poly-silicon removal rates are selective over silicon dioxide. The chemical mechanical polishing composition includes water, a benzyltrialkyl quaternary ammonium compound, cobalt chelating agent, corrosion inhibitor, colloidal silica abrasive, optionally a biocide and optionally a pH adjusting agent, and a pH greater than 7, and the chemical mechanical polishing compositions are free of oxidizing agents.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polishing liquid containing abrasive grains, a hydroxy acid, a polyol, at least one zwitterionic compound selected from the group consisting of an aminocarboxylic acid and an aminosulfonic acid, and a liquid medium, in which a zeta potential of the abrasive grains is positive, an isoelectric point of the aminocarboxylic acid is smaller than 7.0, and pKa of the aminosulfonic acid is larger than 0.