Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a channel layer, a barrier layer, a compound semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, and a stack of dielectric layers. The channel layer is disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer is disposed on the channel layer. The compound semiconductor layer is disposed on the barrier layer. The gate electrode is disposed on the compound semiconductor layer. The stack of dielectric layers is disposed on the gate electrode. The stack of dielectric layers includes layers having different etching rates.

Abstract: A variable aperture module includes a blade assembly, a positioning element, a driving part and pressing structures. The blade assembly includes movable blades disposed around an optical axis to form a light passable hole with an adjustable size. Each movable blade has a positioning hole and a movement hole adjacent thereto. The positioning element includes positioning structures disposed respectively corresponding to the positioning holes. The driving part includes a rotation element disposed corresponding to the movement holes and is rotatable with respect to the positioning element. The pressing structures are disposed respectively corresponding to the movable blades. Each pressing structure is at least disposed into at least one of the positioning hole and the movement hole of the corresponding movable blade. Each pressing structure at least presses against at least one of the corresponding one positioning structure and the rotation element.

Abstract: A structure includes a first conductive feature, a first etch stop layer over the first conductive feature, a dielectric layer over the first etch stop layer, and a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer and the first etch stop layer. The second conductive feature is over and contacting the first conductive feature. An air spacer encircles the second conductive feature, and sidewalls of the second conductive feature are exposed to the air spacer. A protection ring further encircles the second conductive feature, and the protection ring fully separates the second conductive feature from the air spacer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a low-k dielectric layer, a cap layer, and a conductive layer is provided. The low-k dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The cap layer is disposed on the low-k dielectric layer, wherein a carbon atom content of the cap layer is greater than a carbon atom content of the low-k dielectric layer. The conductive layer is disposed in the cap layer and the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an etching stop layer, a dielectric layer and an insert layer and a conductive line. The insert layer is located between the etching stop layer and the dielectric layer. The conductive line extends through the dielectric layer, the insert layer, and the etching stop layer. A material of the insert layer is different from the dielectric layer and the etching stop layer.

Abstract: A stacked integrated circuit (IC) device and a method are disclosed. The stacked IC device includes a first semiconductor element. The first substrate includes a dielectric block in the first substrate; and a plurality of first conductive features formed in first inter-metal dielectric layers over the first substrate. The stacked IC device also includes a second semiconductor element bonded on the first semiconductor element. The second semiconductor element includes a second substrate and a plurality of second conductive features formed in second inter-metal dielectric layers over the second substrate. The stacked IC device also includes a conductive deep-interconnection-plug coupled between the first conductive features and the second conductive features. The conductive deep-interconnection-plug is isolated by dielectric block, the first inter-metal-dielectric layers and the second inter-metal-dielectric layers.

Abstract: A method of an interconnect structure includes the following steps. A first etching stop layer, a first dielectric layer, a second etching stop layer, an insert layer and a second dielectric layer are deposited over the second etching stop layer are deposited over a substrate. The second dielectric layer, the insert layer, the second etching stop layer, the first dielectric layer and the first etching stop layer are patterned thereby forming a trench opening and a via hole. A conductive feature is filled in the trench opening and the via hole thereby forming a conductive line in the second dielectric layer and the insert layer and a via in the first etching stop layer and the first dielectric layer. A material of the insert layer is different from the second dielectric layer and the second etching stop layer.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a first wafer to a second wafer, and performing a trimming process on the first wafer. An edge portion of the first wafer is removed. After the trimming process, the first wafer has a first sidewall laterally recessed from a second sidewall of the second wafer. A protection layer is deposited and contacting a sidewall of the first wafer, which deposition process includes depositing a non-oxygen-containing material in contact with the first sidewall. The method further includes removing a horizontal portion of the protection layer that overlaps the first wafer, and forming an interconnect structure over the first wafer. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to integrated circuit devices in the first wafer.

Abstract: A structure includes a first conductive feature, a first etch stop layer over the first conductive feature, a dielectric layer over the first etch stop layer, and a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer and the first etch stop layer. The second conductive feature is over and contacting the first conductive feature. An air spacer encircles the second conductive feature, and sidewalls of the second conductive feature are exposed to the air spacer. A protection ring further encircles the second conductive feature, and the protection ring fully separates the second conductive feature from the air spacer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an extra low-k (ELK) inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer includes forming a first IMD layer including a plurality of dielectric material layers over a substrate. An adhesion layer is formed over the first IMD layer. An ELK dielectric layer is formed over the adhesion layer. A protection layer is formed over the ELK dielectric layer. A hard mask is formed over the protection layer and is patterned to create a window. Layers underneath the window are removed to create an opening. The removed layers include the protection layer, the ELK dielectric layer, the adhesion layer, and the first IMD layer. A metal layer is formed in the opening.

Abstract: A woven brushed elastic fabric includes a fabric blank and a plurality of yarn segments. The fabric blank is formed by interweaving a plurality of first yarns and composite yarns. Each composite yarn is composed of a second yarn and an elastic yarn. The second yarn is wound around the elastic yarn. The fabric blank has a first side, and a second side opposite to the first side and formed with a plurality of yarn loops. The yarn loops are formed by the interweaving of the first yarns and the composite yarns in a skip manner along a first direction or a second direction transverse to the first direction. The yarn segments are formed on the second side of the fabric blank by breaking at least some of the yarn loops.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an interconnect structure includes an etching stop layer, a dielectric layer and an insert layer and a conductive line. The insert layer is located between the etching stop layer and the dielectric layer. The conductive line extends through the dielectric layer, the insert layer, and the etching stop layer. A material of the insert layer is different from the dielectric layer and the etching stop layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an extra low-k (ELK) inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer includes forming a first IMD layer including a plurality of dielectric material layers over a substrate. An adhesion layer is formed over the first IMD layer. An ELK dielectric layer is formed over the adhesion layer. A protection layer is formed over the ELK dielectric layer. A hard mask is formed over the protection layer and is patterned to create a window. Layers underneath the window are removed to create an opening. The removed layers include the protection layer, the ELK dielectric layer, the adhesion layer, and the first IMD layer. A metal layer is formed in the opening.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an interconnect structure includes an etching stop layer; a dielectric layer and an insert layer on the etching stop layer, and a conductive feature in the dielectric layer, the insert layer and the etching stop layer. A material of the insert layer is different from the dielectric layer and the etching stop layer.

Abstract: A device, structure, and method are provided whereby an insert layer is utilized to provide additional support for surrounding dielectric layers. The insert layer may be applied between two dielectric layers. Once formed, trenches and vias are formed within the composite layers, and the insert layer will help to provide support that will limit or eliminate undesired bending or other structural motions that could hamper subsequent process steps, such as filling the trenches and vias with conductive material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a low-k dielectric layer, a cap layer, and a conductive layer is provided. The low-k dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The cap layer is disposed on the low-k dielectric layer, wherein a carbon atom content of the cap layer is greater than a carbon atom content of the low-k dielectric layer. The conductive layer is disposed in the cap layer and the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an interconnect structure includes an etching stop layer; a dielectric layer and an insert layer on the etching stop layer, and a conductive feature in the dielectric layer, the insert layer and the etching stop layer. A material of the insert layer is different from the dielectric layer and the etching stop layer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to methods for forming low-k dielectrics and the structures formed thereby. In some embodiments, a dielectric is formed over a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric has a k-value equal to or less than 3.9. Forming the dielectric includes using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The PECVD includes flowing a diethoxymethylsilane (mDEOS, C5H14O2Si) precursor gas, flowing an oxygen (O2) precursor gas; and flowing a carrier gas. A ratio of a flow rate of the mDEOS precursor gas to a flow rate of the carrier gas is less than or equal to 0.2.

Abstract: A method includes forming a carbon-containing layer with a carbon atomic percentage greater than about 25 percent over a first hard mask layer, forming a capping layer over the carbon-containing layer, forming a first photo resist over the capping layer, and etching the capping layer and the carbon-containing layer using the first photo resist as a first etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. A second photo resist is formed over the capping layer. The capping layer and the carbon-containing layer are etched using the second photo resist as a second etching mask. The second photo resist is removed. A third photo resist under the carbon-containing layer is etched using the carbon-containing layer as etching mask. A dielectric layer underlying the third photo resist is etched to form via openings using the third photo resist as etching mask. The via openings are filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to methods for forming low-k dielectrics and the structures formed thereby. In some embodiments, a dielectric is formed over a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric has a k-value equal to or less than 3.9. Forming the dielectric includes using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The PECVD includes flowing a diethoxymethylsilane (mDEOS, C5H14O2Si) precursor gas, flowing an oxygen (O2) precursor gas; and flowing a carrier gas. A ratio of a flow rate of the mDEOS precursor gas to a flow rate of the carrier gas is less than or equal to 0.2.