Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure, in which first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are alternately stacked, is formed. A sacrificial gate structure is formed over the fin structure. A source/drain region of the fin structure, which is not covered by the sacrificial gate structure, is etched, thereby forming a source/drain space. The first semiconductor layers are laterally etched through the source/drain space. An inner spacer made of a dielectric material is formed on an end of each of the etched first semiconductor layers. A source/drain epitaxial layer is formed in the source/drain space to cover the inner spacer. At least one of the first semiconductor layers has a composition which changes along a stacked direction of the first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes forming semiconductor strips over a substrate. Isolation regions are formed over the substrate and between adjacent semiconductor strips. A first recess process is performed on the isolation regions to expose first portions of the semiconductor strips. The first portions of the semiconductor strips are reshaped to form reshaped first portions of the semiconductor strips. A second recess process is performed on the isolation regions to expose second portions of the semiconductor strips below the reshaped first portions of the semiconductor strips. The second portions of the semiconductor strips are reshaped to form reshaped second portions of the semiconductor strips. The reshaped first portions of the semiconductor strips and the reshaped second portions of the semiconductor strips form fins. The fins extend away from topmost surfaces of the isolation regions.

Abstract: A source/drain region of a semiconductor device is formed using an epitaxial growth process. In an embodiment a first step comprises forming a bulk region of the source/drain region using a first precursor, a second precursor, and an etching precursor. A second step comprises cleaning the bulk region with the etchant along with introducing a shaping dopant to the bulk region in order to modify the crystalline structure of the exposed surfaces. A third step comprises forming a finishing region of the source/drain region using the first precursor, the second precursor, and the etching precursor.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate dielectric material includes forming a high-K dielectric material in a first region over a substrate, where forming the high-K dielectric material includes forming a first dielectric layer comprising hafnium over the substrate, and forming a second dielectric layer comprising lanthanum over the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure extending above a substrate, and the fin structure has a first portion and a second portion below the first portion, and the first portion and the second portion are made of different materials. The FinFET device structure includes an isolation structure formed on the substrate, and an interface between the first portion and the second portion of the fin structure is above a top surface of the isolation structure. The FinFET device structure includes a liner layer formed on sidewalls of the second portion of the fin structure.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure in which first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are alternately stacked is formed, a sacrificial gate structure is formed over the fin structure, a source/drain region of the fin structure, which is not covered by the sacrificial gate structure, is etched, thereby forming a source/drain space, the first semiconductor layers are laterally etched through the source/drain space, and a source/drain epitaxial layer is formed in the source/drain space. An inner spacer made of a dielectric material is formed on an end of each of the etched first semiconductor layers and at least one of the spacer has width changes along vertical direction of device. At least one of the first semiconductor layers has a composition different from another of the first semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack of a transistor. The formation of the gate stack includes forming a silicon oxide layer on a semiconductor region, depositing a hafnium oxide layer over the silicon oxide layer, depositing a lanthanum oxide layer over the hafnium oxide layer, and depositing a work-function layer over the lanthanum oxide layer. Source/drain regions are formed on opposite sides of the gate stack.

Abstract: A device includes a fin extending from a substrate, a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the fin, a gate spacer along a sidewall of the gate stack, and an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate spacer. The epitaxial source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer on the fin, the first epitaxial layer including silicon, germanium, and arsenic, and a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer including silicon and phosphorus, the first epitaxial layer separating the second epitaxial layer from the fin. The epitaxial source/drain region further includes a third epitaxial layer on the second epitaxial layer, the third epitaxial layer including silicon, germanium, and phosphorus.

Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes forming semiconductor strips over a substrate. Isolation regions are formed over the substrate and between adjacent semiconductor strips. A first recess process is performed on the isolation regions to expose first portions of the semiconductor strips. The first portions of the semiconductor strips are reshaped to form reshaped first portions of the semiconductor strips. A second recess process is performed on the isolation regions to expose second portions of the semiconductor strips below the reshaped first portions of the semiconductor strips. The second portions of the semiconductor strips are reshaped to form reshaped second portions of the semiconductor strips. The reshaped first portions of the semiconductor strips and the reshaped second portions of the semiconductor strips form fins. The fins extend away from topmost surfaces of the isolation regions.

Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming are provided. The method includes etching recesses in a substrate on opposite sides of a gate stack. The method also includes epitaxially growing a source/drain region in each recess, where each of the source/drain regions includes a capping layer along a top surface of the respective source/drain region, and where a concentration of a first material in each source/drain region is highest at an interface of the capping layer and an underlying epitaxy layer. The method also includes depositing a plurality of metal layers overlying and contacting each of the source/drain regions. The method also includes performing an anneal, where after the anneal a metal silicide region is formed in each of the source/drain regions, where each metal silicide region extends through the capping layer and terminates at the interface of the capping layer and the underlying epitaxy layer.

Abstract: A source/drain region of a semiconductor device is formed using an epitaxial growth process. In an embodiment a first step comprises forming a bulk region of the source/drain region using a first precursor, a second precursor, and an etching precursor. A second step comprises cleaning the bulk region with the etchant along with introducing a shaping dopant to the bulk region in order to modify the crystalline structure of the exposed surfaces. A third step comprises forming a finishing region of the source/drain region using the first precursor, the second precursor, and the etching precursor.

Abstract: Semiconductor device structures and methods for forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device structure includes a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer and a gate dielectric layer covering a bottom surface and sidewalls of the gate electrode layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes spacer elements in contact with sidewalls of the gate structure and protruding from a top surface of the gate electrode layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first protection layer over the gate electrode layer and between the spacer elements. The semiconductor device structure also includes a dielectric layer over the first protection layer and between the spacer elements. A portion of the dielectric layer is between sidewalls of the spacer elements and sidewalls of the first protection layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a fin protruding above the substrate, the fin including a compound semiconductor material that includes a semiconductor material and a first dopant, the first dopant having a different lattice constant than the semiconductor material, where a concentration of the first dopant in the fin changes along a first direction from an upper surface of the fin toward the substrate; a gate structure over the fin; a channel region in the fin and directly under the gate structure; and source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate structure, the source/drain regions including a second dopant, where a concentration of the second dopant at a first location within the channel region is higher than that at a second location within the channel region, where the concentration of the first dopant at the first location is lower than that at the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for neural network computation are provided. The apparatus for neural network computation includes a first neuron circuit and a second neuron circuit. The first neuron circuit is configured to execute a neural network computation of at least one computing layer with a fixed feature pattern in a neural network algorithm. The second neuron circuit is configured to execute the neural network computation of at least one computing layer with an unfixed feature pattern in the neural network algorithm. The performance of the first neuron circuit is greater than that of the second neuron circuit.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a substrate having an n-doped well feature and an epitaxial silicon germanium fin formed over the n-doped well feature. The epitaxial silicon germanium fin has a lower part and an upper part. The lower part has a lower germanium content than the upper part. A channel is formed from the epitaxial silicon germanium fin. A gate is formed over the epitaxial silicon germanium fin. A doped source-drain is formed proximate the channel.

Abstract: A power supply system is connected to a load, and the power supply system includes a power supply apparatus and a backup apparatus. When an input power is normal, the power supply apparatus converts the input power into a first output power, provides the first output power to the power bus, and selectively provides the first output power to charge the backup apparatus, in which the first output power has a first rated upper-limit value. When the input power is normal and a required power of the load is greater than the first rated upper-limit value, the backup apparatus provides a second output power to the power bus so that the sum of the first output power and the second output power meets the required power of the load.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside. A photo-sensitive device is disposed at a surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the photo-sensitive device is configured to receive a light signal from the backside of the semiconductor substrate, and convert the light signal to an electrical signal. An amorphous-like adhesion layer is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The amorphous-like adhesion layer includes a compound of nitrogen and a metal. A metal shielding layer is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate and contacting the amorphous-like adhesion layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack of a transistor. The formation of the gate stack includes forming a silicon oxide layer on a semiconductor region, depositing a hafnium oxide layer over the silicon oxide layer, depositing a lanthanum oxide layer over the hafnium oxide layer, and depositing a work-function layer over the lanthanum oxide layer. Source/drain regions are formed on opposite sides of the gate stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure formed over a fin structure, and a source/drain (S/D) epitaxial layer formed in the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The S/D epitaxial layer includes a first S/D epitaxial layer and a second epitaxial layer. The semiconductor structure includes a gate spacer formed on a sidewall surface of the gate structure, and the gate spacer is directly over the first S/D epitaxial layer. The semiconductor structure includes a dielectric spacer formed adjacent to the gate spacer, and the dielectric spacer is directly over the second epitaxial layer.

Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming are provided. The method includes etching recesses in a substrate on opposite sides of a gate stack. The method also includes epitaxially growing a source/drain region in each recess, where each of the source/drain regions includes a capping layer along a top surface of the respective source/drain region, and where a concentration of a first material in each source/drain region is highest at an interface of the capping layer and an underlying epitaxy layer. The method also includes depositing a plurality of metal layers overlying and contacting each of the source/drain regions. The method also includes performing an anneal, where after the anneal a metal silicide region is formed in each of the source/drain regions, where each metal silicide region extends through the capping layer and terminates at the interface of the capping layer and the underlying epitaxy layer.