Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, an interconnection structure, a first isolation feature, and a second isolation feature. The interconnection structure has a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface. The first isolation feature is disposed on the first lateral surface of the interconnection structure. The second isolation feature is disposed on the second lateral surface of the interconnection structure. The first isolation feature is different from the second isolation feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an encapsulated semiconductor device, a backside redistribution structure, and a front side redistribution structure. The encapsulated semiconductor device includes an encapsulating material and a semiconductor device encapsulated by the encapsulating material. The backside redistribution structure is disposed on a backside of the encapsulated semiconductor device and includes a redistribution circuit layer and a first patterned dielectric layer. The redistribution circuit layer has a circuit pattern and a dummy pattern electrically insulated from the circuit pattern. The dummy pattern is overlapped with the semiconductor device from a top view of the semiconductor package. The first patterned dielectric layer is disposed on the redistribution circuit layer and includes a marking pattern disposed on the dummy pattern and revealing a part of the dummy pattern.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The three-dimensional memory device includes first and second stacking structures, isolation pillars, gate dielectric layers, channel layers and conductive pillars. The stacking structures are laterally spaced apart from each other. The stacking structures respectively comprises alternately stacked insulating layers and conductive layers. The isolation pillars laterally extend between the stacking structures. The isolation pillars further protrude into the stacking structures, and a space between the stacking structures is divided into cell regions. The gate dielectric layers are respectively formed in one of the cell regions, and cover opposing sidewalls of the stacking structures and sidewalls of the isolation pillars. The channel layers respectively cover an inner surface of one of the gate dielectric layers.

Abstract: In a soldering structure, a power module having the same, and a method for manufacturing the power module configured for constantly determining a height of a power module when the power module is manufactured, the soldering structure may include a soldering target portion; a metal layer including a bonding surface having a bonding region in which the soldering target portion is bonded by solder; and at least one wire located in the solder within the bonding region.

Abstract: There is provided a display substrate including a base and a pixel circuit layer on the base, the pixel circuit layer includes pixel driving circuits arranged in an array along a first direction and a second direction. The base has recesses, each of which extends in the first direction and has a bottom surface and a side surface, a surface of the base includes the bottom surface and the side surface of each recesses, and a top surface between adjacent recesses, the bottom surface of each recess is substantially parallel to the top surface between adjacent recesses, the side surface of each recesses is at a first angle to the bottom surface of the recess and the top surface between adjacent recesses, and a portion of each pixel driving circuits is formed on the side surface of one recess. A method for preparing a display substrate is further provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transistor arrangements with trench contacts that have two parts—a first trench contact and a second trench contact—stacked over one another. Such transistor arrangements may be fabricated by forming a first trench contact over a source or drain contact of a transistor, recessing the first trench contact, forming the second trench contact over the first trench contact, and, finally, forming a gate contact that is electrically isolated from, while being self-aligned to, the second trench contact. Such a fabrication process may provide improvements in terms of increased edge placement error margin, cost-efficiency, and device performance, compared to conventional approaches to forming trench and gate contacts. The conductive material of the first trench contact may also be deposited over the gate electrodes of transistors, forming a gate strap, to advantageously reduce gate resistance.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring vacuum pressure using a memristor element are described. A vacuum sensor can include a memristor element having a semiconductor substrate, a memristive material layer, and a conductive electrode. The off-state resistance of the memristor element can be sensitive to changes in ambient pressure at the element. The off-state resistance of the memristor element may also exhibit a well-defined increase at pressures below a threshold pressure. Measurement of the off-state resistance may be obtained with low power consumption and without changing the resistance or switching the state of the memristor element. The measurements may be used to both determine a leak rate of the ambient pressure within the volume of interest and determine if the sensor is exposed to vacuum pressure below the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer disposed over a substrate; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; etching the second dielectric layer using a patterned mask layer to form an opening in the second dielectric layer, where the opening exposes the first conductive feature; performing an ashing process to remove the patterned mask layer after the etching; wet cleaning the opening after the ashing process, where the wet cleaning enlarges a bottom portion of the opening; and filling the opening with a first electrically conductive material.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including providing a substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the substrate; forming a via opening in the dielectric layer using a first mask layer as a mask; forming a failed hard mask layer to fill the via opening; forming a second mask layer on the failed hard mask layer; removing the second mask layer and the failed hard mask layer; forming an underfill layer to fill the via opening; forming a top hard mask layer on the underfill layer; forming a third mask layer on the top hard mask layer; patterning the top hard mask layer using the third mask layer as a mask; forming a trench opening in the dielectric layer using the top hard mask layer as a mask; and forming a via in the via opening and forming a trench in the trench opening.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, underlying structures comprising gate electrodes and source/drain epitaxial layers are formed, one or more layers are formed over the underlying structures, a hard mask layer is formed over the one or more layers, a groove pattern is formed in the hard mask layer, one or more first resist layers are formed over the hard mask layer having the groove pattern, a first photo resist pattern is formed over the one or more first resist layers, the one or more first resist layers are patterned by using the first photo resist pattern as an etching mask, thereby forming a first hard mask pattern, and the hard mask layer with the groove pattern are patterned by using the first hard mask pattern, thereby forming a second hard mask pattern.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device and a fabricating method for forming the same are disclosed. The 3D memory device can include an alternating conductor/dielectric layer stack disposed on a substrate, a first staircase structure and a second staircase structure formed in the alternating conductor/dielectric layer stack, a staircase bridge extending in a first direction and electrically connecting the first staircase structure and the second staircase structure, and a first bottom select gate segment covered or partially covered by the staircase bridge. The first bottom select gate segment can include an extended portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor package including a semiconductor chip having a first surface adjacent to an active layer and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a conductive stud disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor chip and connected to the active layer; an adhesive layer disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor chip; a conductive post disposed outside the semiconductor chip; a first redistribution structure, which is on the first surface of the semiconductor chip and includes a first redistribution insulation layer supporting the conductive stud and the conductive post; a second redistribution structure, which is on the second surface of the semiconductor chip and includes a second redistribution insulation layer disposed on the adhesive layer; and a first molding layer disposed on the first redistribution structure and surrounding the semiconductor chip, the adhesive layer, the conductive stud, and the conductive post.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a redistribution substrate including an insulating layer and redistribution patterns in the insulating layer may be provided. Each of the redistribution patterns may include a via portion, a pad portion vertically overlapping the via portion, and a line portion extending from the pad portion. The via portion, the pad portion, and the line portion may be connected to each other to form a single object. A level of a bottom surface of the pad portion may be lower than a level of a bottom surface of the line portion. A width of the line portion may have a largest value at a level between a top surface of the line portion and the bottom surface of the line portion.

Abstract: A cleaning process for cleaning a surface of a semiconductor structure is provided, in which residue layer is formed on the surface of the semiconductor structure. The cleaning process includes providing a first reaction gas and a second reaction gas to the surface of the semiconductor structure, in which the first reaction gas reacts with the second reaction gas to remove the residue layer while forming a protection layer on the surface of the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: The present application relates to a formation method for an air spacer layer and a semiconductor structure. The formation method for an air spacer layer includes: forming a first structure on a substrate and forming a second structure on the substrate, the second structure being located on a side surface of the first structure, a first trench being formed between the second structure and the first structure, and the second structure being exposed in the first trench; and growing, by an epitaxial growth process, an epitaxial layer on the second structure exposed in the first trench, the epitaxial layer not filling up the first trench, and an unfilled portion of the first trench forming the air spacer layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of non-insulator structures on a substrate, the plurality of non-insulator structures being spaced apart by trenches, forming a sacrificial layer overfilling the trenches, reflowing the sacrificial layer at an elevated temperature, wherein a top surface of the sacrificial layer after the reflowing is lower than a top surface of the sacrificial layer before the reflowing, etching back the sacrificial layer to lower the top surface of the sacrificial layer to fall below top surfaces of the plurality of non-insulator structures, forming a dielectric layer on the sacrificial layer, and removing the sacrificial layer to form air gaps below the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a semiconductor device includes etching back a source/drain contact to define a substrate topography including a trench disposed between adjacent hard mask layers. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) is deposited along sidewall and bottom surfaces of the trench, and over the adjacent hard mask layers, to provide the CESL having a snake-like pattern disposed over the substrate topography. A contact via opening is formed in a dielectric layer disposed over the CESL, where the contact via opening exposes a portion of the CESL within the trench. The portion of the CESL exposed by the contact via opening is etched to form an enlarged contact via opening and expose the etched back source/drain contact. A metal layer is deposited within the enlarged contact via opening to provide a contact via in contact with the exposed etched back source/drain contact.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, where the method includes the following operations. A semiconductor stack including a silicon-containing layer, an oxide deposited on a portion of the silicon-containing layer, an underlayer, and a resist layer is formed. The resist layer is patterned to form a first opening in the resist layer. The underlayer is etched to extend the first opening into the underlayer, where a top surface of the oxide is exposed by the first opening. The oxide and the underlayer are etched with a first etchant, where a ratio of etching rates of the oxide and the underlayer is about 1:1. The oxide and the silicon-containing layer are etched with a second etchant to form a second opening below the first opening, where an etching rate of the oxide is higher than that of the silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure that includes forming a gate structure over a substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric structure surrounding the gate structures, and forming a first opening in the gate structure and the interlayer dielectric structure. The first opening has a first portion in the gate structure and a second portion in the interlayer dielectric structure, in which the first portion has a width larger than the second portion. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer in the first opening and forming a second opening over the first opening. The first portion of the opening remains open and the second portion of the opening is filled after depositing the dielectric layer. The second opening in the gate structure has a depth larger than the first opening in the gate structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of staircase structures of a three-dimensional memory device and fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a first and a second film stacks, wherein the first film stack is disposed over the second film stack and has M1 number of layers. The second film stack has M2 number of layers. M1 and M2 are whole numbers. The semiconductor structure also includes an upper staircase structure and a lower staircase structure, wherein the upper staircase structure is formed in the first film stack and the lower staircase structure is formed in the second film stack. The upper and lower staircase structures are next to each other with an offset.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor structure includes a transistor; a first phase change memory structure, a bottom electrode of the first phase change memory structure being electrically connected to a first terminal (source or drain) of the transistor; a second phase change memory structure, a top electrode of the second phase change memory structure being electrically connected to the first terminal of the transistor; a first bit line, electrically connected to a top electrode of the first phase change memory structure; and a second bit line, electrically connected to a bottom electrode of the second phase change memory structure.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate, multiple first gate structures, and a protective structure. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first gate structures are disposed on the substrate in the first region. The protective structure conformally covers a sidewall of one of the first gate structures adjacent to the second region. The protective structure includes a lower portion and an upper portion disposed on the lower portion. The lower portion and the upper portion have different dielectric materials. A method of forming a semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A micro-light emitting diode (uLED) device comprises: a mesa comprising: a plurality of semiconductor layers including an n-type layer, an active layer, and a p-type layer; a p-contact layer contacting the p-type layer; a cathode contacting the first sidewall of the n-type layer; a first region of dielectric material that insulates the p-contact layer, the active layer, and a first sidewall of the p-type layer from the cathode; an anode contacting the top surface of the p-contact layer; and a second region of dielectric material that insulates the active layer, a second sidewall of the p-type layer, and the second sidewall of the n-type layer from the anode. The top surface of the p-contact layer has a different planar orientation compared to the first and second sidewalls of the n-type layer. Methods of making and using the uLED devices are also provided.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein are directed to a method for mitigating the fringing capacitances generated by patterned gate structures. The method includes forming a gate structure on fin structures disposed on a substrate; forming an opening in the gate structure to divide the gate structure into a first section and a second section, where the first and second sections are spaced apart by the opening. The method also includes forming a fill structure in the opening, where forming the fill structure includes depositing a silicon nitride liner in the opening to cover sidewall surfaces of the opening and depositing silicon oxide on the silicon nitride liner.

Abstract: A package structure and a method of forming the same are provided. The package structure includes a die, an encapsulant and a RDL structure, the encapsulant encapsulate sidewalls of the die. The RDL structure is disposed on the die and the encapsulant. The RDL structure includes a first dielectric structure and a first redistribution layer. The first dielectric structure includes a first dielectric material layer and a second dielectric material layer on the first dielectric material layer. The first redistribution layer is embedded in the first dielectric structure and electrically connected to the die, the redistribution layer comprises a first seed layer and a first conductive layer disposed on the first seed layer. A topmost surface of the first seed layer and a topmost surface of the first conductive layer are substantially level with a top surface of the second dielectric material layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain region in a fin-type active pattern, a gate structure adjacent to the source/drain region, and an insulating layer on the source/drain region and the gate structure. A shared contact plug penetrates through the insulating layer and includes a first lower portion connected to the source/drain region, a second lower portion connected to the gate structure, and an upper portion connected to upper surfaces of the first lower portion and the second lower portion. A plug spacer film is between the insulating layer and at least one of the first lower portion and the second lower portion and includes a material different from a material of the insulating layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a pillar of semiconductor material. The pillar has a base region, and bifurcates into two segments which extend upwardly from the base region. The two segments are horizontally spaced from one another by an intervening region. A conductive gate is within the intervening region. A first source/drain region is within the base region, a second source/drain region is within the segments, and a channel region is within the segments. The channel region is adjacent to the conductive gate and is vertically disposed between the first and second source/drain regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.

Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect structure is provided. The method for forming the interconnect structure includes forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate, forming a first conductive feature through the first dielectric layer, etching the first conductive feature to form a recess over the first conductive feature, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and filling the recess, etching the second dielectric layer to form an opening exposing an upper surface of the first conductive feature, and forming a second conductive feature in the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a substrate. A first conductive wire is within a first dielectric layer that is over the substrate. A first etch-stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. A second etch-stop layer is over the first etch-stop layer. A conductive via is within a second dielectric layer that is over the second etch-stop layer. The conductive via extends through the second etch-stop layer and along the first etch-stop layer to the first conductive wire. A first lower surface of the second etch-stop layer is on a top surface of the first etch-stop layer. A second lower surface of the second etch-stop layer is on a top surface of the first conductive wire.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming liner-free or barrier-free conductive structures. The method includes depositing an etch stop layer on a cobalt contact disposed on a substrate, depositing a dielectric on the etch stop layer, etching the dielectric and the etch stop layer to form an opening that exposes a top surface of the cobalt contact, and etching the exposed top surface of the cobalt contact to form a recess in the cobalt contact extending laterally under the etch stop layer. The method further includes depositing a ruthenium metal to substantially fill the recess and the opening, and annealing the ruthenium metal to form an oxide layer between the ruthenium metal and the dielectric.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) packages having a through-via interposer with an embedded die, as well as related structures, devices, and methods, are disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, an IC package may include a through-via interposer with an embedded die, the through-via connections having front to back conductivity. In some embodiments, a die may be disposed on the back side of an IC package having a through-via interposer with an embedded die and may be electrically coupled to the embedded die. In some embodiments, a second IC package in a package-on-package (PoP) arrangement may be disposed on the back side of an IC package having a through-via interposer with an embedded die and may be electrically coupled to the conductive vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a source region, a drain region, an interconnect structure, a memory cell and a conductive via. The semiconductor substrate has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The gate structure is disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate. The source region and the drain region are disposed in the semiconductor substrate aside the gate structure. The interconnect structure is disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the source region. The memory cell is disposed over the second side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the drain region. The conductive via is disposed in the semiconductor substrate between the drain region and the memory cell and electrically connects the drain region and the memory cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The semiconductor device structure includes a device, a first conductive structure disposed over the device, and the first conductive structure includes a first sidewall having a first portion and a second portion. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first spacer layer disposed on the first portion, a second conductive structure disposed adjacent the first conductive structure, and the second conductive structure includes a second sidewall having a third portion and a fourth portion. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second spacer layer disposed on the third portion, and an air gap is formed between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure. The second portion, the first spacer layer, the fourth portion, and the second spacer layer are exposed to the air gap.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a forming method thereof are provided.

Abstract: A resistor-transistor-logic (RTL) circuit with GaN structure, including a GaN layer, a AlGaN barrier layer on the GaN layer, multiple p-type doped GaN capping layers on the AlGaN barrier layer, wherein parts of the p-type doped GaN capping layers in a high-voltage region and in a low-voltage region convert the underlying GaN layer into gate depletion areas, the GaN layer not covered by the p-type doped GaN capping layers in a resistor region becomes a 2DEG resistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor package structure and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor package structure are provided. The semiconductor package structure includes a first passivation layer, a first metal layer and a first semiconductor die. The first metal layer is embedded in the first passivation layer. The first metal layer defines a first through-hole. The first semiconductor die is disposed on the first passivation layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a method for forming a semiconductor device with a graphene conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes a first gate structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate, and a first source/drain region disposed in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the first gate structure. The semiconductor device also includes a first silicide layer disposed in the semiconductor substrate and over the first source/drain region, and a graphene conductive structure disposed over the first silicide layer. The semiconductor device further includes a first dielectric layer covering the first gate structure, and a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer. The graphene conductive structure is surrounded by the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first metal feature in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, wherein a sidewall portion of the first dielectric layer is over a top surface of the first metal feature, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and a second metal feature extending through the second dielectric layer, wherein a bottom of a first portion of the second metal feature is in contact with the top surface of the first metal feature and a bottom of a second portion of the second metal feature is in contact with the sidewall portion of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Provided are a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using a thermally decomposable layer, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and the semiconductor device. The method includes forming an etch target layer on a substrate, forming thermally decomposable patterns spaced apart from each other on the etch target layer, forming a first mask pattern covering at least sidewalls of the thermally decomposable patterns, and removing the thermally decomposable patterns by a heating method to expose a sidewall of the first mask pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an active region, an isolation structure, a first metal line, gate structure, source/drain region, a source/drain contact, and a second metal line. The active region protrudes from a top surface of the substrate. The isolation structure is over the substrate and laterally surrounds the active region. The first metal line is in the isolation structure. The gate structure is over the active region. The source/drain region is in the active region. The source/drain contact is over the active region and is electrically connected to the source/drain region. The second metal line is over the gate structure and the source/drain contact, in which the second metal line vertically overlaps the first metal line.

Abstract: A method of forming an apparatus includes forming pillar structures extending vertically through a first isolation material, forming conductive lines operatively coupled to the pillar structures, forming dielectric structures overlying the conductive lines, and forming air gaps between neighboring conductive lines. The air gaps are laterally adjacent to the conductive lines with a portion of the air gaps extending above a plane of an upper surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines and a portion of the air gaps extending below a plane of a lower surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines. Apparatuses, memory devices, methods of forming a memory device, and electronic systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an assembly having a memory stack which includes dielectric levels and conductive levels. A select gate structure is over the memory stack. A trench extends through the select gate structure. The trench has a first side and an opposing second side, along a cross-section. The trench splits the select gate structure into a first select gate configuration and a second select gate configuration. A void is within the trench and is laterally between the first and second select gate configurations. Channel material pillars extend through the memory stack. Memory cells are along the channel material pillars.

Abstract: Provided is a storage device according to an embodiment including: a stacked body including gate electrode layers stacked in a first direction; a semiconductor layer provided in the stacked body and extending in the first direction; and a gate insulating film provided between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode layer, the gate insulating film having a first region disposed between the gate electrode layer and the semiconductor layer and a second region disposed between the two first regions adjacent to each other in the first direction, the gate insulating film containing a hafnium oxide, in which a first thickness of the first region in the second direction from the semiconductor layer toward the gate electrode layer is smaller than a second thickness of the second region in the second direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure and a forming method thereof. One form of a forming method includes: providing a base; forming a plurality of discrete mandrel layers on the base, where an extending direction of the mandrel layers is a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is a second direction; forming a plurality of spacer layers covering side walls of the mandrel layers; forming a pattern transfer layer on the base, where the pattern transfer layer covers side walls of the spacer layers; forming a first trench in the pattern transfer layer between adjacent spacer layers in the second direction; removing a mandrel layer to form a second trench after the first trench is formed; and etching the base along the first trench and the second trench to form a target pattern by using the pattern transfer layer and the spacer layer as a mask. In the present disclosure, the accuracy of the pattern transfer is improved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following steps: forming a lining layer on a substrate and a plurality of gate structures; forming a first spacer layer on the lining layer; forming a stop layer on the first spacer layer; forming a first sacrificial layer on the stop layer and between the gate structures; removing a portion of the first sacrificial layer so that the top surface of the first sacrificial layer is located between the upper portions of the gate structures; forming a second spacer layer on the first sacrificial layer and the gate structures; and removing a portion of the second spacer layer so that the remaining second spacer layer is located between the upper portions of the gate structures.

Abstract: A method for producing a carbon nanotube-metal composite in which carbon nanotubes are layered on a metal substrate, the method comprising: (i) depositing a liquid, in which carbon nanotubes are suspended, onto said metal substrate; (ii) during or after step (i), subjecting said liquid to a shearing force sufficient to spatially confine the liquid to induce at least partial alignment of said carbon nanotubes on said metal substrate; and (iii) removing said liquid to produce said carbon nanotube-metal composite; wherein, after step (iii), the lengthwise dimensions of said carbon nanotubes are adhered to and oriented parallel with said metal surface, and said carbon nanotubes are at least partially aligned with each other. In some embodiments, the liquid is deposited in the form of droplets, and the droplets are subjected to a shearing force to cause them to elongate, which induces at least partial alignment of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate, forming a first opening, forming a first insulating layer, forming a second opening, embedding a conductive layer, forming a protective layer, and performing CMP. The substrate includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconducting layer. The conductive layer is embedded in the second opening so that a gap along a thickness direction of the semiconducting layer is formed. The protective layer is formed in the second opening on at least a portion of a surfaces of the conductive layer. In the CMP step, a portion of the conductive layers formed outside the second opening is removed.

Abstract: A method for depositing tungsten includes arranging a substrate including a titanium nitride layer in a substrate processing chamber and performing multi-stage atomic layer deposition of tungsten on the substrate using a precursor gas includes tungsten chloride (WCIx) gas, wherein x is an integer. The performing includes depositing the tungsten during a first ALD stage using a first dose intensity of the precursor gas, and depositing the tungsten during a second ALD stage using a second dose intensity of the precursor gas. The first dose intensity is based on a first dose concentration and a first dose period. The second dose intensity is based on a second dose concentration and a second dose period. The second dose intensity is 1.5 to 10 times the first dose intensity.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a plurality of interconnect layers within a dielectric structure over an upper surface of a substrate. A passivation structure is formed over the dielectric structure. The passivation structure has sidewalls and a horizontally extending surface defining has a recess within an upper surface of the passivation structure. A bond pad is formed having a lower surface overlying the horizontally extending surface and one or more protrusions extending outward from the lower surface. The one or more protrusions extend through one or more openings within the horizontally extending surface to contact a first one of the plurality of interconnect layers. An upper passivation layer is deposited on sidewalls and an upper surface of the bond pad and on sidewalls and the upper surface of the passivation structure.

Abstract: A method of forming an air-gap spacer in a semiconductor device includes providing a device including a gate stack, a plurality of spacer layers disposed on a sidewall of the gate stack, and a source/drain feature adjacent to the gate stack. In some embodiments, a first spacer layer of the plurality of spacer layers is removed to form an air gap on the sidewall of the gate stack. In various examples, a first sealing layer is then deposited over a top portion of the air gap to form a sealed air gap, and a second sealing layer is deposited over the first sealing layer. Thereafter, a first self-aligned contact (SAC) layer is etched from over the source/drain feature using a first etching process. In various embodiments, the first etching process selectively etches the first SAC layer while the first and second sealing layers remain unetched.