Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a channel region; a gate dielectric layer on the channel region; a first work function tuning layer on the gate dielectric layer, the first work function tuning layer including a n-type work function metal; a barrier layer on the first work function tuning layer; a second work function tuning layer on the barrier layer, the second work function tuning layer including a p-type work function metal, the p-type work function metal different from the n-type work function metal; and a fill layer on the second work function tuning layer.

Abstract: Implementations of a cover for an image sensor may include an optically transmissive portion and a black mask layer applied as a strip adjacent a perimeter of a largest planar surface of the optically transmissive portion. The first edge of the strip closest to the perimeter may be separated from the perimeter by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, FinFET devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. One of the semiconductor devices includes a substrate and a gate strip disposed over the substrate. The gate strip includes a high-k layer disposed over the substrate, an N-type work function metal layer disposed over the high-k layer, and a barrier layer disposed over the N-type work function metal layer. The barrier layer includes at least one first film containing TiAlN, TaAlN or AlN.

Abstract: Methods for tuning effective work functions of gate electrodes in semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a channel region over a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric layer over the channel region; and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer, the gate electrode including a first work function metal layer over the gate dielectric layer, the first work function metal layer including aluminum (Al); a first work function tuning layer over the first work function metal layer, the first work function tuning layer including aluminum tungsten (AlW); and a fill material over the first work function tuning layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, forming epitaxial source/drain regions on opposite sides of the dummy gate stack, removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench, depositing a gate dielectric layer extending into the trench, and depositing a work-function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The work-function layer comprises a seam therein. A silicon-containing layer is deposited to fill the seam. A planarization process is performed to remove excess portions of the silicon-containing layer, the work-function layer, and the gate dielectric layer. Remaining portions of the silicon-containing layer, the work-function layer, and the gate dielectric layer form a gate stack.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device and semiconductor fabrication method. A semiconductor device includes: a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate, having a high-k dielectric layer, a p-type work function layer, an n-type work function layer, a dielectric anti-reaction layer, and a glue layer; and a continuous metal cap over the gate structure formed by metal material being deposited over the gate structure, a portion of the anti-reaction layer being selectively removed, and additional metal material being deposited over the gate structure. A semiconductor fabrication method includes: receiving a gate structure; flattening the top layer of the gate structure; precleaning and pretreating the surface of the gate structure; depositing metal material over the gate structure to form a discontinuous metal cap; selectively removing a portion of the anti-reaction layer; depositing additional metal material over the gate structure to create a continuous metal cap; and containing growth of the metal cap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin protruding above a substrate; source/drain regions over the fin; nanosheets between the source/drain regions; and a gate structure over the fin and between the source/drain regions. The gate structure includes: a gate dielectric material around each of the nanosheets; a first liner material around the gate dielectric material; a work function material around the first liner material; a second liner material around the work function material; and a gate electrode material around at least portions of the second liner material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate dielectric on a semiconductor region, depositing a work-function layer over the gate dielectric, depositing a silicon layer over the work-function layer, and depositing a glue layer over the silicon layer. The work-function layer, the silicon layer, and the glue layer are in-situ deposited. The method further includes depositing a filling-metal over the glue layer; and performing a planarization process, wherein remaining portions of the glue layer, the silicon layer, and the work-function layer form portions of a gate electrode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a channel region; a gate dielectric layer on the channel region; a first work function tuning layer on the gate dielectric layer, the first work function tuning layer including a n-type work function metal; a barrier layer on the first work function tuning layer; a second work function tuning layer on the barrier layer, the second work function tuning layer including a p-type work function metal, the p-type work function metal different from the n-type work function metal; and a fill layer on the second work function tuning layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack over an active region of a substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The first work function layer includes a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers arranged in an alternating manner over the gate dielectric layer. The plurality of first layers include a first material. The plurality of second layers include a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, forming epitaxial source/drain regions on opposite sides of the dummy gate stack, removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench, depositing a gate dielectric layer extending into the trench, and depositing a work-function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The work-function layer comprises a seam therein. A silicon-containing layer is deposited to fill the seam. A planarization process is performed to remove excess portions of the silicon-containing layer, the work-function layer, and the gate dielectric layer. Remaining portions of the silicon-containing layer, the work-function layer, and the gate dielectric layer form a gate stack.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin over a substrate, the fin comprising alternately stacking first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers, removing the first semiconductor layers to form spaces each between the second semiconductor layers, forming a gate dielectric layer wrapping around each of the second semiconductor layers, forming a fluorine-containing layer on the gate dielectric layer, performing an anneal process to drive fluorine atoms from the fluorine-containing layer into the gate dielectric layer, removing the fluorine-containing layer, and forming a metal gate on the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods for tuning effective work functions of gate electrodes in semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a channel region over a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric layer over the channel region; and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer, the gate electrode including a first work function metal layer over the gate dielectric layer, the first work function metal layer including aluminum (Al); a first work function tuning layer over the first work function metal layer, the first work function tuning layer including aluminum tungsten (AlW); and a fill material over the first work function tuning layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate dielectric on a semiconductor region, depositing a work-function layer over the gate dielectric, depositing a silicon layer over the work-function layer, and depositing a glue layer over the silicon layer. The work-function layer, the silicon layer, and the glue layer are in-situ deposited. The method further includes depositing a filling-metal over the glue layer; and performing a planarization process, wherein remaining portions of the glue layer, the silicon layer, and the work-function layer form portions of a gate electrode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a p-type transistor including: a first channel region; a first gate dielectric layer on the first channel region; a tungsten-containing work function tuning layer on the first gate dielectric layer; and a first fill layer on the tungsten-containing work function tuning layer; and an n-type transistor including: a second channel region; a second gate dielectric layer on the second channel region; a tungsten-free work function tuning layer on the second gate dielectric layer; and a second fill layer on the tungsten-free work function tuning layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack over an active region of a substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The first work function layer includes a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers arranged in an alternating manner over the gate dielectric layer. The plurality of first layers include a first material. The plurality of second layers include a second material different from the first material.

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: In an embodiment, a device includes: a p-type transistor including: a first channel region; a first gate dielectric layer on the first channel region; a tungsten-containing work function tuning layer on the first gate dielectric layer; and a first fill layer on the tungsten-containing work function tuning layer; and an n-type transistor including: a second channel region; a second gate dielectric layer on the second channel region; a tungsten-free work function tuning layer on the second gate dielectric layer; and a second fill layer on the tungsten-free work function tuning layer.

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.