Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first sources/drains and a plurality of first source/drain (S/D) contacts formed over the first sources/drains. The device also includes a plurality of first dielectric caps. Each of the plurality of first dielectric caps is positioned over a respective first S/D contact to cover a top portion and at least a part of side portions of the respective first S/D contact. The device also includes a plurality of second sources/drains and a plurality of second S/D contacts that are staggered over the plurality of first S/D contacts so as to form a stair-case configuration. A plurality of second dielectric caps are formed over the plurality of second S/D contacts. Each of the plurality of second dielectric caps is positioned over a respective second S/D contact to cover a top portion and at least a part of side portions of the respective second S/D contact.

Abstract: Techniques herein include processes and systems by which a reproducible CD variation pattern can be mitigated or corrected to yield desirable CDs from microfabrication patterning processes, via resolution enhancement. A repeatable portion of CD variation across a set of wafers is identified, and then a correction exposure pattern is generated. A direct-write projection system exposes this correction pattern on a substrate as a component exposure, augmentation exposure, or partial exposure. A conventional mask-based photolithographic system executes a primary patterning exposure as a second or main component exposure. The two component exposures when combined enhance resolution of the patterning exposure to improve CDs on the substrate being processed without measure each wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a working surface, and a plurality of field effect transistor (FET) devices provided on the substrate in a common plane along the working surface. Each FET device includes an active nanochannel structure having opposing end surfaces and a sidewall surface extending between the opposing end surfaces, and an active gate structure surrounding an intermediate portion of the nanochannel structure in contact with the sidewall surface. First and second gate spacers each surrounding a respective end portion of the nanochannel structure in contact with the side wall surface, and first and second source/drain (S/D) structures are in contact with the opposing end surfaces of the nanochannel structure respectively. A single diffusion break provided between first and second FET devices, the single diffusion break including a dummy nanochannel structure connected to an S/D structure of the first FET device and an S/D structure of the second FET device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate including a first stacked fin structure for forming a channel of a first gate-all-around (GAA) transistor, the first stacked fin structure including an initial volume of first channel material, and a second stacked fin structure for forming a channel of a second GAA transistor, the second stacked fin structure including an initial volume of second channel material; reducing said initial volume of the second channel material relative to the initial volume of first channel material by a predetermined amount corresponding to a delay of the first GAA transistor; and forming first and second GAA gate structures around said first channel material and said second channel material respectively.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a layered fin structure thereon. The layered fin structure includes base fin portion, a sacrificial portion provided on the base fin portion and a channel portion provided on the sacrificial portion. A doping source film is provided on the substrate over the layered fin structure, and diffusing doping materials from the doping source film into a portion of the layered fin structure other than the channel portion to form a diffusion doped region in the layered fin structure. An isolation material is provided on the substrate over at least the diffusion doped region of the layered fin structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a working surface, and a plurality of field effect transistor (FET) devices provided on the substrate in a common plane along the working surface. Each FET device includes an active nanochannel structure having opposing end surfaces and a sidewall surface extending between the opposing end surfaces, and an active gate structure surrounding an intermediate portion of the nanochannel structure in contact with the sidewall surface. First and second gate spacers each surrounding a respective end portion of the nanochannel structure in contact with the side wall surface, and first and second source/drain (S/D) structures are in contact with the opposing end surfaces of the nanochannel structure respectively. A single diffusion break provided between first and second FET devices, the single diffusion break including a dummy nanochannel structure connected to an S/D structure of the first FET device and an S/D structure of the second FET device.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a starting structure including a substrate having thereon a plurality of gate regions alternately arranged with a plurality of source/drain (S/D) regions, wherein each of the gate regions includes a nanochannel structure having an intermediate portion surrounded by a replacement gate, and opposing end portions surrounded by respective gate spacers such that the nanochannel structure extends through the replacement gate and the gate spacers of the gate region. Each of the S/D regions includes an S/D structure extending through the S/D region to connect nanochannel structures of first and second adjacent gate regions provided on opposing sides of the S/D region respectively.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming structures supported by semiconductor substrates. Radiation-imageable material may be formed over a substrate and patterned into at least two separated features. A second material may be formed over the features and across one or more gaps between the features. At least one substance may be released from the features and utilized to alter a portion of the second material. The altered portion of the second material may be selectively removed relative to another portion of the second material which is not altered. Also, the features of radiation-imageable material may be selectively removed relative to the altered portion of the second material. The second material may contain one or more inorganic components dispersed in an organic composition. The substance released from the features of radiation-imageable material may be acid which forms cross-links within such organic composition, an hydroxyl, or any other suitable substance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technology related to the amelioration (e.g., correction) of global wafer distortion based on a determination of localized distortions of a semiconductor wafer. Herein, a distortion is either an out-of-plane distortion (OPD) or in-plane distortion (IPD). The reference plane for this distortion is based on the plane shared by the surface of a presumptively flat semiconductor wafer. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for wetting a filter cartridge used to treat a liquid solvent used in semiconductor manufacture. In the process, a filter cartridge having void spaces wherein the void spaces contain residual gas from the manufacturing process used to make the filter cartridge is connected to a source of purging gas. The purging gas is flowed through the filter cartridge to at least partially displace at least a portion of the residual gas from the manufacturing process used to make the filter cartridge. Next, liquid solvent is pumped through the filter cartridge so that the purging gas dissolves into the liquid solvent and to at least partially fill the void spaces to thereby at least partially wet out the filter cartridge with the liquid solvent.

Abstract: A 3-D IC includes a substrate having a substrate surface. A first semiconductor device has a first electrical contact and is formed in a first area of the surface on a first plane substantially parallel to the substrate surface. A second semiconductor device has a second electrical contact and is formed in a second area of the surface on a second plane substantially parallel to the surface and vertically spaced from the first plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. A first electrode structure includes opposing top and bottom surfaces substantially parallel to the substrate surface, and a sidewall connecting the top and bottom surfaces such that the electrode structure forms a three dimensional electrode space.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate and a gate region of a field effect transistor formed on the substrate. The gate region includes vertically stacked nanowires having longitudinal axes that extend parallel with a working surface of the substrate. A given stack of vertically stacked nanowires includes at least two nanowires vertically aligned in which a p-type nanowire and an n-type nanowire are spatially separated from each other vertically. The semiconductor device further includes a step-shaped connecting structure formed within the gate region that electrically connects each nanowire to positions above the gate region. A first gate electrode has a step-shaped profile and connects to a first-level nanowire.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate and a gate region of a field effect transistor formed on the substrate. The gate region includes vertically stacked nanowires having longitudinal axes that extend parallel with a working surface of the substrate. A given stack of vertically stacked nanowires includes at least two nanowires vertically aligned in which a p-type nanowire and an n-type nanowire are spatially separated from each other vertically. The semiconductor device further Includes a step-shaped connecting structure formed within the gate region that electrically connects each nanowire to positions above the gate region. A first gate electrode has a step-shaped profile and connects to a first-level nanowire.

Abstract: A 3-D IC includes a substrate having a substrate surface. A first semiconductor device has a first electrical contact and is formed in a first area of the surface on a first plane substantially parallel to the substrate surface. A second semiconductor device has a second electrical contact and is formed in a second area of the surface on a second plane substantially parallel to the surface and vertically spaced from the first plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. A first electrode structure includes opposing top and bottom surfaces substantially parallel to the substrate surface, and a sidewall connecting the top and bottom surfaces such that the electrode structure forms a three dimensional electrode space.

Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate in a liquid crystal device. Geometry of the textured surface provides a organization of a liquid crystal media.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus is disclosed. Systems include an in-line or linear bladder apparatus configured to expand to collect a charge of fluid, and contract to assist with fluid delivery and dispensing. During a dispense-off period process fluid can collect in this bladder after the process fluid is pushed through a fine filter (micro filter). A given filtration rate can be less than a dispense rate and thus the system herein compensates for filter-lag that often accompanies fluid filtering for microfabrication, while providing a generally linear configuration that reduces chances for defect creation.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate includes forming spaced first features over a substrate. An alterable material is deposited over the spaced first features and the alterable material is altered with material from the spaced first features to form altered material on sidewalls of the spaced first features. A first material is deposited over the altered material, and is of some different composition from that of the altered material. The first material is etched to expose the altered material and spaced second features comprising the first material are formed on sidewalls of the altered material. Then, the altered material is etched from between the spaced second features and the spaced first features. The substrate is processed through a mask pattern comprising the spaced first features and the spaced second features. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.

Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.

Abstract: Embodiments described relate to a method and apparatus for reducing lithographic distortion. A backside of a semiconductor substrate may be texturized. Then a lithographic process may be performed on the semiconductor substrate having the texturized backside.