Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of semiconductor layers vertically stacked over a substrate, wherein the semiconductor layers are vertically spaced apart from each other; forming a source/drain epitaxial structure on sides of the semiconductor layers, wherein the source/drain epitaxial structure is doped with a p-type doping species; implanting fluorine ions into the source/drain epitaxial structure; after implanting fluorine ions into the source/drain epitaxial structure, performing an annealing process to diffuse the p-type doping species into a side region of a topmost one of the semiconductor layers; and forming a source/drain contact over the source/drain epitaxial structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and methods of forming the same are described. The structure includes a first semiconductor material disposed over a substrate and a dielectric layer disposed on the first semiconductor material. The dielectric layer includes a dopant. The structure further includes a second semiconductor material disposed on the dielectric layer, a first semiconductor layer in contact with the second semiconductor material, and a first dielectric spacer in contact with the first semiconductor layer, wherein the first dielectric spacer includes the dopant.

Abstract: To reduce a thickness variation of a spin-on coating (SOC) layer that is applied over a plurality of first and second trenches with different pattern densities as a bottom layer in a photoresist stack, a two-step thermal treatment process is performed on the SOC layer. A first thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a first temperature below a cross-linking temperature of the SOC layer to cause flow of the SOC layer, and a second thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a second temperature to cause cross-linking of the SOC layer.

Abstract: A method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece including a first fin-shaped structure and a second fin-shaped structure over a substrate, depositing a nitride liner over the substrate and sidewalls of the first fin-shaped structure and the second fin-shaped structure, forming an isolation feature over the nitride liner and between the first fin-shaped structure and the second fin-shaped structure, epitaxially growing a cap layer on exposed surfaces of the first fin-shaped structure and the second fin-shaped structure and above the nitride liner, crystalizing the cap layer, and forming a first source/drain feature over a first source/drain region of the first fin-shaped structure and a second source/drain feature over a second source/drain region of the second fin-shaped structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming at least one epitaxial layer over a substrate; patterning the epitaxial layer into a semiconductor fin; depositing a conformal semiconductor capping layer over the semiconductor fin, wherein the conformal semiconductor capping layer has a first portion that is amorphous; performing a thermal treatment such that the first portion of the conformal semiconductor capping layer is converted from amorphous into crystalline; depositing a dielectric material over the conformal semiconductor capping layer; annealing the dielectric material, such that the conformal semiconductor capping layer is converted into a semiconductor-containing oxide layer; recessing the dielectric material and the semiconductor-containing oxide layer to form an isolation structure around the semiconductor fin; and forming a gate structure over the semiconductor fin and the isolation structure.

Abstract: To reduce a thickness variation of a spin-on coating (SOC) layer that is applied over a plurality of first and second trenches with different pattern densities as a bottom layer in a photoresist stack, a two-step thermal treatment process is performed on the SOC layer. A first thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a first temperature below a cross-linking temperature of the SOC layer to cause flow of the SOC layer, and a second thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a second temperature to cause cross-linking of the SOC layer.

Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench and a semiconductor strip. A sidewall of the semiconductor strip is exposed to the trench. The method further includes depositing a silicon-containing layer extending into the trench, wherein the silicon-containing layer extends on the sidewall of the semiconductor strip, filling the trench with a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric material is on a sidewall of the silicon-containing layer, and oxidizing the silicon-containing layer to form a liner. The liner comprises oxidized silicon. The liner and the dielectric material form parts of an isolation region. The isolation region is recessed, so that a portion of the semiconductor strip protrudes higher than a top surface of the isolation region and forms a semiconductor fin.

Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench and a semiconductor strip. A sidewall of the semiconductor strip is exposed to the trench. The method further includes depositing a silicon-containing layer extending into the trench, wherein the silicon-containing layer extends on the sidewall of the semiconductor strip, filling the trench with a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric material is on a sidewall of the silicon-containing layer, and oxidizing the silicon-containing layer to form a liner. The liner comprises oxidized silicon. The liner and the dielectric material form parts of an isolation region. The isolation region is recessed, so that a portion of the semiconductor strip protrudes higher than a top surface of the isolation region and forms a semiconductor fin.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; a second semiconductor fin extending from the substrate; a hybrid fin over the substrate, the second semiconductor fin disposed between the first semiconductor fin and the hybrid fin; a first isolation region between the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin; and a second isolation region between the second semiconductor fin and the hybrid fin, a top surface of the second isolation region disposed further from the substrate than a top surface of the first isolation region.

Abstract: A method includes forming a pad layer. The pad layer includes a first portion over a first part of a semiconductor substrate, and a second portion over a second part of the semiconductor substrate. The first portion has a first thickness, and the second portion has a second thickness smaller than the first thickness. The semiconductor substrate is then annealed to form a first oxide layer over the first part of the semiconductor substrate, and a second oxide layer over the second part of the semiconductor substrate. The pad layer, the first oxide layer, and the second oxide layer are removed. A semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown over and contacting the first part and the second part of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first semiconductor fin extending from a substrate; a second semiconductor fin extending from the substrate; a hybrid fin over the substrate, the second semiconductor fin disposed between the first semiconductor fin and the hybrid fin; a first isolation region between the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin; and a second isolation region between the second semiconductor fin and the hybrid fin, a top surface of the second isolation region disposed further from the substrate than a top surface of the first isolation region.

Abstract: To reduce a thickness variation of a spin-on coating (SOC) layer that is applied over a plurality of first and second trenches with different pattern densities as a bottom layer in a photoresist stack, a two-step thermal treatment process is performed on the SOC layer. A first thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a first temperature below a cross-linking temperature of the SOC layer to cause flow of the SOC layer, and a second thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a second temperature to cause cross-linking of the SOC layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a field effect transistor disposed over a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate, a distributed Bragg reflector disposed over an opposing second main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a conductive via disposed in the distributed Bragg reflector. The field effect transistor includes a gate structure and a source/drain region. The conductive via passes through the semiconductor substrate and is in direct electrical contact with the source/drain region. A metal silicide is formed in a portion of the source/drain region that is in contact with the conductive via, and thus can reduce contact resistance between the source/drain region and the conductive via. The source/drain region is laser annealed through an opening formed through the distributed Bragg reflector. The distributed Bragg reflector reduces or prevents thermal damage to other regions of the semiconductor device that are protected by the distributed Bragg reflector.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first semiconductor strip over a substrate, the first semiconductor strip including a first channel region; a second semiconductor strip over the substrate, the second semiconductor strip including a second channel region; a dielectric strip disposed between the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip, a width of the dielectric strip decreasing along a first direction extending away from the substrate, the dielectric strip including a void; and a gate structure extending along the first channel region, along the second channel region, and along a top surface and sidewalls of the dielectric strip.

Abstract: To reduce a thickness variation of a spin-on coating (SOC) layer that is applied over a plurality of first and second trenches with different pattern densities as a bottom layer in a photoresist stack, a two-step thermal treatment process is performed on the SOC layer. A first thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a first temperature below a cross-linking temperature of the SOC layer to cause flow of the SOC layer, and a second thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a second temperature to cause cross-linking of the SOC layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first semiconductor strip over a substrate, the first semiconductor strip including a first channel region; a second semiconductor strip over the substrate, the second semiconductor strip including a second channel region; a dielectric strip disposed between the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip, a width of the dielectric strip decreasing along a first direction extending away from the substrate, the dielectric strip including a void; and a gate structure extending along the first channel region, along the second channel region, and along a top surface and sidewalls of the dielectric strip.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a first oxide layer over a semiconductor fin structure; performing a first nitridation process to convert the first oxide layer to an oxynitride layer; depositing a silicon-containing layer over the oxynitride layer; performing a first anneal on the silicon-containing layer, wherein after performing the first anneal, the oxynitride layer has a higher nitrogen atomic concentration at an interface with the semiconductor fin structure than in a bulk region of the oxynitride layer; and forming a dummy gate structure over the silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of fabricating a semiconductor device. A method according to one embodiment includes forming, on a substrate, a first fin formed of a first semiconductor material and a second fin formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material, forming a semiconductor cap layer over the first fin and the second fin, and annealing the semiconductor cap layer at a first temperature while at least a portion of the semiconductor cap layer is exposed.

Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin protruding over a substrate; forming an isolation structure over the substrate; depositing a first metal oxide layer over the isolation structure; depositing a first oxide layer over the first metal oxide layer; depositing a second metal oxide layer over the first oxide layer, in which the first metal oxide layer and the second metal oxide layer comprise amorphous structures; performing a chemical mechanism polishing (CMP) process to the first metal oxide layer, the first oxide layer, and the second metal oxide layer; after the CMP process is completed, performing an annealing process such that the first metal oxide layer and the second metal oxide layer are transferred from the amorphous structures into crystalline structures; forming a gate structure over the semiconductor fin; and forming source/drain structures over the substrate and on opposite sides of the gate structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming at least one epitaxial layer over a substrate; patterning the epitaxial layer into a semiconductor fin; depositing a conformal semiconductor capping layer over the semiconductor fin, wherein the conformal semiconductor capping layer has a first portion that is amorphous; performing a thermal treatment such that the first portion of the conformal semiconductor capping layer is converted from amorphous into crystalline; depositing a dielectric material over the conformal semiconductor capping layer; annealing the dielectric material, such that the conformal semiconductor capping layer is converted into a semiconductor-containing oxide layer; recessing the dielectric material and the semiconductor-containing oxide layer to form an isolation structure around the semiconductor fin; and forming a gate structure over the semiconductor fin and the isolation structure.