Abstract: Transistor devices including stressors are disclosed. One such transistor device includes a channel region, a dielectric layer and a semiconductor substrate. The channel region is configured to provide a conductive channel between a source region and a drain region. In addition, the dielectric layer is below the channel region and is configured to electrically insulate the channel region. Further, the semiconductor substrate, which is below the channel region and below the dielectric layer, includes dislocation defects at a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, where the dislocation defects are collectively oriented to impose a compressive strain on the channel region such that charge carrier mobility is enhanced in the channel region.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first isolation dielectric pattern on the semiconductor substrate, and an active pattern on the first isolation dielectric pattern. A semiconductor pattern is interposed between the semiconductor substrate and the first isolation dielectric pattern, and a second isolation dielectric pattern is interposed between the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor pattern. The semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor pattern are electrically connected by a connection pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a SOI substrate, diodes in the SOI substrate and electronic devices in the SOI substrate and an electronic device formed using the SOI substrate. The method of forming the SOI substrate includes forming an oxide layer on a silicon first substrate; ion-implanting hydrogen through the oxide layer into the first substrate, to form a fracture zone in the substrate; forming a doped dielectric bonding layer on a silicon second substrate; bonding a top surface of the bonding layer to a top surface of the oxide layer; thinning the first substrate by thermal cleaving of the first substrate along the fracture zone to form a silicon layer on the oxide layer to formed a bonded substrate; and heating the bonded substrate to drive dopant from the bonding layer into the second substrate to form a doped layer in the second substrate adjacent to the bonding layer.

Abstract: The method described herein involves a method of forming metal gates and metal contacts in a common fill process. The method may involve forming a gate structure comprising a sacrificial gate electrode material, forming at least one conductive contact opening in a layer of insulating material positioned adjacent the gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate electrode material to thereby define a gate electrode opening, and performing a common deposition process to fill the conductive contact opening and the gate electrode opening with a conductive fill material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. A dummy gate feature is formed between two active gate features over a substrate. An isolation structure is in the substrate and the dummy gate feature is over the isolation structure. In at least one embodiment, a non-conductive material is used for forming the dummy gate feature to replace a sacrificial gate electrode.

Abstract: Self-assembled polymer technology is used to form at least one ordered nanosized pattern within material that is present in a conductive contact region of a semiconductor structure. The material having the ordered, nanosized pattern is a conductive material of an interconnect structure or semiconductor source and drain diffusion regions of a field effect transistor. The presence of the ordered, nanosized pattern material within the contact region increases the overall area (i.e., interface area) for subsequent contact formation which, in turn, reduces the contact resistance of the structure. The reduction in contact resistance in turn improves the flow of current through the structure. In addition to the above, the inventive methods and structures do not affect the junction capacitance of the structure since the junction area remains unchanged.

Abstract: A method for a power layout of an integrated circuit. The method includes providing at least one unit power cell. The unit power cell includes at least one power grid cell. Each power grid cell has at least one first power layer configured to be coupled to a high power supply voltage and at least one second power layer configured to be coupled to a lower power supply voltage. The first power layer has conductive lines in at least two different directions and the at least one second power layer has conductive lines in at least two different directions. The method further includes filling a target area in the power layout by at least one unit power cell to implement at least one power cell.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a CMOS device includes providing a substrate having a first active region and a second active region defined thereon, forming a first conductive type transistor and a second conductive type transistor respectively in the first and the second active regions, performing a salicide process, forming an ILD layer, performing a first etching process to remove a first gate of the first conductive type transistor and to form an opening while a high-K gate dielectric layer is exposed in a bottom of the opening, and forming at least a first metal layer in the opening.

Abstract: A logic switch intentionally utilizes GIDL current as its primary mechanism of operation. Voltages may be applied to a doped gate overlying and insulated from a pn junction. A first voltage initiates GIDL current, and the logic switch is bidirectionally conductive. A second voltage terminates GIDL current, but the logic switch is unidirectionally conductive. A third voltage renders the logic switch bidirectionally non-conductive. Circuits containing the logic switch are also described. These circuits include inverters, SRAM cells, voltage reference sources, and neuron logic switches. The logic switch is primarily implemented according to SOI protocols, but embodiments according to bulk protocols are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of integration of a non-volatile memory device into a MOS flow are described. Generally, the method includes: forming a dielectric stack on a surface of a substrate, the dielectric stack including a tunneling dielectric overlying the surface of the substrate and a charge-trapping layer overlying the tunneling dielectric; forming a cap layer overlying the dielectric stack; patterning the cap layer and the dielectric stack to form a gate stack of a memory device in a first region of the substrate and to remove the cap layer and the charge-trapping layer from a second region of the substrate; and performing an oxidation process to form a gate oxide of a MOS device overlying the surface of the substrate in the second region while simultaneously oxidizing the cap layer to form a blocking oxide overlying the charge-trapping layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming transistors and structures thereof A CMOS device includes high k gate dielectric materials. A PMOS device includes a gate that is implanted with an n type dopant. The NMOS device may be doped with either an n type or a p type dopant. The work function of the CMOS device is set by the material selection of the gate dielectric materials. A polysilicon depletion effect is reduced or avoided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dielectric layer containing a hafnium tantalum titanium oxide film structured as one or more monolayers include the dielectric layer disposed in a transistor. An embodiment may include forming a hafnium tantalum titanium oxide film using a monolayer or partial monolayer sequencing process such as reaction sequence atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: One example of a method disclosed herein for forming a transistor surrounded by an isolation structure includes the steps of, prior to forming the isolation structure, forming a semiconductor material on a region of a semiconducting substrate, after forming the semiconductor material, forming the isolation structure in the substrate around the semiconductor material, and forming a gate structure above the semiconductor material.

Abstract: A method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a gate structure over a substrate, the gate structure including a wide bottom portion and a narrow portion formed on top of the bottom portion; the wide bottom portion comprising a metal material and having a first width that corresponds substantially to a transistor channel length, and the narrow portion also including a metal material having a second width smaller than the first width.

Abstract: Forming a polysilicon embedded resistor within the shallow trench isolations separating the active area of two adjacent devices, minimizing the electrical interaction between two devices and reducing the capacitive coupling or leakage therebetween. The precision polysilicon resistor is formed independently from the formation of gate electrodes by creating a recess region within the STI region when the polysilicon resistor is embedded within the STI recess region. The polysilicon resistor is decoupled from the gate electrode, making it immune to gate electrode related processes. The method forms the polysilicon resistor following the formation of STIs but before the formation of the p-well and n-well implants. In another embodiment the resistor is formed following the formation of the STIs but after the formation of the well implants.

Abstract: A method for making a crossbar array of crossed conductive or semi-conductive access lines on a substrate, the crossbar array including on a crossbar array insulator, in a plane parallel to the substrate, a first level of lines including a plurality of first lines parallel with each other made of a conductive or semi-conductive material; on the first level of lines, a second level of lines including a plurality of second lines parallel with each other made of a conductive or semi-conductive material, the second lines being substantially perpendicular to the first lines. The method includes forming, on the substrate, a first cavity of substantially rectangular shape; forming a second cavity of substantially rectangular shape superimposed to the first cavity, the first and second cavities intersecting each other perpendicularly so as to form a resultant cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for multiple gate dielectric semiconductor structures and methods of forming such structures. In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate including a pixel array region, an input/output (I/O) region, and a core region. The method further includes forming a first gate dielectric layer over the pixel array region, forming a second gate dielectric layer over the I/O region, and forming a third gate dielectric layer over the core region, wherein the first gate dielectric layer, the second gate dielectric layer, and the third gate dielectric layer are each formed to be comprised of a different material and to have a different thickness.

Abstract: A mold stack including alternating insulation layers and sacrificial layers is formed on a substrate. Vertical channel regions extending through the insulation layers and sacrificial layers of the mold stack are formed. Gate electrodes are formed between adjacent ones of the insulation layers and surrounding the vertical channel regions. The gate electrodes have a greater thickness at a first location near sidewalls of the insulation layers than at a second location further away from the sidewalls of the insulation layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor component that includes gate electrodes and shield electrodes and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor component. A semiconductor material has a device region, a gate contact region, a termination region, and a drain contact region. One or more device trenches is formed in the device region and one or more termination trenches is formed in the edge termination region. Shielding electrodes are formed in portions of the device trenches that are adjacent their floors. A gate dielectric material is formed on the sidewalls of the trenches in the device region and gate electrodes are formed over and electrically isolated from the shielding electrodes. The gate electrodes in the trenches in the device region are connected to the gate electrodes in the trenches in the gate contact region. The shielding electrodes in the trenches in the device region are connected to the shielding electrodes in the termination region.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor device includes forming a nanowire suspended above a substrate, forming a dummy gate stack on a portion of the substrate and around a portion of the nanowire, removing exposed portions of the nanowire, epitaxially growing nanowire extension portions from exposed portions of the nanowire, depositing a layer of semiconductor material over exposed portions of the substrate, the dummy gate stack and the nanowire extension portions, and removing portions of the semiconductor material to form sidewall contact regions arranged adjacent to the dummy gate stack and contacting the nanowire extension portions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid high voltage device and a manufacturing method thereof. The hybrid high voltage device is formed in a first conductive type substrate, and includes at least one lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device region and at least one vent device region, wherein the LDMOS device region and the vent device region are connected in a width direction and arranged in an alternating order. Besides, corresponding high voltage wells, sources, drains, body regions, and gates of the LDMOS device region and the vent device region are connected to each other respectively.

Abstract: A finFET is formed having a fin with a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source and drain regions. The fin is etched on a semiconductor wafer. A gate stack is formed having an insulating layer in direct contact with the channel region and a conductive gate material in direct contact with the insulating layer. The source and drain regions are etched leaving the channel region of the fin. Epitaxial semiconductor is grown on the sides of the channel region that were adjacent the source and drain regions to form a source epitaxy region and a drain epitaxy region. The source and drain epitaxy regions are doped in-situ while growing the epitaxial semiconductor.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanocrystalline silicon structure for the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, e.g., memory, dynamic random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, microprocessors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a surface region. The method forms an insulating layer (e.g., silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride) overlying the surface region. In a specific embodiment, the method includes forming an amorphous silicon material of a determined thickness of less than twenty nanometers overlying the insulating layer using a chloro-silane species. The method includes subjecting the amorphous silicon material to a thermal treatment process to cause formation of a plurality of nanocrystalline silicon structures derived from the thickness of amorphous silicon material less than twenty nanometers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising forming a first gate stack portion on a substrate, the first gate stack portion including a first gate oxide layer and a first polysilicon layer on the first gate oxide layer, forming a second gate stack portion on the substrate, the second gate stack portion including a second gate oxide layer and a second polysilicon layer on the second gate oxide layer, forming a resistor portion on the substrate, the resistor portion including a third gate oxide layer and a third polysilicon layer on the third gate oxide layer, covering the resistor portion with a photoresist, removing respective first portions of the first and second polysilicon layers from the first and second gate stack portions, removing the photoresist from the resistor portion, and after removing the photoresist from the resistor portion, removing respective remaining portions of the first and second polysilicon layers from the first and second gate stack portions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device are disclosed. The method comprises forming a trench in a substrate, partially filling the trench with a first semiconductive material, forming an interface along a surface of the first semiconductive material, and filling the trench with a second semiconductive material. The semiconductor device includes a first electrode arranged along sidewalls of a trench and a dielectric arranged over the first electrode. The semiconductor device further includes a second electrode at least partially filling the trench, wherein the second electrode comprises an interface within the second electrode.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a first oxide layer on the substrate and patterning the first oxide layer utilizing a lithography process, the patterning defining a plurality of active areas on the substrate. The method includes forming a second oxide layer in each active area and forming a plurality of metal electrodes over the second oxide layer through a shadow mask technique, wherein the shadow mask technique is performed without alignment to an active area.

Abstract: A method of filling shallow trenches is disclosed. The method includes: successively forming a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer over the surface of a silicon substrate where shallow trenches are formed in; etching the second oxide layer to form inner sidewalls with an etchant which has a high etching selectivity ratio of the second oxide layer to the first oxide layer; growing a high-quality pad oxide layer by thermal oxidation after the inner sidewalls are removed; and filling the trenches with an isolation dielectric material. By using this method, the risk of occurrence of junction spiking and electrical leakage during a subsequent process of forming a metal silicide can be reduced.

Abstract: An isolation trench in a substrate of a semiconductor device includes a first shallow portion with a dielectric sidewall and a second deeper portion without a dielectric sidewall. The isolation trench is formed by forming a first shallow portion of the trench, forming dielectric sidewalls on the first shallow portion, and then etching the substrate below the first shallow portion to form the second deeper portion. Shallow isolation trenches may be formed simultaneously with the etching of the second deeper portion.

Abstract: Provided is a trench filling method, which includes: forming a silicon oxide liner on a semiconductor substrate with trenches formed therein, the trenches including narrow-width portions having a first minimum isolation width and wide-width portions having a second minimum isolation width being wider than the first minimum isolation width; forming an oxidation-barrier film on the silicon oxide liner; forming a silicon liner on the oxidation-barrier film; filling the narrow-width portions with a first filling material; filling the wide-width portions with a second filling material; and oxidizing the silicon liner.

Abstract: A method is provided for bonding a semiconductor chip to a packaging substrate while minimizing the variation in the solder ball heights and controlling the stress in the solder balls and the stress in the packaging substrate. During the solder reflow, the warp of the packaging substrate, including the absolute warp, thermal warp, and substrate to substrate variations of the warp, is constrained at a minimal level by providing a clamping constraint to the packaging substrate. During cool down of the solder balls, the stresses and strains of the solder joints are maintained at levels that do not cause tear of the solder joints or breakage of the packaging substrate by removing the clamping constraint. Thus, the bonding process provides both uniform solder height with minimized solder non-wets and stress minimization of the solder balls and the packaging substrate.

Abstract: A package structure and fabrication method thereof. The structure includes a substrate having a terminal, a chip overlying the substrate, the chip having an active surface, having a center region and periphery region, the periphery region having an electrode thereon, a patterned cover plate overlying the chip and exposing the electrode, a conductive material electrically connecting the electrode and terminal, and an encapsulant covering the terminal, conductive material, and electrode, but exposing the cover plate overlying the center region of the chip.

Abstract: Applications and demand for an IC chip formed with a silicon wafer are expected to increase, and further reduction in cost is required. An object of the invention is to provide a structure of an IC chip and a process capable of being produced at a lower cost. In view of the above described object, one feature of the invention is to provide the steps of forming a separation layer over an insulating substrate and forming a thin film integrated circuit having a semiconductor film of as an active region over the separation layer, wherein the thin film integrated circuit is not separated. In the case of using an insulating substrate, there is less limitation on the shape of the mother substrate when compared to a case of taking a chip out of a circular silicon wafer. Accordingly, reduction in cost of an IC chip can be achieved.

Abstract: A method for forming a silicon layer according to inventive concept comprises: preparing an SOI substrate; applying an etchant or vapor of the etchant to the SOI substrate; and irradiating a light to the SOI substrate.

Abstract: After depressed portions (4) have been formed in advance in that surface of a Si substrate (1) on which Si single films (8) are to be formed, that surface of the Si substrate (1) on which the Si single films are to be formed and an intermediate substrate (5) are bonded together, and elements are separated from each other by grinding the Si substrate (1) from the bottom wall side of the depressed portions (4).

Abstract: A laser processing method which can accurately cut an object to be processed along a line to cut is provided. A modified region 7 formed by multiphoton absorption forms a cutting start region 8 within an object to be processed 1 along a line to cut 5. Thereafter, the object 1 is irradiated with laser light L2 absorbable by the object 1 along the line to cut 5, so as to generate fractures 24 from the cutting start region 8 acting as a start point, whereby the object 1 can accurately be cut along the line to cut 5. Expanding an expandable film 19 having the object 1 secured thereto separates individual chips 25 from each other, which can further improve the reliability in cutting the object 1 along the line to cut 5.

Abstract: In a semiconductor wafer with a supporting tape attached to the back side of the wafer, a coating member having a refractive index close to that of the supporting tape is formed on a pear-skin surface of the supporting tape to thereby planarize the pear-skin surface. Thereafter, a pulsed laser beam is applied from the upper side of the coating member to the semiconductor wafer in the condition where the focal point of the pulsed laser beam is set at a predetermined depth in the semiconductor wafer. Accordingly, the pulsed laser beam can be sufficiently focused inside the semiconductor wafer to thereby well form a modified layer inside the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An in-situ gettering method for removing impurities from the surface and interior of a upgraded metallurgical grade silicon wafer is continuously conducted in a reaction chamber. Chloride gas is mixed with carrier gas. The gaseous mixture is used to clean the surface of the silicon wafer. Then, the gaseous mixture is used to form a porous structure on the surface of the silicon wafer before hot annealing is executed. Finally, the gaseous mixture is used to execute hot etching on the surface of the silicon wafer and remove the porous structure from the surface of the silicon wafer. As the chloride gas is used to clean the surface of the silicon wafer and form the porous structure on the surface of the silicon wafer, external gettering is improved. Moreover, interstitial-type metal impurities are effectively removed from the interior of the silicon wafer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel synthetic method for producing nanoscale heterostructures, and particularly nanoscale heterostructure particles, rods and sheets, that comprise a metal core and a monocrystalline semiconductor shell with substantial lattice mismatches between them. More specifically, the invention concerns the use of controlled soft acid-base coordination reactions between molecular complexes and colloidal nanostructures to drive the nanoscale monocrystalline growth of the semiconductor shell with a lattice structure incommensurate with that of the core. The invention also relates to more complex hybrid core-shell structures that exhibit azimuthal and radial nano-tailoring of structures. The invention is additionally directed to the use of such compositions in semiconductor devices.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including forming a first SiGe layer on an insulating film, processing the first SiGe layer to have an island shape which includes a first region and a second region, the first region having a width larger than a width of the second region in a direction perpendicular to a connecting direction of the second region, subjecting the first SiGe layer having the island shape to thermal oxidation, thereby increasing Ge composition of the first and second region, and setting the Ge composition of the second region to be higher than the Ge composition of the first region, melting the second region having the increased Ge composition by heat treatment, and recrystallizing the melted second region from an interface between the first and second region.

Abstract: Graphene layers can be formed on a dielectric substrate using a process that includes forming a copper thin film on a dielectric substrate; diffusing carbon atoms through the copper thin film; and forming a graphene layer at an interface between the copper thin film and the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A graphene lattice comprising an ordered array of graphene nanoribbons is provided in which each graphene nanoribbon in the ordered array has a width that is less than 10 nm. The graphene lattice including the ordered array of graphene nanoribbons is formed by utilizing a layer of porous anodized alumina as a template which includes dense alumina portions and adjacent amorphous alumina portions. The amorphous alumina portions are removed and the remaining dense alumina portions which have an ordered lattice arrangement are employed as an etch mask. After removing the amorphous alumina portions, each dense alumina portion has a width which is also less than 10 nm.

Abstract: A method for depositing epitaxial films of silicon carbon (Si:C). In one embodiment, the method includes depositing an n-type doped silicon carbon (Si:C) semiconductor material on a semiconductor deposition surface using a deposition gas precursor composed of a silane containing gas precursor, a carbon containing gas precursor, and an n-type gas dopant source. The deposition gas precursor is introduced to the semiconductor deposition surface with a hydrogen (H2) carrier gas. The method for depositing epitaxial films may include an etch reaction provided by hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas etchant and a hydrogen (H2) carrier gas.

Abstract: An improved technique for processing a substrate is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for processing a substrate. The method may comprise ion implanting a substrate disposed downstream of the ion source with ions generated in an ion source; and disposing a first portion of a mask in front of the substrate to expose the first portion of the mask to the ions, the mask being supported by the first and second mask holders, the mask further comprising a second portion wound in the first mask holder.

Abstract: A method of forming a transistor device includes forming a dummy gate stack structure over an SOI starting substrate, comprising a bulk layer, a global BOX layer over the bulk layer, and an SOI layer over the global BOX layer. Self-aligned trenches are formed completely through portions of the SOI layer and the global BOX layer at source and drain regions. Silicon is epitaxially regrown in the source and drain regions, with a local BOX layer re-established in the epitaxially regrown silicon, adjacent to the global BOX layer. A top surface of the local BOX layer is below a top surface of the global BOX layer. Embedded source and drain stressors are formed in the source and drain regions, adjacent a channel region. Silicide contacts are formed on the source and drain regions. The dummy gate stack structure is removed, and a final gate stack structure is formed.

Abstract: A silicon oxide film is formed on an epitaxial layer by dry thermal oxidation, an ohmic electrode is formed on a back surface of a SiC substrate, an ohmic junction is formed between the ohmic electrode and the back surface of the SiC substrate by annealing the SiC substrate, the silicon oxide film is removed, and a Schottky electrode is formed on the epitaxial layer. Then, a sintering treatment is performed to form a Schottky junction between the Schottky electrode and the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in one embodiment includes a depletion junction, a peripheral region adjacent the depletion junction, and a buffer layer. The buffer layer is adapted to reduce localization of avalanche breakdown proximate the interface between the depletion junction and the peripheral region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, the gate contact is formed by a selective deposition on the gate electrode. One acceptable technique for the selective deposition is by plating. Plating is one process by which a metal structure, such as a gate contact, may be formed directly on the gate electrode. The plating is carried out by immersing the semiconductor die in a plating solution with the gate electrode exposed. The gate contact is plated onto the gate electrode and thus is ensured of being fully aligned exactly to the gate electrode. After this, the appropriate dielectric layers are formed adjacent the gate contact and over the source and drain to ensure that the gate electrode is electrically isolated from other components of the transistor.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a MOS device with memory function is provided, which includes: providing a semiconductor substrate, a surface of the semiconductor substrate being covered by a first dielectric layer, a metal interconnect structure being formed in the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer overlying a surface of the first dielectric layer and the metal interconnect structure; forming an opening in the second dielectric layer, a bottom of the opening revealing the metal interconnect structure; forming an alloy layer at the bottom of the opening, material of the alloy layer containing copper and other metal; and performing a thermal treatment to the alloy layer and the metal interconnect structure to form, on the surface of the metal interconnect structure, a compound layer containing oxygen element. The compound layer containing oxygen element and the MOS device formed in the semiconductor substrate constitute a MOS device with memory function.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming a metal line of a semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer formed over a semiconductor substrate an etch-stop layer formed over the first insulating layer, contact holes formed by etching the etch-stop layer and the first insulating layer, Contact plugs formed within the contact holes and a second insulating layer formed over the contact plugs and the etch-stop layer. The second insulating layer is etched in order to form trenches through which the contact plugs are exposed. Metal lines are formed within the trenches. Accordingly, since a hard mask with a high dielectric constant does not remain between the metal lines, the capacitance of the metal lines can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for creating a dual damascene structure while using only one lithography and masking step. Conventional dual damascene structures utilize two lithography steps: one to mask and expose the via, and a second step to mask and expose the trench interconnection. The novel method for creating a dual damascene structure allows for a smaller number of processing steps, thus reducing the processing time needed to complete the dual damascene structure. In addition, a lower number of masks may be needed. The exemplary mask or reticle used within the process incorporates different regions possessing different transmission rates. During the exposing step, light from an exposing source passes through the mask to expose a portion of the photoresist layer on top of the wafer.