Abstract: A fin structure for a semiconductor device, such as a FinFET structure, has first and second semiconductor layers and an air gap between the layers. The second semiconductor layer includes a recessed portion, the air gap is located in the recessed portion, and the recessed portion has an upwardly-opening acute angle in the range from about 10° to about 55°. The air gap may prevent current leakage. A FinFET device may be manufactured by first recessing and then epitaxially re-growing a source/drain fin, with the regrowth starting over a tubular air gap.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor devices having metal gate includes follow steps. A substrate including a plurality of isolation structures is provided. A first nFET device and a second nFET device are formed on the substrate. The first nFET device includes a first gate trench and the second nFET includes a second gate trench. A third bottom barrier layer is formed in the first gate trench and a third p-work function metal layer is formed in the second gate trench, simultaneously. The third bottom barrier layer and the third p-work function metal layer include a same material. An n-work function metal layer is formed in the first gate trench and the second gate trench. The n-work function metal layer in the first gate trench directly contacts the third bottom barrier layer, and the n-work function metal layer in the second gate trench directly contacts the third p-work function metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a plurality of transistor devices formed thereon, at least an epitaxial structure formed in between the transistor devices, and a tri-layered structure formed on the epitaxial structure. The epitaxial structure includes a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material, and a lattice constant of the second semiconductor material is larger than a lattice constant of the first semiconductor material. The tri-layered structure includes an undoped epitaxial layer, a metal-semiconductor compound layer, and a doped epitaxial layer sandwiched in between the undoped epitaxial layer and the metal-semiconductor compound layer. The undoped epitaxial layer and the doped epitaxial layer include at least the second semiconductor material.

Abstract: A method for forming an epitaxial layer on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate into a chamber; injecting a precursor and a carrier gas to form the epitaxial layer on the substrate at a starting pressure; and pumping down the starting pressure to a second pressure according to a gradient during a cool down process in the chamber.

Abstract: A fin-shaped structure includes a substrate having a first fin-shaped structure located in a first area and a second fin-shaped structure located in a second area, wherein the second fin-shaped structure includes a ladder-shaped cross-sectional profile part. The present invention also provides two methods of forming this fin-shaped structure. In one case, a substrate having a first fin-shaped structure and a second fin-shaped structure is provided. A treatment process is performed to modify an external surface of the top of the second fin-shaped structure, thereby forming a modified part. A removing process is performed to remove the modified part through a high removing selectivity to the first fin-shaped structure and the second fin-shaped structure, and the modified part, thereby the second fin-shaped structure having a ladder-shaped cross-sectional profile part is formed.

Abstract: A fin structure for a semiconductor device, such as a FinFET structure, has first and second semiconductor layers and an air gap between the layers. The air gap may prevent current leakage. A FinFET device may be manufactured by first recessing and then epitaxially re-growing a source/drain fin, with the regrowth starting over a tubular air gap.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes following steps. Firstly, a gate structure is formed on a substrate, and two source/drain regions are formed. Then, a contact etching stop layer (CESL) is formed to cover the source/drain regions, and a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed on the CESL. Next, a replace metal gate process is performed to form a metal gate and a capping layer on the metal gate, and a second ILD layer is formed on the first ILD layer. Following these, a first opening is formed in the second and first ILD layers to partially expose the CESL, and a second opening is formed in the second ILD to expose the capping layer. Finally, the CESL and the capping layer are simultaneously removed.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device includes a substrate, plural buried gates and plural bit lines. The buried gates are disposed in the substrate along a first trench extending along a first direction. The bit lines are disposed over the buried gates and extending along a second direction across the first direction. Each of the bit lines includes a multi-composition barrier layer, wherein the multi-composition barrier layer includes WSixNy with x and y being greater than 0 and the multi-composition barrier layer is silicon-rich at a bottom portion thereof and is nitrogen-rich at a top portion thereof.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and method of manufacturing such semiconductor devices are provided for improved FinFET memory cells to avoid electric short often happened between metal contacts of a bit cell, where the meal contacts are positioned next to a dummy gate of a neighboring dummy edge cell. In one embodiment, during the patterning of a gate layer on a substrate surface, an improved gate slot pattern is used to extend the lengths of one or more gate slots adjacent bit lines so as to pattern and sectionalize a dummy gate line disposed next to metal contacts of an active memory cell. In another embodiment, during the patterning of gate lines, the distances between one or more dummy gates lines disposed adjacent an active memory cell are adjusted such that their locations within dummy edge cells are shifted in position to be away from metal contacts of the active memory cell.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device includes a substrate, plural word lines and plural bit lines. The word lines are disposed in the substrate along a first trench extending along a first direction. Each of the word lines includes a multi-composition barrier layer, wherein the multi-composition barrier layer includes TiSixNy with x and y being greater than 0 and the multi-composition barrier layer is silicon-rich at a bottom portion thereof and is nitrogen-rich at a top portion thereof. The bit lines are disposed over the word lines and extended along a second direction across the first direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a plurality of transistor devices formed thereon, at least an epitaxial structure formed in between the transistor devices, and a tri-layered structure formed on the epitaxial structure. The epitaxial structure includes a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material, and a lattice constant of the second semiconductor material is larger than a lattice constant of the first semiconductor material. The tri-layered structure includes an undoped epitaxial layer, a metal-semiconductor compound layer, and a doped epitaxial layer sandwiched in between the undoped epitaxial layer and the metal-semiconductor compound layer. The undoped epitaxial layer and the doped epitaxial layer include at least the second semiconductor material.

Abstract: An active device of a pixel structure includes a semiconductor layer, an insulation layer covering the semiconductor layer, a gate electrode disposed on the insulation layer and electrically connected to a scan line, a protection layer covering the gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to a source region and a drain region of the semiconductor layer. A channel region is disposed between the source region and the drain region. A source lightly doped region is disposed between the channel region and the source region. A drain lightly doped region is disposed between the channel region and the drain region. The light shielding pattern shields the source lightly doped region and the drain lightly doped region. The light shielding pattern is overlapped with one side of the scan line and not overlapped with another side of the scan line.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and method of manufacturing such semiconductor devices are provided for improved FinFET memory cells to avoid electric short often happened between metal contacts of a bit cell, where the meal contacts are positioned next to a dummy gate of a neighboring dummy edge cell. In one embodiment, during the patterning of a gate layer on a substrate surface, an improved gate slot pattern is used to extend the lengths of one or more gate slots adjacent bit lines so as to pattern and sectionalize a dummy gate line disposed next to metal contacts of an active memory cell. In another embodiment, during the patterning of gate lines, the distances between one or more dummy gates lines disposed adjacent an active memory cell are adjusted such that their locations within dummy edge cells are shifted in position to be away from metal contacts of the active memory cell.

Abstract: A process for producing a miniaturized SMD diode package involves using a diode chip whose bottom surface has a positive electrode and a negative electrode, using a circuit board instead of a conventional lead frame during packaging, and using Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) image registration technology to perform chip bonding; the beneficial advantages brought from the process for producing the same including to simplify producing process and reduce manufacturing cost, to improve accuracy and precision of producing the miniaturized SMD diode package due to using a circuit board instead of conventionally used lead frame, and to ensure the produced miniaturized SMD diode package possesses excellent diode characteristics without distortion or defect.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, a sidewall spacer, and an epitaxial layer. The gate structure is disposed on the substrate, and the substrate has at least one recess disposed adjacent to the gate structure. The sidewall spacer is disposed on at least two sides of the gate structure. The sidewall spacer includes a first spacer layer and a second spacer layer, and the first spacer layer is disposed between the gate structure and the second spacer layer. The epitaxial layer is disposed in the recess, and the recess is a circular shaped recess. A distance between an upmost part of the recess and the gate structure is less than a width of the sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A miniaturized SMD diode package involves using a diode chip whose bottom surface has a positive electrode and a negative electrode, using a circuit board instead of a conventional lead frame during packaging, and using Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) image registration technology to perform chip bonding; the beneficial advantages brought from a process for producing the same including to simplify producing process and reduce manufacturing cost, to improve accuracy and precision of producing the miniaturized SMD diode package due to using a circuit board instead of conventionally used lead frame, and to ensure the produced miniaturized SMD diode package possesses excellent diode characteristics without distortion or defect.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A substrate having a memory region is provided. A plurality of fin structures are provided and each fin structure stretching along a first direction. A plurality of gate structures are formed, and each gate structure stretches along a second direction. Next, a dielectric layer is formed on the gate structures. A first patterned mask layer is formed, wherein the first patterned mask layer has a plurality of first trenches stretching along the second direction. A second patterned mask layer on the first patterned mask layer, wherein the second patterned mask layer comprises a plurality of first patterns stretching along the first direction. Subsequently, the dielectric layer is patterned by using the first patterned mask layer and the second patterned mask layer as a mask to form a plurality of contact vias. The contact holes are filled with a conductive layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a first material layer on the substrate; forming a stop layer on the first material layer; forming a second material layer on the stop layer; and performing a planarizing process to remove the second material layer, the stop layer, and part of the first material layer for forming a gate layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of gate structures on the substrate; forming a first stop layer on the gate structures; forming a second stop layer on the first stop layer; forming a first dielectric layer on the second stop layer; forming a plurality of first openings in the first dielectric layer to expose the second stop layer; forming a plurality of second openings in the first dielectric layer and the second stop layer to expose the first stop layer; and removing part of the second stop layer and part of the first stop layer to expose the gate structures.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a first photovoltaic cell; a first through silicon via (TSV) included in the first photovoltaic cell and passing through at least a portion of a doped silicon substrate, the first TSV comprising (a)(i) a first sidewall, which is doped oppositely to the doped silicon substrate, and (a)(ii) a first contact substantially filling the first TSV; and a second TSV included in the first photovoltaic cell and passing through at least another portion of the doped silicon substrate, the second TSV comprising (b)(i) a second sidewall, which comprises the doped silicon substrate, and (b)(ii) a second contact substantially filling the second TSV; wherein the first and second contacts each include a conductive material that is substantially transparent. Other embodiments are described herein.