Abstract: A metal gate stack having a TiAlN blocking/wetting layer, and methods of manufacturing the same, are disclosed. In an example, an integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate stack disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate; a work function layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer; a multi-function wetting/blocking layer disposed over the work function layer, wherein the multi-function wetting/blocking layer is a titanium aluminum nitride layer; and a conductive layer disposed over the multi-function wetting/blocking layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer, and forming a silicon rich layer on a surface of the dielectric layer. A portion of the silicon rich layer extends into the opening and contacts the dielectric layer. A tantalum-containing layer is formed over and the contacting the silicon rich layer. An annealing is performed to react the tantalum-containing layer with the silicon rich layer, so that a tantalum-and-silicon containing layer is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, for improving the metal gate leakage within the semiconductor device. A structure for a metal gate electrode for a n-type Field Effect Transistor includes a capping layer; a first metal layer comprising Ti and Al over the capping layer; a metal oxide layer over the first metal layer; a barrier layer over the metal oxide layer; and a second metal layer over the barrier layer.

Abstract: A non-human animal model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is disclosed. The animal model comprises a rodent whose spinal cord motor neurons have a loss of TAR-DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) function and phenotypes exhibit ALS-like symptoms. A method for identifying a candidate agent for treating, preventing and/or inhibiting ALS associated with a loss-of-function of TDP-43 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition process including exciting gas mixture to create a plasma including ions, and directing the plasma into a dense region above the upper surface of the semiconductor wafer, heating the wafer using an additional heat source, and allowing a material from the plasma to deposit onto the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method of lithography patterning includes coating a resist layer on a substrate; performing an exposing process to the resist layer using a lithography tool with a numerical aperture tuned between about 0.5 and about 0.6; baking the resist layer; thereafter performing a first developing process to the resist layer for a first period of time; and performing a second developing process to the resist layer for a second period of time.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, for improving the metal gate leakage within the semiconductor device. A structure for a metal gate electrode for a n-type Field Effect Transistor includes a capping layer; a first metal layer comprising Ti and Al over the capping layer; a metal oxide layer over the first metal layer; a barrier layer over the metal oxide layer; and a second metal layer over the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for spin-on wafer cleaning. The method comprises controlling spin speed and vertical water jet pressure. The vertical jet pressure and the spin speed are substantially maintained in inverse proportion. Wafer spin speed is between 50 to 1200 rpm. Vertical wafer jet pressure is between 0.05 to 100 KPa.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a substrate; forming a metal feature over the substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the metal feature; and forming an opening in the dielectric layer. At least a portion of the metal feature is exposed through the opening. An oxide layer is accordingly formed on an exposed portion of the metal feature. The method further includes, in a production tool having a vacuum environment, performing an oxide-removal process to remove the oxide layer. Between the step of forming the opening and the oxide-removal process, no additional oxide-removal process is performed to the metal feature outside the production tool.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a dielectric layer; forming an opening in the dielectric layer; performing a net deposition step to form a seed layer having a portion in the opening, wherein the net deposition step comprises a first deposition and a first etching; performing a net etch step to the seed layer, wherein the net etch step comprises a first etching and a first deposition, wherein a portion of the seed layer remains after the net etch step; and growing a conductive material on the seed layer to fill a remaining portion of the opening.

Abstract: A system for measuring optical properties of a sample is provided. A light source provides incident polarized light. A detector detects reflected light from the sample surface. A processor determines a first coefficient (R) of the reflected light detected by the detector, determines a second coefficient (n), extinction coefficient (k), and thickness of the film based on the measured first coefficient, and determines a first dielectric constant (?1) and a second dielectric constant (?2) of the film according to the second coefficient (n) and extinction coefficient (k).

Abstract: A system for measuring optical properties of a sample is provided. A light source provides incident polarized light. A detector detects reflected light from the sample surface. A processor determines a first coefficient (R) of the reflected light detected by the detector, determines a second coefficient (n), extinction coefficient (k), and thickness of the film based on the measured first coefficient, and determines a first dielectric constant (?1) and a second dielectric constant (?2) of the film according to the second coefficient (n) and extinction coefficient (k).

Abstract: A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition process including exciting gas mixture to create a plasma including ions, and directing the plasma into a dense region above the upper surface of the semiconductor wafer, heating the wafer using an additional heat source, and allowing a material from the plasma to deposit onto the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method for capping over a doped dielectric. The method comprises providing a substrate and depositing a doped dielectric layer on the substrate from a gas mixture. The gas mixture comprises a silicon source gas, a dopant gas and an oxygen source gas. A cap layer is in-situ deposited on the doped dielectric layer from the gas mixture substantially in absence of the dopant gas.

Abstract: A method for treating a copper surface of a semiconductor device provides exposing the copper surface to a citric acid solution after the surface is formed using CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) or other methods. The citric acid treatment may take place during a cleaning operation that takes place in a wafer scrubber, or subsequent to such an operation. The citric acid treatment removes copper oxides that form on copper surfaces exposed to the environment and prevents hillock formation during subsequent high temperature operations. The copper surface is then annealed and the annealing followed by an NH3 plasma treatment which again removes any copper oxides that may be present. The NH3 plasma operation roughens exposed surfaces improving the adhesion of subsequently-formed films such as a dielectric film preferably formed in-situ with the NH3 plasma treatment. The subsequently-formed film is formed over an oxide-free, hillock-free copper surface.

Abstract: A method for etching a dielectric material in a semiconductor device is disclosed. After providing a conductive region, a dielectric layer is formed over the conductive region. A dielectric antireflective coating (DARC) layer is further formed on the dielectric layer. Then, a moisture-removal step is performed that removes moisture from the DARC layer and from an interface region between the dielectric and the DARC layer. A masking pattern is transferred into the DARC layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Gas distribution systems for deposition processes and methods of using the same. A substrate support member holding a substrate is disposed in a processing chamber. A plurality of first and second gas nozzles is connected to a gas distribution ring disposed in the processing chamber. The first gas nozzles provide a first reactant gas and include at least first and second outlet apertures. The second gas nozzles provide a second reactant gas and include third outlet apertures. The first outlet aperture is larger than the second outlet aperture, such that the first gas nozzle with the first outlet aperture creates an increased gas flow adjacent to a determined portion of the substrate to increase deposition from the first reactant gas on the determined portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for spin-on wafer cleaning. The method comprises controlling spin speed and vertical water jet pressure. The vertical jet pressure and the spin speed are substantially maintained in inverse proportion. Wafer spin speed is between 50 to 1200 rpm. Vertical wafer jet pressure is between 0.05 to 100 KPa.

Abstract: A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure for semiconductor devices is formed using a deposited silicon layer formed over a polish stop layer formed over an oxide formed on a substrate. The polish stop layer may be nitride. An opening is formed extending through the deposited silicon layer and the nitride and oxide layers and extending into the substrate. A deposited oxide is formed filling the opening and extending over the top surface of deposited silicon layer. A chemical mechanical polishing operation polishes the deposited silicon layer at a rate faster than the deposited oxide layer to produce an STI with a convex portion extending above the nitride layer. Dishing problems are avoided and the structure may be subsequently planarized.

Abstract: System and method for providing an inter-metal dielectric that prevents or reduces film delamination and contact corrosion defects is provided. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) stop layer over the surface of an inter-metal dielectric prior to forming interconnects and vias. Interconnect and vias may be formed with a dual-damascene process and filled with a conductive material. After the interconnects and vias are filled with a conductive material, a CMP process planarizes the wafer, leaving at least a portion of the CMP stop layer.