Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor fins, at least one gate stack, a refill isolation, and an air gap. Each of the semiconductor fins extends in an X direction. Two adjacent ones of the semiconductor fins are spaced apart from each other in a Y direction transverse to the X direction. The at least one gate stack has two stack sections spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. The stack sections are disposed over two adjacent ones of the semiconductor fins, respectively. The refill isolation and the air gap are disposed between the stack sections.

Abstract: An improved method of forming conductive features and a semiconductor device formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes providing a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer; selectively depositing an etch-resistant layer over the first dielectric layer, a sidewall of the etch-resistant layer being coterminous with a sidewall of the first dielectric layer; after selectively depositing the etch-resistant layer, selectively depositing a capping layer over the first conductive feature adjacent the etch-resistant layer, a sidewall of the capping layer being coterminous with a sidewall of the first conductive feature; and forming a second conductive feature over the capping layer, the etch-resistant layer separating the second conductive feature from the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: An improved method of forming conductive features and a semiconductor device formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a metal line extending through a first dielectric layer, the metal line being electrically coupled to a transistor; selectively depositing a sacrificial material over the metal line; selectively depositing a first dielectric material over the first dielectric layer and adjacent to the sacrificial material; selectively depositing a second dielectric material over the first dielectric material; removing the sacrificial material to form a first recess exposing the metal line; and forming a metal via in the first recess and electrically coupled to the metal line.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate. A first precursor and a second precursor are combined. The first precursor is an organometallic having a formula: MaRbXc, where M is one or more of Sn, Bi, Sb, In, and Te, R is one or more of a C7-C11 aralkyl group, a C3-C10 cycloalkyl group, a C2-C10 alkoxy group, and a C2-C10 alkylamino group, X is one or more of a halogen, a sulfonate group, and an alkylamino group, and 1?a?2, b?1, c?1, and b+c?4, and the second precursor is one or more of water, an amine, a borane, and a phosphine. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern. The latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, a first etch stop layer, and a conductive via. The first conductive feature and the second conductive feature are embedded in the first dielectric layer. The first etch stop layer is disposed over the dielectric layer. The conductive via is surrounded by the first etch stop layer and electrically connected to the first conductive feature, in which the conductive via is in contact with a top surface of the first etch stop layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. In one embodiment, a method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a sacrificial gate structure over a portion of a semiconductor fin, forming a gate spacer on opposing sides of the sacrificial gate structure, forming an amorphized region in the semiconductor fin not covered by the sacrificial gate structure and the gate spacer, wherein the amorphized region has an amorphous-crystalline interface having a first roughness, forming a stressor layer over the amorphized region, wherein the formation of the stressor layer recrystallizes the amorphous-crystalline interface from the first roughness to a second roughness that is less than the first roughness, and subjecting the amorphized region to an annealing process to recrystallize the amorphized region to a crystalline region, and the crystalline region comprising a dislocation.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. A dielectric cap is formed over the gate structure. A source/drain contact is formed over a source/drain region over the substrate. An etch stop layer is selectively formed over the dielectric cap such that the etch stop layer expose the source/drain contact. An interlayer dielectric is formed over the etch stop layer and the source/drain contact. A source/drain via is formed in the ILD and is connected to the source/drain contact.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a first conductive feature, depositing a first mask layer over the first dielectric layer, and depositing a second mask layer over the first mask layer. A first opening is patterned in the first mask layer and the second mask layer, the first opening having a first width. A second opening is patterned in a bottom surface of the first opening, the second opening extending into the first dielectric layer, the second opening having a second width. The second width is less than the first width. The first opening is extended into the first dielectric layer and the second opening is extended through the first dielectric layer to expose a top surface of the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate; forming a source/drain region adjacent the gate structure; forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the source/drain region; forming a contact plug extending through the first ILD that electrically contacts the source/drain region; forming a silicide layer on the contact plug; forming a second ILD extending over the first ILD and the silicide layer; etching an opening extending through the second ILD and the silicide layer to expose the contact plug, wherein the silicide layer is used as an etch stop during the etching of the opening; and forming a conductive feature in the opening that electrically contacts the contact plug.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate including an active region, a gate stack over the active region, and a hard mask over the gate stack. The hard mask includes a capping layer, a buttress layer extending along sidewalls and a bottom of the capping layer, and a liner layer extending along sidewalls and a bottom of the buttress layer. The buttress layer includes a metal oxide material or a metal nitride material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region in a semiconductor fin; depositing a first dielectric layer over the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region; etching an opening through the first dielectric layer, wherein etching the opening comprises etching the first dielectric layer; forming first sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the opening; and forming a gate stack in the opening, wherein the gate stack is disposed between the first sidewall spacers.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a mask layer, patterning the photoresist layer, and forming an oxide layer on exposed surfaces of the patterned photoresist layer. The mask layer is patterned using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask. A target layer is patterned using the patterned mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a gate structure over a fin that protrudes above a substrate; forming source/drain regions over the fin on opposing sides of the gate structure; forming a recess between gate spacers of the gate structure by recessing the gate structure below upper surfaces of the gate spacers; depositing a first layer of a dielectric material in the recess along sidewalls and a bottom of the recess; after depositing the first layer, performing a first etching process to remove portions of the first layer of the dielectric material; and after the first etching process, depositing a second layer of the dielectric material in the recess over the first layer of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first gate electrode disposed on the substrate and located in a first region of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device also includes a first sidewall structure covering the first gate electrode. The semiconductor device further includes a protective layer disposed between the first gate electrode and the first sidewall structure. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a second gate electrode disposed on the substrate and located in a second region of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device also includes a second sidewall structure covering a lateral surface of the second gate electrode.

Abstract: A method may include forming a first silicon nitride layer in an opening of the semiconductor device and on a top surface of the semiconductor device, wherein the semiconductor device includes an epitaxial source/drain and a metal gate. The method may include forming a second silicon nitride layer on the first silicon nitride layer, as a sacrificial layer, and removing the second silicon nitride layer from sidewalls of the first silicon nitride layer formed in the opening. The method may include removing the second silicon nitride layer and the first silicon nitride layer formed at a bottom of the opening, and depositing a metal layer in the opening to form a metal drain in the opening of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A structure includes a first conductive feature, a first etch stop layer over the first conductive feature, a dielectric layer over the first etch stop layer, and a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer and the first etch stop layer. The second conductive feature is over and contacting the first conductive feature. An air spacer encircles the second conductive feature, and sidewalls of the second conductive feature are exposed to the air spacer. A protection ring further encircles the second conductive feature, and the protection ring fully separates the second conductive feature from the air spacer.

Abstract: A method includes etching a first portion and a second portion of a dummy gate stack to form a first opening and a second opening, respectively, and depositing a silicon nitride layer to fill the first opening and the second opening. The deposition of the silicon nitride layer comprises a first process selected from treating the silicon nitride layer using hydrogen radicals, implanting the silicon nitride layer, and combinations thereof. The method further includes etching a third portion of the dummy gate stack to form a trench, etching a semiconductor fin underlying the third portion to extend the trench down into a bulk portion of a semiconductor substrate underlying the dummy gate stack, and depositing a second silicon nitride layer into the trench.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a mask layer over a substrate and forming an opening in the mask layer. A gap-filling material is deposited in the opening. A plasma treatment is performed on the gap-filling material. The height of the gap-filling material is reduced. The mask layer is removed. The substrate is patterned using the gap-filling material as a mask.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes performing a first atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to form a first material layer over a first blank wafer, the first ALD process comprising: performing a first precursor sub-cycle using a first precursor; performing a first purge sub-cycle using a inert gas; and performing a second precursor sub-cycle using a second precursor and the inert gas; and performing a second purge sub-cycle for a first duration over a second blank wafer different from the first blank wafer using the inert gas to deposit first defects onto the second blank wafer.

Abstract: A method includes etching a first portion and a second portion of a dummy gate stack to form a first opening and a second opening, respectively, and depositing a silicon nitride layer to fill the first opening and the second opening. The deposition of the silicon nitride layer comprises a first process selected from treating the silicon nitride layer using hydrogen radicals, implanting the silicon nitride layer, and combinations thereof. The method further includes etching a third portion of the dummy gate stack to form a trench, etching a semiconductor fin underlying the third portion to extend the trench down into a bulk portion of a semiconductor substrate underlying the dummy gate stack, and depositing a second silicon nitride layer into the trench.