Abstract: A method may include forming a mask layer on top of a first dielectric layer formed on a first source/drain and a second source/drain, and creating an opening in the mask layer and the first dielectric layer that exposes portions of the first source/drain and the second source/drain. The method may include filling the opening with a metal layer that covers the exposed portions of the first source/drain and the second source/drain, and forming a gap in the metal layer to create a first metal contact and a second metal contact. The first metal contact may electrically couple to the first source/drain and the second metal contact may electrically couple to the second source/drain. The gap may separate the first metal contact from the second metal contact by less than nineteen nanometers.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a nozzle of a gas supply system includes loading an apparatus including a carrier and an automated nozzle cleaning system in the carrier onto a load port containing a gas supply system. The automated nozzle cleaning system includes a first nozzle cleaning device, a second nozzle cleaning device and a monitoring device, and the carrier is positioned to enable a gas inlet of the carrier to be connected to a nozzle of the gas supply system. The method also includes vacuuming contaminant particles from the nozzle using the first nozzle cleaning device, mechanically removing the contaminant particles adhering to the nozzle off the nozzle using the second nozzle cleaning device, and measuring a level of the contaminant particles using the monitoring device.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning a nozzle of a gas supply system is provided. The apparatus includes a carrier with a gas inlet that is adapted to sealingly mate with the nozzle of the gas supply system and an automated nozzle cleaning system in the carrier. The automated nozzle cleaning system includes a first nozzle cleaning device, a second nozzle cleaning device, and a function switching plate. The function switching plate comprises a plurality of through holes, a first through hole of the plurality of through holes is configured to engage the first nozzle cleaning device with the gas inlet when the function switching plate is positioned at a first position, and a second through hole of the plurality of through holes is configured to engage the second nozzle cleaning device with the gas inlet when the function switching plate is positioned at a second position.

Abstract: A humidity-controlled storage device includes a plurality of panels configured to form an enclosed volume. A first panel of the plurality of panels includes inlet and outlet ports. The storage device further includes a purge system with a gas inlet pipe, a gas supply system, and a gas extraction system. The gas inlet pipe includes a nozzle and a cylindrical portion coupled to the inlet port. The gas supply system is configured to supply a purge gas to the gas inlet pipe. The gas inlet pipe is configured to output the purge gas into the enclosed volume in a direction that creates a circular or an oval gas flow pattern within the enclosed volume. The gas extraction system is coupled to the outlet port and is configured to extract the purge gas from the enclosed volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning a nozzle of a gas supply system is provided. The apparatus includes a carrier with a gas inlet that is adapted to sealingly mate with the nozzle of the gas supply system and an automated nozzle cleaning system in the carrier. The automated nozzle cleaning system includes a first nozzle cleaning device, a second nozzle cleaning device, and a function switching plate. The function switching plate comprises a plurality of through holes, a first through hole of the plurality of through holes is configured to engage the first nozzle cleaning device with the gas inlet when the function switching plate is positioned at a first position, and a second through hole of the plurality of through holes is configured to engage the second nozzle cleaning device with the gas inlet when the function switching plate is positioned at a second position.

Abstract: A humidity-controlled storage device includes a plurality of panels configured to form an enclosed volume. A first panel of the plurality of panels includes inlet and outlet ports. The storage device further includes a purge system with a gas inlet pipe, a gas supply system, and a gas extraction system. The gas inlet pipe includes a nozzle and a cylindrical portion coupled to the inlet port. The gas supply system is configured to supply a purge gas to the gas inlet pipe. The gas inlet pipe is configured to output the purge gas into the enclosed volume in a direction that creates a circular or an oval gas flow pattern within the enclosed volume. The gas extraction system is coupled to the outlet port and is configured to extract the purge gas from the enclosed volume.