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 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: A method for cleaning a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes placing a semiconductor wafer over a supporter arranged around a central axis of a spin base. The method further includes securing the semiconductor wafer using a clamping member positioned on the supporter. The movement of the semiconductor wafer during the placement of the semiconductor wafer over the supporter is guided by a guiding member located over the clamping member. The method also includes spinning the semiconductor wafer by rotating the spin base about the central axis. In addition, the method includes dispensing a processing liquid over the semiconductor wafer.

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: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device including a substrate having a top surface and a gate stack. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer. The semiconductor device also includes a multi-spacer structure. The multi-spacer includes a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the gate stack, a second spacer, and a third spacer. The second spacer includes a first portion formed on a sidewall of the first spacer and a second portion formed on the top surface of the substrate. The second portion of the second spacer has a thickness in a first direction that gradually decreases. The third spacer is formed on the second portion of the second spacer and on the top surface of the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a source/drain region formed in the substrate, and a portion of the third spacer abuts the source/drain region and the second portion of the second spacer.

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: For a metal gate replacement integration scheme, the present disclosure describes removing a polysilicon gate electrode with a highly selective wet etch chemistry without damaging surrounding layers. For example, the wet etch chemistry can include one or more alkaline solvents with a steric hindrance amine structure, a buffer system that includes tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and monoethanolamine (MEA), one or more polar solvents, and water.

Abstract: An etchant is utilized to remove a semiconductor material. In some embodiments an oxidizer is added to the etchant in order to react with surrounding semiconductor material and form a protective layer. The protective layer is utilized to help prevent damage that could occur from the other components within the etchant.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes placing a semiconductor wafer over a supporter arranged around a central axis of a spin base. The method further includes securing the semiconductor wafer using a clamping member positioned on the supporter. The movement of the semiconductor wafer during the placement of the semiconductor wafer over the supporter is guided by a guiding member located over the clamping member. The method also includes spinning the semiconductor wafer by rotating the spin base about the central axis. In addition, the method includes dispensing a processing liquid over the semiconductor wafer.

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: Semiconductor device structures having metal gate structures with tunable work function values are provided. In one example, a first gate structure and a second gate structure formed on a substrate, wherein the first gate structure includes a first work function metal having a first material, and the second gate structure includes a second work function metal having a second material, the first material being different from the second material, wherein the first gate structure further includes a gate dielectric layer, a self-protective layer having metal phosphate, and the first work function metal on the self-protective layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes structure and method of a fin field-effect transistor (finFET) device. The finFET device includes: a substrate, a fin over the substrate, and a gate structure over the fin. The gate structure includes a work-function metal (WFM) layer over an inner sidewall of the gate structure. A topmost surface of the WFM layer is lower than a top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure also includes a filler gate metal layer over the topmost surface of the WFM layer. A top surface of the filler gate metal layer is substantially co-planar with the top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure further includes a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) between the filler gate metal layer and the WFM 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: An etchant is utilized to remove a semiconductor material. In some embodiments an oxidizer is added to the etchant in order to react with surrounding semiconductor material and form a protective layer. The protective layer is utilized to help prevent damage that could occur from the other components within the etchant.

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: To pattern a gate electrode, a mandrel of material is initially deposited and then patterned. In an embodiment the patterning is performed by performing a first etching process and to obtain a rough target and then to perform a second etching process with different etch parameters to obtain a precise target. The mandrel is then used to form spacers which can then be used to form masks to pattern the gate electrode.

Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having metal gate structures with tunable work function values are provided. In one example, a first gate structure and a second gate structure formed on a substrate, wherein the first gate structure includes a first work function metal having a first material, and the second gate structure includes a second work function metal having a second material, the first material being different from the second material, wherein the first gate structure further includes a gate dielectric layer, a self-protective layer having metal phosphate, and the first work function metal on the self-protective layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide wet process based methods for modifying threshold value (Vt) of high-k metal gate using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on dedicated transistor. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate, the gate structure comprising a gate dielectric layer, a barrier layer formed over the gate dielectric layer, and an oxide layer formed over the barrier layer, and forming a self-assembled monolayer on the oxide layer by exposing the oxide layer to an aqueous solution containing metal oxides in a metal dissolving acid.

Abstract: An etchant is utilized to remove a semiconductor material. In some embodiments an oxidizer is added to the etchant in order to react with surrounding semiconductor material and form a protective layer. The protective layer is utilized to help prevent damage that could occur from the other components within the etchant.