Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor fin semiconductor fin extending from a substrate, a gate structure extending across the semiconductor fin, and a multilayer gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure. The multilayer gate spacer includes an inner spacer layer, an outer spacer layer, and a dielectric structure. The inner spacer layer has a vertical portion extending along the sidewall of the gate structure, and a lateral portion laterally extending from the vertical portion in a direction away from the gate structure. The outer spacer layer is spaced apart from the vertical portion of the inner spacer layer by an air gap. The dielectric structure spaces apart a bottom end of the outer spacer layer from the lateral portion of the inner spacer layer.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory cell and a metallic etch mask portion are formed over a substrate. At least one dielectric etch stop layer is deposited over the metallic etch mask portion, and a via-level dielectric layer is deposited over the at least one dielectric etch stop layer. A via cavity may be etched through the via-level dielectric layer, and a top surface of the at least one dielectric etch stop layer is physically exposed. The via cavity may be vertically extended by removing portions of the at least one dielectric etch stop layer and the metallic etch mask portion. A contact via structure is formed directly on a top surface of the top electrode in the via cavity to provide a low-resistance contact to the top electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an isolation insulating layer disposed over a substrate, a semiconductor fin disposed over the substrate, an upper portion of the semiconductor fin protruding from the isolation insulating layer and a lower portion of the semiconductor fin being embedded in the isolation insulating layer, a gate structure disposed over the upper portion of the semiconductor fin and including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer, gate sidewall spacers disposed over opposing side faces of the gate structure, and a source/drain epitaxial layer. The upper portion of the semiconductor fin includes a first epitaxial growth enhancement layer made of a semiconductor material different from a remaining part of the semiconductor fin. The first epitaxial growth enhancement layer is in contact with the source/drain epitaxial layer. The gate dielectric layer covers the upper portion of the semiconductor fin including the first epitaxial growth enhancement layer.

Abstract: A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. In some embodiments, the prongs and voids are designed so that the prongs of one power distribution subsystem can engage the voids of another power distribution subsystem without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure and method of forming the MEMS device, including forming a first metallization structure over a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) wafer, where the first metallization structure includes a first sacrificial oxide layer and a first metal contact pad. A second metallization structure is formed over a MEMS wafer, where the second metallization structure includes a second sacrificial oxide layer and a second metal contact pad. The first metallization structure and second metallization structure are then bonded together. After the first metallization structure and second metallization structure are bonded together, patterning and etching the MEMS wafer to form a MEMS element over the second sacrificial oxide layer. After the MEMS element is formed, removing the first sacrificial oxide layer and second sacrificial oxide layer to allow the MEMS element to move freely about an axis.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductive fin having source and drain regions and a channel region between the source and drain regions, a gate feature over the channel region of the semiconductive fin, a first spacer around the gate feature, source and drain features respectively in the source and drain regions of the semiconductive fin, an interlayer dielectric layer around the first spacer, and a void between the first spacer and the interlayer dielectric layer and spaced apart from the gate feature and the source and drain features.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a fair value of a SPP includes a sunshine simulation system for generating a peak sun hour; a photovoltaic (PV) yield system for measuring a total power loss rate and generating an estimated energy-production-hours database; and a financial pricing system for generating a series of cash flows and discount factors. The financial pricing system computes a series of present values which are the product of the cash flows and the discount factors, and sums up all the present values to obtain an estimated value of the SPP. Since the apparatus for estimating SPP value takes the real power generation condition of the SPP and the real market economic condition into consideration, so that the apparatus can generate a pricing result even closer to the real market.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a dummy gate over a substrate, forming dielectric materials over a top surface and sidewalls of the dummy gate, and replacing the dummy gate with a gate structure. The dummy gate has a first width located a first distance away from the substrate, a second width located a second distance away from the substrate, and a third width located a third distance away from the substrate. The second distance is less than the first distance. The second width is less than the first width. The third distance is less than the second distance. The third width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a channel region, forming a gate stack layer over the channel region, forming a patterned hard mask over the gate stack layer, etching a top portion of the gate stack layer through openings in the patterned hard mask with a first etchant, etching a middle portion and a bottom portion of the gate stack layer with a second etchant that includes a passivating gas. A gate stack is formed with a passivation layer deposited on sidewalls of the gate stack. The method also includes etching the gate stack with a third etchant, thereby removing a bottom portion of the passivation layer and recessing a bottom portion of the gate stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a fin structure with a fin top surface disposed on the substrate, a source/drain (S/D) region disposed on the fin structure, a gate structure disposed on the fin top surface, and a gate spacer with first and second spacer portions disposed between the gate structure and the S/D region. The first spacer portion extends above the fin top surface and is disposed along a sidewall of the gate structure. The second spacer portion extends below the fin top surface and is disposed along a sidewall of the S/D region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate, and a gate structure extending across the semiconductor fin. From a plan view, the semiconductor fin includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, an end surface extending along a different direction than the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a first corner portion connecting the first sidewall and the end surface. The first corner portion is more rounded than the first sidewall and the end surface.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure and method for forming FinFET device structure are provided. The FinFET structure includes a substrate and an isolation structure formed on the substrate. The FinFET structure also includes a fin structure extending above the substrate, and the fin structure is embedded in the isolation structure. The FinFET structure further includes an epitaxial structure formed on the fin structure, the epitaxial structure has a pentagon-like shape, and an interface between the epitaxial structure and the fin structure is lower than a top surface of the isolation structure.

Abstract: A method includes following steps. A substrate is etched using a hard mask as an etch mask to form a fin. A bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer is over the fin. A recess is formed in the BARC layer to expose a first portion of the hard mask. A protective coating layer is formed at least on a sidewall of the recess in the BARC layer. A first etching step is performed to remove the first portion of the hard mask to expose a first portion of the fin, while leaving a second portion of the fin covered under the protective coating layer and the BARC layer. A second etching step is performed to lower a top surface of the first portion of the fin to below a top surface of the second portion of the fin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of Cytomegalovirus and measuring antigenicity through detection and quantification of a pentameric complex by an indirect sandwich ELISA assay which ensures an appropriate concentration of this critical glycoprotein complex is present in the vaccine.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure and method for forming FinFET device structure are provided. The FinFET structure includes a substrate and an isolation structure formed on the substrate. The FinFET structure also includes a fin structure extending above the substrate, and the fin structure is embedded in the isolation structure. The FinFET structure further includes an epitaxial structure formed on the fin structure, the epitaxial structure has a pentagon-like shape, and an interface between the epitaxial structure and the fin structure is lower than a top surface of the isolation structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first fin structure and a second fin structure over a substrate. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the substrate, the first fin structure, and the second fin structure. The method includes forming a first work function layer in the first trench and the second trench. The method includes forming a first mask layer over the first work function layer in the first trench. The method includes removing the first work function layer exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first mask layer. The method includes forming a first gate electrode in the first trench and a second gate electrode in the second trench. The method includes forming a first hard mask layer in the first trench and a second hard mask layer in the second trench.

Abstract: A FinFET structure with a gate structure having two notch features therein and a method of forming the same is disclosed. The FinFET notch features ensure that sufficient spacing is provided between the gate structure and source/drain regions of the FinFET to avoid inadvertent shorting of the gate structure to the source/drain regions. Gate structures of different sizes (e.g., different gate widths) and of different pattern densities can be provided on a same substrate and avoid inadvertent of shorting the gate to the source/drain regions through application of the notched features.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first fin structure over a substrate. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and the first fin structure. The dielectric layer has a first trench exposing a first portion of the first fin structure. The method includes forming a first work function layer in the first trench. The method includes forming a first mask layer over the first work function layer in the first trench, wherein an upper portion of the first work function layer in the first trench is exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first work function layer exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first mask layer. The method includes forming a first gate electrode in the first trench.

Abstract: A FinFET structure with a gate structure having two notch features therein and a method of forming the same is disclosed. The FinFET notch features ensure that sufficient spacing is provided between the gate structure and source/drain regions of the FinFET to avoid inadvertent shorting of the gate structure to the source/drain regions. Gate structures of different sizes (e.g., different gate widths) and of different pattern densities can be provided on a same substrate and avoid inadvertent of shorting the gate to the source/drain regions through application of the notched features.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a first fin and a second fin over the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode traversing over the first fin and the second fin, respectively. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric layer between the first fin and the first gate electrode and between the second fin and the second gate electrode. Further, the semiconductor device includes a dummy gate electrode over the substrate, and the dummy gate electrode is between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. An upper portion of the dummy gate electrode is wider than a lower portion of the dummy gate electrode.