Abstract: A semiconductor device including a gaseous spacer and a method for forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming a first gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack; forming a second gate spacer over the first gate spacer; removing a portion of the second gate spacer, at least a portion of the second gate spacer remaining; removing the first gate spacer to form a first opening; and after removing the first gate spacer, removing the remaining portion of the second gate spacer through the first opening.

Abstract: Provided herein are chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) systems and methods to reduce metal particle pollution on dressing disks and polishing pads. Such methods may include contacting a dressing disk and at least one conductive element with an electrolyte solution and applying direct current (DC) power to the dressing disk and the at least one conductive element.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a barrier layer over the gate dielectric layer; treating the barrier layer to roughen an outer surface of the barrier layer, resulting in a treated barrier layer; and forming a metal layer over the treated barrier layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first device and a second device. The first device includes: a first gate structure formed over an active region and a first air spacer disposed adjacent to the first gate structure. The second device includes: a second gate structure formed over an isolation structure and a second air spacer disposed adjacent to the second gate structure. The first air spacer and the second air spacer have different sizes.

Abstract: Various examples of an integrated circuit with a sidewall spacer and a technique for forming an integrated circuit with such a spacer are disclosed herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate and a gate stack disposed upon the substrate. A spacer is formed on a side surface of the gate stack that includes a spacer layer with a low-k dielectric material. A source/drain region is formed in the substrate; and a source/drain contact is formed coupled to the source/drain region such that the spacer layer of the spacer is disposed between the source/drain contact and the gate stack.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) system includes a head, a polishing pad, and a magnetic system. The slurry used in the CMP process contains magnetizable abrasives. Application and control of a magnetic field, by the magnetic system, allows precise control over how the magnetizable abrasives in the slurry may be drawn toward the wafer or toward the polishing pad.

Abstract: A fin structure of a FinFET device is formed over a substrate. A first layer is formed over the fin structure. A gate layer is formed over the fin structure and over the first layer. The gate layer is patterned into a gate stack that wraps around the fin structure. A second layer is formed over the first layer and over the gate stack. A first etching process is performed to remove portions of the second layer formed over the fin structure, the first layer serves as an etching-stop layer during the first etching process. A second etching process is performed to remove portions of the first layer to expose a portion of the fin structure. A removal of the portions of the first layer does not substantially affect the second layer. A source/drain region is epitaxially grown on the exposed portion of the fin structure.

Abstract: Provided herein are polishing pads in which microcapsules that include a polymer material and are dispersed, as well as methods of making and using the same. Such microcapsules are configured to break open (e.g., when the polishing pad is damaged during the dressing process), which releases the polymer material. When contacted with ultraviolet light the polymer material at least partially cures, healing the damage to the polishing pad. Such polishing pads have a longer lifetime and a more stable remove rate when compared to standard polishing pads.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a first doped structure, a second doped structure, and a dielectric layer. The method includes forming a through hole in the dielectric layer. The method includes performing a physical vapor deposition process to deposit a first metal layer over the first doped structure exposed by the through hole. The method includes reacting the first metal layer with the first doped structure to form a metal semiconductor compound layer between the first metal layer and the first doped structure. The method includes removing the first metal layer. The method includes performing a chemical vapor deposition process to deposit a second metal layer in the through hole. The method includes forming a conductive structure in the through hole and over the second metal layer.

Abstract: A rebounding pivot module includes a mounting shaft, and a bouncing device set including a barrel having one end tooth shaped, a connecting tube mounted in the other end of the barrel, a connection rod connected to the connecting tube, a socket and a first guide block mounted onto the connection rod, the first guide block having one end beveled, a bouncing barrel mounted around the connecting rod, a second guide block supported on an elastic member in the bouncing barrel and defining therein a guide hole and having one end tooth shaped and abutted at the beveled edge of the first guide block, and a lock device fastened to connection rod that is inserted through the second guide block, the elastic member and the through hole of the bouncing barrel to lock the bouncing barrel to the connection rod.

Abstract: A method includes providing dummy gate structures disposed over a device region and over an isolation region adjacent the active region, first gate spacers disposed along sidewalls of the dummy gate structures in the active region, and second gate spacers disposed along sidewalls of the dummy gate structures in the isolation region, removing top portions of the second, but not the first gate spacers, forming a first dielectric layer over the first gate spacers and remaining portions of the second gate spacers, replacing the dummy gate structures with metal gate structures after the forming of the first dielectric layer, removing the first gate spacers after the replacing of the dummy gate structures, and forming a second dielectric layer over top surfaces of the metal gate structures and of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a barrier layer over the gate dielectric layer; treating the barrier layer to roughen an outer surface of the barrier layer, resulting in a treated barrier layer; and forming a metal layer over the treated barrier layer.

Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a first gate structure, a second gate structure, an oxide layer and a nitride layer. The first gate structure and the second gate structure are disposed on a substrate. The oxide layer covers the first gate structure. The nitride layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the oxide and the second gate structure. The refraction index of a portion of the nitride layer adjacent to an interface between the nitride layer and each of the first gate structure and the second gate structure is about 5% to 10% less than the refraction index of the remaining portion of the nitride layer.

Abstract: A fin structure of a FinFET device is formed over a substrate. A first layer is formed over the fin structure. A gate layer is formed over the fin structure and over the first layer. The gate layer is patterned into a gate stack that wraps around the fin structure. A second layer is formed over the first layer and over the gate stack. A first etching process is performed to remove portions of the second layer formed over the fin structure, the first layer serves as an etching-stop layer during the first etching process. A second etching process is performed to remove portions of the first layer to expose a portion of the fin structure. A removal of the portions of the first layer does not substantially affect the second layer. A source/drain region is epitaxially grown on the exposed portion of the fin structure.

Abstract: A network security system and method thereof are provided in this disclosure. The network security system includes a server and a client device. The client device is configured for running a firewall according to a first parameter corresponding to at least one setting category, and receiving a second parameters transmitted by the server within a periodic communication interval. The client device further includes a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit is configured for checking automatically whether a setting category of the second parameter matches the at least one setting category during a communication period between the server and the client device; if the setting category of the second parameter matches the at least one setting category, setting up the firewall according to the second parameter; and if the second parameter corresponding to setting category does not match the at least one setting category, omitting the second parameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a dental restoration. The apparatus includes a first laser module, a powder supplying nozzle, a second laser module, a dust cleaning device and an air bearing device for holding the dental restoration. The second laser module includes a plurality of laser sources, and the laser sources disposed circumferentially around the first laser module, in which each laser source is equally spaced apart from one another. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing the dental restoration, in which the method can be applied to a laser cladding process or a laser milling process.

Abstract: Various examples of an integrated circuit with a sidewall spacer and a technique for forming an integrated circuit with such a spacer are disclosed herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate and a gate stack disposed upon the substrate. A spacer is formed on a side surface of the gate stack that includes a spacer layer with a low-k dielectric material. A source/drain region is formed in the substrate; and a source/drain contact is formed coupled to the source/drain region such that the spacer layer of the spacer is disposed between the source/drain contact and the gate stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a gate structure over a fin structure. The method further includes forming first gate spacers on opposite sidewalls of the gate structure. The method further includes forming source/drain features in the fin structure and adjacent to the first gate spacers. The method further includes performing a surface treatment process on top surfaces of the source/drain features and outer sidewalls of the first gate spacers. The method further includes depositing a contact etch stop layer (CESL) over the source/drain features and the first gate spacers. A first portion of the CESL is deposited over the top surfaces of the source/drain features at a first deposition rate. A second portion of the CESL is deposited over the outer sidewalls of the first gate spacers at a second deposition rate.

Abstract: A powder bed device of additive manufacturing, which comprises a housing, a powder bed platform disposed in the housing, and elevating devices, is provided. Height of elevating platforms of the powder bed platform is adjusted by the elevating devices, which are connected to the elevating platforms. Therefore, the filled range of powders may be controlled, thereby avoiding waste of the excess powders.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a gate structure over a fin structure. The method further includes forming first gate spacers on opposite sidewalls of the gate structure. The method further includes forming source/drain features in the fin structure and adjacent to the first gate spacers. The method further includes performing a surface treatment process on top surfaces of the source/drain features and outer sidewalls of the first gate spacers. The method further includes depositing a contact etch stop layer (CESL) over the source/drain features and the first gate spacers. A first portion of the CESL is deposited over the top surfaces of the source/drain features at a first deposition rate. A second portion of the CESL is deposited over the outer sidewalls of the first gate spacers at a second deposition rate.