Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor feature, a low-k dielectric feature that is formed on the semiconductor feature, and a Si-containing layer that contains elements of silicon and that covers over the low-k dielectric feature. The Si-containing layer can prevent the low-k dielectric feature from being damaged in etch and/or annealing processes for manufacturing the semiconductor device.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first color filter disposed on a first photodiode, a first grid, and a first micro lens disposed on the first color filter and the first grid. The first grid includes a first main portion and a first shielding portion extended from the first main portion. The first main portion surrounds the first color filter and the first shielding portion partially covers the first color filter such that a first cavity defined by the first shielding portion is configured over the first color filter. The first color filter or the first micro lens includes a first protruding portion filled in the first cavity, and a width of the first protruding portion is in a range from 0.1 pixel size to 0.8 pixel size. A manufacturing method of an image sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides low resistance contacts and damascene interconnects with one or more graphene layers in fin structures of finFETs. An example semiconductor device can include a substrate with a fin structure that includes an epitaxial region. The semiconductor device can also include an etch stop layer on the epitaxial region, and an interlayer dielectric layer on the etch stop layer. The semiconductor device can further include a metal contact, above the epitaxial region, formed through the etch stop layer and the interlayer dielectric layer, and a graphene film at interfaces between the metal contact and each of the epitaxial region, the etch stop layer, and the interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers on a substrate, and the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers are alternately stacked. The method includes forming a dummy gate structure over the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers, and removing a portion of the first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers to form a S/D trench. The method also includes removing the second semiconductor layers to form a recess connected to the S/D trench. The method includes forming a dummy dielectric layer in the recess after the dummy gate structure is formed, and the dummy dielectric layer is exposed by the S/D trench. The method includes removing a portion of the dummy dielectric layer to form a cavity and forming an inner spacer layer in the cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device and a method for forming the semiconductor device. The method includes forming a fin structure on a substrate, forming a gate structure on the fin structure, and forming a source/drain (S/D) region on the fin structure not covered by the gate structure. The method further includes forming a contact structure on the S/D region. Forming the contact structure includes forming a transition metal chalcogenide (TMC) layer on the S/D region, and forming a contact plug on the TMC layer.

Abstract: A method includes etching a first portion and a second portion of a dummy gate stack to form a first opening and a second opening, respectively, and depositing a silicon nitride layer to fill the first opening and the second opening. The deposition of the silicon nitride layer comprises a first process selected from treating the silicon nitride layer using hydrogen radicals, implanting the silicon nitride layer, and combinations thereof. The method further includes etching a third portion of the dummy gate stack to form a trench, etching a semiconductor fin underlying the third portion to extend the trench down into a bulk portion of a semiconductor substrate underlying the dummy gate stack, and depositing a second silicon nitride layer into the trench.

Abstract: Optical sensors and their making methods are described herein. In some embodiments, a described sensing apparatus includes: an image sensor; a collimator above the image sensor, wherein the collimator includes an array of apertures; and an optical filtering layer above the collimator, wherein the optical filtering layer is configured to filter a portion of light to be transmitted into the array of apertures.

Abstract: A polysilicon layer is formed over a substrate. The polysilicon layer is etched to form a dummy gate electrode having a top portion with a first lateral dimension and a bottom portion with a second lateral dimension. The first lateral dimension is greater than, or equal to, the second lateral dimension. The dummy gate electrode is replaced with a metal gate electrode.

Abstract: A method of the present disclosure includes forming a fin-shaped structure including a plurality of semiconductor layers, a first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer, and a third hard mask layer, forming a patterned masking layer having a mask portion and a window portion, wherein the third hard mask layer is exposed through the window portion, performing a first etch process to expose the second hard mask layer through the window portion, performing a second etch process to etch the exposed second hard mask layer and to leave behind second hard mask layer residues, performing a third etch process to remove the second hard mask layer residues, etching the plurality of semiconductor layers in the fin-shaped structure through the window portion to divide the fin-shaped structure into a first segment and a second segment, and forming an isolation feature around the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in a recess between two adjacent channel regions, wherein the S/D feature comprises an epitaxial layer conformally deposited on an exposed surface of the recess. The structure also includes a silicide layer conformally disposed on the S/D feature, and a S/D contact disposed on the silicide layer, wherein the S/D contact has a first portion extending into the recess, and the first portion has at least three surfaces being surrounded by the silicide layer and the S/D feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor feature, a low-k dielectric feature that is formed on the semiconductor feature, and a Si-containing layer that contains elements of silicon and that covers over the low-k dielectric feature. The Si-containing layer can prevent the low-k dielectric feature from being damaged in etch and/or annealing processes for manufacturing the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides low resistance contacts and damascene interconnects with one or more graphene layers in fin structures of FETs. An example semiconductor device can include a substrate with a fin structure that includes an epitaxial region. The semiconductor device can also include an etch stop layer on the epitaxial region, and an interlayer dielectric layer on the etch stop layer. The semiconductor device can further include a metal contact, above the epitaxial region, formed through the etch stop layer and the interlayer dielectric layer, and a graphene film at interfaces between the metal contact and each of the epitaxial region, the etch stop layer, and the interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device with a rare earth metal oxide layer and a method for forming the same. The method includes forming fin structures on a substrate and forming superlattice structures on the fin structures, where each of the superlattice structures includes a first-type nanostructured layer and a second-type nanostructured layer. The method further includes forming an isolation layer between the superlattice structures, implanting a rare earth metal into a top portion of the isolation layer to form a rare earth metal oxide layer, and forming a polysilicon structure over the superlattice structures. The method further includes etching portions of the superlattice structures adjacent to the polysilicon structure to form a source/drain (S/D) opening and forming an S/D region in the S/D opening.

Abstract: A photomask assembly may be formed such that stress relief trenches are formed in a pellicle frame of the photomask assembly. The stress relief trenches may reduce or prevent damage to a pellicle that may otherwise result from deformation of the pellicle. The stress relief trenches may be formed in areas of the pellicle frame to allow the pellicle frame to deform with the pellicle, thereby reducing the amount damage to the pellicle caused by the pellicle frame.

Abstract: A method includes etching a first portion and a second portion of a dummy gate stack to form a first opening and a second opening, respectively, and depositing a silicon nitride layer to fill the first opening and the second opening. The deposition of the silicon nitride layer comprises a first process selected from treating the silicon nitride layer using hydrogen radicals, implanting the silicon nitride layer, and combinations thereof. The method further includes etching a third portion of the dummy gate stack to form a trench, etching a semiconductor fin underlying the third portion to extend the trench down into a bulk portion of a semiconductor substrate underlying the dummy gate stack, and depositing a second silicon nitride layer into the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication apparatus includes a processing chamber for etching, a substrate stage integrated in the processing chamber and being configured to secure a semiconductor wafer, and a gas distribution plate integrated inside the processing chamber. The processing chamber includes a sidewall and a top surface. The semiconductor fabrication apparatus further includes a heating mechanism disposed on the sidewall of the processing chamber and is operable to perform a baking process to remove a by-product generated during the etching, and a reflective mirror configured inside the processing chamber to reflect thermal energy from the heating mechanism toward the semiconductor wafer, the reflective mirror being located on the top surface of the processing chamber. The gas distribution plate defines a portion of the top surface of the processing chamber. From a top view, a portion of the reflective mirror is disposed between the heating mechanism and the gas distribution plate.

Abstract: A system for detecting usage and position of a height adjustable work surface is disclosed that includes a smart hub device that uses a set of sensors to collect sensor data to determine whether a work area is occupied or unoccupied, and to also collect work area usage data for further analysis regarding the details of usage of the work area.

Abstract: A stabilization method incorporated with a mobile robot having a body, a plane-pressure sensor, and a movement mechanism is disclosed and includes the following steps: sensing and obtaining a pressure distribution of the body through the plane-pressure sensor; computing a center of gravity (CoG) position of the body in accordance with the pressure distribution; determining whether the CoG position is located within a steady zone pre-defined upon the body; and, providing a reverse force toward a CoG offset direction of the CoG position when the CoG position is determined to be off the steady zone.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a wide-bandgap semiconductor material is provided. A substrate is provided, which includes a layer stack of a conductive material layer, a dielectric material layer, and a wide-bandgap semiconductor material layer. A mercury probe is disposed on a top surface of the wide-bandgap semiconductor material layer. Alternating-current (AC) capacitance of the layer stack is determined as a function of a variable direct-current (DC) bias voltage across the conductive material layer and the wide-bandgap semiconductor material layer. A material property of the wide-bandgap semiconductor material layer is extracted from a profile of the AC capacitance as a function of the DC bias voltage.

Abstract: A method of the present disclosure includes forming a fin-shaped structure including a plurality of semiconductor layers, a first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer, and a third hard mask layer, forming a patterned masking layer having a mask portion and a window portion, wherein the third hard mask layer is exposed through the window portion, performing a first etch process to expose the second hard mask layer through the window portion, performing a second etch process to etch the exposed second hard mask layer and to leave behind second hard mask layer residues, performing a third etch process to remove the second hard mask layer residues, etching the plurality of semiconductor layers in the fin-shaped structure through the window portion to divide the fin-shaped structure into a first segment and a second segment, and forming an isolation feature around the first segment and the second segment.