Abstract: A device is provided that includes a first die having a first alignment structure that includes a plurality of first transmission columns arranged in a pattern and a second die positioned on the first die, the second die having a second alignment structure that includes a plurality of second transmission columns arranged in the same pattern as the first transmission columns. The first and second transmission columns are each coplanar with a first surface and a second surface of the first and second die, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of field effect transistors formed on a substrate including p-type doped field effect transistors (pFETs) and n-type doped field effect transistors (nFETs). A self-aligned buried local interconnect electrically connects a bottom source or drain region of the pFET with an adjacent bottom source or drain region of the nFET. The self-aligned buried local interconnect is serially aligned with and intermediate opposing ends of a gate electrode. Other embodiments include methods for forming the buried local interconnect.

Abstract: A vacuum channel transistor having a vertical gate-all-around (GAA) architecture provides high performance for high-frequency applications, and features a small footprint compared with existing planar devices. The GAA vacuum channel transistor features stacked, tapered source and drain regions that are formed by notching a doped silicon pillar using a lateral oxidation process. A temporary support structure is provided for the pillar during formation of the vacuum channel. Performance of the GAA vacuum channel transistor can be tuned by replacing air in the channel with other gases such as helium, neon, or argon. A threshold voltage of the GAA vacuum channel transistor can be adjusted by altering dopant concentrations of the silicon pillar from which the source and drain regions are formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for optimizing a treatment plan for irradiation therapy. The method includes determining voxels in a reference frame of a radiation source that rotates at an angular rate of change and emits a beam at a plurality of angles. The beam has a beam intensity and a cross sectional shape based on an aperture of a collimator at each angle. The method includes determining an initial aperture value at each angle and minimizing a single objective function subject to a constraint on an aperture rate of change to determine an aperture and beam intensity at each angle. The method also includes delivering a beam of radiation with controlled intensity at each angle based on the beam intensity and aperture and turning the beam of radiation off at an intervening angle not included in the plurality of angles.

Abstract: A substrate structure for a nanosheet transistor includes a plurality of nanosheet layers and a plurality of recesses between the nanosheet layers. The substrate structure includes at least one trench through portions of the nanosheet layers, the sacrificial layers, and the substrate. The substrate structure includes a u-shaped portion formed at a bottom portion of the at least one trench. The u-shaped portion includes a bottom cavity. The substrate structure further includes a first liner disposed upon the u-shaped portion of the at least one trench, and a second liner disposed on the first liner. The substrate structure further includes a third liner disposed within the at least one trench to fill the bottom cavity of the u-shaped portion to form a bottom inner spacer within the bottom cavity.

Abstract: A vertical transistor device includes a vertically oriented channel semiconductor structure, a bottom source/drain (S/D) region, a top source/drain (S/D) region, and a gate structure positioned around the vertically oriented channel semiconductor structure, above the bottom source/drain (S/D) region, and below the top source/drain (S/D) region. The gate structure includes a gate electrode and a gate insulation layer positioned between the gate electrode and at least a portion of the vertically oriented channel semiconductor structure. A top spacer is positioned between the gate electrode and at least a portion of the top source/drain (S/D) region, a bottom spacer is positioned between the gate electrode and at least a portion of the bottom source/drain (S/D) region, and a gate cap is positioned around an outer perimeter surface of the gate structure, wherein the top spacer, the bottom spacer, and the gate cap all include a same insulating material.

Abstract: A modular interconnect structure facilitates building complex, yet compact, integrated circuits from vertical GAA FETs. The modular interconnect structure includes annular metal contacts to the transistor terminals, sectors of stacked discs extending radially outward from the vertical nanowires, and vias in the form of rods. Extension tabs mounted onto the radial sector interconnects permit signals to fan out from each transistor terminal. Adjacent interconnects are linked by linear segments. Unlike conventional integrated circuits, the modular interconnects as described herein are formed at the same time as the transistors. Vertical GAA NAND and NOR gates provide building blocks for creating all types of logic gates to carry out any desired Boolean logic function. Stacked vertical GAA FETs are made possible by the modular interconnect structure. The modular interconnect structure permits a variety of specialized vertical GAA devices to be integrated on a silicon substrate using standard CMOS processes.

Abstract: A device is provided that includes a first die having a first alignment structure that includes a plurality of first transmission columns arranged in a pattern and a second die positioned on the first die, the second die having a second alignment structure that includes a plurality of second transmission columns arranged in the same pattern as the first transmission columns. The first and second transmission columns are each coplanar with a first surface and a second surface of the first and second die, respectively.

Abstract: Metal quantum dots are incorporated into doped source and drain regions of a MOSFET array to assist in controlling transistor performance by altering the energy gap of the semiconductor crystal. In a first example, the quantum dots are incorporated into ion-doped source and drain regions. In a second example, the quantum dots are incorporated into epitaxially doped source and drain regions.

Abstract: A technique relates to a semiconductor device. A first stack includes a first plurality of nanowires respectively coupled to first source and drain regions, and a second stack includes a second plurality of nanowires respectively coupled to second source and drain regions. First source and drain contacts couple to a first predefined number of the first plurality of nanowires. Second source and drain contacts to couple to a second predefined number of the second plurality of nanowires, wherein the first predefined number is different from the second predefined number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for optimizing a treatment plan for irradiation therapy. The method includes defining a single objective function based on a plurality of objective functions that are each associated with a plurality of tissue types within a subject, upper and lower bounds for each objective function and a plurality of apertures. The method also includes determining a radiation dose delivered to voxels of each tissue type based on minimizing the single objective function based on the plurality of apertures with initial values at each angle. The method also includes delivering a beam of radiation with controlled intensity and beam cross-sectional shape at each angle based on the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enhancing mobility of charge carriers. An integrated circuit may include semiconductor devices of two types. The first type of device may include a metallic gate and a channel strained in a first manner. The second type of device may include a metallic gate and a channel strained in a second manner. The gates may include, collectively, three or fewer metallic materials. The gates may share a same metallic material. A method of forming the semiconductor devices on an integrated circuit may include depositing first and second metallic layers in first and second regions of the integrated circuit corresponding to the first and second gates, respectively.

Abstract: Ultra-low-k dielectric materials used as inter-layer dielectrics in high-performance integrated circuits are prone to be structurally unstable. The Young's modulus of such materials is decreased, resulting in porosity, poor film strength, cracking, and voids. An alternative dual damascene interconnect process incorporates air gaps into a high modulus dielectric material to maintain structural stability while reducing capacitance between adjacent nanowires. Incorporation of an air gap having k=1.0 compensates for the use of a higher modulus film having a dielectric constant greater than the typical ultra-low-k (ULK) dielectric value of about 2.2. The higher modulus film containing the air gap is used as an insulator between adjacent metal lines, while a ULK film is retained to insulate vias. The dielectric layer between two adjacent metal lines thus forms a ULK/high-modulus dielectric bi-layer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enhancing mobility of charge carriers. An integrated circuit may include semiconductor devices of two types. The first type of device may include a metallic gate and a channel strained in a first manner. The second type of device may include a metallic gate and a channel strained in a second manner. The gates may include, collectively, three or fewer metallic materials. The gates may share a same metallic material. A method of forming the semiconductor devices on an integrated circuit may include depositing first and second metallic layers in first and second regions of the integrated circuit corresponding to the first and second gates, respectively.

Abstract: A first TS is coupled to first S/D over first fin, second TS coupled to second S/D over first fin, third TS coupled to third S/D over second fin, fourth TS coupled to fourth S/D over second fin, gate metal over first and second fins, and gate cap over gate metal. First TS cap is on first TS, second TS cap on second TS, third TS cap on third TS, and fourth TS cap on fourth TS. ILD is formed on top of gate cap and first through fourth TS caps. First opening is through ILD and second TS cap such that part of gate metal is exposed, after removing part of gate cap. Second opening is through ILD to expose another part of gate metal. Combined gate metal contact and local metal connection is formed in first opening and individual gate metal contact is formed in second opening.

Abstract: A vertical tunneling FET (TFET) provides low-power, high-speed switching performance for transistors having critical dimensions below 7 nm. The vertical TFET uses a gate-all-around (GAA) device architecture having a cylindrical structure that extends above the surface of a doped well formed in a silicon substrate. The cylindrical structure includes a lower drain region, a channel, and an upper source region, which are grown epitaxially from the doped well. The channel is made of intrinsic silicon, while the source and drain regions are doped in-situ. An annular gate surrounds the channel, capacitively controlling current flow through the channel from all sides. The source is electrically accessible via a front side contact, while the drain is accessed via a backside contact that provides low contact resistance and also serves as a heat sink. Reliability of vertical TFET integrated circuits is enhanced by coupling the vertical TFETs to electrostatic discharge (ESD) diodes.

Abstract: A substrate structure for a nanosheet transistor includes a plurality of nanosheet layers and a plurality of recesses between the nanosheet layers. The substrate structure includes at least one trench through portions of the nanosheet layers, the sacrificial layers, and the substrate. The substrate structure includes a u-shaped portion formed at a bottom portion of the at least one trench. The u-shaped portion includes a bottom cavity. The substrate structure further includes a first liner disposed upon the u-shaped portion of the at least one trench, and a second liner disposed on the first liner. The substrate structure further includes a third liner disposed within the at least one trench to fill the bottom cavity of the u-shaped portion to form a bottom inner spacer within the bottom cavity.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed to include a fin structure, a first trench at a first lateral end of the fin, a second trench at a second lateral end of the fin, and a filler filled on a first traverse side of the fin and a second traverse side of the fin. The filler is contained between the first trench and the second trench, and oxidized in-place to cause a stress to be exerted on the first and second traverse sides of the fin, the stress causing the fin to exhibit a tensile strain in a lateral running direction of the fin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for depositing a material by atomic layer deposition. A first gas distribution unit is configured to provide a first precursor to a first zone inside a reaction chamber. A second gas distribution unit is configured to provide a second precursor to a second zone inside the reaction chamber. A substrate support is arranged to hold the substrates inside the reaction chamber. The substrate support is configured to linearly move the substrates relative to the reaction chamber from the first zone to the second zone as part of a cyclic deposition cycle of an atomic layer deposition process depositing the film on each of the substrates held by the substrate support.

Abstract: An integrated transistor in the form of a nanoscale electromechanical switch eliminates CMOS current leakage and increases switching speed. The nanoscale electromechanical switch features a semiconducting cantilever that extends from a portion of the substrate into a cavity. The cantilever flexes in response to a voltage applied to the transistor gate thus forming a conducting channel underneath the gate. When the device is off, the cantilever returns to its resting position. Such motion of the cantilever breaks the circuit, restoring a void underneath the gate that blocks current flow, thus solving the problem of leakage. Fabrication of the nano-electromechanical switch is compatible with existing CMOS transistor fabrication processes. By doping the cantilever and using a back bias and a metallic cantilever tip, sensitivity of the switch can be further improved. A footprint of the nano-electromechanical switch can be as small as 0.1×0.1 ?m2.