Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a substrate, a gate structure over the substrate, including a work function layer over the substrate, a dielectric layer at least partially surrounding the gate structure, and a capping layer over the gate structure, wherein a bottom of the capping layer includes at least one protrusion protruding toward the substrate.

Abstract: Improved control of via anchor profiles in metals at a contact layer can be achieved by slowing down an anchor etching process and by introducing a passivation operation. By first passivating a metallic surface, etchants can be prevented from dispersing along grain boundaries, thereby distorting the shape of the via anchor. An iterative scheme that involves multiple cycles of alternating passivation and etching operations can control the formation of optimal via anchor profiles. When a desirable anchor shape is achieved, the anchor maintains structural integrity of the vias, thereby improving reliability of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A method includes introducing ozone toward a photoresist layer over a substrate. The ozone is decomposed into dioxygen and first atomic oxygen. The dioxygen is decomposed into second atomic oxygen. The first atomic oxygen and the second atomic oxygen are reacted with the photoresist layer. An apparatus that performs the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes introducing ozone toward a photoresist layer over a substrate. The ozone is decomposed into dioxygen and first atomic oxygen. The dioxygen is decomposed into second atomic oxygen. The first atomic oxygen and the second atomic oxygen are reacted with the photoresist layer. An apparatus that performs the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus for removing a photoresist layer on a substrate includes a platform, a first ultraviolet lamp, and an ozone supplier. The platform is used to support the substrate. The first ultraviolet lamp is used to provide first ultraviolet light. The ozone supplier has at least one first nozzle for introducing ozone toward the substrate through the first ultraviolet light, such that at least a part of the ozone is decomposed by the first ultraviolet light, and at least a part of the decomposed ozone reaches the photoresist layer to react with the photoresist layer. Moreover, a method of removing a photoresist layer on a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer having a surface, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) defining a metal gate over the surface of the semiconductor layer. The metal gate includes a high-k dielectric layer, a capping layer, and a work function metal layer. A thickness of the capping layer sidewall distal to a corner of the capping layer, is substantially thinner than a thickness which is around center of the capping layer bottom. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a metal gate recess, forming a high-k dielectric layer, forming a first capping layer, forming a second capping layer on the first capping layer, removing or thinning down the first capping layer sidewall, and removing the second capping layer.

Abstract: An aspect of this description relates to a method that includes partially filling an opening in a dielectric material with a high-dielectric-constant material. The method also includes partially filling the opening with a first metal material over the high-dielectric-constant material. The method further includes filling the opening with a capping layer over the first metal material. The method additionally includes partially removing the first metal material and the capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process in a solution including one or more of H2O2, NH4OH, HCl, H2SO4 or diluted HF. The method also includes fully removing the remaining capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process in a solution includes one or more of NH4OH or diluted HF. The method further includes depositing a second metal material in the opening over the remaining first metal material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device including, providing a substrate having a first region and a second region. Forming a dielectric layer over the substrate in the first region and the second region. Forming a sacrificial gate layer over the dielectric layer. Patterning the sacrificial gate layer and the dielectric layer to form gate stacks in the first and second regions. Forming an ILD layer within the gate stacks in the first and second regions. Removing the sacrificial gate layer in the first and second regions. Forming a protector over the dielectric layer in the first region; and thereafter removing the dielectric layer in the second region.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus for removing a photoresist layer on a substrate includes a platform, a first ultraviolet lamp, and an ozone supplier. The platform is used to support the substrate. The first ultraviolet lamp is used to provide first ultraviolet light. The ozone supplier has at least one first nozzle for introducing ozone toward the substrate through the first ultraviolet light, such that at least a part of the ozone is decomposed by the first ultraviolet light, and at least a part of the decomposed ozone reaches the photoresist layer to react with the photoresist layer. Moreover, a method of removing a photoresist layer on a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which includes a first gate structure on a substrate and a second gate structure on the substrate is provided. The semiconductor device further includes an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer on the substrate between the first gate structure and the second gate structure, wherein a top portion of the ILD layer has a different etch selectivity than a bottom portion of the ILD layer.

Abstract: An aspect of this description relates to a method that includes partially filling an opening in a dielectric material with a high-dielectric-constant material. The method also includes partially filling the opening with a first metal material over the high-dielectric-constant material. The method further includes filling the opening with a capping layer over the first metal material. The method additionally includes partially removing the first metal material and the capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process in a solution including one or more of H2O2, NH4OH, HCl, H2SO4 or diluted HF. The method also includes fully removing the remaining capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process in a solution includes one or more of NH4OH or diluted HF. The method further includes depositing a second metal material in the opening over the remaining first metal material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer having a surface, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) defining a metal gate over the surface of the semiconductor layer. The metal gate includes a high-k dielectric layer, a capping layer, and a work function metal layer. A thickness of the capping layer sidewall distal to a corner of the capping layer, is substantially thinner than a thickness which is around center of the capping layer bottom. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a metal gate recess, forming a high-k dielectric layer, forming a first capping layer, forming a second capping layer on the first capping layer, removing or thinning down the first capping layer sidewall, and removing the second capping layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal gate electrode of a field effect transistor includes forming a dielectric layer over an active region, and forming an opening in the dielectric layer. The method further includes partially filling the opening with a high-dielectric-constant material, partially filling the opening with a conformal first metal material over the high-dielectric-constant material, and filling the opening with a capping layer over the first metal material. The method further includes partially removing the first metal material and capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process. The method further includes fully removing the remaining capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process. The method further includes depositing a second metal material in the opening over the remaining first metal material, and planarizing the second metal material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal gate electrode of a field effect transistor includes forming a dielectric layer over an active region, and forming an opening in the dielectric layer. The method further includes partially filling the opening with a high-dielectric-constant material, partially filling the opening with a conformal first metal material over the high-dielectric-constant material, and filling the opening with a capping layer over the first metal material. The method further includes partially removing the first metal material and capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process. The method further includes fully removing the remaining capping layer in the opening using a wet etching process. The method further includes depositing a second metal material in the opening over the remaining first metal material, and planarizing the second metal material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit fabrication is disclosed, and more particularly a field effect transistor with a low resistance metal gate electrode is disclosed. An exemplary structure for a metal gate electrode of a field effect transistor comprises a lower portion formed of a first metal material, wherein the lower portion has a recess, a bottom portion and sidewall portions, wherein each of the sidewall portions has a first width; and an upper portion formed of a second metal material, wherein the upper portion has a protrusion and a bulk portion, wherein the bulk portion has a second width, wherein the protrusion extends into the recess, wherein a ratio of the second width to the first width is from about 5 to 10.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which includes a first gate structure on a substrate and a second gate structure on the substrate is provided. The semiconductor device further includes an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer on the substrate between the first gate structure and the second gate structure, wherein a top portion of the ILD layer has a different etch selectivity than a bottom portion of the ILD layer.

Abstract: The embodiments of methods and structures disclosed herein provide mechanisms of performing doping an inter-level dielectric film, ILD0, surrounding the gate structures with a dopant to reduce its etch rates during the processes of removing dummy gate electrode layer and/or gate dielectric layer for replacement gate technologies. The ILD0 film may be doped with a plasma doping process (PLAD) or an ion beam process. Post doping anneal is optional.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes removing a silicon material from a gate structure located on a substrate through a cycle including: etching the silicon material to remove a portion thereof, where the substrate is spun at a spin rate, applying a cleaning agent to the substrate, and drying the substrate; and repeating the cycle, where a subsequent cycle includes a subsequent spin rate for spinning the substrate during the etching and where the subsequent spin rate does not exceed the spin rate of the previous cycle.

Abstract: An integrated circuit fabrication is disclosed, and more particularly a field effect transistor with a low resistance metal gate electrode is disclosed. An exemplary structure for a metal gate electrode of a field effect transistor comprises a lower portion formed of a first metal material, wherein the lower portion has a recess, a bottom portion and sidewall portions, wherein each of the sidewall portions has a first width; and an upper portion formed of a second metal material, wherein the upper portion has a protrusion and a bulk portion, wherein the bulk portion has a second width, wherein the protrusion extends into the recess, wherein a ratio of the second width to the first width is from about 5 to 10.

Abstract: An method of fabricating the gate structure comprises: sequentially depositing and patterning a dummy oxide layer and a dummy gate electrode layer on a substrate; surrounding the dummy oxide layer and the dummy gate electrode layer with a nitrogen-containing dielectric layer and an interlayer dielectric layer; removing the dummy gate electrode layer; removing the dummy oxide layer by exposing a surface of the dummy oxide layer to a vapor mixture comprising NH3 and a fluorine-containing compound at a first temperature; heating the substrate to a second temperature to form an opening in the nitrogen-containing dielectric layer; depositing a gate dielectric; and depositing a gate electrode.