Abstract: A method of forming a channel of a gate structure is provided. A first epitaxial channel layer is formed within a first trench of the gate structure. A dry etching process is performed on the first epitaxial channel layer to form a second trench. A second epitaxial channel layer is formed within the second trench.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a chip is provided. The chip includes a first vertical device having a first threshold and second vertical device having a second threshold. The first vertical device includes a first source; a first channel over the first source; a first drain over the first channel; a first conductive layer adjacent to the first channel; and a first gate adjacent to the first conductive layer. The second vertical device includes a second source; a second channel over the second source; a second drain over the second channel; a second conductive layer adjacent to the second channel; and a second gate adjacent to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, the patterned mask layer having a plurality of first features with a first pitch. The method includes patterning the material layer by using the patterned mask layer as a mask to form the first features in the material layer. The method includes trimming the patterned mask layer, after patterning the material layer, to form a trimmed patterned mask layer. The method further includes introducing a plurality of dopants into the material layer exposed by the trimmed patterned mask layer to form doped regions having a second pitch, wherein the second pitch is different from the first pitch. The method further includes removing the trimmed patterned mask layer to expose un-doped regions in the material layer; and removing the un-doped regions to form a plurality of second features corresponding to the respective doped regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming features through photolithography. A polymer layer is formed over a substrate. The polymer layer is patterned to form a first feature and a second feature, the first feature and the second feature being separated at a first distance. A rinse material is applied to the polymer layer including the first feature and the second feature. The rinse material is removed from the polymer layer including the first feature and the second feature to cause the first feature and the second feature to come into contact with each other. A third feature is formed based on the first feature and the second feature being in contact with each other.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, the patterned mask layer having a plurality of first features with a first pitch. The method includes patterning the material layer by using the patterned mask layer as a mask to form the first features in the material layer. The method includes trimming the patterned mask layer, after patterning the material layer, to form a trimmed patterned mask layer. The method further includes introducing a plurality of dopants into the material layer exposed by the trimmed patterned mask layer to form doped regions having a second pitch, wherein the second pitch is different from the first pitch. The method further includes removing the trimmed patterned mask layer to expose un-doped regions in the material layer; and removing the un-doped regions to form a plurality of second features corresponding to the respective doped regions.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit is disclosed. A second material layer is formed on a first material layer. A patterned mask layer having a plurality of first features with a first pitch P1 is formed on the second material layer. The second material layer is etched by using the patterned mask layer as a mask to form the first features in the second material layer. The patterned mask layer is trimmed. A plurality of dopants is introduced into the second material layer not covered by the trimmed patterned mask layer. The trimmed patterned mask layer is removed to expose un-doped second material layer. The un-doped second material layer is selectively removed to form a plurality of second features with a second pitch P2. P2 is smaller than P1.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit is disclosed. A second material layer is formed on a first material layer. A patterned mask layer having a plurality of first features with a first pitch P1 is formed on the second material layer. The second material layer is etched by using the patterned mask layer as a mask to form the first features in the second material layer. The patterned mask layer is trimmed. A plurality of dopants is introduced into the second material layer not covered by the trimmed patterned mask layer. The trimmed patterned mask layer is removed to expose un-doped second material layer. The un-doped second material layer is selectively removed to form a plurality of second features with a second pitch P2. P2 is smaller than P1.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a gate layer over a substrate, forming a hard mask layer over a gate layer, forming a first material layer over the hard mask layer, forming a patterned photoresist layer having an opening over the first material layer, etching the first material layer through a cycle including forming a second material layer over the semiconductor device and etching the first and second material layers, repeating the cycle until the hard mask layer is exposed by a reduced opening, the reduced opening formed in a last cycle, etching the hard mask layer beneath the second opening to expose the gate layer, and patterning the gate layer using the hard mask layer. An etching selectivity of the first and second material layers is smaller than an etching selectivity of the second material layer and the photoresist layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an opening on a low-k dielectric layer using a polysilicon hard mask rather than a metal hard mask as used in prior art. A polysilicon hard mask is formed over a low-k dielectric layer and a photoresist layer is formed over the polysilicon hard mask. The photoresist layer is patterned and the polysilicon hard mask is etched with a gas plasma to create exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer. The photoresist layer in stripped prior to the etching of the exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer to avoid damage to the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: An in-situ performed method utilizing a pure H2O plasma to remove a layer of resist from a substrate or wafer without substantially accumulating charges thereon. Also, in-situ performed methods utilizing a pure H2O plasma or a pure H2O vapor to release or remove charges from a surface or surfaces of a substrate or wafer that have accumulated during one or more IC fabrication processes.

Abstract: An in-situ method of stripping a layer of resist from a substrate or wafer utilizes pure H2O plasma recipe to substantially prevent charges from accumulating on the substrate or wafer during stripping of the layer of resist.