A method of removing a hard mask is provided. Gate stacks are patterned on a substrate, where the gate stacks include a polysilicon layer and the hard mask deposited over the polysilicon layer. A dielectric layer is deposited on the substrate and on the patterned gate stacks. A first portion of the dielectric layer is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) to remove a topography of the dielectric layer. The hard mask and a second portion of the dielectric layer are removed by the CMP.

In some embodiments, a method includes positioning a semiconductor structure within a processing chamber. The semiconductor structure includes a first layer disposed over a substrate surface. The semiconductor structure further includes a second layer disposed over the first layer. The second layer has a hardmask layer. The semiconductor structure further includes one or more second dielectric layers disposed over the second layer. The one or more second dielectric layers have a gap formed over a portion of the second layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a metal material disposed within the gap formed over the second layer. The metal material has a molybdenum oxide (MoO.sub.x) layer. The method further includes flowing a process gas into the processing chamber, and performing a redox operation on a portion of the semiconductor structure to reduce the MoO.sub.x to molybdenum (Mo). The redox operation includes applying a microwave energy to the process gas.

Metal carbide films and related devices and related methods are provided herein. A device comprises a substrate and a metal carbide film located on the substrate. The metal carbide film comprises at least one of a molybdenum, a tungsten, or any combination thereof. The metal carbide film comprises a residual chlorine component. The metal carbide film has a carbon content of at least 10% based on a total composition of the metal carbide film.

A lift-off method includes joining a transfer substrate to a face side of an optical device layer of an optical device wafer with a joining member interposed therebetween, thereby making up a composite substrate, applying a pulsed laser beam having a wavelength transmittable through the epitaxy substrate and absorbable by a buffer layer, from a reverse side of the epitaxy substrate of the optical device wafer, thereby breaking the buffer layer, and an optical device layer transferring step of peeling off the epitaxy substrate from the optical device layer and transferring the optical device layer to the transfer substrate. The optical device layer transferring step includes the step of applying a bending moment to an area of the composite substrate that includes an outer peripheral portion thereof while holding an area of the composite substrate that includes a central portion thereof.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a silicon oxide film covering each of a first main surface and a second main surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming a redistribution wiring on the first main surface side of the semiconductor substrate; and grinding the second main surface of the semiconductor substrate. This grinding step is performed in a state in which a thickness of the silicon oxide film positioned on the second main surface is equal to or larger than 10 nm and equal to or smaller than 30 nm.

A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a gate-all-around (GAA) transistor in a first device area and a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) in a second device area. The GAA transistor includes a plurality of vertically stacked channel members and a first gate structure over and around the plurality of vertically stacked channel members. The FinFET includes a fin-shaped channel member and a second gate structure over the fin-shaped channel member. The fin-shaped channel member includes semiconductor layers interleaved by sacrificial layers.

The present disclosure relates to a double-sided integrated circuit (IC) module, which includes an exposed semiconductor die on a bottom side. A double-sided IC module includes a module substrate with a top side and a bottom side. Electronic components are mounted to each of the top side and the bottom side. Generally, the electronic components are encapsulated by a mold compound. In an exemplary aspect, a portion of the mold compound on the bottom side of the module substrate is removed, exposing a semiconductor die surface of at least one of the electronic components.

The present disclosure relates to a double-sided integrated circuit (IC) module, which includes an exposed semiconductor die on a bottom side. A double-sided IC module includes a module substrate with a top side and a bottom side. Electronic components are mounted to each of the top side and the bottom side. Generally, the electronic components are encapsulated by a mold compound. In an exemplary aspect, a portion of the mold compound on the bottom side of the module substrate is removed, exposing a semiconductor die surface of at least one of the electronic components.

A substrate processing method for forming a thin film includes providing or forming a transition metal nitride film on a substrate in a reaction chamber and exposing the transition metal nitride film to a hydrogen treatment to form a treated transition metal compound film. The hydrogen treatment may lower the resistivity of the transition metal nitride film and/or be used to desirably tune other properties and/or composition of the transition metal nitride film.

A bonding apparatus configured to bond substrates comprises a first holder configured to vacuum-exhaust a first substrate to attract and hold the first substrate on a bottom surface thereof; a second holder disposed under the first holder, and configured to vacuum-exhaust a second substrate to attract and hold the second substrate on a top surface thereof; a mover configured to move the first holder and the second holder relatively in a horizontal direction; a laser interferometer system configured to measure a position of the first holder or the second holder which is moved by the mover; a linear scale configured to measure a position of the mover; and a controller configured to control the mover based on a measurement result of the laser interferometer system and a measurement result of the liner scale.