A method of fabricating a semiconductor device with improved electrical characteristics and reliability is provided. The method of fabricating the semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, in which a first oxide film, a nitride film, and a second oxide film are sequentially stacked, and a trench penetrating the first oxide film, the nitride film, and the second oxide film is formed, chamfering the oxide film exposed by the trench while removing a part of the nitride film exposed by the trench by using a first plasma process, and removing the nitride film left after the first plasma process by using a second plasma process.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a semiconductor structure. An example method includes a method for forming a contact surface on a vertically oriented access devices. The method includes forming a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region vertically separated by a channel region, forming a sacrificial etch stop layer on a first side of the second source/drain region, wherein the channel region is in contact with a second side of the second source/drain region, forming a dielectric layer on a first side of the sacrificial etch stop layer, where the second source/drain region is connected to a second side of the sacrificial etch stop layer, removing the dielectric layer using a first etch process to expose the sacrificial etch stop layer, and removing the sacrificial etch stop layer using a second etch process to form a contact surface on the second source/drain region.

An integrated circuit includes a first and second set of gate structures. A center of each of the first set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the first set of gate structures in a first direction by a first pitch. A center of each of the second set of gate structures is separated from a center of an adjacent gate of the second set of gate structures in the first direction by the first pitch. The first and second set of gate structures extend in a second direction. A gate of the first set of gate structures is aligned in the second direction with a corresponding gate of the second set of gate structures. The gate of the first set of gate structures is separated from the corresponding gate of second set of gate structures in the second direction by a first distance.

A semiconductor device including a field-effect transistor having source and drain source regions, first and second gate electrodes and a protective diode connected to the transistor. The first gate electrode is formed over a first gate insulating film in a lower part of a trench. The second gate electrode is formed over a second gate insulating film in an upper part of the trench. The first gate electrode includes a first polysilicon film, and the second gate electrode includes a second polysilicon film, wherein an impurity concentration of the first polysilicon film is lower than an impurity concentration of the second polysilicon film.

A gate electrode and a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for manufacturing an array substrate are provided. The method for manufacturing a gate electrode may include: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a gate electrode region and a non-gate electrode region; and forming a gate electrode layer on the substrate, wherein the gate electrode layer includes a conductive portion corresponding to the gate electrode region and a transparent portion corresponding to the non-gate electrode region. According to the gate electrode and the method for manufacturing the same, and the method for manufacturing an array substrate, step difference can be eliminated, thereby avoiding an influence of the step difference on the crystallization property of a polysilicon material when an Excimer Laser Annealing (ELA) process is performed on the amorphous silicon layer, and obtaining a better crystallization effect.

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.

The number of masks and photolithography processes used in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device are reduced. A first conductive film is formed over a substrate; a first insulating film is formed over the first conductive film; a semiconductor film is formed over the first insulating film; a semiconductor film including a channel region is formed by etching part of the semiconductor film; a second insulating film is formed over the semiconductor film; a mask is formed over the second, insulating film; a first portion of the second insulating film that overlaps the semiconductor film and second portions of the first insulating film and the second insulating film that do not overlap the semiconductor film are removed with the use of the mask; the mask is removed; and a second conductive film electrically connected to the semiconductor film is formed over at least part of the second insulating film.

A gate electrode and a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for manufacturing an array substrate are provided. The method for manufacturing a gate electrode may include: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a gate electrode region and a non-gate electrode region; and forming a gate electrode layer on the substrate, wherein the gate electrode layer includes a conductive portion corresponding to the gate electrode region and a transparent portion corresponding to the non-gate electrode region. According to the gate electrode and the method for manufacturing the same, and the method for manufacturing an array substrate, step difference can be eliminated, thereby avoiding an influence of the step difference on the crystallization property of a polysilicon material when an Excimer Laser Annealing (ELA) process is performed on the amorphous silicon layer, and obtaining a better crystallization effect.

A gate structure is formed over a substrate. The gate structure includes a gate electrode and a hard mask located over the gate electrode. The hard mask comprises a first dielectric material. A first interlayer dielectric (ILD) is formed over the gate structure. The first ILD comprises a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material. A first via is formed in the first ILD. Sidewalls of the first via are surrounded by spacers that comprise the first dielectric material. A second ILD is formed over the first ILD. A via hole is formed in the second ILD. The via hole exposes the first via. A protective layer is formed in the via hole. A bottom segment of the protective layer is removed. Thereafter, an etching process is performed. A remaining segment of the protective layer prevents an etching of the spacers during the etching process.

A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a base substrate; and a first doped epitaxial layer and a second doped epitaxial layer in the base substrate. Each of the first and second doped epitaxial layers is corresponding to a different gate structure on the base substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a repaired dielectric layer formed on and surrounding each of the first and second doped epitaxial layer; a metal layer on the repaired dielectric layer; an interlayer dielectric layer over the base substrate and covering tops of gate structures; and a conductive plug on the metal layer and through the interlayer dielectric layer.