Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for a soft satellite switching procedure. A method for a user equipment (UE) in communication with a source satellite to switch to a target satellite includes the following operations: receiving a signal from the source satellite; and determining whether to switch to the target satellite based upon a hard switch or a soft switch.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first interconnect structure, a device layer, a second interconnect structure, a diamond layer, a passivation layer, and an electrical connector. The device layer is disposed over the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure is disposed over the device layer and comprises a topmost metallization pattern. The diamond layer is disposed over the second interconnect structure and at least revealing a part of the topmost metallization pattern. The passivation layer covers the diamond layer and reveals the part of the topmost metallization pattern. The electrical connector is disposed over the passivation layer and bonded to the part of the topmost metallization pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a formation method are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first transistor, and the first transistor includes a first channel layer and a first gate structure. The semiconductor transistor further includes a second transistor. The second transistor includes a second channel layer and a second gate structure. The semiconductor transistor further includes a bonding structure vertically sandwiched between the first transistor and the second transistor. The bonding structure includes a first dielectric bonding layer attached to the first gate structure and a first conductive bonding structure formed through the first dielectric bonding layer. The bonding structure further includes a second dielectric bonding layer attached to the first dielectric bonding layer and the second gate structure and a second conductive bonding structure formed through the second dielectric bonding layer and bonded to the first conductive bonding structure.

Abstract: A slurry composition, a polishing method and an integrated circuit are provided. The slurry composition includes a slurry and at least one cationic surfactant having at least one nitrogen atom in the molecule. The slurry includes at least one liquid carrier, at least one abrasive and at least one pH adjusting agent, and has a pH of less than 7.0. The polishing method includes using the slurry composition with the cationic surfactant to polish a conductive layer. The integrated circuit comprises a block layer comprising the cationic surfactant between a sidewall of the conductive plug and an interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: A slurry composition, a polishing method and an integrated circuit are provided. The slurry composition includes a slurry and at least one rheology modifier. The slurry includes at least one liquid carrier, at least one abrasives and at least one oxidizer. The rheology modifier is dispensed in the slurry. The polishing method includes using the slurry composition with the rheology modifier to polish a conductive layer.

Abstract: A package structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The package structure includes a first package structure and a second package structure. The first package structure includes a first device formed over a first substrate. The first device includes a first conductive plug connected to a through substrate via (TSV) structure formed in the first substrate. A buffer layer surrounds the first substrate. A first bonding layer is formed over the first substrate and the buffer layer. The second package structure includes a second device formed over a second substrate. A second bonding layer is formed over the second device. A hybrid bonding structure is between the first package structure and the second package structure by bonding the first bonding layer to the second bonding layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes: a first conductive layer arranged over a substrate; a dielectric layer arranged over the first conductive layer; a second conductive layer arranged within the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer including a sidewall distant from the dielectric layer by a width; and a first blocking layer over a surface of the first conductive layer between the second conducive layer and the dielectric layer. The first blocking layer includes at least one element of a precipitant.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing tool includes a cleaning chamber configured to perform a post-chemical mechanical polishing/planarization (post-CMP) cleaning operation in an oxygen-free (or in a near oxygen-free) manner. An inert gas may be provided into the cleaning chamber to remove oxygen from the cleaning chamber such that the post-CMP cleaning operation may be performed in an oxygen-free (or in a near oxygen-free) environment. In this way, the post-CMP cleaning operation may be performed in an environment that may reduce oxygen-causing corrosion of metallization layers and/or metallization structures on and/or in the semiconductor wafer, which may increase semiconductor processing yield, may decrease semiconductor processing defects, and/or may increase semiconductor processing quality, among other examples.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the planarization of ruthenium metal layers in conductive structures. The method includes forming a first conductive structure on a second conductive structure, where forming the first conductive structure includes forming openings in a dielectric layer disposed on the second conductive structure and depositing a ruthenium metal in the openings to overfill the openings. The formation of the first conductive structure includes doping the ruthenium metal and polishing the doped ruthenium metal to form the first conductive structure.

Abstract: A slurry composition, a semiconductor structure and a method for forming a semiconductor structure are provided. The slurry composition includes a slurry and a precipitant dispensed in the slurry. The semiconductor structure comprises a blocking layer including at least one element of the precipitant. The method includes using the slurry composition with the precipitant to polish a conductive layer and causing the precipitant to flow into the gap.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A first metal layer and a second metal layer are formed in a dielectric structure. The second metal layer is formed over a portion of the first metal layer. A first composition is provided to remove a portion of the first metal layer. A second composition is provided to form a protecting layer over the second metal layer. The protecting layer is removed to expose the second metal layer. A CMP operation is performed to remove a portion of the first metal layer, a portion of the second metal layer and a portion of the dielectric structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing tool includes a cleaning chamber configured to perform a post-chemical mechanical polishing/planarization (post-CMP) cleaning operation in an oxygen-free (or in a near oxygen-free) manner. An inert gas may be provided into the cleaning chamber to remove oxygen from the cleaning chamber such that the post-CMP cleaning operation may be performed in an oxygen-free (or in a near oxygen-free) environment. In this way, the post-CMP cleaning operation may be performed in an environment that may reduce oxygen-causing corrosion of metallization layers and/or metallization structures on and/or in the semiconductor wafer, which may increase semiconductor processing yield, may decrease semiconductor processing defects, and/or may increase semiconductor processing quality, among other examples.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal stack is received. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and a top surface of the first metal layer and a top surface of the second metal layer are exposed. A protecting layer is formed over the second metal layer. A portion of the first metal layer is etched. The protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the etching of the portion of the first metal layer. A top surface of the etched first metal layer is lower than a top surface of the protecting layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a multi-zone platen comprising a plurality of individually controlled concentric toroids. The rotation direction, rotation speed, applied force, relative height, and temperature of each concentric toroid is individually controlled. Concentric polishing pads are affixed to an upper surface of each of the individually controlled concentric toroids. The chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a single central slurry source or includes individual slurry sources for each individually controlled concentric toroid.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a multi-zone platen comprising a plurality of individually controlled concentric toroids. The rotation direction, rotation speed, applied force, relative height, and temperature of each concentric toroid is individually controlled. Concentric polishing pads are affixed to an upper surface of each of the individually controlled concentric toroids. The chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a single central slurry source or includes individual slurry sources for each individually controlled concentric toroid.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for cleaning a surface of a substrate comprising silicon germanium after a chemical mechanical polishing process is provided. The cleaning composition includes an oligomeric or polymeric polyamine, at least one wetting agent, a pH adjusting agent, and a solvent.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal layer is received. A CMP slurry composition is provided in a CMP apparatus. The CMP slurry composition includes at least a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer different from each other. The first oxidizer is oxidized to form a peroxidant by the second oxidizer. A portion of the metal layer is oxidized to form a first metal oxide by the peroxidant. The first metal oxide is re-oxidized to form a second metal oxide by the second oxidizer.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal stack is received. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and a top surface of the first metal layer and a top surface of the second metal layer are exposed. A protecting layer is formed over the second metal layer. A portion of the first metal layer is etched. The protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the etching of the portion of the first metal layer. A top surface of the etched first metal layer is lower than a top surface of the protecting layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) a first abrasive comprising cationically modified colloidal silica particles, (b) a second abrasive having a Mohs hardness of about 5.5 or more, (c) a cationic polymer, (d) an iron containing activator, (e) an oxidizing agent, and (f) water. The invention also relates to a method of chemically mechanically polishing a substrate, especially a substrate comprising tungsten and barrier layers (e.g., nitrides), with the polishing composition.

Abstract: A slurry composition, a semiconductor structure and a method for forming a semiconductor structure are provided. The slurry composition includes a slurry and a precipitant dispensed in the slurry. The semiconductor structure comprises a blocking layer including at least one element of the precipitant. The method includes using the slurry composition with the precipitant to polish a conductive layer and causing the precipitant to flow into the gap.