Methods for selectively etching SiGe relative to Si are provided. Some of the methods incorporate formation of a passivation layer on a surface of the Si layer to enhance SiGe etchant selectivity and the use of interhalogen gases that preferentially etch the SiGe as opposed to the Si in the presence of the passivation layer. The methods can occur in a cyclic manner until the desired thickness of the SiGe layer is obtained.

A semiconductor processing tool performs passivation layer deposition and removal in situ. A transport mechanism included in the semiconductor processing tool transfers a semiconductor structure through different deposition chambers (e.g., without breaking or removing a vacuum environment). Accordingly, the semiconductor processing tool deposits a target layer that is thinner on, or even absent from, a metal layer, such that contact resistance is reduced between a conductive structure formed over the target layer and the metal layer. As a result, electrical performance of a device including the conductive structure is improved. Moreover, because the process is performed in situ (e.g., without breaking or removing the vacuum) in the semiconductor processing tool, production time and risk of impurities in the conductive structure are reduced. As a result, throughput is increased, and chances of spoiled wafers are decreased.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure includes: providing a substrate, where a plurality of contact pads are formed on the substrate; depositing a dielectric layer on the substrate, where the dielectric layer fills gaps between the contact pads and covers the contact pads; and etching the dielectric layer through a plasma etching process to expose the contact pads, where an etching gas used in the plasma etching process includes an oxygen-free etching gas. The manufacturing method can avoid the formation of metal oxides on the contact pads, and avoid residual conductive metal particles or metal compounds on surfaces of the contact pads and the adjacent dielectric layers, which is beneficial to ensure the electrical performance of the semiconductor structure, thereby improving the use reliability of the semiconductor structure.

The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of novel methods of preparing nanodevices and/or microdevices with predetermined patterns. In one aspect, the methods of the invention allow for engineering structures and films with continuous thickness equal to or less than 50 nm.

A plasma processing apparatus 100, which has an impact on global warming and allows for high-throughput plasma processing, includes a chamber 1 in which plasma is generated, a mounting table 2 disposed in the chamber, wherein a substrate S is mounted on the mounting table 2, and a gas supply source 3 (3a to 3d) for supplying gas for generating plasma in the chamber, wherein the substrate is subjected to deep etching by executing alternately and repeatedly an etching process S2 of etching the substrate by using plasma and a protective film deposition process S3 of depositing a protective film in a recess formed through the etching process by using plasma. It is characterized in that, in the protective film deposition process S3, a mixed gas of C.sub.4F.sub.8 and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene is supplied from the gas supply sources 3b, 3c into the chamber as gas supplied for generating plasma.

The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a clamping electrode for electrostatically clamping the work piece to the work piece support; providing a mechanical partition between the plasma source and the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma.

Embodiments relate to the field of semiconductor manufacturing technology, and more particularly, to a method for fabricating a semiconductor structure, and the semiconductor structure. The method includes: providing a substrate having a connection hole thereon, annular protrusions and annular grooves alternately arranged along a direction parallel to a center line of the connection hole being provided on a hole wall of the connection hole; filling a barrier block in each of the annular grooves; removing the annular protrusions along a direction perpendicular to the hole wall of the connection hole; removing the barrier blocks; and forming a connection layer in the connection hole. After the annular protrusions are removed, roughness of the hole wall of the connection hole is reduced, such that a conductive seed layer is prevented from being broken, thereby avoiding generation of voids in the connection layer, and improving performance of the semiconductor structure.

A plasma processing apparatus which forms a first film on a pattern formed on a substrate having dense and coarse areas, and then performs sputtering or etching on the first film.

A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming a groove in the substrate, in which a side wall of the groove is formed by sequential connection of a plurality of pits recessed into the substrate; forming a first material in the groove, in which the pits are completely filled with the first material; and exposing and developing the first material in the groove to obtain a through via structure.

A manufacturing method for a deep trench, the method includes forming a first trench in a substrate and performing a first cycle and a second cycle. Each comprising performing a passivation operation forming a passivation film on a sidewall and a bottom surface of the first trench, performing a first etching with a first bias power to remove the passivation film formed on the bottom surface of the first trench to expose the bottom surface of the first trench, and performing a second etching with a second bias power etching the exposed bottom surface of the first trench to form a second trench disposed below the first trench. The first bias power and the second bias power in the second cycle is greater than the first bias power and the second bias power in the first cycle, respectively.