Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate that includes peripheral and logic cell regions, a device isolation layer that defines a first active pattern on the peripheral region and second and third active patterns on the logic cell region, and first to third transistors on the first to third active patterns. Each of the first to third transistors includes a gate electrode, a gate spacer, a source pattern and a drain pattern. The second active pattern includes a semiconductor pattern that overlaps the gate electrode. At least a portion of a top surface of the device isolation layer is higher than a top surface of the second and third active patterns. A profile of the top surface of the device isolation layer includes two or more convex portions between the second and third active patterns.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: at least one gate structure comprising a gate electrode over a substrate, the gate electrode comprising a conductive material; and a first dielectric layer disposed along one or more side wall of the at least one gate structure, the first dielectric layer comprising fluorine doped silicon oxycarbonitride or fluorine doped silicon oxycarbide.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of active fins defined by an isolation layer on a substrate, a gate structure on the active fins and the isolation layer, and a gate spacer structure covering a sidewall of the gate structure. A sidewall of the gate structure includes first, second, and third regions having first, second, and third slopes, respectively. The second slope increases from a bottom toward a top of the second region. The second slope has a value at the bottom of the second region less than the first slope. The third slope is greater than the second slope.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a major surface and both an element-forming region and an outer peripheral voltage-withstanding region that are provided on the major surface side of the semiconductor substrate. The element-forming region includes both a cell region for forming a power element and a circuit element region for forming at least one circuit element. The circuit element region is interposed between the outer peripheral voltage-withstanding region and the cell region. The outer peripheral voltage-withstanding region includes a boundary region that adjoins the element-forming region. In the boundary region, there is provided one or more voltage-withstanding regions. At least one of the one or more voltage-withstanding regions has a withstand voltage lower than both the withstand voltages of the cell region and the circuit element region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a ferroelectric layer and a first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer is electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode and includes an n-type oxide semiconductor. A third electrode is opposite the first semiconductor layer. The ferroelectric layer is between the third electrode and the first semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor layer includes at least one of a Group IV semiconductor material or a p-type oxide semiconductor material. The first semiconductor layer is between the ferroelectric layer and the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, and a stacked fin structure on the buffer layer. The buffer layer can include germanium, and the stacked fin structure can include a semiconductor layer with germanium and tin. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure wrapped around a portion of the semiconductor layer and an epitaxial structure on the buffer layer and in contact with the semiconductor layer. The epitaxial structure includes germanium and tin.

Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising insulative levels vertically interleaved with conductive levels. The conductive levels individually comprise a first conductive structure, and a second conductive structure laterally neighboring the first conductive structure, the second conductive structure exhibiting a concentration of ?-phase tungsten varying with a vertical distance from a vertically neighboring insulative level. The microelectronic device further comprises slot structures vertically extending through the stack structure and dividing the stack structure into block structures, and strings of memory cells vertically extending through the stack structure, the first conductive structures between laterally neighboring strings of memory cells, the second conductive structures between the slot structures and strings of memory cells nearest the slot structures. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including an active region defined in a substrate; at least one channel layer on the active region; a gate electrode intersecting the active region and on the active region and surrounding the at least one channel layer; and a pair of source/drain regions adjacent to both sides of the gate electrode, on the active region, and in contact with the at least one channel layer, wherein the pair of source/drain regions includes a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) layer, and a maximum width of each of the pair of source/drain regions in a first direction is 1.3 times or less a width of the active region in the first direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing material, such as doped semiconductor material, are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a substrate, forming a first doped semiconductor layer overlying the substrate, and forming a second doped semiconductor layer overlying the first doped semiconductor layer, wherein the first doped semiconductor layer comprises a first dopant and a second dopant, and wherein the second doped semiconductor layer comprises the first dopant. Structures and devices formed using the methods and systems for performing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a field effect transistor (FET) structure comprises a body structure, dielectric structures, a gate structure and a source or drain region. The gate structure is formed over the body structure. The source or drain region is embedded in the body structure beside the gate structure, and abuts and is extended beyond the dielectric structure. The source or drain region contains stressor material with a lattice constant different from that of the body structure. The source or drain region comprises a first region formed above a first level at a top of the dielectric structures and a second region that comprises downward tapered side walls formed under the first level and abutting the corresponding dielectric structures.

Abstract: Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes: a silicon carbide layer; a metal layer; and a conductive layer positioned between the silicon carbide layer and the metal layer, the conductive layer containing a silicide of one metal element (M) selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt), and the conductive layer having a carbon concentration of 1×1017 cm?3 or less.

Abstract: Semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a base substrate including a first region, a second region, and a third region arranged along a first direction, a first doped layer in the base substrate at the first region and a second doped layer in the base substrate at the third region, a first gate structure on the base substrate at the second region, a first dielectric layer on the base substrate coving the first doped layer, the second doped layer, and sidewalls of the first gate structure, first trenches in the first dielectric layer at the first region and the third region respectively, a first conductive layer in the first trenches, a second conductive layer on a surface of the first conductive layer at the second sub-regions after forming the first conductive layer, and a third conductive layer on the contact region of the first gate structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first nanostructure over a substrate, the first nanostructure including a channel region and a first lightly doped source/drain (LDD) region, the first LDD region adjacent the channel region; a first epitaxial source/drain region wrapped around four sides of the first LDD region; an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the first epitaxial source/drain region; a source/drain contact extending through the ILD layer, the source/drain contact wrapped around four sides of the first epitaxial source/drain region; and a gate stack adjacent the source/drain contact and the first epitaxial source/drain region, the gate stack wrapped around four sides of the channel region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with different configurations of gate structures and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The method includes forming a fin structure on a substrate, forming a gate opening on the fin structure, forming an interfacial oxide layer on the fin structure, forming a first dielectric layer over the interfacial oxide layer, forming a dipole layer between the interfacial oxide layer and the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a work function metal (WFM) layer on the second dielectric layer, and forming a gate metal fill layer on the WFM layer. The dipole layer includes ions of first and second metals that are different from each other. The first and second metals have electronegativity values greater than an electronegativity value of a metal or a semiconductor of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Techniques for forming gate last VFET devices are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a VFET device includes: forming a stack on a wafer including: i) a doped bottom source/drain, ii) sacrificial layers having layers of a first sacrificial material with a layer of a second sacrificial material therebetween, and iii) a doped top source/drain; patterning trenches in the stack to form individual gate regions; filling the trenches with a channel material to form vertical fin channels; selectively removing the layers of the first sacrificial material forming first cavities in the gate regions; forming gate spacers in the first cavities; selectively removing the layer of the second sacrificial material forming second cavities in the gate regions; and forming replacement metal gates in the second cavities. A VFET device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor Fin FET device includes a fin structure disposed over a substrate. The fin structure includes a channel layer. The Fin FET device also includes a gate structure including a gate electrode layer and a gate dielectric layer, covering a portion of the fin structure. Side-wall insulating layers are disposed over both main sides of the gate electrode layer. The Fin FET device includes a source and a drain, each including a stressor layer disposed in a recess formed by removing the fin structure not covered by the gate structure. The stressor layer includes a first to a third stressor layer formed in this order. In the source, an interface between the first stressor layer and the channel layer is located under one of the side-wall insulating layers closer to the source or the gate electrode.

Abstract: A display apparatus is provided which may include a substrate including a display area and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, a first thin-film transistor disposed on the substrate and including a first semiconductor layer including an oxide semiconductor material, and a second thin-film transistor disposed on the substrate and including a second semiconductor layer including a silicon semiconductor material, wherein a surface roughness of the first semiconductor layer is increased by plasma treatment. A method of manufacturing the display apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device to provide a Metal Insulator Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MISFET) in a first region of a semiconductor substrate includes forming a first gate insulating film on the semiconductor substrate in the first region, forming a first gate electrode containing silicon on the first gate insulating film, forming first impurity regions inside the semiconductor substrate so as to sandwich the first gate electrode in the first region, the first impurity regions configuring a part of a first source region and a part of a first drain region, forming a first silicide layer on the first impurity region, forming a first insulating film on the semiconductor substrate so as to cover the first gate electrode and the first silicide layer, polishing the first insulating film so as to expose the first gate electrode, and forming a second silicide layer on the first gate electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-healing field-effect transistor (FET) device comprising a self-healing substrate and a self-healing dielectric layer, said substrate and said layer comprising a disulfide-containing poly(urea-urethane) (PUU) polymer, wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of less than about 10 ?m, a gate electrode, at least one source electrode, and at least one drain electrode, said electrodes comprising electrically conductive elongated nanostructures; and at least one channel comprising semi-conducting elongated nanostructures. Further provided is a method for fabricating the FET device.

Abstract: The invention provides a contact plug structure. The contact plug structure comprises a substrate and a dielectric layer, and a first contact hole located in the dielectric layer and penetrating into the substrate, the first contact hole has a first through hole portion located in the dielectric layer and a first groove located in the substrate, and the first through hole portion is communicated with the first groove, the maximum width of the first groove is larger than that of the first through hole portion in the direction parallel to the substrate surface. A barrier layer at least partially covering the sidewall of the first groove. A conductive pad layer is located on the bottom surface of the first groove. The conductive core layer is arranged on the conductive pad layer, and the barrier layer wraps the conductive pad layer and the conductive core layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) in which cavities separate wires of an interconnect structure. For example, a conductive feature overlies a substrate, and an intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer overlies the conductive feature. A first wire and a second wire neighbor in the IMD layer and respectively have a first sidewall and a second sidewall that face each other while being separated from each other by the IMD layer. Further, the first wire overlies and borders the conductive feature. A first cavity and a second cavity further separate the first and second sidewalls from each other. The first cavity separates the first sidewall from the IMD layer, and the second cavity separates the second sidewall from the IMD layer. The cavities reduce parasitic capacitance between the first and second wires and hence resistance-capacitance (RC) delay that degrades IC performance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a field effect transistor (FET) structure comprises a body structure, dielectric structures, a gate structure and a source or drain region. The gate structure is formed over the body structure. The source or drain region is embedded in the body structure beside the gate structure, and abuts and is extended beyond the dielectric structure. The source or drain region contains stressor material with a lattice constant different from that of the body structure. The source or drain region comprises a first region formed above a first level at a top of the dielectric structures and a second region that comprises downward tapered side walls formed under the first level and abutting the corresponding dielectric structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to semiconductor devices having high-voltage transistors integrated on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate and methods of forming the same. The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a semiconductor layer, a bulk substrate and an insulating layer between the semiconductor layer and the bulk substrate, a source region and a drain region disposed on the bulk substrate, an isolation structure extending through the insulating layer and the semiconductor layer and terminates in the bulk substrate, and a gate structure between the source region and the drain region, the gate structure is disposed on the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a staircase structure of 3D memory, including: forming an alternating layer stack comprising a plurality of dielectric layer pairs disposed over a substrate; forming a first mask stack over the alternating layer stack; patterning the first mask stack to define a staircase region comprising a number of N sub-staircase regions over the alternating layer stack using a lithography process and N is greater than 1; forming a first staircase structure over the staircase region, the first staircase structure has a number of M steps at each of the staircase regions and M is greater than 1; and forming a second staircase structure on the first staircase structure, the second staircase structure has a number of 2*N*M steps at the staircase region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which includes a substrate, a first and second doped wells, a drain and source regions, a gate structure, a field plate and a booster plate. The first and second doped wells are arranged in the substrate. The drain region is arranged in the first doped well and the source region is arranged in the second doped well. The gate structure is arranged over the substrate and between the source and drain regions. The field plate is arranged over the first doped well and the booster plate arranged between the field plate and the first doped well.

Abstract: To provide a miniaturized transistor having highly stable electrical characteristics. Furthermore, also in a semiconductor device including the transistor, high performance and high reliability are achieved. The transistor includes, over a substrate, a conductor, an oxide semiconductor, and an insulator. The oxide semiconductor includes a first region and a second region. The resistance of the second region is lower than that of the first region. The entire surface of the first region in the oxide semiconductor is surrounded in all directions by the conductor with the insulator interposed therebetween.

Abstract: Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having germanium nanowire channel structures, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having germanium nanowire channel structures, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires above a fin, each of the nanowires including germanium, and the fin including a defect modification layer on a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer on the defect modification layer, and a third semiconductor layer on the second semiconductor layer. A gate stack is around the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A first epitaxial source or drain structure is at a first end of the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires, and a second epitaxial source or drain structure is at a second end of the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices having through array contacts (TACs) and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A dielectric stack including interleaved a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of sacrificial layers is formed above a substrate. A channel structure extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed. A first opening extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed. A spacer is formed in a plurality of shallow recesses and on a sidewall of the first opening. The plurality of shallow recesses abut the sidewall of the first opening. A TAC extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed by depositing a conductor layer in contact with the spacer in the first opening. A slit extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed.

Abstract: A device includes a fin extending from a substrate; a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the fin; a gate spacer along a sidewall of the gate stack; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate spacer, the epitaxial source/drain region including a first epitaxial layer on the fin, the first epitaxial layer including silicon and arsenic; and a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer including silicon and phosphorus, the first epitaxial layer separating the second epitaxial layer from the fin; and a contact plug on the second epitaxial layer.

Abstract: Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having embedded GeSnB source or drain structures, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having embedded GeSnB source or drain structures, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires above a fin, the fin including a defect modification layer on a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the defect modification layer. A gate stack is around the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A first epitaxial source or drain structure is at a first end of the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires, and a second epitaxial source or drain structure is at a second end of the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires.

Abstract: Wrap-around contact structures for semiconductor nanowires and nanoribbons, and methods of fabricating wrap-around contact structures for semiconductor nanowires and nanoribbons, are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor nanowire above a first portion of a semiconductor sub-fin. A gate structure surrounds a channel portion of the semiconductor nanowire. A source or drain region is at a first side of the gate structure, the source or drain region including an epitaxial structure on a second portion of the semiconductor sub-fin, the epitaxial structure having substantially vertical sidewalls in alignment with the second portion of the semiconductor sub-fin. A conductive contact structure is along sidewalls of the second portion of the semiconductor sub-fin and along the substantially vertical sidewalls of the epitaxial structure.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a substrate and a channel layer over the substrate; forming a high-k gate dielectric layer over the channel layer; forming a work function metal layer over the high-k gate dielectric layer; forming a silicide layer over the work function metal layer; annealing the structure such that a first portion of the work function metal layer that interfaces with the high-k gate dielectric layer is doped with silicon elements from the silicide layer; removing the silicide layer; and forming a bulk metal layer over the work function metal layer.

Abstract: Circuit-Under-Pad (CUP) device topologies for high-current lateral power switching devices are disclosed, in which the interconnect structure and pad placement are configured for reduced source and common source inductance. In an example topology for a power semiconductor device comprising a lateral GaN HEMT, the source bus runs across a centre of the active area, substantially centered between first and second extremities of source finger electrodes, with laterally extending tabs contacting the underlying source finger electrodes. The drain bus is spaced from the source bus and comprises laterally extending tabs contacting the underlying drain finger electrodes. The gate bus is centrally placed and runs adjacent the source bus. Preferably, the interconnect structure comprises a dedicated gate return bus to separate the gate drive loop from the power loop. Proposed CUP device structures provide for lower source and common source inductance and/or higher current carrying capability per unit device area.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. An alternating dielectric stack is formed on a substrate. A vertical structure is formed penetrating the alternating dielectric stack in a vertical direction. A bottom dielectric layer of the alternating dielectric stack is removed. An epitaxial layer is formed between the substrate and the alternating dielectric stack after removing the bottom dielectric layer. An insulating layer is formed on the epitaxial layer. The insulating layer is located between the epitaxial layer and the alternating dielectric stack. The influence of the step of forming the vertical structure on the epitaxial layer may be avoided, and defects at the interface between the epitaxial layer and the bottom dielectric layer may be avoided accordingly.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cell transistors arranged along a common semiconductor layer. Each of the plurality of memory cell transistors comprises a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region formed in the common semiconductor layer; a gate stack formed on a portion of the common semiconductor layer between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region; and an electrical floating portion in the portion of the common semiconductor layer, a charge state of the electrical floating portion being adapted to adjust a threshold voltage and a channel conductance of the memory cell transistor. The plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series with each other along the common semiconductor layer provide a memory string.

Abstract: A memory device can include a strained single-crystalline silicon layer and an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over the strained single-crystalline silicon layer. A memory opening fill structure extending through the alternating stack may include an epitaxial silicon-containing pedestal channel portion, and a vertical semiconductor channel, and a vertical stack of memory elements located adjacent to the vertical semiconductor channel Additionally or alternatively, a drain region can include a semiconductor drain portion and a nickel-aluminum-semiconductor alloy drain portion.

Abstract: Source and drain formation techniques are disclosed herein. An exemplary three-step etch method for forming a source/drain recess in a source/drain region of a fin includes a first anisotropic etch, an isotropic etch, and a second anisotropic etch. The first anisotropic etch and the isotropic etch are tuned to define a location of a source/drain tip. A depth of the source/drain recess after the first anisotropic etch and the isotropic etch is less than a target depth. The second anisotropic etch is tuned to extend the depth of the source/drain recess to the target depth. The source/drain tip is near a top of the fin while a bottom portion of the source/drain recess is spaced a distance from a gate footing. The source/drain recess is filled with an epitaxial semiconductor material.

Abstract: A normally-off vertical nitride semiconductor transistor device with low threshold voltage variation includes a drift layer containing a nitride semiconductor, a channel region electrically connected to the drift layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode. The gate insulating film includes at least a first insulating film located at the channel region side, a second insulating film located at the gate electrode side, and a third insulating film between the second insulating film and the gate electrode, wherein the second insulating film has charge traps with energy levels located inside the band gaps of both the first and third insulating films, and the threshold voltage is adjusted by charges accumulated in the charge traps. The threshold voltage is used to block flowing current by substantially eliminating conduction carriers of the channel region by voltage applied to the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first region and a second region, first active fins that extend in a first direction in the first region, second active fins that extend in the first direction in the second region, a first field insulating layer between the first active fins and that extend in a second direction, a second field insulating layer between the second active fins and extending in the second direction, a gate line that extends in the second direction on the second field insulating layer, the gate line linearly along with the first field insulating layer, a gate isolation layer between the first field insulating layer and the gate line, and gate spacers that extend in the second direction, the gate spacers in contact with both sidewalls of each of the first field insulating layer, the gate line, and the gate isolation layer.

Abstract: A method for the production of a graphene layer structure having from 1 to 100 graphene layers, the method comprising providing a substrate having a thermal resistance equal to or greater than that of sapphire, on a heated susceptor in a reaction chamber, the chamber having a plurality of cooled inlets arranged so that, in use, the inlets are distributed across the substrate and have a constant separation from the substrate, supplying a flow comprising a precursor compound through the inlets and into the reaction chamber to thereby decompose the precursor compound and form graphene on the substrate, wherein the inlets are cooled to less than 100° C., preferably 50 to 60° C., and the susceptor is heated to a temperature of at least 50° C. in excess of a decomposition temperature of the precursor, using a laser to selectively ablate graphene from the substrate, wherein the laser has a wavelength in excess of 600 nm and a power of less than 50 Watts.

Abstract: In a self-aligned fin cut process for fabricating integrated circuits, a sacrificial gate or an epitaxially-formed source/drain region is used as an etch mask in conjunction with a fin cut etch step to remove unwanted portions of the fins. The process eliminates use of a lithographically-defined etch mask to cut the fins, which enables precise and accurate alignment of the fin cut.

Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor device with a programmable unit and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a bottom conductive layer positioned in the substrate, an insulation layer positioned on the substrate, a first conductive layer positioned on the insulation layer and above the bottom conductive layer, a second conductive layer positioned on the insulation layer and above the bottom conductive layer and spaced apart from the first conductive layer, a conductive plug electrically coupled to the bottom conductive layer, and a top conductive layer electrically coupled to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer has a first work function and the second conductive layer has a second work function different from the first work function. The bottom conductive layer, the insulation layer, the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer together configure a programmable unit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high-profile capacitor with high capacity includes providing a substrate, forming a first mold layer, a first supporter layer, a second mold layer, and a second supporter layer on the substrate, where at least one of the first mold layer and the second mold layer are made of a dielectric material having a low or super low dielectric constant, defining at least one contact hole, where the now-surrounding first and second supporter layers reinforce the at least one contact hole and form first and second supporter patterns respectively, forming a lower electrode on an inner surface of the at least one contact hole, and removing the first mold layer and/or the second mold layer being made of the dielectric material by ashing.

Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure that includes a buried interconnect conductor and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a substrate that includes a plurality of fins extending from a remainder of the substrate. A spacer layer is formed between the plurality of fins, and a buried interconnect conductor is formed on the spacer layer between the plurality of fins. A set of capping layers is formed on the buried interconnect conductor between the plurality of fins. A contact recess is etched through the set of capping layers that exposes the buried interconnect conductor, and a contact is formed in the contact recess that is electrically coupled to the buried interconnect conductor.

Abstract: Described herein are arrays of embedded dynamic random-access memory (eDRAM) cells that use TFTs as selector transistors. When at least some selector transistors are implemented as TFTs, different eDRAM cells may be provided in different layers above a substrate, enabling a stacked architecture. An example stacked TFT based eDRAM includes one or more memory cells provided in a first layer over a substrate and one or more memory cells provided in a second layer, above the first layer, where at least the memory cells in the second layer, but preferably the memory cells in both the first and second layers, use TFTs as selector transistors. Stacked TFT based eDRAM allows increasing density of memory cells in a memory array having a given footprint area, or, conversely, reducing the footprint area of the memory array with a given memory cell density.

Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. A horizontal pattern of operative memory-cell pillars extends through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers in individual of the memory blocks. The operative memory-cell pillars have intrinsic compressive mechanical stress. At least one dummy structure in the individual memory blocks extends through at least upper of the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The at least one dummy structure is at least one of (a) and (b), where (a): at a lateral edge of the horizontal pattern, and (b): at a longitudinal end of the horizontal pattern. The at least one dummy structure has intrinsic tensile mechanical stress. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming and processing semiconductor devices which utilize a three-color hardmask process are described. Certain embodiments relate to the formation of self-aligned contacts for metal gate applications. More particularly, certain embodiments relate to the formation of self-aligned gate contacts through the selective deposition of a fill material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure over a substrate. The fin structure includes a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom and the top portions have different materials. The device also includes a liner layer on a sidewall of the bottom portion, a dielectric layer on side surfaces of the liner layer, an interfacial layer, and a gate structure over the dielectric layer and engages the fin structure. A top surface of the liner layer extends below a bottom surface of the top portion. The interfacial layer has a first section on and directly contacting sidewall surfaces of the bottom portion and a second section on and directly contacting top and sidewall surfaces of the top portion. The gate structure includes a high-k dielectric layer and a metal gate electrode over the high-k dielectric layer. The high-k dielectric layer directly contacts the first section of the interfacial layer.

Abstract: Approaches herein decrease nanosheet gate length variations by implanting a gate layer material with ions prior to etching. A method may include forming a dummy gate structure over a nanosheet stack, the dummy gate structure including a hardmask atop a gate material layer, and removing a portion of the hardmask to expose a first area and a second area of the gate material layer. The method may further include implanting the dummy gate structure to modify the first and second areas of the gate material layer, and etching the first and second areas of the gate material layer to form a treated layer along a sidewall of a third area of the gate material layer, wherein the third area is beneath the hardmask.