The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure, including patterning a photo-sensitive polymer layer with a plurality of trenches by a first mask, the first mask having a first line pitch, patterning a photoresist positioning on a mesa between adjacent trenches by a second mask, the second mask having a second line pitch, the first mask and the second mask having substantially identical pattern topography, and the second line pitch being greater than the first line pitch, and selectively plating conductive material in the plurality of trenches.

A method of controlling chemical concentration in electrolyte includes measuring a chemical concentration in an electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte is contained in a tank; and increasing a vapor flux through an exhaust pipe connected to the tank when the measured chemical concentration is lower than a control lower limit value.

A method of controlling a dispensing unit is used to dispense material on a substrate. The method includes connecting a solenoid coil of a pneumatically-driven pump to an amplifier output of a dispensing system, and driving the solenoid coil with the amplifier to a cause the pneumatically-driven pump to dispense material on a substrate. The method further may include commanding an idle current to flow in the solenoid coil during periods of inactivity. The idle current may be sufficient to cause warming of the solenoid coil, yet not sufficient to activate the solenoid to an engaged position. The method further may include commanding a first current level to flow in the solenoid coil to rapidly activate the solenoid, and commanding a second current level to flow in the solenoid coil after the solenoid is activated.

A method of controlling a dispensing unit is used to dispense material on a substrate. The method includes connecting a solenoid coil of a pneumatically-driven pump to an amplifier output of a dispensing system, and driving the solenoid coil with the amplifier to a cause the pneumatically-driven pump to dispense material on a substrate. The method further may include commanding an idle current to flow in the solenoid coil during periods of inactivity. The idle current may be sufficient to cause warming of the solenoid coil, yet not sufficient to activate the solenoid to an engaged position. The method further may include commanding a first current level to flow in the solenoid coil to rapidly activate the solenoid, and commanding a second current level to flow in the solenoid coil after the solenoid is activated.

Sequential electrodeposition of metals into through-mask features on a semiconductor substrate is conducted such as to reduce the deleterious consequences of lipseal's pressure onto the mask material. In a first electroplating step, a first metal (e.g., nickel) is electrodeposited using a lipseal that has an innermost point of contact with the semiconductor substrate at a first distance from the edge of the substrate. In a second electroplating step, a second metal (e.g., tin) is electrodeposited using a lipseal that has an innermost point of contact with the semiconductor substrate at a greater distance from the edge of the substrate than the first distance. This allows to at least partially shift the lipseal pressure from a point that could have been damaged during the first electrodeposition step and to shield from electrolyte any cracks that might have formed in the mask material during the first electroplating step.

Sequential electrodeposition of metals into through-mask features on a semiconductor substrate is conducted such as to reduce the deleterious consequences of lipseal's pressure onto the mask material. In a first electroplating step, a first metal (e.g., nickel) is electrodeposited using a lipseal that has an innermost point of contact with the semiconductor substrate at a first distance from the edge of the substrate. In a second electroplating step, a second metal (e.g., tin) is electrodeposited using a lipseal that has an innermost point of contact with the semiconductor substrate at a greater distance from the edge of the substrate than the first distance. This allows to at least partially shift the lipseal pressure from a point that could have been damaged during the first electrodeposition step and to shield from electrolyte any cracks that might have formed in the mask material during the first electroplating step.

The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes providing a metal gate (MG), an etch stop layer (ESL) formed on the MG, and a dielectric layer formed on the ESL. The method further includes etching the ESL and the dielectric layer to form a trench. A surface of the MG exposed in the trench is oxidized to form a first oxide layer on the MG. The method further includes removing the first oxide layer using a H.sub.3PO.sub.4 solution.

The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes providing a metal gate (MG), an etch stop layer (ESL) formed on the MG, and a dielectric layer formed on the ESL. The method further includes etching the ESL and the dielectric layer to form a trench. A surface of the MG exposed in the trench is oxidized to form a first oxide layer on the MG. The method further includes removing the first oxide layer using a H.sub.3PO.sub.4 solution.

A plating apparatus for electroplating a wafer includes a housing defining a plating chamber for housing a plating solution. A voltage source of the apparatus has a first terminal having a first polarity and a second terminal having a second polarity different than the first polarity. The first terminal is electrically coupled to the wafer. An anode is within the plating chamber, and the second terminal is electrically coupled to the anode. A membrane support is within the plating chamber and over the anode. The membrane support defines apertures, wherein in a first zone of the membrane support a first aperture-area to surface-area ratio is a first ratio, and in a second zone of the membrane support a second aperture-area to surface-area ratio is a second ratio, different than the first ratio.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that improves the reliability of the semiconductor device under thermal stress and the assembly performance of the semiconductor device in manufacturing steps. The method includes the following: forming a first electrode by depositing a first conductive film onto one main surface of a semiconductor substrate and patterning the first conductive film; forming a first metal film corresponding to a pattern of the first electrode onto the first electrode; forming a second electrode by depositing a second conductive film onto the other main surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a second metal film thinner than the first metal film onto the second electrode; and collectively forming a third metal film onto each of the first metal film and the second metal film by electroless plating.