Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature, depositing a passivation layer on a sidewall and a top surface of the first conductive feature, etching the passivation layer to reveal the first conductive feature, and recessing a first top surface of the passivation layer to form a step. The step comprises a second top surface of the passivation layer. The method further includes forming a planarization layer on the passivation layer, and forming a second conductive feature extending into the passivation layer to contact the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a channel region, and a source/drain region adjacent to the channel region. The source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the first epitaxial layer and a third epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the second epitaxial layer, and the first epitaxial layer is made of SiAs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a plurality of fin structures are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The fin structures extend along a first direction and are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. A plurality of sacrificial gate structures extending in the second direction are formed over the fin structures. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the plurality of fin structures between adjacent sacrificial gate structures. The sacrificial gate structures are cut into a plurality of pieces of sacrificial gate structures by forming gate end spaces along the second direction. Gate separation plugs are formed by filling the gate end spaces with two or more dielectric materials. The two or more dielectric materials includes a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer, and a dielectric constant of the second layer is smaller than a dielectric constant of the first layer.

Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with passivation layers on active regions of FET devices and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, first and second source/drain (S/D) regions disposed on the substrate, nanostructured channel regions disposed between the first and second S/D regions, a passivation layer, and a nanosheet (NS) structure wrapped around the nanostructured channel regions. Each of the S/D regions have a stack of first and second semiconductor layers arranged in an alternating configuration and an epitaxial region disposed on the stack of first and second semiconductor layers.

Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with inner spacer structures between source/drain (S/D) regions and gate-all-around structures and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack of nanostructured layers with first and second nanostructured regions disposed on the substrate and first and second source/drain (S/D) regions disposed on the substrate. Each of the first and second S/D regions includes an epitaxial region wrapped around each of the first nanostructured regions.

Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with core-shell nanostructured channel regions between source/drain regions of FET devices and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack of nanostructured layers with first and second nanostructured regions disposed on the substrate, and nanostructured shell regions wrapped around the second nanostructured regions. The nanostructured shell regions and the second nanostructured regions have semiconductor materials different from each other. The semiconductor device further includes first and second source/drain (S/D) regions disposed on the substrate and a gate-all-around (GAA) structure disposed between the first and second S/D regions. Each of the first and second S/D regions includes an epitaxial region wrapped around each of the first nanostructured regions and the GAA structure is wrapped around each of the nanostructured shell regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a channel region, a source/drain region adjacent to the channel region, and a source/drain epitaxial layer. The source/drain epitaxial layer includes a first epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the source/drain region, a second epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the first epitaxial layer and a third epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the second epitaxial layer. The first epitaxial layer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a SiAs layer, a SiC layer and a SiCP layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a channel region, and a source/drain region adjacent to the channel region. The source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the first epitaxial layer and a third epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the second epitaxial layer, and the first epitaxial layer is made of SiAs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a plurality of fin structures are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The fin structures extend along a first direction and are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. A plurality of sacrificial gate structures extending in the second direction are formed over the fin structures. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the plurality of fin structures between adjacent sacrificial gate structures. The sacrificial gate structures are cut into a plurality of pieces of sacrificial gate structures by forming gate end spaces along the second direction. Gate separation plugs are formed by filling the gate end spaces with two or more dielectric materials. The two or more dielectric materials includes a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer, and a dielectric constant of the second layer is smaller than a dielectric constant of the first layer.

Abstract: Methods for treating a disease condition in a subject are provided. The subject methods are characterizing by enhancing at least one symptom of the disease condition in a manner effective to cause the subject to mount a compensatory response effective to treat the disease condition. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition by modulating at least a portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with certain embodiments of the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is electrically or pharmacologically modulated in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods for treating a renal associated disease condition in a subject are provided. The subject methods are characterized by modulating at least one portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system in a manner effective to treat a renal condition in the subject. Specifically, the methods may include modulating, e.g., increasing, a parasympathetic/sympathetic activity ratio in the subject. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods for treating a renal associated disease condition in a subject are provided. The subject methods are characterized by modulating at least one portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system in a manner effective to treat a renal condition in the subject. Specifically, the methods may include modulating, e.g., increasing, a parasympathetic/sympathetic activity ratio in the subject. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in the subject's autonomic nervous system. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject's autonomic nervous system is pharmacologically modulated with at least one beta-blocker in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a channel region, and a source/drain region adjacent to the channel region. The source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the first epitaxial layer and a third epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the second epitaxial layer, and the first epitaxial layer is made of SiAs.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a channel region, a source/drain region adjacent to the channel region, and a source/drain epitaxial layer. The source/drain epitaxial layer includes a first epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the source/drain region, a second epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the first epitaxial layer and a third epitaxial layer epitaxially formed on the second epitaxial layer. The first epitaxial layer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a SiAs layer, a SiC layer and a SiCP layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a plurality of fin structures are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The fin structures extend along a first direction and are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. A plurality of sacrificial gate structures extending in the second direction are formed over the fin structures. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the plurality of fin structures between adjacent sacrificial gate structures. The sacrificial gate structures are cut into a plurality of pieces of sacrificial gate structures by forming gate end spaces along the second direction. Gate separation plugs are formed by filling the gate end spaces with two or more dielectric materials. The two or more dielectric materials includes a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer, and a dielectric constant of the second layer is smaller than a dielectric constant of the first layer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a subject for at least one condition that includes inflammation, a blood clotting condition and autonomic nervous system dysfunction such as adrenergia, e.g., simultaneously. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a subject for at least one condition that includes inflammation, a blood clotting condition and autonomic nervous system dysfunction such as adrenergia, e.g., simultaneously. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a first transistor having a first gate dielectric layer with a first thickness. The integrated circuit also includes a second transistor having a second gate dielectric layer with a second thickness and the second transistor is configured to electrically connect to the first transistor. The integrated circuit also includes a third transistor having a third gate dielectric layer with a third thickness and the third transistor is configured to electrically connect to at least one of the first transistor or the second transistor. The first thickness, the second thickness and the third thickness of the integrated circuit are all different.