Abstract: A transistor includes a silicon germanium layer, a gate stack, and source and drain features. The silicon germanium layer has a channel region. The silicon germanium layer has a first silicon-to-germanium ratio. The gate stack is disposed over the channel region of the silicon germanium layer and includes a silicon germanium oxide layer over and in contact with the channel region of the silicon germanium layer, 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, and the second silicon-to-germanium ratio is substantially the same as the first silicon-to-germanium ratio.

Abstract: Provided is a metal gate structure and related methods that include performing a metal gate cut process. The metal gate cut process includes a plurality of etching steps. For example, a first anisotropic dry etch is performed, a second isotropic dry etch is performed, and a third wet etch is performed. In some embodiments, the second isotropic etch removes a residual portion of a metal gate layer including a metal containing layer. In some embodiments, the third etch removes a residual portion of a dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of cleaning a lanthanum containing substrate without formation of undesired lanthanum compounds during processing. In one embodiment, the cleaning method includes treating the lanthanum containing substrate with an acidic solution prior to cleaning the lanthanum containing substrate with a HF solution. The cleaning method permits using lanthanum doped high-k dielectric layer to modulate effective work function of the gate stack, thus, improving device performance.

Abstract: Provided is a metal gate structure and related methods that include performing a metal gate cut process. The metal gate cut process includes a plurality of etching steps. For example, a first anisotropic dry etch is performed, a second isotropic dry etch is performed, and a third wet etch is performed. In some embodiments, the second isotropic etch removes a residual portion of a metal gate layer including a metal containing layer. In some embodiments, the third etch removes a residual portion of a dielectric layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods which utilize a treatment process of a bottom anti-reflective layer are provided. The treatment process may be a physical treatment process in which material is added in order to fill holes and pores within the material of the bottom anti-reflective layer or else the treatment process may be a chemical treatment process in which a chemical reaction is used to form a protective layer. By treating the bottom anti-reflective layer the diffusion of subsequently applied chemicals is reduced or eliminated, thereby helping to prevent defects that arise from such diffusion.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack, which includes a first portion over a portion of a first semiconductor fin, a second portion over a portion of a second semiconductor fin, and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. An anisotropic etching is performed on the third portion of the gate stack to form an opening between the first portion and the second portion. A footing portion of the third portion remains after the anisotropic etching. The method further includes performing an isotropic etching to remove a metal gate portion of the footing portion, and filling the opening with a dielectric material.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.

Abstract: Provided is a metal gate structure and related methods that include performing a metal gate cut process. The metal gate cut process includes a plurality of etching steps. For example, a first anisotropic dry etch is performed, a second isotropic dry etch is performed, and a third wet etch is performed. In some embodiments, the second isotropic etch removes a residual portion of a metal gate layer including a metal containing layer. In some embodiments, the third etch removes a residual portion of a dielectric layer.

Abstract: A transistor includes a silicon germanium layer, a gate stack, and source and drain features. The silicon germanium layer has a channel region. The silicon germanium layer has a first silicon-to-germanium ratio. The gate stack is disposed over the channel region of the silicon germanium layer and includes a silicon germanium oxide layer over and in contact with the channel region of the silicon germanium layer, 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, and the second silicon-to-germanium ratio is substantially the same as the first silicon-to-germanium ratio.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of cleaning a lanthanum containing substrate without formation of undesired lanthanum compounds during processing. In one embodiment, the cleaning method includes treating the lanthanum containing substrate with an acidic solution prior to cleaning the lanthanum containing substrate with a HF solution. The cleaning method permits using lanthanum doped high-k dielectric layer to modulate effective work function of the gate stack, thus, improving device performance.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack, which includes a first portion over a portion of a first semiconductor fin, a second portion over a portion of a second semiconductor fin, and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. An anisotropic etching is performed on the third portion of the gate stack to form an opening between the first portion and the second portion. A footing portion of the third portion remains after the anisotropic etching. The method further includes performing an isotropic etching to remove a metal gate portion of the footing portion, and filling the opening with a dielectric material.

Abstract: Provided is a metal gate structure and related methods that include performing a metal gate cut process. The metal gate cut process includes a plurality of etching steps. For example, a first anisotropic dry etch is performed, a second isotropic dry etch is performed, and a third wet etch is performed. In some embodiments, the second isotropic etch removes a residual portion of a metal gate layer including a metal containing layer. In some embodiments, the third etch removes a residual portion of a dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of cleaning a lanthanum containing substrate without formation of undesired lanthanum compounds during processing. In one embodiment, the cleaning method includes treating the lanthanum containing substrate with an acidic solution prior to cleaning the lanthanum containing substrate with a HF solution. The cleaning method permits using lanthanum doped high-k dielectric layer to modulate effective work function of the gate stack, thus, improving device performance.

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: Methods for, and structures formed by, wet process assisted approaches implemented in a replacement gate process are provided. Generally, in some examples, a wet etch process for removing a capping layer can form a first monolayer on the underlying layer as an adhesion layer and a second monolayer on, e.g., an interfacial dielectric layer between a gate spacer and a fin as an etch protection mechanism. Generally, in some examples, a wet process can form a monolayer on a metal layer, like a barrier layer of a work function tuning layer, as a hardmask for patterning of the metal layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.

Abstract: Methods for, and structures formed by, wet process assisted approaches implemented in a replacement gate process are provided. Generally, in some examples, a wet etch process for removing a capping layer can form a first monolayer on the underlying layer as an adhesion layer and a second monolayer on, e.g., an interfacial dielectric layer between a gate spacer and a fin as an etch protection mechanism. Generally, in some examples, a wet process can form a monolayer on a metal layer, like a barrier layer of a work function tuning layer, as a hardmask for patterning of the metal layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of cleaning a lanthanum containing substrate without formation of undesired lanthanum compounds during processing. In one embodiment, the cleaning method includes treating the lanthanum containing substrate with an acidic solution prior to cleaning the lanthanum containing substrate with a HF solution. The cleaning method permits using lanthanum doped high-k dielectric layer to modulate effective work function of the gate stack, thus, improving device performance.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.