Abstract: A method for forming a pattern for interconnection lines and associated continuity dielectric blocks in an integrated circuit includes providing a structure having a mandrel layer disposed over an etch mask layer, the etch mask layer being disposed over a pattern layer and the pattern layer being disposed over a dielectric stack. Patterning an array of mandrels in the mandrel layer. Selectively etching a beta trench entirely in a mandrel of the array, the beta trench overlaying a beta block mask portion of the pattern layer. Selectively etching a gamma trench entirely in the etch mask layer, the gamma trench overlaying a gamma block mask portion of the pattern layer. Selectively etching the structure to form a pattern in the pattern layer, the pattern including the gamma and beta block mask portions.

Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure having a substrate including a longitudinally extending plurality of fins formed thereon. A target layout pattern is determined, which overlays active areas devices disposed on the fins. The target layout pattern includes a first group of sections overlaying devices having more fins than adjacent devices and a second group of sections overlaying devices having less fins than adjacent devices. A first extended exposure pattern is patterned into the structure, and includes extensions that extend sections of the first group toward adjacent sections of the first group. A second extended exposure pattern is patterned into the structure, and includes extensions that extend sections of the second group toward adjacent sections of the second group. Portions of the first and second extended exposure patterns are combined to form a final pattern overlaying the same active areas as the target pattern.

Abstract: A method includes patterning a 1st mandrel cell into a 1st mandrel layer disposed above a dielectric layer of a semiconductor structure. The 1st mandrel cell has 1st mandrels, 1st mandrel spaces and a mandrel cell pitch. A 2nd mandrel cell is patterned into a 2nd mandrel layer disposed above the 1st mandrel layer. The 2nd mandrel cell has 2nd mandrels, 2nd mandrel spaces, and the mandrel cell pitch. The 1st and 2nd mandrel cells are utilized to form metal line cells into the dielectric layer. The metal line cells have metal lines, spaces between the metal lines and a line cell pitch. The line cell pitch is equal to the mandrel cell pitch when the metal lines of the metal line cells are an even number. The line cell pitch is equal to half the mandrel cell pitch when the metal lines of the metal line cells are an odd number.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to an integrated circuit structure. The integrated circuit structure may include: a contact line being disposed within a dielectric layer and providing electrical connection to source/drain epitaxial regions surrounding a set of fins, the contact line including: a first portion of the contact line electrically isolated from a second portion of the contact line by a contact line spacer, wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a liner layer and a metal, the liner layer separating the metal from the dielectric layer and the source/drain epitaxial regions, and wherein the metal is directly in contact with the contact line spacer.

Abstract: A method includes providing a starting interconnect structure for semiconductor device(s), the starting interconnect structure including a first metallization layer with a first power rail. The method further includes forming a second metallization layer over the first metallization layer with a second power rail, and directly electrically connecting the first power rail and the second power rail, the directly electrically connecting including forming metal-filled vias between the first power rail and the second power rail. The method further includes forming additional metallization layer(s) over the second metallization layer with additional power rail(s), and directly electrically connecting each of the additional power rail(s) to a power rail of a metallization layer directly below.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of forming a semiconductor structure including: forming a fin over a substrate within a device region, the fin including alternating layers of a sacrificial material and a semiconductor material, and including a lower channel region; forming a dopant-containing layer over the fin and the substrate; exposing an upper portion of the fin by removing the dopant-containing layer from the upper portion of the fin; removing the sacrificial material from the fin thereby suspending the semiconductor material within the fin between a pair of spacers and over the lower channel region of the fin; performing an anneal to drive in dopants from the dopant-containing layer to the lower channel region of the fin; and forming an active gate over the lower channel region of the fin and substantially surrounding the suspended semiconductor material over the lower channel region of the fin.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices with cross coupled contacts using patterning for cross couple pick-up are disclosed. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device; performing a first lithography to pattern a first shape; performing a second lithography to pattern a second shape overlapping a portion of the first shape; processing the first shape and the second shape to form an isolation region at the overlap; and forming four regions separated by the isolation region. An intermediate semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a process layer on a substrate, forming a carbon-containing silicon dioxide layer above the process layer and forming a patterned mask layer above the carbon-containing silicon dioxide layer. The patterned mask layer exposes portions of the carbon-containing silicon dioxide layer. A material modification process is performed on the exposed portions of the carbon-containing silicon dioxide layer to generate modified portions, and the modified portions are removed. The process layer is etched using remaining portions of the carbon-containing silicon dioxide layer as an etch mask.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a first hardmask layer, interposer layer, second hardmask layer and mandrel layer disposed respectively over a dielectric stack. An array of mandrels is patterned into the mandrel layer with a mandrel mask. An ANA trench is patterned into the mandrel layer with a first cut mask. The ANA trench is patterned into the interposer layer with a second cut mask. An organic planarization layer (OPL) is disposed over the structure. The OPL is etched to dispose it only in the ANA trench such that a top surface of the OPL is lower than the second hardmask layer. The structure is etched to form a pattern in a dielectric layer of the dielectric stack to form an array of metal lines in the dielectric layer, a portion of the pattern formed by the ANA trench forms an ANA region within the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A hard mask is formed into lines and bridges two adjacent lines using mandrels, spacers for the mandrels and a lithographic process for each bridge to create a metal line pattern in a layer of an interconnect structure with a line pitch below lithographic resolution.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern for interconnection lines and associated continuity dielectric blocks in an integrated circuit includes providing a structure having a mandrel layer disposed over an etch mask layer, the etch mask layer being disposed over a pattern layer and the pattern layer being disposed over a dielectric stack. Patterning an array of mandrels in the mandrel layer. Selectively etching a beta trench entirely in a mandrel of the array, the beta trench overlaying a beta block mask portion of the pattern layer. Selectively etching a gamma trench entirely in the etch mask layer, the gamma trench overlaying a gamma block mask portion of the pattern layer. Selectively etching the structure to form a pattern in the pattern layer, the pattern including the gamma and beta block mask portions.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein for forming a finFET device having a pass-through structure. A first gate structure and a second gate structure are formed on a semiconductor wafer. A first active area is formed on one end of the first and second gate structures. A second active area is formed on the other end of the first and second gate structures. A trench silicide (TS) structure self-aligned to the first and second gate structures is formed. The TS structure is configured to operatively couple the first active area to the second active area.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein for forming a finFET device. A gate structure comprising a gate spacer on a semiconductor wafer is formed. A self-aligned contact (SAC) cap is formed over the gate structure. A TS structure is formed. At least one M0 metal structure void is formed. At least one CB structure void adjacent the M0 metal structure void is formed. An etch process is performed the M0 and CB structures voids to the gate structure. At least one CA structure void adjacent the CB structure void is formed. The M0, CB, and CA structure voids are metallized.

Abstract: A hard mask is formed into lines and bridges two adjacent lines using mandrels, spacers for the mandrels and a lithographic process for each bridge to create a metal line pattern in a layer of an interconnect structure with a line pitch below lithographic resolution.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved semiconductor structure and methods of fabrication that provide transistor contacts that are self-aligned in two dimensions. Two different capping layers are used, each being comprised of a different material. The two capping layers are selectively etchable to each other. One capping layer is used for gate coverage while the other capping layer is used for source/drain coverage. Selective etch processes open the desired gates and source/drains, while block masks are used to cover elements that are not part of the connection scheme. A metallization line (layer) is deposited, making contact with the open elements to provide electrical connectivity between them.

Abstract: Methods of MOL S/D contact patterning of RMG devices without gouging of the Rx area or replacement of the dielectric are provided. Embodiments include forming a SOG layer around a RMG structure, the RMG structure having a contact etch stop layer and a gate cap layer; forming a lithography stack over the SOG and gate cap layers; patterning first and second TS openings through the lithography stack down to the SOG layer; removing a portion of the SOG layer through the first and second TS openings, the removing selective to the contact etch stop layer; converting the SOG layer to a SiO2 layer; forming a metal layer over the SiO2 layer; and planarizing the metal and SiO2 layers down to the gate cap layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes providing a structure having an etch mask layer disposed over a pattern layer disposed over a dielectric layer. Disposing first and second trench plugs having different material compositions in the etch mask layer, the first and second trench plugs overlaying gamma and beta block mask portions respectively of the pattern layer. Forming an array of self-aligned spacers disposed on sidewalls of mandrels, the spacers and mandrels defining alternating beta and gamma regions extending normally to the dielectric layer, the gamma region and beta regions extending though portions of the first and second trench plug respectively. Selectively etching the structure to remove any portion of the first trench plug within the beta region and any portion of the second trench plug within the gamma region. Selectively etching the structure to form a pattern in the pattern layer including the block mask portions.

Abstract: A semiconductor cell includes a substrate and an array of at least five substantially parallel fins having substantially equal fin widths disposed on the substrate. The array includes a predetermined minimum spacing distance between at least one pair of adjacent fins within the array. The array has a first n-type fin for an n-type semiconductor device, and a first p-type fin for a p-type semiconductor device. The first p-type fin is disposed adjacent the first n-type fin and spaced a predetermined first n-to-p distance apart from the first n-type fin. The first n-to-p distance is greater than the minimum spacing distance and less than the sum of the fin width plus twice the minimum spacing distance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for self-aligned metal cuts in a back end of line structure. Sacrificial Mx+1 lines are formed above metal Mx lines. Spacers are formed on each Mx+1 sacrificial line. The gap between the spacers is used to determine the location and thickness of cuts to the Mx metal lines. This ensures that the Mx metal line cuts do not encroach on vias that interconnect the Mx and Mx+1 levels. It also allows for reduced limits in terms of via enclosure rules, which enables increased circuit density.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern for interconnect lines in an integrated circuit includes providing a structure having a first lithographic stack, a mandrel layer and a pattern layer disposed over a dielectric stack. Patterning the structure to form mandrels in the mandrel layer and disposing a spacer layer over the mandrels. Etching the spacer layer to form spacers disposed on sidewalls of the mandrels. The spacers and mandrels defining beta and gamma regions. A beta region includes a beta block mask portion and a gamma region includes a gamma block mask portion of the pattern layer. The method also includes etching a beta pillar over the beta block mask portion and etching a gamma pillar over the gamma block mask portion. The method also includes etching the structure to form a pattern in the pattern layer, the pattern including the gamma and beta block mask portions.