Abstract: A method includes: forming a barrier layer in a substrate; depositing a first dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a patterned mask layer over the first dielectric layer; patterning the first dielectric layer into a first sublayer of a gate dielectric layer; converting at least part of the patterned mask layer into a second sublayer of the gate dielectric layer; depositing a second dielectric layer adjacent to the first and second sublayers to serve as a third sublayer of the gate dielectric layer; and depositing a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a bond pad over the substrate, and a passivation layer over the substrate and a peripheral region of the bond pad. The bond pad has a bonding region and the peripheral region surrounding the bonding region. The passivation layer has an opening defined therein, and the opening exposes the bonding region of the bond pad. A first vertical distance between an upper surface of the passivation layer and a surface of the bonding region ranges from 30% to 40% of a second vertical distance between a lower surface of the passivation layer and an upper surface of the peripheral region.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an interconnect structure includes a base layer, a plurality of dielectric layers and a conductive structure. The base layer includes a conductive region. The plurality of dielectric layers are formed over the base layer. The plurality of dielectric layers includes a first dielectric layer and an etch stop layer under the first dielectric layer. The conductive structure includes a plug. The plug includes a central region and one or more footing regions. The footing regions are formed around the central region and formed at least partially in the first etch stop layer. A total width of the central region and one or more footing regions at a bottom level of the plurality of dielectric layers is at least about 5% more than a width of the central region at the bottom level of the plurality of dielectric layers.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an interconnect structure includes a base layer, a plurality of dielectric layers and a conductive structure. The base layer includes a conductive region. The plurality of dielectric layers are formed over the base layer. The plurality of dielectric layers includes a first dielectric layer and an etch stop layer under the first dielectric layer. The conductive structure includes a plug. The plug includes a central region and one or more footing regions. The footing regions are formed around the central region and formed at least partially in the first etch stop layer. A total width of the central region and one or more footing regions at a bottom level of the plurality of dielectric layers is at least about 5% more than a width of the central region at the bottom level of the plurality of dielectric layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a bond pad over the substrate, and a passivation layer over the substrate and a peripheral region of the bond pad. The bond pad has a bonding region and the peripheral region surrounding the bonding region. The passivation layer has an opening defined therein, and the opening exposes the bonding region of the bond pad. A first vertical distance between an upper surface of the passivation layer and a surface of the bonding region ranges from 30% to 40% of a second vertical distance between a lower surface of the passivation layer and an upper surface of the peripheral region.