Abstract: A cleaning solution includes acetic acid, an inorganic acid, a fluoride compound, and deionized water, and may further include a corrosion inhibitor, a chelating agent, or a combination thereof. The cleaning solution may be used in the formation of a metal pattern in which a metal film including ruthenium is formed on a surface of a substrate, and a portion of the metal film is dry-etched to form a metal film pattern. After dry-etching, the metal film pattern is cleaned with the cleaning solution to remove an etching by-product layer around the metal film pattern. The cleaning solution may also be used to remove an etching by-product layer around an oxide film pattern prior to dry-etching of the metal film.

Abstract: A negative resist composition and a patterning method for semiconductor devices using the composition are provided. In one aspect, a negative resist composition comprises an alkali-soluble base polymer having an epoxy ring substituent, a silicon-containing crosslinker having multiple hydroxy groups, and a photoacid generator. In another aspect, a patterning method includes using the negative resist composition in a bi-layer resist process to form fine patterns.

Abstract: A cleaning method for removing foreign bodies during the fabrication of semiconductor devices including treating a substrate with a cleaning solution including an oxidizer to form a chemical oxide layer and then removing the chemical oxide layer, thereby removing foreign bodies from a surface of the semiconductor substrate. Accordingly, the foreign bodies can be substantially removed from the surface of the substrate without corroding a metal.

Abstract: A negative resist composition and a method for patterning semiconductor devices using the composition are provided. The negative resist composition contains an alkali-soluble hydroxy-substituted base polymer, a silicon-containing crosslinker having an epoxy ring, and a photoacid generator. In the method for patterning semiconductor devices, fine patterns are formed according to a bi-layer resist process using the negative resist composition.

Abstract: A transistor having a metal nitride layer pattern, etchant and methods of forming the same is provided. A gate insulating layer and/or a metal nitride layer may be formed on a semiconductor substrate. A mask layer may be formed on the metal nitride layer. Using the mask layer as an etching mask, an etching process may be performed on the metal nitride layer, forming the metal nitride layer pattern. An etchant, which may have an oxidizing agent, a chelate agent and/or a pH adjusting mixture, may perform the etching. The methods may reduce etching damage to a gate insulating layer under the metal nitride layer pattern during the formation of a transistor.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor device, which can prevent tilting or an electrical short of a lower electrode. In the method, a mesh-type bridge insulating layer is formed above the contact plug on a mold oxide layer. The mold oxide layer and the bridge insulating layer are etched to define an electrode region. The mold oxide layer is removed using an etching gas having an etch selectivity of 500 or greater for the mold oxide layer with respect to the bridge insulating layer.

Abstract: Provided are an anionic surfactant-containing etching solution for removal of an oxide film, preparation methods thereof, and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device using the etching solution. The etching solution includes a hydrofluoric acid (HF), deionized water, and an anionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant is a compound in which an anime salt is added as a counter ion, as represented by R1—OSO3?HA+, R1—CO2?HA+, R1—PO42?(HA+)2, (R1)2—PO4?HA+, or R1—SO3?HA+ where R1 is a straight or branched hydrocarbon group of C4 to C22 and A is ammonia or amine. The etching solution provides a high etching selectivity ratio of an oxide film to a nitride film or a polysilicon film. Therefore, in a semiconductor device fabrication process such as a STI device isolation process or a capacitor formation process, when an oxide film is exposed together with a nitride film or a polysilicon film, the etching solution can be efficiently used in selectively removing only the oxide film.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the microelectronic cleaning agent may include a fluoride component, an acid component, a chelating agent, a surfactant and water. Example embodiments of the present invention provide a microelectronic cleaning agent which can selectively remove, for example, a high-k dielectric layer. The microelectronic cleaning agent includes from about 0.001 weight % to about 10 weight % of a fluoride component, from about 0.001 weight % to about 30 weight % of an acid component, from about 0.001 weight % to about 20 weight % of a chelating agent, from about 0.001 weight % to about 10 weight % of a surfactant, and water (H2O). The water may comprise the remainder of the cleaning agent. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the microelectronic cleaning agent is also provided.

Abstract: An alignment system used in nano-imprint lithography and a nano-imprint lithography method using the alignment system are provided. The alignment system includes: a plurality of electron emission devices, which are provided in the mold and emit electrons; and a plurality of electrodes, which are provided to face the electron emission devices and at which the electrons emitted from the electron emission devices arrive. The mold and the substrate are aligned with each other by maximizing the amount of current in each of the electrodes.

Abstract: The photosensitive polymer includes a first monomer which is norbornene ester having C1 to C12 aliphatic alcohol as a substituent, and a second monomer which is maleic anhydride. A chemically amplified photoresist composition, containing the photosensitive polymer, has an improved etching resistance and adhesion to underlying layer materials, and exhibits wettability to developing solutions.

Abstract: A negative resist composition and a patterning method for semiconductor devices using the composition are provided. In one aspect, a negative resist composition comprises an alkali-soluble base polymer having an epoxy ring substituent, a silicon-containing crosslinker having multiple hydroxy groups, and a photoacid generator. In another aspect, a patterning method includes using the negative resist composition in a bi-layer resist process to form fine patterns.

Abstract: At least three length varying means, mounted between an upper end of a strut and a vehicle body, change the position of the strut in relation to the vehicle body, thereby enabling active adjustment of the camber, caster, and vehicle height.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing AAL2 supporting multiple virtual channels in a mobile communication system is disclosed. The present invention includes transmitting part including a first memory for storing ATM cells having the same destination according to corresponding destination information, where the transmitting part multiplexes user data items transmitted from a plurality of AAL2 users into one ATM cell according to corresponding destination information and transfers it to the ATM layer; and a receiving part including a second memory for storing mini-cells having destinations by users according to corresponding destination information, where the receiving part demultiplexes each ATM cell transmitted from the ATM layer to deconstruct it into mini-cells by users according to corresponding destinations and transmits them to corresponding AAL2 users. Accordingly, the accommodation capacity of the communication system increases and transmission rate rises, providing stable communication service.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a coating composition used for original equipment manufacturing or refinishing uses in the automotive industry, which coating composition utilizes an acrylic polymer which contains substituted or unsubstituted exomethylene lactones or lactams as a comonomer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a base and a tapered wall formed on the base. The wall has a midline and also has an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall are substantially symmetrical with each other in relation to the midline. Thus, the reliability of the semiconductor capacitor structure can be improved and the throughput can be increased. Also, further scaling down of semiconductor devices can be facilitated with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: A phase change memory device and a method of operating the same are provided. The phase change memory device may include a plurality of unit cells arranged in a matrix composed of rows and columns; a plurality of program bit lines and read bit lines arranged in rows, each of the program and read bit lines having a row selection transistor formed at one end thereof; and a plurality of program word lines and read word lines arranged in columns, each of the program and read word lines having a column selection transistor formed at one end thereof. Each of the unit cells may include a phase change resistor and an exothermal resistor used to heat the phase change resistor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a base and a tapered wall formed on the base. The wall has a midline and also has an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall are substantially symmetrical with each other in relation to the midline. Thus, the reliability of the semiconductor capacitor structure can be improved and the throughput can be increased. Also, further scaling down of semiconductor devices can be facilitated with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a substrate using the Marangoni effect is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable supporting portion on which a substrate is placed. A first nozzle for supplying de-ionized water and a second nozzle for supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor are provided on the supporting portion. When the isopropyl alcohol vapor is supplied to the center of the substrate at the initial stage, the amount of alcohol that reaches the substrate is controlled by a controlling portion such that the amount of the second liquid gradually increases.

Abstract: Provided is a method of depositing a noble metal layer using an oxidation-reduction reaction. The method includes flowing a noble metal source gas, an oxidizing gas, and a reducing gas into a reaction chamber; and generating plasma in the reaction chamber to form a noble metal layer or a noble metal oxide layer on a bottom structure.

Abstract: A capacitor and a method of fabricating the capacitor are provided herein. The capacitor can be formed by forming two or more dielectric layers and a lower electrode, wherein at least one of the two or more dielectric layers is formed before the lower electrode is formed.