A method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate; forming a source/drain region adjacent the gate structure; forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the source/drain region; forming a contact plug extending through the first ILD that electrically contacts the source/drain region; forming a silicide layer on the contact plug; forming a second ILD extending over the first ILD and the silicide layer; etching an opening extending through the second ILD and the silicide layer to expose the contact plug, wherein the silicide layer is used as an etch stop during the etching of the opening; and forming a conductive feature in the opening that electrically contacts the contact plug.

The present application relates to a semiconductor device with an intervening layer and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device with the intervening layer. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a bottom conductive plug positioned on the substrate, an intervening conductive layer positioned on the bottom conductive plug, and a top conductive plug positioned on the intervening conductive layer. A top surface of the intervening conductive layer is non-planar.

A method provides a structure having a FinFET in an Rx region, the FinFET including a channel, source/drain (S/D) regions and a gate, the gate including gate metal. A cap is formed over the gate having a high-k dielectric liner and a core. Trench silicide (TS) is disposed on sides of the gate. The TS is recessed to a level above a level of the gate and below a level of the cap. An oxide layer is disposed over the structure. A CB trench is patterned into the oxide layer within the Rx region to expose the core and liner at an intermediate portion of the CB trench. The core is selectively etched relative to the liner to extend the CB trench to a bottom at the gate metal. The CB trench is metalized to form a CB contact.

A semiconductor device includes a source/drain region, a source/drain silicide layer formed on the source/drain region, and a first contact disposed over the source/drain silicide layer. The first contact includes a first metal layer, an upper surface of the first metal layer is at least covered by a silicide layer, and the silicide layer includes a same metal element as the first metal layer.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor part; first and second electrodes, the semiconductor part being provided between the first and second electrodes; a control electrode selectively provided between the semiconductor part and the second electrode; and a contacting part electrically connecting the semiconductor part and the second electrode. The semiconductor part includes a first layer of a first conductivity type, a second layer of a second conductivity type provided between the first layer and the second electrode, a third layer of the first conductivity type selectively provided between the second layer and the second electrode, and a fourth layer of the second conductivity type selectively provided between the second layer and the second electrode. The contacting part includes a first semiconductor portion of the first conductivity type contacting the third layer, and a second semiconductor portion of the second conductivity type contacting the fourth layer.

Gate patterns are formed on a semiconductor layer and a conductive film is formed on the semiconductor layer so as to cover the gate patterns. By performing a polishing process to the conductive film and patterning the polished conductive film, pad layers are formed between the gate patterns via sidewall spacers.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device with an air gap below a landing pad and a method for forming the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first lower plug and a second lower plug disposed over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a first landing pad disposed over a top surface and upper sidewalls of the first lower plug, and a first upper plug disposed over the first landing pad and electrically connected to the first lower plug. A width of the first lower plug is greater than a width of the first upper plug. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The first lower plug, the second lower plug, the first landing pad and the first upper plug are disposed in the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer includes an air gap disposed between the first lower plug and the second lower plug.

A method includes forming a dielectric layer over an epitaxial source/drain region. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer. The opening exposes a portion of the epitaxial source/drain region. A barrier layer is formed on a sidewall and a bottom of the opening. An oxidation process is performing on the sidewall and the bottom of the opening. The oxidation process transforms a portion of the barrier layer into an oxidized barrier layer and transforms a portion of the dielectric layer adjacent to the oxidized barrier layer into a liner layer. The oxidized barrier layer is removed. The opening is filled with a conductive material in a bottom-up manner. The conductive material is in physical contact with the liner layer.

The present application discloses a method for fabricating a conductive layer stack. The method includes forming an intervening layer on an under-layer; and forming a filler layer on the intervening layer, wherein the filler layer comprises tungsten. The intervening layer comprises tungsten silicide and a thickness of the intervening layer is greater than 4.1 nm. The under-layer comprises titanium nitride and comprises a columnar grain structure.

The present application discloses a conductive layer stack, a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating the conductive layer stack and the semiconductor device. The conductive layer stack includes an intervening layer comprising tungsten silicide and positioned on an under-layer; a filler layer comprising tungsten and positioned on the intervening layer. The under-layer comprises titanium nitride and comprises a columnar grain structure. A thickness of the intervening layer is greater than about 4.1 nm.