Abstract: Semiconductor processing apparatuses and methods are provided in which an electrostatic discharge (ESD) prevention layer is utilized to prevent or reduce ESD events from occurring between a semiconductor wafer and one or more components of the apparatuses. In some embodiments, a semiconductor processing apparatus includes a wafer handling structure that is configured to support a semiconductor wafer during processing of the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus further includes an ESD prevention layer on the wafer handling structure. The ESD prevention layer includes a first material and a second material, and the second material has an electrical conductivity that is greater than an electrical conductivity of the first material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, first and second stacks of semiconductor nanosheets, a gate structure, first and second strained layers and first and second dielectric walls. The substrate includes first and second fins. The first and second stacks of semiconductor nanosheets are disposed on the first and second fins respectively. The gate structure wraps the first and second stacks of semiconductor nanosheets. The first and second strained layers are respectively disposed on the first and second fins and abutting the first and second stacks of semiconductor nanosheets. The first dielectric wall is disposed on the substrate and located between the first and second strained layers. The second dielectric wall is disposed on the first dielectric wall and located between the first and second strained layers. A top surface of the second dielectric wall is lower than top surfaces of the first and second strained layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature over a semiconductor substrate, channel layers over the semiconductor substrate and connected to the source/drain feature, a gate portion between vertically adjacent channel layers, and an inner spacer between the source/drain feature and the gate portion and between adjacent channel layers. The semiconductor device further includes an air gap between the inner spacer and the source/drain feature.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming a silicon layer on a substrate and then forming a metal silicon nitride layer on the silicon layer, in which the metal silicon nitride layer includes a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion and a concentration of silicon in the top portion is greater than a concentration of silicon in the middle portion. Next, a conductive layer is formed on the metal silicon nitride layer and the conductive layer, the metal silicon nitride layer, and the silicon layer are patterned to form a gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a substrate, in which the gate structure includes a silicon layer on the substrate, a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the silicon layer, a titanium (Ti) layer between the TiN layer and the silicon layer, a metal silicide between the Ti layer and the silicon layer, a titanium silicon nitride (TiSiN) layer on the TiN layer, and a conductive layer on the TiSiN layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming a silicon layer on a substrate and then forming a metal silicon nitride layer on the silicon layer, in which the metal silicon nitride layer includes a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion and a concentration of silicon in the top portion is greater than a concentration of silicon in the middle portion. Next, a conductive layer is formed on the metal silicon nitride layer and the conductive layer, the metal silicon nitride layer, and the silicon layer are patterned to form a gate structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming a silicon layer on a substrate and then forming a metal silicon nitride layer on the silicon layer, in which the metal silicon nitride layer includes a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion and a concentration of silicon in the top portion is greater than a concentration of silicon in the middle portion. Next, a conductive layer is formed on the metal silicon nitride layer and the conductive layer, the metal silicon nitride layer, and the silicon layer are patterned to form a gate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a substrate, in which the gate structure includes a silicon layer on the substrate, a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the silicon layer, a titanium (Ti) layer between the TiN layer and the silicon layer, a metal silicide between the Ti layer and the silicon layer, a titanium silicon nitride (TiSiN) layer on the TiN layer, and a conductive layer on the TiSiN layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on a silicon layer; performing a first treatment process by reacting the TiN layer with dichlorosilane (DCS) to form a titanium silicon nitride (TiSiN) layer; forming a conductive layer on the TiSiN layer; and patterning the conductive layer, the metal silicon nitride layer, and the silicon layer to form a gate structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on a silicon layer; performing a first treatment process by reacting the TiN layer with dichlorosilane (DCS) to form a titanium silicon nitride (TiSiN) layer; forming a conductive layer on the TiSiN layer; and patterning the conductive layer, the metal silicon nitride layer, and the silicon layer to form a gate structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming a silicon layer on a substrate and then forming a metal silicon nitride layer on the silicon layer, in which the metal silicon nitride layer includes a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion and a concentration of silicon in the top portion is greater than a concentration of silicon in the middle portion. Next, a conductive layer is formed on the metal silicon nitride layer and the conductive layer, the metal silicon nitride layer, and the silicon layer are patterned to form a gate structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming copper material over a substrate. The method includes forming a barrier layer over a substrate. Then, a depositing-soaking-treatment (DST) process is performed over the barrier layer. A copper layer is formed on the cobalt layer. The DST process includes depositing a cobalt layer on the barrier layer. Then, the cobalt layer is soaked with H2 gas at a first pressure. The cobalt layer is treated with a H2 plasma at a second pressure. The second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

Abstract: A dimming system includes a signal generating circuit, a first dimming circuit and a second dimming circuit. The signal generating circuit generates the driving signal according to the input signal, and switches the driving signal between multiple states according to the switch signal. The first dimming circuit generates the dimming signal to adjust the luminance of the LED device according to the driving signal. When the driving signal is switched from the first states to the second states, the dimming signal is changed by the first dimming circuit so that the luminance of the LED device is adjusted from the first luminance to the second luminance. The second dimming circuit adjusts the input signal according to the control signal so that the dimming signal is adjusted and the luminance of the LED device is between the first luminance and minimum luminance, or between the second luminance and minimum luminance.

Abstract: A dimming system includes a signal generating circuit, a first dimming circuit and a second dimming circuit. The signal generating circuit generates the driving signal according to the input signal, and switches the driving signal between multiple states according to the switch signal. The first dimming circuit generates the dimming signal to adjust the luminance of the LED device according to the driving signal. When the driving signal is switched from the first states to the second states, the dimming signal is changed by the first dimming circuit so that the luminance of the LED device is adjusted from the first luminance to the second luminance. The second dimming circuit adjusts the input signal according to the control signal so that the dimming signal is adjusted and the luminance of the LED device is between the first luminance and minimum luminance, or between the second luminance and minimum luminance.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and maintenance used for a rotational etching tool, combining the physical characteristics of water (splashed off after striking the surface of a spinning wafer) and a PM (preventive maintenance) computer program, can automatically and quickly clean the interior of the etching tool. By setting the appropriate parameters of PM program, single or all of process chambers can be well cleaned. Also, the DI water dropping positions on the wafer can be altered to create more splashing angles. To clean the sidewalls of the etching chambers, the wafer supporting means is moved between the process chamber and the rotating speed thereof is preferably alter while it is moving. The PM program of the present invention can be executed whenever the cleaning job needs to be done. It not only is timesaving and easy to apply, but also keeps the wafer in a almost-no-particle environment while being etched.