Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, at least one n-type semiconductor device, and at least one p-type semiconductor device. The n-type semiconductor device is present on the substrate. The n-type semiconductor device includes a gate structure having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall. The bottom surface of the gate structure of the n-type semiconductor device and the sidewall of the gate structure of the n-type semiconductor device intersect to form an interior angle. The p-type semiconductor device is present on the substrate. The p-type semiconductor device includes a gate structure having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall. The bottom surface of the gate structure of the p-type semiconductor device and the sidewall of the gate structure of the p-type semiconductor device intersect to form an interior angle smaller than the interior angle of the gate structure of the n-type semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell, a third memory cell, and a fourth memory cell operatively arranged along a first one of a plurality of columns, and operatively arranged in a first one, a second one, a third one, and a fourth one of a plurality of rows, respectively. The first column operatively corresponds to a first pair of bit lines and a second pair of bit lines. The first to fourth rows operatively correspond to a first word line, a second word line, a third word line, and a fourth word line, respectively. The first pair of bit lines are operatively coupled to the first and second memory cells. The second pair of bit lines are operatively coupled to the third and fourth memory cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices that include a direct N/P local interconnect with minimal recess on shallow trench isolation (STI) oxide. This reduces undesirable coupling capacitance with active gate, which in turn improves AC performance of the device. Pull or even partial replacement of STI oxide with low-k dielectric can further reduce coupling capacitance.

Abstract: Ingot puller apparatus for producing a doped single crystal silicon ingot are disclosed. The ingot puller apparatus includes a dopant feeder having a first dopant receptacle for holding a first batch of dopant and a second dopant receptacle for holding a second batch of dopant. A rotation mechanism rotates the first dopant receptacle to release the first batch of dopant into the crucible and rotates the second dopant receptacle to release the second batch of dopant into the crucible.

Abstract: Ingot puller apparatus for producing a doped single crystal silicon ingot are disclosed. The ingot puller apparatus includes a dopant feeder having a first dopant receptacle for holding a first batch of dopant and a second dopant receptacle for holding a second batch of dopant. A rotation mechanism rotates the first dopant receptacle to release the first batch of dopant into the crucible and rotates the second dopant receptacle to release the second batch of dopant into the crucible.

Abstract: In a method of forming a pattern, a photo resist layer is formed over an underlying layer, the photo resist layer is exposed to an actinic radiation carrying pattern information, the exposed photo resist layer is developed to form a developed resist pattern, a directional etching operation is applied to the developed resist pattern to form a trimmed resist pattern, and the underlying layer is patterned using the trimmed resist pattern as an etching mask.

Abstract: A memory device includes a conductive segment, first and second rows of memory cells. The conductive segment receives a first reference voltage signal. The first row of memory cells is coupled to a first word line. The second row of memory cells is coupled to a second word line. The first row of memory cells includes first and second memory cells. The first memory cell is coupled to the conductive segment to receive the first reference voltage signal. The second row of memory cells includes third and fourth memory cells. The third memory cell is coupled to the conductive segment to receive the first reference voltage signal. The first and third memory cells share the conductive segment, and the third memory cell is arranged between the first and second memory cells. The second memory cell is arranged between the third and fourth memory cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with a heat dissipation structure includes a first device wafer includes a front side and a back side. A first transistor is disposed on the front side. The first transistor includes a first gate structure disposed on the front side. Two first source/drain doping regions are embedded within the first device wafer at two side of the first gate structure. A channel region is disposed between the two first source/drain doping regions and embedded within the first device wafer. A first dummy metal structure contacts the back side of the first device wafer, and overlaps the channel region.

Abstract: One or more active region structures each protrude vertically out of a substrate in a vertical direction and each extend horizontally in a first horizontal direction. A source/drain component is disposed over the one or more active region structures in the vertical direction. A source/drain contact is disposed over the source/drain component in the vertical direction. The source/drain contact includes a bottom portion and a top portion. A protective liner is disposed on side surfaces of the top portion of the source/drain contact but not on side surfaces of the bottom portion of the source/drain contact.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first active fin structure and a second active fin structure on a substrate. A dummy fin structure is formed on the substrate, the dummy fin structure being interposed between the first active fin structure and the second active fin structure. The dummy fin structure is removed to expose a first portion of the substrate, the first portion of the substrate being disposed directly below the dummy fin structure. A plurality of protruding features is formed on the first portion of the substrate. A shallow trench isolation (STI) region is formed over the first portion of the substrate, the STI region covering the plurality of protruding features, at least a portion of the first active fin structure and at least a portion of the second active fin structure extending above a topmost surface of the STI region.

Abstract: An IC device includes a gate electrode extending along a first direction, a channel extending through the gate electrode in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and positioned at a first elevation along a third direction perpendicular to each to the first and second directions, an isolation layer positioned within the gate electrode at a second elevation different from the first elevation, first and second source/drain (S/D) structures adjacent to the channel and positioned on opposite sides of the gate electrode at the first elevation, third and fourth S/D structures positioned on opposite sides of the gate electrode at the second elevation, and a conductive structure extending in the second direction and electrically connected to each of the third and fourth S/D structures.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation region extending into, and overlying a bulk portion of, the semiconductor substrate, a buried conductive track comprising a portion in the isolation region, and a transistor having a source/drain region and a gate electrode. The source/drain region or the gate electrode is connected to the buried conductive track.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first memory cell in a 4CPP architecture; a second memory cell formed in the 4CPP architecture and physically disposed next to the first memory cell along a first lateral direction; a first word line extending along the first lateral direction and operatively coupled to the first memory cell; a second word line extending along the first lateral direction and operatively coupled to the first memory cell; a third word line extending along the first lateral direction and operatively coupled to the second memory cell; a fourth word line extending along the first lateral direction and operatively coupled to the second memory cell; a first bit line extending along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction and operatively coupled to the first memory cell; and a second bit line extending along the second lateral direction and operatively coupled to the second memory cell.

Abstract: A memory device includes active regions and gate structures, each of the gate structures is electrically coupled to a first portion of a corresponding active region of the active regions. The memory device includes contact-to-transistor-component structures (MD structures), each of the MD structures is over a second portion of a corresponding active region, and a first MD structure is between adjacent gate structures. The memory device includes via-to-gate/MD (VGD) structures, each of the VGD structures is over to a corresponding gate electrode and MD structure. The memory device includes conductive segments, each of the conductive segments is over and electrically coupled to a corresponding VGD structure. The memory device includes buried contact-to-transistor-component structures (BVD) structures, each of the BVD structures is under a third portion of a corresponding active region.

Abstract: A memory array includes a first memory cell configured to store data, a second memory cell configured to store data and a bit line extending along the first direction, and being over the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The first memory cell and the second memory cell are arranged along a first direction in a first column of memory cells. The bit line includes a first conductor extending in the first direction and being in a first conductive layer, and a second conductor extending in the first direction and being in a second conductive layer different from the first conductive layer.

Abstract: Gate-all-around (GAA) field-effect transistor (FET) device employing strain material structure in inactive gate region(s) of a gate for applying channel strain to the channel(s) of the GAA FET for increased carrier mobility. The GAA FET device includes a GAA P-type (P) FET (PFET) and a GAA N-type (N) FET (NFET) served by a gate with a strain material in the inactive gate region(s) of the gate adjacent to the active gates of the GAA NFET and GAA PFET. In this manner, the strain material applies strain to both the GAA NFET and GAA PFET channels in the elongated direction of the gate in a direction orthogonal to their channel directions between the respective sources and drains, so that a strain material of the same strain type can be used to increase carrier mobility of both the GAA NFET and GAA PFET alike.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with a heat dissipation structure includes a first device wafer includes a front side and a back side. A first transistor is disposed on the front side. The first transistor includes a first gate structure disposed on the front side. Two first source/drain doping regions are embedded within the first device wafer at two side of the first gate structure. A channel region is disposed between the two first source/drain doping regions and embedded within the first device wafer. A first dummy metal structure contacts the back side of the first device wafer, and overlaps the channel region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate; an integrated circuit region on the substrate, said integrated circuit region comprising a dielectric stack; a seal ring disposed in said dielectric stack and around a periphery of the integrated circuit region; a trench around the seal ring and exposing a sidewall of the dielectric stack; and a moisture blocking layer continuously covering the integrated circuit region and extending to the sidewall of the dielectric stack, thereby sealing a boundary between two adjacent dielectric films in the dielectric stack.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a fuel cell, a first switch, a rechargeable battery, a second switch, and a relay. The fuel cell provides a fuel voltage. The first switch provides the fuel voltage to a first node according to a first control signal. The rechargeable battery provides a battery voltage. The second switch is coupled to the first node and charges the rechargeable battery with the fuel voltage according to a second control signal. The relay provides a voltage of the first node to the load according to the third control signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first-type active-region semiconductor structure extending and a second-type active-region semiconductor structure both extending in a first direction. The second-type active-region semiconductor structure is stacked with the first-type active-region semiconductor structure. The integrated circuit device also includes a front-side conductive layer above the two active-region semiconductor structures and a back-side conductive layer below the two active-region semiconductor structures. The integrated circuit device still includes a front-side power rail extending in the second direction in the front-side conductive layer and a back-side power rail extending in the second direction in the back-side conductive layer. The integrated circuit device further includes a first source conductive segment connected to the front-side power rail and a second source conductive segment connected to the back-side power rail.