Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ on a substrate, a passivation layer on the first MTJ and the second MTJ, and an ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the passivation layer. Preferably, a top surface of the passivation layer between the first MTJ and the second MTJ is lower than a top surface of the passivation layer directly on top of the first MTJ.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on a substrate; forming a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ; performing a first etching process to remove part of the first ULK dielectric layer and forming a damaged layer on the first ULK dielectric layer; and forming a second ULK dielectric layer on the damaged layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on a substrate; forming a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ; performing a first etching process to remove part of the first ULK dielectric layer and forming a damaged layer on the first ULK dielectric layer; and forming a second ULK dielectric layer on the damaged layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method including: Firstly, a substrate is provided, a first region and a second region are defined thereon, next, a gate dielectric layer and a work function metal layer are sequentially formed on the substrate within the first region and within the second region. Afterwards, a dielectric layer is formed on the work function metal layer within the second region, a hydrogen gas treatment is then performed on the substrate, and the work function metal layer is removed within the first region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on a substrate; forming a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ; performing a first etching process to remove part of the first ULK dielectric layer and forming a damaged layer on the first ULK dielectric layer; and forming a second ULK dielectric layer on the damaged layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method including: Firstly, a substrate is provided, a first region and a second region are defined thereon, next, a gate dielectric layer and a work function metal layer are sequentially formed on the substrate within the first region and within the second region. Afterwards, a dielectric layer is formed on the work function metal layer within the second region, a hydrogen gas treatment is then performed on the substrate, and the work function metal layer is removed within the first region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method including: Firstly, a substrate is provided, a first region and a second region are defined thereon, next, a gate dielectric layer and a work function metal layer are sequentially formed on the substrate within the first region and within the second region. Afterwards, a dielectric layer is formed on the work function metal layer within the second region, a hydrogen gas treatment is then performed on the substrate, and the work function metal layer is removed within the first region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with reinforced gate spacers and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes low-k dielectric gate spacers adjacent to a gate structure. A high-k dielectric material is disposed over an upper surface of the low-k dielectric gate spacers to prevent unnecessary contact between the gate structure and a self-aligned contact structure. The high-k dielectric material may be disposed, if desired, over an upper surface of the gate structure to provide additional isolation of the gate structure from the self-aligned contact structure.

Abstract: A memory interface includes a buffer for storing requests for accessing a volatile memory, which includes at least two ranks of memory cell of a memory channel The memory interface monitors the requests to access each rank in the buffer. Upon detecting from the requests that a given rank of the at least two ranks is to be idle for a time period exceeding a time threshold, the circuitry signals a controller to command the given rank to enter a self-refresh mode independent of a refresh mode of other ranks. The memory interface is coupled to a processor, which executes an operating system (OS) kernel to prioritize memory allocation from a prioritized rank of the at least two ranks over the given rank, and migrates allocated memory blocks from the given rank to the prioritized rank to increase a probability of idleness of the given rank.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. A substrate having a first transistor on a first region, a second transistor on a second region, a trench isolation region, a resistor-forming region is provided. A first ILD layer covers the first region, the second region, and the resistor-forming region. A resistor material layer and a capping layer are formed over the first region, the second region, and the resistor-forming region. The capping layer and the resistor material layer are patterned to form a first hard mask pattern above the first and second regions and a second hard mask pattern above the resistor-forming region. The resistor material layer is isotropically etched. A second ILD layer is formed over the substrate. The second ILD layer and the first ILD layer are patterned with a mask and the first hard mask pattern to form a contact opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate line, a second gate line and a first bar-shaped contact structure. The first gate line has a first long axis extending along a first direction. The second gate line is parallel to the first gate line. The first bar-shaped contact structure has a second axis forming an angle substantially greater than 0° and less than 90° with the first long axis.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided including providing a substrate, on which a plurality of elements is formed. A first inter-dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, covering the elements. A first plug structure is formed in the first inter-dielectric layer, including performing a polishing process over the first inter-dielectric layer to have a dishing on top and extending from a sidewall of the first plug structure. A hard mask layer is formed to fill the dishing. A second inter-dielectric layer is formed over the hard mask layer. A second plug structure is formed in the second inter-dielectric layer to electrically contact the first plug structure, wherein the second plug structure has at least an edge portion extending on the hard mask layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same, the semiconductor device includes a fin shaped structure, a gate structure, an epitaxial layer, an interlayer dielectric layer, a first plug and a protection layer. The fin shaped structure is disposed on a substrate, and the gate structure is across the fin shaped structure. The epitaxial layer is disposed in the fin shaped structure, adjacent to the gate structure. The interlayer dielectric layer covers the substrate and the fin shaped structure. The first plug is formed in the interlayer dielectric layer, wherein the first plug is electrically connected to the epitaxial layer. The protection layer is disposed between the first plug and the gate structure.

Abstract: A method for performing system power control within an electronic device and an associated apparatus are provided. The method includes the steps of: utilizing a power consumption index generator positioned in a specific subsystem to generate a power consumption index corresponding to the specific subsystem, where the electronic device includes a plurality of subsystems, and the specific subsystem is one of the plurality of subsystems; and triggering a power limiter protection operation for the electronic device according to the power consumption index. For example, the power consumption index corresponding to the specific subsystem may represent a power consumption value of the specific subsystem, and the method may further include: comparing the power consumption value of the specific subsystem with a peak power threshold to determine whether the power consumed by the specific subsystem reaches the peak power threshold to generate a determining result, for triggering the power limiter protection operation.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. A substrate having a first transistor on a first region, a second transistor on a second region, a trench isolation region, a resistor-forming region is provided. A first ILD layer covers the first region, the second region, and the resistor-forming region. A resistor material layer and a capping layer are formed over the first region, the second region, and the resistor-forming region. The capping layer and the resistor material layer are patterned to form a first hard mask pattern above the first and second regions and a second hard mask pattern above the resistor-forming region. The resistor material layer is isotropically etched. A second ILD layer is formed over the substrate. The second ILD layer and the first ILD layer are patterned with a mask and the first hard mask pattern to form a contact opening.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate having at least a gate structure thereon and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer surrounding the gate structure, wherein the gate structure comprises a hard mask thereon; forming a dielectric layer on the gate structure and the ILD layer; removing part of the dielectric layer to expose the hard mask and the ILD layer; and performing a surface treatment to form a doped region in the hard mask and the ILD layer.

Abstract: A method for performing system power control within an electronic device and an associated apparatus are provided. The method includes the steps of: utilizing a power consumption index generator positioned in a specific subsystem to generate a power consumption index corresponding to the specific subsystem, where the electronic device includes a plurality of subsystems, and the specific subsystem is one of the plurality of subsystems; and triggering a power limiter protection operation for the electronic device according to the power consumption index. For example, the power consumption index corresponding to the specific subsystem may represent a power consumption value of the specific subsystem, and the method may further include: comparing the power consumption value of the specific subsystem with a peak power threshold to determine whether the power consumed by the specific subsystem reaches the peak power threshold to generate a determining result, for triggering the power limiter protection operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same, the semiconductor device includes a fin shaped structure, agate structure, an epitaxial layer, an interlayer dielectric layer, a first plug and a protection layer. The fin shaped structure is disposed on a substrate, and the gate structure is across the fin shaped structure. The epitaxial layer is disposed in the fin shaped structure, adjacent to the gate structure. The interlayer dielectric layer covers the substrate and the fin shaped structure. The first plug is formed in the interlayer dielectric layer, wherein the first plug is electrically connected to the epitaxial layer. The protection layer is disposed between the first plug and the gate structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. A substrate having a first transistor on a first region, a second transistor on a second region, a trench isolation region, a resistor-forming region is provided. A first ILD layer covers the first region, the second region, and the resistor-forming region. A resistor material layer and a capping layer are formed over the first region, the second region, and the resistor-forming region. The capping layer and the resistor material layer are patterned to form a first hard mask pattern above the first and second regions and a second hard mask pattern above the resistor-forming region. The resistor material layer is isotropically etched. A second ILD layer is formed over the substrate. The second ILD layer and the first ILD layer are patterned with a mask and the first hard mask pattern to form a contact opening.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A substrate having a memory region is provided. A plurality of fin structures are provided and each fin structure stretching along a first direction. A plurality of gate structures are formed, and each gate structure stretches along a second direction. Next, a dielectric layer is formed on the gate structures. A first patterned mask layer is formed, wherein the first patterned mask layer has a plurality of first trenches stretching along the second direction. A second patterned mask layer on the first patterned mask layer, wherein the second patterned mask layer comprises a plurality of first patterns stretching along the first direction. Subsequently, the dielectric layer is patterned by using the first patterned mask layer and the second patterned mask layer as a mask to form a plurality of contact vias. The contact holes are filled with a conductive layer.