Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET device structure includes a first fin structure extending above a substrate, and the first fin structure includes a portion made of silicon germanium (SiGe). The FinFET device structure includes a second fin structure adjacent to the first fin structure. The FinFET device structure also includes a first liner layer formed on the outer sidewall surface of the first fin structure and a second liner layer formed on the inner sidewall surface of the first fin structure. The FinFET device structure further includes a first isolation structure formed on the substrate, and the first liner layer is between the first isolation structure and the first fin structure, and a top surface of the second liner layer is higher than a top surface of the first liner layer.

Abstract: A lithography mask includes a substrate that contains a low thermal expansion material (LTEM). A reflective structure is disposed over a first side of the substrate. An absorber layer is disposed over the reflective structure. The absorber layer contains one or more first overlay marks. A conductive layer is disposed over a second side of the substrate, the second side being opposite the first side. The conductive layer contains portions of one or more second overlay marks. In some embodiments, the lithography mask includes an EUV lithography mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming thereof includes a first fin and a second fin each extending from a substrate. A first gate segment is disposed over the first fin and a second gate segment is disposed over the second fin. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is adjacent the first gate segment and the second gate segment. A cut region (e.g., opening or gap between first gate structure and the second gate structure) extends between the first and second gate segments. The cut region has a first portion has a first width and a second portion has a second width, the second width is greater than the first width. The second portion interposes the first and second gate segments and the first portion is defined within the ILD layer.

Abstract: Metal gate cutting techniques for fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs) are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) device structure that includes a substrate, one or more fins disposed over the substrate, a plurality of gate structures disposed over the fins, a dielectric layer disposed between and adjacent to the gate structures, and a patterning layer disposed over the gate structures. The gate structures traverses the fins and includes first and second gate structures. The method further includes: forming an opening in the patterning layer to expose a portion of the first gate structure, a portion of the second gate structure, and a portion of the dielectric layer; and removing the exposed portion of the first gate structure, the exposed portion of the second gate structure, and the exposed portion of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures, and structures formed, are described. In an embodiment, a structure includes first and second gate structures over an active area, and a gate cut-fill structure. The first and second gate structures extend parallel. The active area includes a source/drain region disposed laterally between the first and second gate structures. The gate cut-fill structure has first and second primary portions and an intermediate portion. The first and second primary portions abut the first and second gate structures, respectively. The intermediate portion extends laterally between the first and second primary portions. First and second widths of the first and second primary portions along longitudinal midlines of the first and second gate structures, respectively, are each greater than a third width of the intermediate portion midway between the first and second gate structures and parallel to the longitudinal midline of the first gate structure.

Abstract: A photomask includes a pattern region and a plurality of defects in the pattern region. The photomask further includes a first fiducial mark outside of the pattern region, wherein the first fiducial mark includes identifying information for the photomask, the first fiducial mark has a first size and a first shape. The photomask further includes a second fiducial mark outside of the pattern region. The second fiducial mark has a second size different from the first size, or a second shape different from the first shape.

Abstract: FinFET devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. One of the FinFET devices includes first fins, second fins, a first gate strip, a second gate strip and a comb-like insulating structure. The first and second fins are disposed on a substrate. The first gate strip is disposed across the first fins. The second gate strip is disposed across the second fins. The comb-like insulating structure is disposed between the first gate strip and the second gate strip and has a plurality of comb tooth parts. In some embodiments, each of the comb tooth parts has a middle-wide profile.

Abstract: A lithography mask includes a substrate, a reflective structure disposed over a first side of the substrate, and a patterned absorber layer disposed over the reflective structure. The lithography mask includes a first region and a second region that surrounds the first region in a top view. The patterned absorber layer is located in the first region. A substantially non-reflective material is located in the second region. The lithography mask is formed by forming a reflective structure over a substrate, forming an absorber layer over the reflective structure, defining a first region of the lithography mask, and defining a second region of the lithography mask. The defining of the first region includes patterning the absorber layer. The second region is defined to surround the first region in a top view. The defining of the second region includes forming a substantially non-reflective material in the second region.

Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures and fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a substrate includes first and second fins and an isolation region. The first and second fins extend longitudinally parallel, with the isolation region disposed therebetween. A gate structure includes a conformal gate dielectric over the first fin and a gate electrode over the conformal gate dielectric. A first insulating fill structure abuts the gate structure and extends vertically from a level of an upper surface of the gate structure to at least a surface of the isolation region. No portion of the conformal gate dielectric extends vertically between the first insulating fill structure and the gate electrode. A second insulating fill structure abuts the first insulating fill structure and an end sidewall of the second fin. The first insulating fill structure is disposed laterally between the gate structure and the second insulating fill structure.

Abstract: Methods of cutting fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a structure includes a first fin and a second fin on a substrate, and a fin cut-fill structure disposed between the first fin and the second fin. The first fin and the second fin are longitudinally aligned. The fin cut-fill structure includes a liner on a first sidewall of the first fin, and an insulating fill material on a sidewall of the liner and on a second sidewall of the first fin. The liner is further on a surface of the first fin between the first sidewall of the first fin and the second sidewall of the first fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with cutting depth control and method for fabricating the same are provided. In the method for fabricating the semiconductor device, at first, fins protruding from a substrate are formed. Next, source/drain devices are grown on both ends of the fins. Then, an inter-layer dielectric layer crossing the fins and enclosing the source/drain devices is deposited. A metal gate structure enclosed by the inter-layer dielectric layer is formed between the source/drain devices. And then, a replacement operation is performed to replace a portion of the inter-layer dielectric layer with an isolation material, thereby forming an isolation portion that adjoins the metal gate structure and is located between the adjacent source/drain devices. Thereafter, a metal gate cut operation is performed, thereby forming an opening in the metal gate structure and an opening in the isolation portion, and an insulating material is deposited in the openings.

Abstract: Metal gate cutting techniques for fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs) are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) device structure that includes a substrate, one or more fins disposed over the substrate, a plurality of gate structures disposed over the fins, a dielectric layer disposed between and adjacent to the gate structures, and a patterning layer disposed over the gate structures. The gate structures traverses the fins and includes first and second gate structures. The method further includes: forming an opening in the patterning layer to expose a portion of the first gate structure, a portion of the second gate structure, and a portion of the dielectric layer; and removing the exposed portion of the first gate structure, the exposed portion of the second gate structure, and the exposed portion of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a metal gate stack over a shallow trench isolation (STI) material in a semiconductor substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric over the STI material, recessing the interlayer dielectric to a height lower than a top surface of the metal gate stack, forming a helmet structure over the recessed interlayer dielectric, and after forming the helmet structure, etching the metal gate stack until reaching the STI material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photomask includes selectively exposing portions of a photomask blank to radiation to change an optical property of the portions of the photomask blank exposed to the radiation, thereby forming a pattern of exposed portions of the photomask blank and unexposed portions of the photomask blank. The pattern corresponds to a pattern of semiconductor device features.

Abstract: A photomask includes a pattern region and a plurality of defects in the pattern region. The photomask further includes a first fiducial mark outside of the pattern region, wherein the first fiducial mark includes identifying information for the photomask, the first fiducial mark has a first size and a first shape. The photomask further includes a second fiducial mark outside of the pattern region. The second fiducial mark has a second size different from the first size, or a second shape different from the first shape.

Abstract: A reticle and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The reticle includes a mask substrate, a reflective multilayer (ML), a capping layer and an absorption composite structure. The reflective ML is positioned over a front-side surface of the mask substrate. The capping layer is positioned over the reflective ML. The absorption composite structure is positioned over the capping layer. The absorption composite structure includes a first absorption layer, a second absorption layer, a third absorption layer and an etch stop layer. The first absorption layer is positioned over the capping layer. The second absorption layer is positioned over the first absorption layer. The third absorption layer is positioned over the second absorption layer. The etch stop layer is positioned between the first absorption layer and the second absorption layer. The first absorption layer and the second absorption layer are made of the same material.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a photo mask for lithography, circuit pattern data are acquired. A pattern density, which is a total pattern area per predetermined area, is calculated from the circuit pattern data. Dummy pattern data for areas having pattern density less than a threshold density are generated. Mask drawing data is generated from the circuit pattern data and the dummy pattern data. By using an electron beam from an electron beam lithography apparatus, patterns are drawn according to the mask drawing data on a resist layer formed on a mask blank substrate. The drawn resist layer is developed using a developing solution. Dummy patterns included in the dummy pattern data are not printed as a photo mask pattern when the resist layer is exposed with the electron beam and is developed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming thereof includes a first fin and a second fin each extending from a substrate. A first gate segment is disposed over the first fin and a second gate segment is disposed over the second fin. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is adjacent the first gate segment and the second gate segment. A cut region (e.g., opening or gap between first gate structure and the second gate structure) extends between the first and second gate segments. The cut region has a first portion has a first width and a second portion has a second width, the second width is greater than the first width. The second portion interposes the first and second gate segments and the first portion is defined within the ILD layer.

Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures and fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a substrate includes first and second fins and an isolation region. The first and second fins extend longitudinally parallel, with the isolation region disposed therebetween. A gate structure includes a conformal gate dielectric over the first fin and a gate electrode over the conformal gate dielectric. A first insulating fill structure abuts the gate structure and extends vertically from a level of an upper surface of the gate structure to at least a surface of the isolation region. No portion of the conformal gate dielectric extends vertically between the first insulating fill structure and the gate electrode. A second insulating fill structure abuts the first insulating fill structure and an end sidewall of the second fin. The first insulating fill structure is disposed laterally between the gate structure and the second insulating fill structure.

Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures and fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a substrate includes first and second fins and an isolation region. The first and second fins extend longitudinally parallel, with the isolation region disposed therebetween. A gate structure includes a conformal gate dielectric over the first fin and a gate electrode over the conformal gate dielectric. A first insulating fill structure abuts the gate structure and extends vertically from a level of an upper surface of the gate structure to at least a surface of the isolation region. No portion of the conformal gate dielectric extends vertically between the first insulating fill structure and the gate electrode. A second insulating fill structure abuts the first insulating fill structure and an end sidewall of the second fin. The first insulating fill structure is disposed laterally between the gate structure and the second insulating fill structure.