Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first diffusion area for a first type transistor. The first type transistor includes a first drain region and a first source region. A second diffusion area for a second type transistor is separated from the first diffusion area. The second type transistor includes a second drain region and a second source region. A gate electrode continuously extends across the first diffusion area and the second diffusion area in a routing direction. A first metallic structure is electrically coupled with the first source region. A second metallic structure is electrically coupled with the second drain region. A third metallic structure is disposed over and electrically coupled with the first and second metallic structures. A width of the first metallic structure is substantially equal to or larger than a width of the third metallic structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor standard cell of a flip-flop circuit includes semiconductor fins extending substantially parallel to each other along a first direction, electrically conductive wirings disposed on a first level and extending substantially parallel to each other along the first direction, and gate electrode layers extending substantially parallel to a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and formed on a second level different from the first level. The flip-flop circuit includes transistors made of the semiconductor fins and the gate electrode layers, receives a data input signal, stores the data input signal, and outputs a data output signal indicative of the stored data in response to a clock signal, the clock signal is the only clock signal received by the semiconductor standard cell, and the data input signal, the clock signal, and the data output signal are transmitted among the transistors through at least the electrically conductive wirings.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first diffusion area for a first type transistor. The first type transistor includes a first drain region and a first source region. A second diffusion area for a second type transistor is separated from the first diffusion area. The second type transistor includes a second drain region and a second source region. A gate electrode continuously extends across the first diffusion area and the second diffusion area in a routing direction. A first metallic structure is electrically coupled with the first source region. A second metallic structure is electrically coupled with the second drain region. A third metallic structure is disposed over and electrically coupled with the first and second metallic structures. A width of the first metallic structure is substantially equal to or larger than a width of the third metallic structure.

Abstract: A method (of manufacturing a semiconductor device) includes: forming via structures in a first via layer over a transistor layer; forming a first via structure of a first deep via arrangement in the first via layer; forming conductive segments in a first metallization layer over the first via layer; forming M_1st routing segments at least a majority of which, relative to a first direction, have corresponding long axes with lengths which at least equal if not exceed a first permissible minimum value for routing segments in the first metallization layer; forming an M_1st interconnection segment having a long axis which is less than the first permissible minimum value and which is included in the first deep via arrangement; and forming via structures in a second via layer over the first metallization layer, including forming a first via structure of the first deep via arrangement in the second via layer.

Abstract: A 3D-IC includes a first tier device and a second tier device. The first tier device and the second tier device are vertically stacked together. The first tier device includes a first substrate and a first interconnect structure formed over the first substrate. The second tier device includes a second substrate, a doped region formed in the second substrate, a dummy gate formed over the substrate, and a second interconnect structure formed over the second substrate. The 3D-IC also includes an inter-tier via extends vertically through the second substrate. The inter-tier via has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the inter-tier via is coupled to the first interconnect structure. The second end of the inter-tier via is coupled to one of: the doped region, the dummy gate, or the second interconnect structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for crystalline junctionless transistors used in nonvolatile memory arrays are introduced. Various embodiments in accordance with this disclosure provide a method of fabricating a monolithic 3D cross-bar nonvolatile memory array with low thermal budget. The method incorporates crystalline junctionless transistors into nonvolatile memory structures by transferring a layer of doped crystalline semiconductor material from a seed wafer to form the source, drain, and connecting channel of the junctionless transistor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: generating a design data of the semiconductor device; and generating a design layout according to the design data. The design layout includes: a first power rail; a second power rail; a first cell including a first first-type active region and a first second-type active region, wherein a first cell height of the first cell is defined as a pitch between the first power rail and the second power rail; a second cell having a second first-type active region and a second second-type active region; and a third cell having a first portion and a second portion arranged in the second row and a fourth row, respectively.

Abstract: A flip flop standard cell that includes a data input terminal configured to receive a data signal, clock input terminal configured to receive a clock signal, a data output terminal, and a latch. A bit write circuit is configured to receive a bit write signal. The received data signal is latched and provided at the output terminal in response to the bit write signal and the clock signal. A hold circuit is configured to receive a hold signal, and the received data signal is not latched and provided at the data output terminal in response to the hold signal and the clock signal.

Abstract: A flip flop standard cell that includes a data input terminal configured to receive a data signal, clock input terminal configured to receive a clock signal, a data output terminal, and a latch. A bit write circuit is configured to receive a bit write signal. The received data signal is latched and provided at the output terminal in response to the bit write signal and the clock signal. A hold circuit is configured to receive a hold signal, and the received data signal is not latched and provided at the data output terminal in response to the hold signal and the clock signal.

Abstract: An IC device includes a first active area extending away from a first endpoint in a first direction, a second active area extending away from a second endpoint in the first direction, a third active area positioned between the first and second active areas, and a gate structure perpendicular to the first through third active areas. The gate structure overlies each of the first and second endpoints and the third active area, and the third active area extends away from the gate structure in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method of generating a layout diagram of an IC cell includes defining a boundary recess in a boundary of the cell by extending a first portion of the boundary along a first gate track, extending a second portion of the boundary from the first gate track to a second gate track, the second portion being contiguous with the first portion, and extending a third portion of the boundary from the first gate track to the second gate track, the third portion being contiguous with the first portion. An active region is positioned in the cell by extending the active region across a third gate track, wherein the first gate track is between the second gate track and the third gate track. The layout diagram is stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method (of manufacturing a semiconductor device) includes: forming via structures in a first via layer over a transistor layer; forming a first via structure of a first deep via arrangement in the first via layer; forming conductive segments in a first metallization layer over the first via layer; forming M_1st routing segments at least a majority of which, relative to a first direction, have corresponding long axes with lengths which at least equal if not exceed a first permissible minimum value for routing segments in the first metallization layer; forming an M_1st interconnection segment having a long axis which is less than the first permissible minimum value and which is included in the first deep via arrangement; and forming via structures in a second via layer over the first metallization layer, including forming a first via structure of the first deep via arrangement in the second via layer.

Abstract: In a method, 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. The first semiconductor layers are etched at a source/drain region of the fin structure, which is not covered by the sacrificial gate structure, thereby forming a first source/drain space in which the second semiconductor layers are exposed. A dielectric layer is formed at the first source/drain space, thereby covering the exposed second semiconductor layers. The dielectric layer and part of the second semiconductor layers are etched, thereby forming a second source/drain space. A source/drain epitaxial layer is formed in the second source/drain space. At least one of the second semiconductor layers is in contact with the source/drain epitaxial layer, and at least one of the second semiconductor layers is separated from the source/drain epitaxial layer.

Abstract: In a method, 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. The first semiconductor layers are etched at a source/drain region of the fin structure, which is not covered by the sacrificial gate structure, thereby forming a first source/drain space in which the second semiconductor layers are exposed. A dielectric layer is formed at the first source/drain space, thereby covering the exposed second semiconductor layers. The dielectric layer and part of the second semiconductor layers are etched, thereby forming a second source/drain space. A source/drain epitaxial layer is formed in the second source/drain space. At least one of the second semiconductor layers is in contact with the source/drain epitaxial layer, and at least one of the second semiconductor layers is separated from the source/drain epitaxial layer.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes an input terminal, a transistor, and an output terminal. The input terminal is configured to receive an input signal. The transistor includes a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a drift region that has a resistance in series between the first and second source/drain regions and that is configured to attenuate an ESD voltage in the input signal. The output terminal is connected to the second source/drain region.

Abstract: A method (of generating a layout diagram) includes: generating one or more first conductive patterns representing corresponding conductive material in the first metallization layer, long axes of the first conductive patterns extending substantially in a first direction; generating a first deep via pattern representing corresponding conductive material in each of the second via layer, the first metallization layer, and the first via layer; relative to the first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, aligning the first deep via pattern to overlap a corresponding component pattern representing conductive material included in an electrical path of a terminal of a corresponding transistor in the transistor layer; and configuring a size of the first deep via pattern in the first direction to be substantially less than a permissible minimum length of a conductive pattern in the first metallization layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes a substrate region and a first semiconductor column projecting from the substrate region. The semiconductor arrangement includes a second semiconductor column projecting from the substrate region and adjacent the first semiconductor column. The second semiconductor column is separated a first distance from the first semiconductor column along a first axis. The semiconductor arrangement includes a third semiconductor column projecting from the substrate region and adjacent the first semiconductor column. The third semiconductor column is separated a second distance from the first semiconductor column along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The second distance is different than the first distance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of standard cells. The plurality of standard cells include a first group of standard cells arranged in a first row extending in a row direction and a second group of standard cells arranged in a second row extending in the row direction. The first group of standard cells and the second group of standard cells are arranged in a column direction. A cell height of the first group of standard cells in the column direction is different from a cell height of the second group of standard cells in the column direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first power rail, a second power rail, and a first cell. The first cell has a first first-type active region and a first second-type active region, and a first cell height of the first cell is defined as a pitch between the first power rail and the second power rail. The semiconductor device further includes a second cell having a second first-type active region and a second second-type active region, wherein the second first-type active region extends in a second row and a third row on a first side of the first row and has a first width in the column direction greater than a second width of the first first-type active region in the column direction. The semiconductor device also includes a third cell having a first portion and a second portion arranged in the second row and a fourth row, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first and a second power rails extending in a row direction, a third power rail extending in the row direction between the first and second power rail, and a first cell arranged between the first second power rails. A cell height of the first cell in a column direction perpendicular to the row direction is equal to a pitch between the first and second power rails. The semiconductor device also includes a second cell arranged between the first and third power rails. A cell height of the second cell in the column direction is equal to a pitch between the first and third power rails. A first active region of the first cell includes a first width in the column direction greater than a second width, in the column direction, of a second active region in the second cell.