Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided, including forming a plurality of fins on a semiconductor substrate, and forming source/drain regions on the fins. The source/drain regions have an uneven surface with a mean surface roughness, Ra, of about 10 nm to about 50 nm. A smoothing layer is formed on the source/drain regions filling the uneven surface. An etch stop layer is formed overlying the smoothing layer. A portion of the etch stop layer is removed to expose a portion of the smoothing layer. The exposed smoothing layer is removed, and a contact layer is formed on the source/drain regions.

Abstract: Self-aligned contacts are provided. In an embodiment the self-aligned contacts are formed by partially removing a first dielectric material from adjacent to a gate electrode and fully removing a second dielectric material from adjacent to the gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited into the regions of the removed first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, and the conductive material and metal gates are recessed below a spacer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the recessed conductive material and the recessed metal gates, and the self-aligned contacts are formed through the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure disposed over a substrate, and sidewall spacers disposed on both side walls of the gate structure. The sidewall spacers includes at least four spacer layers including first to fourth spacer layers stacked in this order from the gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure disposed over a substrate, and sidewall spacers disposed on both side walls of the gate structure. The sidewall spacers includes at least four spacer layers including first to fourth spacer layers stacked in this order from the gate structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure of a gate structure is provided. In the method, an oxidation layer and a first sidewall layer disposed between a first metal gate and a second metal gate are etched to expose an underlying silicon substrate. A silicide portion defined by a contact profile is deposited in the exposed portion of the silicon substrate. A second sidewall layer substantially covers the first sidewall layer and at least partially covering the silicide portion is formed after depositing the silicide portion. A metal glue layer is deposited around the first metal gate and the second metal gate defining a trench above the silicide portion. A metal plug is deposited within the trench.

Abstract: Methods for forming integrated circuit structures are provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a first diffusion region, a second diffusion region, and an isolation structure separating the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. The method further includes forming a gate structure over the substrate and forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a cutting mask over a portion of the gate structure over the isolation structure, and the cutting mask has an extending portion covering a portion of the ILD layer. The method further includes forming a photoresist layer having an opening, and a portion of the extending portion of the cutting mask is exposed by the opening. The method further includes etching the ILD layer through the opening to form a trench and filling the trench with a conductive material to form a contact.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure of a gate structure is provided. In the method, an oxidation layer and a first sidewall layer disposed between a first metal gate and a second metal gate are etched to expose an underlying silicon substrate. A silicide portion defined by a contact profile is deposited in the exposed portion of the silicon substrate. A second sidewall layer substantially covers the first sidewall layer and at least partially covering the silicide portion is formed after depositing the silicide portion. A metal glue layer is deposited around the first metal gate and the second metal gate defining a trench above the silicide portion. A metal plug is deposited within the trench.

Abstract: Semiconductor device structures and methods for forming the same are provided. The method for forming a semiconductor device structure includes forming a dummy gate structure over a substrate and forming a dielectric layer over the substrate around the dummy gate structure. The method for forming a semiconductor device structure further includes removing the dummy gate structure and removing a portion of the dielectric layer to form a funnel shaped trench. The method for forming a semiconductor device structure further includes forming a gate structure in a bottom portion of the funnel shaped trench and filling a hard mask material in a top portion of the funnel shaped trench to form a funnel shaped hard mask structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, a metal gate stack, and an insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate. A source region and a drain region are formed in the semiconductor substrate. The metal gate stack is between the source region and the drain region. The insulating layer surrounds the metal gate stack. The method includes forming contact openings passing through the insulating layer to expose the source region and the drain region, respectively. The method includes performing a first pre-amorphized implantation process to form amorphous regions in the source region and the drain region exposed by the contact openings. The method includes after the first pre-amorphized implantation process, forming a dielectric spacer liner layer over sidewalls of the contact openings. The dielectric spacer liner layer has holes exposing portions of the amorphous regions, respectively.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a mask layer, such as an oxidized layer, over first source/drain regions in a first device region. A dielectric layer, such as an interlayer dielectric layer, is formed and patterned to expose the first source/drain regions and second source/drain regions in a second device region. A silicide treatment is performed on the second source/drain regions while the mask layer protects the first source/drain regions. The mask layer is then removed and a silicide treatment is performed on the first source/drain regions.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a metal gate structure formed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure further includes a funnel shaped hard mask structure formed over the metal gate structure. Formation of voids, which tend to be formed in a rectangular hard mask structure, is prevented. In addition, formation of a self-aligned contact in the semiconductor device becomes easier, and risks of shortage between the contact and a metal gate structure in the semiconductor device decreased. In addition, a method for forming the semiconductor device structure is also provided. The method may include a gate last process.

Abstract: Methods for forming integrated circuit structures are provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a first diffusion region, a second diffusion region, and an isolation structure separating the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. The method further includes forming a gate structure over the substrate and forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a cutting mask over a portion of the gate structure over the isolation structure, and the cutting mask has an extending portion covering a portion of the ILD layer. The method further includes forming a photoresist layer having an opening, and a portion of the extending portion of the cutting mask is exposed by the opening. The method further includes etching the ILD layer through the opening to form a trench and filling the trench with a conductive material to form a contact.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a mask layer, such as an oxidized layer, over first source/drain regions in a first device region. A dielectric layer, such as an interlayer dielectric layer, is formed and patterned to expose the first source/drain regions and second source/drain regions in a second device region. A silicide treatment is performed on the second source/drain regions while the mask layer protects the first source/drain regions. The mask layer is then removed and a silicide treatment is performed on the first source/drain regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided herein. A semiconductor arrangement includes a metal connect in contact with a first active region and a second active region, and over a shallow trench isolation region located between the first active region and a second active region. A method of forming the semiconductor arrangement includes recessing the metal connect over the STI region to form a recessed portion of the metal connect. Forming the recessed portion of the metal connect in contact with the first active region and the second active region mitigates RC coupling, such that a first gate is formed closer to a second gate, thus reducing a size of a chip on which the recessed portion is located.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, a metal gate stack, and an insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate. A source region and a drain region are formed in the semiconductor substrate. The metal gate stack is between the source region and the drain region. The insulating layer surrounds the metal gate stack. The method includes forming contact openings passing through the insulating layer to expose the source region and the drain region, respectively. The method includes performing a first pre-amorphized implantation process to form amorphous regions in the source region and the drain region exposed by the contact openings. The method includes after the first pre-amorphized implantation process, forming a dielectric spacer liner layer over sidewalls of the contact openings. The dielectric spacer liner layer has holes exposing portions of the amorphous regions, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanism for an integrated circuit (IC) structure are provided. The IC structure includes a substrate including a first diffusion region, a second diffusion region, and an isolation structure separating the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. The IC structure further includes a gate structure formed over the substrate, and the gate structure extends from the first diffusion region to the second diffusion region. The IC structure further includes a contact formed over the substrate, and the contact includes a wide portion over the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region and a thin portion over the isolation structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following operations: providing a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion and a third conductive portion over a substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the third conductive portion; forming a high-resistance layer over the first conductive portion; forming an oxide layer over the high-resistance layer and the dielectric layer; patterning the dielectric layer and the oxide layer by using the high-resistance layer as a blocking layer to form a first recess to expose the second conductive portion and the third conductive portion and to prevent the first conductive portion from exposure; and forming a plug layer in the first recess to connect the second conductive portion and the third conductive portion.

Abstract: Self-aligned contacts are provided. In an embodiment the self-aligned contacts are formed by partially removing a first dielectric material from adjacent to a gate electrode and fully removing a second dielectric material from adjacent to the gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited into the regions of the removed first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, and the conductive material and metal gates are recessed below a spacer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the recessed conductive material and the recessed metal gates, and the self-aligned contacts are formed through the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate. A source region and a drain region are formed in the semiconductor substrate, and metal silicide regions are formed in the source region and the drain region, respectively. The semiconductor device further includes a metal gate stack formed over the semiconductor substrate and between the source region and the drain region. The semiconductor device also includes an insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the metal gate stack, wherein the insulating layer has contact openings exposing the metal silicide regions, respectively. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric spacer liner layer formed over inner walls of the contact openings, wherein the whole of the dielectric spacer liner layer is right above the metal silicide regions. The semiconductor device includes contact plugs formed in the contact openings.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure of a gate structure is provided. In the method, an oxidation layer and a first sidewall layer disposed between a first metal gate and a second metal gate are etched to expose an underlying silicon substrate. A silicide portion defined by a contact profile is deposited in the exposed portion of the silicon substrate. A second sidewall layer substantially covers the first sidewall layer and at least partially covering the silicide portion is formed after depositing the silicide portion. A metal glue layer is deposited around the first metal gate and the second metal gate defining a trench above the silicide portion. A metal plug is deposited within the trench.