Abstract: A semiconductor processing station including a platform, a load port, and a carrier transport track is provided. The platform includes an intake/outtake port and a plurality of processing modules. The load port includes a load chamber, a movable cover, and a carrier transfer module. The load chamber communicates with the intake/outtake port and has a load opening at its top end for receiving a transport carrier within the load chamber. The movable cover is disposed at the load opening and configured to seal the load opening. The carrier transfer module is configured to transfer the transport carrier to the intake/outtake port. The carrier transport track has a bottom side configured to open the load chamber.

Abstract: A substrate handling device includes a substrate reception area defined by an edge. The substrate reception area includes a planar surface and a plurality of contact structures. At least one contact structure of the plurality of contact structures is located at the edge and at least one contact structure of the plurality of contact structures is located on the planar surface. The substrate reception area and planar surface are made of a first material. Each contact structure of the plurality of contact structures includes a second material different from the first material, the second material having a hardness aligned to a hardness of a substrate material.

Abstract: A transistor includes a channel region, a gate stack, and source and drain structures. The channel region comprises silicon germanium and has a first silicon-to-germanium ratio. The gate stack is over the channel region and comprises a silicon germanium oxide layer over the channel region, a high-? dielectric layer over the silicon germanium oxide layer, and a gate electrode over the high-? dielectric layer. The silicon germanium oxide layer has a second silicon-to-germanium ratio. The second silicon-to-germanium ratio is substantially the same as the first silicon-to-germanium ratio. The channel region is between the source and drain structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing station comprises a platform and a load port, wherein the platform includes an intake/outtake port and a plurality of processing modules. The load port includes a load chamber, a movable cover and a carrier transfer module. The load chamber communicates with the intake/outtake port and has a load opening at its top end for receiving a transport carrier within the load chamber. The movable cover is disposed at the load opening and is configured to seal the load opening. The carrier transfer module is configured to transfer the transport carrier to the intake/outtake port. A semiconductor process and a method of operating a semiconductor processing station are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulating film over a first fin structure and a second insulating film over a second fin structure, coating a protective layer over the second insulating film, removing the first insulating film to expose a portion of the first fin structure, and forming a first oxide film over the exposed portion of the first fin structure using a non-aqueous solvent-based chemical.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate. A silicon germanium layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The silicon germanium layer has a first silicon-to-germanium ratio. A first gate structure is disposed on the silicon germanium layer, and the first gate structure includes an interfacial layer on the silicon germanium layer. The interface layer has a second silicon-to-germanium ratio substantially the same as the first silicon-to-germanium ratio of the silicon germanium layer. The first gate structure also includes a high-dielectric layer on the interfacial layer and a first gate electrode on the high-? dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of evaluating characteristics of a work piece includes forming a photosensitive layer on the work piece. Then an ion implantation is performed on the work piece. The work piece is radiated, and an optical intensity of the photosensitive material on the work piece is calculated. The ion implantation pattern is evaluated according to the optical intensity. A chemical structure of the photosensitive material is changed upon the ion implantation. The work piece is recovered by reversing the chemical structure of the photosensitive material or removing the ion interrupted photosensitive material by chemicals.

Abstract: A method of evaluating characteristics of a work piece includes forming a photosensitive layer on the work piece. Then an ion implantation is performed on the work piece. The work piece is radiated, and an optical intensity of the photosensitive material on the work piece is calculated. The ion implantation pattern is evaluated according to the optical intensity. A chemical structure of the photosensitive material is changed upon the ion implantation. The work piece is recovered by reversing the chemical structure of the photosensitive material or removing the ion interrupted photosensitive material by chemicals.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate. A silicon germanium layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The silicon germanium layer has a first silicon-to-germanium ratio. A first gate structure is disposed on the silicon germanium layer, and the first gate structure includes an interfacial layer on the silicon germanium layer. The interface layer has a second silicon-to-germanium ratio substantially the same as the first silicon-to-germanium ratio of the silicon germanium layer. The first gate structure also includes a high-dielectric layer on the interfacial layer and a first gate electrode on the high-? dielectric layer.

Abstract: A substrate handling device includes a substrate reception area defined by an edge. The substrate reception area includes a planar surface and a plurality of contact structures. At least one contact structure of the plurality of contact structures is located at the edge and at least one contact structure of the plurality of contact structures is located on the planar surface. The substrate reception area and planar surface are made of a first material. Each contact structure of the plurality of contact structures includes a second material different from the first material, the second material having a hardness aligned to a hardness of a substrate material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photomask includes depositing a first absorbing layer over a substrate, patterning the first absorbing layer using a photoresist, and depositing a conformal second absorbing layer along surfaces of the first absorbing layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulating film over a first fin structure and a second insulating film over a second fin structure, coating a protective layer over the second insulating film, removing the first insulating film to expose a portion of the first fin structure, and forming a first oxide film over the exposed portion of the first fin structure using a non-aqueous solvent-based chemical.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a non-insulator structure, at least one carbon nano-tube (CNT), a dielectric layer, and a graphene-based conductive layer. The CNT is over the non-insulator structure. The dielectric layer surrounds the CNT. The graphene-based conductive layer is over the at least one CNT. The CNTs and the graphene-based conductive layer have low resistance.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive powder includes reducing, by a reduction reaction, a conductive powder precursor gas using a plasma. Reducing the conductive powder precursor gas forms the conductive powder. The method further includes filtering the conductive powder based on particle size. The method further includes dispersing a portion of the conductive powder having a particle size below a threshold value in a fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for a lithography device is provided, which includes a laser-based particle eliminating component and a particle collector. The laser-based particle eliminating component includes a laser emitter and a laser absorbing member. The laser emitter is configured to emit laser beams for irradiating particles in a space near a photomask of the lithography device. The laser absorbing member is disposed opposite to the laser emitter for absorbing the laser beams. The particle collector is configured for collecting the irradiated particles.

Abstract: A method for forming a photomask includes the following steps. A substrate is provided, which has a pattern region and a peripheral region surrounding the pattern region. A first etching operation is performed on a first surface of the substrate to remove first portions of the substrate in the pattern region, so as to form recesses in the pattern region of the substrate. A blasting operation is performed on the first surface of the substrate. A BARC layer is formed filling the recesses and over the first surface of the substrate. A second etching operation is performed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface until portions of the BARC layer in the recesses are exposed. The BARC layer is removed after the second etching operation, so as to form openings in the substrate in the pattern region.

Abstract: An apparatus for a lithography device is provided, which includes a laser-based particle eliminating component and a particle collector. The laser-based particle eliminating component includes a laser emitter and a laser absorbing member. The laser emitter is configured to emit laser beams for irradiating particles in a space near a photomask of the lithography device. The laser absorbing member is disposed opposite to the laser emitter for absorbing the laser beams. The particle collector is configured for collecting the irradiated particles.

Abstract: A wafer processing system includes at least one metrology chamber, a process chamber, and a controller. The at least one metrology chamber is configured to measure a thickness of a first layer on a back side of a wafer. The process chamber is configured to perform a treatment on a front side of the wafer. The front side is opposite the back side. The process chamber includes therein a multi-zone chuck. The multi-zone chuck is configured to support the back side of the wafer. The multi-zone chuck has a plurality of zones with controllable clamping forces for securing the wafer to the multi-zone chuck. The controller is coupled to the metrology chamber and the multi-zone chuck. The controller is configured to control the clamping forces in the corresponding zones in accordance with measured values of the thickness of the first layer in the corresponding zones.

Abstract: A dispensing method is disclosed that includes the following steps: a cleaning sleeve is provided to surround a spray member. A first fluid is previously dispensed from a first fluid outlet of the spray member. A second fluid is sprayed from a second fluid outlet of the cleaning sleeve to clean the spray member. The cleaning sleeve is opened or slid away from the spray member, such that the first fluid outlet of the spray member is exposed to a substrate. The first fluid is dispensed from the first fluid outlet of the spray member to the substrate.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus comprises a processing chamber, at least one partition and an injector. The at least one partition is disposed in the processing chamber for dividing the processing chamber into a plurality of sections. The injector includes a plurality of nozzles disposed in the processing chamber and configured to respectively provide a reacting gaseous flow to each of the plurality of sections. A semiconductor process is also provided.