Abstract: A method includes forming a structure having a dummy gate stack over a fin protruding from a substrate. The fin includes an ML of alternating semiconductor layers and sacrificial layers. The method further includes forming a recess in an S/D region of the ML, forming a recess of the ML, and forming inner spacers on sidewalls of the sacrificial layers. Each inner spacer includes a first layer embedded in the sacrificial layer and a second layer over the first layer. The method further includes forming an S/D feature in the recess, such that the second layer of the inner spacers is embedded in the S/D feature. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a gate trench, removing the sacrificial layers from the ML, thereby forming openings interleaved between the semiconductor layers, and subsequently forming a high-k metal gate stack in the gate trench and the openings.

Abstract: A 3D memory array including multiple memory cells and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. Each memory cell includes a first isolation structure, source and drain electrodes, a gate layer, a channel layer and a memory layer. The source and drain electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the first isolation structure, and the source and drain electrodes comprise kink portions. The gate layer is disposed beside the source and drain electrodes and the first isolation structure. The channel layer is disposed between the gate layer and the source electrode, the first isolation structure and the drain electrode, and the channel layer extends between the source and drain electrodes and covers the kink portions of the source and drain electrodes. The memory layer is disposed between the gate layer and the channel layer and extends beside the gate layer and extends beyond the channel layer.

Abstract: A memory device, a semiconductor device and manufacturing methods for forming the memory device and the semiconductor device are provided. The memory device includes a stacking structure, a switching layer, channel layers and pairs of conductive pillars. The stacking structure includes alternately stacked isolation layers and word lines, and extends along a first direction. The stacking structure has a staircase portion and a connection portion at an edge region of the stacking structure. The connection portion extends along the staircase portion and located aside the staircase portion, and may not be shaped into a staircase structure. The switching layer covers a sidewall of the stacking structure. The channel layers cover a sidewall of the switching layer, and are laterally spaced apart from one another along the first direction. The pairs of conductive pillars stand on the substrate, and in lateral contact with the switching layer through the channel layers.

Abstract: In one example aspect, a method for integrated circuit (IC) fabrication comprises providing a device structure including a substrate, a source/drain (S/D) feature on the substrate, a gate stack on the substrate, a contact hole over the S/D feature; and a dummy feature over the S/D feature and between the gate stack and the contact hole. The method further comprises forming in the contact hole a contact plug that is electrically coupled to the S/D feature, and, after forming the contact plug, selectively removing the dummy feature to form an air gap that extends higher than a top surface of the gate stack. The method further comprises forming over the contact plug a seal layer that covers the air gap.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first signal line, a second signal line, a first memory cell, a second memory cell, a third memory cell and a fourth memory cell. The first memory cell is coupled to the first signal line. The second memory cell has a first terminal coupled to the first signal line through the first memory cell and a second terminal coupled to the second signal line. The third memory cell is coupled to the first signal line. The fourth memory cell is coupled to the first signal line through the third memory cell, wherein a parasitic capacitance of the fourth memory cell is isolated from the second memory cell through the third memory cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a stacked structure disposed on the substrate. The stacked structure includes multiple alternately stacked insulating layers and gate members. A core structure is disposed in the stacked structure. The core structure includes a memory layer, a channel member, a contact member, and a liner member. The channel member is disposed on the memory layer. The contact member is disposed on the channel member. The liner member surrounds a portion of the core structure. The present disclosure also provides a method for fabricating the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A method comprises growing an epitaxial layer on a first region of a first wafer while remaining a second region of the first wafer exposed; forming a first dielectric layer over the epitaxial layer and the second region; forming a first transistor on a second wafer; forming a second dielectric layer over the first transistor; bonding the first and second dielectric layers; and forming second and third transistors on the epitaxial layer and on the second region of the first wafer, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first fin and a second fin protruding from a substrate, isolation features over the substrate to separate the first and the second fins, where a top surface of each of the first and the second fins is below a top surface of the isolation features, inner fin spacers disposed along inner sidewalls of the first and the second fins, where the inner fin spacers have a first height measured from a top surface of the isolation features, outer fin spacers disposed along outer sidewalls of the first and the second fins, where the outer fin spacers have a second height measured from the top surface of the isolation features that is less than the first height, and a source/drain (S/D) structure merging the first and the second fins, where the S/D structure includes an air gap having a top portion over the inner fin spacers.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming a memory device, including forming a plurality of word line stacks respectively including a plurality of word lines alternatingly stacked with a plurality of insulating layers over a semiconductor substrate, forming a data storage layer along opposing sidewalls of the word line stacks, forming a channel layer along opposing sidewalls of the data storage layer, forming an inner insulating layer between inner sidewalls of the channel layer and including a first dielectric material, performing an isolation cut process including a first etching process through the inner insulating layer and the channel layer to form an isolation opening, forming an isolation structure filling the isolation opening and including a second dielectric material, performing a second etching process through the inner insulating layer on opposing sides of the isolation structure to form source/drain openings, and forming source/drain contacts in the source/drain

Abstract: A memory device includes a stack of gate electrode layers and interconnect layers arranged over a substrate. A first memory cell that is arranged over the substrate includes a first source/drain conductive lines and a second source/drain conductive line extending vertically through the stack of gate electrode layers. A channel layer and a memory layer are arranged on outer sidewalls of the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A first barrier structure is arranged between the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A first protective liner layer separates the first barrier structure from each of the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A second barrier structure is arranged on an opposite side of the first source/drain conductive line and is spaced apart from the first source/drain conductive line by a second protective liner layer.

Abstract: A device includes a dielectric pattern, a first dielectric layer, a stack and a conductive pillar. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the dielectric pattern, wherein a material of the dielectric pattern is different from a material of the first dielectric layer. The stack is disposed on the first dielectric layer. The conductive pillar extends along the stack, wherein the conductive pillar penetrates through the first dielectric layer and disposed on the dielectric pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of forming the semiconductor device are described herein and are directed towards forming a source/drain contact plug for adjacent finFETs. The source/drain regions of the adjacent finFETs are embedded in an interlayer dielectric and are separated by an isolation region of a cut-metal gate (CMG) structure isolating gate electrodes of the adjacent finFETs The methods include recessing the isolation region, forming a contact plug opening through the interlayer dielectric to expose portions of a contact etch stop layer disposed over the source/drain regions through the contact plug opening, the contact etch stop layer being a different material from the material of the isolation region. Once exposed, the portions of the CESL are removed and a conductive material is formed in the contact plug opening and in contact with the source/drain regions of the adjacent finFETs and in contact with the isolation region.

Abstract: Various examples of an integrated circuit device and a method for forming the device are disclosed herein. In an example, a method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate, and a device fin extending above the substrate. The device fin includes a channel region. A portion of the device fin adjacent the channel region is etched, and the etching creates a source/drain recess and forms a dielectric barrier within the source/drain recess. The workpiece is cleaned such that a bottommost portion of the dielectric barrier remains within a bottommost portion of the source/drain recess. A source/drain feature is formed within the source/drain recess such that the bottommost portion of the dielectric barrier is disposed between the source/drain feature and a remainder of the device fin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure and a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, and a dielectric stack over the substrate. The dielectric stack includes a first layer over the substrate and a second layer over the first layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a gate layer including a first portion traversing the second layer and a second portion extending between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate, a semiconductor channel layer, a gate dielectric layer, a source terminal and a drain terminal. The semiconductor channel layer is disposed over and above the gate. The gate dielectric layer is disposed between the gate and the semiconductor channel layer. The source terminal and the drain terminal are disposed on the semiconductor channel layer. A contact plug is disposed on at least one of the source terminal and the drain terminal. A dielectric pattern surrounds the contact plug and covers the source terminal and the drain terminal. A gas barrier layer is disposed on the dielectric pattern and surrounding the contact plug.

Abstract: A disclosed method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming a first conductive pattern over a substrate, with the first conductive pattern including a first conductive line and a second conductive line. A barrier layer may be conformally formed over the first conductive line and the second conductive line of the first conductive pattern. An insulating layer may be formed over the barrier layer. The insulating layer may be patterned to form openings between conductive lines of the first conductive pattern a second conductive pattern may be formed in the openings. The second conductive pattern may include a third conductive line is physically separated from the first conductive pattern by the barrier layer. The presence of the barrier layer reduces the risk of a short circuit forming between the first and second conductive patterns. In this sense, the second conductive pattern may be self-aligned relative to the first conductive pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an isolation feature disposed on the substrate, first and second fins protruding from the substrate and upwardly through the isolation feature, and a gate stack engaging each of the fins. The semiconductor device also includes a first epitaxial layer having a first portion over top and sidewall surfaces of S/D regions of the first fin and a second portion over top and sidewall surfaces of S/D regions of the second fin, a second epitaxial layer having a first portion over top and sidewall surfaces of the first portion of the first epitaxial layer and a second portion over top and sidewall surfaces of the second portion of the first epitaxial layer. The first and second portions of the second epitaxial layer are spaced apart. Each of the first and second portions of the second epitaxial layer is in physical contact with the isolation feature.

Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin protruding higher than top surfaces of isolation regions. A top portion of the semiconductor fin is formed of a first semiconductor material. A semiconductor cap layer is formed on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor cap layer is formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material. The method further includes forming a gate stack on the semiconductor cap layer, forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack, etching a portion of the semiconductor fin on a side of the gate stack to form a first recess extending into the semiconductor fin, recessing the semiconductor cap layer to form a second recess directly underlying a portion of the gate spacer, and performing an epitaxy to grow an epitaxy region extending into both the first recess and the second recess.

Abstract: A 3D memory array includes a row of stacks, each stack having alternating gate strips and dielectric strips. Dielectric plugs are disposed between the stacks and define cell areas. A data storage film and a channel film are disposed adjacent the stacks on the sides of the cell areas. The middles of the cell areas are filled with an intracell dielectric. Source lines and drain lines form vias through the intracell dielectric. The source lines and the drain lines are each provided with a bulge toward the interior of the cell area. The bulges increase the areas of the source line and the drain line without reducing the channel lengths. In some of these teachings, the areas of the source lines and the drain lines are increased by restricting the data storage film or the channel layer to the sides of the cell areas adjacent the stacks.

Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature, an etch stop layer, a plurality of stacks, a first conductive pillar and dielectric patterns. The etch stop layer is disposed on the first conductive feature. The stacks are disposed on the etch stop layer. The first conductive pillar extends between opposite surfaces of the stacks. The dielectric patterns are disposed at opposite sidewalls of a portion of the first conductive pillar in the etch stop layer.