Abstract: A method of depositing a thin film by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a substrate surface is disclosed. The disclosed method includes placing an ALD deposition proximity head above the substrate with at least one gas channel configured to dispense a gas to an active process region of the substrate surface. The ALD deposition proximity head extends over and is being spaced apart from the active process region of the substrate surface when present. After a pulse of a first reactant gas is dispensed on the active process region of the substrate surface underneath the proximity head, a pulse of a second reactant gas is dispensed on the active process region of the substrate surface underneath the proximity head to react with the first reactant gas to form a portion of the thin layer of ALD film on the surface of substrate underneath the proximity head.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor includes forming a gate stack, a spacer adjacent to opposing sides of the gate stack, a silicide source region and a silicide drain region on opposing sides of the spacer, epitaxially growing silicon on the source region and the drain region; forming a liner layer on the gate stack and the spacer, removing a portion of the liner layer to expose a portion of the hardmask layer, removing the exposed portions of the hardmask layer to expose a silicon layer of the gate stack, removing exposed silicon to expose a portion of a metal layer of the gate stack, the source region, and the drain region; and depositing a conductive material on the metal layer of the gate stack, the silicide source region, and the silicide drain region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed, which reduces a step difference between a peripheral region and a cell region. In the semiconductor device, a metal contact of the peripheral region is configured in a multi-layered structure. Prior to forming a bit line and a storage node contact in the cell region, a contact and a line are formed in the peripheral region, such that a step difference between the cell region and the peripheral region is reduced, resulting in a reduction in parasitic capacitance between lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and related fabrication methods are provided. One exemplary fabrication method forms a fin arrangement overlying an oxide layer, where the fin arrangement includes one or more semiconductor fin structures. The method continues by nitriding exposed portions of the oxide layer without nitriding the one or more semiconductor fin structures, resulting in nitrided portions of the oxide layer. Thereafter, a gate structure is formed transversely overlying the fin arrangement, and overlying the exposed portions of the oxide layer. The nitrided portions of the oxide layer substantially inhibit diffusion of oxygen from the oxide layer into the gate structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of bodies that are each isolated from another by a trench and each include a diffusion barrier region with a sidewall exposed to the trench, forming a doped layer gap-filling the trench, forming a sidewall junction at the exposed sidewall of the diffusion barrier region by annealing the doped layer, and forming a conductive line coupled with the sidewall junction to fill the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of high reliability and element-integrating performance, has a substrate (silicon substrate), a first trench made in the silicon substrate, a passive element layer buried in the first trench, and a first insulating film (silicon nitride film) arranged between the first trench and the passive element layer. The passive element layer projects upwardly relative to the substrate, and so too preferably the adjacent insulating film. An active element is formed such that its gate electrode, which is preferably fully silicided, has an upper end at a level higher than the upper surface of the passive element film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die having a first surface and a second surface wherein at least one bond pad is formed on the first surface. A passivation layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor device, wherein a central area of the at least one bond is exposed. A seed layer is formed on exposed portions of the bond pad and the passivation layer. A conductive pillar is formed on the seed layer. The conductive pillar has a base portion wherein the base portion has a diameter smaller than the seed layer and a stress relief portion extending from a lateral surface of a lower section of the base portion toward distal ends of the seed layer. A solder layer is formed on the conductive pillar.

Abstract: A silicon carbide substrate has a substrate surface. A gate insulating film is provided to cover a part of the substrate surface. A gate electrode covers a part of the gate insulating film. A contact electrode is provided on the substrate surfaces, adjacent to and in contact with the gate insulating film, and it contains an alloy having Al atoms. Al atoms do not diffuse from the contact electrode into a portion of the gate insulating film lying between the substrate surface and the gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device including, providing a substrate having a first region and a second region. Forming a dielectric layer over the substrate in the first region and the second region. Forming a sacrificial gate layer over the dielectric layer. Patterning the sacrificial gate layer and the dielectric layer to form gate stacks in the first and second regions. Forming an ILD layer within the gate stacks in the first and second regions. Removing the sacrificial gate layer in the first and second regions. Forming a protector over the dielectric layer in the first region; and thereafter removing the dielectric layer in the second region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a spacer and a high-k dielectric layer having a U-shape profile is provided. The spacer located on the substrate surrounds and defines a trench. The high-k dielectric layer having a U-shape profile is located in the trench, and the high-k dielectric layer having a U-shape profile exposes an upper portion of the sidewalls of the trench.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a semiconductor device. In one example, the method includes forming a gate electrode structure above a semiconducting substrate, wherein the gate electrode structure includes a gate insulation layer, a gate electrode, a first sidewall spacer positioned proximate the gate electrode, and a gate cap layer, and forming an etch stop layer above the gate cap layer and above the substrate proximate the gate electrode structure. The method further includes forming a layer of spacer material above the etch stop layer, and performing at least one first planarization process to remove the portion of said layer of spacer material positioned above the gate electrode, the portion of the etch stop layer positioned above the gate electrode and the gate cap layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, methods include forming an oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate, injecting nitrogen into the oxide layer to form a nitrogen injection layer and to change the oxide layer to an oxynitride layer, removing a part of the oxynitride layer to leave a portion of the oxynitride layer in a first area and expose the nitrogen injection layer in a second area and forming an insulating layer comprising a portion on the portion of the oxynitride layer in the first area and a portion on the nitrogen injection layer in the second area. The insulating layer may have a higher dielectric constant than the oxide layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. A silicon oxide layer is formed on the substrate. A decoupled plasma-nitridation process is applied to the silicon oxide layer so as to form a silicon oxynitride layer. A first polysilicon layer is formed on the silicon oxynitride layer. A thermal process is applied to the silicon oxynitride layer having the first polysilicon layer. After the thermal process, a second polysilicon layer is formed on the first polysilicon layer. The first polysilicon layer can protect the gate dielectric layer during the thermal process. The nitrogen atoms inside the gate dielectric layer do not lose out of the gate dielectric layer. Thus, the out-gassing phenomenon can be avoided, and a dielectric constant of the gate dielectric layer can not be changed, thereby increasing the reliability of the gate structure.

Abstract: A FINFET transistor structure includes a substrate, a fin structure, an insulating layer and a gate structure. The fin structure is disposed on the substrate and directly connected to the substrate. Besides, the fin structure includes a fin conductive layer and a bottle neck. The insulating layer covers the substrate and has a protruding side which is formed by partially surrounding the bottle neck of the fin structure, and a bottom side in direct contact with the substrate so that the protruding side extend to and under the fin structure. The gate structure partially surrounds the fin structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a polysilicon layer includes forming an amorphous silicon layer over a substrate, performing a first thermal treatment of the amorphous silicon layer by performing an implantation with a gas that includes silicon (Si), and performing a second thermal treatment on the thermally treated layer at a temperature higher than a temperature of the first thermal treatment.

Abstract: Capacitor plates, capacitors, semiconductor devices, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a capacitor plate includes at least one via and at least one conductive member coupled to the at least one via. The at least one conductive member comprises an enlarged region proximate the at least one via.

Abstract: A TSV can be formed having a top section via formed through the top substrate surface and a bottom section via formed through the bottom substrate surface. The top section cross section can have a minimum cross section corresponding to design rules, and the top section depth can correspond to a workable aspect ratio. The top section via can be filled or plugged so that top side processing can be continued. The bottom section via can have a larger cross section for ease of forming a conductive path therethrough. The bottom section via extends from the back side to the bottom of the top section via and is formed after the substrate has been thinned. The TSV is can be completed by forming a conductive path after removing sacrificial fill materials from the joined top and bottom section vias.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a semiconductor device including an interconnect layer formed using multilayer hard mask comprising metal mask and dielectric mask is provided. To form the second opening pattern being aligned to the first pattern, after the multilayer hard mask is used at the first step, then the dielectric mask is used to form a damascene structure in an insulator layer at the second step followed by removing the metal mask.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a metal gate work function of an NMOS device comprises: depositing a layer of metal nitride film or metal film on a high K dielectric as a metal gate electrode by a physical vapor deposition process; implanting elements such as Tb, Er, Yb or Sr into the metal gate electrode by an ion implantation process; performing a high temperature annealing so that the doped metal ions are driven to and accumulate on the interface between the metal gate electrode and the high K gate dielectric, or form dipoles by an interface reaction on the interface between the high K gate dielectric and SiO2. The method is capable of adjusting the metal gate work function, and is well-compatible with CMOS process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, for improving the metal gate leakage within the semiconductor device. A structure for a metal gate electrode for a n-type Field Effect Transistor includes a capping layer; a first metal layer comprising Ti and Al over the capping layer; a metal oxide layer over the first metal layer; a barrier layer over the metal oxide layer; and a second metal layer over the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor includes: forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on a substrate by depositing a metal layer on the substrate at a first temperature and etching the metal layer; forming a protective layer on the source and drain electrodes; and performing a heat treatment on the protective layer at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method for etching features in a dielectric layer through a photoresist (PR) mask is provided. The PR mask is patterned using laser light having a wavelength not more than 193 nm. The PR mask is pre-treated with a noble gas plasma, and then a plurality of cycles of a plasma process is provided. Each cycle includes a deposition phase that deposits a deposition layer over the PR mask, the deposition layer covering a top and sidewalls of mask features of the PR mask, and a shaping phase that shapes the deposition layer deposited over the PR mask.

Abstract: A processing method for forming a structure including an amorphous carbon film includes performing a preliminary treatment of removing water from a surface of the underlying layer by heating the inside of the reaction chamber at a preliminary treatment temperature of 800 to 950° C. and supplying a preliminary treatment gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen gas and ammonia gas into the reaction chamber while exhausting gas from inside the reaction chamber; and, then performing main CVD of forming an amorphous carbon film on the underlying layer by heating the inside of the reaction chamber at a main process temperature and supplying a hydrocarbon gas into the reaction chamber while exhausting gas from inside the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A FinFET device with an independent control gate, including: a silicon-on-insulator substrate; a non-planar multi-gate transistor disposed on the silicon-on-insulator substrate, the transistor comprising a conducting channel wrapped around a thin silicon fin; a source/drain extension region; an independently addressable control gate that is self-aligned to the fin and does not extend beyond the source/drain extension region, the control gate comprising: a thin layer of silicon nitride; and a plurality of spacers.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing noble metal-containing particles from over a substrate. The substrate is exposed to a composition that reduces adhesion between the noble metal-containing particles and the substrate, and simultaneously the substrate is spun to sweep at least some of the noble metal-containing particles off from the substrate. Some embodiments include methods in which tunnel dielectric material is formed across a semiconductor wafer. Metallic nanoparticles are formed across the tunnel dielectric material. A stack of two or more different materials is formed over the metallic nanoparticles. A portion of the stack is covered with a protective mask while another portion of the stack is left unprotected. The unprotected portion of the stack is removed to expose some of the metallic nanoparticles. The semiconductor wafer to is subjected to etchant suitable to undercut at least some of the exposed metallic nanoparticles, and simultaneously the semiconductor wafer is spun.

Abstract: Methods for making and/or treating articles of semiconducting material are disclosed. In various methods, a first article of semiconducting material is provided, the first article of semiconducting material is heated sufficiently to melt the semiconducting material, and the melted semiconducting material is solidified in a direction substantially parallel to a shortest dimension of the melted article of semiconducting material. Articles of semiconducting materials made by methods described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for passivating a semiconductor component having at least one chemosensitive electrode that is blinded by the application of a glass layer. The present invention also relates to a device for detecting at least one substance included in a fluid stream, including at least one semiconductor component acting as a measuring sensor as well as at least one semiconductor component acting as a reference element, the semiconductor components each having a chemosensitive electrode, and the chemosensitive electrode of the semiconductor component acting as the reference element being passivated. For the passivation, a glass layer may be applied at least to the chemosensitive electrode of the semiconductor component acting as reference element.

Abstract: Methods of forming polysilicon layers are described. The methods include forming a high-density plasma from a silicon precursor in a substrate processing region containing the deposition substrate. The described methods produce polycrystalline films at reduced substrate temperature (e.g. <500° C.) relative to prior art techniques. The availability of a bias plasma power adjustment further enables adjustment of conformality of the formed polysilicon layer. When dopants are included in the high density plasma, they may be incorporated into the polysilicon layer in such a way that they do not require a separate activation step.

Abstract: A semiconductor package structure is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor chip having a plurality of interconnect layers formed thereover. A first passivation layer is formed over the plurality of interconnect layers. A stress buffer layer is formed over the first passivation layer. A bonding pad is formed over the stress buffer layer. A second passivation layer is formed over a portion of the bonding pad, the second passivation having at least one opening therein exposing a portion of the bonding pad.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method. The method includes providing a substrate including a top surface. The method also includes forming a gate over the top surface of the substrate. The formed gate has a first height measured from the top surface of the substrate. The method also includes etching the gate to reduce the gate to a second height. This second height is substantially less than the first height. The present disclosure also involves a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate. The substrate includes a top surface. The semiconductor device also includes a first gate formed over the top surface of the substrate. The first gate has a first height. The semiconductor device also includes a second gate formed over the top surface of the substrate. The second gate has a second height. The first height is substantially less than the second height.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a read only memory (ROM) cell array. The ROM cell array includes a plurality of fin active regions oriented in a first direction and formed on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of gates formed on the plurality of fin active regions and oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of ROM cells formed by the plurality of fin active regions and the plurality of gates, the plurality of ROM cells being coded such that each cell of a first subset of ROM cells has a source electrically connected to a Vss line, and each cell of a second subset of ROM cells has a source electrically isolated. Each cell of the first subset of ROM cells includes a drain contact having a first contact area and a source contact having a second contact area at least 30% greater than the first contact area.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the semiconductor structure include a hybrid orientation substrate having a first active region having a first crystallographic orientation that is vertically separated from a second active region having a second crystallographic orientation different than the first crystallographic orientation. A first field effect device having a first gate electrode is located and formed within and upon the first active region and a second field effect device having a second gate electrode is located and formed within and upon the second active region. Upper surfaces of the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode are coplanar. The structure and method allow for avoidance of epitaxial defects generally encountered when using hybrid orientation technology substrates that include coplanar active regions.

Abstract: A strengthened semiconductor die substrate and package are disclosed. The substrate may include contact fingers formed with nonlinear edges. Providing a nonlinear contour to the contact finger edges reduces the mechanical stress exerted on the semiconductor die which would otherwise occur with straight edges to the contact fingers. The substrate may additionally or alternatively include plating traces extending at an angle from the contact fingers. Extending at an angle, at least the ends of the plating traces at the edge of the substrate are covered beneath a lid in which the semiconductor package is encased. Thus, when in use with a host device, contact between the ends of the plating traces beneath the lid and contact pins of the host device is avoided.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices include forming an integrated structure and a first stopping layer pattern in a first region. A first insulating interlayer and a second stopping layer are formed. A second preliminary insulating interlayer is formed by partially etching the second stopping layer and the first insulating interlayer in the first region. A first polishing is performed to remove a protruding portion. A second polishing is performed to expose the first and second stopping layer patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a structured electrically conductive coating on a substrate, in which first a monolayer or oligolayer of a surface-hydrophobizing substance is applied to a surface of the substrate and then a substance comprising electrically conductive particles is applied to the substrate according to a predetermined pattern. The invention furthermore relates to a use of the process for the production of solar cells or circuit boards and to an electronic component comprising a substrate to which a structured electrically conductive surface is applied, a monolayer or oligolayer of a surface-hydrophobizing material being applied to the substrate and the structured electrically conductive surface being applied to the monolayer or oligolayer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed, which reduces a step difference between a peripheral region and a cell region. In the semiconductor device, a metal contact of the peripheral region is configured in a multi-layered structure. Prior to forming a bit line and a storage node contact in the cell region, a contact and a line are formed in the peripheral region, such that a step difference between the cell region and the peripheral region is reduced, resulting in a reduction in parasitic capacitance between lines.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes memory transistors, an interlayer insulating film, a peripheral transistor and a sidewall. The memory transistors are formed on a semiconductor substrate. Each of the memory transistors includes a first stack gate which includes a floating gate electrode, a second gate insulating film, and a control gate electrode. The interlayer insulating film is formed between the first stack gates. The interlayer insulating film includes a first air gap. The peripheral transistor is formed on the substrate. The peripheral transistor includes a second stack gate which includes a first gate electrode, a third gate insulating film, and a second gate electrode. The sidewall is formed on a side surface of the second stack gate and includes a second air gap. An upper end of the second air gap is located at a position lower than the third gate insulating film.

Abstract: Methods for forming nanodots and/or a patterned material are provided. One such method involves forming a first patterning material over a base. Blades of a nanoimprint lithography template are placed within the first patterning material, wherein the blades extend along the base in a first direction. With the blades within the first patterning material, the first patterning material are cured. The blades are removed from the first patterning material to form a patterned first patterning material. The base is etched using the patterned first patterning material as a pattern to form openings in the base. The patterned first patterning material is removed from the base. A second patterning material is formed over the base and within the openings in the base. Blades of a nanoimprint lithography template are placed within the second patterning material, wherein the blades extend along the base in a second direction, which is generally perpendicular with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A method includes forming patterned lines on a substrate having a predetermined pitch. The method further includes forming spacer sidewalls on sidewalls of the patterned lines. The method further includes forming material in a space between the spacer sidewalls of adjacent patterned lines. The method further includes forming another patterned line from the material by protecting the material in the space between the spacer sidewalls of adjacent patterned lines while removing the spacer sidewalls. The method further includes transferring a pattern of the patterned lines and the another patterned line to the substrate.

Abstract: A conductive feature on a semiconductor component is disclosed. A first passivation layer is formed over a substrate. A bond pad is formed over the first passivation layer. A second passivation layer overlies the first passivation layer and the bond pad. The second passivation layer has a first opening overlying the bond pad and a plurality of second openings exposing a top surface of the first passivation layer. A buffer layer overlies the second passivation layer and fills the plurality of second openings. The buffer layer has a third opening overlapping the first opening and together exposes a portion the bond pad. The combined first opening and third opening has sidewalls. An under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer overlies the sidewalls of the combined first opening and third opening, and contacts the exposed portion of the bond pad. A conductive feature overlies the UBM layer.

Abstract: A dielectric material layer is formed on a metal gate layer for a metal gate electrode, and then lithographically patterned to form a dielectric material portion, followed by formation of a polycrystalline semiconductor layer thereupon. A semiconductor device employing a metal gate electrode is formed in a region of the semiconductor substrate containing a vertically abutting stack of the metal gate layer and the polycrystalline semiconductor layer. A material stack in the shape of an electrical fuse is formed in another region of the semiconductor substrate containing a vertical stack of the metal gate layer, the dielectric material portion, and the polycrystalline semiconductor layer. After metallization of the polycrystalline semiconductor layer, an electrical fuse containing a polycrystalline semiconductor portion and a metal semiconductor alloy portion is formed over the dielectric material portion that separates the electrical fuse from the metal gate layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a NAND type flash memory device includes defining a select transistor region and a memory cell region in a semiconductor substrate, forming a tunnel insulating layer, a floating gate conductive layer, and a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the dielectric layer, thereby forming an opening exposing the floating gate conductive layer, forming a low resistance layer in the opening, forming a control gate conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the control gate conductive layer, the dielectric layer, the floating gate conductive layer, and the tunnel insulating layer to form gate stacks of memory cells and source/drain select transistors.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory cell, a self-aligned metal silicide is used in place of a conventional tungsten metal layer to form a polysilicon gate, and the self-aligned metal silicide is used as a connection layer on the polysilicon gate. By using the self-aligned metal silicide to form the polysilicon gate, the use of masks in the etching process may be saved to thereby enable simplified manufacturing process and accordingly, reduced manufacturing cost. Meanwhile, the problem of resistance shift caused by an oxidized tungsten metal layer can be avoided.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a diode and a transistor connected in series, which prevents carriers from going from the diode into the transistor, thereby reducing the possibility of transistor deterioration. A structure to annihilate carriers from the diode is provided between a channel layer of the transistor and a diode semiconductor layer of the diode where the carriers are generated.

Abstract: Embodiments related to semiconductor manufacturing and semiconductor devices with semiconductor structure are described and depicted.

Abstract: Provided is a method of planarizing a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate. The method includes forming a first layer over the substrate. The method includes forming a second layer over the first layer. The first and second layers have different material compositions. The method includes forming a third layer over the second layer. The method includes performing a polishing process on the third layer until the third layer is substantially removed. The method includes performing an etch back process to remove the second layer and a portion of the first layer. Wherein an etching selectivity of the etch back process with respect to the first and second layers is approximately 1:1.

Abstract: A hybrid multilayer substrate in an electronic package. The substrate includes a first portion having m layers and a second portion having n layers such that m is less than n. The first portion has a first height and the second portion has a second height. The first height is different than the second height. In another embodiment, a surface is formed between the first portion and the second portion, and a shielding material can be applied to the surface. In a different embodiment, the hybrid multilayer substrate is manufactured for shielding a first die from a second die.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method etches a gate metal material of a sidewall of the active region connected to the storage node contact deeper than a gate metal material of a sidewall of the active region connected to the bit line contact in a buried gate structure to prevent GILD and to reduce resistance of a buried gate, thereby improving refresh characteristics of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of bodies that are each isolated from another by a trench and each include a diffusion barrier region with a sidewall exposed to the trench, forming a doped layer gap-filling the trench, forming a sidewall junction at the exposed sidewall of the diffusion barrier region by annealing the doped layer, and forming a conductive line coupled with the sidewall junction to fill the trench.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a tunnel insulating film, a first electrode, an interelectrode insulating film and a second electrode. The tunnel insulating film is provided on the semiconductor substrate. The first electrode is provided on the tunnel insulating film. The interelectrode insulating film is provided on the first electrode. The second electrode is provided on the interelectrode insulating film. The interelectrode insulating film includes a stacked insulating layer, a charge storage layer and a block insulating layer. The charge storage layer is provided on the stacked insulating layer. The block insulating layer is provided on the charge storage layer. The stacked insulating layer includes a first insulating layer, a quantum effect layer and a second insulating layer. The quantum effect layer is provided on the first insulating layer. The second insulating layer is provided on the quantum effect layer.