Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a work function layer. The gate dielectric layer is between the semiconductor substrate and the work function layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a halogen source layer. The gate dielectric layer is between the semiconductor substrate and the halogen source layer.

A method for forming a fin device includes forming semiconductor fins over a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is directionally deposited into or on the first dielectric layer and on tops of the fins on horizontal surfaces. The second dielectric layer is configured to protect the first dielectric layer in subsequent processing. Sidewalls of the fins are precleaned while the first dielectric layer is protected by the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is removed to expose the first dielectric layer in a protected state.

A semiconductor device including a Fin FET device includes a fin structure extending in a first direction and protruding from a substrate layer. The fin structure includes a bulk stressor layer formed on the substrate layer and a channel layer disposed over the bulk stressor layer. An oxide layer is formed on the substrate layer extending away from the channel layer. A source-drain (SD) stressor structure is disposed on sidewalls of the channel layer over the oxide layer. A gate stack including a gate electrode layer and a gate dielectric layer covers a portion of the channel layer and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel FETs are described. A strain-inducing layer may be formed under stress in a silicon-on-insulator substrate below the insulator. Stress-relief cuts may be formed in the strain-inducing layer to relieve stress in the strain-inducing layer. The relief of stress can impart strain to an adjacent semiconductor layer. Strained-channel, fully-depleted SOI FETs and strained-channel finFETs may be formed from the adjacent semiconductor layer. The amount and type of strain may be controlled by etch depths and geometries of the stress-relief cuts and choice of materials for the strain-inducing layer.

Semiconductor devices including a dummy gate structure on a fin are provided. A semiconductor device includes a fin protruding from a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a source/drain region in the fin, and a recess region of the fin that is between first and second portions of the source/drain region. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a dummy gate structure overlapping the recess region, and a spacer that is on the fin and adjacent a sidewall of the dummy gate structure.

After forming an epitaxial semiconductor layer on portions of a semiconductor located on opposite sides of a sacrificial gate structure, dopants from the epitaxial semiconductor layer are diffused into the semiconductor fin to form a dopant-containing semiconductor fin. A sacrificial gate stack is removed to provide a gate cavity that exposes a portion of the dopant-containing semiconductor fin. The exposed portion of the dopant-containing semiconductor fin is removed to provide an opening underneath the gate cavity. A channel which is undoped or less doped than remaining portions of the dopant-containing semiconductor fin is epitaxially grown at least from the sidewalls of the remaining portions of the dopant-containing semiconductor fin. Abrupt junctions are thus formed between the channel region and the remaining portions of the dopant-containing semiconductor fin.

A method for fabricating a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) is provided. The method includes: patterning a substrate to form a plurality of trenches in the substrate and at least one semiconductor fin between the trenches; forming a plurality of insulators in the trenches; forming a patterned photoresist on the insulators, wherein sidewalls of the semiconductor fin are partially covered by the patterned photoresist, and at least one area of the sidewalls is exposed by the patterned photoresist; by using the patterned photoresist as a mask, partially removing the semiconductor fin from the at least one area of the sidewalls exposed by the patterned photoresist so as to form at least one recess on the sidewalls of the semiconductor fin; removing the patterned photoresist after forming the at least one recess; and forming a gate stack to partially cover the semiconductor fin and the insulators.

A fin structure for a semiconductor device, such as a FinFET structure, has first and second semiconductor layers and an air gap between the layers. The second semiconductor layer includes a recessed portion, the air gap is located in the recessed portion, and the recessed portion has an upwardly-opening acute angle in the range from about 10 to about 55. The air gap may prevent current leakage. A FinFET device may be manufactured by first recessing and then epitaxially re-growing a source/drain fin, with the regrowth starting over a tubular air gap.

A memory system includes a first memory bank, a first path selector, a second memory bank, a second path selector, and a sensing device. The first memory bank includes a plurality of first memory cells. The second memory bank includes a plurality of second memory cells. The first path selector includes a plurality of input terminals coupled to the first memory cells through a plurality of first bit lines, and two output terminals. The second path selector includes a plurality of input terminals coupled to the second memory cells through a plurality of second bit lines, and two output terminals. The sensing device is coupled to the output terminals of the first bank selector and the second bank selector, and senses the difference between currents outputted from two of the reference current source, and the terminals of the two bank selectors according to the required operations.

A non-volatile memory (NVM) includes a fin structure, a first fin field effect transistor (FinFET), a second FinFET, an antifuse structure, a third FinFET, and a fourth FinFET. The antifuse structure is formed on the fin structure and has a sharing gate, a single diffusion break (SDB) isolation structure, a first source/drain region, and a second source/drain region. The SDB isolation structure isolates the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. The first FinFET, the second FinFET and the first antifuse element compose a first one time programmable (OTP) memory cell, and the third FinFET, the fourth FinFET and the second antifuse element compose a second OTP memory cell. The first OTP memory cell and the second OTP memory cell share the antifuse structure.