Abstract: In a method of inspecting a surface of a substrate, a first surface image of the substrate before loaded into a process chamber may be obtained. The first surface image may be processed to detect a defect on the surface of the substrate. Thus, the surfaces of all of the substrate may be inspected during a process may be performed without transferring the substrates.

Abstract: A patterning method using a metal mask includes sequentially forming a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer on an etching object layer, forming an upper metal mask, forming the upper metal mask including patterning the upper metal layer, forming a lower metal mask, forming the lower metal mask including patterning the lower metal layer using the upper metal mask, and patterning the etching object layer using the upper metal mask.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including forming an insulating layer on a substrate; forming a metallic hardmask pattern on the insulating layer; forming a recess by partially etching the insulating layer; forming a metallic protection layer on an inner side wall of the recess; etching the insulating layer to form a hole that penetrates the insulating layer by using the metallic hardmask pattern and the metallic protection layer as etching masks; and removing the metallic hardmask pattern and the metallic protection layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. In the method, a substrate having a first surface and a second surface is provided. The second surface is opposed to the first surface. A via hole is formed to penetrate the substrate from the first surface toward the second surface. The via hole includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first sidewall which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The second portion has a second sidewall which gradually decreases from the first surface toward the second surface, and has a bottom surface that substantially flat. A seed pattern is formed on the first sidewall of the first portion, the second sidewall of the second portion and the bottom surface of the second portion of the via hole. A first thickness (Vt) of the seed pattern on the first sidewall of the first portion is less than a second thickness (VIt) of the seed pattern on the second sidewall of the second portion.

Abstract: A patterning method using a metal mask includes sequentially forming a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer on an etching object layer, forming an upper metal mask, forming the upper metal mask including patterning the upper metal layer, forming a lower metal mask, forming the lower metal mask including patterning the lower metal layer using the upper metal mask, and patterning the etching object layer using the upper metal mask.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate that is divided into a first region on which a pattern layer is formed and a second region on which a photo key is formed. A silicon layer is formed on the first region and second region of the substrate. The silicon layer is patterned to form a hole exposing a photo key portion of the second region on which the photo key is formed. A buried oxide layer is formed to fill the hole exposing the photo key portion. The silicon layer is patterned by using the photo key formed under the buried oxide layer to form a silicon pattern layer.

Abstract: In a method of removing a hard mask, a hard mask is formed on a substrate. A first plasma treatment is performed on the hard mask at a first temperature. A second plasma treatment is performed on the hard mask at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. In the method, a substrate having a first surface and a second surface is provided. The second surface is opposed to the first surface. A via hole is formed to penetrate the substrate from the first surface toward the second surface. The via hole includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first sidewall which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The second portion has a second sidewall which gradually decreases from the first surface toward the second surface, and has a bottom surface that substantially flat. A seed pattern is formed on the first sidewall of the first portion, the second sidewall of the second portion and the bottom surface of the second portion of the via hole. A first thickness (Vt) of the seed pattern on the first sidewall of the first portion is less than a second thickness (VIt) of the seed pattern on the second sidewall of the second portion.

Abstract: A bowing control pattern is formed on an intermediate layer. A hardmask pattern is formed on the bowing control layer. The hardmask pattern has a first opening, and the bowing control pattern has a second opening. A third opening passes through the intermediate layer and is connected to the second opening. The bowing control pattern includes first and second edges on a lower end of the second opening, and a third edge on an upper end of the second opening. When a first point on the first edge, a second point on the second edge, and a third point on a horizontal line passing through the third edge are defined, an intersecting angle between a first side from the first point to the second point, and a second side from the second point to the third point is from about 50° to about 80°.

Abstract: In a method of inspecting a surface of a substrate, a first surface image of the substrate before loaded into a process chamber may be obtained. The first surface image may be processed to detect a defect on the surface of the substrate. Thus, the surfaces of all of the substrate may be inspected during a process may be performed without transferring the substrates.

Abstract: A plasma shielding member may include a body having a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other, and a plurality of through holes each extending from the first surface to the second surface; a narrower portion of a respective through hole formed at one end of each of the through holes; and/or a wider portion of the respective through hole formed at another end of each of the through holes. A plasma shielding member may include a body including a plurality of through holes that extends from a first surface of the body toward a second surface of the body. Each of the through holes may be defined by a narrower portion of the body at a first end of the respective through hole, and by a wider portion of the body at a second end of the respective through hole.

Abstract: A bowing control pattern is formed on an intermediate layer. A hardmask pattern is formed on the bowing control layer. The hardmask pattern has a first opening, and the bowing control pattern has a second opening. A third opening passes through the intermediate layer and is connected to the second opening. The bowing control pattern includes first and second edges on a lower end of the second opening, and a third edge on an upper end of the second opening. When a first point on the first edge, a second point on the second edge, and a third point on a horizontal line passing through the third edge are defined, an intersecting angle between a first side from the first point to the second point, and a second side from the second point to the third point is from about 50° to about 80°.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a capacitor. The method includes forming a composite layer, including sequentially stacking on a substrate alternating layers of first through nth sacrificial layers and first through nth supporting layers. A plurality of openings that penetrate the composite layer are formed. A lower electrode is formed in the plurality of openings. At least portions of the first through nth sacrificial layers are removed to define a support structure for the lower electrode extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of openings and the lower electrode formed therein, the support structure including the first through nth supporting layers and a gap region between adjacent ones of the first through nth supporting layers where the first through nth sacrificial layers have been removed. A dielectric layer is formed on the lower electrode and an upper electrode is formed on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of controlling process distribution of a semiconductor process includes receiving process distribution data representing the process distribution of the semiconductor process, receiving a parameter related to the process distribution, generating a virtual metrology model corresponding to the process distribution based on a relationship between the process distribution data and the parameter, and modifying a process variable affecting the process distribution based on the virtual metrology model.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate that is divided into a first region on which a pattern layer is formed and a second region on which a photo key is formed. A silicon layer is formed on the first region and second region of the substrate. The silicon layer is patterned to form a hole exposing a photo key portion of the second region on which the photo key is formed. A buried oxide layer is formed to fill the hole exposing the photo key portion. The silicon layer is patterned by using the photo key formed under the buried oxide layer to form a silicon pattern layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming memory cells on a memory cell region, alternately forming a sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer on a connection region for providing wirings configured to electrically connect the memory cells, forming an etching mask pattern including etching mask pattern elements on a top sacrificial layer, forming blocking sidewalls on either sidewalls of each of the etching mask pattern element, forming a first photoresist pattern selectively exposing a first blocking sidewall furthermost from the memory cell region and covering the other blocking sidewalls, etching the exposed top sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer to expose a second sacrificial layer, forming a second photoresist pattern by laterally removing the first photoresist pattern to the extent that a second blocking sidewall is exposed, and etching the exposed top and second sacrificial layers and the insulating interlayers to form a staircase shaped side edge portion.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a capacitor. The method includes forming a composite layer, including sequentially stacking on a substrate alternating layers of first through nth sacrificial layers and first through nth supporting layers. A plurality of openings that penetrate the composite layer are formed. A lower electrode is formed in the plurality of openings. At least portions of the first through nth sacrificial layers are removed to define a support structure for the lower electrode extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of openings and the lower electrode formed therein, the support structure including the first through nth supporting layers and a gap region between adjacent ones of the first through nth supporting layers where the first through nth sacrificial layers have been removed. A dielectric layer is formed on the lower electrode and an upper electrode is formed on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a fine pattern and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method of forming a fine pattern includes: forming a hard mask layer on a to-be-etched layer; forming on the hard mask layer a first mask pattern including a plurality of elongated openings that are arranged at predetermined intervals in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction and are offset from each other in adjacent columns in the second direction; forming on the hard mask layer a second mask pattern including at least two linear openings that each pass through the elongated openings in the adjacent columns and extend in the first direction; forming a hard mask pattern by etching the hard mask layer by using the second mask pattern as an etch mask; and etching the to-be-etched layer by using the hard mask pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming memory cells on a memory cell region, alternately forming a sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer on a connection region for providing wirings configured to electrically connect the memory cells, forming an etching mask pattern including etching mask pattern elements on a top sacrificial layer, forming blocking sidewalls on either sidewalls of each of the etching mask pattern element, forming a first photoresist pattern selectively exposing a first blocking sidewall furthermost from the memory cell region and covering the other blocking sidewalls, etching the exposed top sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer to expose a second sacrificial layer, forming a second photoresist pattern by laterally removing the first photoresist pattern to the extent that a second blocking sidewall is exposed, and etching the exposed top and second sacrificial layers and the insulating interlayers to form a staircase shaped side edge portion.

Abstract: A method of controlling process distribution of a semiconductor process includes receiving process distribution data representing the process distribution of the semiconductor process, receiving a parameter related to the process distribution, generating a virtual metrology model corresponding to the process distribution based on a relationship between the process distribution data and the parameter, and modifying a process variable affecting the process distribution based on the virtual metrology model.