Abstract: The current disclosure describes techniques of protecting a metal interconnect structure from being damaged by subsequent chemical mechanical polishing processes used for forming other metal structures over the metal interconnect structure. The metal interconnect structure is receded to form a recess between the metal interconnect structure and the surrounding dielectric layer. A metal cap structure is formed within the recess. An upper portion of the dielectric layer is strained to include a tensile stress which expands the dielectric layer against the metal cap structure to reduce or eliminate a gap in the interface between the metal cap structure and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device includes exposing at least one of a source/drain contact plug or a gate contact plug to a metal ion source solution during a manufacturing process, wherein a constituent metal of a metal ion in the metal ion source solution and the at least one source/drain contact plug or gate contact plug is the same. If the source/drain contact plug or the gate contact plug is formed of cobalt, the metal ion source solution includes a cobalt ion source solution. If the source/drain contact plug or the gate contact plug is formed of tungsten, the metal ion source solution includes a tungsten ion source solution.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming are provided. In some embodiments the semiconductor device includes a substrate, and a dielectric layer over the substrate. A first conductive feature is included in the dielectric layer, the first conductive feature comprising a first number of material layers. A second conductive feature is included in the dielectric layer, the second conductive feature comprising a second number of material layers, where the second number is higher than the first number. A first electrical connector is included overlying the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system includes an O3/DIW generator, a polishing unit, and a cleaning unit. The O3/DIW generator is configured to generate an O3/DIW solution including ozone gas (O3) dissolved in deionized water (DIW). The polishing unit includes components for buffing a surface of a semiconductor structure, and a pipeline coupled to the O3/DIW generator to receive the O3/DIW solution for the buffing. The cleaning unit is coupled to the O3/DIW generator and is configured to clean the surface of the semiconductor structure using the O3/DIW solution.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device includes exposing at least one of a source/drain contact plug or a gate contact plug to a metal ion source solution during a manufacturing process, wherein a constituent metal of a metal ion in the metal ion source solution and the at least one source/drain contact plug or gate contact plug is the same. If the source/drain contact plug or the gate contact plug is formed of cobalt, the metal ion source solution includes a cobalt ion source solution. If the source/drain contact plug or the gate contact plug is formed of tungsten, the metal ion source solution includes a tungsten ion source solution.

Abstract: A semiconductor cleaning solution for cleaning a surface of a semiconductor device, and a method of use and a method of manufacture of the cleaning solution are disclosed. In an embodiment, a material is polished away from a first surface of the semiconductor device and the first surface is cleaned with the cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may include a host having at least one ring. The host may have a hydrophilic exterior and a hydrophobic interior.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming are provided. In some embodiments the method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate and patterning the dielectric layer to form a first recess. The method may also include depositing a first layer in the first recess and depositing a second layer over the first layer, the second layer being different than the first layer. The method may also include performing a first chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process on the second layer using a first oxidizer and performing a second CMP process on remaining portions of the second layer and the first layer using the first oxidizer. The method may also include forming a first conductive element over the remaining portions of the first layer after the second CMP polish is performed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device includes exposing at least one of a source/drain contact plug or a gate contact plug to a metal ion source solution during a manufacturing process, wherein a constituent metal of a metal ion in the metal ion source solution and the at least one source/drain contact plug or gate contact plug is the same. If the source/drain contact plug or the gate contact plug is formed of cobalt, the metal ion source solution includes a cobalt ion source solution. If the source/drain contact plug or the gate contact plug is formed of tungsten, the metal ion source solution includes a tungsten ion source solution.

Abstract: Methods for forming semiconductor structures are provided. The method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a conductive material in the trench and over a top surface of the material layer and polishing the conductive material with a slurry to expose the top surface of the material layer and to form a conductive structure in the trench. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a trench in the material layer. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes removing the slurry with a reducing solution. In addition, the reducing solution includes a reducing agent, and a standard electrode voltage of the conductive material is greater than a standard electrode voltage of the reducing agent.

Abstract: Particles and manufacturing methods thereof are provided. The manufacturing method of the particle includes providing a precursor solution containing a precursor dissolved in a solution, and irradiating the precursor solution with a high energy and high flux radiation beam to convert the precursor to nano-particles. Particles with desired dispersion, shape, and size are manufactured without adding a stabilizer or surfactant to the precursor solution.

Abstract: Methods for forming semiconductor structures are provided. The method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a conductive material in the trench and over a top surface of the material layer and polishing the conductive material with a slurry to expose the top surface of the material layer and to form a conductive structure in the trench. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a trench in the material layer. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes removing the slurry with a reducing solution. In addition, the reducing solution includes a reducing agent, and a standard electrode voltage of the conductive material is greater than a standard electrode voltage of the reducing agent.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate of a transistor at a surface of a wafer, removing the dummy gate, and filling a metallic material into a trench left by the removed dummy gate. A Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) is then performed on the metallic material, wherein a remaining portion of the metallic material forms a metal gate of the transistor. After the CMP, a treatment is performed on an exposed top surface of the metal gate using an oxidation-and-etching agent comprising chlorine and oxygen.

Abstract: An embodiment retainer ring includes an outer ring encircling an opening and an inner ring attached to the outer ring. The inner ring is disposed between the opening and the outer ring. The inner ring includes a softer material than the outer ring and a plurality of voids within the softer material.

Abstract: Formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a low topography region and a high low topography region. The method also includes forming a first dielectric layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second dielectric layer over the stop layer. In addition, the method includes forming an opening in the first dielectric layer, the stop layer and the second dielectric layer. The method also includes forming a conductive material layer over the second dielectric layer. The conductive material layer fills the opening. The method further includes performing a polishing process over the conductive material layer until a top surface of the stop layer is exposed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes providing a metal gate (MG), an etch stop layer (ESL) formed on the MG, and a dielectric layer formed on the ESL. The method further includes etching the ESL and the dielectric layer to form a trench. A surface of the MG exposed in the trench is oxidized to form a first oxide layer on the MG. The method further includes removing the first oxide layer using a H3PO4 solution.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate of a transistor at a surface of a wafer, removing the dummy gate, and filling a metallic material into a trench left by the removed dummy gate. A Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) is then performed on the metallic material, wherein a remaining portion of the metallic material forms a metal gate of the transistor. After the CMP, a treatment is performed on an exposed top surface of the metal gate using an oxidation-and-etching agent comprising chlorine and oxygen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes providing a metal gate (MG), an etch stop layer (ESL) formed on the MG, and a dielectric layer formed on the ESL. The method further includes etching the ESL and the dielectric layer to form a trench. A surface of the MG exposed in the trench is oxidized to form a first oxide layer on the MG. The method further includes removing the first oxide layer using a H3PO4 solution.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate of a transistor at a surface of a wafer, removing the dummy gate, and filling a metallic material into a trench left by the removed dummy gate. A Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) is then performed on the metallic material, wherein a remaining portion of the metallic material forms a metal gate of the transistor. After the CMP, a treatment is performed on an exposed top surface of the metal gate using an oxidation-and-etching agent comprising chlorine and oxygen.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a metal gate stack including a metal gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes applying an oxidizing solution containing an oxidizing agent over the metal gate electrode to oxidize the metal gate electrode to form a metal oxide layer on the metal gate electrode.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system includes an O3/DIW generator, a polishing unit, and a cleaning unit. The O3/DIW generator is configured to generate an O3/DIW solution including ozone gas (O3) dissolved in deionized water (DIW). The polishing unit includes components for buffing a surface of a semiconductor structure, and a pipeline coupled to the O3/DIW generator to receive the O3/DIW solution for the buffing. The cleaning unit is coupled to the O3/DIW generator and is configured to clean the surface of the semiconductor structure using the O3/DIW solution.