A semiconductor structure and its manufacturing method are provided. The method includes sequentially forming an insulating layer and a patterned mask layer on a substrate. The patterned cover curtain layer has an opening, and the opening includes a main body portion and two extension portions located at both ends of the main body portion. The method includes sequentially forming a first sacrificial layer, a second sacrificial layer, and a third sacrificial layer on the insulating layer. The first sacrificial layer fills the extension portions and defines a recess in the main body portion. The second sacrificial layer is formed in the recess defined by the first sacrificial layer. The third sacrificial layer is formed on the first sacrificial layer located in the extension portions.

An interconnect structure for use in coupling transistors in an integrated circuit is disclosed, including various configurations in which ferroelectric capacitors exhibiting negative capacitance are coupled in series with dielectric capacitors. In one embodiment, the negative capacitor includes a dielectric/ferroelectric bi-layer. When a negative capacitor is electrically coupled in series with a conventional dielectric capacitor, the series combination behaves like a stable ferroelectric capacitor for which the overall capacitance can be measured experimentally, and tuned to a desired value. The composite capacitance of a dielectric capacitor and a ferroelectric capacitor having negative capacitance coupled in series is, in theory, infinite, and in practice, very large. A series combination of positive and negative capacitors within a microelectronic interconnect structure can be used to make high capacity DRAM memory cells.

A method for fabricating floating body memory cells (FBCs), and the resultant FBCs where gates favoring different conductivity type regions are used is described. In one embodiment, a p type back gate with a thicker insulation is used with a thinner insulated n type front gate. Processing, which compensates for misalignment, which allows the different oxide and gate materials to be fabricated is described.

Embodiments disclosed herein include transistors and methods of forming such transistors. In an embodiment, the transistor may comprise a semiconductor channel with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. In an embodiment, a source electrode may contact the first surface of the semiconductor channel and a drain electrode may contact the first surface of the semiconductor channel. In an embodiment, a gate dielectric may be over the second surface of the semiconductor channel and a gate electrode may be separated from the semiconductor channel by the gate dielectric. In an embodiment, an isolation trench may be adjacent to the semiconductor channel. In an embodiment, the isolation trench comprises a spacer lining the surface of the isolation trench, and an isolation fill material.

With the disclosed systems and methods for DRAM and 3D NAND inspection, an image of the wafer is received based on the output for an inspection tool. Geometric measurements of a design of a plurality of memory devices on the wafer are received. A care area with higher inspection sensitivity is determined based on the geometric measurements.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing a semiconductor device including a conductive contact having a tapering profile and a method for preparing the semiconductor device. The method includes forming a conductive layer over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a dielectric layer covering the conductive layer. The method also includes etching the dielectric layer to form an opening exposing the conductive layer, and etching the dielectric layer to form a first recess and a second recess connecting to the opening. A depth of the opening is greater than a depth of the first recess and a depth of the second recess, and the first recess and the second recess have tapering profiles that taper toward the conductive layer. The method further includes forming a conductive contact over the conductive layer. The opening, the first recess and the second recess are filled by the conductive contact.

The present application provides a method of preparing a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a conductive film; disposing a barrier layer over the conductive film; disposing a first dielectric layer over the barrier layer; disposing a patterned hard mask over the first dielectric layer; and removing a portion of the first dielectric layer exposed through the patterned hard mask, wherein the removal of the portion of the first dielectric layer includes providing a nitrogen plasma to collide with the portion of the first dielectric layer.

A semiconductor device that can be miniaturized or highly integrated is provided.

The semiconductor device includes a first conductor, a second conductor over the first conductor, a first insulator covering the second conductor, a first oxide over the first insulator, and a second oxide over the first oxide, an opening overlapping with at least part of the first conductor is provided in the first oxide and the first insulator, and the second oxide is electrically connected to the first conductor through the opening.

Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a data line, a memory cell coupled to the data line, a ground connection, and a conductive line. The memory cell includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first region electrically coupled to the data line, and a charge storage structure electrically separated from the first region. The second transistor includes a second region electrically coupled to the charge storage structure and the data line. The ground connection is coupled to the first region of the first transistor. The conductive line is electrically separated from the first and second regions and spans across part of the first region of the first transistor and part of the second region of the second transistor and forming a gate of the first and second transistors.

A semiconductor memory device includes: a first wiring; a first semiconductor layer connected to the first wiring, the first semiconductor layer; a first electrode, the first electrode being connected to the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode disposed between the first electrode and the first wiring, the second electrode being opposed to the first semiconductor layer; a third electrode disposed between the second electrode and the first wiring, the third electrode; a second semiconductor layer disposed between the third electrode and the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer being opposed to the third electrode; and an electric charge accumulating layer electrically connected to the first wiring via the second semiconductor layer, the electric charge accumulating layer being opposed to the first semiconductor layer.