Abstract: A method of fabricating tantalum nitride barrier layer in an ultra low threshold voltage semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a high-k dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. Subsequently, a tantalum nitride barrier layer is formed on the high-k dielectric layer. The tantalum nitride barrier layer has a Ta:N ratio between 1.2 and 3. Next, a plurality of first metal gates is formed on the tantalum nitride barrier layer. The first metal gates are patterned, and then a second metal gate is formed on the tantalum nitride barrier layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing are provided. In an embodiment a first nucleation layer is formed within an opening for a gate-last process. The first nucleation layer is treated in order to remove undesired oxygen by exposing the first nucleation layer to a precursor that reacts with the oxygen to form a gas. A second nucleation layer is then formed, and a remainder of the opening is filled with a bulk conductive material.

Abstract: A method includes forming an ILD to cover a gate stack of a transistor. The ILD and the gate stack are parts of a wafer. The ILD is etched to form a contact opening, and a source/drain region of the transistor or a gate electrode in the gate stack is exposed through the contact opening. A conductive capping layer is formed to extend into the contact opening. A metal-containing material is plated on the conductive capping layer in a plating solution using electrochemical plating. The metal-containing material has a portion filling the contact opening. The plating solution has a sulfur content lower than about 100 ppm. A planarization is performed on the wafer to remove excess portions of the metal-containing material. A remaining portion of the metal-containing material and a remaining portion of the conductive capping layer in combination form a contact plug.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate and forming a gate stack over the first semiconductor fin. Forming the gate stack includes depositing a gate dielectric layer over the first semiconductor fin, depositing a first seed layer over the gate dielectric layer, depositing a second seed layer over the first seed layer, wherein the second seed layer has a different structure than the first seed layer, and depositing a conductive layer over the second seed layer, wherein the first seed layer, the second seed layer, and the conductive layer include the same conductive material. The method also includes forming source and drain regions adjacent the gate stack.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a gate structure on the substrate; depositing a first dielectric layer over the gate structure; depositing a conductive interconnect in a trench of the first dielectric layer thereby exposing a surface of the conductive interconnect through the first dielectric layer; depositing a conductive layer over the exposed surface of the conductive interconnect; depositing a silicon-containing layer over the conductive layer and the conductive interconnect; and forming a metal silicide layer to be a silicide form of the conductive layer by reacting the conductive layer with silicon in the silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: A method of electroplating a metal into a recessed feature is provided, which includes: contacting a surface of the recessed feature with an electroplating solution comprising metal ions, an accelerator additive, a suppressor additive and a leveler additive, in which the recessed feature has at least two elongated regions and a cross region laterally between the two elongated regions, and a molar concentration ratio of the accelerator additive:the suppressor additive:the leveler additive is (8-15):(1.5-3):(0.5-2); and electroplating the metal to form an electroplating layer in the recessed feature. An electroplating layer in a recessed feature is also provided.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first opening in a dielectric layer over a substrate, lining sidewalls and a bottom of the first opening with a conductive barrier layer, and depositing a seed layer over the conductive barrier layer. The method further includes treating the seed layer with a plasma process, and filling the first opening with a conductive material after the treating the seed layer.

Abstract: A method includes method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is comprised in a wafer, removing the dummy gate stack to form a recess, forming a gate dielectric layer in the recess, and forming a metal layer in the recess and over the gate dielectric layer. The metal layer has an n-work function. A block layer is deposited over the metal layer using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The remaining portion of the recess is filled with metallic materials, wherein the metallic materials are overlying the metal layer.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an interconnect structure, a dielectric layer is removed to form a first recess and a second recess. The first recess is below the second recess. A first metal layer is deposited to fill the first recess and a first portion of the second recess. A carbon-containing layer is deposited over the first metal layer to fill a second portion of the second recess, which is over the first portion. A second metal layer is deposited over the carbon-containing layer to fill a third portion of the second recess, which is over the second portion. A carbon concentration of the carbon-containing layer is greater than a carbon concentration of the first metal layer and a carbon concentration of the second metal layer, and the carbon concentration of the first metal layer is substantially the same as the carbon concentration of the second metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a n-type gate structure over a first semiconductor fin, in which the n-type gate structure includes a n-type work function metal layer overlying the first high-k dielectric layer. The n-type work function metal layer includes a TiAl (titanium aluminum) alloy, in which an atom ratio of Ti (titanium) to Al (aluminum) is in a range substantially from 1 to 3. The semiconductor device further includes a p-type gate structure over a second semiconductor fin, in which the p-type gate structure includes a p-type work function metal layer overlying the second high-k dielectric layer. The p-type work function metal layer includes titanium nitride (TiN), in which an atom ratio of Ti to N (nitrogen) is in a range substantially from 1:0.9 to 1:1.1.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate and forming a gate stack over the first semiconductor fin. Forming the gate stack includes depositing a gate dielectric layer over the first semiconductor fin, depositing a first seed layer over the gate dielectric layer, depositing a second seed layer over the first seed layer, wherein the second seed layer has a different structure than the first seed layer, and depositing a conductive layer over the second seed layer, wherein the first seed layer, the second seed layer, and the conductive layer include the same conductive material. The method also includes forming source and drain regions adjacent the gate stack.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, first source/drain contact and a first dielectric spacer liner. The gate structure is over the semiconductor substrate. The first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are in the semiconductor substrate and respectively on opposite sides of the gate structure. The first source/drain contact is over the first source/drain region. The first dielectric spacer liner lines a sidewall of the first source/drain contact and extends into the first source/drain region.

Abstract: A method for semiconductor manufacturing includes providing a substrate, forming a patterning layer over the substrate, and patterning the patterning layer to form a hole in the patterning layer. The method also includes applying a first directional etching to two inner sidewalls of the hole to expand the hole along a first direction and applying a second directional etching to another two inner sidewalls of the hole to expand the hole along a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an active region with a first surface; an isolated region having a second surface, surrounding the active region, the first surface being higher than the second surface; and a metal gate having a plurality of metal layers disposed over the first surface and the second surface. A ratio of a thinnest portion and a thickest portion of at least one of the plurality of metal layers is greater than about 40%.

Abstract: A method of electroplating a metal into a recessed feature is provided, which includes: contacting a surface of the recessed feature with an electroplating solution comprising metal ions, an accelerator additive, a suppressor additive and a leveler additive, in which the recessed feature has at least two elongated regions and a cross region laterally between the two elongated regions, and a molar concentration ratio of the accelerator additive: the suppressor additive: the leveler additive is (8-15):(1.5-3):(0.5-2); and electroplating the metal to form an electroplating layer in the recessed feature. An electroplating layer in a recessed feature is also provided.

Abstract: A device includes an epitaxy structure having a recess therein, a dielectric layer over the epitaxy structure, the dielectric layer having a contact hole communicating with the recess, a dielectric spacer liner (DSL) layer on a sidewall of the recess, a barrier layer on the DSL layer, and a conductor. The DSL layer has an opening. The DSL layer extends further into the epitaxy structure than the barrier layer. The conductor is disposed in the contact hole and electrically connected to the epitaxy feature through the opening of the DSL layer.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate; forming mandrel patterns over the substrate; and forming spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel patterns. The method further includes removing the mandrel patterns, thereby forming trenches that are at least partially surrounded by the spacers. The method further includes depositing a copolymer material in the trenches, wherein the copolymer material is directed self-assembling; and inducing microphase separation within the copolymer material, thereby defining a first constituent polymer surrounded by a second constituent polymer. The mandrel patterns have restricted sizes and a restricted configuration. The first constituent polymer includes cylinders arranged in a rectangular or square array.

Abstract: A method for semiconductor manufacturing includes providing a substrate and a patterning layer over the substrate; forming a hole in the patterning layer; applying a first directional etching along a first direction to inner sidewalls of the hole; and applying a second directional etching along a second direction to the inner sidewalls of the hole, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction.