Abstract: Interconnect structures and processes of fabricating the interconnect structures generally includes a recessed metal conductor and a discontinuous capping layer thereon. The discontinuous “capped” metal interconnect structure provides improved performance and reliability for the semiconductor industry.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor wafers comprises creating a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of wide copper wires and a plurality of narrow copper wires embedded in a dielectric insulator. The width of each wide copper wire is greater than a cutoff value and each narrow copper is less than the cutoff value. An optical pass through layer is deposited over a top surface of the wafer and a photo-resist layer is deposited over the optical pass through layer. The wafer is exposed to a light source to selectively remove photo-resist, forming a self-aligned pattern where photo-resist only remains in areas above wide copper wires. The self-aligned pattern is transferred to the optical pass through layer and the remaining photo-resist is removed. The wafer is chemically etched to remove the narrow copper wires, defining narrow gaps in the dielectric insulator. The wafer is metallized with non-copper metal, forming narrow non-copper metal wires.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one mandrel including a dielectric material, and at least one non-mandrel including a hard mask material having an etch property substantially similar to that of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device integrating a multiple patterning scheme includes forming a memorization layer over a plurality of mandrels and a plurality of non-mandrels, and applying an exposure scheme to the memorization layer to form at least one mandrel cut pattern and at least one non-mandrel cut pattern.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device integrating a multiple patterning scheme includes forming a plurality of mandrels from a base structure, forming a plurality of non-mandrels including a hard mask material having an etch property substantially similar to that of the plurality of mandrels, forming photo-sensitive material or a memorization layer over the plurality of mandrels and the plurality of non-mandrels, and applying an exposure scheme to the photo-sensitive material or the memorization layer to create at least one mandrel cut pattern and at least one non-mandrel cut pattern.

Abstract: Various methods and structures for fabricating BEOL metallization layer including at least one bulk cobalt contact, the at least one bulk cobalt contact including a replacement non-cobalt metal cap integral to the at least one bulk cobalt contact. The method includes performing selective deposition, by a chemical exchange reaction of metal between a non-cobalt metal and Cobalt in the at least one bulk cobalt contact, of the replacement non-cobalt metal cap integrally formed in a top surface region of the bulk cobalt contact.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor wafers comprises creating a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of wide copper wires and a plurality of narrow copper wires embedded in a dielectric insulator. The width of each wide copper wire is greater than a cutoff value and each narrow copper is less than the cutoff value. An optical pass through layer is deposited over a top surface of the wafer and a photo-resist layer is deposited over the optical pass through layer. The wafer is exposed to a light source to selectively remove photo-resist, forming a self-aligned pattern where photo-resist only remains in areas above wide copper wires. The self-aligned pattern is transferred to the optical pass through layer and the remaining photo-resist is removed. The wafer is chemically etched to remove the narrow copper wires, defining narrow gaps in the dielectric insulator. The wafer is metallized with non-copper metal, forming narrow non-copper metal wires.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for fabricating and utilizing optically opaque non-planar alignment structures in non-die areas (e.g., kerf areas) of a wafer to align photomasks to die areas on the wafer. For example, an insulating layer is formed over non-die and die areas of the wafer. A non-planar alignment feature is formed in the insulating layer in the non-die area. An optically opaque layer stack is formed in the die and non-die areas of the wafer, which conformally covers the non-planar alignment feature to form an optically opaque non-planar alignment structure in the non-die area. A lithographic patterning process is performed to pattern the optically opaque layer stack in the die area, wherein the optically opaque non-planar alignment structure in the non-die area is utilized to align a photomask to the die area. The optically opaque non-planar alignment structure can include any type of non-planar structure having a stepped sidewall surface.

Abstract: Back end of line (BEOL) metallization structures and methods according to aspects of the invention generally include forming an interconnect structure including a recessed via structure in an interlayer dielectric. The recessed via structure is lined with a liner layer and filled with a first metal such as copper, tungsten, aluminum, alloys thereof or mixtures thereof. The recessed portion is filled with a second metal such as tantalum, titanium, tungsten, cobalt, ruthenium, iridium, platinum, nitrides thereof, or mixtures thereof, which in combination with the liner layer provides effective barrier properties for the bulk first metal.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device integrating a multiple patterning scheme includes forming a plurality of mandrels from a base structure, forming a plurality of non-mandrels including a hard mask material having an etch property substantially similar to that of the plurality of mandrels, forming photo-sensitive material or a memorization layer over the plurality of mandrels and the plurality of non-mandrels, and applying an exposure scheme to the photo-sensitive material or the memorization layer to create at least one mandrel cut pattern and at least one non-mandrel cut pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a solution bath of a seasoned solution, the seasoned solution containing a mixture of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and acetic acid; and one or more silicon wafers being suspended in a position above the solution bath, wherein at least a portion of the mixture having been used in thinning the one or more silicon wafers.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and processes of fabricating the interconnect structures generally includes a recessed metal conductor and a discontinuous capping layer thereon. The discontinuous “capped” metal interconnect structure provides improved performance and reliability for the semiconductor industry.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures including copper interconnect structures and methods include selective surface modification of copper by providing a CuxTiyNz alloy in the surface. The methods generally include forming a titanium nitride layer on an exposed copper surface followed by annealing to form the CuxTiyNz, alloy in the exposed copper surface. Subsequently, the titanium layer is removed by a selective wet etching.

Abstract: Methods and structures for forming cobalt contact and/or cobalt interconnects includes depositing a stress control layer onto the cobalt layer prior to annealing after which the stress control layer can be removed. The stress control layer prevents formation of defects that can occur in the absence of the stress control layer.

Abstract: Embodiments describing an approach for creating an etch resistant Titanium Oxide film for sidewall image transfer (SIT) spacer application. Generating a mandrel formation, and depositing a Titanium Oxide spacer on the mandrel formation, wherein depositing the Titanium Oxide spacer further comprises at least one of exposing the Titanium Oxide spacer to at least 100 C or plasma conditions of RF power are at least 500 W for at least 1 second.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming an enlarged contact area. The method includes forming a trench for receiving a first conductive material, forming a noble metal cap over a portion of the first conductive material, forming a dielectric capping layer over the noble metal cap, etching a portion of the first conductive material to create a via anchoring structure and an undercut region exposing a bottom surface of the noble metal cap, and depositing a plurality of liners such that one liner of the plurality of liners directly contacts an entirety of the exposed bottom surface of the noble metal cap.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating low-resistivity metallic interconnect structures with self-forming diffusion barrier layers are provided, as well as semiconductor devices comprising low-resistivity metallic interconnect structures with self-formed diffusion barrier layers. For example, a semiconductor device includes a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate, an opening etched in the dielectric layer, a metallic liner layer covering sidewall and bottom surfaces of the opening in the dielectric layer, copper material filling the opening to form an interconnect structure, and a self-formed diffusion barrier layer formed in the sidewall surfaces of the opening of the dielectric layer. The self-formed diffusion barrier layer includes manganese atoms which are diffused into the sidewall surfaces of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods to fabricate the devices are provided. For example, a semiconductor device includes a back-end-of-line (BEOL) structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. The BEOL structure further includes at least one metallization layer comprising a pattern of elongated parallel metal lines. The pattern of elongated metal lines comprises a plurality of metal lines having a minimum width and at least one wider metal line having a width which is greater than the minimum width.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to fabricate metal interconnects using liner planarization-free process flows. A sacrificial layer is formed on a dielectric layer, and the sacrificial and dielectric layers are patterned to form an opening in the dielectric layer. A conformal liner layer is deposited, and a metal layer deposited to form a metal interconnect in the opening. An overburden portion of the metal layer is planarized to expose an overburden portion of the liner layer. A first wet etch is performed to selectively remove the overburden portion of the liner layer. A second wet etch process is performed to selectively remove the sacrificial layer, resulting in extended portions of the liner layer and the metal interconnect extending above a surface of the dielectric layer. A dielectric capping layer is formed to cover the sidewall and upper surfaces of the extended portions of the liner layer and the metal interconnect.

Abstract: Embodiments describing an approach for creating an etch resistant Titanium Oxide film for sidewall image transfer (SIT) spacer application. Generating a mandrel formation, and depositing a Titanium Oxide spacer on the mandrel formation, wherein depositing the Titanium Oxide spacer further comprises at least one of exposing the Titanium Oxide spacer to at least 100 C or plasma conditions of RF power are at least 500 W for at least 1 second.