Abstract: A method of descumming a dielectric layer is provided. In an embodiment the dielectric layer is deposited over a substrate, and a photoresist is applied, exposed, and developed after the photoresist has been applied. Once the pattern of the photoresist is transferred to the underlying dielectric layer, a descumming process is performed, wherein the descumming process utilizes a mixture of a carbon-containing precursor, a descumming precursor, and a carrier gas. The mixture is ignited into a treatment plasma, and the treatment plasma is applied to the dielectric layer in order to descum the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A treatment, structure and system are provided that modify the deposition process of a material that can occur over two differing materials. In an embodiment the deposition rates may be adjusted by the treatment to change the deposition rate of one of the materials to be more in line with the deposition rate of a second one of the materials. Also, the deposition rates may be modified to be different from each other, to allow for a more selective deposition over the first one of the materials than over the second one of the materials.

Abstract: A method includes forming a trench over a substrate, wherein the trench is surrounded by gate spacers and an inter-layer dielectric layer, depositing a dielectric layer on a bottom and along sidewalls of the trench, depositing a metal layer over the dielectric layer, depositing a protection layer over the metal layer, wherein the protection layer has an uneven thickness, applying an etch-back process to the protection layer and the metal layer, wherein as a result of applying the etch-back process, a portion of the metal layer has been removed and at least a portion of the protection layer remains at the bottom of the trench and removing the protection layer from the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate having a source region, a drain region, and a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region. Additionally, the semiconductor device includes a high-k dielectric layer formed over the channel region, an n-metal formed over the high-k dielectric layer and a barrier layer formed between the high-k dielectric layer and the n-metal, the barrier layer including a layer of annealed silicon.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a metal gate is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device with a metal gate includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain features on the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the source and drain features. The gate stack includes a HK dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of barrier layers of a metal compound formed on top of the HK dielectric layer, wherein each of the barrier layers has a different chemical composition; and a stack of metals gate layers deposited over the plurality of barrier layers.

Abstract: A method of descumming a dielectric layer is provided. In an embodiment the dielectric layer is deposited over a substrate, and a photoresist is applied, exposed, and developed after the photoresist has been applied. Once the pattern of the photoresist is transferred to the underlying dielectric layer, a descumming process is performed, wherein the descumming process utilizes a mixture of a carbon-containing precursor, a descumming precursor, and a carrier gas. The mixture is ignited into a treatment plasma, and the treatment plasma is applied to the dielectric layer in order to descum the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A device comprises a metal gate structure over a substrate, wherein the metal gate structure comprises a first metal sidewall, a metal bottom layer, a first corner portion between the first metal sidewall and the metal bottom layer, wherein the first corner portion comprises a first step and a first ramp, a second metal sidewall and a second corner portion between the second metal sidewall and the metal bottom layer, wherein the second corner portion comprises a second step and a second ramp.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first contact hole is formed in one or more dielectric layers disposed over a source/drain region or a gate electrode. An adhesive layer is formed in the first contact hole. A first metal layer is formed on the adhesive layer in the first contact hole. A silicide layer is formed on an upper surface of the first metal layer. The silicide layer includes a same metal element as the first metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain region, a source/drain silicide layer formed on the source/drain region, and a first contact disposed over the source/drain silicide layer. The first contact includes a first metal layer, an upper surface of the first metal layer is at least covered by a silicide layer, and the silicide layer includes a same metal element as the first metal layer.

Abstract: A treatment, structure and system are provided that modify the deposition process of a material that can occur over two differing materials. In an embodiment the deposition rates may be adjusted by the treatment to change the deposition rate of one of the materials to be more in line with the deposition rate of a second one of the materials. Also, the deposition rates may be modified to be different from each other, to allow for a more selective deposition over the first one of the materials than over the second one of the materials.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first gate structure is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The first gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer, a layer, a first work function metal, a second work function metal, and a fill metal. A second gate structure is also disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The second gate structure includes the gate dielectric layer, a second work function metal, and the fill metal. In an embodiment, the second gate structure also includes an etch stop layer.

Abstract: A device comprises a metal gate structure over a substrate, wherein the metal gate structure comprises a first metal sidewall, a metal bottom layer, a first corner portion between the first metal sidewall and the metal bottom layer, wherein the first corner portion comprises a first step and a first ramp, a second metal sidewall and a second corner portion between the second metal sidewall and the metal bottom layer, wherein the second corner portion comprises a second step and a second ramp.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and IMD structures are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes an adhesion layer disposed over a workpiece. The adhesion layer has a dielectric constant of about 4.0 or less and includes a substantially homogeneous material. An insulating material layer is disposed over the adhesion layer. The insulating material layer has a dielectric constant of about 2.6 or less. The adhesion layer and the insulating material layer comprise an IMD structure.

Abstract: A device comprises a metal gate structure over a substrate, wherein the metal gate structure comprises a first metal sidewall, a metal bottom layer, a first corner portion between the first metal sidewall and the metal bottom layer, wherein the first corner portion comprises a first step and a first ramp, a second metal sidewall and a second corner portion between the second metal sidewall and the metal bottom layer, wherein the second corner portion comprises a second step and a second ramp.

Abstract: A cut-last process for cutting fin segments of a FinFET structure on a substrate utilizes a two-step process. After the fins are formed, an oxide material is deposited in the trenches of the FinFET structure. The oxide material can be an STI oxide or a low-stress dummy gapfill material. A fin segment can be removed by an etchant and can leave a concave shaped (such as a u-shape or v-shape) portion of silicon at the bottom of the fin. Where the oxide material is an STI oxide, the void left by removing the fin can be filled with replacement STI oxide. Where the oxide material is a dummy gapfill material, the dummy gapfill material can be removed and replaced with an STI oxide or converted to an STI oxide and filled with replacement STI oxide before or after the conversion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a metal gate is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device with a metal gate includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain features on the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the source and drain features. The gate stack includes a HK dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of barrier layers of a metal compound formed on top of the HK dielectric layer, wherein each of the barrier layers has a different chemical composition; and a stack of metals gate layers deposited over the plurality of barrier layers.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method including forming a first gate over a substrate, the first gate having first gate spacers on opposing sidewalls, forming a first hard mask layer over the first gate, forming a second hard mask layer over the first hard mask layer, the second hard mask layer having a different material composition than the first hard mask layer, forming a first dielectric layer adjacent and over the first gate, etching a first opening through the first dielectric layer to expose a portion of the substrate, at least a portion of the second hard mask layer being exposed in the first opening, filling the first opening with a conductive material, and removing the second hard mask layer and the portions of the conductive material and first dielectric layer above the first hard mask layer to form a first conductive contact in the remaining first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes etching a dielectric layer to form an opening, with a component of a transistor being exposed through the opening. A spacer layer is formed, and includes a horizontal portion at a bottom of the opening, and a vertical portion in the opening. The vertical portion is on a sidewall of the dielectric layer. An isotropic etch is performed on the spacer layer to remove the horizontal portion, and the vertical portion remains after the isotropic etch. The remaining vertical portion forms a contact plug spacer. A conductive material is filled into the opening to form a contact plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a metal gate is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device with a metal gate includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain features on the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the source and drain features. The gate stack includes a HK dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of barrier layers of a metal compound formed on top of the HK dielectric layer, wherein each of the barrier layers has a different chemical composition; and a stack of metals gate layers deposited over the plurality of barrier layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first gate structure is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The first gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer, a layer, a first work function metal, a second work function metal, and a fill metal. A second gate structure is also disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The second gate structure includes the gate dielectric layer, a second work function metal, and the fill metal. In an embodiment, the second gate structure also includes an etch stop layer.