An integrated circuit device includes a substrate, a first transition metal dichalcogenide layer over the substrate, a dielectric layer over the first transition metal dichalcogenide layer, a first gate electrode, and a first source contact and a first drain contact. The first transition metal dichalcogenide layer has a surface roughness greater than 0.5 nm and less than 1 nm. The first gate electrode is over the dielectric layer and a first portion of the first transition metal dichalcogenide layer. The first source contact and the first drain contact are respectively connected with a second portion and a third portion of the first transition metal dichalcogenide layer. The first portion of the first transition metal dichalcogenide layer is between the second and third portions of the first transition metal dichalcogenide layer.

A conductive hard mask layer can be patterned with peripheral discrete openings. An anisotropic etch process can be performed to form peripheral discrete via cavities, which are subsequently expanded to form a continuous moat trench. An edge seal structure can be formed in the continuous moat trench. Alternatively, a conductive bridge structure may be formed prior to formation of a patterned conductive hard mask layer, and a moat trench can be formed around a periphery of the semiconductor die while the conductive bridge structure provides electrical connection between an inner portion and an outer portion of the conductive hard mask layer. The entire conductive hard mask layer can be electrically connected to a semiconductor substrate to reduce or prevent arcing during an anisotropic etch process that forms the peripheral discrete via cavities or the moat trench.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first and second surface opposite to each other, and an active region on the first surface and defined by a first isolation region; a plurality of active fins on the active region, extending in a first direction, and defined by a second isolation region having a second depth smaller than a first depth of the first isolation region; a buried conductive wiring in a trench adjacent to the fins, and extending in a direction of the trench; a filling insulation portion in the trench, and having the wiring therein; an interlayer insulation layer on the first and second isolation regions and on the buried conductive wiring; a contact structure penetrating the interlayer insulation layer, and contacting the buried conductive wiring; and a conductive through structure extending through the substrate from the second surface to the trench, and contacting the buried conductive wiring.

A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising alternating conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, each of the tiers individually comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the stack structure, the strings of memory cells comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, and conductive rails laterally adjacent to the conductive structures of the stack structure. The conductive rails comprise a material composition that is different than a material composition of the conductive structures of the stack structure. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.

The present disclosure discloses a method for manufacturing a via, including: forming a first dielectric layer on the surface of an underlying structure; performing patterned etching on the first dielectric layer to form a via opening; forming a first metal layer; performing first-time metal CMP to remove the first metal layer on the outer surface of the via opening, where a top surface of the first metal layer in the via opening is located below a top surface of the first dielectric layer; performing second-time dielectric etch back, to selectively etch the first dielectric layer, lower the top surface of the first dielectric layer as being below the top surface of the first metal layer, and form a metal protrusion of a via; and forming a pattern of an upper metal interconnection layer.

A slurry composition for polishing metal and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device, the slurry composition includes a first organic polishing booster including a cationic polymer salt that includes a quaternary ammonium cation; a second organic polishing booster including an organic acid; an oxidizer; a pH adjuster; 0 wt % to about 0.1 wt % of an inorganic abrasive; and water.

A chip includes a chip substrate having a first thickness and including a back surface. The back surface includes an etched portion with an etching depth that is less than the first thickness. The chip further includes a first thin film including a dielectric material and located on the back surface. The chip further includes a second thin film including a barrier layer material and located on the first thin film. The chip further includes a third thin film including a metal material, embedded in the chip substrate, and located on the second thin film. The chip further includes a coverage layer including nitride or carbon nitride and located on the first thin film, the second thin film, and the third thin film.

Methods, systems, and devices for a selective memory cell contact liner are described. A memory array may implement a protective liner within a memory cell structure including a cell contact for coupling memory storage material with an access device, a bit line associated with accessing the memory cell structure, and a bit line contact associated with activating the bit line. Forming the memory cell structure with the protective liner may include forming memory storage material, insulative material around the memory storage material, the bit line contact, the bit line, and the cavity. Then, a portion of the memory storage material may be replaced with a material associated with impeding deposition of the protective liner. The protective liner may be deposited within the cavity such that the bit line contact is covered by the protective liner but the memory storage material is not covered by the protective liner.

A semiconductor device includes a wiring layer, a dielectric layer covering the wiring layer, a thin film resistor provided on the dielectric layer, and a plug electrode connecting the thin film resistor to the wiring layer. The plug electrode includes a barrier layer and a buried layer. The buried layer is configured by the filling portion filling a region surrounded by a first incline surface, and an extension portion extending from the filling portion along a second incline surface. The thin film resistor is in contact with the filling portion and the extension portion of the plug electrode. A second incline angle between the second incline surface and a main surface of a semiconductor substrate is smaller than a first incline angle between the first incline surface and the main surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Methods and apparatus for transient protection of a sensitive surface of a substrate are described. Methods that facilitate transient protection of a sensitive surface of substrate include depositing a sacrificial capping layer on a sensitive surface of the substrate after a processing operation. The capping layer deposition and the prior processing operation occur under vacuum. In some embodiments, for example, the capping layer deposition and the prior processing operation occur in different modules of a tool connected by a vacuum transfer chamber. In other embodiments, the capping layer deposition and the prior processing operation occur in the same module Methods that facilitate transient protection of a sensitive surface of substrate include removing the capping layer from the sensitive surface of the substrate prior to a subsequent processing operation. The removal is performed without damaging the sensitive surface or underlying layers of the semiconductor substrate.