Abstract: A polysilicon containing resistor includes: (1) a p dopant selected from the group consisting of boron and boron difluoride; and (2) an n dopant selected from the group consisting of arsenic and phosphorus. Each of the p dopant and the n dopant has a dopant concentration from about 1e18 to about 1e21 dopant atoms per cubic centimeter. A method for forming the polysilicon resistor uses corresponding implant doses from about 1e14 to about 1e16 dopant ions per square centimeter. The p dopant and the n dopant may be provided simultaneously or sequentially. The method provides certain polysilicon resistors with a sheet resistance percentage standard deviation of less than about 1.5%, for a polysilicon resistor having a sheet resistance from about 100 to about 5000 ohms per square.

Abstract: A capacitor having a suitably large value for decoupling applications is formed in a trench defined by isolation structures such as recessed isolation or shallow trench isolation. The capacitor provides a contact area coextensive with an active area and can be reliably formed individually or in small numbers. Plate contacts are preferably made through implanted regions extending to or between dopant diffused regions forming a capacitor plate. The capacitor can be formed by a process subsequent to formation of isolation structures such that preferred soft mask processes can be used to form the isolation structures and process commonality and compatibility constraint are avoided while the capacitor forming processes can be performed in common with processing for other structures.

Abstract: A design structure for capacitor having a suitably large value for decoupling applications is formed in a trench defined by isolation structures such as recessed isolation or shallow trench isolation. The capacitor provides a contact area coextensive with an active area and can be reliably formed individually or in small numbers. Plate contacts are preferably made through implanted regions extending to or between dopant diffused regions forming a capacitor plate. The capacitor can be formed by a process subsequent to formation of isolation structures such that preferred soft mask processes can be used to form the isolation structures and process commonality and compatibility constraint are avoided while the capacitor forming processes can be performed in common with processing for other structures.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes forming a first planar dielectric layer with a first metallization layer therein; forming a first passivation layer on top thereof; forming a planar conductive layer above the first passivation layer; patterning and selectively removing the conductive layer up to the first passivation layer in designated areas to form a set of conductive features; patterning and conformally coating the set of conductive features and the exposed first passivation layer with a high strength dielectric coating; disposing a second dielectric layer above the first passivation layer and enclosing the set of conductive features; patterning and selectively removing portions of the second substrate to form channels and trenches; performing a dual-Damascene process to form a second metallization layer in the trenches and channels and to form an upper conductive surface above the high strength dielectric coating.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a microelectronic chip which includes a passive device such, as an inductor, overlying an air gap. In such method, a plurality of front-end-of-line (“FEOL”) devices are formed in a semiconductor region of the microelectronic chip, and a plurality of stacked interlevel dielectric (“ILD”) layers are formed to overlie the plurality of FEOL devices, the plurality of stacked ILD layers including a first ILD layer and a second ILD layer, where the second ILD layer is resistant to attack by a first etchant which attacks the first ILD layer. A passive device is formed to overlie at least the first ILD layer. Using the first etchant, a portion of the first ILD layer in registration with the passive device is removed to form an air gap which underlies the passive device in registration with the passive device.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a capacitor with inter-digitated vertical plates and a method of forming the capacitor such that the effective gap distance between plates is reduced. This gap width reduction significantly increases the capacitance density of the capacitor. Gap width reduction is accomplished during back end of the line processing by masking connecting points with nodes, by etching the dielectric material from between the vertical plates and by etching a sacrificial material from below the vertical plates. Etching of the dielectric material from between the plates forms air gaps and various techniques can be used to cause the plates to collapse in on these air gaps, once the sacrificial material is removed. Any remaining air gaps can be filled by depositing a second dielectric material (e.g., a high k dielectric), which will further increase the capacitance density and will encapsulate the capacitor in order to make the reduced distance between the vertical plates permanent.

Abstract: A method for forming a transmission line structure for a semiconductor device includes forming an interlevel dielectric layer over a first metallization level, removing a portion of the interlevel dielectric layer and forming a sacrificial material within one or more voids created by the removal of the portion of the interlevel dielectric layer. A signal transmission line is formed in a second metallization level formed over the interlevel dielectric layer, the signal transmission line being disposed over the sacrificial material. A portion of dielectric material included within the second metallization level is removed so as to expose the sacrificial material, wherein a portion of the sacrificial material is exposed through a plurality of access holes formed through the signal transmission line. The sacrificial material is removed so as to create an air gap beneath the signal transmission line.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an integrated circuit comb capacitor with capacitor electrodes that have an increased capacitance between neighboring capacitor electrodes as compared with other interconnects and via contacts formed in the same metal wiring level and at the same pitches. The invention achieves a capacitor that minimizes capacitance tolerance and preserves symmetry in parasitic electrode-substrate capacitive coupling, without adversely affecting other interconnects and via contacts formed in the same wiring level, through the use of, at most, one additional noncritical, photomask.

Abstract: A fuse structure comprises a cavity interposed between a substrate and a fuse material layer. The cavity is not formed at a sidewall of the fuse material layer, or at a surface of the fuse material layer opposite the substrate. A void may be formed interposed between the substrate and the fuse material layer while using a self-aligned etching method, when the fuse material layer comprises lobed ends and a narrower middle region. The void is separated by a pair of sacrificial layer pedestals that support the fuse material layer. The void is encapsulated to form the cavity by using an encapsulating dielectric layer. Alternatively, a block mask may be used when forming the void interposed between the substrate and the fuse material layer.

Abstract: A capacitor is disclosed having reduced impedance. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a cathode including a first terminal and a first set of electrodes extending from the first terminal in a first layer, each electrode in the first set coupled to one corresponding electrode of a second set of electrodes in a second layer by at least one contact; and an anode including a second terminal and a third set of electrodes extending from the second terminal in the second layer, each electrode in the third set coupled to one corresponding electrode of a fourth set of electrodes in the first layer by at least one contact, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are on a same end of the capacitor.

Abstract: In the course of forming a resistor in the back end of an integrated circuit, an intermediate dielectric layer is deposited and a trench etched through it and into a lower dielectric layer by a controllable amount, so that the top of a resistor layer deposited in the trench is close in height to the top of the lower dielectric layer; the trench is filled and the resistor layer outside the trench is removed, after which a second dielectric layer is deposited. Vias passing through the second dielectric layer to contact the resistor then have the same depth as vias contacting metal interconnects in the lower dielectric layer. A tri-layer resistor structure is employed in which the resistive film is sandwiched between two protective layers that block diffusion between the resistor and BEOL ILD layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides on-chip decoupling capacitor structures having trench capacitors integrated with planar capacitors to provide an improved overall capacitance density. In some embodiments, the structure includes at least one deep trench capacitor, at least one planar capacitor, and a metal layer interconnecting said deep trench and planar capacitors. In other embodiments, the structure includes at least one deep trench capacitor and a metal layer in electrical communication with the at least one deep trench capacitor. The at least one deep trench capacitor has a shallow trench isolation region, a doped region, an inner electrode, and a dielectric between the doped region and the inner electrode. The dielectric has an upper edge that terminates at a lower surface of the shallow trench isolation region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides on-chip decoupling capacitor structures having trench capacitors integrated with a passive capacitor formed in the back-end-of-line wiring to provide an improved overall capacitance density. In some embodiments, the structure includes at least one deep trench capacitor and a passive capacitor formed in at least two back-end-of-line wiring levels. The trench and passive capacitors are in electrical communication through one of the wiring levels. In other embodiments, the structure includes at least one deep trench capacitor, a first back-end-of-line wiring level, and a second back-end-of-line wiring level. The deep trench capacitor with a dielectric that has an upper edge that terminates at a lower surface of a shallow trench isolation region. The first wiring level is in electrical communication with the trench capacitor. The second wiring level is vertically electrically connected to the first wiring level by vertical connectors so as to form a passive capacitor.

Abstract: A plurality of interdigitized conductive fingers are arranged to form a substantially square configuration in each of a plurality of layers separated by a high dielectric constant material, wherein each of the plurality of interdigitized conductive fingers includes at least one bend of substantially ninety degrees. The plurality of interdigitized conductive fingers includes a first set of fingers that are connected to an anode terminal, and a second set of fingers that are connected to a cathode terminal. The plurality of layers includes a bottommost layer that is in closest proximity to a substrate relative to other layers of the plurality of layers. The bottommost layer does not include any fingers connected to the anode terminal.

Abstract: In the course of forming a resistor in the back end of an integrated circuit, an intermediate dielectric layer is deposited and a trench etched through it and into a lower dielectric layer by a controllable amount, so that the top of a resistor layer deposited in the trench is close in height to the top of the lower dielectric layer; the trench is filled and the resistor layer outside the trench is removed, after which a second dielectric layer is deposited. Vias passing through the second dielectric layer to contact the resistor then have the same depth as vias contacting metal interconnects in the lower dielectric layer. A tri-layer resistor structure is employed in which the resistive film is sandwiched between two protective layers that block diffusion between the resistor and BEOL ILD layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a capacitor with inter-digitated vertical plates and a method of forming the capacitor such that the effective gap distance between plates is reduced. This gap width reduction significantly increases the capacitance density of the capacitor. Gap width reduction is accomplished during back end of the line processing by masking connecting points with nodes, by etching the dielectric material from between the vertical plates and by etching a sacrificial material from below the vertical plates. Etching of the dielectric material from between the plates forms air gaps and various techniques can be used to cause the plates to collapse in on these air gaps, once the sacrificial material is removed. Any remaining air gaps can be filled by depositing a second dielectric material (e.g., a high k dielectric), which will further increase the capacitance density and will encapsulate the capacitor in order to make the reduced distance between the vertical plates permanent.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a capacitor with inter-digitated vertical plates and a method of forming the capacitor such that the effective gap distance between plates is reduced. This gap width reduction significantly increases the capacitance density of the capacitor. Gap width reduction is accomplished during back end of the line processing by masking connecting points with nodes, by etching the dielectric material from between the vertical plates and by etching a sacrificial material from below the vertical plates. Etching of the dielectric material from between the plates forms air gaps and various techniques can be used to cause the plates to collapse in on these air gaps, once the sacrificial material is removed. Any remaining air gaps can be filled by depositing a second dielectric material (e.g., a high k dielectric), which will further increase the capacitance density and will encapsulate the capacitor in order to make the reduced distance between the vertical plates permanent.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a capacitor with inter-digitated vertical plates and a method of forming the capacitor such that the effective gap distance between plates is reduced. This gap width reduction significantly increases the capacitance density of the capacitor. Gap width reduction is accomplished during back end of the line processing by masking connecting points with nodes, by etching the dielectric material from between the vertical plates and by etching a sacrificial material from below the vertical plates. Etching of the dielectric material from between the plates forms air gaps and various techniques can be used to cause the plates to collapse in on these air gaps, once the sacrificial material is removed. Any remaining air gaps can be filled by depositing a second dielectric material (e.g., a high k dielectric), which will further increase the capacitance density and will encapsulate the capacitor in order to make the reduced distance between the vertical plates permanent.

Abstract: Capacitors are disclosed having reduced parasitic capacitance. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a first set of electrodes, each electrode of the first set extending through at least one of a plurality of back-end-of-line (BEOL) layers above a substrate; a second set of electrodes, each electrode of the second set extending through at least one of the BEOL layers, and wherein each electrode of the second set extends to a greater depth of the plurality of BEOL layers than each electrode of the first set.

Abstract: Integrated circuits (IC) and a method of fabricating an IC, where the structure of the IC incorporates a back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) thin film resistor below a first metal layer to achieve lower topography are disclosed. The resistor directly contacts any one of: a contact metal in the front-end-of-the-line (FEOL) structure; first metal layer in the BEOL interconnect; or the combination thereof, to avoid the necessity of forming contacts with differing heights or contacts over varying topography.