Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes multiple first semiconductor nanostructures suspended over a substrate and multiple second semiconductor nanostructures suspended over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a dielectric fin between the first semiconductor nanostructures and the second semiconductor nanostructures. The semiconductor device structure further includes a metal gate stack wrapped around the dielectric fin, the first semiconductor nanostructures and the second semiconductor nanostructures. The metal gate stack has a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode, and the gate dielectric layer extends along a sidewall and a topmost surface of the dielectric fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The device includes one or more first semiconductor layers, and a dipole layer surrounding each first semiconductor layer of the one or more first semiconductor layers, wherein the dipole layer comprises germanium. The structure also includes a capping layer surrounding and in contact with the dipole layer, wherein the capping layer comprises silicon, one or more second semiconductor layers disposed adjacent the one or more first semiconductor layers. The structure further includes a gate electrode layer surrounding each first semiconductor layer of the one or more first semiconductor layers and each second semiconductor layer of the one or more second semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A structure has stacks of semiconductor layers over a substrate and adjacent a dielectric feature. A gate dielectric is formed wrapping around each layer and the dielectric feature. A first layer of first gate electrode material is deposited over the gate dielectric and the dielectric feature. The first layer on the dielectric feature is recessed to a first height below a top surface of the dielectric feature. A second layer of the first gate electrode material is deposited over the first layer. The first gate electrode material in a first region of the substrate is removed to expose a portion of the gate dielectric in the first region, while the first gate electrode material in a second region of the substrate is preserved. A second gate electrode material is deposited over the exposed portion of the gate dielectric and over a remaining portion of the first gate electrode material.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and method of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes two first source/drain features and a first number of nanostructures that are stacked vertically one over another and extend lengthwise between the two first source/drain features. The second transistor includes two second source/drain features and a second number of nanostructures that are stacked vertically one over another and extend lengthwise between the two second source/drain features.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes providing a fin having a plurality of channel layers and a plurality of multilayer epitaxial layers interposing the plurality of channel layers. The multilayer epitaxial layers include a first epitaxial layer interposed between second and third epitaxial layers. The first epitaxial layer has a first etch rate and the second and third epitaxial layers have a second etch rate greater than the first etch rate. The method further includes laterally etching the first, second, and third epitaxial layers to provide a convex sidewall profile on opposing lateral surfaces of the multilayer epitaxial layers. The method further includes forming an inner spacer between adjacent channel layers. The inner spacer interfaces the convex sidewall profile of the multilayer epitaxial layers along a first inner spacer sidewall surface. The method further includes replacing the multilayer epitaxial layers with a portion of a gate structure.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure including a stacked layer of first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers is formed, an isolation insulating layer is formed so that the stacked layer are exposed from the isolation insulating layer, a sacrificial cladding layer is formed over at least sidewalls of the exposed stacked layer, a sacrificial gate electrode is formed over the exposed stacked layer, an interlayer dielectric layer is formed, the sacrificial gate electrode is partially recessed to leave a pillar of the remaining sacrificial gate electrode, the sacrificial cladding layer and the first semiconductor layers are removed, a gate dielectric layer wrapping around the second semiconductor layer and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer are formed, the pillar is removed, and one or more dielectric layers are formed in a gate space from which the pillar is removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first and second gate electrode layers, and a dielectric feature disposed between the first and second gate electrode layers. The dielectric feature has a first surface. The structure further includes a first conductive layer disposed on the first gate electrode layer. The first conductive layer has a second surface. The structure further includes a second conductive layer disposed on the second gate electrode layer. The second conductive layer has a third surface, and the first, second, and third surfaces are coplanar. The structure further includes a third conductive layer disposed over the first conductive layer, a fourth conductive layer disposed over the second conductive layer, and a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the dielectric feature. The dielectric layer is disposed between the third conductive layer and the fourth conductive layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for using a hard mask layer on a top surface of fin structures to form a fin-top mask layer. The fin-top mask layer can function as an etch stop for subsequent processes. Using the fin-top hard mask layer allows a thinner conformal dielectric layer to be used to protect semiconductor fins during the subsequent process, such as during etching of sacrificial gate electrode layer. Using a thinner conformal dielectric layer can reduce the pitch of fins, particularly for input/output devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with back-side contact structures and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes first and second S/D regions, a stack of nanostructured semiconductor layers disposed adjacent to the first S/D region, a gate structure surrounding each of the nanostructured semiconductor layers, a first pair of spacers disposed on opposite sidewalls of the first S/D region, a second pair of spacers disposed on opposite sidewalls of the second S/D region, a third pair of spacers disposed on opposite sidewalls of the gate structure, a first contact structure disposed on a first surface of the first S/D region, and a second contact structure disposed on a second surface of the first S/D region. The first and second surfaces are opposite to each other. The first pair of spacers are disposed on opposite sidewalls of the second contact structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first, second, and third gate electrode layers, a first dielectric feature disposed between the first and second gate electrode layers, a second dielectric feature disposed between the second and third gate electrode layers, a first seed layer in contact with the first gate electrode layer, the first dielectric feature, and the second gate electrode layer, a first conductive layer disposed on the first seed layer, a second seed layer in contact with the third gate electrode layer, a second conductive layer disposed on the second seed layer, and a dielectric material disposed on the second dielectric feature, the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer. The dielectric material is between the first seed layer and the second seed layer and between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods are provided. A method according to the present disclosure includes receiving a substrate that includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a third semiconductor layer; forming a plurality of fins over the third semiconductor layer; forming a trench between two of the plurality of fins; depositing a dummy material in the trench; forming a gate structure over channel regions of the plurality of the fins; forming source/drain features over source/drain regions of the plurality of the fins; bonding the substrate on a carrier wafer; removing the first and second semiconductor layers to expose the dummy material; removing the dummy material in the trench; depositing a conductive material in the trench; and bonding the substrate to a silicon substrate such that the conductive material is in contact with the silicon substrate. The trench extends through the third semiconductor layer and has a bottom surface on the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A device includes a stack of first semiconductor nanostructures over a substrate and a stack of second semiconductor nanostructures over the substrate. The device includes an isolation structure between the first and second semiconductor nanostructures. The isolation structure includes a core dielectric layer extending from below a top surface of the substrate to a level higher than all of the first and second semiconductor nanostructures. The isolation structure includes a shell dielectric layer surrounding a lower portion of the core dielectric layer and having a top surface lower than all of the semiconductor nanostructures. The spaces between the core dielectric layer and each of the semiconductor nanostructures can be filled with gate dielectric material or with remnants of the shell dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes first and second dielectric features and a first semiconductor layer disposed between the first and second dielectric features. The structure further includes an isolation layer disposed between the first and second dielectric features, and the isolation layer is in contact with the first and second dielectric features. The first semiconductor layer is disposed over the isolation layer. The structure further includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the isolation layer and a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode layer has an end extending to a level between a first plane defined by a first surface of the first semiconductor layer and a second plane defined by a second surface opposite the first surface.

Abstract: A first gate-all-around (GAA) transistor and a second GAA transistor may be formed on a substrate. The first GAA transistor includes at least one silicon plate, a first gate structure, a first source region, and a first drain region. The second GAA transistor includes at least one silicon-germanium plate, a second gate structure, a second source region, and a second drain region. The first GAA transistor may be an n-type field effect transistor, and the second GAA transistor may be a p-type field effect transistor. The gate electrodes of the first gate structure and the second gate structure may include a same conductive material. Each silicon plate and each silicon-germanium plate may be single crystalline and may have a same crystallographic orientation for each Miller index.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a stack of semiconductor layers disposed over a substrate, a metal gate structure disposed over and interleaved with the stack of semiconductor layers, the metal gate structure including a gate electrode disposed over a gate dielectric layer, a first isolation structure disposed adjacent to a first sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers, where the gate dielectric layer fills space between the first isolation structure and the first sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers, and a second isolation structure disposed adjacent to a second sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers, where the gate electrode fills the space between the second isolation structure and the second sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A method for processing an integrated circuit includes forming a plurality of transistors. The method utilizes a reversed tone patterning process to selectively drive dipoles into the gate dielectric layers of some of the transistors while preventing dipoles from entering the gate dielectric layers of other transistors. This process can be repeated to produce a plurality of transistors each having different threshold voltages.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of fin structures extending along a first direction, a plurality of gate structure segments positioned along a line extending in a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the gate structure segments are separated by dummy fin structures. The semiconductor structure further includes a conductive layer disposed over both the gate structure segments and the dummy fin structures to electrically connect at least some of the gate structure segments, and a cut feature aligned with one of the dummy fin structures and positioned to electrically isolate gate structure segments on both sides of the one of the dummy fin structures.

Abstract: A first gate-all-around (GAA) transistor and a second GAA transistor may be formed on a substrate. The first GAA transistor includes at least one silicon plate, a first gate structure, a first source region, and a first drain region. The second GAA transistor includes at least one silicon-germanium plate, a second gate structure, a second source region, and a second drain region. The first GAA transistor may be an n-type field effect transistor, and the second GAA transistor may be a p-type field effect transistor. The gate electrodes of the first gate structure and the second gate structure may include a same conductive material. Each silicon plate and each silicon-germanium plate may be single crystalline and may have a same crystallographic orientation for each Miller index.

Abstract: A device includes a gate electrode and a gate dielectric surrounding the gate electrode. The gate electrode surrounds a nanostructure. The nanostructure includes stacked nanosheets. The gate dielectric is formed by a high-k (HK) material. The HK material covers sidewalls of the gate electrode in a direction aligned to adjacent devices. Portions of the HK material are recessed from the sidewalls and refilled by a dielectric material with a dielectric constant less than the HK material and an electrical isolation capability greater than the HK material. Replacing the HK material over the sidewalls of the gate electrode with the dielectric material enhances electrical isolation between the gate electrode with adjacent contacts. Consequently, it can reduce electrical leakage between metal gate (MG) contacts and metal-to-device (MD) contacts in scaled transistors of an integrated circuit (IC).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a dummy structure having a plurality of channel layers, an inner spacer disposed between adjacent channels of the plurality of channel layers and at a lateral end of the channel layers, and a gate structure including a gate dielectric layer and a metal layer interposing the plurality of channel layers. The dummy structure is disposed at an active edge adjacent to an active region. A metal gate etching process is performed to remove the metal layer from the gate structure while the gate dielectric layer remains disposed at a channel layer-inner spacer interface. After performing the metal gate etching process, a dry etching process is performed to form a cut region along the active edge. The gate dielectric layer disposed at the channel layer-inner spacer interface prevents the dry etching process from damaging a source/drain feature within the adjacent active region.