Abstract: A method includes forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region in a semiconductor substrate, the STI region bordering an active region in the semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of gate structures over the semiconductor substrate; and forming a plurality of conductive contacts between the gate structures and in contact with the STI region, wherein a portion of the active region is between the conductive contacts.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second voltage device regions and a deep well common to the first and second voltage device regions. An operation voltage of electronic devices in the second voltage device region is higher than that of electronic devices in the first voltage device region. The deep well has a first conductivity type. The first voltage device region includes a first well having the second conductivity type and a second well having the first conductivity type. The second voltage region includes a third well having a second conductivity type and a fourth well having the first conductivity type. A second deep well having the second conductivity type is formed below the fourth well. The first, second and third wells are in contact with the first deep well, and the fourth well is separated by the second deep well from the first deep well.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an embedded memory boundary structure with a boundary sidewall spacer, and associated forming methods. In some embodiments, an isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to separate a memory region from a logic region. A memory cell structure is formed on the memory region and a dummy structure is formed on the isolation structure. A boundary sidewall spacer is formed covering the dummy structure. A protecting dielectric layer is formed on a top surface of the boundary sidewall spacer. The boundary sidewall spacer and the protecting dielectric layer provide a smooth boundary sidewall that is not subject to damage during formation of the logic device structure and, hence, is not subject to trapping high ? etch residue during formation of the logic device structure with HKMG technology.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC). The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a peripheral region and a memory cell region separated by an isolation structure. The isolation structure extends into a top surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprises dielectric material. A logic device is arranged on the peripheral region. A memory device is arranged on the memory region. The memory device includes a gate electrode and a memory hardmask over the gate electrode. An anti-dishing structure is disposed on the isolation structure. An upper surface of the anti-dishing structure and an upper surface of the memory hardmask have equal heights as measured from the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a floating gate test device with a cell-like top layout, as well as a method for forming the IC. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a semiconductor substrate and the floating gate test device. The floating gate test device is on the semiconductor substrate, and comprises a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode overlying the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode and the control gate electrode partially define an array of islands, and further partially define a plurality of bridges interconnecting the islands. The islands and the bridges define the cell-like top layout and may, for example, prevent process-induced damage to the floating gate test device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an embedded memory boundary structure with a boundary sidewall spacer, and associated forming methods. In some embodiments, an isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to separate a memory region from a logic region. A memory cell structure is formed on the memory region and a dummy structure is formed on the isolation structure. A boundary sidewall spacer is formed covering the dummy structure. A protecting dielectric layer is formed on a top surface of the boundary sidewall spacer. The boundary sidewall spacer and the protecting dielectric layer provide a smooth boundary sidewall that is not subject to damage during formation of the logic device structure and, hence, is not subject to trapping high ? etch residue during formation of the logic device structure with HKMG technology.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an embedded memory boundary structure with a boundary sidewall spacer, and associated forming methods. In some embodiments, an isolation structure is disposed in a semiconductor substrate to separate a memory region from a logic region. A memory cell structure is disposed on the memory region and a cell boundary structure is formed on the isolation structure including a boundary sidewall spacer. A protecting dielectric layer is disposed on a top surface of the boundary sidewall spacer. The boundary sidewall spacer and the protecting dielectric layer provide a smooth boundary sidewall that is not subject to damage during formation of the logic device structure and, hence, is not subject to trapping high ? etch residue during formation of the logic device structure with HKMG technology.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device includes a non-volatile memory formed in a memory cell area and a ring structure area surrounding the memory cell area. In the method, a protrusion of a substrate is formed in the ring structure area. The protrusion protrudes from an isolation insulating layer. A high-k dielectric film is formed, thereby covering the protrusion and the isolation insulating layer. A poly silicon film is formed over the high-k dielectric film. The poly silicon film and the high-k dielectric film are patterned. Insulating layers are formed over the patterned poly silicon film and high-k dielectric film, thereby sealing the patterned high-k dielectric film.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a floating gate test device with a cell-like top layout, as well as a method for forming the IC. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a semiconductor substrate and the floating gate test device. The floating gate test device is on the semiconductor substrate, and comprises a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode overlying the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode and the control gate electrode partially define an array of islands, and further partially define a plurality of bridges interconnecting the islands. The islands and the bridges define the cell-like top layout and may, for example, prevent process-induced damage to the floating gate test device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a floating gate test device with a cell-like top layout, as well as a method for forming the IC. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a semiconductor substrate and the floating gate test device. The floating gate test device is on the semiconductor substrate, and comprises a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode overlying the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode and the control gate electrode partially define an array of islands, and further partially define a plurality of bridges interconnecting the islands. The islands and the bridges define the cell-like top layout and may, for example, prevent process-induced damage to the floating gate test device.

Abstract: Bridging testing method between adjacent semiconductor devices includes forming patterned diffusion region on semiconductor substrate, and forming first conductive layer over diffusion region. First conductive layer is patterned in same pattern as patterned diffusion region. Second conductive layer formed extending in first direction over first conductive layer. Second conductive layer is patterned to form opening extending in first direction in central region of second conductive layer exposing portion of first conductive layer. First conductive layer exposed portion is removed exposing portion of diffusion region. Source/drain region is formed over exposed portion of diffusion region, and dielectric layer is formed over source/drain region. Third conductive layer is formed over dielectric layer. End portions along first direction of second conductive layer removed to expose first and second end portions of first conductive layer.

Abstract: Bridging testing method between adjacent semiconductor devices includes forming patterned diffusion region on semiconductor substrate, and forming first conductive layer over diffusion region. First conductive layer is patterned in same pattern as patterned diffusion region. Second conductive layer formed extending in first direction over first conductive layer. Second conductive layer is patterned to form opening extending in first direction in central region of second conductive layer exposing portion of first conductive layer. First conductive layer exposed portion is removed exposing portion of diffusion region. Source/drain region is formed over exposed portion of diffusion region, and dielectric layer is formed over source/drain region. Third conductive layer is formed over dielectric layer. End portions along first direction of second conductive layer removed to expose first and second end portions of first conductive layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a floating gate test device with a cell-like top layout, as well as a method for forming the IC. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a semiconductor substrate and the floating gate test device. The floating gate test device is on the semiconductor substrate, and comprises a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode overlying the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode and the control gate electrode partially define an array of islands, and further partially define a plurality of bridges interconnecting the islands. The islands and the bridges define the cell-like top layout and may, for example, prevent process-induced damage to the floating gate test device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second voltage device regions and a deep well common to the first and second voltage device regions. An operation voltage of electronic devices in the second voltage device region is higher than that of electronic devices in the first voltage device region. The deep well has a first conductivity type. The first voltage device region includes a first well having the second conductivity type and a second well having the first conductivity type. The second voltage region includes a third well having a second conductivity type and a fourth well having the first conductivity type. A second deep well having the second conductivity type is formed below the fourth well. The first, second and third wells are in contact with the first deep well, and the fourth well is separated by the second deep well from the first deep well.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an isolation region is formed in a substrate, such that the isolation region surrounds an active region of the substrate in plan view. A first dielectric layer is formed over the active region. A mask layer is formed on a gate region of the first dielectric layer. The gate region includes a region where a gate electrode is to be formed. The mask layer covers the gate region, but does not entirely cover the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer not covered by the mask layer is removed such that a source-drain region of the active region is exposed. After that, the mask layer is removed. A second dielectric layer is formed so that a gate dielectric layer is formed. The gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second voltage device regions and a deep well common to the first and second voltage device regions. An operation voltage of electronic devices in the second voltage device region is higher than that of electronic devices in the first voltage device region. The deep well has a first conductivity type. The first voltage device region includes a first well having the second conductivity type and a second well having the first conductivity type. The second voltage region includes a third well having a second conductivity type and a fourth well having the first conductivity type. A second deep well having the second conductivity type is formed below the fourth well. The first, second and third wells are in contact with the first deep well, and the fourth well is separated by the second deep well from the first deep well.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a first isolation feature, and a plurality of memory cells. The substrate has a cell region, a peripheral region, and a transition region between the cell region and the peripheral region. A top surface of the cell region is lower than a top surface of the peripheral region, and the substrate includes at least one protrusion portion in the transition region. The first isolation feature is in the transition region and covers the protrusion portion of the substrate. The memory cells are over the cell region of the substrate.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an isolation region is formed in a substrate, such that the isolation region surrounds an active region of the substrate in plan view. A first dielectric layer is formed over the active region. A mask layer is formed on a gate region of the first dielectric layer. The gate region includes a region where a gate electrode is to be formed. The mask layer covers the gate region, but does not entirely cover the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer not covered by the mask layer is removed such that a source-drain region of the active region is exposed. After that, the mask layer is removed. A second dielectric layer is formed so that a gate dielectric layer is formed. The gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device includes a non-volatile memory formed in a memory cell area and a ring structure area surrounding the memory cell area. In the method, a protrusion of a substrate is formed in the ring structure area. The protrusion protrudes from an isolation insulating layer. A high-k dielectric film is formed, thereby covering the protrusion and the isolation insulating layer. A poly silicon film is formed over the high-k dielectric film. The poly silicon film and the high-k dielectric film are patterned. Insulating layers are formed over the patterned poly silicon film and high-k dielectric film, thereby sealing the patterned high-k dielectric film.

Abstract: Bridging testing method between adjacent semiconductor devices includes forming patterned diffusion region on semiconductor substrate, and forming first conductive layer over diffusion region. First conductive layer is patterned in same pattern as patterned diffusion region. Second conductive layer formed extending in first direction over first conductive layer. Second conductive layer is patterned to form opening extending in first direction in central region of second conductive layer exposing portion of first conductive layer. First conductive layer exposed portion is removed exposing portion of diffusion region. Source/drain region is formed over exposed portion of diffusion region, and dielectric layer is formed over source/drain region. Third conductive layer is formed over dielectric layer. End portions along first direction of second conductive layer removed to expose first and second end portions of first conductive layer.