Abstract: Structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a field-effect transistor. A gate structure of the field-effect transistor is arranged over an active region comprised of a semiconductor material. A first sidewall spacer is arranged adjacent to the gate structure. A second sidewall spacer includes a section arranged between the first sidewall spacer and the active region. The first sidewall spacer is composed of a low-k dielectric material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a cap structure and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure composed of conductive gate material; sidewall spacers on the gate structure, extending above the conductive gate material; and a capping material on the conductive gate material and extending over the sidewall spacers on the gate structure.

Abstract: Structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a field-effect transistor. A sidewall spacer is arranged adjacent to a sidewall of a gate electrode, a source/drain region is arranged laterally adjacent to the sidewall spacer, and a contact is arranged over the source/drain region and laterally adjacent to the sidewall spacer. The contact is coupled with the source/drain region. A section of an interlayer dielectric layer is laterally arranged between the contact and the sidewall spacer.

Abstract: Structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a field-effect transistor. A sidewall spacer is arranged adjacent to a sidewall of a gate electrode, a source/drain region is arranged laterally adjacent to the sidewall spacer, and a contact is arranged over the source/drain region and laterally adjacent to the sidewall spacer. The contact is coupled with the source/drain region. A section of an interlayer dielectric layer is laterally arranged between the contact and the sidewall spacer.

Abstract: Structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a field-effect transistor. A gate structure of the field-effect transistor is arranged over an active region comprised of a semiconductor material. A first sidewall spacer is arranged adjacent to the gate structure. A second sidewall spacer includes a section arranged between the first sidewall spacer and the active region. The first sidewall spacer is composed of a low-k dielectric material.

Abstract: Methods comprising providing a semiconductor substrate; a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a dummy gate disposed over the fin, wherein the dummy gate has a top at a first height above the substrate; and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) disposed over the fin and adjacent to the dummy gate, wherein the ILD has a top at a second height above the substrate, wherein the second height is below the first height; and capping the ILD with a dielectric cap, wherein the dielectric cap has a top at the first height. Systems configured to implement the methods. Semiconductor devices produced by the methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a cap structure and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure composed of conductive gate material; sidewall spacers on the gate structure, extending above the conductive gate material; and a capping material on the conductive gate material and extending over the sidewall spacers on the gate structure.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming trench in a gate region, wherein the trench having an oxide layer to a height to reduce or prevent process residue. A plurality of fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Over a first portion of the fins, an epitaxial (EPI) feature at a top portion of each fin of the first portion. Over a second portion of the fins, a gate region is formed. In a portion of the gate region, a trench is formed. A first oxide layer at a bottom region of the trench is formed. Prior to performing an amorphous-silicon (a-Si) deposition, a flowable oxide material is deposited into the trench for forming a second oxide layer. The second oxide layer comprises the flowable oxide and the first oxide layer. The second oxide layer has a first height.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a cap structure and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure composed of conductive gate material; sidewall spacers on the gate structure, extending above the conductive gate material; and a capping material on the conductive gate material and extending over the sidewall spacers on the gate structure.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming trench in a gate region, wherein the trench having an oxide layer to a height to reduce or prevent process residue. A plurality of fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Over a first portion of the fins, an epitaxial (EPI) feature at a top portion of each fin of the first portion. Over a second portion of the fins, a gate region is formed. In a portion of the gate region, a trench is formed. A first oxide layer at a bottom region of the trench is formed. Prior to performing an amorphous-silicon (a-Si) deposition, a flowable oxide material is deposited into the trench for forming a second oxide layer. The second oxide layer comprises the flowable oxide and the first oxide layer. The second oxide layer has a first height.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming trench in a gate region, wherein the trench having an oxide layer to a height to reduce or prevent process residue. A plurality of fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Over a first portion of the fins, an epitaxial (EPI) feature at a top portion of each fin of the first portion. Over a second portion of the fins, a gate region is formed. In a portion of the gate region, a trench is formed. A first oxide layer at a bottom region of the trench is formed. Prior to performing an amorphous-silicon (a-Si) deposition, a flowable oxide material is deposited into the trench for forming a second oxide layer. The second oxide layer comprises the flowable oxide and the first oxide layer. The second oxide layer has a first height.

Abstract: Methods comprising providing a semiconductor substrate; a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a dummy gate disposed over the fin, wherein the dummy gate has a top at a first height above the substrate; and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) disposed over the fin and adjacent to the dummy gate, wherein the ILD has a top at a second height above the substrate, wherein the second height is below the first height; and capping the ILD with a dielectric cap, wherein the dielectric cap has a top at the first height. Systems configured to implement the methods. Semiconductor devices produced by the methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a cap structure and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure composed of conductive gate material; sidewall spacers on the gate structure, extending above the conductive gate material; and a capping material on the conductive gate material and extending over the sidewall spacers on the gate structure.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming semiconductor devices comprising vertically aligned gates, metal hard masks, and nitride regions. The semiconductor device may contain a semiconductor substrate; a gate disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a metal hard mask vertically aligned with the gate; a nitride region vertically aligned with the gate and the metal hard mask; and source/drain (S/D) regions disposed in proximity to the gate.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming trench silicide region contact. A plurality of fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial (EPI) feature is formed at a top portion of each fin of the first portion over a first portion of the fins. A gate region is formed over a second portion of the fins. A trench is formed in a portion of the gate region. A void is formed adjacent the a portion of the gate region. A first silicon feature is formed in the trench. A second silicon feature is formed in the void. Subsequently, a replacement metal gate (RMG) process is performed in the gate region. A TS cut region is formed over the trench. The first silicon feature and the second silicon feature are removed. A metallization process is performed in the void to form a contact.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming trench silicide region contact. A plurality of fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial (EPI) feature is formed at a top portion of each fin of the first portion over a first portion of the fins. A gate region is formed over a second portion of the fins. A replacement metal gate (RMG) process is performed in the gate region. A trench is formed in a portion of the gate region. A void is formed adjacent the a portion of the gate region. A first silicon feature is formed in the trench. A second silicon feature is formed in the void. A TS cut region is formed over the trench. The first silicon feature and the second silicon feature are removed. A metallization process is performed in the void to form a contact.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein involves forming trench in a gate region, wherein the trench having an oxide layer to a height to reduce or prevent process residue. A plurality of fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Over a first portion of the fins, an epitaxial (EPI) feature at a top portion of each fin of the first portion. Over a second portion of the fins, a gate region is formed. In a portion of the gate region, a trench is formed. A first oxide layer at a bottom region of the trench is formed. Prior to performing an amorphous-silicon (a-Si) deposition, a flowable oxide material is deposited into the trench for forming a second oxide layer. The second oxide layer comprises the flowable oxide and the first oxide layer. The second oxide layer has a first height.

Abstract: The disclosed methods may include depositing an amorphous carbon layer, a SiCN layer, and a TEOS layer; planarizing the semiconductor structure; performing a non-selective etch to remove the SiCN layer, the TEOS layer, and a portion of the amorphous carbon layer; and performing a selective etch of the amorphous carbon layer. The methods may reduce step height differences between first and second regions of the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a FinFET device includes a self-aligned contact etch where a source/drain contact module is performed prior to a replacement metal gate (RMG) module. In particular, the method involves forming a sacrificial gate over the channel region of a fin, and an interlayer dielectric over adjacent source/drain regions of the fin. An etch mask is then used to protect source/drain contact regions and enable the removal of the interlayer dielectric from outside of the protected area, e.g., between adjacent fins. A sacrificial cobalt layer is used to backfill the cavities formed by etching the interlayer dielectric prior to forming a functional gate.