Abstract: A semiconductor structure. The structure includes (a) a semiconductor layer including a channel region disposed between first and second S/D regions; (b) a gate dielectric region on the channel region; (c) a gate region on the gate dielectric region and electrically insulated from the channel region by the gate dielectric region; (d) a protection umbrella region on the gate region, wherein the protection umbrella region comprises a first dielectric material, and wherein the gate region is completely in a shadow of the protection umbrella region; and (e) a filled contact hole (i) directly above and electrically connected to the second S/D region and (ii) aligned with an edge of the protection umbrella region, wherein the contact hole is physically isolated from the gate region by an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer which comprises a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus and method, and a lithographic optical column structure are disclosed for conducting immersion lithography with at least the projection optics of the optical system and the wafer in different fluids at the same pressure. In particular, an immersion lithography apparatus is provided in which a supercritical fluid is introduced about the wafer, and another fluid, e.g., an inert gas, is introduced to at least the projection optics of the optical system at the same pressure to alleviate the need for a special lens. In addition, the invention includes an immersion lithography apparatus including a chamber filled with a supercritical immersion fluid and enclosing a wafer to be exposed and at least a projection optic component of the optical system.

Abstract: Sublithographic contact apertures through a dielectric are formed in a stack of dielectric, hardmask and oxide-containing seed layer. An initial aperture through the seed layer receives a deposition of oxide by liquid phase deposition, which adheres selectively to the exposed vertical walls of the aperture in the seed layer. The sublithographic aperture, reduced in size by the thickness of the added material, defines a reduced aperture in the hardmask. The reduced hardmask then defines the sublithographic aperture through the dielectric.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical sensor. First, a structure which comprises a semiconductor substrate is provided. Then, a first electrode and a fourth electrode are formed at a first depth in the semiconductor substrate. Then, a second electrode and a fifth electrode are formed at a second depth in the semiconductor substrate. Then, a third electrode and a sixth electrode are formed at a third depth in the semiconductor substrate. The first depth is greater than the second depth which is greater than the third depth. First, second, and third semiconducting regions of the semiconductor substrate are disposed between and in direct physical contact with the first and fourth electrodes, the second and fifth electrodes, and the third and sixth electrodes, respectively. The first, second, and third semi-conducting regions are in direct physical contact with one another.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for fabrication includes first and second structures, each including a set of sub-lithographic lines, and contact landing segments connected to at least one of the sub-lithographic lines at an end portion. The first and second structures are nested such that the sub-lithographic lines are disposed in a parallel manner within a width, and the contact landing segments of the first structure are disposed on an opposite side of a length of the sub-lithographic lines relative to the contact landing segments of the second structure. The contact landing segments for the first and second structures are included within the width dimension, wherein the width includes a dimension four times a minimum feature size achievable by lithography.

Abstract: A method of providing a gate conductor on a semiconductor is provided. The method includes defining an organic polymer plating mandrel on the semiconductor, activating one or more sites of the organic polymer plating mandrel, binding a seed layer to the activated sites, and plating the dummy gate on the seed layer. The dummy gate defines a location for the gate conductor. Semiconductor devices having a dummy gate plated thereon to a width of between about 10 to about 70 nanometers are also provided.

Abstract: An immersion lithography apparatus and method, and a lithographic optical column structure are disclosed for conducting immersion lithography with at least the projection optics of the optical system and the wafer in different fluids at the same pressure. In particular, an immersion lithography apparatus is provided in which a supercritical fluid is introduced about the wafer, and another fluid, e.g., an inert gas, is introduced to at least the projection optics of the optical system at the same pressure to alleviate the need for a special lens. In addition, the invention includes an immersion lithography apparatus including a chamber filled with a supercritical immersion fluid and enclosing a wafer to be exposed and at least a projection optic component of the optical system.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and method of forming semiconductor structures. The semiconductor structures including nano-structures or fabricated using nano-structures. The method of forming semiconductor structures including generating nano-structures using a nano-mask and performing additional semiconductor processing steps using the nano-structures generated.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-volatile memory devices that incorporate a series of single or double memory cells. The single memory cells are essentially “U” shaped. The double memory cells comprise two essentially “U” shaped memory cells. Each memory cell comprises a memory element having a bi-stable layer sandwiched between two conductive layers. A temporary conductor may be applied to a series of cells and used to bulk condition the bi-stable layers of the cells. Also, due to the “U” shape of the cells, a cross point wire array may be used to connect a series of cells. The cross point wire array allows the memory elements of each cell to be individually identified and addressed for storing information and also allows for the information stored in the memory elements in all of the cells in the series to be simultaneously erased using a block erase process.

Abstract: A structure and a method for forming the same. The structure includes (a) a semiconductor layer including a channel region disposed between first and second S/D regions; (b) a gate dielectric region on the channel region; (c) a gate region on the gate dielectric region and electrically insulated from the channel region by the gate dielectric region; (d) a protection umbrella region on the gate region, wherein the protection umbrella region comprises a first dielectric material, and wherein the gate region is completely in a shadow of the protection umbrella region; and (e) a filled contact hole (i) directly above and electrically connected to the second S/D region and (ii) aligned with an edge of the protection umbrella region, wherein the contact hole is physically isolated from the gate region by an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer which comprises a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material.

Abstract: An optical sensor and method for forming the same. The optical sensor structure includes (a) a semiconductor substrate, (b) first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth electrodes and (c) first, second, and third semiconducting regions. The first and fourth electrodes are at a first depth. The second and fifth electrodes are at a second depth. The third and sixth electrodes are at a third depth. The first depth is greater than the second depth, and the second depth is greater than the third depth. The first, second, and third semiconducting regions are disposed between and in contact with the first and fourth electrodes, second and fifth electrodes, and third and sixth electrodes, respectively. The first, second, and third semiconducting regions are in contact with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-volatile memory devices that incorporate a series of single or double memory cells. The single memory cells are essentially “U” shaped. The double memory cells comprise two essentially “U” shaped memory cells. Each memory cell comprises a memory element having a bi-stable layer sandwiched between two conductive layers. A temporary conductor may be applied to a series of cells and used to bulk condition the bi-stable layers of the cells. Also, due to the “U” shape of the cells, a cross point wire array may be used to connect a series of cells. The cross point wire array allows the memory elements of each cell to be individually identified and addressed for storing information and also allows for the information stored in the memory elements in all of the cells in the series to be simultaneously erased using a block erase process.

Abstract: A Y-shaped carbon nanotube atomic force microscope probe tip and methods comprise a shaft portion; a pair of angled arms extending from a same end of the shaft portion, wherein the shaft portion and the pair of angled arms comprise a chemically modified carbon nanotube, and wherein the chemically modified carbon nanotube is modified with any of an amine, carboxyl, fluorine, and metallic component. Preferably, each of the pair of angled arms comprises a length of at least 200 nm and a diameter between 10 and 200 nm. Moreover, the chemically modified carbon nanotube is preferably adapted to allow differentiation between substrate materials to be probed. Additionally, the chemically modified carbon nanotube is preferably adapted to allow fluorine gas to flow through the chemically modified carbon nanotube onto a substrate to be characterized. Furthermore, the chemically modified carbon nanotube is preferably adapted to chemically react with a substrate surface to be characterized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reduction and prevention of residue formation and removal of residues formed in an immersion lithography tool. The apparatus including incorporation of a cleaning mechanism within the immersion head of an immersion lithographic system or including a cleaning mechanism in a cleaning station of an immersion lithographic system.

Abstract: A structure fabrication method. The method comprises providing a design structure that includes (i) a design substrate and (ii) M design normal regions on the design substrate, wherein M is a positive integer greater than 1. Next, N design sacrificial regions are added between two adjacent design normal regions of the M design normal regions, wherein N is a positive integer. Next, an actual structure is provided that includes (i) an actual substrate corresponding to the design substrate, (ii) a to-be-etched layer on the actual substrate, and (iii) a memory layer on the to-be-etched layer. Next, an edge printing process is performed on the memory layer so as to form (a) M normal memory portions aligned with the M design normal regions and (b) N sacrificial memory portions aligned with the N design sacrificial regions.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) Read Only Memory (ROM), and a method of making the SOI ROM. ROM cells are located at the intersections of stripes in the surface SOI layer with orthogonally oriented wires on a conductor layer. Contacts from the wires connect to ROM cell diodes in the upper surface of the stripes. ROM cell personalization is the presence or absence of a diode and/or contact.

Abstract: Non-volatile and radiation-hard switching and memory devices using vertical nano-tubes and reversibly held in state by van der Waals' forces and methods of fabricating the devices. Methods of sensing the state of the devices include measuring capacitance, and tunneling and field emission currents.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for fabrication includes first and second structures, each including a set of sub-lithographic lines, and contact landing segments connected to at least one of the sub-lithographic lines at an end portion. The first and second structures are nested such that the sub-lithographic lines are disposed in a parallel manner within a width, and the contact landing segments of the first structure are disposed on an opposite side of a length of the sub-lithographic lines relative to the contact landing segments of the second structure. The contact landing segments for the first and second structures are included within the width dimension, wherein the width includes a dimension four times a minimum feature size achievable by lithography.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a semiconductor device include forming a first layer on an underlying layer, forming a hardmask on the first layer, and patterning holes through the hardmask and first layer. An overhang is formed extending over sides of the holes. A conformal layer is deposited over the overhang and in the holes until the conformal layer closes off the holes to form a void/seam in each hole. The void/seam in each hole is exposed by etching back a top surface. The void/seam in each hole is extended to the underlying layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and method of forming semiconductor structures. The semiconductor structures including nano-structures or fabricated using nano-structures. The method of forming semiconductor structures including generating nano-structures using a nano-mask and performing additional semiconductor processing steps using the nano-structures generated.