Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a mask layer, patterning the photoresist layer, and forming an oxide layer on exposed surfaces of the patterned photoresist layer. The mask layer is patterned using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a mask layer over a substrate and forming an opening in the mask layer. A gap-filling material is deposited in the opening. A plasma treatment is performed on the gap-filling material. The height of the gap-filling material is reduced. The mask layer is removed. The substrate is patterned using the gap-filling material as a mask.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a first conductive feature, depositing a first mask layer over the first dielectric layer, and depositing a second mask layer over the first mask layer. A first opening is patterned in the first mask layer and the second mask layer, the first opening having a first width. A second opening is patterned in a bottom surface of the first opening, the second opening extending into the first dielectric layer, the second opening having a second width. The second width is less than the first width. The first opening is extended into the first dielectric layer and the second opening is extended through the first dielectric layer to expose a top surface of the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a mask layer, patterning the photoresist layer, and forming an oxide layer on exposed surfaces of the patterned photoresist layer. The mask layer is patterned using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask. A target layer is patterned using the patterned mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a mask layer over a substrate and forming an opening in the mask layer. A gap-filling material is deposited in the opening. A plasma treatment is performed on the gap-filling material. The height of the gap-filling material is reduced. The mask layer is removed. The substrate is patterned using the gap-filling material as a mask.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a first conductive feature, depositing a first mask layer over the first dielectric layer, and depositing a second mask layer over the first mask layer. A first opening is patterned in the first mask layer and the second mask layer, the first opening having a first width. A second opening is patterned in a bottom surface of the first opening, the second opening extending into the first dielectric layer, the second opening having a second width. The second width is less than the first width. The first opening is extended into the first dielectric layer and the second opening is extended through the first dielectric layer to expose a top surface of the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a first conductive feature, depositing a first mask layer over the first dielectric layer, and depositing a second mask layer over the first mask layer. A first opening is patterned in the first mask layer and the second mask layer, the first opening having a first width. A second opening is patterned in a bottom surface of the first opening, the second opening extending into the first dielectric layer, the second opening having a second width. The second width is less than the first width. The first opening is extended into the first dielectric layer and the second opening is extended through the first dielectric layer to expose a top surface of the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a mask layer, patterning the photoresist layer, and forming an oxide layer on exposed surfaces of the patterned photoresist layer. The mask layer is patterned using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask. A target layer is patterned using the patterned mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a mask layer over a substrate and forming an opening in the mask layer. A gap-filling material is deposited in the opening. A plasma treatment is performed on the gap-filling material. The height of the gap-filling material is reduced. The mask layer is removed. The substrate is patterned using the gap-filling material as a mask.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes performing a first atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to form a first material layer over a first blank wafer, the first ALD process comprising: performing a first precursor sub-cycle using a first precursor; performing a first purge sub-cycle using a inert gas; and performing a second precursor sub-cycle using a second precursor and the inert gas; and performing a second purge sub-cycle for a first duration over a second blank wafer different from the first blank wafer using the inert gas to deposit first defects onto the second blank wafer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a mask layer over a substrate and forming an opening in the mask layer. A gap-filling material is deposited in the opening. A plasma treatment is performed on the gap-filling material. The height of the gap-filling material is reduced. The mask layer is removed. The substrate is patterned using the gap-filling material as a mask.

Abstract: Methods of cutting fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a structure includes a first fin on a substrate, a second fin on the substrate, and a fin cut-fill structure disposed between the first fin and the second fin. The first fin and the second fin are longitudinally aligned. The fin cut-fill structure includes an insulating liner and a fill material on the insulating liner. The insulating liner abuts a first sidewall of the first fin and a second sidewall of the second fin. The insulating liner includes a material with a band gap greater than 5 eV.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a patterned amorphous silicon layer over a dielectric layer; depositing a first spacer layer over the patterned amorphous silicon layer; depositing a second spacer layer over the first spacer layer; forming a photoresist having an opening over the substrate; depositing a hard mask layer in the opening of the photoresist; after depositing the hard mask layer in the opening of the photoresist, removing the photoresist; and performing an etching process to etch the dielectric layer by using the patterned amorphous silicon layer, the first spacer layer, the second spacer layer, and the hard mask layer as an etch mask, in which the etching process etches the second spacer layer at a slower etch rate than etching the first spacer layer.

Abstract: Methods of cutting fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a structure includes a first fin on a substrate, a second fin on the substrate, and a fin cut-fill structure disposed between the first fin and the second fin. The first fin and the second fin are longitudinally aligned. The fin cut-fill structure includes an insulating liner and a fill material on the insulating liner. The insulating liner abuts a first sidewall of the first fin and a second sidewall of the second fin. The insulating liner includes a material with a band gap greater than 5 eV.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a mask layer over a substrate and forming an opening in the mask layer. A gap-filling material is deposited in the opening. A plasma treatment is performed on the gap-filling material. The height of the gap-filling material is reduced. The mask layer is removed. The substrate is patterned using the gap-filling material as a mask.

Abstract: A remotely generated plasma energizes radicals of a process gas. The radicals of the process gas may interact with a precursor gas to cause a reaction to form an oxide on a region of a workpiece. The formation of the oxide is formed without damaging an underlying layer, such as a low-k dielectric layer. The oxide layer may correspond to a main sidewall oxide over a gate spacer in the formation of a FinFET device.

Abstract: A method is provided. Plural semiconductor fins are formed on a substrate, and plural trenches each of which is formed between two adjacent semiconductor fins. A silicon liner layer is deposited to be conformal to the semiconductor fins and the trenches. The silicon liner layer is deposited by using a silane compound. Then, an oxide layer is deposited on the silicon liner layer to fill the trenches and cover the semiconductor fins, in which depositing the oxide layer forms water in the oxide layer. Next, a surface of the silicon liner layer is reacted with the water, so as to remove the water from the oxide layer.

Abstract: Methods of cutting fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a structure includes a first fin on a substrate, a second fin on the substrate, and a fin cut-fill structure disposed between the first fin and the second fin. The first fin and the second fin are longitudinally aligned. The fin cut-fill structure includes an insulating liner and a fill material on the insulating liner. The insulating liner abuts a first sidewall of the first fin and a second sidewall of the second fin. The insulating liner includes a material with a band gap greater than 5 eV.

Abstract: Methods of cutting fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a structure includes a first fin on a substrate, a second fin on the substrate, and a fin cut-fill structure disposed between the first fin and the second fin. The first fin and the second fin are longitudinally aligned. The fin cut-fill structure includes an insulating liner and a fill material on the insulating liner. The insulating liner abuts a first sidewall of the first fin and a second sidewall of the second fin. The insulating liner includes a material with a band gap greater than 5 eV.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming a gate layer in high aspect ratio trenches using a cyclic deposition-etch process. In an embodiment, a method for semiconductor processing is provided. The method includes performing a first deposition process to form a conformal film over a bottom surface and along sidewall surfaces of a feature on a substrate. The method includes performing an etch process to remove a portion of the conformal film. The method includes repeating the first deposition process and the etch process to fill the feature with the conformal film. The method includes exposing the conformal film to ultraviolet light.