Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure over a fin; forming a first dielectric layer around the first dummy gate structure and around the second dummy gate structure; removing the first dummy gate structure and the second dummy gate structure to form a first recess and a second recess in the first dielectric layer, respectively; forming a gate dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess; forming a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer in the first and the second recesses; removing the first work function layer from the first recess; converting a surface layer of the first work function layer in the second recess into an oxide; and forming a second work function layer in the first recess over the gate dielectric layer and in the second recess over the oxide.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure includes forming a fin structure with alternating stacked first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers over a substrate. The method also includes forming a cladding layer over the fin structure. The method also includes forming a fin isolation structure beside the cladding layer. The method also includes forming a capping layer over the fin isolation structure. The method also includes forming a dummy gate structure across the capping layer. The method also includes patterning the dummy gate structure. The method also includes patterning the capping layer by using the dummy gate structure as a mask layer. The method also includes removing the dummy gate structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide semiconductor device structures and methods of forming the same. The structure includes a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region disposed adjacent the first source/drain region along a first direction, a third source drain region, a fourth source/drain region disposed adjacent the third source/drain region along the first direction, a first dielectric layer having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a conductive contact disposed between the first and third source/drain regions and between the second and fourth source/drain regions, and the conductive contact is disposed in the first dielectric layer. The structure further includes a conductive feature disposed in the first dielectric layer, and the conductive feature is electrically connected to the conductive contact.

Abstract: Gate layouts and/or devices implementing gate support structures (e.g., gate bars) to in non-active region areas (e.g., isolation regions), along with methods of fabrication thereof, are described herein. An exemplary gate support structure is connected to at least two gates (e.g., two to six, in some embodiments) that are disposed in a non-active region area. The at least two gates extend lengthwise along a first direction, and the gate support structure extends lengthwise along a second direction that is different than the first direction. The gate support structure and the at least two gates may be disposed on a substrate isolation structure, such as a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure. A composition and/or configuration of the gate support structure may be the same as or different than a composition and/or a configuration of the at least two gates.

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 first high-k dielectric layer over a first semiconductor region, forming a second high-k dielectric layer over a second semiconductor region, forming a first metal layer comprising a first portion over the first high-k dielectric layer and a second portion over the second high-k dielectric layer, forming an etching mask over the second portion of the first metal layer, and etching the first portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask protects the second portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask is ashed using meta stable plasma. A second metal layer is then formed over the first high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first high-k dielectric layer over a first semiconductor region, forming a second high-k dielectric layer over a second semiconductor region, forming a first metal layer comprising a first portion over the first high-k dielectric layer and a second portion over the second high-k dielectric layer, forming an etching mask over the second portion of the first metal layer, and etching the first portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask protects the second portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask is ashed using meta stable plasma. A second metal layer is then formed over the first high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a metal gate structure including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode, a conductive layer disposed on the gate electrode, and a gate contact disposed on the conductive layer. The conductive layer extends from a position below a top surface of the metal gate structure to a position above the top surface of the metal gate structure. The gate electrode includes at least a first metal, and the conductive layer includes at least the first metal and a second metal different from the first metal. Laterally the conductive layer is fully between opposing sidewalls of the metal gate structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure over a fin; forming a first dielectric layer around the first dummy gate structure and around the second dummy gate structure; removing the first dummy gate structure and the second dummy gate structure to form a first recess and a second recess in the first dielectric layer, respectively; forming a gate dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess; forming a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer in the first and the second recesses; removing the first work function layer from the first recess; converting a surface layer of the first work function layer in the second recess into an oxide; and forming a second work function layer in the first recess over the gate dielectric layer and in the second recess over the oxide.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure over a fin; forming a first dielectric layer around the first dummy gate structure and around the second dummy gate structure; removing the first dummy gate structure and the second dummy gate structure to form a first recess and a second recess in the first dielectric layer, respectively; forming a gate dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess; forming a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer in the first and the second recesses; removing the first work function layer from the first recess; converting a surface layer of the first work function layer in the second recess into an oxide; and forming a second work function layer in the first recess over the gate dielectric layer and in the second recess over the oxide.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure includes forming a fin structure with alternating stacked first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers over a substrate. The method also includes forming a cladding layer over the fin structure. The method also includes forming a fin isolation structure beside the cladding layer. The method also includes forming a capping layer over the fin isolation structure. The method also includes forming a dummy gate structure across the capping layer. The method also includes patterning the dummy gate structure. The method also includes patterning the capping layer by using the dummy gate structure as a mask layer. The method also includes removing the dummy gate structure.

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 first high-k dielectric layer over a first semiconductor region, forming a second high-k dielectric layer over a second semiconductor region, forming a first metal layer comprising a first portion over the first high-k dielectric layer and a second portion over the second high-k dielectric layer, forming an etching mask over the second portion of the first metal layer, and etching the first portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask protects the second portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask is ashed using meta stable plasma. A second metal layer is then formed over the first high-k dielectric 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: A method includes forming a first high-k dielectric layer over a first semiconductor region, forming a second high-k dielectric layer over a second semiconductor region, forming a first metal layer comprising a first portion over the first high-k dielectric layer and a second portion over the second high-k dielectric layer, forming an etching mask over the second portion of the first metal layer, and etching the first portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask protects the second portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask is ashed using meta stable plasma. A second metal layer is then formed over the first high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure over a fin; forming a first dielectric layer around the first dummy gate structure and around the second dummy gate structure; removing the first dummy gate structure and the second dummy gate structure to form a first recess and a second recess in the first dielectric layer, respectively; forming a gate dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess; forming a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer in the first and the second recesses; removing the first work function layer from the first recess; converting a surface layer of the first work function layer in the second recess into an oxide; and forming a second work function layer in the first recess over the gate dielectric layer and in the second recess over the oxide.

Abstract: A method includes forming first and second semiconductor fins protruding from a substrate. Each of the first and second semiconductor fins includes a stack of alternating channel layers and non-channel layers. The method also includes forming a dielectric helmet between and protruding from the first and the second semiconductor fins, forming a dummy gate stack over the dielectric helmet, patterning the dummy gate stack to expose a portion of the dielectric helmet, removing the exposed portion of the dielectric helmet, and forming a metal gate structure, such that a remaining portion of the dielectric helmet separates the metal gate structure between the first and the second semiconductor fins. The method also includes forming a contact feature over a portion of the metal gate structure. A sidewall of the contact feature is between one of the semiconductor fins and the remaining portion of the dielectric helmet.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure over a fin; forming a first dielectric layer around the first dummy gate structure and around the second dummy gate structure; removing the first dummy gate structure and the second dummy gate structure to form a first recess and a second recess in the first dielectric layer, respectively; forming a gate dielectric layer in the first recess and the second recess; forming a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer in the first and the second recesses; removing the first work function layer from the first recess; converting a surface layer of the first work function layer in the second recess into an oxide; and forming a second work function layer in the first recess over the gate dielectric layer and in the second recess over the oxide.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first high-k dielectric layer over a first semiconductor region, forming a second high-k dielectric layer over a second semiconductor region, forming a first metal layer comprising a first portion over the first high-k dielectric layer and a second portion over the second high-k dielectric layer, forming an etching mask over the second portion of the first metal layer, and etching the first portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask protects the second portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask is ashed using meta stable plasma. A second metal layer is then formed over the first high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first high-k dielectric layer over a first semiconductor region, forming a second high-k dielectric layer over a second semiconductor region, forming a first metal layer comprising a first portion over the first high-k dielectric layer and a second portion over the second high-k dielectric layer, forming an etching mask over the second portion of the first metal layer, and etching the first portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask protects the second portion of the first metal layer. The etching mask is ashed using meta stable plasma. A second metal layer is then formed over the first high-k dielectric layer.