Abstract: A photo resist layer is used to protect a dielectric layer and conductive elements embedded in the dielectric layer when patterning an etch stop layer underlying the dielectric layer. The photo resist layer may further be used to etch another dielectric layer underlying the etch stop layer, where etching the next dielectric layer exposes a contact, such as a gate contact. The bottom layer can be used to protect the conductive elements embedded in the dielectric layer from a wet etchant used to etch the etch stop layer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to methods for forming a conductive feature in a dielectric layer in semiconductor processing and structures formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure includes a dielectric layer over a substrate, a surface modification layer, and a conductive feature. The dielectric layer has a sidewall. The surface modification layer is along the sidewall, and the surface modification layer includes phosphorous and carbon. The conductive feature is along the surface modification layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack, which includes a first portion over a portion of a first semiconductor fin, a second portion over a portion of a second semiconductor fin, and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. An anisotropic etching is performed on the third portion of the gate stack to form an opening between the first portion and the second portion. A footing portion of the third portion remains after the anisotropic etching. The method further includes performing an isotropic etching to remove a metal gate portion of the footing portion, and filling the opening with a dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first contact layer, a second contact layer, an active layer, a photonic crystal layer, a passivation layer, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first contact layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. Microstructures are located on the second surface. The second contact layer is located below the first surface. The active layer is located between the first contact layer and the second contact layer. The photonic crystal layer is located between the active layer and the second contact layer. The passivation layer is located on the second contact layer. The first electrode is located on the passivation layer and is electrically connected the first surface of the first contact layer. The second electrode is located on the passivation layer and is electrically connected to the second contact layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure disposed over a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a first interfacial layer straddling the fin structure. The semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric layer extending along sidewalls of the fin structure. The semiconductor device includes a second interfacial layer overlaying a top surface of the fin structure. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure straddling the fin structure. The first interfacial layer and the gate dielectric layer are disposed between the sidewalls of the fin structure and the gate structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having metal gate structures with tunable work function values are provided. In one example, a first gate structure and a second gate structure formed on a substrate, wherein the first gate structure includes a first work function metal having a first material, and the second gate structure includes a second work function metal having a second material, the first material being different from the second material, wherein the first gate structure further includes a gate dielectric layer, a self-protective layer having metal phosphate, and the first work function metal on the self-protective layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming isolation regions extending into a semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor strip is between the isolation regions. The method further includes recessing the isolation regions so that a top portion of the semiconductor strip protrudes higher than top surfaces of the isolation regions to form a semiconductor fin, measuring a fin width of the semiconductor fin, generating an etch recipe based on the fin width, and performing a thinning process on the semiconductor fin using the etching recipe.

Abstract: An interconnect structure, which may be used for example in a semiconductor device, is disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a contact layer made of a metal; one or more dielectric layers on the contact layer, and a deposited layer made of an insulating material. The interconnect structure further includes a trench through the one or more dielectric layers so that a sidewall surface of the trench is formed by the one or more dielectric layers and a bottom surface of the trench is formed by a portion of the contact layer. The deposited layer is in the trench and a thickness of the insulating material on the sidewall surface of the trench is at least 2.1 times greater than a thickness of the insulating material on the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A photo resist layer is used to protect a dielectric layer and conductive elements embedded in the dielectric layer when patterning an etch stop layer underlying the dielectric layer. The photo resist layer may further be used to etch another dielectric layer underlying the etch stop layer, where etching the next dielectric layer exposes a contact, such as a gate contact. The bottom layer can be used to protect the conductive elements embedded in the dielectric layer from a wet etchant used to etch the etch stop layer.

Abstract: Fin and nanostructured channel structure formation techniques for three-dimensional transistors can tune device performance. For example, fin profile control can be achieved by modifying the shape of fins/nanostructured channel structures so as to reduce their line edge roughness. Consequently, current flow within the channel regions of fins and nanostructured channel structures can be improved, enhancing device performance.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A substrate is provided. A first semiconductor region of a first semiconductor material is formed over the substrate and adjacent a second semiconductor region of a second semiconductor material. The first and second semiconductor regions are crystalline. An etchant is selective to etch the first semiconductor region over the second semiconductor region. The entire first semiconductor region is implanted to form an amorphized semiconductor region. The amorphized semiconductor region is etched with the etchant using the second semiconductor region as a mask to remove the amorphized semiconductor region without removing the second semiconductor region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device and semiconductor fabrication method. A semiconductor device includes: a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate, having a low-k dielectric layer, a high-k dielectric layer, a p-type work function metal layer, an n-type work function metal layer, a silicon oxide scap layer, and a glue layer; and a continuous tungsten (W) cap over the gate structure that was formed by the gate structure being pretreated, W material being deposited and etched back, the scap layer being etched, additional W material being deposited, and unwanted W material being removed. A semiconductor fabrication method includes: receiving a gate structure; pretreating the gate structure; depositing W material on the gate structure; etching back the W material; etching the scap layer; depositing additional W material; and removing unwanted W material.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps. A metal layer with at least one silicon-containing pattern therein is provided. A first wet etching process is performed by using a first etching solution, to clean a surface of the metal layer, wherein the first etching solution contains a base and a first oxidant. At least one cycle is performed. Each cycle includes a second wet etching process and a cleaning process. The second wet etching process is performed by using a second etching solution, to remove the metal layer, wherein the second etching solution contains an acid and a second oxidant. A cleaning process is performed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of fin structures disposed over a substrate and a work function alloy layer disposed over each fin structure of the plurality of fin structures. The plurality of fin structures includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure. A content of a first element in a first portion of the work function alloy layer, which portion is disposed over the first fin structure, is different from a content of the first element in a second portion of the work function alloy layer, which portion is disposed over the second fin structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device and semiconductor fabrication method. A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a metal gate, gate spacers on sides of the metal gate, an etch stop layer (ESL), and interlayer dielectric (ILD) material over a source/drain region; a tungsten (W) cap formed from W material deposited over the metal gate and between the gate spacers; and a via gate (VG) formed above the W cap. A semiconductor fabrication method includes: receiving a substrate having a metal gate, gate spacers on sides of the metal gate, an etch stop layer (ESL), and interlayer dielectric (ILD) material over a source/drain region; depositing tungsten (W) material over the substrate; removing unwanted W material to form a W cap; and forming a via gate (VG) on the W cap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising: providing at least two structures with a metal layer over each; forming a patterned photolithographic layer over the metal layer over the first structure; removing the metal layer from the second structure via wet etch operations using a chemical etchant that is resistant to penetration into the photolithographic layer; and achieving, after wet etch operations, a remaining metal ratio of a distance X over a distance Y that is less than 179 and greater than 1, wherein X is the distance from a first line extending from an edge of the metal layer over the first structure to a second line extending from an edge of a channel region in the second structure, and Y is a second distance from the first line to a third line extending from an edge of the metal layer formed over the channel region in the first structure.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack, which includes a first portion over a portion of a first semiconductor fin, a second portion over a portion of a second semiconductor fin, and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. An anisotropic etching is performed on the third portion of the gate stack to form an opening between the first portion and the second portion. A footing portion of the third portion remains after the anisotropic etching. The method further includes performing an isotropic etching to remove a metal gate portion of the footing portion, and filling the opening with a dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A substrate is provided. A first semiconductor region of a first semiconductor material is formed over the substrate and adjacent a second semiconductor region of a second semiconductor material. The first and second semiconductor regions are crystalline. An etchant is selective to etch the first semiconductor region over the second semiconductor region. The entire first semiconductor region is implanted to form an amorphized semiconductor region. The amorphized semiconductor region is etched with the etchant using the second semiconductor region as a mask to remove the amorphized semiconductor region without removing the second semiconductor region.

Abstract: A method for making a middle-of-line interconnect structure in a semiconductor device includes forming, near a surface of a first interconnect structure comprised of a first metal, a region of varied composition including the first metal and a second element. The method further includes forming a recess within the region of varied composition. The recess laterally extends a first distance along the surface and vertically extends a second distance below the first surface. The method further includes filling the recess with a second metal to form a second interconnect structure that contacts the first interconnect structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer, a tungsten plug, a conductive plug, and a contact barrier. The dielectric layer is over a semiconductor substrate. The tungsten plug is in the dielectric layer. The conductive plug is on the tungsten plug. The contact barrier includes a sidewall barrier on a sidewall of the conductive plug and a bottom barrier between the conductive plug and the tungsten plug. A thickness of the sidewall barrier is greater than a thickness of the bottom barrier.