Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and control gate levels. Channel material extends vertically along the stack. The control gate levels comprising conductive regions. The conductive regions include at least three different materials. Charge-storage regions are adjacent the control gate levels. Charge-blocking regions are between the charge-storage regions and the conductive regions.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate including first and second regions, first and second active patterns provided on the first and second regions, respectively, a pair of first source/drain patterns on the first active pattern and a first channel pattern therebetween, a pair of second source/drain patterns on the second active pattern and a second channel pattern therebetween, first and second gate electrodes respectively provided on the first and second channel patterns, and first and second gate insulating layers respectively interposed between the first and second channel patterns and the first and second gate electrodes. Each of the first and second gate insulating layers includes an interface layer and a first high-k dielectric layer thereon, and the first gate insulating layer further includes a second high-k dielectric layer on the first high-k dielectric layer.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, and a plurality of active regions disposed over the substrate. The plurality of active regions have a first total area. One or more inactive regions are also disposed over the substrate. The one or more inactive regions have a second total area. The second total area is greater than or equal to 1.5 times the first total area. The active regions may be formed in an epitaxial layer formed over the substrate. A plurality of cells of an active device may be disposed in the plurality of active regions. The inactive regions may include only structures that do not dissipate substantial power when the semiconductor device is functioning as it is designed to function.

A semiconductor device is formed having a deep trench, a conductive material disposed in the deep trench, and a dielectric disposed within the deep trench and separating the conductive material from surfaces of the deep trench. The conductive material may be carbon, and may be formed by pyrolysis of an organic material such as a photoresist. The deep trench and the conductive material may be parts of a high-voltage termination of an active device of the semiconductor device. The conductive material may be floating or may be connected to an electrode of the active device.

A semiconductor structure and a method for preparing a semiconductor structure are provided. The method for preparing the semiconductor structure includes operations as follows. A substrate is provided, and a plurality of gate structures are arranged at intervals on the substrate. A sacrificial sidewall with a preset thickness is formed on a sidewall of the gate structure. A first dielectric layer is formed between adjacent sacrificial sidewalls, a top of the first dielectric layer being flush with a top of the gate structure and a top of the sacrificial sidewalls. The sacrificial sidewall is removed and an air gap structure is formed on the sidewall of the gate structure. A second dielectric layer is formed, the second dielectric layer covering the top of the gate structure, a top opening of the air gap structure and the top of the first dielectric layer.

A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a trench adjacent to a gate structure to expose a contact surface of one of a source region and a drain region. A sacrificial spacer may be formed on a sidewall of the trench and on a sidewall of the gate structure. A metal contact may then be formed in the trench to at least one of the source region and the drain region. The metal contact has a base width that is less than an upper surface width of the metal contact. The sacrificial spacer may be removed, and a substantially conformal dielectric material layer can be formed on sidewalls of the metal contact and the gate structure. Portions of the conformally dielectric material layer contact one another at a pinch off region to form an air gap between the metal contact and the gate structure.

The structure of a semiconductor device with negative capacitance (NC) dielectric structures and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. A method of fabricating the semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure with a fin base portion and a fin top portion on a substrate, forming a spacer structure in a first region of the fin top portion, and forming a gate structure on a second region of the fin top portion. The spacer structure includes a first NC dielectric material and the gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer with a second NC dielectric material different from the first NC dielectric material.

A semiconductor device includes an active pattern on a substrate, a source/drain pattern on the active pattern, a channel pattern connected to the source/drain pattern, the channel pattern including semiconductor patterns stacked and spaced apart from each other, a gate electrode extending across the channel pattern, and inner spacers between the gate electrode and the source/drain pattern. The semiconductor patterns include stacked first and second semiconductor patterns. The gate electrode includes first and second portions, which are sequentially stacked between the substrate and the first and second semiconductor patterns, respectively. The inner spacers include first and second air gaps, between the first and second portions of the gate electrode and the source/drain pattern. The largest width of the first air gap is larger than that of the second air gap.

An active matrix substrate has pixel regions, and includes a substrate, pixel TFTs disposed to respectively correspond to the pixel regions, and pixel electrodes electrically connected to the pixel TFTs. The pixel TFTs are each a top gate structure TFT that has an oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer on the oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode opposing the oxide semiconductor layer with the gate insulating layer therebetween. The gate insulating layer is formed of silicon oxide and includes a lower layer contacting the oxide semiconductor layer, and an upper layer on the lower layer. The lower layer H/N ratio of hydrogen atoms to nitrogen atoms in the lower layer is 1.5 to 5.0. The upper layer H/N ratio of hydrogen atoms to nitrogen atoms in the upper layer is 0.9 to 2.0. The lower layer H/N ratio is larger than the upper layer H/N ratio.

To provide a semiconductor device including a planar transistor having an oxide semiconductor and a capacitor. In a semiconductor device, a transistor includes an oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film over the oxide semiconductor film, a gate electrode over the gate insulating film, a second insulating film over the gate electrode, a third insulating film over the second insulating film, and a source and a drain electrodes over the third insulating film; the source and the drain electrodes are electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film; a capacitor includes a first and a second conductive films and the second insulating film; the first conductive film and the gate electrode are provided over the same surface; the second conductive film and the source and the drain electrodes are provided over the same surface; and the second insulting film is provided between the first and the second conductive films.