Abstract: According to the present embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory transistor, and a MOS transistor. The memory transistor includes at least a first silicon dioxide film and a first gate electrode positioned on the semiconductor substrate in order. The MOS transistor includes a second silicon dioxide film and a second gate electrode positioned on the semiconductor substrate in order. Any bird's beak is not generated in at least either the first silicon dioxide film or the first gate electrode of the memory transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy, gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: Source/drain silicide that improves performance and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary device includes a first channel layer disposed over a substrate, a second channel layer disposed over the first channel layer, and a gate stack that surrounds the first channel layer and the second channel layer. A source/drain feature disposed adjacent the first channel layer, second channel layer, and gate stack. The source/drain feature is disposed over first facets of the first channel layer and second facets of the second channel layer. The first facets and the second facets have a (111) crystallographic orientation. An inner spacer disposed between the gate stack and the source/drain feature and between the first channel layer and the second channel layer. A silicide feature is disposed over the source/drain feature where the silicide feature extends into the source/drain feature towards the substrate to a depth of the first channel layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a sacrificial layer over the semiconductor substrate, etching the sacrificial layer to form a sacrificial pattern, etching the semiconductor substrate using the sacrificial pattern as an etching mask to form an active region of the semiconductor substrate, trimming the sacrificial pattern, and replacing the trimmed sacrificial pattern with a gate electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a first silicon fin having a longest dimension along a first direction. A second silicon fin having a longest dimension is along the first direction. An insulator material is between the first silicon fin and the second silicon fin. A gate line is over the first silicon fin and over the second silicon fin along a second direction, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the gate line having a first side and a second side, wherein the gate line has a discontinuity over the insulator material, the discontinuity filled by a dielectric plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first insulating layer adjacent to the transistor in a first direction along a main surface of the semiconductor substrate, the first insulating layer being formed toward an inside of the semiconductor substrate; a first conductive layer connected to a gate of the transistor, a part of the first conductive layer being opposed to the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer disposed between the first insulating layer and the first conductive layer; and a first semiconductor layer disposed between the second insulating layer and the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate over a substrate. A first gate spacer is formed on a sidewall of the dummy gate. The dummy gate is replaced with a gate structure. A top portion of the first spacer is removed. After the top portion of the first spacer is removed, a second spacer is over the first spacer. The second spacer has a stepped bottom surface with an upper step in contact with a top surface of the first spacer and a lower step lower than the top surface of the first spacer. A contact plug is formed contacting the gate structure and the second spacer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first fin, a first continuous fin and continuous gates. The first fin is formed on a substrate, and includes first and second portions that are spaced apart by a first recess. A side of the first portion and a side of the second portion are located at two sides of the first recess, respectively. The first continuous fin is formed on the substrate, and extends along the first portion, the first recess and the second portion. The continuous gates are formed on the substrate, and arranged to intersect the first continuous fin and the first fin in a layout view. A first number of the continuous gates are disposed across the first recess and each of the first number of the continuous gates is disposed between the two sides of the first recess in a layout view. A method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated chip that includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region disposed in a substrate. A plane that is substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate traverses the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. Agate electrode extends over a channel region in the substrate between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. The gate electrode is separated from the channel region by way of a charge trapping dielectric structure. The charge trapping dielectric structure includes a tunnel dielectric layer, a charge trapping dielectric layer over the tunnel dielectric layer, and a blocking dielectric layer over the charge trapping dielectric layer. The channel region has a channel width measured perpendicularly to the plane, and the tunnel dielectric layer has different thicknesses at different respective points along the channel width.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fabrication method that includes providing a workpiece having a semiconductor substrate with a first circuit area and a second circuit area; forming a first active region within the first circuit area and a second active region within the second circuit area; forming a first gate structure on the first active region and a second gate structure on the second active region; introducing a doping species to the first active region but not the second active region; performing an etching process, thereby simultaneously recessing both first source/drain regions of the first active region and second source/drain regions of the second active region at a same etch rate; and thereafter, epitaxially growing first source/drain features within the first source/drain regions and second source/drain features within the second source/drain regions.

Abstract: A method for forming a film layer includes: a substrate is provided; a pretreatment step is performed, in which the pretreatment step includes providing a reaction source gas, which forms attachment points on the substrate; and a deposition step is performed, in which the reaction source gas is formed into a plasma, which is deposited on the substrate based on the attachment points to form a first film layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a first fin structure extending along a first lateral direction; a second fin structure extending along the first lateral direction; a first gate structure extending along a second lateral direction and straddles the first fin structure; a second gate structure extending along the second lateral direction and straddles the second fin structure. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric cut structure that separates the first and second gate structures from each other. The dielectric cut structure extends into the substrate and comprises a first portion and a second portion. A width of the first portion along the second lateral direction increases with increasing depth into the substrate and a width of the second portion along the second lateral direction decreases with increasing depth into the substrate. The second portion is located below the first portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a plurality of first contact structures, plug-shaped second contact structures configured to be connected to a first number of the plurality of first contact structures, respectively, a slit-shaped second contact structure configured to be connected to a second number of the plurality of first contact structures, adjacent in a first direction, and a third contact structure configured to be connected to sidewalls of the plug-shaped second contact structures, adjacent in the first direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a vertical state transistor disposed in a semiconductor substrate, where the vertical state transistor is configured to trap charges in a dielectric interface between a semiconductor well and a control gate. A vertical selection transistor is disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The vertical selection transistor is disposed under the state transistor, and configured to select the state transistor.

Abstract: Structures for a silicon-controlled rectifier and methods of forming a structure for a silicon-controlled rectifier. The structure comprises a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, and a first well and a second well in the semiconductor substrate beneath the dielectric layer. The first well has a first conductivity type, the second well has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, and the second well adjoins the first well along a p-n junction. The structure further comprises a first terminal and a second terminal above the dielectric layer, a first connection extending through the dielectric layer from the first terminal to the first well, and a second connection extending through the dielectric layer from the second terminal to the second well.

Abstract: A silicon semiconductor wafer is transported into a chamber, and preheating of the semiconductor wafer is started in a nitrogen atmosphere by irradiation with light from halogen lamps. When the temperature of the semiconductor wafer reaches a predetermined switching temperature in the course of the preheating, oxygen gas is supplied into the chamber to change the atmosphere within the chamber from the nitrogen atmosphere to an oxygen atmosphere. Thereafter, a front surface of the semiconductor wafer is heated for an extremely short time period by flash irradiation. Oxidation is suppressed when the temperature of the semiconductor wafer is relatively low below the switching temperature, and is caused after the temperature of the semiconductor wafer becomes relatively high. As a result, a dense, thin oxide film having good properties with fewer defects at an interface with a silicon base layer is formed on the front surface of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a gate structure formed adjacent to a source/drain region, and a spacer structure formed between the gate structure and the source/drain region. The spacer structure includes a top spacer and a bottom spacer, the top spacer includes an airgap having a bottom portion that is wider than a top portion. The wider bottom portion of the airgap is located between the gate structure and the source/drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a device isolation layer provided on a substrate, the device isolation layer defining first and second sub-active patterns, first and second gate electrodes crossing the first and second sub-active patterns, respectively, and an isolation structure provided on the device isolation layer between the first and second sub-active patterns. The first and second sub-active patterns extend in a first direction and are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The device isolation layer includes a diffusion break region disposed between the first and second sub-active patterns. The isolation structure covers a top surface of the diffusion break region.

Abstract: A thin film transistor, a semiconductor device having a thin film transistor and a method of fabricating a thin film transistor are provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate metal; a gate dielectric layer disposed on the gate metal; a semiconductor layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer; an interlayer dielectric disposed on the semiconductor layer and having a contact hole over the semiconductor layer; a source/drain metal disposed in the contact hole; a first liner disposed between the interlayer dielectric and the source/drain metal; and a second liner disposed between the first liner and the source/drain metal and being in contact with the semiconductor layer in the contact hole.

Abstract: Different isolation liners for different type FinFETs and associated isolation feature fabrication are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes performing a fin etching process on a substrate to form first trenches defining first fins in a first region and second trenches defining second fins in a second region. An oxide liner is formed over the first fins in the first region and the second fins in the second region. A nitride liner is formed over the oxide liner in the first region and the second region. After removing the nitride liner from the first region, an isolation material is formed over the oxide liner and the nitride liner to fill the first trenches and the second trenches. The isolation material, the oxide liner, and the nitride liner are recessed to form first isolation features (isolation material and oxide liner) and second isolation features (isolation material, nitride liner, and oxide liner).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to single diffusion cut for gate structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a single diffusion break extending into a substrate between diffusion regions of adjacent gate structures, the single diffusion break filled with an insulator material and further comprising an undercut region lined with a liner material which is between the insulator material and the diffusion regions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate including a cell region and a core/peripheral region around the cell region, forming a gate insulating film on the substrate of the core/peripheral region, forming a first conductive film of a first conductive type on the gate insulating film, forming a diffusion blocking film within the first conductive film, the diffusion blocking film being spaced apart from the gate insulating film in a vertical direction, after forming the diffusion blocking film, forming an impurity pattern including impurities within the first conductive film, diffusing the impurities through a heat treatment process to form a second conductive film of a second conductive type and forming a metal gate electrode on the second conductive film, wherein the diffusion blocking film includes helium (He) and/or argon (Ar).

Abstract: A wrap-around source/drain trench contact structure is described. A plurality of semiconductor fins extend from a semiconductor substrate. A channel region is disposed in each fin between a pair of source/drain regions. An epitaxial semiconductor layer covers the top surface and sidewall surfaces of each fin over the source/drain regions, defining high aspect ratio gaps between adjacent fins. A pair of source/drain trench contacts are electrically coupled to the epitaxial semiconductor layers. The source/drain trench contacts comprise a conformal metal layer and a fill metal. The conformal metal layer conforms to the epitaxial semiconductor layers. The fill metal comprises a plug and a barrier layer, wherein the plug fills a contact trench formed above the fins and the conformal metal layer, and the barrier layer lines the plug to prevent interdiffusion of the conformal metal layer material and plug material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation feature formed in the semiconductor substrate and a first fin-type active region. The first fin-type active region extends in a first direction. A dummy gate stack is disposed on an end region of the first fin-type active region. The dummy gate stack may overlie an isolation structure. In an embodiment, any recess such as formed for a source/drain region in the first fin-type active region will be displaced from the isolation region by the distance the dummy gate stack overlaps the first fin-type active region.

Abstract: A method is presented for reducing capacitance coupling. The method includes forming a nanosheet stack including alternating layers of a first material and a second material over a substrate, forming a source/drain epi for a first device, depositing a sacrificial material over the source/drain epi, forming a source/drain epi for a second device over the sacrificial material, and removing the sacrificial material to define an airgap directly between the source/drain epi for the first device and the source/drain epi for the second device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing logic device isolation in an embedded storage process, removing the pad silicon nitride and floating gate polysilicon layer in a shallow trench isolation area and retaining the floating gate oxide layer; depositing acid etching silicon nitride; removing the acid etching silicon nitride at the bottom of the shallow trench isolation and a portion of the silicon substrate adjacent to and under the shallow trench isolation, to form a trench and retain the acid etching silicon nitride on a side of the floating gate polysilicon layer close to the shallow trench isolation; remove the acid etching silicon nitride on the side of the floating gate polysilicon layer close to the shallow trench isolation.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a sacrificial layer over the semiconductor substrate, etching the sacrificial layer to form a sacrificial pattern, etching the semiconductor substrate using the sacrificial pattern as an etching mask to form an active region of the semiconductor substrate, trimming the sacrificial pattern, and replacing the trimmed sacrificial pattern with a gate electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fabrication method that includes providing a workpiece having a semiconductor substrate that includes a first circuit area and a second circuit area; forming a first active region in the first circuit area and a second active region on the second circuit area; forming first stacks with a first gate spacing on the first active region and second gate stacks with a second gate spacing on the second active region, the second gate spacing being different from the first gate spacing; performing an ion implantation to introduce a doping species to the first active region; performing an etching process, thereby recessing both first source/drain regions of the first active region with a first etch rate and second source/drain regions of the second active region; and epitaxially growing first source/drain features within the first source/drain regions and second source/drain features within the second source/drain regions.

Abstract: A film forming method for forming a silicon film having a step coverage on a substrate having a recess in a surface of the substrate, the film forming method comprising: forming a silicon film such that a film thickness on an upper portion of a side wall of the recess is thicker than a film thickness on a lower portion of the side wall of the recess by supplying a silicon-containing gas to the substrate; and etching a portion of the silicon film conformally by supplying an etching gas to the substrate, wherein the act of forming the silicon film and the act of etching the portion of the silicon film are performed a number of times which is determined depending on the step coverage.

Abstract: A gate cut isolation including an air gap and an IC including the same are disclosed. A method of forming the gate cut isolation may include forming an opening in a dummy gate that extends over a plurality of spaced active regions, the opening positioned between and spaced from a pair of active regions. The opening is filled with a fill material, and the dummy gate is removed. A metal gate is formed in a space vacated by the dummy gate on each side of the fill material, and the fill material is removed to form a preliminary gate cut opening. A liner is deposited in the preliminary gate cut opening, creating a gate cut isolation opening, which is then sealed by depositing a sealing layer. The sealing layer closes an upper end of the gate cut isolation opening and forms the gate cut isolation including an air gap.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for generating fully depleted silicon on insulator (SOI) transistor with a ferroelectric layer. The techniques include forming a first multi-layer wafer comprising a semiconductor layer and a buried oxide layer, wherein the semiconductor layer is formed over the buried oxide layer. The techniques also including forming a second multi-layer wafer comprising the ferroelectric layer, and bonding the first multi-layer wafer to the second multi-layer wafer, wherein the bonding comprises a coupling between the buried oxide layer and the second multi-layer wafer.

Abstract: Disclosed are implantable medical devices for the occlusion of a bodily lumen, cavity, vessel, or organ, as well as methods for manufacturing such occlusion devices, and methods for treating a subject using the occlusion devices. The devices generally include a wire having shape memory properties and a flexible membranous material disposed about the wire. Some embodiments include a lateral fringe on the membranous material. Some embodiments include a fluid capture cup affixed to the wire.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a storage device. More specifically, embodiments described herein generally relate to a dynamic random-access memory and the method of making thereof. In one embodiment, a cell array includes at least an active region and a field region adjacent to the active region. The active region includes at least one trench, a dielectric layer disposed in the trench, a first conformal layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and a conductive material disposed on the first conformal layer. The field region includes a trench, a dielectric layer disposed in the trench, a second conformal layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and a conductive material disposed on the second conformal layer. The second conformal layer has a different composition than the first conformal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer having first and second regions, a plurality of first channel layers spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction on the first region of the first semiconductor layer, a first gate electrode surrounding the plurality of first channel layers, a plurality of second channel layers spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction on the second region of the first semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode surrounding the plurality of second channel layers, wherein each of the plurality of first channel layers has a first crystallographic orientation, and each of the plurality of second channel layers has a second crystallographic orientation different from the first crystallographic orientation, and wherein a thickness of each of the plurality of first channel layers is different from a thickness of each of the plurality of second channel layers.

Abstract: A method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) includes providing a substrate; forming an nFET source/drain region on the substrate; forming a pFET source/drain region on the substrate and adjacent to the nFET region, the nFET source/drain region directly contacting the pFET source/drain region; forming a first insulator layer on the nFET source/drain region and the pFET source/drain region; etching away a portion of the first insulator layer between the nFET source/drain region and the pFET source/drain region down to a level of the substrate, thereby breaking the contact between the nFET source/drain region and the pFET source/drain region; and forming a second insulator layer between the nFET source/drain region and the pFET source/drain region in a space formed by the etching, the second insulator layer extending from the substrate to a top of the first insulator layer. The second insulator layer is harder than the first insulator layer.

Abstract: An FDSOI device structure and its fabrication method are disclosed. The device includes a silicon substrate; a buried oxide layer on the silicon substrate; a SiGe channel on the buried oxide layer, wherein the SiGe channel has a thickness in a range of 60-100 ?; a silicon layer on the SiGe channel layer; a metal gate disposed on the silicon layer, and sidewalls attached to both sides of the metal gate; and source-drain regions disposed on the silicon layer at both sides of the metal gate, wherein the source-drain regions are built in raised SiGe layers. The invention discloses a channel forming method for the FDSOI device, the method includes making a SiGe layer and an epitaxially grown silicon layer. This channel has avoided issues such as the low stress of a silicon channel and the Ge diffusion into the gate dielectric as occurred in the conventional process, thereby improving the reliability and performance of the FDSOI device.

Abstract: A vertical IGBT device is disclosed. The vertical IGBT structure includes an active MOSFET cell array formed in an active region at a front side of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. One or more column structures of a second conductivity type concentrically surround the active MOSFET cell array. Each column structure includes a column trench and a deep column region. The deep column region is formed by implanting implants of the second conductivity type into the semiconductor substrate through the floor of the column trench. Dielectric side wall spacers are formed on the trench side walls except a bottom wall of the trench and the column trench is filled with poly silicon of the second conductivity type. One or more column structures are substantially deeper than the active MOSFET cell array.

Abstract: One illustrative transistor device disclosed herein includes a gate structure positioned above a semiconductor substrate and first and second overall epitaxial cavities formed in the semiconductor substrate on opposite sides of the gate structure. In one embodiment, each of the first and second overall epitaxial cavities includes a substantially vertically oriented upper epitaxial cavity and a lower epitaxial cavity, wherein the substantially vertically oriented upper epitaxial cavity extends from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate to the lower epitaxial cavity. A lateral width of the lower epitaxial cavity is greater than a lateral width of the upper epitaxial cavity. The device also includes epitaxial semiconductor material positioned in each of the first and second overall epitaxial cavities.

Abstract: Thin film integrated circuits are peeled from a substrate and the peeled thin film integrated circuits are sealed, efficiently in order to improve manufacturing yields. The present invention provides laminating system comprising transporting means for transporting a substrate provided with a plurality of thin film integrated circuits; first peeling means for bonding first surfaces of the thin film integrated circuits to a first sheet member to peel the thin film integrated circuits from the substrate; second peeling means for bonding second surfaces of the thin film integrated circuits to a second sheet member to peel the thin film integrated circuits from the first sheet member; and sealing means for interposing the thin film integrated circuits between the second sheet member and a third sheet member to seal the thin film integrated circuit with the second sheet member and the third sheet member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a first insulation film in a via hole of a semiconductor substrate and above a first surface thereof, the semiconductor substrate having a circuit substrate on a second surface thereof, depositing a second insulation film having a covering property lower than the first insulation film in the via hole and above the first surface, and removing the first and second insulation films deposited at the bottom of the via hole by anisotropic etching.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming a CMOS device. One non-limiting method may include providing a gate structure atop a substrate, and forming a first spacer over the gate structure. The method may include removing the first spacer from just an upper portion of the gate structure by performing an angled reactive ion etch or angled implantation disposed at a non-zero angle of inclination with respect to a perpendicular to a plane of the substrate. The method may further include forming a second spacer over the upper portion of the gate structure and the first spacer along a lower portion of the gate structure. A thickness of the first spacer and the second spacer along the lower portion of the gate structure may be greater than a thickness of the second spacer along the upper portion of the gate structure.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to forming MOSFET devices. In particular, one or more pre-silicide treatments are performed on a substrate prior to the deposition of the metal-silicide layer to improve the density and performance of the metal-silicide layer in the MOSFETs. The metal-silicide formation formed with the pre-silicide treatment(s) can occur before or after the formation of metal gates during MOSFET fabrication.

Abstract: A transistor including a source and a drain each formed in a substrate; a channel disposed in the substrate between the source and drain, wherein the channel includes opposing sidewalls with a distance between the opposing sidewalls defining a width dimension of the channel and wherein the opposing sidewalls extend a distance below a surface of the substrate; and a gate electrode on the channel. A method of forming a transistor including forming a source and a drain in an area of a substrate; forming a source contact on the source and a drain contact on the drain; after forming the source contact and the drain contact, forming a channel in the substrate in an area between the source and drain, the channel including a body having opposing sidewalls separated by a length dimension; and forming a gate contact on the channel.

Abstract: An electronic circuit including a semiconductor substrate having first and second opposite surfaces and electrically-insulating trenches. Each trench includes at least first and second insulating portions made of a first insulating material, extending from the first surface to the second surface, first and second intermediate portions, extending from the first surface to the second surface, made of a first filling material, and a third insulating portion extending from the first surface to the second surface, the first insulating portion being in contact with the first intermediate portion, the second insulating portion being in contact with the second intermediate portion, and the third insulating portion being interposed between the intermediate portions.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices having optimized fin critical dimension loading are disclosed herein. An exemplary integrated circuit device includes a core region that includes a first multi-fin structure and an input/output region that includes a second multi-fin structure. The first multi-fin structure has a first width and the second multi-fin structure has a second width. The first width is greater than the second width. In some implementations, the first multi-fin structure has a first fin spacing and the second multi-fin structure has a second fin spacing. The first fin spacing is less than the second fin spacing. In some implementations, a first adjacent fin pitch of the first multi-fin structure is greater than or equal to three times a minimum fin pitch and a second adjacent fin pitch of the second multi-fin structure is less than or equal to two times the minimum fin pitch.

Abstract: A gate cut isolation including an air gap and an IC including the same are disclosed. A method of forming the gate cut isolation may include forming an opening in a dummy gate that extends over a plurality of spaced active regions, the opening positioned between and spaced from a pair of active regions. The opening is filled with a fill material, and the dummy gate is removed. A metal gate is formed in a space vacated by the dummy gate on each side of the fill material, and the fill material is removed to form a preliminary gate cut opening. A liner is deposited in the preliminary gate cut opening, creating a gate cut isolation opening, which is then sealed by depositing a sealing layer. The sealing layer closes an upper end of the gate cut isolation opening and forms the gate cut isolation including an air gap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes active fins on a substrate, a first isolation pattern on the substrate, the first isolation pattern extending on a lower sidewall of each of the active fins, a third isolation pattern including an upper portion extending into the first isolation pattern and a lower portion extending into an upper portion of the substrate, the lower portion contacting the upper portion of the third isolation pattern, and having a lower surface with a width greater than that of an upper surface thereof, and a second isolation pattern extending in the substrate under the third isolation pattern, contacting the third isolation pattern, and having a rounded lower surface.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate having an active area in which a plurality of active elements are formed, and a non-active area excepting the active area; at least one electrode pad electrically connected to any of the active elements. At least one Through Silicon VIA electrode is formed, being electrically connected to the electrode pad by way of the non-active area. The non-active area has an insulating region obtained by forming an insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, and a dummy section obtained by leaving a base material of the semiconductor substrate in the insulating region. The dummy section is provided in a position where an outer edge of the Through Silicon VIA electrode does not intersect with the boundary between the insulating region and the dummy section.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same, the semiconductor device including an insulating structure having an opening; a conductive pattern disposed in the opening; a barrier structure covering a bottom surface of the conductive pattern, the barrier structure extending between the conductive pattern and side walls of the opening; and a nucleation structure disposed between the conductive pattern and the barrier structure. The nucleation structure includes a first nucleation layer that contacts the barrier structure, and a second nucleation layer that contacts the conductive pattern, and a top end portion of the second nucleation layer is higher than a top end portion of the first nucleation layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to grasp an object with an unmanned aerial vehicle are described herein. An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes a gripper having a claw to grasp onto an object and an active material disposed on the claw. The example unmanned aerial vehicle further includes a material activator to: (1) apply an activation signal to the active material to soften the active material while the claw grasps the object with the active material, and (2) allow the active material to harden in a shape substantially matching a surface of the object.