Abstract: An improved work function layer and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin; depositing a first work function layer over the dielectric layer; and exposing the first work function layer to a metastable plasma of a first reaction gas, a metastable plasma of a generation gas, and a metastable plasma of a second reaction gas, the first reaction gas being different from the second reaction gas.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

Abstract: An improved work function layer and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin; depositing a first work function layer over the dielectric layer; and exposing the first work function layer to a metastable plasma of a first reaction gas, a metastable plasma of a generation gas, and a metastable plasma of a second reaction gas, the first reaction gas being different from the second reaction gas.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: An improved work function layer and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin; depositing a first work function layer over the dielectric layer; and exposing the first work function layer to a metastable plasma of a first reaction gas, a metastable plasma of a generation gas, and a metastable plasma of a second reaction gas, the first reaction gas being different from the second reaction gas.

Abstract: A method for detecting dust mite antigens includes the steps of collecting a dust sample, applying an extraction and cleanup procedure for dust mite antigens from the dust sample in order to obtain a sample solution ready for measurement, and placing the sample solution on a SERS chip without immunological modification and under a Raman spectrometer for SERS detection in order to identify whether any dust mite antigens exist in the sample solution.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

Abstract: An improved work function layer and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin; depositing a first work function layer over the dielectric layer; and exposing the first work function layer to a metastable plasma of a first reaction gas, a metastable plasma of a generation gas, and a metastable plasma of a second reaction gas, the first reaction gas being different from the second reaction gas.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

Abstract: An improved work function layer and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin; depositing a first work function layer over the dielectric layer; and exposing the first work function layer to a metastable plasma of a first reaction gas, a metastable plasma of a generation gas, and a metastable plasma of a second reaction gas, the first reaction gas being different from the second reaction gas.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: An improved work function layer and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin; depositing a first work function layer over the dielectric layer; and exposing the first work function layer to a metastable plasma of a first reaction gas, a metastable plasma of a generation gas, and a metastable plasma of a second reaction gas, the first reaction gas being different from the second reaction gas.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: A method for detecting dust mite antigens includes the steps of collecting a dust sample, applying an extraction and cleanup procedure for dust mite antigens from the dust sample in order to obtain a sample solution ready for measurement, and placing the sample solution on a SERS chip without immunological modification and under a Raman spectrometer for SERS detection in order to identify whether any dust mite antigens exist in the sample solution.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.