Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate, forming an ILD layer over the first conductive feature, patterning the ILD layer to form a trench, and forming a conductive layer over the patterned ILD layer to fill the trench. The method further includes polishing the conductive layer to form a via contact configured to interconnect the first conductive feature with a second conductive feature, where polishing the conductive layer exposes a top surface of the ILD layer, polishing the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, such that a top portion of the via contact protrudes from the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, and forming the second conductive feature over the via contact, such that the top portion of the via contact extends into the second conductive feature.

Abstract: A method of growing a single crystal ingot includes growing a single crystal silicon ingot from a silicon melt in a crucible within an inner chamber, adding a volatile dopant into a feed tube, positioning the feed tube within an inner chamber at a first height relative to a surface of the melt, adjusting the feed tube within the inner chamber to a second height at a speed rate, and heating the volatile dopant to form a gaseous dopant as the feed tube is moved from the first height to the second height at the speed rate. Each of the second height and the speed rate are selected to control a vaporization rate of the volatile dopant. The method also includes introducing dopant species into the melt while growing the ingot by contacting the surface of the melt with the gaseous dopant.

Abstract: A method of growing a single crystal ingot includes growing a single crystal silicon ingot from a silicon melt in a crucible within an inner chamber, adding a volatile dopant into a feed tube, positioning the feed tube within an inner chamber at a first height relative to a surface of the melt, adjusting the feed tube within the inner chamber to a second height at a speed rate, and heating the volatile dopant to form a gaseous dopant as the feed tube is moved from the first height to the second height at the speed rate. Each of the second height and the speed rate are selected to control a vaporization rate of the volatile dopant. The method also includes introducing dopant species into the melt while growing the ingot by contacting the surface of the melt with the gaseous dopant.

Abstract: A transmission device includes a daisy chain structure composed of at least three daisy chain units arranged periodically and continuously. Each of the daisy chain units includes first, second and third conductive lines, and first and second conductive pillars. The first and second conductive lines at a first layer extend along a first direction and are discontinuously arranged. The third conductive line at a second layer extends along the first direction and is substantially parallel to the first and second conductive lines. The first conductive pillar extends in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. A first part of the first conductive pillar is connected to the first and third conductive lines. The second conductive pillar extends in the second direction. A first part of the second conductive pillar is connected to the second and third conductive lines.

Abstract: A transmission device for suppressing the glass-fiber effect includes a circuit board and a transmission line. The circuit board includes a plurality of glass fibers, so as to define a fiber pitch. The transmission line is disposed on the circuit board. The transmission line includes a plurality of non-parallel segments. Each of the non-parallel segments of the transmission line has an offset distance with respect to a reference line. The offset distance is longer than or equal to a half of the fiber pitch.

Abstract: A metal adhesion layer may be formed on a bottom and a sidewall of a trench prior to formation of a metal plug in the trench. A plasma may be used to modify the phase composition of the metal adhesion layer to increase adhesion between the metal adhesion layer and the metal plug. In particular, the plasma may cause a shift or transformation of the phase composition of the metal adhesion layer to cause the metal adhesion layer to be composed of a (111) dominant phase. The (111) dominant phase of the metal adhesion layer increases adhesion between the metal adhesion layer.

Abstract: A physical analysis method, a sample for physical analysis and a preparing method thereof are provided. The preparing method of the sample for physical analysis includes: providing a sample to be inspected; and forming a contrast enhancement layer on a surface of the sample to be inspected. The contrast enhancement layer includes a plurality of first material layers and a plurality of second material layers stacked upon one another. The first material layer and the second material layer are made of different materials. Each one of the first and second material layers has a thickness that does not exceed 0.1 nm. In an image captured by an electron microscope, a difference between an average grayscale value of a surface layer image of the sample to be inspected and an average grayscale value of an image of the contrast enhancement layer is at least 50.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a memory device includes providing a substrate and sequentially forming a stack layer and a hard mask layer on the substrate. The method includes forming a first patterned mandrel and a plurality of second patterned mandrels on the hard mask layer, wherein the first patterned mandrel is adjacent to and spaced apart from an end of the second patterned mandrels in the first direction. The method further includes using the first patterned mandrel and the second patterned mandrels as masks, patterning the hard mask layer and the stack layer sequentially to form a dummy structure and a plurality of word lines separated from each other on the substrate. A portion of the stack layer corresponding to the first mandrel is formed into the dummy structure, and a portion of the stack layer corresponding to the second patterned mandrels is formed into the word lines.

Abstract: A susceptor assembly for supporting a crucible during a crystal growth process includes a susceptor base, a tubular sidewall connected to the susceptor base, and a removable sacrifice ring interposed between the susceptor base and the sidewall. Each of the susceptor base and the sidewall is formed of a carbon-containing material. The susceptor base has an annular wall and a shoulder extending radially outward from an outer surface of the annular wall. The sidewall has a first end that receives the annular wall to connect the sidewall to the susceptor base. The sacrifice ring has a first surface that faces the outer surface of the annular wall, a second surface that faces an interior surface of the sidewall, and a ledge extending outward from the second surface that engages the first end of the sidewall.

Abstract: An image analysis method is provided. In the image analysis method, a to-be analyzed image is inputted into a region-based convolutional neural network (RCNN) model to obtain a masked image outputted from the RCNN. The center of a masked object in the masked image is calculated. The center is regarded as an origin of coordinate and the farthest coordinate point from the origin of coordinate in each of the four quadrants relative to the origin of coordinate are searched. The image analysis block is generated for each of the farthest coordinate points. The post-processing is performed on the image analysis blocks to obtain an object range.

Abstract: The invention provides a light source optimization apparatus including a storage apparatus and a processor. The storage apparatus stores a plurality of modules. The processor is coupled to the storage apparatus and configured to execute the plurality of modules. The plurality of modules include a critical pattern module and a light source optimization module. The critical pattern module retrieves critical pattern data. The light source optimization module executes an ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm according to a preset parameter to adjust an initial light source image to generate an output light source image, and the initial light source image corresponds to the critical pattern data.

Abstract: Ingot puller apparatus that include a silicon feed tube for adding solid silicon to a crucible assembly are disclosed. The silicon feed tubes include a conduit portion having an inner diameter and a kick plate disposed below the conduit portion. The kick plate extends across at least 60% of the inner diameter of the conduit portion.

Abstract: Contamination from outgassing during a deposition process is addressed by a series of equipment enhancements, including throttle valves, a dual air curtain, and a residual gas analysis (RGA) monitor. The dual air curtain can be configured to flow a first gas during wafer processing and a second gas during wafer unloading, to re-direct and capture outgassed species. The dual air curtain and the throttle valves can be programmed in an automated feedback control system that utilizes data from the RGA monitor.

Abstract: A pick-up structure for a memory device and method for manufacturing memory device are provided. The pick-up structure includes a substrate and a plurality of pick-up electrode strips. The substrate has a memory cell region and a peripheral pick-up region adjacent thereto. The pick-up electrode strips are parallel to a first direction and arranged on the substrate in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. Each pick-up electrode strip includes a main part in the peripheral pick-up region and an extension part extending from the main part to the memory cell region. The main part is defined by fork-shaped patterns of a first mask layer. The extension part has a width less than that of the main part, and the extension part has a side wall surface aligned with a side wall surface of the main part.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask layer and a photoresist on a substrate having a layer to be etched, and performing exposure and development such that the patterned photoresist has first trenches and to expose the hard mask layer, wherein ends of the first trenches have a width gradually decreased toward an end point. The exposed hard mask layer is removed using the patterned photoresist to transfer the pattern of the first trenches to the hard mask layer such that the patterned hard mask layer has second trenches, and the ends of the second trenches have a width gradually decreased toward an end point. Spacers are formed on inner walls of the second trenches. The hard mask layer is removed such that the layer to be etched is exposed. The exposed layer to be etched is removed using the spacers as an etch mask.

Abstract: A word line layout includes a substrate, a first word line group, a second word line group, and an I-shaped third word line. The first word line group is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of L-shaped first word lines, and each of the first word lines has a first segment and a second segment connected to each other. The second word line group is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of L-shaped second word lines, and each of the second word lines has a first segment and a second segment connected to each other. The first word line group and the second word line group are arranged in juxtaposition and symmetric to each other. The I-shaped third word line is disposed on the outer side of the first word line group and the second word line group.

Abstract: A word line layout includes a substrate, a first word line group, a second word line group, and an I-shaped third word line. The first word line group is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of L-shaped first word lines, and each of the first word lines has a first segment and a second segment connected to each other. The second word line group is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of L-shaped second word lines, and each of the second word lines has a first segment and a second segment connected to each other. The first word line group and the second word line group are arranged in juxtaposition and symmetric to each other. The I-shaped third word line is disposed on the outer side of the first word line group and the second word line group.

Abstract: An antenna structure applied in a wireless communication device includes a metal frame. The wireless communication device includes at least one electronic component. The metal frame includes a substrate. The substrate includes an antenna. The antenna includes a feed portion and a gap. The feed portion spans the gap. The metal frame is spaced from the electronic component. A clearance is formed between the metal frame and the electronic component.

Abstract: An antenna structure includes a metal frame, at least one feed source, and a feed portion. The metal frame includes at least one radiating portion and at least one slot. The at least one slot is disposed in the at least one radiating portion or adjacent to the at least one radiating portion. The at least one feed source and the at least one radiating portion form a first antenna. The feed portion and the at least one slot form a second antenna. The at least one feed source supplies an electric current for the first antenna, thereby exciting a first working mode and generating a radiation signal in a first frequency band. The feed portion spans the at least one slot to supply the electric current for the second antenna, thereby exciting a second working mode and generating a radiation signal in a second frequency band.

Abstract: An antenna structure includes a metal frame. The metal frame includes a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The third surface is located between the first surface and the second surface. The metal frame includes at least one antenna. The at least one antenna includes a first gap, a second gap, and a feed portion. The first gap is disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The second gap is disposed in the third surface. The feed portion is mounted on the first surface and spans the first gap. When the feed portion supplies an electric current, the electric current is coupled to the first gap and the second gap.