Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure for storing a data. In one embodiment, the MJT structure includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer disposed above the first ferromagnetic layer, a first dielectric layer disposed between and in contact with the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, a plurality of metal particles disposed in contact with the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the metal particles are distributed in a discrete and non-continuous manner, and a second dielectric layer disposed over the plurality of metal particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of present disclosure provide a MIM capacitor including a straining layer on an electrode, and a high-k dielectric layer formed on the straining layer. The straining layer allows the high-k dielectric layer to be highly crystallized without requiring an extra annealing process. The high crystallization of the high-k dielectric layer results in increased the dielectric value (k-value), thus, improving capacitance density in the MIM capacitor. Some embodiments provide a MIM capacitor device including stacked MIM capacitors with symmetrically arranged high-k dielectric layers and straining layers.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to capping processes and structures formed thereby. In an embodiment, a conductive feature, formed in a dielectric layer, has a metallic surface, and the dielectric layer has a dielectric surface. The dielectric surface is modified to be hydrophobic by performing a surface modification treatment. After modifying the dielectric surface, a capping layer is formed on the metallic surface by performing a selective deposition process. In another embodiment, a surface of a gate structure is exposed through a dielectric layer. A capping layer is formed on the surface of the gate structure by performing a selective deposition process.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a first transistor of a first type comprising a first work function layer, the first work function layer comprising a first underlying layer; and a second transistor of the first type comprising a second work function layer, the second work function layer comprising a second underlying layer. The first and second underlying layers each comprises a metal nitride layer with at least two kinds of metals, and a thickness of the first underlying layer is greater than a thickness of the second underlying layer. A method of manufacturing a gate structure for a semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a first n-type transistor comprising a first work function layer, the first work function layer comprising a first underlying layer; and a second n-type transistor comprising a second work function layer, the second work function layer comprising a second underlying layer. The first and second underlying layers each comprises a metal nitride layer with at least two kinds of metals, and a thickness of the first underlying layer is greater than a thickness of the second underlying layer. A method of manufacturing a gate structure for a semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to capping processes and structures formed thereby. In an embodiment, a conductive feature, formed in a dielectric layer, has a metallic surface, and the dielectric layer has a dielectric surface. The dielectric surface is modified to be hydrophobic by performing a surface modification treatment. After modifying the dielectric surface, a capping layer is formed on the metallic surface by performing a selective deposition process. In another embodiment, a surface of a gate structure is exposed through a dielectric layer. A capping layer is formed on the surface of the gate structure by performing a selective deposition process.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to capping processes and structures formed thereby. In an embodiment, a conductive feature, formed in a dielectric layer, has a metallic surface, and the dielectric layer has a dielectric surface. The dielectric surface is modified to be hydrophobic by performing a surface modification treatment. After modifying the dielectric surface, a capping layer is formed on the metallic surface by performing a selective deposition process. In another embodiment, a surface of a gate structure is exposed through a dielectric layer. A capping layer is formed on the surface of the gate structure by performing a selective deposition process.

Abstract: One or more semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a gate body, a conductive prelayer over the gate body, at least one inhibitor film over the conductive prelayer and a conductive layer over the at least one inhibitor film, where the conductive layer is tapered so as to have a top portion width that is greater than the bottom portion width. One or more methods of forming a semiconductor device are also provided, where an etching process is performed to form a tapered opening such that the tapered conductive layer is formed in the tapered opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first insulating layer over a substrate. A first metal layer is formed in the first insulating layer and over the substrate. A silicon- and fluorine-containing barrier layer is formed between the first insulating layer and the first metal layer and between the substrate and the first metal layer. The silicon- and fluorine-containing barrier layer has a silicon content in a range from about 5% to about 20%.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a first n-type transistor comprising a first work function layer, the first work function layer comprising a first underlying layer; and a second n-type transistor comprising a second work function layer, the second work function layer comprising a second underlying layer. The first and second underlying layers each comprises a metal nitride layer with at least two kinds of metals, and a thickness of the first underlying layer is greater than a thickness of the second underlying layer. A method of manufacturing a gate structure for a semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a fin structure protruding therefrom, an insulating layer is over the substrate to cover the fin structure, a gate structure in the insulating layer and over the fin structure, and source and drain features covered by the insulating layer and over the fin structure on opposing sidewall surfaces of the gate structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer, a conductive sealing layer covering the gate electrode layer, and a gate dielectric layer between the fin structure and the gate electrode layer and surrounding the gate electrode layer and the conductive sealing layer. The gate electrode layer has a material removal rate that is higher than the material removal rate of the conductive sealing layer in a chemical mechanical polishing process.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a first n-type fin field effect transistor (FinFET) and a second n-type FinFET. The first FinFET includes a first work function layer. The first work function layer includes a first portion of a first layer. The second n-type FinFET includes a second work function layer. The second work function layer includes a second portion of the first layer and a first portion of a second layer underlying the second portion of the first layer. A thickness of the first work function layer is less than a thickness of the second work function layer. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: Methods for forming semiconductor structures are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a gate structure having a dummy gate stack over a substrate, performing a gate replacement process, such that the dummy gate stack is replaced with a metal gate stack, and forming a non-silane based oxide capping layer over the gate structure. The gate replacement process includes removing a portion of the dummy gate stack from the gate structure, thereby forming a gate trench. A work function layer is formed in the gate trench, a blocking layer is formed in the gate trench over the work function layer, and a metal layer (including, for example, aluminum) is formed in the gate trench over the blocking layer. The blocking layer includes titanium and nitrogen with a titanium to nitrogen ratio that is greater than one. In some implementations, the work function layer is formed over a dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to capping processes and structures formed thereby. In an embodiment, a conductive feature, formed in a dielectric layer, has a metallic surface, and the dielectric layer has a dielectric surface. The dielectric surface is modified to be hydrophobic by performing a surface modification treatment. After modifying the dielectric surface, a capping layer is formed on the metallic surface by performing a selective deposition process. In another embodiment, a surface of a gate structure is exposed through a dielectric layer. A capping layer is formed on the surface of the gate structure by performing a selective deposition process.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to capping processes and structures formed thereby. In an embodiment, a conductive feature, formed in a dielectric layer, has a metallic surface, and the dielectric layer has a dielectric surface. The dielectric surface is modified to be hydrophobic by performing a surface modification treatment. After modifying the dielectric surface, a capping layer is formed on the metallic surface by performing a selective deposition process. In another embodiment, a surface of a gate structure is exposed through a dielectric layer. A capping layer is formed on the surface of the gate structure by performing a selective deposition process.