Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer, a conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, and a first electrode over a first portion of the conductive layer. A first thickness of the first portion of the conductive layer is greater than a second thickness of a second portion of the conductive layer not under the first electrode.

Abstract: A flash memory includes a linear array of flash memory cells having a source region extending along a first direction. Each flash memory cell includes a floating gate disposed adjacent the source region. The linear array of flash memory cells further includes isolation strips disposed between the floating gates of the flash memory cells. An erase gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the source region. A control gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the isolation strips and over the floating gates of the flash memory cells. The control gate line has a non-straight edge proximate to the source region that is indented away from the source region at least where the control gate line is disposed over the isolation strips.

Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor is disclosed. The method includes forming a portion of a metallization layer on a substrate, forming a via layer on the substrate, and forming a first electrode between the metallization layer and the via layer, where the first electrode is electrically connected to the metallization layer. The method also includes forming a second electrode between the metallization layer and the via layer, where the second electrode is electrically connected to the via layer, and forming a dielectric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the first electrode is not electrically connected to any other conductors other than through the metallization layer, and where the second electrode is not electrically connected to any conductors other than through the via layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure on a substrate; a passivation layer disposed on the interconnect structure; a first via, a second via and a third via disposed in the passivation layer and connected to the interconnect structure, each of the first, second and third vias has an elongated shape longitudinally oriented along a first direction; and a first pad longitudinally oriented along the first direction and landing on the first, second and third vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure on a substrate; a passivation layer disposed on the interconnect structure; a first via, a second via and a third via disposed in the passivation layer and connected to the interconnect structure, each of the first, second and third vias has an elongated shape longitudinally oriented along a first direction; and a first pad longitudinally oriented along the first direction and landing on the first, second and third vias.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, first and second fin structures are formed over a substrate, an isolation insulating layer is formed over the substrate, a gate structure is formed over channel regions of the first and second fin structures, source/drain regions of the first and second fin structure are recessed, and an epitaxial source/drain structure is formed over the recessed first and second fin structures. The epitaxial source/drain structure is a merged structure having a merger point, and a height of a bottom of the merger point from an upper surface of the isolation insulating layer is 50% or more of a height of the channel regions of the first and second fin structures from the upper surface of the isolation insulating layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device first conductive layers are formed over a substrate. A first photoresist layer is formed over the first conductive layers. The first conductive layers are etched by using the first photoresist layer as an etching mask, to form an island pattern of the first conductive layers separated from a bus bar pattern of the first conductive layers by a ring shape groove. A connection pattern is formed to connect the island pattern and the bus bar pattern. A second photoresist layer is formed over the first conductive layers and the connection pattern. The second photoresist layer includes an opening over the island pattern. Second conductive layers are formed on the island pattern in the opening. The second photoresist layer is removed, and the connection pattern is removed, thereby forming a bump structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and method of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a contact feature in a dielectric layer, a passivation structure over the dielectric layer, a conductive feature over the passivation structure, a seed layer disposed between the conductive feature and the passivation structure, a protecting layer disposed along sidewalls of the conductive feature, and a passivation layer over the conductive feature and the protecting layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active gate metal structure disposed over a substrate, the active gate metal structure having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to each other. The semiconductor device includes a first source/drain region disposed adjacent the first sidewall of the active gate metal structure with a first lateral distance. The semiconductor device includes a second source/drain region disposed adjacent the second sidewall of the active gate metal structure with a second lateral distance, wherein the second lateral distance is substantially greater than the first lateral distance. The semiconductor device includes a resist protective oxide (RPO) comprising a first portion extending over a portion of a major surface of the substrate that is laterally located between the second sidewall and the second source/drain region, wherein the RPO has no portion extending over a top surface of the active gate metal structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer, a conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, and a first electrode over a first portion of the conductive layer. A first thickness of the first portion of the conductive layer is greater than a second thickness of a second portion of the conductive layer not under the first electrode.

Abstract: A flash memory includes a linear array of flash memory cells having a source region extending along a first direction. Each flash memory cell includes a floating gate disposed adjacent the source region. The linear array of flash memory cells further includes isolation strips disposed between the floating gates of the flash memory cells. An erase gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the source region. A control gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the isolation strips and over the floating gates of the flash memory cells. The control gate line has a non-straight edge proximate to the source region that is indented away from the source region at least where the control gate line is disposed over the isolation strips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing silicon germanium facets in planar metal oxide semiconductor structures is disclosed. For example, a device fabricated according to the method may include a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate stacks formed on the substrate, a plurality of source/drain regions formed from silicon germanium, and a shallow trench isolation region positioned between two source/drain regions of the plurality of source/drain regions. Each source/drain region of the plurality of source/drain regions is positioned adjacent to at least one gate stack of the plurality of gate stacks. Moreover, the shallow trench isolation region forms a trench in the substrate without intersecting the two source/drain regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method, and more particularly to a MIM dual capacitor structure with an increased capacitance per unit area in a semiconductor structure. Without using additional mask layers, a second parallel plate capacitor can be formed over a first parallel plate capacitor, and both capacitors share a common capacitor plate. The two parallel plate capacitors can be connected in parallel to increase the capacitance per unit area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active gate metal structure disposed over a substrate, the active gate metal structure having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to each other. The semiconductor device includes a first source/drain region disposed adjacent the first sidewall of the active gate metal structure with a first lateral distance. The semiconductor device includes a second source/drain region disposed adjacent the second sidewall of the active gate metal structure with a second lateral distance, wherein the second lateral distance is substantially greater than the first lateral distance. The semiconductor device includes a resist protective oxide (RPO) comprising a first portion extending over a portion of a major surface of the substrate that is laterally located between the second sidewall and the second source/drain region, wherein the RPO has no portion extending over a top surface of the active gate metal structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a recess along a top surface of a semiconductor substrate, the recess having a first sidewall and a second sidewall laterally opposite each other; a nitride-based spacer layer extending along the first sidewall of the recess; and a field oxide layer in the recess extending along a bottom surface of the recess. The second sidewall is defined by a shallow trench isolation structure extending into the semiconductor substrate. A lateral tip of the field oxide layer is blocked by the nitride-based spacer layer from laterally extending beyond the first sidewall into the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method, and more particularly to a MIM dual capacitor structure with an increased capacitance per unit area in a semiconductor structure. Without using additional mask layers, a second parallel plate capacitor can be formed over a first parallel plate capacitor, and both capacitors share a common capacitor plate. The two parallel plate capacitors can be connected in parallel to increase the capacitance per unit area.

Abstract: A flash memory includes a linear array of flash memory cells having a source region extending along a first direction. Each flash memory cell includes a floating gate disposed adjacent the source region. The linear array of flash memory cells further includes isolation strips disposed between the floating gates of the flash memory cells. An erase gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the source region. A control gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the isolation strips and over the floating gates of the flash memory cells. The control gate line has a non-straight edge proximate to the source region that is indented away from the source region at least where the control gate line is disposed over the isolation strips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing silicon germanium facets in planar metal oxide semiconductor structures is disclosed. For example, a device fabricated according to the method may include a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate stacks formed on the substrate, a plurality of source/drain regions formed from silicon germanium, and a shallow trench isolation region positioned between two source/drain regions of the plurality of source/drain regions. Each source/drain region of the plurality of source/drain regions is positioned adjacent to at least one gate stack of the plurality of gate stacks. Moreover, the shallow trench isolation region forms a trench in the substrate without intersecting the two source/drain regions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes forming a recess along a top surface of a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming a nitride-based spacer layer extending along a first sidewall of the recess. The method includes forming a field oxide layer in the recess extending along a bottom surface of the recess, while a lateral tip of the field oxide layer is blocked from extending into any portion of the semiconductor substrate other than the recess by the nitride-based spacer layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) with active and dummy device cell arrays and a method of fabricating the same are discloses. The IC includes a substrate, an active device cell, and a dummy device cell. The active device cell includes an array of source/drain (S/D) regions of a first conductivity type disposed on or within the substrate and an array of gate structures with a first gate fill material disposed on the substrate. The dummy device cell includes a first array of S/D regions of the first conductivity type disposed on or within the substrate, a second array of S/D regions of a second conductivity type disposed on or within the substrate, and an array of dual gate structures disposed on the substrate. Each of the dual gate structures includes the first gate fill material and a second gate fill material that is different from the first gate fill material.