Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an interconnect structure includes an etching stop layer; a dielectric layer and an insert layer on the etching stop layer, and a conductive feature in the dielectric layer, the insert layer and the etching stop layer. A material of the insert layer is different from the dielectric layer and the etching stop layer.

Abstract: A representative method includes forming a photo-sensitive material over a substrate, and forming a cap layer over the photo-sensitive material, and patterning the cap layer. Using the patterned cap layer, a first portion of the photo-sensitive material is selectively exposed to a pre-selected light wavelength to change at least one material property of the first portion of the photo-sensitive material, while preventing a second portion of the photo-sensitive material from being exposed to the pre-selected light wavelength. One, but not both of the following steps is then conducted: removing the first portion of the photo-sensitive material and forming in its place a conductive element at least partially surrounded by the second portion of the photo-sensitive material, or removing the second portion of the photo-sensitive material and forming from the first portion of the photo-sensitive material a conductive element electrically connecting two or more portions of a circuit.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes preparing a deposition processing chamber by flowing first precursors to form a dielectric coat along an inner sidewall of the deposition processing chamber and flowing a second precursor to form a hydrophobic layer over the dielectric coat. In addition one or more deposition cycles are performed. Next, the second precursor is flowed again to repair the hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes patterning a plurality of photomask layers over a substrate, partially backfilling the patterned plurality of photomask layers with a first material using atomic layer deposition, completely backfilling the patterned plurality of photomask layers with a second material using atomic layer deposition, removing the plurality of photomask layers to form a masking structure comprising at least one of the first and second materials, and transferring a pattern formed by the masking structure to the substrate and removing the masking structure. The first material includes a silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, or carbon material, and the second material includes a metal oxide or metal nitride material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying a precursor material for an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process are provided. A gas supply provides one or more precursor materials to a deposition chamber. The deposition chamber receives the one or more precursor materials via an input line. A gas circulation system is coupled to an output line of the deposition chamber. The gas circulation system includes a gas composition detection system configured to produce an output signal indicating a composition of a gas exiting the deposition chamber through the output line. The gas circulation system also includes a circulation line configured to transport the gas exiting the deposition chamber to the input line. A controller is coupled to the gas supply. The controller controls the providing of the one or more precursor materials by the gas supply based on the output signal of the gas composition detection system.

Abstract: A method includes forming a carbon-containing layer with a carbon atomic percentage greater than about 25 percent over a first hard mask layer, forming a capping layer over the carbon-containing layer, forming a first photo resist over the capping layer, and etching the capping layer and the carbon-containing layer using the first photo resist as a first etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. A second photo resist is formed over the capping layer. The capping layer and the carbon-containing layer are etched using the second photo resist as a second etching mask. The second photo resist is removed. A third photo resist under the carbon-containing layer is etched using the carbon-containing layer as etching mask. A dielectric layer underlying the third photo resist is etched to form via openings using the third photo resist as etching mask. The via openings are filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication apparatus includes a processing chamber; a wafer stage configured in the processing chamber; and a chemical delivery mechanism configured in the processing chamber to provide a chemical to a reaction zone in the processing chamber. The chemical delivery mechanism includes an edge chemical injector, a first radial chemical injector, and a second radial chemical injector configured on three sides of the reaction zone.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming semiconductor devices are provided. A method includes forming a first mask layer over an underlying layer, patterning the first mask layer to form a first opening, forming a non-conformal film over the first mask layer, wherein a first thickness of the non-conformal film formed on the top surface of the first mask layer is greater than a second thickness of the non-conformal film formed on a sidewall surface of the first mask layer, performing a descum process, wherein the descum process removes a portion of the non-conformal film within the first opening, and etching the underlying layer using the patterned first mask layer and remaining portions of the non-conformal film as an etching mask.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a transistor device. The method may be performed by forming a gate structure onto a semiconductor substrate and forming a source/drain recess within the semiconductor substrate adjacent to a side of the gate structure. One or more strain inducing materials are formed within the source/drain recess. The one or more strain inducing materials include a strain inducing component with a strain inducing component concentration profile that continuously decreases from a bottommost surface of the one or more strain inducing materials to a position above the bottommost surface. The bottommost surface contacts the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a conductive feature formed in an insulating layer. The structure also includes a first metal-containing dielectric layer formed over the insulating layer and covering the top surface of the conductive feature. The structure further includes a silicon-containing dielectric layer formed over the first metal-containing dielectric layer. In addition, the structure includes a second metal-containing dielectric layer formed over the silicon-containing dielectric layer. The second metal-containing dielectric layer includes a material that is different than the material of the first metal-containing dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a patterning process. A photoresist layer is patterned. At least portions of the photoresist layer are converted from an organic material to an inorganic material by a deposition process of a metal oxide. All or some of the patterned photoresist layer may be converted to a carbon-metal-oxide. A metal oxide crust may be formed over the patterned photoresist layer. After conversion, the patterned photoresist layer is used as an etch mask to etch an underlying layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, a dielectric structure and a contact structure. The substrate has source/drain (S/D) regions. The gate structure is on the substrate and between the S/D regions. The dielectric structure covers the gate structure. The contact structure penetrates through the dielectric structure to connect to the S/D region. A lower portion of a sidewall of the contact structure is spaced apart from the dielectric structure by an air gap therebetween, while an upper portion of the sidewall of the contact structure is in contact with the dielectric structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure on the substrate, a source/drain (S/D) region and a contact. The S/D region is located in the substrate and on a side of the gate structure. The contact lands on and connected to the S/D region. The contact wraps around the S/D region.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain regions, lower source and drain contacts, a metal gate, a first interlayer dielectric layer, a capping layer, and an etch stop layer. The source and drain regions are disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The lower source and drain contacts are disposed on the source and drain regions. The metal gate is disposed in between the lower source and drain contacts. The first interlayer dielectric layer encircles the metal gate and the lower source and drain contacts. The capping layer is disposed on the metal gate. The etch stop layer extends on the first interlayer dielectric layer. An etching selectivity for the etch stop layer over the capping layer is greater than 10.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first gate stack over a substrate. The method further includes etching the substrate to define a cavity. The method further includes growing a first epitaxial (epi) material in the cavity, wherein the first epi material includes a first upper surface having a first crystal plane. The method further includes growing a second epi material on the first epi material, wherein the second epi material includes a second upper surface having the first crystal plane. The method further includes treating the second epi material, wherein treating the second epi material comprises causing the second upper surface to transform to a second crystal plane different from the first crystal plane.

Abstract: A device, structure, and method are provided whereby an insert layer is utilized to provide additional support for surrounding dielectric layers. The insert layer may be applied between two dielectric layers. Once formed, trenches and vias are formed within the composite layers, and the insert layer will help to provide support that will limit or eliminate undesired bending or other structural motions that could hamper subsequent process steps, such as filling the trenches and vias with conductive material.

Abstract: A method includes forming an implanted region in a substrate. The implanted region is adjacent to a top surface of the substrate. A clean treatment is performed on the top surface of the implanted region. The top surface of the implanted region is baked after the clean treatment. An epitaxial layer is formed on the top surface of the substrate. The epitaxial layer is patterned to form a fin.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.

Abstract: A method of descumming a dielectric layer is provided. In an embodiment the dielectric layer is deposited over a substrate, and a photoresist is applied, exposed, and developed after the photoresist has been applied. Once the pattern of the photoresist is transferred to the underlying dielectric layer, a descumming process is performed, wherein the descumming process utilizes a mixture of a carbon-containing precursor, a descumming precursor, and a carrier gas. The mixture is ignited into a treatment plasma, and the treatment plasma is applied to the dielectric layer in order to descum the dielectric layer.