Abstract: A semiconductor structure can include a resistor on a substrate formed simultaneously with other devices, such as transistors. A diffusion barrier layer formed on a substrate is patterned to form a resistor and barrier layers under a transistor gate. A filler material, a first connector, and a second connector are formed on the resistor at the same manner and time as the gate of the transistor. The filler material is removed to form a resistor on a substrate.

Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor, which includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, and forming an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD). The dummy gate stack is in the ILD, and the ILD covers a source/drain region in the semiconductor region. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench in the first ILD, forming a low-k gate spacer in the trench, forming a replacement gate dielectric extending into the trench, forming a metal layer to fill the trench, and performing a planarization to remove excess portions of the replacement gate dielectric and the metal layer to form a gate dielectric and a metal gate, respectively. A source region and a drain region are then formed on opposite sides of the metal gate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The IC structure includes first and second fins formed on a semiconductor substrate and laterally separated from each other by an isolation feature, the isolation feature formed of a dielectric material that physically contacts the semiconductor substrate; and a contact feature between the first and second fins and extending into the isolation feature thereby defining an air gap vertically between the isolation feature and the contact feature, the dielectric material of the isolation feature extending from the semiconductor substrate to the contact feature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device including a substrate, an insulating layer formed over the substrate, a plurality of fins formed vertically from a surface of the substrate, the fins extending through the insulating layer and above a top surface of the insulating layer, a gate structure formed over a portion of fins and over the top surface of the insulating layer, a source/drain structure disposed adjacent to opposing sides of the gate structure, the source/drain structure contacting the fin, a dielectric layer formed over the insulating layer, a first contact trench extending a first depth through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain structure, the first contact trench containing an electrical conductive material, and a second contact trench extending a second depth into the dielectric layer, the second contact trench containing the electrical conductive material, and the second depth is greater than the first depth.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and corresponding techniques for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed herein. An exemplary interconnect structure includes a conductive feature that includes cobalt and a via disposed over the conductive feature. The via includes a first via barrier layer disposed over the conductive feature, a second via barrier layer disposed over the first via barrier layer, and a via bulk layer disposed over the second via barrier layer. The first via barrier layer includes titanium, and the second via barrier layer includes titanium and nitrogen. The via bulk layer can include tungsten and/or cobalt. A capping layer may be disposed over the conductive feature, where the via extends through the capping layer to contact the conductive feature. In some implementations, the capping layer includes cobalt and silicon.

Abstract: Devices and methods that include for configuring a profile of a liner layer before filling an opening disposed over a semiconductor substrate. The liner layer has a first thickness at the bottom of the opening and a second thickness a top of the opening, the second thickness being smaller that the first thickness. In an embodiment, the filled opening provides a contact structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric over the substrate to cover the gate stack; forming an opening in the interlayer dielectric to expose to the gate stack; forming a glue layer over the interlayer dielectric and in the opening; partially removing the glue layer, in which a portion of the glue layer remain in the opening; and tuning a profile of the remained portion of the glue layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an inter-layer dielectric layer, a contact plug, and a contact hole liner. The substrate has a source/drain region. The inter-layer dielectric layer is over the substrate and has a contact hole therein. The contact plug is electrically connected to the source/drain region through the contact hole of the inter-layer dielectric layer. The contact hole liner extends between the contact plug and a sidewall of a first portion of the contact hole. The contact hole liner terminates prior to reaching a second portion of the contact hole. The first portion is between the second portion and the source/drain region.

Abstract: A heat dissipation estimating method is disclosed. The heat dissipation estimating method includes following steps: providing an input heat to a fin of a heat sink unit; obtaining an average temperature of the fin according to the input heat; obtaining an output heat according to the average temperature; determining whether the input heat is the same as the output heat or not; while the input heat is different from the output heat, updating the input heat according to the output heat and repeating the above steps until the input heat is the same as the output heat; and while the input heat is the same as the output heat, obtaining a total heat dissipation value of the heat sink unit according to the input heat and a ratio value.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes forming an isolation feature in a semiconductor substrate; forming a first fin and a second fin on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and second fins are laterally separated by the isolation feature; and forming an elongated contact feature landing on the first and second fins. The elongated contact feature is further embedded in the isolation feature, enclosing an air gap vertically between the contact feature and the isolation feature.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes forming a hard mask layer over an integrated circuit layer and implanting ions into a first portion of the hard mask layer without implanting ions into a second portion of the hard mask layer. An etching characteristic of the first portion is different than an etching characteristic of the second portion. After the implanting, the method includes annealing the hard mask layer. After the annealing, the method includes selectively etching the second portion of the hard mask layer, thereby forming an etching mask from the first portion of the hard mask layer. The method can further include using the etching mask to pattern the integrated circuit layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor, which includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, and forming an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD). The dummy gate stack is in the ILD, and the ILD covers a source/drain region in the semiconductor region. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench in the first ILD, forming a low-k gate spacer in the trench, forming a replacement gate dielectric extending into the trench, forming a metal layer to fill the trench, and performing a planarization to remove excess portions of the replacement gate dielectric and the metal layer to form a gate dielectric and a metal gate, respectively. A source region and a drain region are then formed on opposite sides of the metal gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating such a device are presented. The semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode of a transistor, a first sidewall spacer along a sidewall of the gate pattern, a first insulating layer in contact with the first sidewall spacer and having a planarized top surface, and a second sidewall spacer formed on the planarized top surface of the first insulating layer. The second sidewall spacer may be formed over the first sidewall spacer. A width of the second sidewall spacer is equal to or greater than a width of the first sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate includes forming a hard mask layer over the substrate; forming a first material layer over the hard mask layer; and forming a trench in the first material layer. The method further includes treating the hard mask layer with an ion beam through the trench. An etching rate of a treated portion of the hard mask layer reduces with respect to an etching process while an etching rate of untreated portions of the hard mask layer remains substantially unchanged with respect to the etching process. After the treating of the hard mask layer, the method further includes removing the first material layer and removing the untreated portions of the hard mask layer with the etching process, thereby forming a hard mask over the substrate. The method further includes etching the substrate with the hard mask as an etch mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating such a device are presented. The semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode of a transistor, a first sidewall spacer along a sidewall of the gate pattern, a first insulating layer in contact with the first sidewall spacer and having a planarized top surface, and a second sidewall spacer formed on the planarized top surface of the first insulating layer. The second sidewall spacer may be formed over the first sidewall spacer. A width of the second sidewall spacer is equal to or greater than a width of the first sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating such a device are presented. The semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode of a transistor, a first sidewall spacer along a sidewall of the gate pattern, a first insulating layer in contact with the first sidewall spacer and having a planarized top surface, and a second sidewall spacer formed on the planarized top surface of the first insulating layer. The second sidewall spacer may be formed over the first sidewall spacer. A width of the second sidewall spacer is equal to or greater than a width of the first sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A heat dissipation estimating method is disclosed. The heat dissipation estimating method includes following steps: providing an input heat to a fin of a heat sink unit; obtaining an average temperature of the fin according to the input heat; obtaining an output heat according to the average temperature; determining whether the input heat is the same as the output heat or not; while the input heat is different from the output heat, updating the input heat according to the output heat and repeating the above steps until the input heat is the same as the output heat; and while the input heat is the same as the output heat, obtaining a total heat dissipation value of the heat sink unit according to the input heat and a ratio value.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure can include a resistor on a substrate formed simultaneously with other devices, such as transistors. A diffusion barrier layer formed on a substrate is patterned to form a resistor and barrier layers under a transistor gate. A filler material, a first connector, and a second connector are formed on the resistor at the same manner and time as the gate of the transistor. The filler material is removed to form a resistor on a substrate.

Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate includes forming a hard mask layer over the substrate; forming a first material layer over the hard mask layer; and forming a trench in the first material layer. The method further includes treating the hard mask layer with an ion beam through the trench. An etching rate of a treated portion of the hard mask layer reduces with respect to an etching process while an etching rate of untreated portions of the hard mask layer remains substantially unchanged with respect to the etching process. After the treating of the hard mask layer, the method further includes removing the first material layer and removing the untreated portions of the hard mask layer with the etching process, thereby forming a hard mask over the substrate. The method further includes etching the substrate with the hard mask as an etch mask.

Abstract: An embodiment device includes a gate stack extending over a semiconductor substrate, a hard mask disposed on a top surface of the gate stack, and a low-k dielectric spacer on a side of the gate stack. A top of the low-k dielectric spacer is lower than an upper surface of the hard mask. The device further includes a contact electrically connected to a source/drain region adjacent the gate stack. The contact extends laterally over the low-k dielectric spacer, and a dielectric material is disposed between the contact and the low-k dielectric spacer. The dielectric material has a higher selectivity to etching than the low-k dielectric spacer.