Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer over a first substrate, and the dielectric layer has a plurality of openings. The method also includes forming a first graphene layer in the openings and over the first dielectric layer, and forming an insulating layer in the first graphehe layer. The method further includes forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and forming a second graphene layer in and over the second dielectric layer. A portion of the second graphene layer interfaces with a portion of the first graphene layer.

Abstract: An optical bench on substrate includes a substrate and a trench formed inside the substrate and having a sloping side. A reflector layer is formed over the sloping side. An optical component is mounted over the substrate. The reflector layer is configured to reflect an electromagnetic wave to or from the optical component.

Abstract: A method includes performing a double patterning process to form a first mandrel, a second mandrel, and a third mandrel, with the third mandrel being between the first mandrel and the second mandrel, and etching the third mandrel to cut the third mandrel into a fourth mandrel and a fifth mandrel, with an opening separating the fourth mandrel from the fifth mandrel. A spacer layer is formed on sidewalls of the first, the second, the fourth, and the fifth mandrels, wherein the opening is fully filled by the spacer layer. Horizontal portions of the spacer layer are removed, with vertical portions of the spacer layer remaining un-removed. A target layer is etched using the first, the second, the fourth, and the fifth mandrels and the vertical portions of the spacer layer as an etching mask, with trenches formed in the target layer. The trenches are filled with a filling material.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a precursor. The precursor includes a substrate; a gate stack over the substrate; a first dielectric layer over the gate stack; a gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack and on sidewalls of the first dielectric layer; and source and drain (S/D) contacts on opposing sides of the gate stack. The method further includes recessing the gate spacer to at least partially expose the sidewalls of the first dielectric layer but not to expose the sidewalls of the gate stack. The method further includes forming a spacer protection layer over the gate spacer, the first dielectric layer, and the S/D contacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having a multiband transmission and reception elements coupled to an integrated dielectric waveguide. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a dielectric waveguide disposed within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) structure over a substrate. A multiband transmission element having a plurality of phase modulation elements is configured to generate a plurality of modulated signals in different frequency bands. A plurality of transmission electrodes are located along a first side of the dielectric waveguide and are respectively configured to couple one of the plurality of modulated signals into the dielectric waveguide.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method including recessing a gate electrode over a semiconductor fin on a substrate to form a first recess from a top surface of a dielectric layer, forming a first mask in the first recess over the recessed gate electrode, recessing a first conductive contact over a source/drain region of the semiconductor fin to form a second recess from the top surface of the dielectric layer, and forming a second mask in the second recess over the recessed first conductive contact.

Abstract: A plurality of high-k metal gate (HKMG) structures is formed over a substrate. The (HKMG) structures are separated by a plurality of gaps. The HKMG structures each include a first dielectric layer at an upper surface of the HKMG structure. The gaps are filled with a first conductive material. A portion of the first conductive material is removed in each of the gaps through an etching-back process. A metal oxide layer is formed using a spin-on deposition process. The metal oxide layer is formed over the (HKMG) structures and over the first conductive material. A second dielectric layer is formed over the metal oxide layer. An opening is etched in the second dielectric layer. The opening is etched through the second dielectric layer and through the metal oxide layer. The opening is filled with a second conductive material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having differential coupling elements that couple electromagnetic radiation having a frequency outside of the visible spectrum between a silicon substrate and a dielectric waveguide overlying the silicon substrate. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a dielectric waveguide disposed within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) material overlying a semiconductor substrate. A differential driver circuit generates a differential signal having a first transmission signal component at a first output node and a complementary second transmission signal component at a second output node. A first transmission electrode located along a first side of the dielectric waveguide receives the first transmission signal component from the first output node, and a second transmission electrode located along a second side of the dielectric waveguide receives the complementary second transmission signal component from the second output node.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves forming a porous low-k dielectric structure. A plurality of conductive elements is formed over the substrate. The conductive elements are separated from one another by a plurality of openings. A barrier layer is formed over the conductive elements. The barrier layer is formed to cover sidewalls of the openings. A treatment process is performed to the barrier layer. The barrier layer becomes hydrophilic after the treatment process is performed. A dielectric material is formed over the barrier layer after the treatment process has been performed. The dielectric material fills the openings and contains a plurality of porogens.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive line embedded in the first dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes a second conductive line over the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is between the first conductive line and the second conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes conductive pillars passing through the second dielectric layer to electrically connect the first conductive line to the second conductive line. The conductive pillars are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure has a metal body disposed over a substrate, and a metal projection protruding outward from an upper surface of the metal body. A dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate and surrounds the metal body and the metal projection. A barrier layer separates the metal body and the metal projection from the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first conductive feature in the dielectric layer. A portion of the dielectric layer has a top surface that is provided on a different level in relation to a top surface of the first conductive feature. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer and extending from a bottom surface of the first conductive feature. The portion of the dielectric layer is separated from the second conductive feature by a gap. A distance between the portion of the dielectric layer and the second conductive feature becomes smaller along a direction from the top surface of the first conductive feature towards the bottom surface of the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive structure over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dielectric layer over the substrate and the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a second conductive structure over the first conductive structure and extending into the first dielectric layer. The second conductive structure is electrically connected to the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a cover layer between the second conductive structure and the first dielectric layer. The cover layer surrounds the second conductive structure, the second conductive structure passes through the cover layer and is partially between the cover layer and the first conductive structure, and the cover layer includes a metal oxide.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method including recessing a gate electrode over a semiconductor fin on a substrate to form a first recess from a top surface of a dielectric layer, forming a first mask in the first recess over the recessed gate electrode, recessing a first conductive contact over a source/drain region of the semiconductor fin to form a second recess from the top surface of the dielectric layer, and forming a second mask in the second recess over the recessed first conductive contact.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a plateau region and a trench region over a substrate, wherein the trench region comprises a slope and a flat bottom, depositing a reflecting layer over the flat bottom and a portion of the slope, depositing a first adhesion promoter layer over the reflecting layer, applying a first curing process to the first adhesion promoter layer, wherein, after the first curing process finishes, the reflecting layer and the first adhesion promoter layer form a first bonding interface, depositing a bottom cladding layer deposited over the first adhesion promoter layer, applying a second curing process to the bottom cladding layer to form a second bonding interface layer, depositing a core layer over the bottom cladding layer and depositing a top cladding layer over the core layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and an interconnect structure formed over the substrate. The interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate, and a first graphene layer formed in and on the first dielectric layer. The first graphene layer includes a first portion in the first dielectric layer and a second portion on the first dielectric layer and a first insulating layer formed over the first portion of the first graphene layer.

Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect structure includes forming an insulating layer on a substrate. A damascene opening is formed through a thickness portion of the insulating layer. A diffusion barrier layer is formed to line the damascene opening. A conductive layer is formed overlying the diffusion barrier layer to fill the damascene opening. A carbon-containing metal oxide layer is formed on the conductive layer and the insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a precursor. The precursor includes a substrate; a gate stack over the substrate; a first dielectric layer over the gate stack; a gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack and on sidewalls of the first dielectric layer; and source and drain (S/D) contacts on opposing sides of the gate stack. The method further includes recessing the gate spacer to at least partially expose the sidewalls of the first dielectric layer but not to expose the sidewalls of the gate stack. The method further includes forming a spacer protection layer over the gate spacer, the first dielectric layer, and the S/D contacts.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a first spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The plurality of lines is removed, thereby providing a patterned first spacer layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the substrate, over the patterned first spacer layer, and onto sidewalls of the patterned first spacer layer, and forming a patterned material layer over the second spacer layer with a second mask. Whereby, the patterned material layer and the second spacer layer collectively define a plurality of trenches.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate; a first layer over the substrate, the first layer containing a metallic material, wherein the first layer includes a trench; and a porous material layer having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed in the trench. The second portion is disposed on a top surface of the first layer. The first and the second portions contain substantially same percentage of Si, substantially same percentage of O, and substantially same percentage of C.