Abstract: In some embodiments, in a method, a body structure with a gate structure configured thereon is provided. The gate structure comprises a gate side wall traversing the body structure. A spacer is formed over the gate side wall. A first recess is formed in the body structure. The first recess is formed beside the spacer and extending laterally under the spacer. A recess extension is formed under the first recess to extend a vertical depth of the first recess. Stressor material with a lattice constant different from that of the body structure is grown such that the extended first recess is filled.

Abstract: A device may include: a high-k layer disposed on a substrate and over a channel region in the substrate. The high-k layer may include a high-k dielectric material having one or more impurities therein, and the one or more impurities may include at least one of C, Cl, or N. The one or more impurities may have a molecular concentration of less than about 50%. The device may further include a cap layer over the high-k layer over the channel region, the high-k layer separating the cap layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure traversing over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer which includes an upper portion above the fin structure and a lower portion below the fin structure, the virtual surface is formed between the upper portion and the lower portion, and the lower portion has a tapered width which is gradually tapered from the virtual interface to a bottom surface of the lower portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure having a semiconductor layer; a gate with a conductive portion and a sidewall spacer; an interlayer dielectric (ILD) surrounding the sidewall spacer; and a nitrogen-containing protection layer, positioning at least on the top surface of the conductive portion of the gate. A top surface of the conductive portion and a top surface of the sidewall spacer are substantially coplanar. The nitrogen-containing protection layer is not covering the sidewall surface of the sidewall spacer. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a metal gate structure having a conductive portion and a sidewall spacer surrounded by a first ILD; forming a protection layer over the metal gate structure, and the protection layer is formed to cover at least the conductive portion of the metal gate structure; and forming a second ILD over the metal gate structure.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a first region and a second region, the first region including a first channel region, the second region including a second channel region; forming a gate stack layer over the first and second regions; patterning the gate stack layer, thereby forming a first gate stack over the first channel region and a second gate stack over the second channel region; and laterally etching bottom portions of the first and second gate stacks by applying different etchant concentrations to the first and second regions simultaneously, thereby forming notches at the bottom portions of the first and second gate stacks.

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 FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure traversing over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer which includes an upper portion above the fin structure and a lower portion below the fin structure. The upper portion has a top surface with a first width, the lower portion has a bottom surface with a second width, and the first width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of fabricating the semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate; a metal gate structure on the substrate; and a spacer next to the metal gate structure having a skirting part extending into the metal gate structure and contacting the substrate. The metal gate structure includes a high-k dielectric layer and a metal gate electrode on the high-k dielectric layer.

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 of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a dummy gate feature over a semiconductive fin; forming a first spacer around the dummy gate feature and a second spacer around the first spacer; replacing the dummy gate feature with a metal gate feature; after replacing the dummy gate feature with the metal gate feature, partially removing the second spacer such that a top of the second spacer is lower than a top of the first spacer; and depositing a capping layer over and in contact with the metal gate feature and the first spacer.

Abstract: A dry etching apparatus includes a process chamber, a stage, a gas supply device and a plasma generating device. The stage is in the process chamber and is configured to support a wafer, wherein the wafer has a center region and a periphery region surrounding the center region. The gas supply device is configured to supply a first flow of an etching gas to the center region and supply a second flow of the etching gas to the periphery region. The plasma generating device is configured to generate plasma from the etching gas.

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.

Abstract: A fin strip is formed over a substrate using a hardmask. The fin strip includes a first portion and a second portion laterally adjoining the first portion. A BARC layer is formed to cover the fin strip over the substrate. A first etching operation is performed to remove a first portion of the BARC layer, so as to expose a portion of the hardmask where the first portion of the fin strip underlies. A coating layer is deposited over the portion of the hardmask and the BARC layer. A second etching operation is performed to remove a portion of the coating layer, the portion of the hardmask and a second portion of the BARC layer. A third etching operation is performed to remove the first portion of the fin strip and a remaining BARC layer, such that the second portion of the fin strip forms a plurality of semiconductor fins.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first gate stack disposed over the substrate and overlapping the first fin structure. The first gate stack includes a first work function layer, a first gate electrode, and a first hard mask layer, the first gate electrode is over the first work function layer, the first hard mask layer is over the first gate electrode, the first gate electrode has a first convex top surface protruding beyond a first top surface of the first work function layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack disposed over the substrate and overlapping the second fin structure.

Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure traversing over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer which includes an upper portion above the fin structure and a lower portion below the fin structure. The upper portion has a top surface with a first width, the lower portion has a bottom surface with a second width, and the first width is greater than the second width.

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 a fin structure extending above the substrate. The FinFET structure includes an epitaxial structure formed on the fin structure, and the epitaxial structure has a first height. The FinFET structure also includes fin sidewall spacers formed adjacent to the epitaxial structure. The sidewall spacers have a second height and the first height is greater than the second height, and the fin sidewall spacers are configured to control a volume and the first height of the epitaxial structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a first gate spacer, an interlayer dielectric layer, a contact stop layer, and an air gap. The gate structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The first gate spacer covers a first sidewall of the gate structure. The interlayer dielectric layer is adjacent to the first gate spacer. The contact stop layer is positioned over the first gate spacer and the interlayer dielectric layer. The air gap is between the first gate spacer and the interlayer dielectric layer. The contact stop layer includes a capping portion that seals a top of the air gap.

Abstract: A dry etching apparatus includes a process chamber, a stage, a gas supply device and a plasma generating device. The stage is in the process chamber and is configured to support a wafer, wherein the wafer has a center region and a periphery region surrounding the center region. The gas supply device is configured to supply a first flow of an etching gas to the center region and supply a second flow of the etching gas to the periphery region. The plasma generating device is configured to generate plasma from the etching gas.

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 a fin structure extending above the substrate. The FinFET structure includes an epitaxial structure formed on the fin structure, and the epitaxial structure has a first height. The FinFET structure also includes fin sidewall spacers formed adjacent to the epitaxial structure. The sidewall spacers have a second height and the first height is greater than the second height, and the fin sidewall spacers are configured to control a volume and the first height of the epitaxial structure.

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.