Abstract: A very thin oxide film is formed on an amorphous silicon film that is formed on a glass substrate, and an aqueous solution such as an acetate solution added with a catalyst element such as nickel by 10 to 200 ppm (adjustment needed) is dropped thereon. After the structure is held in this state for a predetermined period, spin drying is performed by using a spinner. A crystalline silicon film is obtained by subjecting the structure to a heat treatment of 550° C. and 4 hours and then to laser light irradiation. A crystalline silicon film having a smaller defect concentration is obtained by further performing a heat treatment of 550° C. and 4 hours.

Abstract: The semiconductor device according to the present invention has a semiconductor layer having not smaller than two types of crystal grains different in size within a semiconductor circuit on a same substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a notched gate structure comprising a semiconductor substrate having a first oxide layer formed thereon. A first conductive layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A portion of the first conductive layer and a portion of the first oxide layer are removed to form first gate structures. First spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the gate structure. A second oxide layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A second conductive layer is formed on the surface of the second oxide layer. The first gate structures and the second conductive layer formed thereon are then removed to form a second gate structure. Second spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the second gate structure to complete the notched gate structure process. The method of the present invention reduces the capacitance between the gate and the source/drain extension, and simplifies the process, thereby increasing the controllability of the process.

Abstract: After forming a silicon oxide film 9 on the surface of a region A of a semiconductor substrate 1, a high dielectric constant insulating film 10, a silicon film, a silicon oxide film 14 are successively deposited over the semiconductor substrate 1, and they are patterned to leave the silicon oxide film 14 in regions for forming gate electrodes. Then, after fabricating silicon films 13n and 13p by using the patterned silicon oxide film 14 as a mask, when removing the silicon oxide film 14, etching is performed under the condition where the etching selectivity of the silicon oxide film 14 to the high dielectric constant insulating film 10 becomes large, thereby leaving the high dielectric constant insulating film 10 also to portions below the end of the gate electrodes (13n, 13p). Thus, it is possible to ensure the voltage withstanding thereof and improve the characteristics of MISFET.

Abstract: A method of fabricating gates is provided. A first sacrificial layer having a first and a second gate openings therein is formed on a substrate. Next, a gate dielectric layer is formed on the substrate exposed by the first sacrificial layer. Thereafter, a second sacrificial layer is filled in the first and second gate openings. The second sacrificial layer in the first gate opening is removed, and then a first conductive layer is filled in the first gate opening as a gate of a MOS transistor of a first conductivity type. Then, the second sacrificial layer in the second gate opening is removed. A second conductive layer is filled in the second gate opening as a gate of a MOS transistor of a second conductivity type, and the first sacrificial layer is removed.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit employable with a power converter. In one embodiment, the method of forming the integrated circuit includes forming a transistor employable as a switch of a power train of the power converter by forming a gate over a semiconductor substrate. The method of forming the transistor also includes forming a source/drain by forming a lightly doped region adjacent a channel region recessed into the semiconductor substrate, forming a heavily doped region adjacent the lightly doped region, and forming an oppositely doped well within the channel region. The method of forming the transistor further includes forming a doped region with a doping concentration profile less than the heavily doped region between the heavily doped region and the oppositely doped well. The method of forming the integrated circuit also includes forming a driver switch of a driver to provide a drive signal to the transistor.

Abstract: A thin SiGe layer is provided as an additional lower gate electrode layer and is arranged between a thin gate oxide and a gate electrode layer, preferably of polysilicon. The SiGe layer can be etched selectively to the gate electrode and the gate oxide and is laterally removed adjacent the source/drain regions in order to form recesses, which are subsequently filled with a material that is appropriate for charge-trapping. The device structure and production method are appropriate for an integration scheme comprising local interconnects of memory cells, a CMOS logic periphery and means to compensate differences of the layer levels in the array and the periphery.

Abstract: A method for fabricating improved integrated circuit devices. The method enables selective hardening of gate oxide layers and includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a gate oxide layer formed thereover. A resist is then formed over the gate oxide layer and patterned to expose one or more areas of the gate oxide layer which are to be hardened. The exposed portions of the gate oxide layer are then hardened using a true remote plasma nitridation (RPN) scheme or a high-density plasma (HDP) RPN scheme. Because the RPN scheme used in the method of the present invention runs at low temperature, the patterned resist remains stable through the RPN process, and those areas of gate oxide layer which are exposed by the patterned resist are selectively hardened by the RPN treatment, while those areas covered by the patterned resist remain unaffected.

Abstract: A Schottky rectifier includes a rectifying interface between a semiconductor body and a metal layer. Trenches are formed in the surface of the semiconductor body and regions of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of the body are formed along the sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches, the regions forming PN junctions with the rest of the body. When the rectifier is reverse-biased, the depletion regions along the PN junctions merge to occupy the entire width of the mesas. The device is fabricated by implanting dopant directly through the sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches, by filling the trenches with a material containing dopant and causing the dopant to diffuse through the sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches, or by implanting and diffusing the dopant into a gate filling material.

Abstract: The present invention includes a circuit structure for ESD protection and methods of making the circuit structure. The circuit structure can be used in an ESD protection circuitry to protect certain devices in an integrated circuit, and can be fabricated without extra processing steps in addition to the processing steps for fabricating the ESD protected devices in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A high-density Germanium (Ge)-on-Insulator (GOI) photodiode array and corresponding fabrication method are provided. The method includes: forming an array of pixel driver nMOST devices, each device having a gate connected to a row line in a first orientation, a first source/drain (S/D) region, and a second S/D region connected to Vdd; forming a P-I-N Ge diode for each pixel as follows: forming a n+ region; forming an intrinsic Ge region overlying the n+ region; forming a p+ junction in the intrinsic Ge; and, isolating the P-I-N Ge diodes; and, forming an Indium Tin oxide (ITO) column in a second orientation, about orthogonal to the first orientation, overlying the P-I-N Ge diodes.

Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile DRAM includes, in part, forming a first polysilicon layer above a first dielectric layer to form a control gate of the non-volatile device of the non-volatile DRAM; forming sidewall spacers adjacent the first polysilicon layer; forming a second oxide layer; forming a second polysilicon layer above the second oxide layer, forming lightly doped areas in the body region; forming a second spacer above the body region, forming source and drain regions of the non-volatile device and the MOS transistor of the non-volatile DRAM; forming a third polysilicon layer over portions of the lightly doped areas to form polysilicon landing pads; forming a third dielectric layer above the polysilicon landing pads; and forming a fourth polysilicon layer over the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: Low dielectric materials and films comprising same have been identified for improved performance when used as interlevel dielectrics in integrated circuits as well as methods for making same. These materials are characterized as having a dielectric constant (?) a dielectric constant of about 3.7 or less; a normalized wall elastic modulus (E0?), derived in part from the dielectric constant of the material, of about 15 GPa or greater; and a metal impurity level of about 500 ppm or less. Low dielectric materials are also disclosed having a dielectric constant of less than about 1.95 and a normalized wall elastic modulus (E0?), derived in part from the dielectric constant of the material, of greater than about 26 GPa.

Abstract: A method of forming high performance logic transistors and high density flash transistors on a single substrate is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: forming a logic gate stack in a logic region on a substrate, forming a flash memory gate stack in a flash region on the substrate, depositing a hardmask layer over the logic gate stack and over the flash memory gate stack, patterning the hardmask in the logic region so that areas of hardmask remain where logic gates are desired, patterning the flash gate stack in the flash region to form flash memory gates, and etching the logic gate stack using the remaining hardmask as a mask to form logic gates.

Abstract: A new method to form a floating gate for a flash memory device is achieved. The method comprises forming a gate dielectric layer overlying a substrate. A first conductor layer is deposited overlying the gate dielectric layer. A masking layer is formed overlying the first conductor layer. The masking layer and first conductor layer are etched through. A second conductor layer is deposited overlying the masking layer, the first conductor layer, and the substrate. The second conductor layer is etched down to form spacers on the sidewalls of the first conductor layer and the masking layer. The spacers extend vertically above the top surface of the first conductor layer. The masking layer is etched away to complete said floating gate.

Abstract: A method for removing nanoclusters from a semiconductor device includes etching a selected portion of an insulating layer, flowing a reducing gas over the semiconductor device at a temperature in a range of 400–900 degrees Celsius, and flowing a gas comprising halogen over the semiconductor device at a temperature in a range of 400–900 degrees Celsius. In another form, a method for removing the nanoclusters includes implanting germanium or nitrogen into the nanociusters, etching a selected portion of the insulating layer using a dry etch process, and removing the layer of nanoclusters using a wet etch process that is selective to an insulating layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is formed by forming a resistor pattern on a substrate. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed on the resistor pattern. The interlayer dielectric layer is patterned to form at least one opening that exposes the resistor pattern. A plug pattern is formed that fills the at least one opening and the plug pattern and resistor pattern are formed using a same material.

Abstract: When fabricating trench power transistor arrangements (1) with active cell array trenches (5) and passive connecting trenches (6), the cell array trenches (5) are provided in greater width than the connecting trenches (6). An auxiliary layer (24) is deposited conformally onto a lower field electrode structure (11) in the cell array trenches (5) and the connecting trenches (6) and is etched back as far as the top edge in the connecting trenches (6), which removes it from the cell array trenches (5). The auxiliary layer (24) allows the gate oxide (20) to be patterned without a complex mask process. An edge trench (7), with an electrode, on the potential of the field electrode structure (11) shields the cell array (3) from a drain potential.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes integrated insulated-gate field-effect transistor (IGFET) elements and one or more negative differential resistance (NDR) field-effect transistor elements, combined and formed on a common substrate. Thus, a variety of circuits, including logic and memory are implemented with a combination of conventional and NDR capable FETs. Because both types of elements share a number of common features, they can be fabricated with common processing operations to achieve better integration in a manufacturing facility.

Abstract: For fabricating an LED substrate with minimal dislocations in its nitride semiconductor layers, GaN is epitaxially grown into a first formative layer overlying a multilayered buffer region on a silicon substrate. A second formative layer is then formed on the first formative layer by epitaxially growing AlN, at such a rate that interstices are created in the first formative layer by the etching action of the reactor gases in the early stages of the fabrication of the second formative layer. Then the second formative layer is etched away from over the intersticed first formative layer, leaving the interstices open. Then a filler layer of GaN is epitaxially grown on the intersticed first formative layer in interfitting engagement therewith. Dislocations are greatly reduced in active semiconductor layers formed subsequently on the filler layer.

Abstract: A negative differential resistance (NDR) field-effect transistor element is disclosed, formed on a silicon-based substrate using conventional MOS manufacturing operations. Methods for improving a variety of NDR characteristics for an NDR element, such as peak-to-valley ratio (PVR), NDR onset voltage (VNDR) and related parameters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device can be formed without use of an STI process. An insulating layer is formed over a semiconductor body. Portions of the insulating layer are removed to expose the semiconductor body, e.g., to expose bare silicon. A semiconductor material, e.g., silicon, is grown over the exposed semiconductor body. A device, such as a transistor, can then be formed in the grown semiconductor material.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor device containing semiconductor elements that have respective desired on-resistances and breakdown voltages achieves appropriate characteristics as a whole of the integrated semiconductor element. The integrated semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor elements formed in a semiconductor layer and each having a source of an n type semiconductor, a drain of the n type semiconductor and a back gate of a p type semiconductor between the source and the drain. At least a predetermined part of the drain of one semiconductor element and a predetermined part of the drain of another semiconductor element have respective impurity concentrations different from each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor material which has a high carbon dopant concentration and is composed of gallium, indium, arsenic and nitrogen is disclosed. The material is useful in forming the base layer of gallium arsenide based heterojunction bipolar transistors because it can be lattice matched to gallium arsenide by controlling the concentration of indium and nitrogen. The disclosed semiconductor materials have a low sheet resistivity because of the high carbon dopant concentration obtained.

Abstract: A structure, apparatus and method for utilizing vertically interdigitated electrodes serves to increase the capacitor area surface while maintaining a minimal horizontal foot print. Since capacitance is proportional to the surface area the structure enables continual use of current dielectric materials such as Si3N4 at current thicknesses. In a second embodiment of the interdigitated MIMCAP structure the electrodes are formed in a spiral fashion which serves to increase the physical strength of the MIMCAP. Also included is a spiral shaped capacitor electrode which lends itself to modular design by offering a wide range of discrete capacitive values easily specified by the circuit designer.

Abstract: A method for controlling dislocation position in a silicon germanium buffer layer located on a substrate includes depositing a strained silicon germanium layer on the substrate and irradiating one or more regions of the silicon germanium layer with a dislocation inducing agent. The dislocation inducing agent may include ions, electrons, or other radiation source. Dislocations in the silicon germanium layer are located in one or more of the regions. The substrate and strained silicon germanium layer may then be subjected to an annealing process to transform the strained silicon germanium layer into a relaxed state. A top layer of strained silicon or silicon germanium may be deposited on the relaxed silicon germanium layer. Semiconductor-based devices may then be fabricated in the non-damaged regions of the strained silicon or silicon germanium layer. Threading dislocations are confined to damaged areas which may be transformed into SiO2 isolation regions.

Abstract: A method for forming device isolation film of semiconductor device is provided, the method including forming a pad oxide film, a pad nitride film, and an oxide film for device isolation on a semiconductor substrate, etching a predetermined region of the oxide film for device isolation, the pad nitride film, the pad oxide film, and the semiconductor substrate to form a trench, forming a SEG silicon layer in the trench to form an active region, and forming a gap-fill insulating film on the resulting structure having a gap between sidewalls of the trench and the SEG silicon layer.

Abstract: When an SOI wafer is produced by using a bond wafer made of silicon single crystal to form an SOI layer and a base wafer made of silicon single crystal to be a support substrate, one silicon wafer selected from a group consisting of an epitaxial wafer, an FZ wafer, a nitrogen doped wafer, a hydrogen annealed wafer, an intrinsic gettering wafer, a nitrogen doped and annealed wafer, and an entire N-region wafer is used as the bond wafer. Thereby, even where a thin insulator film or a thin SOI layer is formed in the SOI wafer, COPs are hardly detected in inspection of the SOI layer after the SOI wafer was completed, and a high quality SOI wafer is provided.

Abstract: A protective disk for protecting a semiconductor wafer during processing includes an adhesive layer configured to adhere to the semiconductor wafer and a support layer coupled to the adhesive layer configured to provide strength and stiffness to the semiconductor wafer during processing. In one aspect of the invention, the protective disk is soluble in a mildly alkaline or mildly acidic solution. In another aspect, the adhesive layer comprises a high molecular weight polymer. In another aspect, the support layer comprises a polymer and a filler. The present invention may enable a robust, cost-effective, high-volume, automated process for thinning semiconductor wafers below 150 ?m, and for subsequent process steps of stress relief and transfer to a dicing frame for die singulation. Additionally, the invention enables use of existing toolsets and processes to produce thinner substrates than conventionally achievable.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition methods are used to deposit amorphous silicon-containing films over various substrates. Such methods are useful in semiconductor manufacturing to provide a variety of advantages, including uniform deposition over heterogeneous surfaces, high deposition rates, and higher manufacturing productivity. Preferably, the deposited amorphous silicon-containing film is annealed to produce crystalline regions over all or part of an underlying substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising forming a device isolation layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming gate insulating layers on the upper part of the semiconductor substrate having the device isolation layers formed thereon; forming an undoped layer for a gate electrode; implanting mixed dopant ions consisting of at least two dopant ions containing 11B ions into the undoped layer, utilizing an ion-implantation mask; and heat-treating the mixed dopant ion-implanted layer.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a laminated gate electrode, a phosphorus-doped polysilicon is formed on a gate oxide film. A high-melting metal or a compound of a high-melting metal and silicon is formed on the polysilicon. Phosphorus is doped into the polysilicon so that a concentration of the phosphorus in the polysilicon at an interface between the polysilicon and the gate oxide film is 2×1020(1/cm3) or less. Then, thermal oxidation is carried out in a wet-hydrogen atmosphere containing water vapor.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, an FEOL line conductor stack is formed including a base conductor layer, an overlying layer of tungsten, and an optional gate capping layer. The stack, including layers from the optional capping layer down to the base conductor layer are directionally etched until an underlying layer is exposed. Then, the substrate is exposed to one or the other or both of: 1) a silicon-containing ambient to form a self-aligned layer of tungsten silicide on sidewalls of the tungsten layer; and 2) a source of nitrogen to form a thin layer of tungsten nitride on sidewalls of the tungsten layer. Such tungsten silicide and/or tungsten nitride layers serves to protect the tungsten during subsequent processing, among which may include sidewall oxidation (e.g. for a polysilicon base conductor layer) and/or the forming of silicon nitride spacers on sidewalls of the gate stack.

Abstract: A method for producing a field effect transistor having source/drain electrodes of metal single-layer film firmly adhering to the gate insulating film is provided. The method includes forming a gate electrode on a support, forming a gate insulating film on the support and the gate electrode, performing treatment with a silane coupling agent on the surface of the gate insulating film, forming source/drain electrodes of metal single-layer film on the gate insulating film which has been treated with a silane coupling agent, and forming a channel-forming region of semiconductor layer on the gate insulating film held between the source/drain electrodes.

Abstract: A method for forming a nickel cap layer over copper metalized bond pad is disclosed in which the phosphorous content of the nickel cap, and particularly the surface of the nickel cap, may be controlled. The phosphorous content of the surface of the nickel cap is suitably determined such that oxidation is inhibited. The resulting nickel cap may be wire-bonded directly, without the deposition of a gold cap layer.

Abstract: A method of bonding semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first substrate having a first conductive interconnecting structure formed thereon and a second substrate having a second conductive interconnecting structure formed thereon. A first conductive passivation layer is selectively formed over exposed areas of the first conductive interconnecting structure. A second conductive passivation layer is selectively formed over exposed areas of the second conductive interconnecting structure. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together in such a way that the first conductive passivation layer bonds to the second conductive passivation layer to create a passivation-passivation interface.

Abstract: A method for passivating a substrate, such as a semiconductor substrate, that is to be “metallized,” or on which a metal film or structure is to be formed, includes exposing regions of the substrate that are to be metallized to hydrogen radicals or nitrogen radicals. The regions of the substrate that are treated in this fashion are coated or “stuffed.” Passivation of this type may be effected with a plasma that includes a gas such as argon, nitrogen, helium, or hydrogen, or a mixture of any of the foregoing, which will remove oxygen molecules from the surface to which metal adhesion is desired. The metal may then be formed thereon. Hydrogen radicals may also be used to passivate the surface of a substrate, such as a semiconductor substrate, from spontaneous fluorine etching. Such passivation is, of course, effected in a substantially fluorine free environment.

Abstract: Metal interconnection lines of semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. Improved reliability is achieved in a disclosed metal line of a semiconductor device by preventing metal layers from eroding and preventing metal lines from being destroyed due to electro-migration (EM) and stress-migration (SM). An illustrated metal interconnection line includes: a semiconductor substrate; a metal pattern on the substrate; a glue pattern under the metal pattern; an anti-reflection pattern on the metal pattern; and dummy patterns surrounding side walls of the metal pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating at least one damascene opening comprising the following steps. A structure having at least one exposed conductive structure is provided. A dielectric barrier layer over the structure and the at least one exposed conductive structure. A lower low-k dielectric layer is formed over the dielectric barrier layer. An upper low-k dielectric layer is formed over the lower low-k dielectric layer. An SRO etch stop layer is formed between the lower low-k dielectric layer and the upper low-k dielectric layer and/or an SRO hard mask layer is formed over the upper low-k dielectric layer. At least the upper and lower low-k dielectric layers are patterned to form the at least one damascene opening exposing at least a portion of the at least one conductive structure, wherein the at least one SRO layer has a high etch selectivity relative to the lower and upper low-k dielectric layers.

Abstract: A method of forming metal interconnection line for a semiconductor device being capable of forming a plug without voids irrespective of aspect ratios is provided. In one example, the method includes forming a first metal layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer; forming the plugs by patterning the second metal layer; forming the lower metal interconnection lines by patterning the first metal layer; and forming an interlayer insulating layer having a planarized surface on the substrate to fill gaps between the lower metal lines and between the plugs.

Abstract: A method of depositing a non-conductive barrier layer onto a metal surface wherein the resistance of the metal remains substantially unchanged before and after the non-conductive barrier layer deposition. The deposition process provides a low temperature processing environment so as to inhibit the formation of impurities such as silicide in the metal, wherein the silicide can adversely increase the resistance of the underlying metal.

Abstract: A method for forming conductive contacts and interconnects in a semiconductor structure, and the resulting conductive components are provided. In particular, the method is used to fabricate single or dual damascene copper contacts and interconnects in integrated circuits such as memory devices and microprocessor.

Abstract: Methods of preventing oxidation of a copper interconnect of a semiconductor device are disclosed. An example method forms a lower copper interconnect on a substrate having at least one predetermined structure, deposits a nitride layer on the lower copper interconnect and on the substrate, and sequentially depositing a first insulating layer, an etch-stop layer, and a second insulating layer on the nitride layer. The example method also forms a trench and a via hole through the second insulating layer and the first insulating layer by using a dual damascene process, etches the nitride layer so as to expose some portion of the lower copper interconnect, and supplies combining gas onto the exposed portion of the lower copper interconnect.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method including providing a semiconductor pad package having a first pad and a second pad is disclosed. A first layer comprising a first metal is deposited on the first pad using a first process. A second metal is then deposited on the first pad and the first layer using a second process. In another embodiment, the first process comprises and electroplating process, and the second process comprises a direct immersion gold (DIG) process. In a further embodiment, the first pad is a power or ground pad, and the second pad is a signal pad.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming a barrier metal in semiconductor devices are disclosed. A disclosed semiconductor device includes a metal layer on a semiconductor substrate; an interlayer dielectric layer on the metal layer, a hole in the interlayer dielectric layer that exposes a portion of the metal layer; and a barrier metal on inner walls of the hole. The barrier metal is made of TaSiN having a resistivity less than or equal to about 10,000 ?ohm-cm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device with a landing plug contact structure. The method includes the steps of: forming a plurality of gate structures on a substrate; sequentially forming a first spacer and a second spacer on sidewalls of each gate structure; forming a plurality of landing plug contacts in a predetermined regions created between the gate structures; and forming a passivation layer on a resulting substrate structure including the first and the second spacers, the landing plug contacts and the gate structures. Particularly, the passivation layer which serves to prevent hydrogen ions from diffusing into a channel region is obtained by doping an N-type dopant capable of capturing hydrogen ions. The passivation layer is also obtained by forming a nitride layer capable of preventing the diffusion of hydrogen ions.

Abstract: Methods for forming a diffusion barrier on low aspect features of an integrated circuit include at least three operations. The first operation deposits a barrier material and simultaneously etches a portion of an underlying metal at the bottoms of recessed features of the integrated circuit. The second operation deposits barrier material to provide some minimal coverage over the bottoms of the recessed features. The third operation deposits a metal conductive layer. Controlled etching is used to selectively remove barrier material from the bottom of the recessed features, either completely or partially, thus reducing the resistance of subsequently formed metal interconnects.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern finer than an existing pattern in a semiconductor device using an existing light source and a hard mask, and a method of removing the hard mask which is used as an etching mask. The method includes forming an oxide layer on a substrate; forming a polysilicon layer on the oxide layer; forming a hard mask on the polysilicon layer; depositing photoresist on the hard mask and patterning the hard mask by using the photoresist; and etching the polysilicon layer using the pattern embodied by the hard mask. By fabricating a gate oxide with a finer linewidth using a hard mask and existing equipment, the present invention can control the linewidth required in each product by using an etching process, and, therefore, has advantages such as expandability of process, extension of generality, and maximization of productivity in the production line.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling critical dimension (CD) variation at the bottom of a tapered contact via on a semiconductor substrate. The invention monitors contact vias on a wafer to detect variations in CD at the top of the via in order to facilitate selective alteration of etching component ratios in an etching process, which permits adjustment of the slope of the tapered contact vias. In this manner, the invention compensates for top CD variations to maintain desired CD at the bottom of tapered vias within a target tolerance on subsequent wafers in a wafer fabrication environment.

Abstract: A method for removing material from the surface of a semiconductor wafer with a chemical mechanical polishing process is described. The method uses a polishing pad on which a line-pattern of grooves is formed. The pattern comprises orderly spaced grooved-area and area without grooves. The method combines information of the surface topography of the wafer, the nature of the material to be removed, and the available groove pattern on the surface of the polishing pad to generate a process recipe in which the resident time of portions of the semiconductor wafer spends at the grooved and un-grooved areas of the polishing pad during the chemical mechanical polishing process is pre-determined.