Patent Publication Number: US-11652041-B2

Title: Semiconductor device and layout design thereof

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/913,697, filed on Jun. 26, 2020 and entitled “Semiconductor Device and Layout Design Thereof”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/174,953, filed on Oct. 30, 2018 and entitled “Semiconductor Device and Layout Design Thereof”, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,727,177 issued on Jul. 28, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/135,493, filed on Apr. 21, 2016 and entitled “Semiconductor Device and Layout Design Thereof,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,141,256 issued on Nov. 27, 2018, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In manufacturing process technology, the material density requirement becomes imperative due to yield and reliability concerns. For example, if either the metal or via density is not sufficient, the low-k material popularly used in advanced integrated circuits is not robust to Chemical-Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process during manufacturing. Thus, a technique of inserting dummy layers is developed to increase the material density, in order to improve the yield rate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
         FIG.  1    is a top view of a schematic layout of a semiconductor structure, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a top view of a schematic layout of a MOS device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a side view of the MOS device in  FIG.  2 A , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a top view of a schematic layout of a MOS device, in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 D  is a top view of a MOS device, in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 E  is a top view of a MOS device, in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  3    is a flow chart of a method for the layout of the MOS device in  FIG.  2 A , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
     The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art and in the specific context where each term is used. The use of examples in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. 
     Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  1    is a top view of a schematic layout of a semiconductor structure  100 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the semiconductor structure  100  and semiconductor structures as will be discussed with reference to  FIGS.  2 B- 2 E , represents a standard cell. The standard cell, in some embodiments, refers to a pre-designed cell that has been laid out and stored in a circuit library that is in a form of a database. Moreover, the standard cell, in some embodiments, is stored in a tangible storage medium, including, for example, a hard drive. In the design of integrated circuits, the standard cell is retrieved from the circuit library, and is placed in a placement operation. The placement operation is performed, for example, using a computer, which runs the software for designing integrated circuits. The software includes a circuit layout tool, which has a function of placement and routing. 
     In some embodiments, the semiconductor structure  100  of  FIG.  1   , or one of the semiconductor structures of  FIGS.  2 B- 2 E , which will be illustrated in detail below, is implemented in a semiconductor device. In some other embodiments, the semiconductor structure  100  of  FIG.  1   , or one of the semiconductor structures of  FIGS.  2 B- 2 E , which will be illustrated in detail below, is used to form transistors including, for example, Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET), planar transistor, or the like. For illustration, the semiconductor structure  100  includes an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistor or a P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above examples are given for illustrative purposes. Various devices implemented by the semiconductor structures in the present disclosure are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. 
     As illustratively shown in  FIG.  1   , the semiconductor structure  100  includes a pattern  120 , a pattern  140 , and a pattern  160 . The pattern  140  is disposed between the pattern  120  and the pattern  160 . In some embodiments, the term “pattern” is also referred to as a semiconductor configuration formed with various semiconductor materials. 
     In some embodiments, the patterns  120 ,  140  and  160  are disposed over an active region (also referred to as “OD” in some embodiments), which, for simplicity of illustration, is not shown in  FIG.  1   . The active region is formed over a semiconductor substrate (not shown) in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the pattern  120  and the pattern  160  are arranged as gates in at least one semiconductor device. The gates are formed of polysilicon in some embodiments. The term “gate” discussed in the present disclosure is also referred to as “PO” in some embodiments. Various conductive materials used to form the gates are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. For example, in various embodiments, the gates are formed of metals, metal alloys, metal silicides, or the like. 
     In various embodiments, the pattern  160  is arranged as a dummy gate. The dummy gate does not act as a gate to any semiconductor device including, for example, transistor. In such embodiments, the dummy gate is disposed over, and cover, an edge of the active region as discussed above. The dummy gate is also referred to as “PODE (poly on OD edge)” in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the pattern  160  is arranged as a duplicate of the pattern  120 . In some embodiments, the duplicate is configured to be prohibited from processing electrical signals generated and/or received by a circuit. For illustration, the pattern  160  is floating, or to receive a fixed voltage including, for example, a system voltage, a ground voltage, etc. In some embodiments, the pattern  160  is inserted, for example, by a place and route (P&amp;R) tool, to the semiconductor structure  100  according to design rules of the manufacturing technology. 
     In some embodiments, the pattern  140  is arranged as a conductive metal segment, which, for illustration, is a contact, in at least one semiconductor device. For illustration, the pattern  140  is arranged as a source/drain contact in a MOS device in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the term “conductive metal segment” discussed in the present disclosure is also referred to as “MD.” 
     In some embodiments, the patterns  120 ,  140  and  160  are formed in a same layer over the active region as discussed above. In some embodiments, the height of each one of the patterns  120  and  160  is different from the height of the pattern  140 . In various embodiments, the height of the pattern  140  is greater than the height of each one of the patterns  120  and  160 . 
     In some embodiments, with a coupling effect, the patterns  120  and  140  are configured to have a capacitance C 1  therebetween, and the patterns  140  and  160  are configured to have a capacitance C 2  therebetween. In some embodiments, the value of the capacitance C 1  is different from the value of the capacitance C 2 . For example, the value of the capacitance C 1  is less than the value of the capacitance C 2  in some embodiments. 
     For illustration in  FIG.  1   , a distance D 1  is present between the patterns  120  and  140 , and a distance D 2  is present between the patterns  140  and  160 . In some embodiments, when the distance D 1  increases, the value of the capacitance C 1  decreases, and vice versa. In some embodiments, when the distance D 2  decreases, the value of the capacitance C 2  increases, and vice versa. 
     In some embodiments, the minimum of the distance D 2  is set according to requirements of the design rule defined in the circuit layout tool as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, the minimum of the distance D 2  is in a range from about 0 to about 20 nano-meters. The minimum value of the distance D 2  discussed above is given for illustrative purposes only. Various minimum values of the distance D 2  are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms “about” is applied to modify any quantitative representation which could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. In some embodiments, as used herein, “about” shall generally mean within 20 percent of a given value or range. In some other embodiments, “about” shall generally within 10 percent of a given value or range. In some further embodiments, “about” shall generally within 5 percent of a given value or range. 
     As described above, in some embodiments, the pattern  120  is arranged as the gate in at least one semiconductor device, and the pattern  160  is arranged as the dummy gate in at least one semiconductor device. Accordingly, the pattern  120  is utilized to process at least one electrical signal (not shown in  FIG.  1   ) in some embodiments. In some situations, the capacitance C 1  would introduce certain timing impacts, which include, for example, unnecessary time delay, etc., on the processed signal. With the arrangements of reducing the values of the capacitance C 1 , the timing impacts on the processed signal, which are introduced by the capacitance C 1 , are reduced. Embodiments of the arrangements of reducing the values of the capacitance C 1  are discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  and  FIG.  3   . 
     As discussed above, the pattern  160  is arranged as the dummy gate, and processes no electrical signals, in some embodiments. Accordingly, the variation of the capacitance C 2  does not affect the performance of the circuit utilizing the semiconductor structure  100 . 
     For ease of understanding, embodiments of semiconductor devices, including, for example, a MOS device employing the semiconductor structure like the semiconductor structure  100  in  FIG.  1   , are illustrated below with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E . However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Various types of semiconductor devices, circuits, and/or ICs employing the semiconductor structure  100  in  FIG.  1    and the semiconductor structures in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  2 A .  FIG.  2 A  is a top view of a schematic layout of a MOS device  200 A in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the MOS device  200 A employs a semiconductor structure like the semiconductor structure  100  as discussed in  FIG.  1   . As illustratively shown in  FIG.  2 A , the MOS device  200 A includes a gate  220 , a contact  230 , a contact  240 , a dummy gate  250 , a dummy gate  260 , an OD region  265  including active regions  270  and  272 , a via  280 , and a via  290 . For illustration, the gate  220 , the dummy gate  250  and the contact  230  are arranged respectively corresponding to the pattern  120 , the pattern  160  and the pattern  140  of the semiconductor structure  100  in  FIG.  1   . 
     For illustration in  FIG.  2 A , the gate  220 , the dummy gate  250  and the contact  230  are disposed over the OD region  265 . The via  280  is disposed over the contact  230 . In some embodiments, the contact  230  is coupled between the via  280  and the active region  270 . The dummy gate  250  covers an edge of the OD region  265 , and is also referred to as “PODE” in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the gate  220  is configured to receive a first signal (not shown in  FIG.  2 A ) for turn-on or turn-off of the MOS device  200 A. In some embodiments, the active region  270  corresponds to a first source/drain region of the MOS device  200 A, and the active region  272  corresponds to a second source/drain region of the MOS device  200 A. 
     In some embodiments, the contact  230  and the contact  240  are implemented with conductive segments. In some embodiments, the contact  230  is configured to transmit and/or output a second signal (not shown in  FIG.  2 A ) in response to the first signal received by the gate  220 . For illustration, the second signal indicates a current flowing from the first source/drain region to the second source/drain region of the MOS device  200 A. In some other embodiments, the via  280  is configured to couple the contact  230  with other metal layers (not shown), in order to transmit the second signal from the contact  230  to other circuits (not shown). 
     For further illustration in  FIG.  2 A , the contact  240  is arranged corresponding to the contact  230  with respect to the gate  220 . In some embodiments, the contact  240  is configured to transmit and/or output a third signal (not shown in  FIG.  2 A ) in response to the first signal received by the gate  220 . For illustration, the third signal indicates a current flowing through the second source/drain region of the MOS device  200 A. In some embodiments, the contact  240  is coupled between the via  290  and the active region  272 . In some other embodiments, the via  290  is configured to couple the contact  240  with other metal layers (not shown), in order to transmit the third signal from the contact  240  to other circuits (not shown). 
     For further illustration in  FIG.  2 A , the dummy gate  260  is arranged corresponding to the dummy gate  250  with respect to the gate  220 . The dummy gate  260  covers the other edge of the OD region  265 , and is also referred to as “PODE” in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the dummy gate  250  and the dummy gate  260  are configured to process no electrical signals. 
     Moreover, as illustratively shown in  FIG.  2 A , a distance D 1  is present between the gate  220  and the contact  230 , and a distance D 2  is present between the dummy gate  250  and the contact  230 . A distance D 3  is present between the gate  220  and the contact  240 , and a distance D 4  is present between the dummy gate  260  and the contact  240 . 
     In some embodiments, with the coupling effect, a capacitance C 1  is formed between the gate  220  and the contact  230 , and a capacitance C 2  is formed between the dummy gate  250  and the contact  230 . A capacitance C 3  is formed between the gate  220  and the contact  240 , and a capacitance C 4  is formed between the dummy gate  260  and the contact  240 . In some embodiments, the distance D 1  is different from the distance D 2 . For illustration of the embodiments of  FIG.  2 A , the distance D 1  is greater than the distance D 2 , and the distance D 3  is the same as the distance D 4 . 
     In some approaches, the distance D 1  is set to be equal to the distance D 2 , and the distance D 3  is set to be equal to the distance D 4 . In other words, in such approaches, the spacings for forming the capacitances C 1 -C 2 , or the capacitances C 3 -C 4 , are symmetrical. Compared with the aforementioned approaches, the spacings for forming the capacitances Cl and C 2  in  FIG.  2 A  are asymmetric. With the arrangements illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , the capacitance C 1 , coupling between the gate  220  and the contact  230 , is reduced, while the distance D 1  increases, as discussed above. Thus, compared with the aforementioned approaches, the timing impacts on the first signal received by the gate  220 , and the second signal from the contact  230 , are reduced. As a result, the performance of the MOS device  200 A is improved. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2 A , the via  280  is arranged at a middle location between the gate  220  and the dummy gate  250 . For illustration of  FIG.  2 A , a distance D 5  is present between the gate  220  and the via  280 , and a distance D 6  is present between the dummy gate  250  and the via  280 . The distance D 5  is about the same as the distance D 6 . Based on the above arrangements of the contact  230  and the via  280 , the contact  230  is arranged with offset with respect to the via  280 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 A . In other words, as shown in  FIG.  2 A , at least one portion of the via  280  is not arranged upon the contact  280 . 
     In some embodiments, the distance D 3  is about the same as the distance D 4 , and the via  290  is disposed at a middle location between the gate  220  and the dummy gate  260 . Based on the above arrangements of the contact  240  and the via  290 , the contact  240  is arranged without offset with respect to the via  290 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 A . In other words, the entire via  290  is arranged upon the contact  240 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  2 B .  FIG.  2 B  is a side view of the MOS device  200 A in  FIG.  2 A , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. With respect to  FIG.  2 A , like elements in  FIG.  2 B  are designated with the same reference number for ease of understanding. 
     In some embodiments, the MOS device  200 A in  FIG.  2 B  further includes a substrate (not shown). The gate  220 , the contacts  230  and  240 , the dummy gates  250  and  260 , the active regions  270  and  272 , and the vias  280  and  290  are arranged above the substrate. In some embodiments, the active regions  270  and  272  are formed on the substrate through a diffusion process. In some other embodiments, the active regions  270  and  272  are formed on the substrate through an ion implantation process. The formation of the active regions  270  and  272  are given for illustrative purposes. Various processes for forming the active regions  270  and  272  are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the substrate is made of a semiconductor material, including, for example, silicon, silicon carbide (SiC), silicon germanium (SiGe), or III-V compound semiconductor material. The above implementations of the substrate are given for illustrative purposes. Various implementations of the substrate are within the contemplated scoped of the present disclosure. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  2 C .  FIG.  2 C  is a top view of a schematic layout of a MOS device  200 C in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. For illustration in  FIG.  2 C , the MOS device  200 C includes like elements corresponding to those in  FIG.  2 A . With respect to the embodiments of  FIG.  2 A , like elements in  FIG.  2 C  are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. 
     The arrangements of the via  280  and the via  290  in  FIG.  2 A  are given for illustrative purposes. Various arrangements of the via  280  and the via  290  are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. For example, compared with  FIG.  2 A , the distance D 5  in  FIG.  2 C  is greater than the distance D 6  in  FIG.  2 C . Based on the above arrangements of the contact  230  and the via  280 , the contact  230  is arranged without offset with respect to the via  280 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 C . In other words, the entire via  280  is arranged upon the contact  230 . The arrangements of the via  290  in  FIG.  2 C  are similar with the via  290  in  FIG.  2 B , and thus the repetitious description is not given here. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  2 D .  FIG.  2 D  is a top view of the MOS device  200 D, in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. With respect to the embodiments of  FIG.  2 A , like elements in  FIG.  2 D  are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. 
     Compared with  FIG.  2 A , in the embodiments of  FIG.  2 D , the gate  220 , the dummy gate  260  and the contact  240  are arranged respectively corresponding to the pattern  120 , the pattern  160  and the pattern  140  of the semiconductor structure  100  in  FIG.  1   . For illustration, the distance D 1  is about the same as the distance D 2 , and the distance D 3  is greater than the distance D 4 . In other words, the spacing for forming the capacitance C 3 , coupling between the gate  220  and the contact  240 , is reduced. As a result, compared with the aforementioned approaches, the timing impacts on the first signal, which is received and/or transmitted through the gate  220 , and the third signal, which is generated and/or transmitted through the contact  240 , are reduced. 
     In some embodiments of  FIG.  2 D , the via  280  is arranged at a middle location between the gate  220  and the dummy gate  250 . Alternatively stated, the distance D 5  is about the same as the distance D 6 . Based on the above arrangements of the contact  230  and the via  280 , the contact  230  is arranged without offset with respect to the via  280 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 D . In other words, as shown in  FIG.  2 D , the entire via  280  is arranged upon the contact  280 . 
     In some embodiments of  FIG.  2 D , the via  290  is arranged at a middle location between the gate  220  and the dummy gate  260 . In other words, a distance D 7  between the via  290  and the gate  220  is about the same as a distance D 8  between the via  290  and the dummy gate  260 . Based on the above arrangements of the contact  240  and the via  290 , the contact  240  is arranged with offset with respect to the via  290 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 D . In other words, as shown in  FIG.  2 D , at least one portion of the via  290  is not arranged upon the contact  240 . 
     In some other embodiments of  FIG.  2 D , the distance D 7  between the via  290  and the gate  220  is greater than the distance D 8  between the via  290  and the dummy gate  260 . Based on the above arrangements of the contact  240  and the via  290 , the contact  240  is arranged without offset with respect to the via  290 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  2 E .  FIG.  2 E  is a top view of the MOS device  200 E, in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. With respect to the embodiments of  FIG.  2 A , like elements in  FIG.  2 E  are designated with the same reference numbers for ease of understanding. 
     Compared with  FIG.  2 C , in the embodiments of  FIG.  2 E , the distance D 1  is configured to be greater than the distance D 2 , and the distance D 3  is configured to be greater than the distance D 4 . Accordingly, the spacings for forming the capacitances C 1  and the capacitance C 2  are asymmetric, and the spacings for forming the capacitance C 3  and the capacitance C 4  are asymmetric. Accordingly, the capacitance C 1 , coupling between the gate  220  and the contact  230 , and the capacitance C 3 , coupling between the gate  220  and the contact  240  are able to be reduced. Thus, the timing impacts on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal, which are processed and/or transmitted through the gate  220 , the contact  230 , and contact  240 , respectively, are reduced. As a result, the performance of the MOS device  200 E is further improved. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  2 E , the via  280  is arranged at a middle location between the gate  220  and the dummy gate  250 , and the via  290  is arranged at a middle location between the gate  220  and the dummy gate  260 . In other words, the distance D 5  is about the same as the distance D 6 . Based on the above arrangements of the via  280  and the contact  230 , the contact  230  is arranged with offset with respect to the via  280 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 E . Based on the above arrangements of the via  290  and the contact  240 , the contact  240  is arranged with offset with respect to the via  290 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 E . 
     In some other embodiments of  FIG.  2 E , the distance D 5  is greater than the distance D 6 . Based on the above arrangements of the via  280  and the contact  230 , the contact  240  is arranged without offset with respect to the via  290 . In some alternative embodiments of  FIG.  2 E , the distance D 7  is greater than the distance D 8 . Based on the above arrangements of the via  290  and the contact  240 , the contact  240  is arranged without offset with respect to the via  290 . 
       FIG.  3    is a flow chart of a method for the layout of the MOS device  200 A in  FIG.  2 A , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ease of understanding, reference is now made to  FIG.  2 A ,  FIG.  2 B , and  FIG.  3   , and the operations of the method  300  are described with the MOS device  200 A in  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  2 B  for illustrative purposes. Layouts of various MOS devices employing the method  300  are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. 
     In operations S 310 , the OD region  260 , which includes the active region  270  and the active region  272 , is arranged on the substrate (not shown) as discussed above. As described above, in various embodiments, the substrate is made of a semiconductor material, including, for example, silicon, SiC, SiGe, an III-V compound semiconductor, combinations thereof, or the like. 
     In operation S 320 , the gate  220  is arranged on the OD region  265 . In some embodiments, the gate  220  is formed of polysilicon. In some embodiments, the active regions  270  and  272  are formed by implanting n-type impurity into the semiconductor substrate. For example, when the MOS device  200 A is an NMOS device, the active region  270  and the active region  272  are n-type doped regions. In some further embodiment, the n-type impurity includes phosphorous. In some other embodiments, the n-type impurity includes arsenic. 
     Alternatively, in some embodiments, the diffusion regions  272  and  274  are formed by implanting p-type impurity into the semiconductor substrate. For example, when the MOS device  200 A is a PMOS device, the diffusion region  272  and the diffusion region  274  are p-type doped regions. In some embodiment, the p-type impurity includes boron. In some other embodiments, the p-type impurity includes indium. 
     The arrangements and implementations of the gate  220  and the active region  270 , and the active region  272  are given for illustrative purposes. Various arrangements and implementations of the gate  220  and the active region  270 , and the active region  272  are within the contemplated scoped of the present disclosure. 
     In operations S 330 , the via  280  is arranged on the active region  270 , and the via  290  is arranged on the active region  272 . In some embodiments, the via  280  and the via  290  are formed by etching holes and subsequently filling the same by a conductive material. 
     The formation of the via  280  and the via  290  is given for illustrative purposes only. Various formations of the via  280  and the via  290  are within the contemplated scope of the present disclosure. 
     In operation S 340 , the contact  230  is arranged at a location on the active region  270  in  FIG.  2 A , where the contact  230  and the gate  220  have a distance D 1  therebetween. In operation S 350 , the contact  240  is arranged at a location on the active region  272  in  FIG.  2 A , where the contact  240  and the gate  220  have a distance D 3  therebetween. In some embodiments, the via  280  is coupled between the contact  230  and the active region  270 , and the via  290  is coupled between the contact  240  and the active region  272 . 
     In operation S 360 , the dummy gate  250  is arranged at a location on the active region  270 , where the contact  230 , and the dummy gate  220  has a distance D 2  therebetween, and the distance D 2  is different from the distance Dl. For illustration, as illustrated in  FIG.  2 A  or  FIG.  2 E , the distance D 1  is greater than the distance D 2 . 
     In operation S 370 , the dummy gate  260  is arranged at a location on the active region  272 , where the dummy gate  260  and the contact  240  have a distance D 4  therebetween, and the distance D 3  is different from or equal to the distance D 4 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , the distance D 3  is configured to be equal to the distance D 4 . In some alternative embodiments illustrated in  FIG.  2 C  or  FIG.  2 D , the distance D 3  is configured to be greater than the distance D 4 . 
     As described above, with the arrangements of the asymmetric distance D 1  and the distance D 2  and/or the asymmetric distance D 3  and the distance D 4 , the capacitance C 1 , coupling between the gate  220  and the contact  230 , and the capacitance C 3 , coupling between the gate  220  and the contact  240 , are reduced. Accordingly, the timing impacts on the signals, which are processed and/or transmitted through the gate  220 , and contacts  230  and  240 , are reduced. As a result, the performance of the circuit utilizing the MOS devices  200 A, and/or  200 C- 200 E in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  is able to be improved. 
     It is understood that for the embodiments shown above, additional operations are able to be performed to complete the fabrication of the MOS device  200 A. For example, in some embodiments, these additional operations includes formation of interconnect structures (for example, lines and vias, metal layers, and interlayer dielectrics that provide electrical interconnection to the MOS device  200 A), formation of passivation layers, and packaging of the MOS device  200 A. 
     The above description of the method  300  includes exemplary operations, but the operations of the method  300  are not necessarily performed in the order described. The order of the operations of the method  300  disclosed in the present disclosure are able to be changed, or the operations are able to be executed simultaneously or partially simultaneously as appropriate, in accordance with the spirit and scope of various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, the semiconductor structure  100  in  FIG.  1    is formed through a design tool, which is, for example, an auto place and route (APR) tool, carried on a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the method  300 . In other words, in some embodiments, the method  300  is able to be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, and the combination thereof. 
     As described above, the semiconductor structure  100  in  FIG.  1   , the MOS devices  200 A, and  200 C- 200 E in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E , and the method  300  in  FIG.  3    provided in the present disclosure are able to reduce the coupling capacitances between the gate and the contact, which are configured to process the electrical signals, in a semiconductor device. Accordingly, the timing impacts, including, for example, additional time delays, are able to be reduced. As a result, the performance of circuits employing such arrangements is improved. 
     In this document, the term “coupled” may also be termed as “electrically coupled,” and the term “connected” may be termed as “electrically connected”. “Coupled” and “connected” may also be used to indicate that two or more elements cooperate or interact with each other. 
     In some embodiments, a device is disclosed that includes gates and a first conductive segment. A first distance is present between a first gate of the gates and the first conductive segment. A second distance is present between a second gate of the gates and the first conductive segment. The first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     Also disclosed is a device that includes a first gate and a first conductive segment. The first conductive segment is arranged between a first gate and a first dummy gate corresponding to the first gate. A first distance between the first conductive segment and the first gate and a second distance between the first conductive segment and the first dummy gate are asymmetric. 
     Also disclosed is a method that includes the operation below. A first gate is arranged on an active region. A conductive segment is arranged on the active region, in which a first distance is present between the first gate and the conductive segment. A second gate is arranged on the active region, in which a second distance is present between the second gate and the conductive segment, in which the first distance is different from the second distance. 
     The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.