Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes an isolation layer, a gate dielectric layer, a tantalum nitride layer, a tantalum oxynitride layer, an n type work function metal layer and a filling metal. The isolation layer is formed on a substrate, and the isolation layer has a first gate trench. The gate dielectric layer is formed in the first gate trench, the tantalum nitride layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer, and the tantalum oxynitride layer is formed on the tantalum nitride layer. The n type work function metal layer is formed on the tantalum oxynitride layer in the first gate trench, and the filling metal is formed on the n type work function metal layer in the first gate trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes an isolation layer, a gate dielectric layer, a tantalum nitride layer, a tantalum oxynitride layer, an n type work function metal layer and a filling metal. The isolation layer is formed on a substrate, and the isolation layer has a first gate trench. The gate dielectric layer is formed in the first gate trench, the tantalum nitride layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer, and the tantalum oxynitride layer is formed on the tantalum nitride layer. The n type work function metal layer is formed on the tantalum oxynitride layer in the first gate trench, and the filling metal is formed on the n type work function metal layer in the first gate trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes an isolation layer, a gate dielectric layer, a tantalum nitride layer, a tantalum oxynitride layer, an n type work function metal layer and a filling metal. The isolation layer is formed on a substrate, and the isolation layer has a first gate trench. The gate dielectric layer is formed in the first gate trench, the tantalum nitride layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer, and the tantalum oxynitride layer is formed on the tantalum nitride layer. The n type work function metal layer is formed on the tantalum oxynitride layer in the first gate trench, and the filling metal is formed on the n type work function metal layer in the first gate trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor process for forming a plug includes the following steps. A dielectric layer having a recess is formed on a substrate. A titanium layer is formed to conformally cover the recess. A first titanium nitride layer is formed to conformally cover the titanium layer, thereby the first titanium nitride layer having first sidewall parts. The first sidewall parts of the first titanium nitride layer are pulled back, thereby second sidewall parts being formed. A second titanium nitride layer is formed to cover the recess. Moreover, a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor process is described. A silicon-phosphorus (SiP) epitaxial layer is formed serving as a source/drain (S/D) region. A crystalline metal silicide layer is formed directly on the SiP epitaxial layer and thus prevents oxidation of the SiP epitaxial layer. A contact plug is formed over the crystalline metal silicide layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes the steps of: forming a capacitor bottom metal (CBM) layer on a material layer; forming a silicon layer on the CBM layer; forming a capacitor dielectric layer on the silicon layer; and forming a capacitor top metal (CTM) layer on the capacitor dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor process is described. A silicon-phosphorus (SiP) epitaxial layer is formed serving as a source/drain (S/D) region. A crystalline metal silicide layer is formed directly on the SiP epitaxial layer and thus prevents oxidation of the SiP epitaxial layer. A contact plug is formed over the crystalline metal silicide layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor process is described. A silicon-phosphorus (SiP) epitaxial layer is formed serving as a source/drain (S/D) region. A crystalline metal silicide layer is formed directly on the SiP epitaxial layer and thus prevents oxidation of the SiP epitaxial layer. A contact plug is formed over the crystalline metal silicide layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor process for forming a plug includes the following steps. A dielectric layer having a recess is formed on a substrate. A titanium layer is formed to conformally cover the recess. A first titanium nitride layer is formed to conformally cover the titanium layer, thereby the first titanium nitride layer having first sidewall parts. The first sidewall parts of the first titanium nitride layer are pulled back, thereby second sidewall parts being formed. A second titanium nitride layer is formed to cover the recess. Moreover, a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process is also provided.

Abstract: A method for modulating a work function of a semiconductor device having a metal gate structure including the following steps is provided. A first stacked gate structure and a second stacked gate structure having an identical structure are provided on a substrate. The first stacked gate structure and the second stacked gate structure respectively include a first work function metal layer of a first type. A patterned hard mask layer is formed. The patterned hard mask layer exposes the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure and covers the first work function metal layer of the second stacked gate structure. A first gas treatment is performed to the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure exposed by the patterned hard mask layer. A gas used in the first gas treatment includes nitrogen-containing gas or oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a first wire level, a second wire level and a via level. The first wire level comprises a first conductive feature. The second wire level is disposed on the first wire level. The second wire level comprises a second conductive feature and a third conductive feature. The via level is disposed between the first wire level and the second wire level. The via level comprises a via connecting the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. There is a first air gap between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. There is a second air gap between the second conductive feature and the third conductive feature. The first air gap and the second air gap are linked.

Abstract: A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A wafer on a pedestal is provided. The pedestal is lifted to approach a heating source and an etching process is performed on the wafer. An annealing process is performed on the wafer by the heating source. In another way, a wafer on a pedestal, and a heating source on a same side of the wafer as the pedestal are provided. An etching process is performed on the wafer by setting the temperature difference between the heating source and the pedestal larger than 180° C.

Abstract: A semiconductor process for forming a plug includes the following steps. A dielectric layer having a recess is formed on a substrate. A titanium layer is formed to conformally cover the recess. A first titanium nitride layer is formed to conformally cover the titanium layer, thereby the first titanium nitride layer having first sidewall parts. The first sidewall parts of the first titanium nitride layer are pulled back, thereby second sidewall parts being formed. A second titanium nitride layer is formed to cover the recess. Moreover, a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process is also provided.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region; forming a tuning layer on the second region; forming a first work function metal layer on the first region and the tuning layer of the second region; forming a second work function metal layer on the first region, the second region, and the fourth region; and forming a top barrier metal (TBM) layer on the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region.

Abstract: A semiconductor process of forming metal gates with different threshold voltages includes the following steps. A substrate having a first area and a second area is provided. A dielectric layer and a first work function layer are sequentially formed on the substrate of the first area and the second area. A second work function layer is directly formed on the first work function layer of the first area. A third work function layer is directly formed on the first work function layer of the second area, where the third work function layer is different from the second work function layer. The present invention also provides a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a barrier layer in the contact hole to react with an S/D region to form a silicide layer. After forming the silicide layer, a directional deposition process is performed to form a first metal layer primarily on the barrier layer at the bottom of the contact hole, so that very little or even no first metal layer is disposed on the barrier layer at the sidewall of the contact hole. Then, the second metal layer is deposited from bottom to top in the contact hole as the deposition rate of the second metal layer on the barrier layer is slower than the deposition rate of the second metal layer on the first metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor process is described. A silicon-phosphorus (SiP) epitaxial layer is formed serving as a source/drain (S/D) region. A crystalline metal silicide layer is formed directly on the SiP epitaxial layer and thus prevents oxidation of the SiP epitaxial layer. A contact plug is formed over the crystalline metal silicide layer.

Abstract: A method for modulating a work function of a semiconductor device having a metal gate structure including the following steps is provided. A first stacked gate structure and a second stacked gate structure having an identical structure are provided on a substrate. The first stacked gate structure and the second stacked gate structure respectively include a first work function metal layer of a first type. A patterned hard mask layer is formed. The patterned hard mask layer exposes the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure and covers the first work function metal layer of the second stacked gate structure. A first gas treatment is performed to the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure exposed by the patterned hard mask layer. A gas used in the first gas treatment includes nitrogen-containing gas or oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for metal gate work function tuning before contact formation in a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET), where in the method comprises the following steps. (S1) providing a substrate having a metal gate structure on a side of the substrate, (S2) forming a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the side of the substrate, and (S3) performing a gate annealing to tune work function of the metal gate structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure is provided. A silicon-containing substrate is provided with a composite dielectric layer formed thereon. An opening penetrates through the composite dielectric layer and exposes a portion of the source/drain region. A titanium nitride layer is formed in the opening, and the titanium nitride layer is in contact with the exposed portion of the source/drain region. The titanium nitride layer is annealed, so that the bottom portion of the titanium nitride layer is partially transformed into a titanium silicide layer. A conductive layer is formed to fill up the opening.