Abstract: A via structure and methods for forming a via structure generally includes a via opening in a dielectric layer. A conformal barrier layer is in the via opening; and a conductive metal on the barrier layer in the via opening. The conductive metal includes a recessed top surface. A conductive planarization stop layer is on the recessed top surface and extends about a shoulder portion formed in the dielectric layer, wherein the shoulder portion extends about a perimeter of the via opening. A fill material including an insulator material or a conductor material is on the conductive planarization stop layer within the recessed top surface, wherein the conductive planarization stop layer on the shoulder portion is coplanar to the insulator material or the conductor material. Also described are methods of fabricating the via structure.

Abstract: Re-depositing of metal-containing particles of an embedded electrically conductive structure onto sidewalls of an overlying metal-containing structure is alleviated in the present application by providing a pedestal structure between the embedded electrically conductive structure and the metal-containing structure, wherein the pedestal structure has a flared sidewall that extends beyond a perimeter of the embedded electrically conductive structure. Such a pedestal structure (which can be referred to herein as a footing flare pedestal structure) mitigates, and in some embodiments, entirely eliminates, the exposure of the embedded electrically conductive structure during the patterning of metal-containing layers formed atop the embedded electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods for forming the interconnect structures generally include forming a dielectric layer over a substrate. The dielectric layer includes a dielectric layer top surface. A metal line is formed in the dielectric layer. The metal line includes a sacrificial upper region and a lower region. The sacrificial upper region is formed separately from the lower region and the lower region includes a lower region top surface positioned below the dielectric layer top surface. The sacrificial upper region is removed, thereby exposing the lower region top surface and forming a trench defined by the lower region top surface and sidewalls of the dielectric layer. An interconnect structure is deposited such that at least a portion of the interconnect structure fills the trench, thereby defining a fully aligned top via.

Abstract: Back end of line metallization structures and methods for fabricating self-aligned vias. The structures generally include a first interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first interconnect structure includes a metal line formed in a first interlayer dielectric. A second interconnect structure overlies the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a second cap layer on the first interlayer dielectric, a second interlayer dielectric thereon, and at least one self-aligned via in the second interlayer dielectric conductively coupled to at least a portion of the metal line of the first interconnect structure, wherein any misalignment of the at least one self-aligned via results in the at least one self-aligned via landing on both the metal line of the first interconnect structure and the second cap layer. The second cap layer is an insulating material.

Abstract: A structure (interconnect or memory structure) is provided that includes a first electrically conductive structure having a concave upper surface embedded in a first interconnect dielectric material layer. A metal-containing cap having a convex bottom surface directly contacts the concave upper surface of the first electrically conductive structure. A metal-containing structure having a planar bottommost surface directly contacts a planar topmost surface of the metal-containing cap. A second electrically conductive structure contacts the planar topmost surface of the metal-containing structure. A second interconnect dielectric material layer is present on the first interconnect dielectric material layer and is located laterally adjacent to an upper portion of the metal-containing cap, the metal-containing structure, and the second electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: A switchable metal insulator metal capacitor (MIMcap) and a method for fabricating the MIMcap. In another aspect of the invention operating the MIMcap is also described. A first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate are separated by a capacitor dielectric and disposed over a substrate. A first via is electrically connected to the first capacitor plate and comprised of phase change material (PCM). The PCM is deposited in an electrically conductive state and convertible by application of heat to an insulating state. A first heater is proximate to and electrically isolated from the PCM in the first via. When the first heater is activated it converts the PCM in the first via to the insulating state. This isolates the first capacitor plate from an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method of forming cut conductive lines is provided. The method includes forming a trough in a dielectric cover layer over a plurality of electrical contacts. The method further includes filling the trough with a planarization layer, and forming a plurality of vias in the planarization layer and the dielectric cover layer, wherein each of the plurality of vias is aligned with one of the plurality of electrical contacts. The method further includes removing the planarization layer, and forming a sacrificial via plug in each of the plurality of vias in the dielectric cover layer. The method further includes forming a fill layer in the trough, and forming a planarization layer opening through the fill layer, wherein the planarization layer opening is positioned between two adjacent sacrificial via plugs. The method further includes forming a separator in the planarization layer opening.

Abstract: Metal e-fuse structure formed during back-end-of-line during processing and integral with on-chip metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor (MIMcap). The metal e-fuse structures are extensions of MIMcap electrodes and are structured to isolate BEOL MIM capacitors for trimming and/or to isolate shorted or rendered highly leaky due to in process, or service induced defects. In one embodiment, the method incorporates the integral, co-processed metal e-fuse in series between the MIM capacitor and an active circuit. When a high current passes through the e-fuse element, the e-fuse element is rendered highly resistive or electrically open thereby disconnecting the MIM capacitor or electrode plate from the active circuitry. The e-fuse structure may comprise a thin neck portion(s) or zig-zag neck portion that extend from an MIMcap electrode away from the MIMcap between two inter-level interconnect via structures.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first metallization layer containing a first metal-containing line and a second metal-containing line disposed in a first interlevel dielectric layer. The first metal-containing line includes a first conductive metal and the second metal-containing line includes a second conductive metal. The first metal-containing line and the second metal-containing line are recessed to below a top surface of the interlevel dielectric layer. A metal-containing cap protection layer is deposited in a recessed portion of the first metal-containing line and the second metal-containing line. The metal-containing cap protection layer includes a third conductive metal which is different than the first conductive metal and the second conductive metal.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming self-aligned vias by employing top level line double patterns. The method includes forming a plurality of first conductive lines within a first dielectric material, recessing one or more of the plurality of first conductive lines to define first openings, filling the first openings with a second dielectric material, and forming sacrificial blocks perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines. The method further includes forming vias directly underneath the sacrificial blocks, removing the sacrificial blocks, and constructing a plurality of second conductive lines such that the vias align to both the plurality of first conductive lines and the plurality of second conductive lines.

Abstract: A dual damascene interconnect structure with a fully aligned via integration scheme is formed with a partially removed etch stop layer. Portions of the etch stop layer are removed prior to dual damascene patterning of an interlevel dielectric layer formed above metal lines and after such patterning. Segments of the etch stop layer remain only around the vias, allowing the overall capacitance of the structure to be reduced.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods for forming the interconnect structures generally include a subtractive etching process to form a fully aligned top via and metal line interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a top via and a metal line formed of an alternative metal other than copper or tungsten. A conductive etch stop layer is intermediate the top via and the metal line. The top via is fully aligned to the metal line.

Abstract: Methods and structures for improving alignment contrast for patterning a metal layer generally includes depositing a metal layer having a plurality of grains, wherein grain boundaries between the grains forms grooves at a surface of the metal layer. The metal layer is subjected to surface treatment to form an oxide or a nitride layer and fill the surface grooves. The metal layer can be patterned using alignment marks in the metal layer and/or underlying layers. Filling the grooves with the oxide or nitride increases alignment contrast relative to patterning the metal layer without the surface treating.

Abstract: An IC device includes a simultaneously formed capacitor and resistor structure. The capacitor and resistor may be located between a Back End of the Line (BEOL) interconnect stack and an external device interconnect pad of the IC device. The resistor may be used to step down a voltage applied across the resistor. The resistor may include one or more resistor plates that are formed simultaneously with a respective one or more plates of the capacitor. For example, a capacitor plate and a resistor plate may be patterned and formed from the same conductive sheet. Each of the resistor plates may be connected to one or more vertical interconnect accesses (VIA).

Abstract: Dual damascene interconnect structures with fully aligned via integration schemes are formed using different dielectric materials having different physical properties. A low-k dielectric material having good fill capabilities fills nanoscopic trenches in such structures. Another dielectric material forms the remainder of the dielectric portion of the interconnect layer and has good reliability properties, though not necessarily good trench filling capability. The nanoscopic trenches may be filled with a flowable polymer using flowable chemical vapor deposition. A further dielectric layer having good reliability properties is deposited over the metal lines and dual damascene patterned to form interconnect line and via patterns. The patterned dielectric layer is filled with interconnect metal, thereby forming interconnect lines and fully aligned via conductors. The via conductors are electrically connected to previously formed metal lines below.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric layer, and forming a second dielectric layer stacked on the first dielectric layer. In the method, a plurality of conductive lines are formed in the first and second dielectric layers, and the plurality of conductive lines are recessed to form a plurality of openings in the second dielectric layer. The method also includes forming a plurality of dielectric fill layers on the plurality of conductive lines in the plurality of openings. At least one of the plurality of dielectric fill layers is selectively removed with respect to the second dielectric layer to expose a conductive line of the plurality of conductive lines, and a via is formed in place of the selectively removed dielectric fill layer.

Abstract: A dielectric spacer is formed laterally adjacent to a bottom conductive structure. The dielectric spacer is configured to limit the area in which a subsequently formed top contact structure can contact the bottom conductive structure. In some embodiments, only a topmost surface of the bottom conductive structure is contacted by the top contact structure. In other embodiments, a topmost surface and an upper sidewall surface of the bottom conductive structure is contacted by the top contact structure.

Abstract: E-fuses and techniques for fabrication thereof using dielectric zipping are provided. An e-fuse device includes: a first dielectric layer disposed on a substrate; at least one first electrode of the e-fuse device present in the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer; vias present in the second dielectric layer, wherein at least one of the vias is present over the at least one first electrode and has a critical dimension CDA?, wherein the vias adjacent to the at least one via having the critical dimension CDA? each have a critical dimension of CDB?, and wherein CDB?>CDA?; a liner disposed in each of the vias; and a metal that serves as a second electrode of the e-fuse device disposed in each of the vias over the liner. A method of operating an e-fuse device is also provided.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods for forming the interconnect structures generally include forming a bulk metal encapsulated in first and second interlayer dielectrics, a liner layer about a lower surface of the bulk metal and a metal cap layer about an upper surface of the bulk metal. The liner layer is in the first interlayer dielectric and the metal cap layer is in the second interlayer dielectric, wherein liner layer and the metal cap layer are different metals.

Abstract: A fully aligned via interconnect structure and techniques for formation thereof using subtractive metal patterning are provided. In one aspect, an interconnect structure includes: metal lines Mx?1; metal lines Mx disposed over the metal lines Mx?1; and at least one via Vx?1 fully aligned between the metal lines Mx?1 and the metal lines Mx, wherein a top surface of at least one of the metal lines Mx?1 has a stepped profile. In another aspect, another interconnect structure includes: metal lines Mx?1; metal lines Mx disposed over the metal lines Mx?1; at least one via Vx?1 fully aligned between the metal lines Mx?1 and the metal lines Mx; and sidewall spacers alongside the metal lines Mx. A method of forming an interconnect structure is also provided.