Abstract: Methods of MOL S/D contact patterning of RMG devices without gouging of the Rx area or replacement of the dielectric are provided. Embodiments include forming a SOG layer around a RMG structure, the RMG structure having a contact etch stop layer and a gate cap layer; forming a lithography stack over the SOG and gate cap layers; patterning first and second TS openings through the lithography stack down to the SOG layer; removing a portion of the SOG layer through the first and second TS openings, the removing selective to the contact etch stop layer; converting the SOG layer to a SiO2 layer; forming a metal layer over the SiO2 layer; and planarizing the metal and SiO2 layers down to the gate cap layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to gate structures with minimized gate thickness loss and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of gate structures; a film layer provided over the gate structures and adjacent to the gate structures; and a planarized cap layer on the film and over the plurality of gate structures, the planarized cap layer having a different selectivity to slurry of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process than the film.

Abstract: Methods of MOL S/D contact patterning of RMG devices without gouging of the Rx area or replacement of the dielectric are provided. Embodiments include forming a SOG layer around a RMG structure, the RMG structure having a contact etch stop layer and a gate cap layer; forming a lithography stack over the SOG and gate cap layers; patterning first and second TS openings through the lithography stack down to the SOG layer; removing a portion of the SOG layer through the first and second TS openings, the removing selective to the contact etch stop layer; converting the SOG layer to a SiO2 layer; forming a metal layer over the SiO2 layer; and planarizing the metal and SiO2 layers down to the gate cap layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention generally relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a TSV device having a “buffer zone” or gap layer between the TSV and transistor(s). The gap layer is typically filled with a low stress thin film fill material that controls stresses and crack formation on the devices. Further, the gap layer ensures a certain spatial distance between TSVs and transistors to reduce the adverse effects of temperature excursion.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention generally relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a TSV device having a “buffer zone” or gap layer between the TSV and transistor(s). The gap layer is typically filled with a low stress thin film fill material that controls stresses and crack formation on the devices. Further, the gap layer ensures a certain spatial distance between TSVs and transistors to reduce the adverse effects of temperature excursion.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention generally relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a TSV device having a “buffer zone” or gap layer between the TSV and transistor(s). The gap layer is typically filled with a low stress thin film fill material that controls stresses and crack formation on the devices. Further, the gap layer ensures a certain spatial distance between TSVs and transistors to reduce the adverse effects of temperature excursion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for fabrication of finFETs. During finFET fabrication, a film, such as amorphous silicon, is deposited on a semiconductor substrate which has regions with fins and regions without fins. A fill layer is deposited on the film and planarized to form a flush surface. A recess or etch process is used to form a planar surface with all portions of the fill layer removed. A finishing process such as a gas cluster ion beam process may be used to further smooth the substrate surface. This results in a film having a very uniform thickness across the structure (e.g. a semiconductor wafer), resulting in improved within-wafer (WiW) uniformity and improved within-chip (WiC) uniformity.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention generally relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a TSV device having a “buffer zone” or gap layer between the TSV and transistor(s). The gap layer is typically filled with a low stress thin film fill material that controls stresses and crack formation on the devices. Further, the gap layer ensures a certain spatial distance between TSVs and transistors to reduce the adverse effects of temperature excursion.

Abstract: Polishing apparatus and related methods employ aligned first and second magnetic field sources to adjust the compressive force and/or pressure applied by a carrier head against a target workpiece (such as a wafer) by selectively and controllably generating a repellant or attractive force between the two magnetic field sources.

Abstract: A retainer ring configured to reduce heat generated during a polishing process may include a heat absorbing element, a thermoelectric element, and a heat dissipating element. A polishing head configured to polish a wafer may include a wafer carrier, a retainer ring, and a cooling element. A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus including a polishing pad formed on a platen and a polishing head including a retainer ring.

Abstract: A retainer ring configured to reduce heat generated during a polishing process may include a heat absorbing element, a thermoelectric element, and a heat dissipating element. A polishing head configured to polish a wafer may include a wafer carrier, a retainer ring, and a cooling element. A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus including a polishing pad formed on a platen and a polishing head including a retainer ring.

Abstract: Polishing apparatus and related methods employ aligned first and second magnetic field sources to adjust the compressive force and/or pressure applied by a carrier head against a target workpiece (such as a wafer) by selectively and controllably generating a repellant or attractive force between the two magnetic field sources.

Abstract: Polishing apparatus and related methods employ aligned first and second magnetic field sources to adjust the compressive force and/or pressure applied by a carrier head against a target workpiece (such as a wafer) by selectively and controllably generating a repellant or attractive force between the two magnetic field sources.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for polishing a Cu metal layer and a method for forming Cu metal wiring, Cu oxide created by a surface oxidation of a Cu metal layer is removed from the wafer. The Cu metal layer, in which Cu oxide is removed, is polished. By polishing the Cu metal layer using the above method, process failures, such as scratches, caused by the presence of remnants of Cu oxide during subsequent polishing can be prevented.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device is provided.

Abstract: Polishing apparatus and related methods employ aligned first and second magnetic field sources to adjust the compressive force and/or pressure applied by a carrier head against a target workpiece (such as a wafer) by selectively and controllably generating a repellant or attractive force between the two magnetic field sources.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor and a damascene wiring layer structure, wherein first and second metal wiring layers are formed in a lower dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate such that top surfaces of the first and second metal wiring layers and the lower dielectric layer are level. First and second dielectric layers are sequentially formed to have a hole exposing the top surface of the second metal wiring layer. An upper electrode of a capacitor is formed in the hole region such that the top surfaces of the upper electrode and the second dielectric layer are level. Third and fourth dielectric layers are sequentially formed on the substrate. A damascene structure is formed to contact the top surface of the first metal wiring layer, and a contact plug is formed to contact the top surface of the upper electrode.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for polishing a Cu metal layer and a method for forming Cu metal wiring, Cu oxide created by a surface oxidation of a Cu metal layer is removed from the wafer. The Cu metal layer, in which Cu oxide is removed, is polished. By polishing the Cu metal layer using the above method, process failures, such as scratches, caused by the presence of remnants of Cu oxide during subsequent polishing can be prevented.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor and a damascene wiring layer structure, wherein first and second metal wiring layers are formed in a lower dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate such that top surfaces of the first and second metal wiring layers and the lower dielectric layer are level. First and second dielectric layers are sequentially formed to have a hole exposing the top surface of the second metal wiring layer. An upper electrode of a capacitor is formed in the hole region such that the top surfaces of the upper electrode and the second dielectric layer are level. Third and fourth dielectric layers are sequentially formed on the substrate. A damascene structure is formed to contact the top surface of the first metal wiring layer, and a contact plug is formed to contact the top surface of the upper electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device for protecting a Cu layer from post chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) corrosion and CMP equipment therefore wherein, when wafers on which a Cu layer is formed wait to be transferred to a cleaning system after being polished in a CMP equipment, the wafers collected at a stand-by station are supplied with a solution containing a corrosion inhibitor, thus at least keeping the polished surface of Cu layer wet with the solution. Then, the wafers collected at the stand-by station are transferred to the cleaning system and cleaned. In the present invention, the solution uses a solution in which the corrosion inhibitor is added to de-ionized water. Furthermore, while transferring the wafers, the surfaces of the transferred wafers are kept wet with a solution containing a corrosion inhibitor.