Abstract: Provided is a composition including a lactic acid bacterium and a carrier thereof for prophylaxis or treatment of an allergy. The lactic acid bacterium is Lactobacillus paragasseri, such as Lactobacillus paragasseri BBM171 deposited under DSMZ Accession No. DSM 34311. Also provided is a method for preventing or treating an allergy in a subject that includes administering an effective amount of the composition of Lactobacillus paragasseri to the subject.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus includes a polishing pad located on a top surface of a platen configured to rotate around a vertical axis passing through the platen, a wafer carrier configured to hold a substrate and facing the polishing pad, and an integrated slurry mixer-dispenser including at least two inlet ports configured to receive a respective slurry component, configured to generate slurry by mixing at least two slurry components provided through the at least two inlet ports, and including a dispensation port configured to dispense the slurry over the polishing pad.

Abstract: A method of using a polishing system includes securing a wafer in a carrier head, the carrier head including a housing enclosing the wafer, in which the housing includes a retainer ring recess and a retainer ring positioned in the retainer ring recess, the retainer ring surrounding the wafer, in which the retainer ring includes a main body portion and a bottom portion connected to the main body portion, and a bottom surface of the bottom portion includes at least one first engraved region and a first non-engraved region adjacent to the first engraved region; pressing the wafer against a polishing pad; and moving the carrier head or the polishing pad relative to the other.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus is provided, including a polishing pad and a polishing head. The polishing pad has a polishing surface. The polishing head is configured to hold a wafer in contact with the polishing surface during the polishing process. The polishing head includes a retaining ring, at least one fluid channel, and a vacuum pump. The retaining ring is arranged along the periphery of the polishing head and configured to retain the wafer. The at least one fluid channel is provided inside the polishing head, wherein the retaining ring includes a bottom surface facing the polishing surface and a plurality of holes in fluid communication with the bottom surface and the at least one fluid channel. The vacuum pump is fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid channel.

Abstract: A method of using a polishing system includes securing a wafer in a carrier head, the carrier head including a housing enclosing the wafer, in which the housing includes a retainer ring recess and a retainer ring positioned in the retainer ring recess, the retainer ring surrounding the wafer, in which the retainer ring includes a main body portion and a bottom portion connected to the main body portion, and a bottom surface of the bottom portion includes at least one first engraved region and a first non-engraved region adjacent to the first engraved region; pressing the wafer against a polishing pad; and moving the carrier head or the polishing pad relative to the other.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing method is provided, including polishing a batch of wafers in sequence on a polishing surface of a polishing pad; conditioning the polishing surface with a pad conditioner, wherein the pad conditioner is operable to apply downward force according to a predetermined downward force stored in a controller to condition the polishing surface; measuring the downward force applied by the pad conditioner with a measurement tool when the pad conditioner is at a home position and after conditioning the polishing surface; comparing the downward force measured by the measurement tool and the predetermined downward force with the controller to determine whether a difference between the downward force measured by the measurement tool and the predetermined downward force exceeds a range of acceptable values; and calibrating the downward force applied by the pad conditioner with the controller when the difference exceeds the range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing method is provided, including polishing a batch of wafers in sequence on a polishing surface of a polishing pad; conditioning the polishing surface with a pad conditioner, wherein the pad conditioner is operable to apply downward force according to a predetermined downward force stored in a controller to condition the polishing surface; measuring the downward force applied by the pad conditioner with a measurement tool when the pad conditioner is at a home position and after conditioning the polishing surface; comparing the downward force measured by the measurement tool and the predetermined downward force with the controller to determine whether a difference between the downward force measured by the measurement tool and the predetermined downward force exceeds a range of acceptable values; and calibrating the downward force applied by the pad conditioner with the controller when the difference exceeds the range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first layer over a substrate. The method includes forming a stop layer over the first layer. The method includes forming a second layer over the stop layer. The second layer is in direct contact with the stop layer. The method includes partially removing the second layer. The method includes performing an etching process to partially remove the stop layer and an upper portion of the first layer, wherein protrusion structures are formed over a lower portion of the first layer after the etching process, and the protrusion structures include the stop layer and the upper portion of the first layer remaining after the etching process. The method includes removing the protrusion structures.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus is provided. The chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a polishing pad, a pad conditioner, a measurement tool, and a controller. The polishing pad is provided in a processing chamber for polishing a wafer placed on the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The pad conditioner is configured to condition the polishing surface. The measurement tool is provided in the processing chamber and configured to measure the downward force of the pad conditioner. The controller is coupled to the pad conditioner and the measurement tool, and is configured to adjust the downward force of the pad conditioner in response to an input from the measurement tool.

Abstract: A transporter for transporting an article used in semiconductor fabrication is provided. The transporter includes a robotic arm. The transporter further includes two platens connected to the robotic arm. Each of the two platens an inner surface facing the other, and a number of gas holes are formed on each of the inner surfaces of the two platens. The transporter also includes a gas supplier placed in communication with the gas holes. The gas supplier is used to control the flow of gas through the gas holes.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first layer over a substrate. The first layer is made of a semiconductor material. The method includes forming a stop layer over the first layer. The method includes forming a second layer over the stop layer. The second layer is in direct contact with the stop layer. The method includes removing the second layer. The method includes performing an etching process to remove the stop layer and an upper portion of the first layer. The method includes performing a first planarization process over the first layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a sacrificial gate structure is formed over a substrate. The sacrificial gate structure includes a sacrificial gate electrode. A first dielectric layer is formed over the sacrificial gate structure. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. The second and first dielectric layers are planarized and recessed, and an upper portion of the sacrificial gate structure is exposed while a lower portion of the sacrificial gate structure is embedded in the first dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is formed over the exposed sacrificial gate structure and over the first dielectric layer. A fourth dielectric layer is formed over the third dielectric layer. The fourth and third dielectric layers are planarized, and the sacrificial gate electrode is exposed and part of the third dielectric layer remains on the recessed first dielectric layer. The sacrificial gate electrode is removed.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a slurry onto a polishing pad of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) station. A workpiece is polished and polishing by-products and slurry are removed from the polishing pad by a vacuum head. A CMP apparatus includes a polishing pad configured to rotate during a CMP process. The apparatus also includes a slurry dispenser configured to deposit a slurry onto a polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus further includes a momentum vacuum assembly including a slotted opening facing the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus also includes a first suction line coupled to an upper portion of the momentum vacuum assembly and leading to a first vacuum source, the first suction line configured to transport polishing products which have been removed from the polishing pad through the slotted opening.

Abstract: A transporter for transporting an article used in semiconductor fabrication is provided. The transporter includes a robotic arm. The transporter further includes two platens connected to the robotic arm. Each of the two platens an inner surface facing the other, and a number of gas holes are formed on each of the inner surfaces of the two platens. The transporter also includes a gas supplier placed in communication with the gas holes. The gas supplier is used to control the flow of gas through the gas holes.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a slurry onto a polishing pad of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) station. A workpiece is polished and polishing by-products and slurry are removed from the polishing pad by a vacuum head. A CMP apparatus includes a polishing pad configured to rotate during a CMP process. The apparatus also includes a slurry dispenser configured to deposit a slurry onto a polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus further includes a momentum vacuum assembly including a slotted opening facing the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus also includes a first suction line coupled to an upper portion of the momentum vacuum assembly and leading to a first vacuum source, the first suction line configured to transport polishing products which have been removed from the polishing pad through the slotted opening.

Abstract: A method for transporting an article used in semiconductor fabrication is provided. The method includes moving a first transporter next to an article to have the article faces a plurality of gas holes formed on the first transporter; suspending the article with the first transporter in a non-contact manner by providing a flow of gas through the gas holes of the first transporter; and transferring the article with the first transporter while the flow of gas is continuously provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first layer over a substrate. The first layer is made of a semiconductor material. The method includes forming a stop layer over the first layer. The method includes forming a second layer over the stop layer. The second layer is in direct contact with the stop layer. The method includes removing the second layer. The method includes performing an etching process to remove the stop layer and an upper portion of the first layer. The method includes performing a first planarization process over the first layer.

Abstract: A method of using a polishing system includes securing a wafer in a carrier head, the carrier head including a housing enclosing the wafer, in which the housing includes a retainer ring recess and a retainer ring positioned in the retainer ring recess, the retainer ring surrounding the wafer, in which the retainer ring includes a main body portion and a bottom portion connected to the main body portion, and a bottom surface of the bottom portion includes at least one first engraved region and a first non-engraved region adjacent to the first engraved region; pressing the wafer against a polishing pad; and moving the carrier head or the polishing pad relative to the other.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first layer over a substrate. The method includes forming a stop layer over the first layer. The method includes forming a second layer over the stop layer. The method includes performing a first planarization process over the second layer until the stop layer is exposed. The method includes performing an etching process to remove the second layer, the stop layer, and an upper portion of the first layer. The method includes performing a second planarization process over the first layer.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a slurry onto a polishing pad of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) station. A workpiece is polished and polishing by-products and slurry are removed from the polishing pad by a vacuum head. A CMP apparatus includes a polishing pad configured to rotate during a CMP process. The apparatus also includes a slurry dispenser configured to deposit a slurry onto a polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus further includes a momentum vacuum assembly including a slotted opening facing the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus also includes a first suction line coupled to an upper portion of the momentum vacuum assembly and leading to a first vacuum source, the first suction line configured to transport polishing products which have been removed from the polishing pad through the slotted opening.