Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second transistors each having a high-k metal gate disposed over a respective channel region of the transistors. The semiconductor device further includes first and second dielectric features in physical contact with an end of the respective high-k metal gates. The first and second transistors are of a same conductivity type. The two high-k metal gates have a same number of material layers. The first transistor's threshold voltage is different from the second transistor's threshold voltage, and at least one of following is true: the two high-k metal gates have different widths, the first and second dielectric features have different distances from respective channel regions of the two transistors, and the first and second dielectric features have different dimensions.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate structure over first and second fins over a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric layer surrounding first and second fins; etching a first trench in the interlayer dielectric layer between the first and second fins uncovered by the gate structure; forming a helmet layer lining the first trench; and forming a dielectric feature in the first trench.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate structure over first and second fins over a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric layer surrounding first and second fins; etching a first trench in the interlayer dielectric layer between the first and second fins uncovered by the gate structure; forming a helmet layer in the first trench; and filling the first trench with a dielectric feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a pair of first fins extending from the substrate, a pair of second fins extending from the substrate, an isolation feature over the substrate and separating bottom portions of the first and the second fins, a pair of first epitaxial semiconductor features over the pair of first fins respectively, a pair of second epitaxial semiconductor features over the pair of second fins respectively, and a first dielectric feature sandwiched between and separating the pair of first epitaxial semiconductor features. The pair of second epitaxial semiconductor features merge with each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate; first and second fins extending from the substrate and oriented lengthwise generally along a first direction; an isolation feature over the substrate and separating bottom portions of the first and the second fins; first and second epitaxial semiconductor features over the first and the second fins, respectively; and a first dielectric feature sandwiched between the first and the second epitaxial semiconductor features. A maximum width of the first dielectric feature is smaller than a width of the isolation feature between the first and the second fins along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A first FinFET device includes first fin structures that extend in a first direction in a top view. A second FinFET device includes second fin structures that extend in the first direction in the top view. The first FinFET device and the second FinFET device are different types of FinFET devices. A plurality of gate structures extend in a second direction in the top view. The second direction is different from the first direction. Each of the gate structures partially wraps around the first fin structures and the second fin structures. A dielectric structure is disposed between the first FinFET device and the second FinFET device. The dielectric structure cuts each of the gate structures into a first segment for the first FinFET device and a second segment for the second FinFET device. The dielectric structure is located closer to the first FinFET device than to the second FinFET device.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate; semiconductor fins extending from the substrate; an isolation structure over the substrate and laterally between the semiconductor fins; a liner layer between sidewalls of the semiconductor fins and the isolation structure; and an etch stop layer between the substrate and the isolation structure and laterally between the semiconductor fins. The etch stop layer includes a material different than that of the isolation structure and the liner layer.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having first and second fins over a substrate and oriented lengthwise generally along a first direction and source/drain (S/D) features over the first and second fins; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer covering the S/D features; performing a first etching process at least to an area between the S/D features, thereby forming a trench in the ILD layer; depositing a dielectric material in the trench; performing a second etching process to selectively recess the dielectric material; and performing a third etching process to selectively recess the ILD layer, thereby forming a contact hole that exposes the S/D features.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second transistors each having a high-k metal gate disposed over a respective channel region of the transistors. The semiconductor device further includes first and second dielectric features in physical contact with an end of the respective high-k metal gates. The first and second transistors are of a same conductivity type. The two high-k metal gates have a same number of material layers. The first transistor's threshold voltage is different from the second transistor's threshold voltage, and at least one of following is true: the two high-k metal gates have different widths, the first and second dielectric features have different distances from respective channel regions of the two transistors, and the first and second dielectric features have different dimensions.

Abstract: SRAM structures are provided. An SRAM structure includes a substrate, a P-type well region over the substrate, an N-type well region over the substrate, a PMOS transistor in the N-type well region, an NMOS transistor in the P-type well region, an isolation region over the boundary between the P-type well region and the N-type well region, and a dielectric structure formed in the isolation region and extending from the isolation region to the boundary between the P-type well region and the N-type well region. The depth of the dielectric structure is greater than that of the isolation region. The PMOS transistor is separated from the NMOS transistor by the isolation region.

Abstract: A first FinFET device includes first fin structures that extend in a first direction in a top view. A second FinFET device includes second fin structures that extend in the first direction in the top view. The first FinFET device and the second FinFET device are different types of FinFET devices. A plurality of gate structures extend in a second direction in the top view. The second direction is different from the first direction. Each of the gate structures partially wraps around the first fin structures and the second fin structures. A dielectric structure is disposed between the first FinFET device and the second FinFET device. The dielectric structure cuts each of the gate structures into a first segment for the first FinFET device and a second segment for the second FinFET device. The dielectric structure is located closer to the first FinFET device than to the second FinFET device.

Abstract: The fin structure includes a first portion and a second, lower portion separated at a transition. The first portion has sidewalls that are substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate. The lower portion has tapered sidewalls on opposite sides of the upper portion and a base having a second width larger than the first width.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second transistors each having a high-k metal gate disposed over a respective channel region of the transistors. The semiconductor device further includes first and second dielectric features in physical contact with an end of the respective high-k metal gates. The first and second transistors are of a same conductivity type. The two high-k metal gates have a same number of material layers. The first transistor's threshold voltage is different from the second transistor's threshold voltage, and at least one of following is true: the two high-k metal gates have different widths, the first and second dielectric features have different distances from respective channel regions of the two transistors, and the first and second dielectric features have different dimensions.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate; first and second fins extending from the substrate and oriented lengthwise generally along a first direction; an isolation feature over the substrate and separating bottom portions of the first and the second fins; first and second epitaxial semiconductor features over the first and the second fins, respectively; and a first dielectric feature sandwiched between the first and the second epitaxial semiconductor features. A maximum width of the first dielectric feature is smaller than a width of the isolation feature between the first and the second fins along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second transistors each having a high-k metal gate disposed over a respective channel region of the transistors. The semiconductor device further includes first and second dielectric features in physical contact with an end of the respective high-k metal gates. The first and second transistors are of a same conductivity type. The two high-k metal gates have a same number of material layers. The first transistor's threshold voltage is different from the second transistor's threshold voltage, and at least one of following is true: the two high-k metal gates have different widths, the first and second dielectric features have different distances from respective channel regions of the two transistors, and the first and second dielectric features have different dimensions.

Abstract: An exemplary method of forming a fin field effect transistor that includes first and second etching processes to form a fin structure. The fin structure includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated at a transition. The upper portion has sidewalls that are substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate. The lower portion has tapered sidewalls on opposite sides of the upper portion and a base having a second width larger than the first width.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a substrate and first and second fins over the substrate and oriented lengthwise generally along a first direction; epitaxially growing semiconductor source/drain (S/D) features over the first and second fins, wherein a first semiconductor S/D feature over the first fin merges with a second semiconductor S/D feature over the second fin; and performing a first etching process to an area between the first and second fins, wherein the first etching process separates the first and second semiconductor S/D features.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a substrate and first and second fins over the substrate and oriented lengthwise generally along a first direction; epitaxially growing semiconductor source/drain (S/D) features over the first and second fins, wherein a first semiconductor S/D feature over the first fin merges with a second semiconductor S/D feature over the second fin; and performing a first etching process to an area between the first and second fins, wherein the first etching process separates the first and second semiconductor S/D features.