Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology include semiconductor processing methods to make boron-and-silicon-containing layers that have a changing atomic ratio of boron-to-silicon. The methods may include flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber, and also flowing a boron-containing precursor and molecular hydrogen (H2) into the substrate processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The boron-containing precursor and the H2 may be flowed at a boron-to-hydrogen flow rate ratio. The flow rate of the boron-containing precursor and the H2 may be increased while the boron-to-hydrogen flow rate ratio remains constant during the flow rate increase. The boron-and-silicon-containing layer may be deposited on a substrate, and may be characterized by a continuously increasing ratio of boron-to-silicon from a first surface in contact with the substrate to a second surface of the boron-and-silicon-containing layer furthest from the substrate.

Abstract: An etch chemistry solution for treating metallic surfaces in which the etch chemistry solution includes an oxidizing agent and gluconic acid. The etch chemistry solution may also include an oxidizing agent and a short-chained polyethylene polymer glycol or a short-chained polyethylene copolymer glycol. The metallic surfaces are usually used in circuits such as flexible circuits.

Abstract: A slurry for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) includes an aqueous liquid carrier, an oxygen and anion containing transition metal compound or polyatomic cations including a transition metal and oxygen or hydrogen, and a per-based oxidizer. The anion for the oxygen and anion containing transition metal compound can include oxynitrate, oxychloride, oxyhydroxide, oxyacetate, oxysulfide, or oxysulfate. The per-based oxidizer can be a permanganate compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for etching a silicon-containing film to form a patterned structure, methods for reinforcing and/or strengthening and/or minimizing damage of a patterned mask layer while forming a patterned structure and methods for increasing etch resistance of a patterned mask layer in a process of forming a patterned structure. The methods include using an activated iodine-containing etching compound having the formula CnHxFyIz, wherein 4?n?10, 0?x?21, 0?y?21, and 1?z?4 as an etching gas. The activated iodine-containing etching compound produces iodine ions, which are implanted into the patterned hardmask layer, thereby strengthening the patterned mask layer.

Abstract: An etching method for performing side-etching of silicon germanium layers of a substrate having alternating silicon layers and the silicon germanium layers formed thereon is provided. The method includes modifying surfaces of residuals by supplying a plasmarized gas containing hydrogen to the residuals on exposed end surfaces of the silicon germanium layers, and performing side-etching on the silicon germanium layers by supplying a fluorine-containing gas to the silicon germanium layers.

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array and conductive through-array-vias (TAVs) comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. A mask is formed comprising horizontally-elongated trench openings and operative TAV openings above the stack. Etching is conducted of unmasked portions of the stack through the trench and operative TAV openings in the mask to form horizontally-elongated trench openings in the stack and to form operative TAV openings in the stack. Conductive material is formed in the operative TAV openings in the stack to form individual operative TAVs in individual of the operative TAV openings in the stack. A wordline-intervening structure is formed in individual of the trench openings in the stack.

Abstract: Polishing compositions that can selectively and preferentially polish certain dielectric films over other dielectric films are provided herein. These polishing compositions include either cationic or anionic abrasives based on the target dielectric film to be removed and preserved. The polishing compositions utilize a novel electrostatic charge based design, where based on the charge of the abrasives and their electrostatic interaction (forces of attraction or repulsion) with the charge on the dielectric film, various material removal rates and polishing selectivities can be achieved.

Abstract: A method for assessing the quality of a multi-channel micro- and/or subwavelength-optical projection unit is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: At least a predefined portion of the optical projection unit is illuminated so that an image is generated by at least two channels of the predefined portion of the multi-channel optical projection unit. At least one characteristic quantity is determined based on the analysis of the image, wherein a value of the characteristic quantity is associated with a characteristic feature of the projection unit, a defect of the projection unit and/or a defect class of the projection unit. The quality of the projection unit is assessed based on the at least one characteristic quantity. Moreover, a test system for assessing the quality of a multi-channel micro- and/or subwavelength-optical projection unit and a computer program are disclosed.

Abstract: A polishing liquid for polishing a surface to be polished containing cobalt, the polishing liquid containing abrasive grains, at least one sugar component selected from the group consisting of a sugar alcohol, a sugar alcohol derivative, and a polysaccharide, an acid component, and water, in which a pH of the polishing liquid is more than 8.0.

Abstract: A polishing liquid containing abrasive grains, a hydroxy acid, a polyol, and a liquid medium, in which a zeta potential of the abrasive grains is positive, and the hydroxy acid has one carboxyl group and one to three hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dry etching agent having less load on global environment and capable of anisotropic etching without the use of special equipment and obtaining a good processing shape and to provide a dry etching method using the dry etching agent. The dry etching agent according the present invention contains at least a hydrofluoroalkylene oxide represented by the following chemical formula: CF3—CxHyFzO (where x=2 or 3; y=1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and z=2x?1?y) and having an oxygen-containing three-membered ring. The dry etching method according to the present invention includes selectively etching of at least one kind of silicon-based material selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon and silicon carbide with the use of a plasma gas generated by plasmatization of the dry etching agent.

Abstract: An end of polishing of a wafer is determined for each of wafers at a high accuracy. A wafer processing method includes: a first process of acquiring an initial state of a processing target surface of a wafer; a second process of forming a coating film on the wafer after the first process; a third process of polishing the processing target surface of the wafer by a polishing member based on initial polishing conditions in a state where the polishing member is in contact with the processing target surface of the wafer; a fourth process of acquiring a processed state of the processing target surface of the wafer after the third process; and a fifth process of determining an end of polishing, an insufficiency in polishing, or an excess in polishing based on the initial state and the processed state.

Abstract: A polishing composition that can not only achieve high polishing speed, but also can improve the surface smoothness (surface quality) of a polished substrate and reduce defects is provided. That is, provided is a polishing composition comprising silica particles and a water soluble polymer, wherein the contained silica particles satisfy the following requirements (a) to (c): (a) the primary particle diameter based on the specific surface area is 5 to 300 nm; (b) the coefficient of variation in the particle diameter is 10% or less; and (c) the Sears number Y is 10.0 to 12.0.

Abstract: Provided are a polishing composition capable of effectively reducing or eliminating a step difference on a surface of an object to be polished consisting of a single material, a method of using such a polishing composition, and a method of producing a substrate. The polishing composition of the present invention contains an abrasive grain, a pH adjusting agent, a dispersing medium, and at least one kind of first water-soluble polymer having a lactam structure and at least one kind of second water-soluble polymer containing an alkylene oxide represented by the following Formula (I) in the structure, CxH2xOn??(I) (in the Formula (I), X is an integer of 3 or more and n is an integer of 2 or more.).

Abstract: Provided is a chemical-mechanical polishing composition including an abrasive, a basic component, a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by the formula (i) RO-(AO)n—H, wherein R is a linear or branched C1 to C15 alkyl group, A is an alkylene group selected from the group consisting of an ethylene group, a propylene group, and a combination thereof, and n represents average addition mol numbers of AO and is 2 to 30, and an aqueous carrier, a rinse composition including the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether and an aqueous carrier, and a substrate chemical-mechanical polishing method and a rinsing method in which these are used.

Abstract: An aqueous composition may include: (A) a fluoride ion supply source in an amount that gives a fluoride ion concentration of 0.05 to 30 mmol/L in the composition; (B) a cation supply source in an amount that gives a mole ratio of cations of 0.3 to 20 to the fluoride ions in the composition; and (C) 0.0001 to 10 mass % of one or more compounds selected from a C4-13 alkylphosphonic acid, a C4-13 alkylphosphonate ester, a C4-13 alkyl phosphate and a salt thereof, with respect to the total amount of the composition, wherein pH is in a range of from 2 to 6.

Abstract: A process for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate containing tungsten and titanium is provided comprising: providing the substrate; providing a polishing composition, containing, as initial components: water; an oxidizing agent; a chitosan; a dicarboxylic acid, wherein the dicarboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of propanedioic acid and 2-hydroxypropanedioic acid; a source of iron ions; a colloidal silica abrasive with a positive surface charge; and, optionally pH adjusting agent; providing a chemical mechanical polishing pad, having a polishing surface; creating dynamic contact at an interface between the polishing pad and the substrate; and dispensing the polishing composition onto the polishing surface at or near the interface between the polishing pad and the substrate; wherein some of the tungsten (W) and some of the titanium (Ti) is polished away from the substrate with a removal selectivity for the tungsten (W) relative to the titanium (Ti).

Abstract: The present invention provides a polishing composition having a high polishing speed and a low etching speed and capable of achieving sufficient flattening. The present invention is a polishing composition containing abrasive grains, an oxidizing agent, an acid, an anticorrosive containing a compound represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof, and a dispersing medium. (In the formula (1), R1 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 or more and 30 or less carbon atoms or a linear or branched alkenyl group having 6 or more and 30 or less carbon atoms, R2 is a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 or more and 4 or less carbon atoms, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 or more and 10 or less carbon atoms.

Abstract: A substrate processing method includes holding a substrate; and supplying an etching liquid to the substrate held in the holding of the substrate. The etching liquid contains an etching agent configured to etch a metal-based first material and a silicon-based second material exposed on the substrate and a protection agent configured to react with the second material between the first material and the second material to form a protection layer on a surface of the second material. Here, the etching agent is a liquid which contains fluorine atoms and an organic solvent and substantially does not contain water, and the protection layer protects the second material from etching with the etching agent.

Abstract: There are provided a chemical mechanical polishing composition, a chemical mechanical polishing slurry and a method for polishing a substrate that can realize a polishing rate equivalent to or higher than that of the existing polishing agent even if total metal content is decreased, or can realize remarkably higher polishing rate than that of the existing polishing agent when using total metal content identical as before. The chemical mechanical polishing composition comprises an iron-based metal catalyst, and a magnesium-based metal catalyst, wherein the metal content of the iron-based metal catalyst is equal to or greater than the metal content of the magnesium-based metal catalyst.

Abstract: A modified colloidal silica is produced by mixing an effective amount of an alkyl silicate to form a colloidal silica, followed by treating the colloidal silica with an effective amount of a polyethersilane to form a modified colloidal silica.

Abstract: A polishing liquid is a polishing liquid used for chemical mechanical polishing, the polishing liquid including colloidal silica; and a buffering agent excluding phosphoric acid, in which the buffering agent is a compound having a pKa within a range of X±1 in a case where a pH of the polishing liquid is denoted by X, a zeta potential of the colloidal silica measured in a state where the colloidal silica is present in the polishing liquid is ?20 mV or less, an electrical conductivity is 200 ?S/cm or more, and a pH is 2 to 6.

Abstract: The use of an additive, including at least one water-soluble polymer, which is a homo-or copolymer of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and optionally at least one alkali silicate as a liquefier for geopolymers. The additive can be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner and is particularly suitable for liquefying geopolymers, in particular geopolymers containing metakaolin.

Abstract: A composition for semiconductor processing comprises: polishing particles; a thiazolinone compound; and a solvent, wherein a logarithmic reduction factor of a microorganism in the composition, as calculated by Formula 1, is at least 4: Logarithmic reduction factor=log(CFU0/CFUX)??Formula 1 where CFU0 is an initial concentration (CFU/mL) of the microorganism, CFUX is a concentration (CFU/mL) of the microorganism remaining after standing at room temperature for X days, and X is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an etching solution composition for selectively etching only silver, a silver alloy, or a silver compound, and to a circuit forming method using the composition. The circuit forming method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in a substrate material in which an electrically conductive seed layer and a circuit layer are formed of heterogeneous metals, only the seed layer is selectively etched to enable the implementation of fine pitches. In addition, the present invention relates to a circuit forming method and an etching solution composition, wherein only a seed layer of silver (Ag), a silver alloy, or a silver compound is selectively etched without etching a copper (Cu) plated circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor film containing silicon that is evenly doped in the semiconductor film with an enhanced semiconductor property and a method of the semiconductor film using a dopant material containing a complex compound that contains at least silicon and a halogen. The complex compound further contains a hydrocarbon group that is optionally substituted or heterocyclic group that is optionally substituted. A semiconductor film containing Si doped into the semiconductor film as a dopant to a depth that is at least 0.3 ?m or deeper from a surface of the semiconductor film is obtained by forming the semiconductor film in that the dopant material is doped, the semiconductor film is 100 ?m or less in film thickness with carrier density that is 1×1020/cm3 or less and electron mobility that is 1 cm2/Vs or more.

Abstract: Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) polishing compositions comprising abrasive particles and additives to boost removal rates of films comprising elemental silicon such as poly-silicon and Silicon-Germanium.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a 3D NAND flash memory are disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a hardmask pattern on the hardmask layer, and using the hardmask pattern to form apertures in the alternating layers by selectively plasma etching the alternating layers versus the hardmask layer using a hydrofluorocarbon etching gas selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (C3H2F6), 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane (iso-C3H2F6), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (C3HF7), and 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane (iso-C3HF7), wherein the first etching layer comprises a material different from that of the second etching layer.

Abstract: Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) compositions, systems and methods of using the compositions for polishing tungsten or tungsten-containing substrates. The compositions comprise nano-sized abrasive; metal compound coated organic polymer particles as solid state catalyst; oxidizer; tungsten corrosion inhibitor; and a water based liquid carrier.

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array and conductive through-array-vias (TAVs) comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. A mask is formed comprising horizontally-elongated trench openings and operative TAV openings above the stack. Etching is conducted of unmasked portions of the stack through the trench and operative TAV openings in the mask to form horizontally-elongated trench openings in the stack and to form operative TAV openings in the stack. Conductive material is formed in the operative TAV openings in the stack to form individual operative TAVs in individual of the operative TAV openings in the stack. A wordline-intervening structure is formed in individual of the trench openings in the stack.

Abstract: A polishing composition according to the present invention includes: silica; an anionic water-soluble polymer; at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphonate group-containing compound, a phosphate group-containing compound, and an amino group-containing compound; and a dispersing medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical-mechanical polishing slurry composition having a small change in pH over time under an acidic condition and thus being easy to store for a long time. The chemical-mechanical polishing slurry composition includes an abrasive; an amount of about 0.000006 to 0.01 weight % of an aluminum component based on the total weight of the polishing slurry composition; and water. The number of silanol groups on a surface of the abrasive and a content of the aluminum component satisfy the requirements of following Equation 1: 0.0005?(S*C)*100?4.5,??[Equation 1] wherein, S is the number of the silanol groups present on 1 nm2 of the abrasive surface (unit: number/nm2), and C is the content of the aluminum component (weight %) in the slurry composition.

Abstract: Compositions useful for the selective removal of silicon germanium materials relative to germanium-containing materials and silicon-containing materials from a microelectronic device having same thereon. The removal compositions include at least one diol and are tunable to achieve the required SiGe:Ge removal selectivity and etch rates.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to etching compositions that are useful for, e.g., selectively removing silicon germanium (SiGe) from a semiconductor substrate as an intermediate step in a multistep semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for sufficiently removing organic residues remaining on the surface of an object to be polished which contains silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or polysilicon and has been polished. The present invention relates to a surface treatment composition including a polymer compound having a sulfonic acid (salt) group and water, wherein the surface treatment composition has a pH value of less than 7 and the surface treatment composition is used for decreasing an organic residue on a surface of an object to be polished which contains silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or polysilicon and has been polished.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and a method of electrochemical oxidation of manganese(II) ions to manganese(III) ions in the electrolytic cell are described. The electrolytic cell comprises (1) an electrolyte solution of manganese(II) ions in a solution of at least one acid; (2) a cathode immersed in the electrolyte solution; and (3) an anode immersed in the electrolyte solution and spaced apart from the cathode. Various anode materials are described including vitreous carbon, reticulated vitreous carbon, woven carbon fibers, lead and lead alloy. Once the electrolyte is oxidized to form a metastable complex of manganese(III) ions, a platable plastic may be contacted with the metastable complex to etch the platable plastic. In addition, a pretreatment step may also be performed on the platable plastic prior to contacting the platable plastic with the metastable complex to condition the plastic surface.

Abstract: Provided is a plasma etching method comprising supplying heptafluoropropyl methyl ether (HFE) gas, argon (Ar) gas and oxygen (O2) gas to a plasma chamber receiving an etching target therein, thereby to plasma-etch the etching target.

Abstract: The yield of a manufacturing process of a display device is increased. The productivity of a display device is increased. A hydrogen-containing layer is formed over a substrate. Then, an oxygen-containing layer is formed over the hydrogen-containing layer. After that, a first layer is formed over the oxygen-containing layer with the use of a material containing a resin or a resin precursor. Subsequently, first heat treatment is performed on the first layer, so that a resin layer is formed. Next, a layer to be peeled is formed over the resin layer. The layer to be peeled and the substrate are separated from each other. The first heat treatment is performed in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing compositions that comprise a mixture of (a) one or more alkoxylated diamines having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 1,000 to 20,000, or, preferably, from 1000-15000 and having four (poly)alkoxy ether groups each containing from 5 to 100 alkoxy repeat units; (b) from 0.01 to 2 wt. % or, preferably, from 0.1 to 1.5 wt. %, as solids, based on the total weight of the compositions, of one or more aqueous dispersions of elongated, bent or nodular colloidal silica particles, preferably, having a secondary particle size as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) of from 20 to 60 nm; and (c) ammonia or an amine base, wherein the compositions have a pH ranging from 9 to 11. The compositions are substantially free of metals, such as alkali or alkaline earth metals that can damage substrates in polishing.

Abstract: A composition for removing photoresist, including an alkyl ammonium fluoride salt in an amount ranging from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, based on a total weight of the composition; an organic sulfonic acid in an amount ranging from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition; and a lactone-based solvent in an amount ranging from about 70 weight percent to about 98.5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Methods for selectively depositing films by atomic layer deposition are disclosed. Substrate surfaces are passivated by hydrosilylation to prevent deposition and allow selective deposition on unpassivated surfaces.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of producing an integrated circuit includes forming a lower conductor element overlying a substrate, and forming a magnetic stack layer overlying the lower conductor element. A waste portion of the magnetic stack layer is removed with a wet etchant to produce a magnetic core. The wet etchant includes hydrofluoric acid, a second acid different than the hydrofluoric acid, an oxidizer, and a solvent.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polishing composition which can sufficiently improve a polishing speed of an object to be polished having a silicon-oxygen bond such as a silicon oxide film or a polishing speed of an object to be polished having a silicon-nitrogen bond such as a silicon nitride film. Providing a polishing composition including: (1) an organic compound which has an action site interacting with an object to be polished having a silicon-oxygen bond or a silicon-nitrogen bond and an acceleration site accelerating an access of a component polishing an object to be polished to the object to be polished; (2) abrasive grains; and (3) a dispersing medium.

Abstract: A method for selectively forming a silicon nitride film on a substrate comprising a first metallic surface and a second dielectric surface by a cyclical deposition process is disclosed. The method may comprise contacting the substrate with a first reactant comprising a silicon halide source and contacting the substrate with a second reactant comprising a nitrogen source, wherein the incubation period for the first metallic surface is less than the incubation period for the second dielectric surface. Semiconductor device structures comprising a selective silicon nitride film are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic film CMP slurry composition for polishing an organic film, which includes at least either of a polar solvent or a non-polar solvent and a metal oxide abrasive, is acidic, and has a carbon content of around 50 to 95 atm %, and a polishing method using the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for planarizing a metal-dielectric surface. The method includes: providing a slurry to a first metal-dielectric surface, wherein the first metal-dielectric surface comprises a silicon oxide portion and a metal portion, and wherein the slurry comprises a ceria compound; and performing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) operation using the slurry to simultaneously remove the silicon oxide portion and the metal portion. The present disclosure also provides a method for planarizing a metal-dielectric surface and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor.

Abstract: To provide a technology by which, on the occasion of polishing an object to be polished including: (a) material having silicon-nitrogen bonds; and (b) other material, the ratio of the polishing speed for the material (a) with respect to the polishing speed for the material (b) can be increased. The polishing composition of the present invention is a polishing composition used for polishing an object to be polished including: (a) material having silicon-nitrogen bonds; and (b) other material, the polishing composition including: an organic acid-immobilized silica; and a particular selection ratio improver for increasing the ratio of the polishing speed for the material (a) with respect to the polishing speed for the material (b).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid composition that can be used in chemical-mechanical polishing processes of inorganic material. The fluid composition can include at least one oxidizing agent and a multivalent cation component. Using the fluid composition during a chemical-mechanical polishing process can facilitate a relatively defect free material surface after polishing while achieving a suitable material removal rate.

Abstract: Provided is an etchant composition for a multilayered metal film comprising both a layer comprising copper and a layer comprising molybdenum, the etchant composition: being capable of etching en bloc a multilayered metal film comprising a layer constituted of copper or an alloy including copper as the main component and a layer constituted of molybdenum or an alloy including molybdenum as the main component; being effective in preventing the molybdenum layer from being undercut; making it easy to regulate the component concentrations so as to accommodate the cross-sectional shape control and cross-section; and being stable. Also provided are a method of etching using the etchant composition and a method for prolonging the life of the etchant composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes placing a polymer raw material mixture over a substrate. The polymer raw material may include a polymer precursor, a photosensitizer, and an additive. The polymer raw material mixture is exposed to radiation to form a dielectric layer and cured at a temperature of between about 150° C. and about 230° C.