Abstract: Among other things, one or more support structures for integrated circuitry and techniques for forming such support structures are provided. A support structure comprises one or more trench structures, such as a first trench structure and a second trench structure formed around a periphery of integrated circuitry. In some embodiments, one or more trench structures are formed according to partial substrate etching, such that respective trench structures are formed into a region of a substrate. In some embodiments, one or more trench structures are formed according to discontinued substrate etching, such that respective trench structures comprise one or more trench portions separated by separation regions of the substrate. The support structure mitigates stress energy from reaching the integrated circuitry, and facilitates process-induced charge release from the integrated circuitry.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes following steps. A trench is formed in a substrate. A barrier layer and an epitaxy layer are formed in sequence in the trench. The barrier layer has a first dopant. A source/drain recess cavity is formed by etching at least the epitaxial layer. A source/drain region is formed in the source/drain recess cavity. The source/drain region has a second dopant.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a source/drain region, a composite layer and a plug. The source/drain region and the composite layer are over the substrate. The composite layer includes a first sublayer having a first material, a second sublayer having a second material, and a third sublayer having the first material. A bandgap of the second material is larger than that of the first material. The second sublayer is between the first sublayer and the third sublayer. The plug is through the composite layer, and electrically connected to the source/drain region. The plug includes a first portion laterally adjoining the first sublayer, a second portion laterally adjoining the second sublayer, and a third portion laterally adjoining the third sublayer, and a first width of the first portion and a third width of the third portion is smaller than a second width of the second portion.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more support structures for integrated circuitry and techniques for forming such support structures are provided. A support structure comprises one or more trench structures, such as a first trench structure and a second trench structure formed around a periphery of integrated circuitry. In some embodiments, one or more trench structures are formed according to partial substrate etching, such that respective trench structures are formed into a region of a substrate. In some embodiments, one or more trench structures are formed according to discontinued substrate etching, such that respective trench structures comprise one or more trench portions separated by separation regions of the substrate. The support structure mitigates stress energy from reaching the integrated circuitry, and facilitates process-induced charge release from the integrated circuitry.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same are provided. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a semiconductor structure includes a first layer having a bottom portion and a sidewall connected to the bottom portion, a metal layer disposed above the bottom portion of the first layer, and a second layer disposed above the metal layer and laterally surrounded by the sidewall of the first layer. The metal layer includes a periphery and a middle portion surrounded by the periphery, the middle portion being thicker than the periphery, and a first etch rate of an etchant with respect to the metal layer is uniform throughout the metal layer and is greater than a second etch rate of the etchant with respect to the second layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure over the substrate, a spacer and a source/drain region. The gate structure is disposed over the substrate. The spacer is disposed on a sidewall of the gate structure, wherein the spacer has a top surface lower than a top surface of the gate structure. The source/drain region is disposed adjacent to a sidewall of the spacer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes receiving a FinFET precursor including a fin structure formed between some isolation regions, and a gate structure formed over a portion of the fin structure; removing a top portion of the fin structure on either side of the gate structure; growing a semiconductive layer on top of a remaining portion of the fin structure such that a plurality of corners is formed over the fin structure; forming a capping layer over the semiconductive layer; performing an annealing process on the FinFET precursor to form a plurality of dislocations proximate to the corners; and removing the capping layer.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more support structures for integrated circuitry and techniques for forming such support structures are provided. A support structure comprises one or more trench structures, such as a first trench structure and a second trench structure formed around a periphery of integrated circuitry. In some embodiments, one or more trench structures are formed according to partial substrate etching, such that respective trench structures are formed into a region of a substrate. In some embodiments, one or more trench structures are formed according to discontinued substrate etching, such that respective trench structures comprise one or more trench portions separated by separation regions of the substrate. The support structure mitigates stress energy from reaching the integrated circuitry, and facilitates process-induced charge release from the integrated circuitry.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first layer having a recessed surface, a metal layer disposed above the first layer, and a second layer disposed above the metal layer and confined by the recessed surface. The second layer includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A first thickness of the second layer in a middle portion between the first lateral side and the second lateral side is less than a second thickness of at least one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the second layer. The metal layer has a same material across an entire range covered by the second layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: first and second fin structures, disposed on a substrate, that respectively extend in parallel to an axis; a first gate feature that traverses the first fin structure to overlay a central portion of the first fin structure; a second gate feature that traverses the second fin structure to overlay a central portion of the second fin structure; a first spacer comprising: a first portion comprising two layers that respectively extend from sidewalls of the first gate feature toward opposite directions of the axis; and a second portion comprising two layers that respectively extend from sidewalls of the first portion of the first spacer toward the opposite directions of the axis; and a second spacer comprising two layers that respectively extend from sidewalls of the second gate feature toward the opposite directions of the axis.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, insulators, gate stacks, and first and second S/Ds. The first and second regions respectively includes at least one first semiconductor fin and at least one second semiconductor fin. A width of a middle portion of the first semiconductor fin is equal to widths of end portions of the first semiconductor fin. A width of a middle portion of the second semiconductor fin is smaller than widths of end portions of the second semiconductor fin. The insulators are disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The first and second semiconductor fins are sandwiched by the insulators. The gate stacks are over a portion of the first semiconductor fin and a portion of the second semiconductor fin. The first and second S/Ds respectively covers another portion of the first semiconductor fin and another portion of the second semiconductor fin.

Abstract: A fin-type field effect transistor comprising a substrate, at least one gate stack, spacers and epitaxy material portions is described. The substrate has fins and insulators located between the fins, and the fins comprise channel portions and flank portions beside the channel portions, the flank portions and the channel portions of the fins are protruded from the insulators, the flank portions of the fins and the channel portions of the fins have substantially a same height from top surfaces of the insulators, and each of the flank portions of the fins has a top surface and side surfaces adjoining the top surface. The at least one gate stack is disposed over the substrate, disposed on the insulators and over the channel portions of the fins. The spacers are disposed on the side surfaces of the flank portions of the fins. The epitaxy material portions are located above the top surfaces of the flank portions of the fins.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type region including a first conductivity type impurity. A first gate structure is on the semiconductor substrate overlying the first conductivity type region. A second conductivity type region including a second conductivity type impurity is formed in the semiconductor substrate. A barrier layer is located between the first conductivity type region and the second conductivity type region. The barrier layer prevents diffusion of the second conductivity type impurity from the second conductivity type region into the first conductivity type region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal oxide semiconductor device disposed over a substrate and an interconnect plug. The metal oxide semiconductor device includes a gate structure located on the substrate and a raised source/drain region disposed adjacent to the gate structure. The raised source/drain region includes a top surface above a surface of the substrate by a distance. The interconnect plug connects to the raised source/drain region. The interconnect plug includes a doped region contacting the top surface of the raised source/drain region, a metal silicide region located on the doped region, and a metal region located on the metal silicide region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a source/drain region, a composite layer and a plug. The source/drain region and the composite layer are over the substrate. The composite layer includes a first sublayer having a first material, a second sublayer having a second material, and a third sublayer having the first material. A bandgap of the second material is larger than that of the first material. The second sublayer is between the first sublayer and the third sublayer. The plug is through the composite layer, and electrically connected to the source/drain region. The plug includes a first portion laterally adjoining the first sublayer, a second portion laterally adjoining the second sublayer, and a third portion laterally adjoining the third sublayer, and a first width of the first portion and a third width of the third portion is smaller than a second width of the second portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a gate stack, a pair of insulator structures, and source/drain materials is provided. The substrate has a plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of recesses defines a protruded portion of the substrate having a channel region, and the protruded portion has a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The gate stack is disposed on the protruded portion of the substrate. The pair of insulator structures are disposed within the plurality of recesses and respectively covering parts of the first side surface and the second side surface of the protruded portion, wherein the channel region is uncovered by the pair of insulator structures. The source/drain materials are disposed on the substrate in the plurality of recesses and on two opposing sides of the channel region, wherein the source/drain materials cover the pair of insulator structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transistor device having a channel region comprising a sandwich film stack with a plurality of different layers that improve device performance, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the transistor device has a source region and a drain region disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A sandwich film stack is laterally positioned between the source region and the drain region. The sandwich film stack has a lower layer, a middle layer of a carbon doped semiconductor material disposed over the lower layer, and an upper layer disposed over the middle layer. A gate structure is disposed over the sandwich film stack. The gate structure is configured to control a flow of charge carriers in a channel region located between the source region and the drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising a substrate, a pre-metal-interconnect dielectric (PMID) layer and a composite layer is disclosed. The PMID layer is above the substrate. The composite layer is between the substrate and the PMID layer. The composite layer comprises a first sublayer and a second sublayer. The first sublayer and the second sublayer are stacked. The bandgap of the second sublayer is larger than the bandgap of the first sublayer. The etch rate of an etchant with respect to the first sublayer is lower than the etch rate of the etchant with respect to the substrate and the PMID layer. Other semiconductor structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first layer having a recessed surface, a metal layer disposed above the first layer, and a second layer disposed above the metal layer and confined by the recessed surface. The second layer includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A first thickness of the second layer in a middle portion between the first lateral side and the second lateral side is less than a second thickness of at least one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the second layer. The metal layer has a same material across an entire range covered by the second layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes following steps. A trench is formed in a substrate. A barrier layer and an epitaxy layer are formed in sequence in the trench. The barrier layer has a first dopant. A source/drain recess cavity is formed by etching at least the epitaxial layer. A source/drain region is formed in the source/drain recess cavity. The source/drain region has a second dopant.