A method includes receiving a structure having a substrate, a conductive feature over the substrate, and a dielectric layer over the conductive feature. The method further includes forming a hole in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature; forming a first metal-containing layer on sidewalls of the hole; and forming a second metal-containing layer in the hole and surrounded by the first metal-containing layer. The first and the second metal-containing layers include different materials. The method further includes applying a first chemical to recess the dielectric layer, resulting in a top portion of the first and the second metal-containing layers protruding above the dielectric layer; and applying a second chemical having fluorine or chlorine to the top portion of the first metal-containing layer to convert the top portion of the first metal-containing layer into a metal fluoride or a metal chloride.

A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating layer provided on or above the semiconductor substrate; an aluminum layer provided on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer provided on the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer covering a first region of a surface of the aluminum layer; and an aluminum oxide film provided on a second region other than the first region of the surface of the aluminum layer, the aluminum oxide film including α-alumina as a main component, and a film thickness of the aluminum oxide film being equal to or larger than 0.5 nm and equal to or smaller than 3 nm.

An array substrate, a display device, a thin film transistor, and a method for manufacturing an array substrate are disclosed. The array substrate includes a base substrate, an active layer, and a cover layer. The active layer is on the base substrate, the cover layer is on a side, away from the base substrate, of the active layer and covers the array substrate, the cover layer includes a metal conductive portion and a transparent insulating metal oxide portion, the metal conductive portion and the transparent insulating metal oxide portion include an identical metal element, and the metal conductive portion is electrically connected to the active layer.

Processing methods to form self-aligned high aspect ratio features are described. The methods comprise depositing a metal film on a structured substrate, volumetrically expanding the metal film, depositing a second film between the expanded pillars and optionally recessing the pillars and repeating the process to form the high aspect ratio features.

Integrated chips and methods of forming the same include forming a lower conductive line over an underlying layer. An upper conductive via is formed over the lower conducting lines. An encapsulating layer is formed on the lower conductive line and the upper conductive via using a treatment process that converts an outermost layer of the lower conductive line and the upper conductive via into the encapsulating layer.

Provided is a method for producing a nitride semiconductor photoelectrode capable of improving the light energy conversion efficiency. The method for producing a nitride semiconductor photoelectrode includes a first step of forming an n-type gallium nitride layer on an insulating or conductive substrate, a second step of forming an indium gallium nitride layer on the n-type gallium nitride layer, a third step of forming a nickel layer n the indium gallium nitride layer, and a fourth step of heat-treating the nickel layer in an oxygen atmosphere.

Methods for pre-cleaning substrates having metal and dielectric surfaces are described. The substrate is exposed to a strong reductant to remove contaminants from the metal surface and damage the dielectric surface. The substrate is then exposed to an oxidation process to repair the damage to the dielectric surface and oxidize the metal surface. The substrate is then exposed to a weak reductant to reduce the metal oxide to a pure metal surface without substantially affecting the dielectric surface. Processing tools and computer readable media for practicing the method are also described.

A memory structure including a substrate, a charge storage layer, a first gate, a first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer is provided. The substrate includes a memory cell region. The charge storage layer is located on the substrate in the memory cell region. The charge storage layer has a recess. The charge storage layer has a tip around the recess. The first gate is located on the charge storage layer. The first dielectric layer is located between the charge storage layer and the substrate. The second dielectric layer is located between the first gate and the charge storage layer.

Patterned ceramic wavelength-converting phosphor structures may be bonded to an LED to form a pcLED. The phosphor structures are patterned with features that provide enhanced oxygen permeability to an adhesive bond used to attach the phosphor structure to the LED. The enhanced oxygen permeability reduces transient degradation of the pcLED occurring in the region of the adhesive bond.

A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: forming an electrode including an Ni layer and an Au layer successively stacked on a semiconductor layer; forming a Ni oxide film by performing heat treatment to the electrode at a temperature of 350° C. or more to deposit Ni at least at a part of a surface of the Au layer and to oxidize the deposited Ni; and forming an insulating film in contact with the Ni oxide film and containing Si.