Abstract: A device includes an interconnect structure, a barrier multi-layer structure, an oxide layer, a pad metal layer, and a passivation layer. The barrier multi-layer structure is over the interconnect structure, the barrier multi-layer structure includes a first metal nitride layer and a second metal nitride layer over the first metal nitride layer. The oxide layer is over the barrier multi-layer structure, in which the oxide layer is an oxide of the second metal nitride layer of the barrier multi-layer structure. The pad metal layer is over the oxide layer. The passivation layer is in contact with the barrier multi-layer structure, the oxide layer, and the pad metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device with target sputtering, including a chamber for accommodating a consumable target, a target accumulative consumption counter, wherein the target accumulative consumption counter provides a signal correlated to an amount of the consumable target being consumed, and a power supply communicates with the consumable target counter, wherein the power supply provides a power output according to the signal.

Abstract: A method for forming a bond pad structure includes forming an interconnect structure on a semiconductor device, forming a passivation layer on the interconnect structure, forming at least one opening through the passivation layer, forming an oxidation layer at least in the opening, and forming a pad metal layer on the oxidation layer. A portion of the interconnect structure is exposed by the at least one opening.

Abstract: A thin film deposition system deposits a thin film on a substrate in a thin film deposition chamber. The thin film deposition system deposits the thin film by flowing a fluid into the thin film deposition chamber. The thin film deposition system includes a byproducts sensor that senses byproducts of the fluid in an exhaust fluid. The thin film deposition system adjusts the flow rate of the fluid based on the byproducts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible workpiece pedestal capable of tilting a workpiece support surface. The workpiece pedestal further includes a heater mounted on the workpiece support surface. The heater includes a plurality of heating sources such as heating coils. The plurality of heating sources in the heater allows heating the workpiece at different temperatures for different zones of the workpiece. For example, the workpiece can have a central zone heated by a first heating coil, a first outer ring zone that is outside of the central zone heated by a second heating coil, a second outer ring zone that is outside of the first outer ring zone heated by a third heating coil. By using the tunable heating feature and the tilting feature of the workpiece pedestal, the present disclosure can reduce or eliminate the shadowing effect problem of the related workpiece pedestal in the art.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multifunction chamber having a multifunctional shutter disk. The shutter disk includes a lamp device, a DC/RF power device, and a gas line on one surface of the shutter disk. With this configuration, simplifying the chamber type is possible as the various specific, dedicated chambers such as a degas chamber, a pre-clean chamber, a CVD/PVD chamber are not required. By using the multifunctional shutter disk, the degassing function and the pre-cleaning function are provided within a single chamber. Accordingly, a separate degas chamber and a pre-clean chamber are no longer required and the overall transfer time between chambers is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A scanner includes a light source configured to apply a light to a backside of a wafer. The light is reflected from the backside of the wafer. A first mirror is configured to receive the light from the backside of the wafer and reflect the light. A sensor is configured to receive the light from the first mirror and generate an output signal indicative of a backside topography of the wafer.

Abstract: A scanner includes a light source configured to apply a light to a backside of a wafer. The light is reflected from the backside of the wafer. A first mirror is configured to receive the light from the backside of the wafer and reflect the light. A sensor is configured to receive the light from the first mirror and generate an output signal indicative of a backside topography of the wafer.

Abstract: A method for fault detection in a fabrication facility is provided. The method includes moving a wafer carrier along a predetermined path multiple times using a transportation apparatus. The method also includes collecting data associated with an environmental condition within the wafer carrier or around the wafer carrier using a metrology tool on the predetermined path in a previous movement of the transportation apparatus. The method further includes measuring the environmental condition within the wafer carrier or around the wafer carrier using the metrology tool during the movement of the wafer carrier. In addition, the method includes issuing a warning when the measured environmental condition is outside a range of acceptable values. The range of acceptable values is derived from the data collected in the previous movement of the transportation apparatus.

Abstract: A method for fault detection in a fabrication facility is provided. The method includes moving a wafer carrier using a transportation apparatus. The method further includes measuring an environmental condition within the wafer carrier or around the wafer carrier using a metrology tool positioned on the wafer carrier during the movement of the wafer carrier. The method also includes issuing a warning when the detected environmental condition is outside a range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A method for forming a bond pad structure includes forming an interconnect structure on a semiconductor device, forming a passivation layer on the interconnect structure, forming at least one opening through the passivation layer, forming an oxidation layer at least in the opening, and forming a pad metal layer on the oxidation layer. A portion of the interconnect structure is exposed by the at least one opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device with target sputtering, including a chamber for accommodating a consumable target, a target accumulative consumption counter, wherein the target accumulative consumption counter provides a signal correlated to an amount of the consumable target being consumed, and a power supply communicates with the consumable target counter, wherein the power supply provides a power output according to the signal.

Abstract: A method for fault detection in a fabrication system is provided. The method includes transferring a reticle carrier containing a reticle from an original position to a destination position. The method further includes detecting environmental condition in the reticle carrier during the transfer of the reticle carrier using a metrology tool that is positioned at the reticle carrier. The method also includes issuing a warning when the detected environmental condition is outside a range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A method for fault detection in a fabrication facility is provided. The method includes moving a wafer carrier using a transportation apparatus. The method further includes measuring an environmental condition within the wafer carrier or around the wafer carrier using a metrology tool positioned on the wafer carrier during the movement of the wafer carrier. The method also includes issuing a warning when the detected environmental condition is outside a range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A method for fault detection in a fabrication system is provided. The method includes transferring a reticle carrier containing a reticle from an original position to a destination position. The method further includes detecting environmental condition in the reticle carrier during the transfer of the reticle carrier using a metrology tool that is positioned at the reticle carrier. The method also includes issuing a warning when the detected environmental condition is outside a range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A scanner includes a light source configured to apply a light to a backside of a wafer. The light is reflected from the backside of the wafer. A first mirror is configured to receive the light from the backside of the wafer and reflect the light. A sensor is configured to receive the light from the first mirror and generate an output signal indicative of a backside topography of the wafer.

Abstract: A photolithography tool includes at least one process chamber, at least one front opening unified pod (FOUP) stage, at least one moving mechanism, and an image sensor. The moving mechanism is configured to move the wafer from the process chamber to the FOUP stage. The image sensor is configured to capture the image of the wafer on the moving mechanism.

Abstract: A method of providing a liquid over a substrate is provided. The method includes providing the liquid over the substrate via a first opening of a flow path formed in a spray nozzle. The method further includes sucking back the liquid away from the first opening of the flow path. The method also includes holding the chemical solution in the flow path to keep a front surface of the chemical solution located in a tapered flow path section of the flow path.

Abstract: A photolithography tool includes at least one process chamber, at least one front opening unified pod (FOUP) stage, at least one moving mechanism, and an image sensor. The moving mechanism is configured to move the wafer from the process chamber to the FOUP stage. The image sensor is configured to capture the image of the wafer on the moving mechanism.

Abstract: A method of providing a liquid over a substrate is provided. The method includes providing the liquid over the substrate via a first opening of a flow path formed in a spray nozzle. The method further includes sucking back the liquid away from the first opening of the flow path. The method also includes holding the chemical solution in the flow path to keep a front surface of the chemical solution located in a tapered flow path section of the flow path.