A method includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor region, recessing the gate electrode to generate a recess, performing a first deposition process to form a first metallic layer on the gate electrode and in the recess, wherein the first deposition process is performed using a first precursor, and performing a second deposition process to form a second metallic layer on the first metallic layer using a second precursor different from the first precursor. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer comprise a same metal. The method further incudes forming a dielectric hard mask over the second metallic layer, and forming a gate contact plug penetrating through the dielectric hard mask. The gate contact plug contacts a top surface of the second metallic layer.

A semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a first vertical fin arranged between first bottom source or drain (S/D) region and first top S/D region, and a first recessed gate stack arranged on a sidewall of the first vertical fin. A second transistor includes second vertical fin arranged between a second bottom S/D region and second top S/D region, and a second recessed gate stack arranged on a sidewall of the second vertical fin. A first spacer contacts the sidewall of the first vertical fin and on the first recessed gate stack or the second recessed gate stack. A second spacer contacts the first spacer of the first transistor or the second transistor. The second spacer is on a sidewall of the top S/D region of the first transistor or second transistor. The inner spacer and the outer spacer include different materials.

A method for forming a semiconductor device structure includes removing a portion of a first dielectric layer surrounding each of a plurality of channel layers of at least a first nanosheet stack. A portion of a second dielectric layer surrounding each of a plurality of channel layers of at least a second nanosheet stack is crystallized. A dipole layer is formed on the etched first dielectric layer and the crystallized portion of the second dielectric layer. The dipole layer is diffused into the etched first dielectric layer. The crystallized portion of the second dielectric layer prevents the dipole layer form diffusing into the second dielectric layer.

A fabrication method of a patterned metal film layer, including: sequentially depositing a first metal layer and a photoresist on a substrate; forming a first patterned photoresist in the photoresist retaining area; etching the first metal layer, and removing a part of the first metal layer having a first thickness and located in an edge area of the photoresist retaining area and in the photoresist removing area, to form a second metal layer; processing the first patterned photoresist to form a second patterned photoresist; etching and removing a part, which is not in contact with the second patterned photoresist, of the second metal layer on the substrate to form a patterned metal film layer.

The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a boundary region defined between a low voltage region and a high voltage region, and a method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit comprises an isolation structure disposed in the boundary region of the substrate. A first polysilicon component is disposed over the substrate alongside the isolation structure. A boundary dielectric layer is disposed on the isolation structure. A second polysilicon component is disposed on the sacrifice dielectric layer.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor part; first and second electrodes respectively on back and front surfaces of the semiconductor part; and a control electrode between the semiconductor part and the second electrode. The control electrode is provided inside a trench of the semiconductor part. The control electrode is electrically insulated from the semiconductor part by a first insulating film and electrically insulated from the second electrode by a second insulating film. The control electrode includes an insulator at a position apart from the first insulating film and the second insulating film. The semiconductor part includes a first layer of a first conductivity type provided between the first and second electrodes, the second layer of a second conductivity type provided between the first layer and the second electrode and the third layer of the first conductivity type selectively provided between the second layer and the second electrode.

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.

Gate aligned contacts and methods of forming gate aligned contacts are described. For example, a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of gate structures above an active region formed above a substrate. The gate structures each include a gate dielectric layer, a gate electrode, and sidewall spacers. A plurality of contact plugs is formed, each contact plug formed directly between the sidewall spacers of two adjacent gate structures of the plurality of gate structures. A plurality of contacts is formed, each contact formed directly between the sidewall spacers of two adjacent gate structures of the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of contacts and the plurality of gate structures are formed subsequent to forming the plurality of contact plugs.

An apparatus includes a plurality of interconnect structures over a substrate, a dielectric layer formed over a top metal line of the plurality of interconnect structures, a first barrier layer on a bottom and sidewalls of an opening in the dielectric layer, wherein the first barrier layer is formed of a first material and has a first thickness, a second barrier layer over the first barrier layer, wherein the second barrier layer is formed of a second material different from the first material and has a second thickness and a pad over the second barrier layer, wherein the pad is formed of a third material.

Gate contact structures disposed over active portions of gates and methods of forming such gate contact structures are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a substrate having an active region and an isolation region. A gate structure has a portion disposed above the active region and a portion disposed above the isolation region of the substrate. Source and drain regions are disposed in the active region of the substrate, on either side of the portion of the gate structure disposed above the active region. A gate contact structure is disposed on the portion of the gate structure disposed above the active region of the substrate.