Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a fin-type active region extending on a substrate in a first horizontal direction, a gate line extending on the fin-type active region in a second horizontal direction, first and second source/drain regions arranged on the fin-type active region; a first source/drain contact pattern connected to the first source/drain region and including a first segment having a first height in a vertical direction, a second source/drain contact pattern connected to the second source/drain region and including a second segment having a second height less than the first height in the vertical direction, and an insulating capping line extending on the gate line in the second horizontal direction and including an asymmetric capping portion between the first segment and the second segment, the asymmetric capping portion having a variable thickness in the first horizontal direction.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices such as both logic and memory semiconductor devices. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a channel region between a source and a drain region, a gate structure arranged to control the channel region and a dielectric structure arranged between the channel region and the gate structure. The dielectric structure includes a high-k dielectric layer or a high-k ferroelectric layer and at least one two dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN) layer in direct contact with the high-k dielectric layer or the high-k ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a dielectric fin on a substrate; a low-dimensional layer on the dielectric fin, the low-dimensional layer including a source/drain region and a channel region; a source/drain contact on the source/drain region; and a gate structure on the channel region adjacent the source/drain contact, the gate structure having a first width at a top of the gate structure, a second width at a middle of the gate structure, and a third width at a bottom of the gate structure, the second width being less than each of the first width and the third width.

Abstract: Stability of a current-voltage conversion circuit is increased in a solid-state imaging element that converts photocurrent to a voltage signal. A photodiode photoelectrically converts incident light and generates photocurrent. A conversion transistor converts photocurrent to a voltage signal and outputs the voltage signal from a gate. A current source transistor supplies predetermined constant current to an output signal line connected to the gate. A voltage supply transistor supplies a certain voltage corresponding to the predetermined constant current from the output signal line to a source of the conversion transistor. A capacitance is connected between the gate and the source of the conversion transistor.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a metal gate structure formed over the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a sealing layer comprising an inner sidewall and an outermost sidewall. In addition, the inner sidewall is in direct contact with the metal gate structure and the outermost sidewall is away from the metal gate structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a mask structure formed over the metal gate structure. In addition, the mask structure has a straight sidewall over the metal gate structure and a sloped sidewall extending from the inner sidewall of the sealing layer and passing over the outmost sidewall of the sealing layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first channel layers disposed over a substrate, a first source/drain region disposed over the substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed on each of the first channel layers, a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric. Each of the first channel layers includes a semiconductor wire made of a first semiconductor material. The semiconductor wire passes through the first source/drain region and enters into an anchor region. At the anchor region, the semiconductor wire has no gate electrode layer and no gate dielectric, and is sandwiched by a second semiconductor material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a device isolation layer defining an active region; a first trench in the device isolation layer; a second trench in the active region; a main gate electrode structure filling a portion of the first trench and including a first barrier conductive layer and a main gate electrode; a pass gate electrode structure filling a portion of the second trench and including a second barrier conductive layer and a pass gate electrode; a support structure filling another portion of the second trench above the pass gate electrode; a first capping pattern filling another portion of the first trench above the main gate electrode; and a second gate insulating layer extending along a bottom and sidewall of the second trench, wherein the second barrier conductive layer is between the second gate insulating layer and the pass gate electrode and extends along a bottom and sidewall thereof.

Abstract: Semiconductor structure and method for forming semiconductor structure are provided. A substrate is provided, including a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. A first stop layer is formed on a top surface of the first conductive layer and a top surface of the second conductive layer, and a second stop layer is formed on a surface of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on a surface of the first stop layer and a surface of the second stop layer. A first opening and a second opening are formed in the second dielectric layer by etching a portion of the second dielectric layer until the surface of the first stop layer is exposed. The first opening exposes the first stop layer on the first conductive layer, and the second opening exposes the first stop layer on the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, which includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The semiconductor structure also includes a first fin, a second fin, and a third fin formed on the first, second, and third regions, respectively. Moreover, the semiconductor structure includes an isolation layer formed on the substrate, and a portion of sidewall surface of each of the first, second, and third fins. In addition, the semiconductor structure includes a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer, and a third epitaxial layer formed on the first, second, and third fins, respectively. Two sides of the third epitaxial layer are in contact with the first epitaxial layer and the second epitaxial layer, respectively. Further, the semiconductor structure includes a conductive structure formed on the first, second, and third epitaxial layers.

Abstract: An electrode structure which includes a copper metal layer formed on a substrate, wherein the copper metal layer doped with a first metal ion within a first depth from upper surface, the first metal ion and the copper grain forming a copper alloy layer; the first depth being less than thickness of the copper metal layer, and the first metal ion being a metal ion having corrosion resistance and an ionic radius smaller than a gap between copper grains.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a substantially undoped channel region includes providing a substrate having a fin extending from the substrate. An in-situ doped layer is formed on the fin. By way of example, the in-situ doped layer may include an in-situ doped well region formed by an epitaxial growth process. In some examples, the in-situ doped well region includes an N-well or a P-well region. After formation of the in-situ doped layer on the fin, an undoped layer is formed on the in-situ doped layer, and a gate stack is formed over the undoped layer. The undoped layer may include an undoped channel region formed by an epitaxial growth process. In various examples, a source region and a drain region are formed adjacent to and on either side of the undoped channel region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active fin extending in a first direction on a substrate, a gate electrode intersecting the active fin and extending in a second direction, source/drain regions disposed on the active fin on both sides of the gate electrode, and a contact plug disposed on the source/drain regions. The contact plug has at least one side extending in the second direction which has a step portion having a step shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to pixel circuit and an operating method thereof, comprising—a front-end circuit (1) comprising a single photodiode (PD) and having an output (4), said front-end circuit (1) being configured for delivering on said output a photoreceptor signal derived from a light exposure of said single photodiode (PD);—a transient detector circuit (2) configured for detecting a change in said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4);—an exposure measurement circuit (3) configured for measuring said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4) upon detection by the transient detector circuit (2) of a change in the photoreceptor signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having isolation regions formed therein and a fin-shaped semiconductor structure protruding vertically above the isolation regions and extending laterally in a first direction. The device additionally includes a gate dielectric wrapping a channel region of the fin-shaped semiconductor structure and a gate electrode wrapping the gate dielectric. The channel region is interposed in the first direction between a source region and a drain region and has sloped sidewalls and a width that continuously decreases from a base towards a peak of the channel region. The channel region comprises a volume inversion region having a height greater than about 25% of a total height of the channel region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of gate structures on a semiconductor fin, and forming a plurality of source/drain regions adjacent the plurality of gate structures. In the method, a germanium oxide layer is formed on the plurality of gate structures and on the plurality of source/drain regions, and portions of the germanium oxide layer on the plurality of source/drain regions are converted into a plurality of dielectric layers. The method also includes removing unconverted portions of the germanium oxide layer from the plurality of gate structures, and depositing a plurality of cap layers in place of the removed unconverted portions of the germanium oxide layer. The plurality of dielectric layers are removed, and a plurality of source/drain contacts are formed on the plurality of source/drain regions. The plurality of source/drain contacts are adjacent the plurality of cap layers.

Abstract: A method includes forming a metal gate in a first inter-layer dielectric, performing a treatment on the metal gate and the first inter-layer dielectric, selectively growing a hard mask on the metal gate without growing the hard mask from the first inter-layer dielectric, depositing a second inter-layer dielectric over the hard mask and the first inter-layer dielectric, planarizing the second inter-layer dielectric and the hard mask, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the hard mask to electrically couple to the metal gate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for use in improving the gate oxide reliability of semiconductor-on-insulator (SOD metal-oxide-silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET) devices using accumulated charge control (ACC) techniques. The method and apparatus are adapted to remove, reduce, or otherwise control accumulated charge in SOI MOSFETs, thereby yielding improvements in FET performance characteristics. In one embodiment, a circuit comprises a MOSFET, operating in an accumulated charge regime, and means for controlling the accumulated charge, operatively coupled to the SOI MOSFET. A first determination is made of the effects of an uncontrolled accumulated charge on time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) of the gate oxide of the SOI MOSFET. A second determination is made of the effects of a controlled accumulated charge on TDDB of the gate oxide of the SOI MOSFET.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a resistive switching device (RSD). A non-limiting example of the RSD includes a fin-shaped element formed on a substrate, wherein the fin-shaped element includes a source region, a central channel region, and a drain region. A gate is formed over a top surface and sidewalls of the central channel region. The fin-shaped element is doped with impurities that generate interstitial charged particles configured to move interstitially through a lattice structure of the fin-shaped element under the influence of an electric field applied to the RSD.

Abstract: A semiconductor metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) transistor with increased on-state current obtained through intrinsic bipolar junction transistor (BJT) of MOSFET has been described. Methods of operating the MOS transistor are provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including pairs of multiple threshold voltage (Vt) devices includes at least a first region corresponding to a first pair of Vt devices, a second region corresponding to a second pair of Vt devices including a first dipole layer, and a third region corresponding to a third pair of Vt devices including a second dipole layer different from the first dipole layer.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes an interfacial layer on a semiconductor device channel. The device further includes a dipole layer on the interfacial layer, and a gate dielectric layer on the dipole layer. The device further includes a first work function layer associated with a first field effect transistor device; and a second work function layer associated with a second field effect transistor device, such that the first field effect transistor device and second field effect transistor device each have a different threshold voltage than a first field effect transistor device and second field effect transistor device without a dipole layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a single crystal oxide layer is formed over a substrate. After the single crystal oxide layer is formed, an isolation structure to define an active region is formed. A gate structure is formed over the single crystal oxide layer in the active region. A source/drain structure is formed.

Abstract: A FET including a hybrid gate spacer separating a gate electrode from at least one of a source, a drain, or source/drain contact metallization. The hybrid spacer may include a low-k dielectric material for a reduction in parasitic capacitance. The hybrid spacer may further include one or more other dielectric materials of greater relative permittivity that may protect one or more surfaces of the low-k dielectric material from damage by subsequent transistor fabrication operations. The hybrid spacer may include a low-k dielectric material separating a lower portion of a gate electrode sidewall from the source/drain terminal, and a dielectric spacer cap separating to an upper portion of the gate electrode sidewall from the source/drain terminal. The hybrid spacer may have a lower total capacitance than conventional spacers while still remaining robust to downstream fabrication processes. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and first nanostructures and second nanostructures formed over the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a first source/drain structure formed adjacent to the first nanostructures and a second source/drain structure formed adjacent to the second nanostructures. The semiconductor structure further includes a first contact plug formed over the first source/drain structure and a second contact plug formed over the second source/drain structure. In addition, a bottom portion of the first contact plug is lower than a bottom portion of the first nanostructures, and a bottom portion of the second contact plug is higher than a top portion of the second nanostructures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate stack arranged on a channel region of a semiconductor layer and a semiconductor layer arranged on an insulator layer. A crystalline source/drain region is arranged in a cavity in the insulator layer, and a spacer is arranged adjacent to the gate stack, the spacer arranged over the source/drain region. A second insulator layer is arranged on the spacer and the gate stack, and a conductive contact is arranged in the source/drain region.

Abstract: Scalable device designs for FINFET technology are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a FINFET device includes: patterning fins in a substrate which include a first fin(s) corresponding to a first FINFET device and a second fin(s) corresponding to a second FINFET device; depositing a conformal gate dielectric over the fins; depositing a conformal sacrificial layer over the gate dielectric; depositing a sacrificial gate material over the sacrificial layer; replacing the sacrificial layer with a first workfunction-setting metal(s) over the first fin(s) and a second workfunction-setting metal(s) over the second fin(s); removing the sacrificial gate material; forming dielectric gates over the first workfunction-setting metal(s), the second workfunction-setting metal(s) and the gate dielectric forming gate stacks; and forming source and drains in the fins between the gate stacks, wherein the source and drains are separated from the gate stacks by inner spacers. A FINFET device is also provided.

Abstract: Transistor structures with a channel semiconductor material that is passivated with two-dimensional (2D) crystalline material. The 2D material may comprise a semiconductor having a bandgap offset from a band of the channel semiconductor. The 2D material may be a thin as a few monolayers and have good temperature stability. The 2D material may be a conversion product of a sacrificial precursor material, or of a portion of the channel semiconductor material. The 2D material may comprise one or more metal and a chalcogen. The channel material may be a metal oxide semiconductor suitable for low temperature processing (e.g., IGZO), and the 2D material may also be compatible with low temperature processing (e.g., <450° C.). The 2D material may be a chalcogenide of a metal present in the channel material (e.g., ZnSx or ZnSex) or of a metal absent from the channel material when formed from a sacrificial precursor.

Abstract: Included are forming, on a semiconductor substrate, an insulation film having an opening section where an opening is formed, forming a first resist on the insulation film while avoiding the opening section and the semiconductor substrate exposed via the opening section, forming a first metal on the opening section, the semiconductor substrate exposed via the opening section, and the first resist by a vapor deposition method or a sputtering method, removing, by a lift-off method, the first resist and the first metal on the first resist, forming, on the insulation film, a second resist allowing the first metal to be exposed, causing the first metal to grow a second metal by an electroless plating method, and removing the second resist, where these processings are included in the listed order.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor storage element, a semiconductor device, an electronic device, and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor storage element that enable higher-speed operations. The semiconductor storage element includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type that is provided below the first semiconductor layer; a gate electrode provided on the first semiconductor layer; a gate insulator film provided between the first semiconductor layer and the gate electrode; a drain region of the second conductivity type that is provided in the first semiconductor layer on one side of the gate electrode; a source region of the second conductivity type that is provided in the first semiconductor layer on another side facing the one side across the gate electrode; and a bit line configured to electrically connect with both of the source region and the first semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a device having a gate stack including a metal gate layer. The device further includes a spacer layer disposed on a sidewall of the gate stack and a source/drain feature adjacent to the gate stack. The method further includes performing a first etch-back process to the metal gate layer to form an etched-back metal gate layer. In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a metal layer over the etched-back metal gate layer. In some cases, a semiconductor layer is formed over both the metal layer and the spacer layer to provide a T-shaped helmet layer over the gate stack and the spacer layer.

Abstract: A monolithic three-dimensional integrated circuit may include multiple transistor levels separated by one or more levels of metallization. An upper level transistor structure may include monocrystalline source and drain material epitaxially grown from a monocrystalline channel material at a temperature low enough to avoid degradation of a lower level transistor structure and/or degradation of one or more low-k dielectric materials between the transistor levels. A highly conductive n-type silicon source and drain material may be selectively deposited at low temperatures with a high pressure CVD process. Multiple crystals of source drain material arranged in a vertically stacked multi-channel transistor structure may be contacted by a single contact metallization.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a gate structure disposed over a substrate between a source region and a drain region. A first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer is disposed over the substrate and the gate structure and a second ILD layer is disposed over the first ILD layer. A field plate etch stop structure is between the first ILD layer and the second ILD layer. A field plate extends from an uppermost surface of the second ILD layer to the field plate etch stop structure. A plurality of conductive contacts extend from the uppermost surface of the second ILD layer to the source region and the drain region.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a method for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a nanosheet stack on a substrate, wherein the nanosheet stack comprises channel layers and nanosheet layers, forming a sacrificial gate over the nanosheet stack, and forming trenches to expose sidewalls of the nanosheet stack. The method also includes forming source/drain (S/D) regions, where forming the S/D regions including forming first portions of the S/D regions on portions of the nano sheet stack, forming second portions of the S/D regions, wherein the first portions are different than the second portions, and replacing the sacrificial gate with a conductive gate material. Also provided are embodiments of a semiconductor device formed by the method described herein.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes at least one fin structure and an isolation structure comprising a stepped upper surface comprising a first region and a second region. The first region has a first upper surface and the second region has a second upper surface, wherein the first upper surface is positioned at a first level and the second upper surface is positioned at a second level and wherein the first level is below the second level. In this illustrative example, the device also includes a gate structure comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the gate structure is positioned above the first upper surface of the isolation structure and above the at least one fin structure and wherein the second portion of the gate structure is positioned above the second upper surface of the isolation structure.

Abstract: A strained relaxed silicon germanium alloy buffer layer is employed in the present application to induce a tensile stain on each suspended semiconductor channel material nanosheet within a nanosheet material stack that is present in a long channel device region of a semiconductor substrate. The induced tensile strain keeps the suspended semiconductor channel material nanosheets that are present in long channel device region essentially straight in a lateral direction. Hence, reducing and even eliminating the sagging effect that can be caused by surface tension.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate electrode layer in a gate trench; filling a recess in the gate electrode layer with a dielectric feature; and etching back the gate electrode layer from top end surfaces of the gate electrode layer while leaving a portion of the gate electrode layer under the dielectric feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is described that includes a first semiconductor layer conformally disposed on at least a portion of a source region and a second semiconductor layer conformally disposed on at least a portion of a drain region between the source/drain regions and corresponding gate spacers. The semiconductor layer can prevent diffusion and/or segregation of dopants from the source and drain regions into the gate spacers of the gate stack. Maintaining the intended location of dopant atoms in the source region and drain region improves the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor device including the external resistance (“Rext”) of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a dielectric layer, a first via, a second via, a first barrier layer, and a second barrier layer. The dielectric layer has a first region and a second region. The first via is disposed in the dielectric layer in the first region. The second via is disposed in the dielectric layer in the second region. The first barrier layer lines a sidewall and a bottom surface of the first via. The second barrier layer lines a sidewall and a bottom surface of the second via. The first and second barrier layers each has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a nitrogen doping concentration greater than a nitrogen doping concentration of the lower portion. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack, which includes a gate dielectric and a metal gate electrode over the gate dielectric. An inter-layer dielectric is formed on opposite sides of the gate stack. The gate stack and the inter-layer dielectric are planarized. The method further includes forming an inhibitor film on the gate stack, with at least a portion of the inter-layer dielectric exposed, selectively depositing a dielectric hard mask on the inter-layer dielectric, with the inhibitor film preventing the dielectric hard mask from being formed thereon, and etching to remove a portion of the gate stack, with the dielectric hard mask acting as a portion of a corresponding etching mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) device is provided. The method includes depositing a lower cap layer on a substrate, depositing a dielectric memory layer on the lower cap layer, and depositing an upper cap layer on the dielectric memory layer. The method further includes removing portions of the lower cap layer to form a lower cap slab, dielectric memory layer to form a dielectric memory slab on the lower cap slab, and upper cap layer to form an upper cap slab on the dielectric memory slab, wherein the lower cap slab, dielectric memory slab, and upper cap slab form a resistive memory element.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first and a second gate stacks disposed over a substrate, having spacers along sidewalls, respectively. The device also includes a source/drain (S/D) feature, a capping layer disposed along upper portions of the spacers, respectively and a dielectric layer along lower portions of the spacers, respectively. The dielectric layer physically contacts the capping layer and a top surface of the dielectric layer is above a top surface of the S/D feature. The device also includes a contact disposed over the S/D feature interfacing the capping layer and dielectric layer.

Abstract: A source/drain region is disposed in a substrate. A gate structure is disposed over the substrate. A gate spacer is disposed on a sidewall of the gate structure. The gate spacer and the gate structure have substantially similar heights. A via is disposed over and electrically coupled to: the source/drain region or the gate structure. A mask layer is disposed over the gate spacer. The mask layer has a greater dielectric constant than the gate spacer. A first side of the mask layer is disposed adjacent to the via. A dielectric layer is disposed on a second side of the mask layer, wherein the mask layer is disposed between the dielectric layer and the via.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a planar transistor on a first portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first portion of the semiconductor substrate has a first top surface; and a multiple-gate transistor on a second portion of the semiconductor substrate. The second portion of the semiconductor substrate is recessed from the first top surface to form a fin of the multiple-gate transistor. The fin is electrically isolated from the semiconductor substrate by an insulator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, forming a gate structure including a metal gate on the substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the gate structure, forming a first contact hole extending through the interlayer dielectric layer to expose a surface of the metal gate, and removing a portion of the metal gate using a wet etching process to form a second contact hole having a cross-sectional size larger than a cross-sectional size of the first contact hole.

Abstract: A method includes forming a metallic layer over a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) device, forming reverse memory posts over the metallic layer, and etching the metallic layer using the reverse memory posts as an etching mask. The remaining portions of the metallic layer include a gate contact plug and a source/drain contact plug. The reverse memory posts are then removed. After the gate contact plug and the source/drain contact plug are formed, an Inter-Level Dielectric (ILD) is formed to surround the gate contact plug and the source/drain contact plug.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a memory structure including the following steps is provided. A spacer layer is formed on sidewalls of gate stack structures. A protective material layer covering the spacer layer and the gate stack structures is formed. A mask material layer is formed on the protective material layer. There is a void located in the mask material layer between two adjacent gate stack structures. A first distance is between a top of the protective material layer and a top of the mask material layer. A second distance is between a top of the void and a top of the mask material layer above the void. A third distance is between a bottom of the void and a bottom of the mask material layer below the void. The first distance is greater than a sum of the second and third distances.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a field plate. A gate electrode overlies a substrate between a source region and a drain region. A drift region is arranged laterally between the gate electrode and the drain region. A plurality of inter-level dielectric (ILD) layers overlie the substrate. The plurality of ILD layers includes a first ILD layer underlying a second ILD layer. A plurality of conductive interconnect layers is disposed within the plurality of ILD layers. The field plate extends from a top surface of the first ILD layer to a point that is vertically separated from the drift region by the first ILD layer. The field plate is laterally offset the gate electrode by a non-zero distance in a direction toward the drain region. The field plate includes a same material as at least one of the plurality of conductive interconnect layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. In an embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a substrate, a gate structure over the channel region, a first spacer extending along a sidewall of the lower portion of the gate structure, and a second spacer extending along a sidewall of the upper portion of the gate structure. The fin includes a channel region and a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the channel region. The gate structure includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The second spacer is disposed on a top surface of the first spacer. The first spacer is formed of a first dielectric material and the second spacer is formed of a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first gate stack and a second gate stack over a substrate. The substrate has a base, a first fin structure, and a second fin structure over the base, the second fin structure is wider than the first fin structure. The method includes partially removing the first fin structure, which is not covered by the first gate stack, and the second fin structure, which is not covered by the second gate stack. The method includes forming an inner spacer layer over the first fin structure, which is not covered by the first gate stack. The method includes forming a first stressor and a second stressor respectively over the inner spacer layer and the second fin structure, which is not covered by the second gate stack.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for forming transistors employing a carbon-based etch stop layer (ESL) for preserving source and drain (S/D) material during contact trench etch processing. As can be understood based on this disclosure, carbon-based layers can provide increased resistance for etch processing, such that employing a carbon-based ESL on S/D material can preserve that S/D material during contact trench etch processing. This is due to carbon-based layers being able to provide more robust (e.g., more selective) etch selectivity during contact trench etch processing than the S/D material it is preserving (e.g., Si, SiGe, Ge, group III-V semiconductor material) and other etch stop layers (e.g., insulator material-based etch stop layers). Employing a carbon-based ESL enables a given S/D region to protrude from shallow trench isolation (STI) material prior to contact metal deposition, thereby providing more surface area for making contact to the given S/D region, which improves transistor performance.