Abstract: A semiconductor includes a first substrate having a device region and a ring region surrounding the device region, a first interconnect structure over the first substrate, the first interconnect structure including a first via tower and a second via tower, a first bonding layer over the first interconnect structure and including a first metal bonding feature, a second bonding layer over the first bonding layer and including a second metal bonding feature in contact with the first metal bonding feature, and a second interconnect structure over the second bonding layer and including a third via tower extending through the second interconnect structure and disposed directly over the ring region. The first via tower is electrically coupled to the second via tower by a first metal line. The first via tower is electrically coupled to the third via tower by the first metal bonding feature and the second metal bonding feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first circuit area disposed over a substrate and enclosed by a first seal ring structure, a second circuit area disposed over the substrate and enclosed by a second seal ring structure, an internal scribe line disposed between the first circuit area and the second circuit area, and connecting seal structures connecting the first seal ring structure and the second seal ring structures such that a part of the first seal ring structure, a part of the second seal ring structure and the connecting seal structures enclose the internal scribe line.

Abstract: A method for inline inspection during semiconductor wafer fabrication is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of test structures on a semiconductor wafer along two opposite directions. An offset distance between a sample feature and a target feature of each of the test structures increases gradually along the two opposite directions. The method further includes producing an image of the test structures. The method also includes performing image analysis of the image to recognize a position with an extreme of a gray level. In addition, the method includes calculating an overlay error according to the recognized position.

Abstract: A method for inline inspection during semiconductor wafer fabrication is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of test structures on a semiconductor wafer along two opposite directions. An offset distance between a sample feature and a target feature of each of the test structures increases gradually along the two opposite directions. The method further includes producing an image of the test structures. The method also includes performing image analysis of the image to recognize a position with an extreme of a gray level. In addition, the method includes calculating an overlay error according to the recognized position.

Abstract: A method for inline inspection during semiconductor wafer fabrication is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of test structures on a semiconductor wafer along two opposite directions. An offset distance between a sample feature and a target feature of each of the test structures increases gradually along the two opposite directions. The method further includes producing an image of the test structures. The method also includes performing image analysis of the image to recognize a position with an extreme of a gray level. In addition, the method includes calculating an overlay error according to the recognized position.

Abstract: A method for inline inspection during semiconductor wafer fabrication is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of test structures on a semiconductor wafer along two opposite directions. An offset distance between a sample feature and a target feature of each of the test structures increases gradually along the two opposite directions. The method further includes producing an image of the test structures. The method also includes performing image analysis of the image to recognize a position with an extreme of a gray level. In addition, the method includes calculating an overlay error according to the recognized position.

Abstract: A method for producing capacitor-node contact plugs of a dynamic random access memory, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming at least one gate structure separated by a first isolation layer as a word line, and forming a source region and a drain region next to the word line; forming a second isolation layer to cover the first isolation layer, word line, source region, and drain region; forming a first landing pad, which passes through the second isolation layer and couples to the source region, wherein the first landing pad is offset a given distance along the word line; forming a third isolation layer to cover the second isolation layer and the first landing pad; forming a second landing pad coupled to the drain region through the second isolation layer and the third isolation layer; forming at least one bit line separated by a fourth isolation layer along the vertical direction to the word line, wherein the at least one bit line is coupled to the second landing pad; forming a fifth isolat

Abstract: A method for forming planarized isolation using a nitride hard mask and two CMP steps is described. A first nitride layer is deposited over a pad oxide layer on the surface of a semiconductor substrate. The first nitride and pad oxide layers are etched through where they are not covered by a mask to provide at least one wide opening and at least one narrow opening where the surface of the substrate is exposed. Trenches are etched into the substrate where it is exposed. An oxide layer is deposited overlying the first nitride layer and within the trenches completely filling the narrow trench wherein a trough is formed over the wide trench. A second nitride layer is deposited over the oxide layer. The second nitride layer is polished away with a polish stop at the oxide layer whereby the second nitride layer is removed except: where it lies within the trough.

Abstract: A method divides the formation of the contact plug connecting a source/drain region in the peripheral circuit area into two steps, wherein the capacitor can be fabricated at the same time so as to save one mask. Besides, at each step of forming the contact plug with low aspect ratio, a CVD method is utilized to uniformly deposited a barrier layer on the contact window and completely fill the contact window. This can thoroughly eliminate the defects found in the prior art. Consequently, the simplified process can reduce the manufacturing period time and the production cost.

Abstract: A method for fabricating self-aligned contacts using elevated trench isolation, selective contact plug deposition and planarization starting at the device level. The process begins by successively forming a gate oxide layer and a first gate electrode layer on a silicon substrate. Next, fully planarized trench isolation regions are formed using sacrificial oxide and nitride layers and selective etching. A sacrificial pad oxide layer and a first sacrificial nitride layer are formed. The first sacrificial nitride layer, the sacrificial pad oxide layer, the first gate electrode layer, the gate oxide layer, and the silicon substrate are patterned to form trenches. A fill oxide layer is deposited in the trenches and over the first sacrificial nitride layer. An oxide etch is performed which recesses the fill oxide layer in the trenches below the level of the top of the first nitride layer. A second sacrificial nitride layer is formed on the fill oxide layer and over the first sacrificial nitride layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a crown capacitor comprises first providing a substrate having a transistor, constituted by at least one diffused region, formed thereon and overlaid by a first insulating layer. Bit lines are formed in the first insulating layer. A first masking layer and a second insulating layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. The second insulating layer, the first masking layer and the first insulating layer are patterned to form a contact hole that exposes the diffused region. A second masking layer is conformally formed and etched back to form masking spacers on the sidewalls of the contact hole. The second insulating layer is removed. A first conductive layer is conformally formed over the first masking layer and extending to the surface of the masking spacers and the bottom of the contact hole. A third insulating layer is formed over the first conductive layer and fills the contact hole.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a DRAM capacitor structure, in which the capacitor upper plate structure is defined during the formation of bit line contact hole opening, and substrate contact hole opening procedure, eliminating the need for a specific upper plate, photolithographic masking procedure, has been developed. The process features isolating a polysilicon upper plate structure, during an isotropic RIE cycle, also creating an undercut polysilicon region, in the contact holes, which are opened simultaneously during the upper plate definition. Subsequent silicon nitride spacers, on the sides of the contact holes, provides insulation between the polysilicon upper plate structure, and bit line, and substrate contact plug structures, now located in the contact holes. The undercut polysilicon regions, allow the formation of thicker silicon nitride spacers, to be formed in this undercut region.

Abstract: A method for forming planarized shallow trench isolation is described. A nitride layer is deposited over the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of isolation trenches are etched through the nitride layer into the semiconductor substrate wherein there are at least one wide trench and at least one narrow trench. A first oxide layer is deposited over the first nitride layer and within the isolation trenches wherein the first oxide layer fills the isolation trenches. A capping nitride layer is deposited overlying the first oxide layer. A second oxide layer is deposited overlying the capping nitride layer. The second oxide layer is polished away wherein the second oxide layer and the capping nitride layer are left only within the wide trench. The first and second oxide layers are dry etched away with an etch stop on the capping nitride layer within the wide trench and the first nitride layer wherein the second oxide layer is completely removed.

Abstract: A method for forming self-rounded shallow trench isolation is described. A pad oxide layer is provided over the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A nitride layer is then deposited overlying the pad oxide layer. Isolation trenches are then etched through the nitride and pad oxide layers into the semiconductor substrate. A layer of oxide is then deposited over the said nitride layer and within the isolation trenches. The oxide layer is then polished away through chemical and mechanical polishing wherein the substrate is planarized. The nitride layer is then etched away using a special dry-etch recipe that has a higher etching rate for silicon nitride than oxide. The dry-etch recipe also has a very low etching rate for the silicon substrate. This results in the removal of the nitride layer, rounding the shoulders of the trench and leaving the substrate unaffected. The fabrication of the integrated circuit device is completed.

Abstract: A method of planarizing a structure having an interpoly layer is disclosed. The method includes forming an undoped silica glass layer on at least a polysilicon region formed on a semiconductor substrate. Next, a spin-on-glass layer is formed over the undoped silica glass layer. Finally, the spin-on-glass layer is etched back, thereby planarizing the structure having the interpoly layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a crown capacitor comprising first providing a substrate having a transistor, constituted by at least one diffused region, formed thereon and overlaid by a first insulating layer. Bit lines are formed in the first insulating layer. A first masking layer and a second insulating layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. The second insulating layer, the first masking layer and the first insulating layer are patterned to form a contact hole that exposes the diffused region. A second masking layer is conformally formed and etched back to form masking spacers on the sidewalls of the contact hole. A third insulating layer is formed over the substrate, wherein the third insulating layer fills the contact hole. The second insulating layer and the third insulating layer are selectively removed to expose portions of the first masking layer, the masking spacers and the diffusion areas.

Abstract: A thin silicon dioxide layer is formed on the substrate to act as a pad layer. Subsequently, a silicon nitride layer is deposited on the pad layer. Trenches are formed in the substrate. The trenches include first trenches and a second trench that has a relatively wide opening compared to the first trenches. An CVD-oxide layer is formed on the silicon nitride layer and refilled into the trenches. A multi-layer is then formed on the CVD-oxide layer. The multi-layer includes alternating PE-nitride layers and PE-oxide layers. Subsequently, a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technology is used for removing the multi-layer layer to the surface of the silicon nitride layer.

Abstract: A method for forming planarized isolation by combining LOCOS and STI isolation processes is described. A first nitride layer is deposited over a pad oxide layer on the surface of a semiconductor substrate. The first nitride layer and pad oxide layer are etched through where they are not covered by a mask to provide openings where the surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed wherein there is at least one wide opening and one narrow opening. A second nitride layer is deposited over the substrate and etched back to leave spacers on the sidewalls of the openings wherein the narrow opening is filled by the spacers. The exposed semiconductor substrate within the wide opening is oxidized wherein a field oxide region is formed within the wide opening. A portion of the first nitride layer and spacers is etched away whereby the semiconductor substrate within the narrow opening is exposed. A trench is etched into the semiconductor substrate where it is exposed within the narrow opening.

Abstract: A silicon dioxide layer and a silicon nitride layer are formed on the wafer. Subsequently, a plurality of shallow trenches are generated in the wafer. A HDP-CVD oxide having protruding portions is refilled into the trenches and formed on the silicon nitride layer for isolation. A wet etch is performed to etch the HDP-CVD oxide layer such that the corners of the silicon nitride layer formed on the active area will be exposed. A cap silicon nitride layer is then conformally formed on the surface of the oxide layer. Then, a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is used to remove the top of the cap silicon nitride layer, thereby exposing the residual protruding portions of the oxide layer. The residual protruding portions of the oxide layer are next removed. Then, the silicon nitride layer and the cap silicon nitride layer are both removed by conventional methods. Finally, the pad oxide is removed.

Abstract: A stacked layer including a first oxide, a nitride layer, a second oxide layer and an oxynitride layer is formed on the top of the first oxide layer. An etching is performed through a photoresist to etch the oxynitride, the second oxide and nitride. Oxide spacers are formed on the side walls of the pattern structure, the oxynitride layer is also removed during the formation of the oxide spacers. Trenches are generated by a dry etching technique. The second oxide and the oxide spacers are removed. Next, a thermal oxidation is performed to rounding the corners of the trench openings. A gap filling material is refilled into the trenches and formed on the nitride. Next, a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is used to remove the top of the CVD-oxide and the nitride layer. The residual nitride layer, the CVD-oxide and pad oxide are removed to create trench isolation structures with rounding corners.