Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor, which includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, and forming an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD). The dummy gate stack is in the ILD, and the ILD covers a source/drain region in the semiconductor region. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench in the first ILD, forming a low-k gate spacer in the trench, forming a replacement gate dielectric extending into the trench, forming a metal layer to fill the trench, and performing a planarization to remove excess portions of the replacement gate dielectric and the metal layer to form a gate dielectric and a metal gate, respectively. A source region and a drain region are then formed on opposite sides of the metal gate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The IC structure includes first and second fins formed on a semiconductor substrate and laterally separated from each other by an isolation feature, the isolation feature formed of a dielectric material that physically contacts the semiconductor substrate; and a contact feature between the first and second fins and extending into the isolation feature thereby defining an air gap vertically between the isolation feature and the contact feature, the dielectric material of the isolation feature extending from the semiconductor substrate to the contact feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an inter-layer dielectric layer, a contact plug, and a contact hole liner. The substrate has a source/drain region. The inter-layer dielectric layer is over the substrate and has a contact hole therein. The contact plug is electrically connected to the source/drain region through the contact hole of the inter-layer dielectric layer. The contact hole liner extends between the contact plug and a sidewall of a first portion of the contact hole. The contact hole liner terminates prior to reaching a second portion of the contact hole. The first portion is between the second portion and the source/drain region.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes forming a hard mask layer over an integrated circuit layer and implanting ions into a first portion of the hard mask layer without implanting ions into a second portion of the hard mask layer. An etching characteristic of the first portion is different than an etching characteristic of the second portion. After the implanting, the method includes annealing the hard mask layer. After the annealing, the method includes selectively etching the second portion of the hard mask layer, thereby forming an etching mask from the first portion of the hard mask layer. The method can further include using the etching mask to pattern the integrated circuit layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes. A first epi-layer and a second epi-layer are each located in a first region of the semiconductor device. A first dielectric fin is located between the first epi-layer and the second epi-layer. The first dielectric fin has a first dielectric constant. A third epi-layer and a fourth epi-layer are each located in a second region of the semiconductor device. A second dielectric fin is located between the third epi-layer and the fourth epi-layer. The second dielectric fin has a second dielectric constant that is less than the first dielectric constant.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and corresponding techniques for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed herein. An exemplary interconnect structure includes a conductive feature that includes cobalt and a via disposed over the conductive feature. The via includes a first via barrier layer disposed over the conductive feature, a second via barrier layer disposed over the first via barrier layer, and a via bulk layer disposed over the second via barrier layer. The first via barrier layer includes titanium, and the second via barrier layer includes titanium and nitrogen. The via bulk layer can include tungsten and/or cobalt. A capping layer may be disposed over the conductive feature, where the via extends through the capping layer to contact the conductive feature. In some implementations, the capping layer includes cobalt and silicon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device including a substrate, an insulating layer formed over the substrate, a plurality of fins formed vertically from a surface of the substrate, the fins extending through the insulating layer and above a top surface of the insulating layer, a gate structure formed over a portion of fins and over the top surface of the insulating layer, a source/drain structure disposed adjacent to opposing sides of the gate structure, the source/drain structure contacting the fin, a dielectric layer formed over the insulating layer, a first contact trench extending a first depth through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain structure, the first contact trench containing an electrical conductive material, and a second contact trench extending a second depth into the dielectric layer, the second contact trench containing the electrical conductive material, and the second depth is greater than the first depth.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and corresponding techniques for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed herein. An exemplary interconnect structure includes a conductive feature that includes cobalt and a via disposed over the conductive feature. The via includes a first via barrier layer disposed over the conductive feature, a second via barrier layer disposed over the first via barrier layer, and a via bulk layer disposed over the second via barrier layer. The first via barrier layer includes titanium, and the second via barrier layer includes titanium and nitrogen. The via bulk layer can include tungsten and/or cobalt. A capping layer may be disposed over the conductive feature, where the via extends through the capping layer to contact the conductive feature. In some implementations, the capping layer includes cobalt and silicon.

Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor, which includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, and forming an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD). The dummy gate stack is in the ILD, and the ILD covers a source/drain region in the semiconductor region. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench in the first ILD, forming a low-k gate spacer in the trench, forming a replacement gate dielectric extending into the trench, forming a metal layer to fill the trench, and performing a planarization to remove excess portions of the replacement gate dielectric and the metal layer to form a gate dielectric and a metal gate, respectively. A source region and a drain region are then formed on opposite sides of the metal gate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device including a substrate, an insulating layer formed over the substrate, a plurality of fins formed vertically from a surface of the substrate, the fins extending through the insulating layer and above a top surface of the insulating layer, a gate structure formed over a portion of fins and over the top surface of the insulating layer, a source/drain structure disposed adjacent to opposing sides of the gate structure, the source/drain structure contacting the fin, a dielectric layer formed over the insulating layer, a first contact trench extending a first depth through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain structure, the first contact trench containing an electrical conductive material, and a second contact trench extending a second depth into the dielectric layer, the second contact trench containing the electrical conductive material, and the second depth is greater than the first depth.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) structure that includes a fin active region on a substrate; a metal gate stack on the fin active region; a source and a drain on the fin active region, wherein the metal gate stack spans from the source to the drain; an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer disposed on the source and the drain; a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature formed in the ILD layer and being aligned on the source and the drain, respectively; and a dielectric material layer surrounding the first and second conductive features. The dielectric material layer continuously extends to a bottom surface of the first conductive feature and isolates the first conductive feature from the source and the second conductive feature contacts the drain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an integrated circuit in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes forming a source and a drain on a fin active region of a semiconductor substrate; depositing an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the source and drain; patterning the ILD layer to form a first contact hole and a second contact hole aligning with the source and drain, respectively; forming a dielectric material layer in the first contact hole; and forming a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature in the first and second contact holes, respectively.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric over the substrate to cover the gate stack; forming an opening in the interlayer dielectric to expose to the gate stack; forming a glue layer over the interlayer dielectric and in the opening; partially removing the glue layer, in which a portion of the glue layer remain in the opening; and tuning a profile of the remained portion of the glue layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an integrated circuit in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes forming a source and a drain on a fin active region of a semiconductor substrate; depositing an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the source and drain; patterning the ILD layer to form a first contact hole and a second contact hole aligning with the source and drain, respectively; forming a dielectric material layer in the first contact hole; and forming a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature in the first and second contact holes, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating such a device are presented. The semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode of a transistor, a first sidewall spacer along a sidewall of the gate pattern, a first insulating layer in contact with the first sidewall spacer and having a planarized top surface, and a second sidewall spacer formed on the planarized top surface of the first insulating layer. The second sidewall spacer may be formed over the first sidewall spacer. A width of the second sidewall spacer is equal to or greater than a width of the first sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor, which includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, and forming an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD). The dummy gate stack is in the ILD, and the ILD covers a source/drain region in the semiconductor region. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench in the first ILD, forming a low-k gate spacer in the trench, forming a replacement gate dielectric extending into the trench, forming a metal layer to fill the trench, and performing a planarization to remove excess portions of the replacement gate dielectric and the metal layer to form a gate dielectric and a metal gate, respectively. A source region and a drain region are then formed on opposite sides of the metal gate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The IC structure includes first and second fins formed on a semiconductor substrate and laterally separated from each other by an isolation feature, the isolation feature formed of a dielectric material that physically contacts the semiconductor substrate; and a contact feature between the first and second fins and extending into the isolation feature thereby defining an air gap vertically between the isolation feature and the contact feature, the dielectric material of the isolation feature extending from the semiconductor substrate to the contact feature.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and corresponding techniques for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed herein. An exemplary interconnect structure includes a conductive feature that includes cobalt and a via disposed over the conductive feature. The via includes a first via barrier layer disposed over the conductive feature, a second via barrier layer disposed over the first via barrier layer, and a via bulk layer disposed over the second via barrier layer. The first via barrier layer includes titanium, and the second via barrier layer includes titanium and nitrogen. The via bulk layer can include tungsten and/or cobalt. A capping layer may be disposed over the conductive feature, where the via extends through the capping layer to contact the conductive feature. In some implementations, the capping layer includes cobalt and silicon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device including a substrate, an insulating layer formed over the substrate, a plurality of fins formed vertically from a surface of the substrate, the fins extending through the insulating layer and above a top surface of the insulating layer, a gate structure formed over a portion of fins and over the top surface of the insulating layer, a source/drain structure disposed adjacent to opposing sides of the gate structure, the source/drain structure contacting the fin, a dielectric layer formed over the insulating layer, a first contact trench extending a first depth through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain structure, the first contact trench containing an electrical conductive material, and a second contact trench extending a second depth into the dielectric layer, the second contact trench containing the electrical conductive material, and the second depth is greater than the first depth.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric over the substrate to cover the gate stack; forming an opening in the interlayer dielectric to expose to the gate stack; forming a glue layer over the interlayer dielectric and in the opening; partially removing the glue layer, in which a portion of the glue layer remain in the opening; and tuning a profile of the remained portion of the glue layer.