Abstract: A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure includes the following steps. First, a substrate covered by an interlayer dielectric is provided. A gate trench is formed in the interlayer dielectric, wherein a gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A silicon-containing work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer in the gate trench. The silicon-containing work function layer includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. Finally, the gate trench is filled up with a conductive metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode formed on the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a third metal layer. The first metal layer includes an oxygen-gettering composition. The second metal layer includes oxygen. The third metal layer includes an interface with a polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method for the same are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a first gate structure, a second gate structure and a second dielectric spacer. Each of the first gate structure and the second gate structure adjacent to each other includes a first dielectric spacer. The second dielectric spacer is on one of opposing sidewalls of the first gate structure and without being disposed on the dielectric spacer of the second gate structure.

Abstract: A clustered energy-storing micro-grid system includes a renewable energy device, a clustered energy-storing device, an electrical power conversion device and a local controller. Before coordinating and allocating power to a plurality of loads, the clustered energy-storing device stores and releases the power in a centralized manner. This, coupled with the control exercised by the local controller over the electrical power conversion device, controls the micro-grid system in its entirety so that the micro-grid system operates in cost-efficient optimal conditions, under a predetermined system operation strategy, and in a system operation mode.

Abstract: A simulation test system of a cluster-based microgrid integrated with energy storages is characterized in that an operation simulation test of a physical microgrid system is conducted with a computer as well as a power generation data and a power consumption data which are imported. Hence, the user can verify the feasibility of applying various design concepts and ideas, such as controller parameter design and system energy management strategies, to a physical microgrid system, without installing or using any physical apparatuses.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure is provided. First, a substrate covered by an interlayer dielectric is provided. A gate trench is formed in the interlayer dielectric, wherein a gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A silicon-containing work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer in the gate trench. Finally, the gate trench is filled up with a conductive metal layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor fabrication method and a structure for strained transistors. A method comprises forming a stressor layer over a MOS transistor. The stressor layer is selectively etched over the gate electrode, thereby affecting strain conditions within the MOSFET channel region. An NMOS transistor may have a tensile stressor layer, and a PMOS transistor may have compressive stressor layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a first metal layer over the first dielectric layer, the first metal layer having a first work function, removing at least a portion of the first metal layer in the second region, and thereafter, forming a semiconductor layer over the first metal layer in the first region and over the at least partially removed first metal layer in the second region. The method further includes removing the semiconductor layer and forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer in the first region and on the at least partially removed first metal layer in the second region, the second metal layer having a second work function that is different than the first work function.

Abstract: A method for filling a trench with a metal layer is disclosed. A deposition apparatus having a plurality of supporting pins is provided. A substrate and a dielectric layer disposed thereon are provided. The dielectric layer has a trench. A first deposition process is performed immediately after the substrate is placed on the supporting pins to form a metal layer in the trench, wherein during the first deposition process a temperature of the substrate is gradually increased to reach a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the substrate reaches the predetermined temperature, a second deposition process is performed to completely fill the trench with the metal layer. The present invention further provides a semiconductor device having an aluminum layer with a reflectivity greater than 1, wherein the semiconductor device is formed by using the method.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device includes a plurality of fin shaped structures, a trench, a spacing layer and a dummy gate structure. The fin shaped structures are disposed on a substrate. The trench is disposed between the fin shaped structures. The spacing layer is disposed on sidewalls of the trench, wherein the spacing layer has a top surface lower than a top surface of the fin shaped structures. The dummy gate structure is disposed on the fin shaped structures and across the trench.

Abstract: An overlay mark including at least one first overlay mark and at least one second overlay mark is provided. The first overlay mark includes a plurality of first bars and a plurality of first spaces arranged alternately, and the first spaces are not constant. The second overlay mark includes a plurality of second bars and a plurality of second spaces arranged alternately, and the second spaces are constant. Besides, the second overlay mark partially overlaps with the first overlay mark.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a semiconductor device and methods of patterning a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including pattering a mandrel layer disposed over a semiconductor device layer to form a mandrel, forming a first set of spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel using a first material, selectively removing the mandrel disposed between the first set of spacers. The method further includes after removing the mandrel, using the first set of spacers as a first set of mandrels, forming a second set of spacers on sidewalls of the first set of mandrels using a second material, the second material having a different etch selectivity from the etch selectivity of the first material, the second set of spacers have substantially flat top surfaces, and selectively removing the first set of mandrels disposed between the second set of spacers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a first metal layer over the first dielectric layer, the first metal layer having a first work function, removing at least a portion of the first metal layer in the second region, and thereafter, forming a semiconductor layer over the first metal layer in the first region and over the at least partially removed first metal layer in the second region. The method further includes removing the semiconductor layer and forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer in the first region and on the at least partially removed first metal layer in the second region, the second metal layer having a second work function that is different than the first work function.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a semiconductor device and methods of patterning a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including pattering a mandrel layer disposed over a semiconductor device layer to form a mandrel, forming a first set of spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel using a first material, selectively removing the mandrel disposed between the first set of spacers. The method further includes after removing the mandrel, using the first set of spacers as a first set of mandrels, forming a second set of spacers on sidewalls of the first set of mandrels using a second material, the second material having a different etch selectivity from the etch selectivity of the first material, the second set of spacers have substantially flat top surfaces, and selectively removing the first set of mandrels disposed between the second set of spacers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor fabrication method and a structure for strained transistors. A method comprises forming a stressor layer over a MOS transistor. The stressor layer is selectively etched over the gate electrode, thereby affecting strain conditions within the MOSFET channel region. An NMOS transistor may have a tensile stressor layer, and a PMOS transistor may have compressive stressor layer.

Abstract: Provided are methods of patterning metal gate structures including a high-k gate dielectric. In an embodiment, a soluble hard mask layer may be used to provide a masking element to pattern a metal gate. The soluble hard mask layer may be removed from the substrate by water or a photoresist developer. In an embodiment, a hard mask including a high-k dielectric is formed. In a further embodiment, a protection layer is formed underlying a photoresist pattern. The protection layer may protect one or more layers formed on the substrate from a photoresist stripping process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor fabrication method and a structure for strained transistors. A method comprises forming a stressor layer over a MOS transistor. The stressor layer is selectively etched over the gate electrode, thereby affecting strain conditions within the MOSFET channel region. An NMOS transistor may have a tensile stressor layer, and a PMOS transistor may have compressive stressor layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that has a first-type active region and a second-type active region, a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, a first metal layer having a first work function formed over the dielectric layer, the first metal layer being at least partially removed from over the second-type active region, a second metal layer over the first metal layer in the first-type active region and over the dielectric layer in the second-type active region, the second metal layer having a second work function, and a third metal layer over the second metal layer in the first-type active region and over the second metal layer in the second-type active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method for the same are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a first gate structure, a second gate structure and a second dielectric spacer. Each of the first gate structure and the second gate structure adjacent to each other includes a first dielectric spacer. The second dielectric spacer is on one of opposing sidewalls of the first gate structure and without being disposed on the dielectric spacer of the second gate structure.

Abstract: Provided are methods of patterning metal gate structures including a high-k gate dielectric. In an embodiment, a soluble hard mask layer may be used to provide a masking element to pattern a metal gate. The soluble hard mask layer may be removed from the substrate by water or a photoresist developer. In an embodiment, a hard mask including a high-k dielectric is formed. In a further embodiment, a protection layer is formed underlying a photoresist pattern. The protection layer may protect one or more layers formed on the substrate from a photoresist stripping process.