Abstract: Conductive via bars self-aligned to gate ends are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of gate structures. The integrated circuit structure also includes a plurality of dielectric spacers, a corresponding one of the plurality of dielectric spacers laterally surrounding a corresponding one of the plurality of gate structures. A plurality of conductive trench contact structures is alternating with the plurality of gate structures. A conductive via bar is along ends of the plurality of gate structures and ends of the plurality of conductive trench contact structures, wherein the plurality of dielectric spacers is between the ends of the plurality of gate structures and the conductive via bar.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires and a second vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A first gate stack is over the first vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires, and a second gate stack is over the second vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. An end of the second gate stack is spaced apart from an end of the first gate stack by a gap. A first dielectric gate spacer is laterally around the first gate stack and has a portion along an end of the first gate stack and in the gap. A second dielectric gate spacer is laterally around the second gate stack and has a portion along an end of the second gate stack and in the gap. The portion of the second dielectric gate spacer is laterally merged with the portion of the first dielectric gate spacer in the gap.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include integrated circuit structures and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit structure comprises plurality of gate structures above a substrate, a plurality of conductive trench contact structures alternating with the plurality of gate structures, a plurality of dielectric spacers, a corresponding one of the plurality of dielectric spacers between adjacent ones of the plurality of gate structures and the plurality of conductive trench contact structures, and a plurality of conductive vias, individual ones of the plurality of conductive vias on corresponding ones of the plurality of conductive trench contact structures, wherein bottommost surfaces of the conductive vias are below topmost surfaces of the plurality of conductive trench contact structures.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having backside self-aligned conductive via bars, and methods of fabricating integrated circuit structures having backside self-aligned conductive via bars, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a first sub-fin structure over a first stack of nanowires. A second sub-fin structure is over a second stack of nanowires. A first gate electrode is around the first stack of nanowires. A second gate electrode is around the second stack of nanowires. A conductive trench contact structure is between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. A conductive via bar is on the conductive trench contact structure, the conductive via bar having a backside surface co-planar with a backside surface of the first and second sub-fin structures.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having backside gate partial cut or backside trench contact partial cut and/or spit epitaxial structure are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a first sub-fin structure over a first stack of nanowires. A second sub-fin structure is over a second stack of nanowires. A first portion of a gate electrode is around the first stack of nanowires, a second portion of the gate electrode is around the second stack of nanowires, and a third portion of the gate electrode bridges the first and second portions of the gate electrode. A dielectric structure is between the first portion of the gate electrode and the second portion of the gate electrode, the dielectric structure over the third portion of the gate electrode. The dielectric structure is continuous along the first and second portions of the gate electrode and the first and second sub-fin structures.

Abstract: Methods and architectures for forming metal line plugs that define separations between two metal line ends, and for forming vias that interconnect the metal lines to an underlying contact. The line plugs are present in-plane with the metal lines while vias connecting the lines are in an underlying plane. One lithographic plate or reticle that prints lines at a given pitch (P) may be employed multiple times, for example each time with a pitch halving (P/2), or pitch quartering (P/4) patterning technique, to define both metal line ends and metal line vias. A one-dimensional (1D) grating mask may be employed in conjunction with cross-grating (orthogonal) masking structures that are likewise amenable to pitch splitting techniques.

Abstract: Gate aligned fin cut for advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication is described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a first fin segment having a fin end, and a second fin segment spaced apart from the first fin segment, the second fin segment having a fin end facing the fin end of the first fin segment. A first gate structure is over the first fin segment, the first gate structure substantially vertically aligned with the fin end of the first fin segment. A second gate structure is over the second fin segment, the second gate structure substantially vertically aligned with the fin end of the second fin segment. An isolation structure is laterally between the fin end of the first fin segment and the fin end of the second fin segment.

Abstract: Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having pre-spacer-deposition wide cut gates are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a first vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires and a second vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A first gate stack is over the first vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires, and a second gate stack is over the second vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. An end of the second gate stack is spaced apart from an end of the first gate stack by a gap. A first dielectric gate spacer is along an end of the first gate stack in the gap. A second dielectric gate spacer is along an end of the second gate stack in the gap. A dielectric material is between and in lateral contact with the first dielectric gate spacer and the second dielectric gate spacer.

Abstract: Conductive via structures for gate contact or trench contact are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of gate structures. A plurality of dielectric spacers has an uppermost surface co-planar with an uppermost surface of a plurality of gate structures and co-planar with an uppermost surface of a plurality of conductive trench contact structures. A dielectric layer is over the plurality of gate structures, over the plurality of conductive trench contact structures, and over the plurality of dielectric spacers. The dielectric layer has a planar uppermost surface. An opening is in the dielectric layer, the opening exposing one of the plurality of gate structures or one of the plurality of conductive trench contact structures. A conductive via is in the opening. The conductive via has an uppermost surface co-planar with the planar uppermost surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Narrow conductive via structures for gate contact or trench contact are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of gate structures above a substrate. A plurality of conductive trench contact structures is alternating with the plurality of gate structures. The integrated circuit structure also includes a plurality of dielectric spacers, a corresponding one of the plurality of dielectric spacers between adjacent ones of the plurality of gate structures and the plurality of conductive trench contact structures. A dielectric liner is along the plurality of dielectric spacers over the plurality of gate structures. A plurality of conductive pin structures is between the dielectric liner, individual ones of the plurality of conductive pin structures on corresponding ones of the plurality of gate structures.

Abstract: Spacer self-aligned via structures for gate contact or trench contact are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of gate structures above a substrate. A plurality of conductive trench contact structures is alternating with the plurality of gate structures. The integrated circuit structure also includes a plurality of dielectric spacers, a corresponding one of the plurality of dielectric spacers between adjacent ones of the plurality of gate structures and the plurality of conductive trench contact structures, wherein the plurality of dielectric spacers protrudes above the plurality of gate structures and above the plurality of conductive trench contact structures. A conductive structure is in direct contact with one of the plurality of gate structures or with one of the plurality of conductive trench contact structures.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having backside gate cut or backside trench contact cut, and methods of fabricating integrated circuit structures having backside gate cut or backside trench contact cut, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a first sub-fin structure over a first stack of nanowires. A second sub-fin structure is over a second stack of nanowires. A first gate electrode is around the first stack of nanowires. A second gate electrode is around the second stack of nanowires. A dielectric structure is between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. The dielectric structure is continuous along an entirety of a height of the first gate electrode and the first sub-fin structure.

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 herein describe techniques for fuse lines and plugs formation. A semiconductor device may include a fuse line having a nominal fuse segment abutted to a necked fuse segment. The nominal fuse segment may be wider than the necked fuse segment. A first spacer may be along a first side of the fuse line and a second spacer along a second side opposite to the first side of the fuse line. The first spacer may include a part having a width at least twice a width of a part of the second spacer. A plug within a vicinity of the necked fuse segment may have a plug width that may be at least twice a plug with of a plug of an interconnect line outside the vicinity. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.

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: Conductive cap-based approaches for conductive via fabrication is described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive lines in an ILD layer above a substrate. Each of the conductive lines is recessed relative to an uppermost surface of the ILD layer. A plurality of conductive caps is on corresponding ones of the plurality of conductive lines, in recess regions above each of the plurality of conductive lines. A hardmask layer is on the plurality of conductive caps and on the uppermost surface of the ILD layer. The hardmask layer includes a first hardmask component on and aligned with the plurality of conductive caps, and a second hardmask component on an aligned with regions of the uppermost surface of the ILD layer. A conductive via is in an opening in the hardmask layer and on a conductive cap of one 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: Contact over active gate (COAG) structures with a tapered gate or trench contact are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of gate structures above a substrate, wherein individual ones of the plurality gate of structures have thereon a conductive cap between sidewall spacers. A plurality of conductive trench contact structures is alternating with the plurality of gate structures, wherein individual ones of the plurality of conductive trench contact structures have thereon a conductive cap between sidewall spacers. A conductive structure is in direct contact with the conductive cap and sidewall spacers on one of the plurality of gate structures or with the conductive cap and sidewall spacers on one of the plurality of conductive trench contact structures.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include methods of patterning a back end of line (BEOL) stack and the resulting structures. In an embodiment a method of patterning a BEOL stack comprises forming a grating over an interlayer dielectric (ILD), and forming a spacer over the grating. In an embodiment, the spacer is etch selective to the grating. In an embodiment, the method further comprises disposing a hardmask over the grating and the spacer, and patterning the hardmask to form an opening in the hardmask. In an embodiment, the method further comprises filling the opening with a plug, removing the hardmask, and etching the spacer. In an embodiment, a portion of the spacer is protected from the etch by the plug. In an embodiment, the method may further comprise removing the plug, and transferring the grating into the ILD with an etching process.

Abstract: Contact over active gate (COAG) structures are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of gate structures above substrate, each of the gate structures including a gate insulating layer thereon. A plurality of conductive trench contact structures is alternating with the plurality of gate structures, each of the conductive trench contact structures including a trench insulating layer thereon. A remnant of a di-block-co-polymer is over a portion of the plurality of gate structures or the plurality of conductive trench contact structures. An interlayer dielectric material is over the di-block-co-polymer, over the plurality of gate structures, and over the plurality of conductive trench contact structures. An opening in the interlayer dielectric material. A conductive structure is in the opening, the conductive structure in direct contact with a corresponding one of the trench contact structures or with a corresponding one of the gate contact structures.