Abstract: A method includes forming a patterned etching mask, which includes a plurality of strips, and etching a semiconductor substrate underlying the patterned etching mask to form a first plurality of semiconductor fins and a second plurality of semiconductor fins. The patterned etching mask is used as an etching mask in the etching. The method further includes etching the second plurality of semiconductor fins without etching the first plurality of semiconductor fins. An isolation region is then formed, and the first plurality of semiconductor fins has top portions protruding higher than a top surface of the isolation region.

Abstract: Semiconductor device structures with a gate structure having different profiles at different portions of the gate structure may include a fin structure on a substrate, a source/drain structure on the fin structure, and a gate structure over the fin structure and along a sidewall of the fin. The source/drain structure is proximate the gate structure. The gate structure has a top portion having a first sidewall profile and a bottom portion having a second sidewall profile different from the first sidewall profile.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor layers vertically separated from one another. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion wraps around each of the plurality of semiconductor layers. The semiconductor device includes a gate spacer that extends along a sidewall of the upper portion of the gate structure and has a bottom surface. A portion of the bottom surface of the gate spacer and a top surface of a topmost one of the plurality of semiconductor layers form an angle that is less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of channel layers vertically spaced from one another. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of channel layers. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial structure electrically coupled to the plurality of channel layers. The epitaxial structure contacts a sidewall, a portion of a top surface, and a portion of a bottom surface of each of the plurality of channel layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of channel layers vertically separated from one another. The semiconductor device also includes an active gate structure comprising a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion wraps around each of the plurality of channel layers. The semiconductor device further includes a gate spacer extending along a sidewall of the upper portion of the active gate structure. The gate spacer has a bottom surface. Moreover, a dummy gate dielectric layer is disposed between the gate spacer and a topmost channel layer of plurality of channel layers. The dummy gate dielectric layer is in contact with a top surface of the topmost channel layer, the bottom surface of the gate spacer, and the sidewall of the gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure extending along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a source/drain structure disposed on one side of the gate structure along a second lateral direction, the second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes an air gap disposed between the gate structure and the source/drain structure along the second lateral direction, wherein the air gap is disposed over the source/drain structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A plurality of fins is formed over a substrate. Dummy gates are formed patterned over the fins, each dummy gate having a spacer on sidewalls of the patterned dummy gates. Recesses are formed in the fins using the patterned dummy gates as a mask. A passivation layer is formed over the fins and in the recesses in the fins. The passivation layer is patterned to leave a remaining passivation layer only in some of the recesses in the fins. Source and drain regions are epitaxially formed only in the recesses in the fins without the remaining passivation layer.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preventing or treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, including administering to an subject in need thereof a composition including a plurality of fibers formed of ?-1-4-glucan, wherein the fibers have a diameter between 15 nm and 35 nm and a mean length of between 1.5 ?m and 3.5 ?m.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes selective use of a cladding layer during the fabrication process to provide critical dimension uniformity. The cladding layer can be formed before forming a recess in an active channel structure or can be formed after filling a recess in an active channel structure with dielectric material. These techniques can be used in semiconductor structures such as gate-all-around (GAA) transistor structures implemented in an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a fin that is formed over the substrate and extends along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that straddles the fin and extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a first source/drain structure coupled to a first end of the fin along the first direction. The gate structure includes a first portion protruding toward the first source/drain structure along the first direction. A tip edge of the first protruded portion is vertically above a bottom surface of the gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor layers vertically separated from one another. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that comprises a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion wraps around each of the plurality of semiconductor layers. The semiconductor device includes a gate spacer that extends along a sidewall of the upper portion of the gate structure and comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is in contact with a first portion of the sidewall and the second layer is in contact with a second portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: A device includes a fin protruding from a semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over and along a sidewall of the fin; a gate spacer along a sidewall of the gate stack and along the sidewall of the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate spacer; and a corner spacer between the gate stack and the gate spacer, wherein the corner spacer extends along the sidewall of the fin, wherein a first region between the gate stack and the sidewall of the fin is free of the corner spacer, wherein a second region between the gate stack and the gate spacer is free of the corner spacer.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, wherein the patterned mask layer has a plurality of first features, and a first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features. The method further includes patterning the material layer to form the first features in the material layer. The method further includes increasing the first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features to a second distance. The method further includes treating portions of the material layer exposed by the patterned mask layer. The method further includes removing the patterned mask layer; and removing non-treated portions of the material layer.

Abstract: Provided is a use of fibers formed of ?-1-4-glucan in manufacturing a composition for preventing or treating diarrhea, constipation or irritable bowel syndrome, wherein the fibers have a diameter between 15 nm to 35 nm and a mean length of between 1.5 ?m and 3.5 ?m. Also provided is a method for preventing or treating diarrhea, constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with the fibers formed of ?-1-4-glucan.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate electrode on a semiconductor region, forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the dummy gate electrode, and removing an upper portion of the first gate spacer to form a recess, wherein a lower portion of the first gate spacer remains, filling the recess with a second gate spacer, removing the dummy gate electrode to form a trench, and forming a replacement gate electrode in the trench.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a fin protruding above a substrate; forming isolation regions on opposing sides of the fin; forming a dummy gate over the fin; reducing a thickness of a lower portion of the dummy gate proximate to the isolation regions, where after reducing the thickness, a distance between opposing sidewalls of the lower portion of the dummy gate decreases as the dummy gate extends toward the isolation regions; after reducing the thickness, forming a gate fill material along at least the opposing sidewalls of the lower portion of the dummy gate; forming gate spacers along sidewalls of the dummy gate and along sidewalls of the gate fill material; and replacing the dummy gate with a metal gate.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a fin protruding above a substrate; forming isolation regions on opposing sides of the fin; forming a dummy gate over the fin; reducing a thickness of a lower portion of the dummy gate proximate to the isolation regions, where after reducing the thickness, a distance between opposing sidewalls of the lower portion of the dummy gate decreases as the dummy gate extends toward the isolation regions; after reducing the thickness, forming a gate fill material along at least the opposing sidewalls of the lower portion of the dummy gate; forming gate spacers along sidewalls of the dummy gate and along sidewalls of the gate fill material; and replacing the dummy gate with a metal gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure extending along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a source/drain structure disposed on one side of the gate structure along a second lateral direction, the second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes an air gap disposed between the gate structure and the source/drain structure along the second lateral direction, wherein the air gap is disposed over the source/drain structure.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a channel layer, a gate structure, a source/drain epitaxial structure, and a bottom dielectric structure. The channel layer is over the substrate. The gate structure is over the substrate and surrounds the channel layer. The source/drain epitaxial structure is over the substrate and is connected to the channel layer. The bottom dielectric structure is between the source/drain epitaxial structure and the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate electrode on a semiconductor region, forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the dummy gate electrode, and removing an upper portion of the first gate spacer to form a recess, wherein a lower portion of the first gate spacer remains, filling the recess with a second gate spacer, removing the dummy gate electrode to form a trench, and forming a replacement gate electrode in the trench.