Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first conductive line, a first conductive via, a second conductive line, and a first barrier layer. The first conductive line is disposed on the substrate. The first conductive via is disposed on the first conductive line. The second conductive line is disposed on the first conductive line. The first barrier layer is disposed between the first conductive via and the second conductive line.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source/drain (S/D) region, one or more dielectric layers over the S/D region, one or more semiconductor channel layers connected to the S/D region, an isolation structure under the S/D region and the one or more semiconductor channel layers, and a via under the S/D region and electrically connected to the S/D region. A lower portion of the via is surrounded by the isolation structure and an upper portion of the via extends vertically between the S/D region and the isolation structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a stack of semiconductor nanostructures over a base structure and a first epitaxial structure and a second epitaxial structure sandwiching the semiconductor nanostructures. The semiconductor device structure also includes a gate stack wrapped around each of the semiconductor nanostructures and a backside conductive contact connected to the second epitaxial structure. A first portion of the backside conductive contact is directly below the base structure, and a second portion of the backside conductive contact extends upwards to approach a bottom surface of the second epitaxial structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes an insulating spacer between a sidewall of the base structure and the backside conductive contact.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation structure, a source/drain region over the isolation structure, a gate structure over the isolation structure and adjacent to the source/drain region, an interconnect layer over the source/drain region and the gate structure, an isolating layer below the gate structure, and a contact structure under the source/drain region. The contact structure has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is below the second portion. The second portion extends through the isolating layer and protrudes above the isolating layer. A portion of the isolating layer is vertically between the gate structure and the first portion of the contact structure.

Abstract: A laptop computer including a system host, a modular platform, a rail structure, and at least one tool is provided. The rail structure is disposed at the system host and the modular platform, and the modular platform slides relative to the system host via the rail structure to be assembled to or detached from the system host. The tool is plugged into or out of the system host, and the tool is located on a sliding path of the modular platform when the tool is assembled to the system host.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate at a front side of the integrated circuit. A first gate all around transistor is disposed on the substrate. The first gate all around transistor includes a channel region including at least one semiconductor nanostructure, source/drain regions arranged at opposite sides of the channel region, and a gate electrode. A shallow trench isolation region extends into the integrated circuit from the backside. A backside gate plug extends into the integrated circuit from the backside and contacts the gate electrode of the first gate all around transistor. The backside gate plug laterally contacts the shallow trench isolation region at the backside of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, and method of fabricating the same, includes a first substrate, the first substrate including at least one visible light photosensor disposed between a first side and a second side of the first substrate, a second substrate including an infrared light photosensor disposed between a second side of the second substrate and a first side of the second substrate, and a metalens disposed between the visible light photosensor and the infrared light photosensor, the metalens configured to focus infrared light impinging on a surface of the first substrate onto the infrared light photosensor.

Abstract: Impurities in a liquefied solid fuel utilized in a droplet generator of an extreme ultraviolet photolithography system are removed from vessels containing the liquefied solid fuel. Removal of the impurities increases the stability and predictability of droplet formation which positively impacts wafer yield and droplet generator lifetime.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling an EUV light source includes a first temperature sensor, a signal processor, and a process controller. The first temperature sensor includes a portion inserted into a space surrounded by a plurality of vanes through a vane of the plurality of vanes, and obtains an ambient temperature that decreases with time as a function of tin contamination coating on the inserted portion. The signal processor determines an excess tin debris deposition on the vane based on the obtained chamber ambient temperature. The process controller activates a vane cleaning action upon being informed of the excess tin debris deposition by the signal processor, thereby improving availability of the EUV light source tool and reducing risks of tin pollution on other tools such as a reticle.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure has a frontside and a backside. The semiconductor structure includes an isolation structure at the backside; one or more transistors at the frontside, wherein the one or more transistors have source/drain epitaxial features; two metal plugs through the isolation structure and contacting two of the source/drain electrodes from the backside; and a dielectric liner filling a space between the two metal plugs, wherein the dielectric liner partially or fully surrounds an air gap between the two metal plugs.

Abstract: One or more semiconductor processing tools may form a deep trench within a silicon wafer. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may deposit a first insulating material within the deep trench. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form, after forming the deep trench with the silicon wafer, a shallow trench above the deep trench. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may deposit a second insulating material within the shallow trench.

Abstract: A hypochlorous acid preparation system is provided. The hypochlorous acid preparation system includes: a hypochlorous acid preparation apparatus comprising: a first inlet, wherein sulfuric acid collected from a clean room located in a semiconductor fabrication plant enters the hypochlorous acid preparation apparatus through the first inlet; a second inlet, wherein sodium hypochlorite solution enters the hypochlorous acid preparation apparatus through the second inlet; a third inlet, wherein deionized water enters the hypochlorous acid preparation apparatus through the third inlet; and an outlet, wherein hypochlorous acid is produced in situ by mixing the sulfuric acid, the sodium hypochlorite solution, and the deionized water and exits the hypochlorous acid preparation apparatus through the outlet.

Abstract: A package structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The package structure includes a first package structure and a second package structure. The first package structure includes a first device formed over a first substrate. The first device includes a first conductive plug connected to a through substrate via (TSV) structure formed in the first substrate. A buffer layer surrounds the first substrate. A first bonding layer is formed over the first substrate and the buffer layer. The second package structure includes a second device formed over a second substrate. A second bonding layer is formed over the second device. A hybrid bonding structure is between the first package structure and the second package structure by bonding the first bonding layer to the second bonding layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first set of nanostructures stacked over a substrate in a vertical direction, and each of the first set of nanostructures includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and a first middle portion laterally between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion are thicker than the first middle portion. The semiconductor device also includes a first plurality of semiconductor capping layers around the first middle portions of the first set of nanostructures, and a gate structure around the first plurality of semiconductor capping layers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate at a front side of the integrated circuit. A first gate all around transistor is disposed on the substrate. The first gate all around transistor includes a channel region including at least one semiconductor nanostructure, source/drain regions arranged at opposite sides of the channel region, and a gate electrode. A shallow trench isolation region extends into the integrated circuit from the backside. A backside gate plug extends into the integrated circuit from the backside and contacts the gate electrode of the first gate all around transistor. The backside gate plug laterally contacts the shallow trench isolation region at the backside of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The application discloses a device and method for beamforming. The beamforming method comprises: sending a null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame from a beamformer to a pseudo user and a target user to indicate the target user to prepare for channel estimation; sending a null data packet (NDP) from the beamformer to the target user and performing channel estimation by the target user based on the NDP to determine channel state information; sending a beamforming report poll (BRP) trigger frame from the beamformer to the target user to trigger the target user to feed back channel state information; and sending from the target user a beamforming report to the beamformer, wherein the beamforming report including the channel state information.

Abstract: An apparatus for PVD is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber, a pedestal disposed in the chamber to accommodate a wafer, and a ring. The ring includes a ring body having a first top surface and a second top surface, and a barrier structure disposed between the first top surface and the second top surface. The barrier structure can further include at least a first portion and a second portion separated from each other. The second vertical distance is equal to or greater than the first vertical distance.

Abstract: A portable handheld cleaning device is provided capable of cleaning the surface of the substrate table without damaging the surface. The portable handheld cleaning device in accordance with the present disclosure includes a base having a first side and a second side (the first side and the second side overlapping each other), a hollow structure on the first side of the base, and a weight holding space within the hollow structure. A grinding pad is provided on the second side of the base. The grinding pad includes a cleaning surface, the cleaning surface having a plurality of substantial pyramid shaped grits.

Abstract: A method includes performing a cleaning operation on a supporting surface of a wafer table by using a cleaning scrubber having a plurality of microstructures, the plurality of microstructures being spaced apart from each other and having a tapered width; placing a semiconductor wafer on the supporting surface of the wafer table; and performing a photolithography process on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An exposure module includes a light source, a photomask situated optically downstream of the light source, and a wafer table situated optically downstream of the photomask. The wafer table includes a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) crystalline structures separated from each other by trenches. The exposure module further includes a cleaning scrubber operative to clean the wafer table. The cleaning scrubber includes a circular surface and a plurality of microstructures extending from the circular surface. The microstructures are tapered from a first width to a second width in a direction away from the circular surface. The second width is less than a width of the plurality of trenches between the SiC crystalline structures of the wafer table.