Abstract: An interconnect structure includes dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, a third conductive feature, and a dielectric fill. The first conductive feature is disposed in the dielectric layer. The second conductive feature is disposed over the first conductive feature. The second conductive feature includes a first conductive layer disposed over the first conductive feature, a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, and a third conductive layer disposed on the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer have substantially the same width. The third conductive feature is disposed over the dielectric layer. The dielectric fill is disposed over the dielectric layer between the second conductive feature and the third conductive feature.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer over a substrate. An interconnect wire extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer, and a dielectric on wire structure is arranged directly over the interconnect wire. Outer sidewalls of the dielectric on wire structure are surrounded by the first interconnect dielectric layer. The integrated chip further includes a second interconnect dielectric layer arranged over the first interconnect dielectric layer, and an interconnect via that extends through the second interconnect dielectric layer and the dielectric on wire structure to contact the interconnect wire.

Abstract: A circuit device having an interlayer dielectric with pillar-type air gaps and a method of forming the circuit device are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises receiving a substrate and depositing a first layer over the substrate. A copolymer layer that includes a first constituent polymer and a second constituent polymer is formed over the first layer. The first constituent polymer is selectively removed from the copolymer layer. A first region of the first layer corresponding to the selectively removed first constituent polymer is etched. The etching leaves a second region of the first layer underlying the second constituent polymer unetched. A metallization process is performed on the etched substrate, and the first layer is removed from the second region to form an air gap. The method may further comprise depositing a dielectric material within the etched first region.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods of forming the same are provided. An interconnect structure according to the present disclosure includes a conductive line feature over a substrate, a conductive etch stop layer over the conductive line feature, a contact via over the conductive etch stop layer, and a barrier layer disposed along a sidewall of the conductive line feature, a sidewall of the conductive etch stop layer, and a sidewall of the contact via.

Abstract: An MRAM device includes a bottom electrode over a substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode on the MTJ structure. The MRAM device also includes spacers on sidewalls of the top electrode and the MTJ structure, and a first dielectric layer surrounding the spacers. The MRAM device further includes a patterned etch stop layer on the first dielectric layer and the spacers. In addition, the MRAM device includes a second dielectric layer on the patterned etch stop layer, and a top electrode via embedded in the second dielectric layer and in contact with the top electrode and the patterned etch stop layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate structure over a substrate. The structure also includes source/drain epitaxial structures formed on opposite sides of the gate structure. The structure also includes a contact structure formed over the source/drain epitaxial structure. The structure also includes a first via structure formed over the contact structure. The structure also includes a metal line electrically connected to the first via structure. The structure also includes a spacer layer formed over the sidewall and over a portion of a top surface of the metal line. The structure also includes a second via structure formed over the metal line through the spacer layer.

Abstract: An interconnection structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first conductive feature having a first thickness, a first dielectric material disposed adjacent the first conductive feature, and the first dielectric material has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The structure further includes a second conductive feature disposed adjacent the first dielectric material, a first etch stop layer disposed on the first conductive feature, a second etch stop layer disposed on the first dielectric material, and a second dielectric material disposed on the first etch stop layer and the second etch stop layer. The second dielectric material is in contact with the first dielectric material.

Abstract: An semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, an interconnect structure, and a second dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. The interconnect structure includes a conductive via in the first dielectric layer and the etch stop layer, a conductive line over the conductive via, an intermediate conductive layer over the conductive line, and a conductive pillar over the intermediate conductive layer. The interconnect structure is electrically conductive at least from a top of the conductive pillar to a bottom of the conductive via. The second dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line, the intermediate conductive layer, and the conductive pillar, wherein a bottom of the second dielectric layer is lower than a top of the conductive line, and a top of the second dielectric layer is higher than the top of the conductive line.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming metal interconnects uses a direct metal etch approach to form and fill the metal gap. The method may include directly etching a metal layer to form metal patterns. The metal patterns may be spaced apart from one another by recesses. A dielectric spacer may be formed extending along the sidewalls of each of the recesses. The recesses may be filled with a conductive material to form a second set of metal patterns. By directly etching the metal film, the technique allows for reduced line width roughness. The disclosed structure may have the advantages of increased reliability, better RC performance and reduced parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer over a substrate. An interconnect wire extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer, and a dielectric on wire structure is arranged directly over the interconnect wire. Outer sidewalls of the dielectric on wire structure are surrounded by the first interconnect dielectric layer. The integrated chip further includes a second interconnect dielectric layer arranged over the first interconnect dielectric layer, and an interconnect via that extends through the second interconnect dielectric layer and the dielectric on wire structure to contact the interconnect wire.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods of forming the same are provided. An interconnect structure according to the present disclosure includes a conductive line feature over a substrate, a conductive etch stop layer over the conductive line feature, a contact via over the conductive etch stop layer, and a barrier layer disposed along a sidewall of the conductive line feature, a sidewall of the conductive etch stop layer, and a sidewall of the contact via.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a trench in a dielectric structure; forming a spacer layer on a lateral surface of the dielectric structure exposed by the trench; after forming the spacer layer, forming a first electrically conductive feature in the trench; removing at least portion of the dielectric structure to form a recess; forming an etch stop layer in the recess and over the first electrically conductive feature; and after forming the etch stop layer, depositing a dielectric layer in the recess and over the first electrically conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first metallization feature, a first dielectric structure over the first metallization feature, a second metallization feature embedded in the first dielectric structure, a via structure between the first metallization feature and the second metallization feature, and a first insulating layer between the first dielectric structure and the first metallization feature, and between the first dielectric structure and the via structure. The first metallization feature extends along a first direction, and the second metallization feature extends along a second direction different from the first direction. The first insulating layer covers first sidewalls of the via structure along the second direction.

Abstract: An semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, an interconnect structure, and a second dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. The interconnect structure includes a conductive via in the first dielectric layer and the etch stop layer, a conductive line over the conductive via, an intermediate conductive layer over the conductive line, and a conductive pillar over the intermediate conductive layer. The interconnect structure is electrically conductive at least from a top of the conductive pillar to a bottom of the conductive via. The second dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line, the intermediate conductive layer, and the conductive pillar, wherein a bottom of the second dielectric layer is lower than a top of the conductive line, and a top of the second dielectric layer is higher than the top of the conductive line.

Abstract: A multilayer interconnect structure for integrated circuits includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate and a conductive line partially exposed over the first dielectric layer. The structure further includes an etch stop layer over both the first dielectric layer and the exposed conductive line, and a second dielectric layer over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer and the etch stop layer provide a via hole that partially exposes the conductive line. The structure further includes a via disposed in the via hole, and another conductive line disposed over the via and coupled to the conductive line through the via. Methods of forming the multilayer interconnect structure are also disclosed. The etch stop layer reduces the lateral and vertical etching of the first and second dielectric layers when the via hole is misaligned due to overlay errors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming metal interconnects uses a direct metal etch approach to form and fill the metal gap. The method may include directly etching a metal layer to form metal patterns. The metal patterns may be spaced apart from one another by recesses. A dielectric spacer may be formed extending along the sidewalls of each of the recesses. The recesses may be filled with a conductive material to form a second set of metal patterns. By directly etching the metal film, the technique allows for reduced line width roughness. The disclosed structure may have the advantages of increased reliability, better RC performance and reduced parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a bottom electrode, a magnetic tunneling junction disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the magnetic tunneling junction, wherein the top electrode includes a first top electrode layer and a second top electrode layer above the first top electrode layer, and wherein the second top electrode layer is thicker than the first top electrode layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer arranged over a substrate. An interconnect wire extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer, and a barrier structure is arranged directly over the interconnect wire. The integrated chip further includes an etch stop layer arranged over the barrier structure and surrounds outer sidewalls of the barrier structure. A second interconnect dielectric layer is arranged over the etch stop layer, and an interconnect via extends through the second interconnect dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the barrier structure to contact the interconnect wire.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer arranged over a substrate, a second interconnect dielectric layer arranged over the first interconnect dielectric layer, and an interconnect conductive structure arranged within the second interconnect dielectric layer. The interconnect conductive structure includes an outer portion that includes a first conductive material. Further, the interconnect conductive structure includes a central portion having outermost sidewalls surrounding by the outer portion of the interconnect conductive structure. The central portion includes a second conductive material different than the first conductive material.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a masking structure with first openings over a semiconductor substrate and correspondingly forming metal layers in the first openings. The method also includes recessing the masking structure to form second openings between the metal layers and forming a sacrificial layer surrounded by a first liner in each of the second openings. In addition, after forming a second liner over the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings, the method includes removing the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings to form a plurality of air gaps therefrom.