Abstract: A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a fast common mode recharge is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transmitter circuit configured to transmit a differential signal on a communication bus that includes a true signal line and a complement signal line and a measurement circuit configured to measure respective voltage levels of the true signal line and the complement signal line. The apparatus further includes a control circuit configured to, in response to exiting a sleep mode, select one of a plurality of operation modes using the respective voltage levels of the true signal line and the complement signal line. The transmitter circuit is further configured to adjust the respective voltage levels of the true signal line and the complement signal line based on a selected operation mode of the plurality of operation modes.

Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) device including the following components is provided. A gate electrode is located on a barrier layer. A source electrode is located on the first side of the gate electrode. A drain electrode is located on the second side of the gate. A source field plate is connected to the source electrode. The source field plate includes first, second, and third field plate portions. The first field plate portion is connected to the source electrode and is located on the first side of the gate electrode. The second field plate portion is located on the second side of the gate electrode. The third field plate portion is connected to the end of the first field plate portion and the end of the second field plate portion. The source field plate has a first opening located directly above the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an active region including a source/drain feature, a contact protruding from a bottom surface of the source/drain feature, a first dielectric layer disposed directly below the active region and surrounding the contact, an air gap disposed between the contact and the first dielectric layer, and a seal disposed between the contact and the first dielectric layer, such that the air gap is disposed between the seal and the source/drain feature.

Abstract: A miniature gas detection and purification device is disclosed for a user to carry with him, and includes a main body, a purification module, a gas guider and a gas detection module. The gas detection module detects the gas in the environment surrounding the user to obtain a gas detection datum, and controls the gas guider to be operated according to the gas detection datum, so that gas is inhaled into the main body and flows through the purification module for filtration and purification, and the gas purified is finally guided to an area nearby the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device with a profiled work-function metal gate electrode. The semiconductor structure includes a metal gate structure formed in an opening of an insulating layer. The metal gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer, a barrier layer, a work-function metal layer between the gate dielectric layer and the barrier layer and a work-function adjustment layer over the barrier layer, wherein the work-function metal has an ordered grain orientation. The present disclosure also provides a method of making a semiconductor device with a profiled work-function metal gate electrode.

Abstract: A method includes forming a stack of layers, which includes a plurality of semiconductor nanostructures, and a plurality of sacrificial layers. The plurality of semiconductor nanostructures and the plurality of sacrificial layers are arranged alternatingly. The method further includes laterally recessing the plurality of sacrificial layers to form lateral recesses, depositing a spacer layer extending into the lateral recesses, trimming the spacer layer to form inner spacers, and performing a treatment process to reduce dielectric constant values of the inner spacers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first semiconductor stack including elongated semiconductor features isolated from each other and overlaid in a direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, and a second semiconductor stack including elongated semiconductor features isolated from each other and overlaid in the direction perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. The second semiconductor stack has different geometric characteristics than the first semiconductor stack. A top surface of the first semiconductor stack is coplanar with a top surface of the second semiconductor stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a P-type device over the semiconductor fin and an N-type device over the semiconductor fin. The P-type device includes a first source/drain (S/D) feature adjacent a first gate structure. The P-type device includes a dipole layer over the first S/D feature, where the dipole layer includes a first metal and a second metal different from the first metal. The P-type device further includes a first silicide layer over the dipole layer, where the first silicide layer includes the first metal. The N-type device includes a second S/D feature adjacent a second gate structure. The N-type device further includes a second silicide layer directly contacting the second S/D feature, where the second silicide layer includes the first metal, and where a composition of the second silicide layer is different from that of the dipole layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer, an electrode in the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer in the electrode, and a phase change material over the first dielectric layer, the electrode, and the second dielectric layer. According to some embodiments, an uppermost surface of the electrode is at least one of above an uppermost surface of the first dielectric layer, above an uppermost surface of the second dielectric layer, or above a lowermost surface of the phase change material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, a metal gate stack disposed over the semiconductor fin, an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the semiconductor fin and adjacent to the metal gate stack, and a dielectric feature embedded in the semiconductor fin, where a bottom surface of the epitaxial S/D feature is disposed on a top surface of the dielectric feature, and where sidewalls of the epitaxial S/D feature extend to define sidewalls of the dielectric feature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first semiconductor layer having a first composition over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a second semiconductor layer having a second composition over the first semiconductor layer. Another first semiconductor layer having the first composition is formed over the second semiconductor layer. A third semiconductor layer having a third composition is formed over the another first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layers, second semiconductor layer, and third semiconductor layer are patterned to form a fin structure. A portion of the third semiconductor layer is removed thereby forming a nanowire comprising the second semiconductor layer, and a conductive material is formed surrounding the nanowire. The first semiconductor layers, second semiconductor layer, and third semiconductor layer include different materials.

Abstract: An endoscopy device and a method of manufacturing an endoscopy device are disclosed. The endoscopy device comprises: a body having a handle portion and a housing portion, the housing portion having an outlet; a switching mechanism disposed in the housing portion; a rigid outer tube detachably coupled to the housing portion at the outlet, and a flexible inner tube extendable from the outer tube, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to retract or extend the inner tube outwardly through the outer tube.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, a metal gate stack disposed over the semiconductor fin, an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the semiconductor fin and adjacent to the metal gate stack, and a dielectric feature embedded in the semiconductor fin, where a bottom surface of the epitaxial S/D feature is disposed on a top surface of the dielectric feature, and where sidewalls of the epitaxial S/D feature extend to define sidewalls of the dielectric feature.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

Abstract: Methods for performing a pre-clean process to remove an oxide in semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a shallow trench isolation region over a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate stack over the shallow trench isolation region; etching the shallow trench isolation region adjacent the gate stack using an anisotropic etching process; and after etching the shallow trench isolation region with the anisotropic etching process, etching the shallow trench isolation region with an isotropic etching process, process gases for the isotropic etching process including hydrogen fluoride and ammonia.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a layer having a semiconductive material. The layer includes an outwardly-protruding fin structure. An isolation structure is disposed over the layer but not over the fin structure. A first spacer and a second spacer are each disposed over the isolation structure and on sidewalls of the fin structure. The first spacer is disposed on a first sidewall of the fin structure. The second spacer is disposed on a second sidewall of the fin structure opposite the first sidewall. The second spacer is substantially taller than the first spacer. An epi-layer is grown on the fin structure. The epi-layer protrudes laterally. A lateral protrusion of the epi-layer is asymmetrical with respect to the first side and the second side.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor fabrication includes providing a semiconductor structure having a substrate and first, second, third, and fourth fins above the substrate. The method further includes forming an n-type epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature on the first and second fins, forming a p-type epitaxial S/D feature on the third and fourth fins, and performing a selective etch process on the semiconductor structure to remove upper portions of the n-type epitaxial S/D feature and the p-type epitaxial S/D feature such that more is removed from the n-type epitaxial S/D feature than the p-type epitaxial S/D feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer, an electrode in the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer in the electrode, and a phase change material over the first dielectric layer, the electrode, and the second dielectric layer. According to some embodiments, an uppermost surface of the electrode is at least one of above an uppermost surface of the first dielectric layer, above an uppermost surface of the second dielectric layer, or above a lowermost surface of the phase change material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first semiconductor layer having a first composition over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a second semiconductor layer having a second composition over the first semiconductor layer. Another first semiconductor layer having the first composition is formed over the second semiconductor layer. A third semiconductor layer having a third composition is formed over the another first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layers, second semiconductor layer, and third semiconductor layer are patterned to form a fin structure. A portion of the third semiconductor layer is removed thereby forming a nanowire comprising the second semiconductor layer, and a conductive material is formed surrounding the nanowire. The first semiconductor layers, second semiconductor layer, and third semiconductor layer include different materials.