Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first n-type source/drain region 48a and a second p-type source/drain region 48b formed on a semiconductor substrate 20 away from side surfaces of first and second gate electrodes 39a, 39b at a first interval W4 respectively, a second n-type source/drain region 48c and a first p-type source/drain region 48d formed on the semiconductor substrate 20 away from side surfaces of third and fourth gate electrodes 39c, 39d at a second interval W3, which is wider than the first interval W4, respectively, and third and fourth insulating sidewalls 43c, 43d extended onto source/drain extensions 42c, 42d on both sides of third and fourth gate electrodes 39c, 39d from edges of upper surfaces of the third and fourth gate electrodes 39c, 39d respectively.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming memory circuitry. In one implementation, a semiconductor substrate includes a pair of word lines having a bit node received therebetween. A bit node contact opening is formed within insulative material over the bit node. Sacrificial plugging material is formed within the bit node contact opening between the pair of word lines. Sacrificial plugging material is removed from the bit node contact opening between the pair of word lines, and it is replaced with conductive material that is in electrical connection with the bit node. Thereafter, the conductive material is formed into a bit line.

Abstract: A process of forming an electronic device can include forming a patterned oxidation-resistant layer over a semiconductor layer that overlies a substrate, and patterning the semiconductor layer to form a semiconductor island. The semiconductor island includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the first surface lies closer to the substrate, as compared to the second surface. The process can also include forming an oxidation-resistant material along a side of the semiconductor island or selectively depositing a semiconductor material along a side of the semiconductor island. The process can further include exposing the patterned oxidation-resistant layer and the semiconductor island to an oxygen-containing ambient, wherein a first portion of the semiconductor island along the first surface is oxidized during exposing the patterned oxidation-resistant layer, the semiconductor island, and the oxidation-resistant material to an oxygen-containing ambient.

Abstract: By predoping of a layer of deposited semiconductor gate material by incorporating dopants during the deposition process, a high uniformity of the dopant distribution may be achieved in the gate electrodes of CMOS devices subsequently formed in the layer of gate material. The improved uniformity of the dopant distribution results in reduced gate depletion and reduced threshold voltage shift in the transistors of the CMOS devices.

Abstract: A gated diode nonvolatile memory cell with a charge storage structure includes a diode structure with an additional gate terminal. Various embodiments may include or exclude a diffusion barrier structure between the diode nodes. Example embodiments include the individual memory cell, an array of such memory cells, methods of operating the memory cell or array of memory cells, and methods of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device which has the following steps of forming a plurality of layered patterns obtained by stacking an insulating film, a conductor film for forming a floating gate electrode and another insulating film over a semiconductor substrate in the order of mention, forming sidewalls over the side surfaces of the plurality of layered patterns, removing a damage layer of the semiconductor substrate between any two adjacent layered patterns by dry etching, forming an insulating film over the semiconductor substrate between two adjacent layered patterns, and forming a plurality of assist gate electrodes over the insulating film between two adjacent layered patterns in self alignment therewith. According to the present invention, a semiconductor device having a flash memory has improved reliability.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a flash memory device. In the method, after forming a cell string and source/drain selection transistors, it forms a first oxide film in which a sidewall oxide film and a buffering oxide film are stacked, a nitride film, and a second oxide film for spacer on the overall structure. Then, source/drain contact holes are formed. Thus, the source/drain selection transistors are prevented from being exposed while etching the source/drain contact holes, which enhances the reliability of the flash memory device.

Abstract: The invention includes a method in which a semiconductor substrate is provided to have a memory array region, and a peripheral region outward of the memory array region. Paired transistors are formed within the memory array region, with such paired transistors sharing a source/drain region corresponding to a bitline contact location, and having other source/drain regions corresponding to capacitor contact locations. A peripheral transistor gate is formed over the peripheral region. Electrically insulative material is formed over the peripheral transistor gate, and also over the bitline contact location. The insulative material is patterned to form sidewall spacers along sidewalls of the peripheral transistor gate, and to form a protective block over the bitline contact location. Subsequently, capacitors are formed which extend over the protective block, and which electrically connect with the capacitor contact locations. The invention also includes semiconductor constructions.

Abstract: A method for preparing a trench capacitor structure first forms at least one trench in a substrate, and forms a capacitor structure in the bottom portion of the trench, wherein the capacitor structure includes a buried bottom electrode positioned on a lower outer surface of the trench, a first dielectric layer covering an inner surface of the bottom electrode and a top electrode positioned on the surface of the dielectric layer. Subsequently, a collar insulation layer is formed on the surface of the first dielectric layer above the top electrode, and a first conductive block is then formed in the collar insulation layer. A second conductive block with dopants is formed on the first conductive block, and a thermal treating process is performed to diffuse the dopants from the second conductive block into an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate to form a buried conductive region.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes a capacitor stack disposed in a case, the capacitor stack including one or more substantially planar electrode layers. The one or more substantially planar electrode layers have an etched surface, an unetched surface, and a grade bordering the etched surface and the unetched surface. Also, the present subject matter includes a lid conforming sealingly connected to the material defining the first aperture. Additionally, the present subject matter includes a feedthrough assembly connected to the capacitor stack and passing through the feedthrough hole and sealingly connected to the material defining the feedthrough hole. In the present subject matter, the one or more substantially planar electrode layers are made by printing a curable resin mask onto the one or more substantially planar electrode layers and etching the layers, the curable resin mask defining the grade and adapted to resist etching.

Abstract: The invention is to prevent dielectric breakdown of a capacitor in a semiconductor device having the capacitor and a MOS transistor formed on a same semiconductor substrate. A SiO2 film that is to be a gate insulation film of a high voltage MOS transistor is formed on a whole surface of a P-type semiconductor substrate. A photoresist layer is selectively formed in a high voltage MOS transistor formation region and on a part of a SiO2 film covering edges of trench isolation films adjacent to a capacitor formation region, and the SiO2 film is removed by etching using this photoresist layer as a mask. Since the photoresist layer functions as a mask in this etching, the edges of the trench isolation films adjacent to the capacitor are not cut too deep. The SiO2 film remaining in this etching and a SiO2 film to be formed thereafter form a capacitor insulation film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a floating gate type semiconductor device on a substrate having a surface (2), and a device thus manufactured. The method comprises:—forming, on the substrate surface, a stack comprising an insulating film (4), a first layer of floating gate material (6) and a layer of sacrificial material (8),—forming at least one isolation zone (18) through the stack and into the substrate (2), the first layer of floating gate material (6) thereby having a top surface and side walls (26),—removing the sacrificial material (8), thus leaving a cavity (20) defined by the isolation zones (18) and the top surface of the first layer of floating gate material (6), and filling the cavity (20) with a second layer of floating gate material (22), the first layer of floating gate material (6) and the second layer of floating gate material (22) thus forming together a floating-gate (24).

Abstract: A method manufactures non-volatile memory devices integrated on a semiconductor substrate and including a matrix of non-volatile memory cells and associated circuitry. The manufacturing method includes: forming a plurality of electrodes of the matrix memory cells, each electrode including a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, a second dielectric layer and a second conductive layer; and forming a plurality of electrodes of transistors of the circuitry each including a first dielectric layer and a first conductive layer. The method also includes forming first coating spacers on the side walls of the gate electrodes of the memory cell and second coating spacers on the side walls of the gate electrodes of the circuitry, the second spacers being wider than the first spacers.

Abstract: Edge termination for silicon carbide devices has a plurality of concentric floating guard rings in a silicon carbide layer that are adjacent and spaced apart from a silicon carbide-based semiconductor junction. An insulating layer, such as an oxide, is provided on the floating guard rings and a silicon carbide surface charge compensation region is provided between the floating guard rings and is adjacent the insulating layer. Methods of fabricating such edge termination are also provided.

Abstract: Power MOSFETs and fabrication processes for power MOSFETs use a continuous conductive gate structure within trenches to avoid problems arising from device topology caused when a gate bus extends above a substrate surface. The gate bus trench and/or gate structures in the device trenches can contain a metal/silicide to reduce resistance, where polysilicon layers surround the metal/silicide to prevent metal atoms from penetrating the gate oxide in the device trenches. CMP process can remove excess polysilicon and metal and planarize the conductive gate structure and/or overlying insulating layers. The processes are compatible with processes forming self-aligned or conventional contacts in the active device region.

Abstract: A transistor having a gate dielectric layer of partial thickness difference and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer having a main portion with a relatively thin thickness formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a sidewall portion with a relatively thick thickness formed on both sides of the main portion. A first gate is formed overlapping the main portion of the gate dielectric layer, and forming a second gate layer covering the sidewall portion of the gate dielectric layer and covering the first gate. The second gate layer is etched, thereby forming second gates patterned with a spacer shape on sidewalls of the first gate. The exposed sidewall portion of the gate dielectric layer is selectively etched using the second gates as a mask, thereby forming a pattern of the gate dielectric layer to be aligned with the second gates. A source/drain is formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate exposed by the second gates.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a gate that is formed in a channel region of an active region defined on a substrate. A source is formed at a first surface portion of the active region that is adjacently disposed at a first side face of the gate. A drain is formed at a second surface portion of the active region that is opposite to the first surface portion with respect to the gate. The drain has a protruded portion that is protruded from a surface portion of the substrate.

Abstract: In a phase changeable memory device and a method of formation thereof, the phase changeable memory device comprises: a lower electrode pattern on an interlayer insulating layer; an insulating pattern located on the lower electrode pattern; a phase changeable pattern penetrating the insulating pattern and the lower electrode pattern to contact the lower electrode pattern and the interlayer insulating layer; and an upper electrode on the phase changeable pattern.

Abstract: A small-size (w<0.5 micrometers) alignment mark in combination with a “k1 process” is proposed, which is particularly suited for the fabrication of trench-capacitor DRAM devices which requires highly accurate AA-DT alignment. The “k1 process” is utilized to etch away polysilicon studded in the alignment mark trenches and refresh the trench profile prior to AA pattern transferring, thereby improving wafer alignment accuracy and precision.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure having selective dopant regions in a semiconductor substrate having trenches formed therein I disclosed. In one embodiment, by a dopant source of an auxiliary structure, parts of the semiconductor structure which lie within the trenches are doped by means of a drive-in. In one embodiment, the semiconductor structure is patterned in planar regions outside the trenches and selectively doped by an implantation process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of bonding together two wafers made of materials selected from semiconductor materials by providing two wafers each having a surface that is suitable for molecular bonding; and conducting plasma activation of at least one surface of one of the wafers by directing plasma species onto the surface(s) being activated while controlling activation parameters of the plasma to provide kinetic energy to the species sufficient to create a disturbed region of controlled thickness beneath the surface(s) being activated. Advantageously, the surface of each wafer is activated for optimum results while the controlling of the activation parameters also serves to control the maximum depth of the disturbed region in the surfaces.

Abstract: The method for dicing a wafer including the steps of: reducing a thickness of a wafer to at least 0.1mm or less; forming a protection sheet tightly on one side of the wafer, the protection sheet having a Vickers hardness of 2 or more; and dicing the wafer by a grindstone, the wafer having the protection sheet thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a nano structure on a substrate with nano particles. The nano particles are deposited through a nano size pore onto the substrate. A laser beam is directed through a concentrator to focus a nano size laser beam onto the deposited nano particles on the substrate. The apparatus and method is suitable for fabricating patterned conductors, semiconductors and insulators on semiconductor wafers of a nano scale line width by direct nanoscale deposition of materials.

Abstract: In a method of forming a silicon-rich nanocrystalline structure by an ALD process, a first gas including a first silicon compound is provided onto an object to form a silicon-rich chemisorption layer on the object. A second gas including oxygen is provided onto the silicon-rich chemisorption layer to form a silicon-rich insulation layer on the object. A third gas including a second silicon compound is provided onto the silicon-rich insulation layer to form a silicon nanocrystalline layer on the silicon-rich insulation layer. The first gas, the second gas and the third gas may be repeatedly provided to alternately form the silicon-rich nanocrystalline structure having a plurality of silicon-rich insulation layers and a plurality of silicon nanocrystalline layers on the object.

Abstract: A first-conductivity-type thin film transistor and a second-conductivity-type thin film transistor are formed using a plurality of single crystal grains, the plurality of single crystal grains being formed substantially centered on each of a plurality of starting-point portions disposed on an insulating surface of a substrate, the plurality of single crystal grains being composed of at least a first single crystal grain and a second single crystal grain adjacent to each other, with a crystal grain boundary therebetween, the first-conductivity-type thin film transistor includes at least a first-conductivity-type drain region formed adjacent to the crystal grain boundary in the first single crystal grain, the second-conductivity-type thin film transistor includes at least a second-conductivity-type drain region formed adjacent to the crystal grain boundary in the second single crystal grain, and a common electrode is provided on the crystal grain boundary to lead out outputs from the first-conductivity-type dra

Abstract: The method and system for providing a magnetic element are disclosed. The method and system include providing a magnetic element stack that includes a plurality of layers and depositing a stop layer on the magnetic element stack. The method and system also include providing a dielectric antireflective coating (DARC) layer on the stop layer, forming a single layer mask for defining the magnetic element on a portion of the DARC layer, and removing a remaining portion of the DARC layer not covered by the single layer mask. The portion of the DARC layer covers a portion of the stop layer. The method further includes removing a remaining portion of the stop layer and defining the magnetic element using at least the portion of stop layer as a mask.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming a protective layer on a semiconductor layer, implanting ions having a first conductivity type through the protective layer into the semiconductor layer to form an implanted region of the semiconductor layer, and annealing the semiconductor layer and the protective layer to activate the implanted ions. An opening is formed in the protective layer to expose the implanted region of the semiconductor layer, and an electrode is formed in the opening. A semiconductor structure includes a Group III-nitride semiconductor layer, a protective layer on the semiconductor layer, a distribution of implanted dopants within the semiconductor layer, and an ohmic contact extending through the protective layer to the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: This patent specification describes methods for fabricating semiconductor device having a plurality of well structures including a triple-well structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a gate electrode in which a fine gate electrode can effectively be manufactured by thickening a resist opening for gate electrodes formed by ordinary electron beam lithography so as to reduce opening dimensions. The method of manufacturing a gate electrode of the present invention includes a step of forming a laminated resist including at least an electron beam resist layer as a lowermost layer on a surface where a gate electrode is to be formed; a step of forming an opening in layer(s) other than the lowermost layer; a step of forming a gate electrode opening on the lowermost layer exposed from the opening; a step of reducing the gate electrode opening selectively; and a step of forming a gate electrode in the gate electrode opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. A source slot and a drain contact region are formed at opposite ends of a NAND string disposed on a substrate of a NAND memory array using a single mask. The drain contact region is self-aligned to a drain select gate. The NAND string has a plurality of memory cells connected in series.

Abstract: A method for forming a landing contact plug in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the steps of: forming a plurality of gate structures on a substrate, each gate structure including a gate hard mask; forming an inter-layer insulation layer over the gate structures; planarizing the inter-layer insulation layer until the gate hard mask is exposed; forming an etch barrier layer on the inter-layer insulation layer; etching a predetermined portion of the inter-layer insulation layer by using the etch barrier layer as an etch barrier to form a plurality of contact holes; forming a conductive layer until the conductive layer fills the contact holes; removing surface roughness created during the formation of the conductive layer by a first etch-back process; and planarizing the conductive layer by a second etch-back process until the gate hard mask is exposed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electrical connecting structure of a circuit board is disclosed. The method includes: providing a circuit board having a plurality of first and a plurality of second conductive pads; forming on the circuit board a solder mask having a plurality of openings to thereby expose the first and the second conductive pads; forming an metal adhesive layer on the first and the second conductive pads; forming a conductive layer on the circuit board and the metal adhesive layer; forming on the conductive layer a resistive layer, wherein a plurality of openings are formed in the resistive layer to expose the conductive layer on the second conductive pads; forming a metal post by electroplating through the conductive layer on the second conductive pads; removing the resistive layer and the conductive layer covered underneath; and forming a soldering layer on the metal post.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure includes forming a gate dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate and a metal gate conductor on the gate dielectric layer. A cap layer is formed on the metal gate conductor. The method provides for patterning the cap layer, the gate metal layer and the gate dielectric layer to form a capped gate conductor. At least one spacer is formed to cover sidewalls of the metal gate conductor and the cap layer, such that the cap layer and the spacer encloses the metal gate conductor layer therein. At least one self-aligned contact structure formed next to the metal gate conductor on the semiconductor substrate. As such, the cap layer and the spacer separate the self-aligned contact structure from directly contacting the metal gate conductor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a laser marking, forming a trench pattern, forming a metal interconnection layer, removing a predetermined portion of the metal interconnection layer, and planarizing the metal interconnection layer. The laser marking is formed in a first region of a wafer, and the first region has a first width from an edge of the wafer. The trench pattern is formed above the wafer except for above the first region. The metal interconnection layer is formed above the wafer where the laser marking and the trench pattern are formed. The predetermined portion of the metal interconnection layer is removed, and the predetermined portion has a second width from the edge of the wafer equal to or greater than the first width. And the metal interconnection layer above the wafer where the trench pattern is formed is planarized to a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the creation of interconnect lines. Fine line interconnects are provided in a first layer of dielectric overlying semiconductor circuits that have been created in or on the surface of a substrate. A layer of passivation is deposited over the layer of dielectric, a thick second layer of dielectric is created over the surface of the layer of passivation. Thick and wide interconnect lines are created in the thick second layer of dielectric. The first layer of dielectric may also be eliminated, creating the wide thick interconnect network on the surface of the layer of passivation that has been deposited over the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: In order to improve the reliability of a semiconductor device having a fuse formed by a Damascene technique, a barrier insulating film and an inter-layer insulating film are deposited over a fourth-layer wiring and a fuse. The barrier insulating film is an insulating film for preventing the diffusion of Cu and composed of a SiCN film deposited by plasma CVD like the underlying barrier insulating film. The thickness of the barrier insulating film covering the fuse is larger than the thickness of the underlying barrier insulating film so as to improve the moisture resistance of the fuse.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit device having an inlaid interconnect structure by embedding a conductor film in a recess, such as a trench or hole, formed in an organic insulating film which constitutes an interlevel dielectric film and includes an organosiloxane as a main component, the recess, such as a trench or hole, is formed by subjecting the organic insulating film to plasma dry etching in a CF-based gas/N2/Ar gas in order to suppress the formation of an abnormal shape on the bottom of the recess, upon formation of a photoresist film over the organic insulating film, followed by formation of the recess therein with the photoresist film as an etching mask.

Abstract: Thin films are formed by formed by atomic layer deposition, whereby the composition of the film can be varied from monolayer to monolayer during cycles including alternating pulses of self-limiting chemistries. In the illustrated embodiments, varying amounts of impurity sources are introduced during the cyclical process. A graded gate dielectric is thereby provided, even for extremely thin layers. The gate dielectric as thin as 2 nm can be varied from pure silicon oxide to oxynitride to silicon nitride. Similarly, the gate dielectric can be varied from aluminum oxide to mixtures of aluminum oxide and a higher dielectric material (e.g., ZrO2) to pure high k material and back to aluminum oxide. In another embodiment, metal nitride (e.g., WN) is first formed as a barrier for lining dual damascene trenches and vias. During the alternating deposition process, copper can be introduced, e.g.

Abstract: In the present invention, a barrier film 20 is formed by forming a tungsten nitride film 21 and subsequently by forming a tungsten silicide film 22. The tungsten silicide film 22 is exposed at the surface of the barrier film 20, and an electrode film 25? is formed so as to be brought into close contact with the tungsten silicide film 22. Since a conductive material constituting the electrode film 25? is chemically bound to silicon atoms in the tungsten silicide film 22, the adhesion between the barrier film 20 and the electrode film 25? is high, and the electrode film 25? resists peeling from the barrier film 20. Further, agglomeration is not likely to occur in the electrode film 25? during annealing.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gate electrode for a semiconductor comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; providing on the substrate a layer of a first material of thickness tp, the first material being selected from the group consisting of Si, Si1-x—Gex alloy, Ge and mixtures thereof and a layer of metal of thickness tm; and annealing the layers, such that substantially all of the first material and the metal are consumed during reaction with one another.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a through conductor that penetrates from an upper surface of a silicon substrate to its lower surface. The through conductor is manufactured in steps which provide a first conductor which extends in the direction of thickness of the silicon substrate from the upper surface of the silicon substrate, and a second conductor which has a size in the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction is smaller than that of the first conductor and which penetrates the silicon substrate from a bottom face of the first conductor to the lower surface of the silicon substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing thin nickel (Ni) monosilicide or NiSi films (having a thickness on the order of about 30 nm or less), as contacts in CMOS devices wherein an amorphous Ni alloy silicide layer is formed during annealing which eliminates (i.e., completely by-passing) the formation of metal-rich silicide layers. By eliminating the formation of the metal-rich silicide layers, the resultant NiSi film formed has improved surface roughness as compared to a NiSi film formed from a metal-rich silicide phase. The method of the present invention also forms Ni monosilicide films without experiencing any dependence of the dopant type concentration within the Si-containing substrate that exists with the prior art NiSi films.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electronic, optical or magnetic devices requiring an array of large numbers of small feature in which regions defining individual features of the array are foamed by the steps of: (a) depositing a very thin film of a highly soluble solid onto a flat hydrophilic substrate; (b) exposing he film to solvent vapor under controlled conditions so that the film reorganizes into an array of discrete hemispherical islands on the surface; (c) depositing a film of a suitable resist material over the whole surface; (d) removing the hemispherical structures together with their coating of resist leaving a resist layer with an array of holes corresponding to the islands; and (e) subjecting the resulting structure to a suitable etching process so as to form a well at the position of each hole.

Abstract: Patterns are formed in a semiconductor device by defining a lower layer that includes a first region and a second region on a semiconductor substrate, forming first patterns with a first pitch that extend to the first and second regions, forming second patterns with a second pitch in the second region that are alternately arranged with the first patterns, forming a space insulating layer that covers the first and second patterns and comprises gap regions that are alternately arranged with the first patterns so as to correspond with the second patterns, forming third patterns that correspond to the second patterns in the gap regions, respectively, etching the space insulating layer between the first and second patterns and between the first and third patterns, such that the space insulating layer remains between the second patterns and the third patterns, and etching the lower layer using the first, second, and third patterns and the remaining space insulating layer between the second and third patterns as an

Abstract: Disclosed is a CMP slurry comprising a Cu oxidizing agent, a complexing agent for forming a Cu organic complex, a surfactant, an inorganic particle, and a resin particle containing polystyrene, having on the surface thereof a functional group of the same kind of polarity as that of the inorganic particle and having an average particle diameter of less than 100 nm, the resin particle being incorporated at a concentration of less than 1% by weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for removing overfilled substrates, preferably at a relatively high removal rates. Advantageously, a composition according to the invention can contain an oxidizer, preferably a per-type oxidizer such as a peroxide, periodic acid, and peracetic acid, and may also optionally contain an abrasive.

Abstract: Light extraction features are provided for a light emitting device having a substrate and a semiconductor light emitting element on the substrate by shaping a surface of a layer of semiconductor material utilizing a laser to define three dimensional patterns in the layer of semiconductor material. The layer of semiconductor material may be the substrate. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the layer of semiconductor material is shaped by applying laser light to the layer of semiconductor material at an energy sufficient to remove material from the layer of semiconductor material. The laser light may also by applied in a blanket manner at a level below the ablation threshold. The application of laser light to the layer of semiconductor material may be followed by etching the substrate. The layer of semiconductor material may be anisotropically etched. A mask could also be patterned utilizing laser light and the layer of semiconductor material etched using the mask.

Abstract: This invention includes methods of forming openings into dielectric material. In one implementation, an opening is partially etched through dielectric material, with such opening comprising a lowest point and opposing sidewalls of the dielectric material. At least respective portions of the opposing sidewalls within the opening are lined with an electrically conductive material. With such electrically conductive material over said respective portions within the opening, plasma etching is conducted into and through the lowest point of the dielectric material of the opening to extend the opening deeper within the dielectric material. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device with a borderless via/wiring structure includes the steps of performing borderless via etching using a resist mask to form a contact hole in an interlevel dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate so as to expose two different metal materials of lower layer patterns in the contact hole; and performing plasma irradiation using an H2O-containing gas prior to a wet process when removing the resist mask.

Abstract: A method using an etchant and a laser for localized precise heating enables precise etching and release of MEMS devices with improved process control while expanding the number of materials used to make MEMS, including silicon-dioxide patterned films buried in and subsequently released from bulk silicon, as a direct write method of release of patterned structures that enables removal of only that material needed to allow the device to perform to be precisely released, after which, the bulk material can be further processed for additional electrical or packaging functions.