Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of integrated circuit structure fabrication. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive lines in a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer, the plurality of conductive lines on a same level and along a same direction. A second ILD layer is over the plurality of conductive lines and over the first ILD layer. A first conductive via is in a first opening in the second ILD layer, the first conductive via in contact with a first one of the plurality of conductive lines, the first conductive via having a straight edge.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be related to apparatuses, processes, systems, and/or techniques for forming a plug within a metal layer of a semiconductor device, where the plug is formed within a cavity that is created through the metal layer. The plug may extend through the metal layer and into a layer below the metal layer, which may be a layer that includes a dielectric and one or more electrical routing features. The plug may include an electrical insulator material. The cavity may be formed by placing a mask above the metal layer and performing an etch through the metal layer subsequently filled with a dielectric, where the plug will be tapered and wider at the top of the plug and become narrower as the plug continues through the metal layer and reaches the layer below the metal layer. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first device having a first source or drain region, and a second device having a second source or drain region that is laterally adjacent to the first source or drain region. A conductive source or drain contact includes (i) a lower portion in contact with the first source or drain region, and extending above the first source or drain region, and (ii) an upper portion extending laterally from above the lower portion to above the second source or drain region. A dielectric material is between at least a section of the upper portion of the conductive source or drain contact and the second source or drain region. In an example, each of the first and second devices is a gate-all-around (GAA) device having one or more nanoribbons, nanowires, or nanosheets as channel regions, or is a finFet structure having a fin-based channel region.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having uniform grid metal gate and trench contact cut, and methods of fabricating integrated circuit structures having uniform grid metal gate and trench contact cut, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A gate electrode is over the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A conductive trench contact is adjacent to the gate electrode. A dielectric sidewall spacer is between the gate electrode and the conductive trench contact. A first dielectric cut plug structure extends through the gate electrode, through the dielectric sidewall spacer, and through the conductive trench contact. A second dielectric cut plug structure extends through the gate electrode, through the dielectric sidewall spacer, and through the conductive trench contact, the second dielectric cut plug structure laterally spaced apart from and parallel with the first dielectric cut plug structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of integrated circuit structure fabrication. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive lines along a same direction, one of the conductive lines having a break therein. An inter-layer dielectric (ILD) structure has portions between adjacent ones of the plurality of conductive lines and has a dielectric plug portion in a location of the break in the one of the conductive lines. The dielectric plug portion of the ILD structure is continuous with one or more of the portions of the ILD structure between adjacent ones of the plurality of conductive lines. The dielectric plug portion of the ILD structure has an inwardly tapering profile from top to bottom.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having trench contact depopulation structures, and methods of fabricating integrated circuit structures having trench contact depopulation structures, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A gate stack is over the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A dielectric trench structure is adjacent to the gate stack. A dielectric sidewall spacer is between the gate stack and the dielectric trench structure. A dielectric gate cut plug is extending through the gate stack, the dielectric sidewall spacer, and the dielectric trench structure.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having gate cut plugs removed from trench contacts, and methods of fabricating integrated circuit structures having gate cut plugs removed from trench contacts, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A gate electrode is over the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A conductive trench contact is adjacent to the gate electrode. A dielectric sidewall spacer is between the gate electrode and the conductive trench contact. A gate cut plug extends through the gate electrode and the dielectric sidewall spacer. The gate cut plug extends into but not entirely through the conductive trench contact.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of integrated circuit structure fabrication. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive lines on a same level and along a same direction, a first one of the plurality of conductive lines having a first width and a first composition, and a second one of the plurality of conductive lines having a second width and a second composition. The second width greater than the first width, and the second composition is different than the first composition. The integrated circuit structure also includes an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) structure having portions between adjacent ones of the plurality of conductive lines.

Abstract: Advanced lithography techniques including sub-10 nm pitch patterning and structures resulting therefrom are described. Self-assembled devices and their methods of fabrication are described.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first interconnect layer, and a second interconnect layer above the first interconnect layer. The first interconnect layer includes a first interconnect feature and a second interconnect feature. The second interconnect layer includes a third interconnect feature, a fourth interconnect feature, and a fifth interconnection feature. The third interconnect feature extends from an upper surface of the first interconnect feature to an upper surface of the second interconnect layer. In an example, the fourth interconnect feature extends from an upper surface of the second interconnect feature to below the upper surface of the second interconnect layer, and the fifth interconnect feature extends from an upper surface of the fourth interconnect feature to the upper surface of the second interconnect layer. Thus, a double-decked vertical stack of interconnect features is formed using the fourth interconnect feature within the second interconnect layer.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having recessed self-aligned deep boundary vias are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of gate lines. A plurality of trench contacts extends over a plurality of source or drain structures, individual ones of the plurality of trench contacts alternating with individual ones of the plurality of gate lines. A backside metal routing layer is extending beneath one or more of the plurality of gate lines and beneath one or more of the plurality of trench contacts. A conductive structure couples the backside metal routing layer to one of the one or more of the plurality of trench contacts. The conductive structure includes a pillar portion in contact with the one of the one or more of the plurality of trench contacts, the pillar portion on a line portion, the line portion in contact with and extending along the backside metal routing layer.

Abstract: Advanced lithography techniques including sub-10 nm pitch patterning and structures resulting therefrom are described. Self-assembled devices and their methods of fabrication are described.

Abstract: Gate aligned contacts and methods of forming gate aligned contacts are described. For example, a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of gate structures above an active region formed above a substrate. The gate structures each include a gate dielectric layer, a gate electrode, and sidewall spacers. A plurality of contact plugs is formed, each contact plug formed directly between the sidewall spacers of two adjacent gate structures of the plurality of gate structures. A plurality of contacts is formed, each contact formed directly between the sidewall spacers of two adjacent gate structures of the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of contacts and the plurality of gate structures are formed subsequent to forming the plurality of contact plugs.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment a semiconductor device comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD), a plurality of source/drain (S/D) contacts in the first ILD, a plurality of gate contacts in the first ILD, wherein the gate contacts and the S/D contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern, and wherein top surfaces of the gate contacts are below top surfaces of the S/D contacts so that a channel defined by sidewall surfaces of the first ILD is positioned over each of the gate contacts, mask layer partially filling a first channel over a first gate contact, and a fill metal filling a second channel over a second gate contact that is adjacent to the first gate contact.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be related to apparatuses, processes, systems, and techniques directed to electrical couplings between epitaxial structures and voltage sources within transistors in SRAM bit cells. Embodiments include direct electrical couplings between a backside contact metal (BMO) and a backside of an epitaxial structure to provide SRAM VCC voltage (SVCC) voltage, as well as electrical connection structures that electrically couple the BMO to a front side of an epitaxial structure to provide SVCC voltage. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having full-wrap contact structures, and methods of fabricating integrated circuit structures having full-wrap contact structures, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of horizontally stacked nanowires. A gate structure is over the plurality of horizontally stacked nanowires. An epitaxial source or drain structure is at an end of the plurality of horizontally stacked nanowires. A conductive trench contact structure is vertically over the epitaxial source or drain structure. The conductive trench contact structure is electrically connected to a top of the epitaxial source or drain structure and to at least 10% of a length of each side of the epitaxial source or drain structure.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be related to apparatuses, processes, systems, and techniques directed to electrical couplings between epitaxial structures and voltage sources within transistors in SRAM bit cells. Embodiments include direct electrical couplings between a backside contact metal (BM0) and a backside of an epitaxial structure, as well as electrical connection structures that electrically couple the BM0 to a front side of an epitaxial structure. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having conductive structures in fin isolation regions are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires over a sub-fin. The integrated circuit structure also includes a gate structure. The gate structure includes a first gate structure portion over the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires, a second gate structure portion laterally adjacent to the first gate structure portion, wherein the second gate structure portion is not over a channel structure, and a gate cut between the first gate structure portion and the second gate structure portion.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having backside gate tie-down are described. In an example, a structure includes a first vertical stack of horizontal nanowires over a first sub-fin, and a second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires over a second sub-fin, the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires spaced apart from and parallel with the first vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A gate structure includes a first gate structure portion over the first vertical stack of horizontal nanowires, wherein the first gate structure extends along an entirety of the first sub-fin. A second gate structure portion is over the second vertical stack of horizontal nanowires, wherein the second gate structure does not extend along an entirety of the second sub-fin. A gate cut is between the first gate structure portion and the second gate structure portion.