Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices having through array contacts (TACs) and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack on the substrate comprising a plurality of conductor/dielectric layer pairs, a channel structure extending vertically through the conductor/dielectric layer pairs in the memory stack, a TAC extending vertically through the conductor/dielectric layer pairs in the memory stack, and a dummy channel structure filled with a dielectric layer and extending vertically through the conductor/dielectric layer pairs in the memory stack.

The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating an integrated circuit (IC). The method includes receiving an IC layout having active regions, conductive contact features landing on the active regions, and a conductive via feature to be landing on a first subset of the conductive contact features and to be spaced from a second subset of the conductive contact features; evaluating a spatial parameter of the conductive via feature to the conductive contact features; and modifying the IC layout according to the spatial parameter such that the conductive via feature has a S-curved shape.

An image sensor device is disclosed, which blocks noise of a pad region. The image sensor device includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface that are arranged to face each other, a pad disposed over the first surface of the substrate, and a through silicon via (TSV) formed to penetrate the substrate, and disposed at both sides of the pad in a first direction.

A semiconductor device includes: an isolation insulating layer; fin structures protruding from the isolation insulating layer; gate structures, each having a metal gate and a cap insulating layer disposed over the metal gate; a first source/drain epitaxial layer and a second source/drain epitaxial layer disposed between two adjacent gate structures; and a first conductive contact disposed on the first source/drain epitaxial layer, and a second conductive contact disposed on the second source/drain epitaxial layer; a separation isolation region disposed between the first and second conductive contact; and an insulating layer disposed between the separation isolation region and the isolation insulating layer. The separation isolation region is made of a different material than the insulating layer.

A method comprises forming a gate structure between gate spacers; etching back the gate structure to fall below top ends of the gate spacers; forming a gate dielectric cap over the etched back gate structure; performing an ion implantation process to form a doped region in the gate dielectric cap; depositing a contact etch stop layer over the gate dielectric cap and an ILD layer over the contact etch stop layer; performing a first etching process to form a gate contact opening extending through the ILD layer and terminating prior to reaching the doped region of the gate dielectric cap; performing a second etching process to deepen the gate contact opening, wherein the second etching process etches the doped region of the gate dielectric cap at a slower etch rate than etching the contact etch stop layer; and forming a gate contact in the deepened gate contact opening.

A heat spreading material is integrated into a composite die structure including a first IC die having a first dielectric material and a first electrical interconnect structure, and a second IC die having a second dielectric material and a second electrical interconnect structure. The composite die structure may include a composite electrical interconnect structure comprising the first interconnect structure in direct contact with the second interconnect structure at a bond interface. The heat spreading material may be within at least a portion of a dielectric area through which the bond interface extends. The heat spreading material may be located within one or more dielectric materials surrounding the composite interconnect structure, and direct a flow of heat generated by one or more of the first and second IC dies.

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.

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 plurality of conductive interconnect lines in and spaced apart by a first ILD layer, wherein individual ones of the first plurality of conductive interconnect lines comprise a first conductive barrier material along sidewalls and a bottom of a first conductive fill material. A second plurality of conductive interconnect lines is in and spaced apart by a second ILD layer above the first ILD layer, wherein individual ones of the second plurality of conductive interconnect lines comprise a second conductive barrier material along sidewalls and a bottom of a second conductive fill material, wherein the second conductive fill material is different in composition from the first conductive fill material.

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die, a redistribution structure and connective terminals. The redistribution structure is disposed on the semiconductor die and includes a first metallization tier disposed in between a pair of dielectric layers. The first metallization tier includes routing conductive traces electrically connected to the semiconductor die and a shielding plate electrically insulated from the semiconductor die. The connective terminals include dummy connective terminals and active connective terminals. The dummy connective terminals are disposed on the redistribution structure and are electrically connected to the shielding plate. The active connective terminals are disposed on the redistribution structure and are electrically connected to the routing conductive traces. Vertical projections of the dummy connective terminals fall on the shielding plate.

The present disclosure relates to the field of semiconductor packaging processes, and provides a semiconductor structure and a forming method thereof. The forming method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate, where a surface of the semiconductor substrate is provided with an exposed conductive structure; forming a passivation layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and a surface of the exposed conductive structure; etching the passivation layer to form a recess, where a bottom of the recess exposes one end of the conductive structure; forming an adhesion layer on a surface of the recess; and etching to form a hole in the bottom of the recess.