Abstract: A semiconductor device and method includes: forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate; forming a dummy gate material over the first fin and the second fin; forming a recess in the dummy gate material between the first fin and the second fin; forming a sacrificial oxide on sidewalls of the dummy gate material in the recess; filling an insulation material between the sacrificial oxide on the sidewalls of the dummy gate material in the recess; removing the dummy gate material and the sacrificial oxide; and forming a first replacement gate over the first fin and a second replacement gate over the second fin.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an exemplary replacement gate process that forms spacer layers in a gate stack to mitigate time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) failures. For example, the method can include a partially fabricated gate structure with a first recess. A spacer layer is deposited into the first recess and etched with an anisotropic etchback (EB) process to form a second recess that has a smaller aperture than the first recess. A metal fill layer is deposited into the second recess.

Abstract: Provided is a metal gate structure and related methods that include forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate. In various embodiments, the first fin has a first gate region and the second fin has a second gate region. By way of example, a metal-gate line is formed over the first and second gate regions. In some embodiments, the metal-gate line extends from the first fin to the second fin, and the metal-gate line includes a sacrificial metal portion. In various examples, a line-cut process is performed to separate the metal-gate line into a first metal gate line and a second gate line. In some embodiments, the sacrificial metal portion prevents lateral etching of a dielectric layer during the line-cut process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method includes: forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate; forming a dummy gate material over the first fin and the second fin; forming a recess in the dummy gate material between the first fin and the second fin; forming a sacrificial oxide on sidewalls of the dummy gate material in the recess; filling an insulation material between the sacrificial oxide on the sidewalls of the dummy gate material in the recess; removing the dummy gate material and the sacrificial oxide; and forming a first replacement gate over the first fin and a second replacement gate over the second fin.

Abstract: Provided is a metal gate structure and related methods that include forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate. In various embodiments, the first fin has a first gate region and the second fin has a second gate region. By way of example, a metal-gate line is formed over the first and second gate regions. In some embodiments, the metal-gate line extends from the first fin to the second fin, and the metal-gate line includes a sacrificial metal portion. In various examples, a line-cut process is performed to separate the metal-gate line into a first metal gate line and a second gate line. In some embodiments, the sacrificial metal portion prevents lateral etching of a dielectric layer during the line-cut process.

Abstract: A post placement abutment treatment for cell row design is provided. In an embodiment a first cell and a second cell are placed in a first cell row and a third cell and a fourth cell are placed into a second cell row. After placement vias connecting power and ground rails to the underlying structures are analyzed to determine if any can be merged or else removed completely. By merging and removing the closely placed vias, the physical limitations of photolithography may be by-passed, allowing for smaller structures to be formed.

Abstract: Provided is a metal gate structure and related methods that include forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate. In various embodiments, the first fin has a first gate region and the second fin has a second gate region. By way of example, a metal-gate line is formed over the first and second gate regions. In some embodiments, the metal-gate line extends from the first fin to the second fin, and the metal-gate line includes a sacrificial metal portion. In various examples, a line-cut process is performed to separate the metal-gate line into a first metal gate line and a second gate line. In some embodiments, the sacrificial metal portion prevents lateral etching of a dielectric layer during the line-cut process.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a layout of an integrated circuit (IC) device, the layout having an outer boundary and an inner boundary thereby defining a first region between the outer boundary and the inner boundary and placing a first plurality of dummy patterns in the first region, wherein the first plurality of dummy patterns is lithographically printable. The method further includes performing an Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) process, the first plurality of dummy patterns being position within the first region in such a way that prevents sub-resolution assist features from being inserted into the first region by the OPC process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an active area, a gate structure over the active area, a lower conductive layer over and electrically coupled to the active area, and an upper conductive layer over and electrically coupled to the lower conductive layer. The lower conductive layer is at least partially co-elevational with the gate structure. The lower conductive layer includes first and second conductive segments spaced from each other. The upper conductive layer includes a third conductive segment overlapping the first and second conductive segments. The third conductive segment is electrically coupled to the first conductive segment, and electrically isolated from the second conductive segment.

Abstract: A post placement abutment treatment for cell row design is provided. In an embodiment a first cell and a second cell are placed in a first cell row and a third cell and a fourth cell are placed into a second cell row. After placement vias connecting power and ground rails to the underlying structures are analyzed to determine if any can be merged or else removed completely. By merging and removing the closely placed vias, the physical limitations of photolithography may be by-passed, allowing for smaller structures to be formed.

Abstract: In a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) layout, an empty region in the IC layout is identified by a processor circuit, wherein the empty region is a region of the IC layout not including any active fins. A first portion of the empty region is filled with a first plurality of dummy fin cells, wherein each of the first plurality of dummy fin cells is based on a first standard dummy fin cell, and wherein the first standard dummy fin cell has a first gate width and comprises a first plurality of partitions. A second portion of the empty region is filled with a second plurality of dummy fin cells, wherein each of the second plurality of dummy fin cells is based on a second standard dummy fin cell, and wherein the second standard dummy fin cell has a second gate width and comprises a second plurality of partitions.

Abstract: A mandrel is formed over an active region that includes a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region are reserved for the formation of a source and a drain of a FinFET, respectively. A portion of the mandrel formed over the second region is broken up into a first segment and a second segment separated from the first segment by a gap. Spacers are formed on opposite sides of the mandrel. Using the spacers, fins are defined. The fins protrude upwardly out of the active region. A portion of the second region corresponding to the gap has no fins formed thereover. The source is epitaxially grown on the fins in the first region. At least a portion of the drain is epitaxially grown on the portion of the second region having no fins.

Abstract: A method of forming a layout design for fabricating an integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The method includes identifying one or more areas in the layout design occupied by one or more segments of a plurality of gate structure layout patterns of the layout design; and generating a set of layout patterns overlapping the identified one or more areas. The plurality of gate structure layout patterns has a predetermined pitch smaller than a spatial resolution of a predetermined lithographic technology. A first layout pattern of the set of layout patterns has a width less than twice the predetermined pitch.

Abstract: A mandrel is formed over an active region that includes a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region are reserved for the formation of a source and a drain of a FinFET, respectively. A portion of the mandrel formed over the second region is broken up into a first segment and a second segment separated from the first segment by a gap. Spacers are formed on opposite sides of the mandrel. Using the spacers, fins are defined. The fins protrude upwardly out of the active region. A portion of the second region corresponding to the gap has no fins formed thereover. The source is epitaxially grown on the fins in the first region. At least a portion of the drain is epitaxially grown on the portion of the second region having no fins.

Abstract: In a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) layout, an empty region in the IC layout is identified by a processor circuit, wherein the empty region is a region of the IC layout not including any active fins. A first portion of the empty region is filled with a first plurality of dummy fin cells, wherein each of the first plurality of dummy fin cells is based on a first standard dummy fin cell, and wherein the first standard dummy fin cell has a first gate width and comprises a first plurality of partitions. A second portion of the empty region is filled with a second plurality of dummy fin cells, wherein each of the second plurality of dummy fin cells is based on a second standard dummy fin cell, and wherein the second standard dummy fin cell has a second gate width and comprises a second plurality of partitions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a source/drain feature, a gate structure, a top interlayer dielectric (ILD), a contact, and an isolation pillar. The source/drain feature is at least partially disposed in the substrate. The gate structure is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to the source/drain feature. The top ILD is disposed on the gate structure. The contact is disposed on the source/drain feature. The contact includes a barrier metal and a contact metal. The barrier metal is disposed on and in contact with the source/drain feature. The contact metal is disposed on the barrier metal. The isolation pillar is disposed adjacent to the contact. The isolation pillar is in contact with the barrier metal and the contact metal of the contact and the top ILD.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a first layer on a first level. The first layer comprises a set of first lines. The first lines each have a length and a width. The length of each of the first lines is greater than the width. The integrated circuit also comprises a second layer on a second level different from the first level. The second layer comprises a set of second lines. The second lines each have a length and a width. The length of each of the second lines is greater than the width. The integrated circuit further comprises a coupling configured to connect at least one first line of the set of first lines with at least one second line of the set of second lines. The coupling has a length and a width. The set of second lines has a pitch measured between the lines of the set of second lines in the first direction. The length of the first coupling is greater than or equal to the pitch.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure, first and second gate structures, a source/drain region, a source/drain contact, a separator, a plug contacting the source/drain contact and a wiring contacting the plug. The fin structure protrudes from an isolation insulating layer and extends in a first direction. The first and second gate structures are formed over the fin structure and extend in a second direction crossing the first direction. The source/drain region is disposed between the first and second gate structures. The interlayer insulating layer is disposed over the fin structure, the first and second gate structures and the source/drain region. The first source/drain contact is disposed on the first source/drain region. The separator is disposed adjacent to the first source/drain contact layer. Ends of the first and second gate structures and an end of the source drain contact are in contact with a same face of the separator.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure, first and second gate structures, a source/drain region, a source/drain contact, a separator, a plug contacting the source/drain contact and a wiring contacting the plug. The fin structure protrudes from an isolation insulating layer and extends in a first direction. The first and second gate structures are formed over the fin structure and extend in a second direction crossing the first direction. The source/drain region is disposed between the first and second gate structures. The interlayer insulating layer is disposed over the fin structure, the first and second gate structures and the source/drain region. The first source/drain contact is disposed on the first source/drain region. The separator is disposed adjacent to the first source/drain contact layer. Ends of the first and second gate structures and an end of the source drain contact are in contact with a same face of the separator.

Abstract: A device includes an active region in a semiconductor substrate, a gate strip over and crossing the active region, and a jog over the active region and connected to the gate strip to form a continuous region. The jog is on a side of the gate strip. A first contact plug is at a same level as the gate strip, wherein the first contact plug is on the side of the gate strip. A second contact plug is over the jog and the first contact plug. The second contact plug electrically interconnects the first contact plug and the jog.