Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises providing a fin formed to protrude from a substrate and a plurality of gate electrodes formed on the fin to intersect the fin; forming first recesses in the fin on at least one side of the respective gate electrodes; forming an oxide layer on the surfaces of the first recesses; and expanding the first recesses into second recesses by removing the oxide layer. Related devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fins by forming a plurality of first device isolating trenches repeated at a first pitch in a substrate, forming a plurality of fin-type active areas protruding from a top surface of a first device isolating layer by forming the first device isolating layer in the plurality of first device isolating trenches, forming a plurality of second device isolating trenches at a pitch different from the first pitch by etching a portion of the substrate and the first device isolating layer, and forming a second device isolating layer in the plurality of second device isolating trenches, so as to form a plurality of fin-type active area groups separated from each other with the second device isolating layer therebetween.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fins by forming a plurality of first device isolating trenches repeated at a first pitch in a substrate, forming a plurality of fin-type active areas protruding from a top surface of a first device isolating layer by forming the first device isolating layer in the plurality of first device isolating trenches, forming a plurality of second device isolating trenches at a pitch different from the first pitch by etching a portion of the substrate and the first device isolating layer, and forming a second device isolating layer in the plurality of second device isolating trenches, so as to form a plurality of fin-type active area groups separated from each other with the second device isolating layer therebetween.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate pattern on a substrate, and etching sides of the gate pattern using a first wet-etching process to form a first recess. The first wet-etching process includes using an etchant containing a first chemical substance including a hydroxyl functional group (—OH) and a second chemical substance capable of oxidizing the substrate. The concentration of the second chemical substance is 1.5 times or less the concentration of the first chemical substance.

Abstract: A first protective layer, a mask layer, a second protective layer and a photoresist layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A photoresist pattern is formed by partially removing the photoresist layer. An ion implantation mask is formed by sequentially etching the second protective layer, the mask layer and the first protective layer using the photoresist pattern. The ion implantation mask exposes the substrate. Impurities are implanted in an upper portion of the substrate exposed by the ion implantation mask.

Abstract: A method for forming a trench includes etching an oxide layer to form a trench therein, conformally forming a first reaction layer along a surface of the trench, the first reaction layer including a first region on an upper portion of the trench and a second region on a lower portion of the trench, forming a barrier layer by reacting a first amount of etching gas with the first region of the first reaction layer, and etching the oxide layer on a lower portion of the second region by reacting a second amount of etching gas with the second region of the first reaction layer, the second amount of etching gas being greater than the first amount of etching gas.

Abstract: A method for forming a trench includes etching an oxide layer to form a trench therein, conformally forming a first reaction layer along a surface of the trench, the first reaction layer including a first region on an upper portion of the trench and a second region on a lower portion of the trench, forming a barrier layer by reacting a first amount of etching gas with the first region of the first reaction layer, and etching the oxide layer on a lower portion of the second region by reacting a second amount of etching gas with the second region of the first reaction layer, the second amount of etching gas being greater than the first amount of etching gas.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fins by forming a plurality of first device isolating trenches repeated at a first pitch in a substrate, forming a plurality of fin-type active areas protruding from a top surface of a first device isolating layer by forming the first device isolating layer in the plurality of first device isolating trenches, forming a plurality of second device isolating trenches at a pitch different from the first pitch by etching a portion of the substrate and the first device isolating layer, and forming a second device isolating layer in the plurality of second device isolating trenches, so as to form a plurality of fin-type active area groups separated from each other with the second device isolating layer therebetween.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises providing a fin formed to protrude from a substrate and a plurality of gate electrodes formed on the fin to intersect the fin; forming first recesses in the fin on at least one side of the respective gate electrodes; forming an oxide layer on the surfaces of the first recesses; and expanding the first recesses into second recesses by removing the oxide layer. Related devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device can include providing a plasma nitrided exposed top surface including an active region and an isolation region. The exposed top surface including the active region and the isolation region can be subjected to etching to form a deeper recess in the active region that in the isolation region and an unmerged epitaxial stress film can be grown in the deeper recess.

Abstract: In a method of forming a capacitor, a first mold layer pattern including a first insulating material may be formed on a substrate. The first mold layer pattern may have a trench. A supporting layer including a second insulating material may be formed in the trench. The second insulating material may have an etching selectivity with respect to the first insulating material. A second mold layer may be formed on the first mold layer pattern and the supporting layer pattern. A lower electrode may be formed through the second mold layer and the first mold layer pattern. The lower electrode may make contact with a sidewall of the supporting layer pattern. The first mold layer pattern and the second mold layer may be removed. A dielectric layer and an upper electrode may be formed on the lower electrode and the supporting layer pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate pattern on a substrate, and etching sides of the gate pattern using a first wet-etching process to form a first recess. The first wet-etching process includes using an etchant containing a first chemical substance including a hydroxyl functional group (—OH) and a second chemical substance capable of oxidizing the substrate. The concentration of the second chemical substance is 1.5 times or less the concentration of the first chemical substance.

Abstract: A transistor having a metal nitride layer pattern, etchant and methods of forming the same is provided. A gate insulating layer and/or a metal nitride layer may be formed on a semiconductor substrate. A mask layer may be formed on the metal nitride layer. Using the mask layer as an etching mask, an etching process may be performed on the metal nitride layer, forming the metal nitride layer pattern. An etchant, which may have an oxidizing agent, a chelate agent and/or a pH adjusting mixture, may perform the etching. The methods may reduce etching damage to a gate insulating layer under the metal nitride layer pattern during the formation of a transistor.

Abstract: For patterning during integrated circuit fabrication, a first pattern of first masking structures is formed, and a buffer layer is formed on exposed surfaces of the first masking structures. Also, a second pattern of second masking structures is formed in recesses between the buffer layer at sidewalls of the first masking structures. Furthermore, the first and masking structures are formed from spin-coating respective high carbon containing materials. Such first and second masking structures pattern a target layer with higher pitch than possible with traditional photolithography.

Abstract: In a method of forming a capacitor, a first mold layer pattern including a first insulating material may be formed on a substrate. The first mold layer pattern may have a trench. A supporting layer including a second insulating material may be formed in the trench. The second insulating material may have an etching selectivity with respect to the first insulating material. A second mold layer may be formed on the first mold layer pattern and the supporting layer pattern. A lower electrode may be formed through the second mold layer and the first mold layer pattern. The lower electrode may make contact with a sidewall of the supporting layer pattern. The first mold layer pattern and the second mold layer may be removed. A dielectric layer and an upper electrode may be formed on the lower electrode and the supporting layer pattern.

Abstract: In a method of forming a capacitor, a first mold layer pattern including a first insulating material may be formed on a substrate. The first mold layer pattern may have a trench. A supporting layer including a second insulating material may be formed in the trench. The second insulating material may have an etching selectivity with respect to the first insulating material. A second mold layer may be formed on the first mold layer pattern and the supporting layer pattern. A lower electrode may be formed through the second mold layer and the first mold layer pattern. The lower electrode may make contact with a sidewall of the supporting layer pattern. The first mold layer pattern and the second mold layer may be removed. A dielectric layer and an upper electrode may be formed on the lower electrode and the supporting layer pattern.

Abstract: For patterning during integrated circuit fabrication, a first pattern of first masking structures is formed, and a buffer layer is formed on exposed surfaces of the first masking structures. Also, a second pattern of second masking structures is formed in recesses between the buffer layer at sidewalls of the first masking structures. Furthermore, the first and masking structures are formed from spin-coating respective high carbon containing materials. Such first and second masking structures pattern a target layer with higher pitch than possible with traditional photolithography.

Abstract: For patterning during integrated circuit fabrication, a first pattern of first masking structures is formed, and a buffer layer is formed on exposed surfaces of the first masking structures. Also, a second pattern of second masking structures is formed in recesses between the buffer layer at sidewalls of the first masking structures. Furthermore, the first and masking structures are formed from spin-coating respective high carbon containing materials. Such first and second masking structures pattern a target layer with higher pitch than possible with traditional photolithography.

Abstract: In a method of forming a capacitor, a first mold layer pattern including a first insulating material may be formed on a substrate. The first mold layer pattern may have a trench. A supporting layer including a second insulating material may be formed in the trench. The second insulating material may have an etching selectivity with respect to the first insulating material. A second mold layer may be formed on the first mold layer pattern and the supporting layer pattern. A lower electrode may be formed through the second mold layer and the first mold layer pattern. The lower electrode may make contact with a sidewall of the supporting layer pattern. The first mold layer pattern and the second mold layer may be removed. A dielectric layer and an upper electrode may be formed on the lower electrode and the supporting layer pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming fine pitch hardmask patterns includes forming a hardmask layer on a substrate and forming a plurality of first mask patterns on the hardmask layer. A buffer layer is formed on the plurality of first mask patterns, and has an upper surface defining recesses between adjacent first mask patterns. Second mask patterns are formed within the recesses formed in the upper surface of the buffer layer. The buffer layer is partially removed to expose upper surfaces of the plurality of first mask patterns, and the buffer layer is then partially removed using the first mask patterns and the second mask patterns as an etch mask to expose the hardmask layer between the first mask pattern and the second mask pattern. Using the first mask patterns and the second mask patterns as an etch mask, the hardmask layer is etched to form hardmask patterns.