METHODS FOR PERFORMING A GATE CUT LAST SCHEME FOR FINFET SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

    公开(公告)号:US20170345913A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-11-30

    申请号:US15165294

    申请日:2016-05-26

    CPC classification number: H01L29/66545 H01L29/66795 H01L29/7851

    Abstract: A method includes forming a placeholder gate structure embedded in a dielectric layer. The placeholder gate structure includes a sacrificial material. A first hard mask layer is formed above the dielectric layer. The first hard mask layer and the sacrificial material are the same material. A second hard mask layer is formed above the first hard mask layer. The second hard mask layer is patterned to define an opening therein exposing a portion of the first hard mask layer and being disposed above a portion of the placeholder gate structure. The exposed portion of the first hard mask layer and the portion of the sacrificial material of the placeholder gate structure disposed below the opening are removed to define a gate cut cavity and divide the placeholder gate structure into first and second segments. A dielectric material is formed in the gate cut cavity.

    Methods for performing a gate cut last scheme for FinFET semiconductor devices

    公开(公告)号:US09991361B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-06-05

    申请号:US15165294

    申请日:2016-05-26

    CPC classification number: H01L29/66545 H01L29/66795 H01L29/7851

    Abstract: A method includes forming a placeholder gate structure embedded in a dielectric layer. The placeholder gate structure includes a sacrificial material. A first hard mask layer is formed above the dielectric layer. The first hard mask layer and the sacrificial material are the same material. A second hard mask layer is formed above the first hard mask layer. The second hard mask layer is patterned to define an opening therein exposing a portion of the first hard mask layer and being disposed above a portion of the placeholder gate structure. The exposed portion of the first hard mask layer and the portion of the sacrificial material of the placeholder gate structure disposed below the opening are removed to define a gate cut cavity and divide the placeholder gate structure into first and second segments. A dielectric material is formed in the gate cut cavity.

    APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ALIGNING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT LAYERS USING MULTIPLE GRATING MATERIALS

    公开(公告)号:US20200152498A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-05-14

    申请号:US16188814

    申请日:2018-11-13

    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provides an apparatus for aligning layers of an integrated circuit (IC), the apparatus including: an insulator layer positioned above a semiconductor substrate; a first diffraction grating within a first region of the insulator layer, the first diffraction grating including a first grating material within the first region of the insulator layer; and a second diffraction grating within a second region of the insulator layer, the second grating including a second grating material within the second region of the insulator layer, wherein the second grating material is different from the first grating material, and wherein an optical contrast between the first and second grating materials is greater than an optical contrast between the second grating material and the insulator layer.

    SELF-REFERENCING AND SELF-CALIBRATING INTERFERENCE PATTERN OVERLAY MEASUREMENT

    公开(公告)号:US20190219930A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-07-18

    申请号:US15869150

    申请日:2018-01-12

    Abstract: Two pairs of alignment targets (one aligned, one misaligned by a bias distance) are formed on different masks to produce a first pair of conjugated interference patterns. Other pairs of alignment targets are also formed on the masks to produce a second pair of conjugated interference patterns that are inverted the first. Misalignment of the dark and light regions of the first interference patterns and the second interference patterns in both pairs of conjugated interference patterns is determined when patterns formed using the masks are overlaid. A magnification factor (of the interference pattern misalignment to the target misalignment) is calculated as a ratio of the difference of misalignment of the relatively dark and relatively light regions in the pairs of interference patterns, over twice the bias distance. The interference pattern misalignment is divided by the magnification factor to produce a self-referenced and self-calibrated target misalignment amount, which is then output.

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