Abstract: Methods of modifying a self-aligned contact process in a semiconductor fabrication and a semiconductor device are provided. A method includes forming a transistor over a substrate, including depositing a high-k dielectric layer over the substrate; depositing a work function metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer; forming a metal gate over the work function metal layer; forming two spacers sandwiching the work function metal layer and the metal gate; and forming a doped region in the substrate; etching the work function metal layer and the metal gate to leave a metal residue over inner walls of the two spacers exposing the work function metal layer and the metal gate; modifying the metal residue and the exposed work function metal layer and metal gate to form a metal compound; depositing an insulator covering the metal compound; and forming contact pads respectively electrically connected to the metal gate and the doped region.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a first gate stack. The first gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer, a first work function metal layer and a second work function metal layer directly on the first work function metal layer. The second work function metal layer and the first work function metal layer have the same metal element. The semiconductor device also includes a second gate stack. The second gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer, a barrier layer and a second work function metal layer. The second work function metal layer and the barrier layer do not have the same metal element. A first thickness of the second work function metal layer of the first gate stack is larger than a second thickness of the second work function metal layer of the second gate stack.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure is provided including a substrate, a low voltage device and a high voltage device. The low voltage device has a first beeline distance from a first epitaxial structure to an adjacent gate stack; and the high voltage structure has a second beeline distance from a second epitaxial structure to an adjacent gate stack. The second beeline distance of the high voltage device is greater than the first beeline distance of the low voltage device, so that the leakage current in the high voltage device may be decreased under high voltage operation. Further, a method for manufacturing the integrated circuit structure also provides herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer having a first surface, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) defining a metal gate over the first surface of the semiconductor layer. The metal gate includes a high-k dielectric layer, a barrier layer, and a work function metal layer. A thickness of a first portion of the barrier layer at the sidewall of the metal gate is substantially thinner than a thickness of the barrier layer at the bottom of the metal gate. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a metal gate trench in an ILD, forming a barrier layer in a bottom and a sidewall of the metal gate trench, removing a first portion of the barrier layer at the sidewall of the metal gate trench, and forming a work function metal layer conforming to the barrier layer.

Abstract: An interconnection structure for a package is disclosed. The interconnection structure includes a substrate body having a conductive portion formed on a surface thereof; a first photosensitive dielectric layer formed on the surface of the substrate body and having a via for exposing the conductive potion; a conductive via formed in the via; a second photosensitive dielectric layer formed on the first photosensitive dielectric layer and having a opening for exposing the conductive via and a portion of the first photosensitive dielectric layer; and a conductive trace layer formed in the opening of the second photosensitive dielectric layer so as to be electrically connected to the conductive portion through the conductive via, thereby simplifying the fabrication process and reducing the fabrication cost and time.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first fin partially surrounded by a first isolation structure and protruding through a top surface thereof. The semiconductor device also includes a second fin partially surrounded by a second isolation structure and protruding through a top surface thereof. The top surface of the first isolation structure is higher than the top surface of the second isolation structure such that the second fin has a height higher than that of the first fin. The second isolation structure has a dopant concentration higher than that of the first isolation structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an interposer is provided, including forming a plurality of first openings on one surface side of a substrate, forming a first metal layer in the first openings, forming on the other surface side of the substrate a plurality of second openings that are in communication with the first openings, forming a second metal layer in the second openings, and electrically connecting the first metal layer to the second metal layer, so as to form conductive through holes. The conductive through holes are formed stage by stage, such that the fabrication time in forming the metal layers is reduced, and a metal material will not be accumulated too thick on a surface of the substrate. Therefore, the metal material has a smoother surface, and no overburden will be formed around end surfaces of the through holes. An interposer is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method of designing a layout for a plurality of different logic operation (LOP) cell technologies includes defining a priority for each LOP cell technology in the plurality of different LOP technologies and forming a layout of the plurality of different LOP cells for formation on a substrate with at least some of the LOP cells of higher priority LOP technologies overlapping LOP cells of lower priority LOP technologies. The system can include a processor coupled to memory where stored code defines the priority for each different cell technology in the plurality of LOP cells and (when the code is executed) the processor forms the layout of a plurality of different LOP cells. All of the LOP cells of higher priority LOP technologies overlap LOP cells of lower priority. The system or method also avoids the overlap of higher priority LOP cells by lower priority LOP cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure over a substrate. The device further includes an isolation feature in the substrate and adjacent to an edge of the gate structure. The device also includes a spacer overlying a sidewall of the gate structure. The spacer has a bottom lower than a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming interconnect structures comprises forming a metal line made of a first conductive material over a substrate, depositing a dielectric layer over the metal line, patterning the dielectric layer to form an opening, depositing a first barrier layer on a bottom and sidewalls of the opening using an atomic layer deposition technique, depositing a second barrier layer over the first barrier layer, wherein the first barrier layer is coupled to ground and forming a pad made of a second conductive material in the opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure over a substrate. The device further includes an isolation feature in the substrate and adjacent to an edge of the gate structure. The device also includes a spacer overlying a sidewall of the gate structure. The spacer has a bottom lower than a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming a contact over a metal gate for a transistor are provided. The device may comprise an active area, an isolation area surrounding the active area, and a metal gate above the isolation area, wherein the metal gate comprises a conductive layer. The contact comprises a first contact part within the conductive layer, above the isolation area without vertically overlapping the active area, and a second contact part above the first contact part, connected to the first contact part, and substantially vertically contained within the first contact part.

Abstract: An interconnection structure for a package is disclosed. The interconnection structure includes a substrate body having a conductive portion formed on a surface thereof; a first photosensitive dielectric layer formed on the surface of the substrate body and having a via for exposing the conductive potion; a conductive via formed in the via; a second photosensitive dielectric layer formed on the first photosensitive dielectric layer and having a opening for exposing the conductive via and a portion of the first photosensitive dielectric layer; and a conductive trace layer formed in the opening of the second photosensitive dielectric layer so as to be electrically connected to the conductive portion through the conductive via, thereby simplifying the fabrication process and reducing the fabrication cost and time.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a package structure is provided, which includes the steps of: providing an interposer having a plurality of recess holes; forming a conductive bump in a lower portion of each of the recess holes; forming a conductive through hole on the conductive bump in each of the recess holes; removing a portion of the interposer so as for the conductive bumps to protrude from the interposer; and mounting at least a first external element on the conductive bumps, thereby simplifying the fabrication process, shortening the process time and reducing the material cost.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides many different embodiments of fabricating a FinFET device that provide one or more improvements over the prior art. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a FinFET includes providing a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of dummy fins and active fins on the semiconductor substrate. A predetermined group of dummy fins is removed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides many different embodiments of fabricating a FinFET device that provide one or more improvements over the prior art. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a FinFET includes providing a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of dummy fins and active fins on the semiconductor substrate. A predetermined group of dummy fins is removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure having a hybrid crystal orientation is provided. The semiconductor structure includes an insulator layer, e.g., a buried oxide (BOX), on a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the buried oxide, wherein the first and second semiconductor layers have a first and a second crystal orientation, respectively. A first region of the second semiconductor layer is replaced with an epitaxially grown layer of the first semiconductor layer, thereby providing a substrate having a first region with a first crystal orientation and a second region with a second crystal orientation. An isolation structure is formed to isolate the first and second regions. Thereafter, NMOS and PMOS transistors may be formed on the substrate in the region having the crystal orientation that is the most appropriate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal gate includes providing a substrate including a gate electrode located on the substrate. A plurality of layers is formed, including a first layer located on the substrate and the gate electrode and a second layer adjacent the first layer. The layers are etched to form a plurality of adjacent spacers, including a first spacer located on the substrate and adjacent the gate electrode and a second spacer adjacent the first spacer. The first spacer is then etched and a metal layer is formed on the device immediately adjacent to the gate electrode. The metal layer is then reacted with the gate electrode to form a metal gate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of techniques for preventing silicide stringer or encroachment formation during metal salicide formation in semiconductor devices. The disclosed technique involves depositing a protective layer, such as a nitride or other dielectric layer, over areas of the semiconductor device where metal silicide formation is not desired because such formation detrimentally affects device performance. For example, silicon particles that may remain in device features that are formed through silicon oxidation, such as under the gate sidewall spacers and proximate to the perimeter of shallow trench isolation structures, are protected from reacting with metal deposited to form metal silicide in certain areas of the device. As a result, silicide stringers or encroachment in undesired areas is reduced or eliminated by the protective layer.

Abstract: A fin-FET device and a method for fabrication thereof both employ a bulk semiconductor substrate. A fin and an adjoining trough are formed within the bulk semiconductor substrate. The trough is partially backfilled with a deposited dielectric layer to form an exposed fin region and an unexposed fin region. A gate dielectric layer is formed upon the exposed fin region and a gate electrode is formed upon the gate dielectric layer. By employing a bulk semiconductor substrate the fin-FET device is fabricated cost effectively.