Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate, forming an ILD layer over the first conductive feature, patterning the ILD layer to form a trench, and forming a conductive layer over the patterned ILD layer to fill the trench. The method further includes polishing the conductive layer to form a via contact configured to interconnect the first conductive feature with a second conductive feature, where polishing the conductive layer exposes a top surface of the ILD layer, polishing the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, such that a top portion of the via contact protrudes from the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, and forming the second conductive feature over the via contact, such that the top portion of the via contact extends into the second conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming conductive features in a dielectric layer without using adhesion layers or barrier layers and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure comprising a dielectric layer over a substrate, and a conductive feature disposed through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a lower surface near the substrate and a top surface distal from the substrate. The conductive feature is in direct contact with the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer comprises an implant species. A concentration of the implant species in the dielectric layer has a peak concentration proximate the top surface of the dielectric layer, and the concentration of the implant species decreases from the peak concentration in a direction towards the lower surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming conductive features in a dielectric layer without using adhesion layers or barrier layers and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure comprising a dielectric layer over a substrate, and a conductive feature disposed through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a lower surface near the substrate and a top surface distal from the substrate. The conductive feature is in direct contact with the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer comprises an implant species. A concentration of the implant species in the dielectric layer has a peak concentration proximate the top surface of the dielectric layer, and the concentration of the implant species decreases from the peak concentration in a direction towards the lower surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal layer is received. A CMP slurry composition is provided in a CMP apparatus. The CMP slurry composition includes at least a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer different from each other. The first oxidizer is oxidized to form a peroxidant by the second oxidizer. A portion of the metal layer is oxidized to form a first metal oxide by the peroxidant. The first metal oxide is re-oxidized to form a second metal oxide by the second oxidizer.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal stack is received. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and a top surface of the first metal layer and a top surface of the second metal layer are exposed. A protecting layer is formed over the second metal layer. A portion of the first metal layer is etched. The protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the etching of the portion of the first metal layer. A top surface of the etched first metal layer is lower than a top surface of the protecting layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer.

Abstract: A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming a conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate and forming a dielectric layer over the conductive feature. The method also includes forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature. The method further includes forming a conductive material to overfill the opening. In addition, the method includes thinning the conductive material using a chemical mechanical polishing process. A slurry used in the chemical mechanical polishing process includes an iron-containing oxidizer that oxidizes a portion of the conductive material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate, forming an ILD layer over the first conductive feature, patterning the ILD layer to form a trench, and forming a conductive layer over the patterned ILD layer to fill the trench. The method further includes polishing the conductive layer to form a via contact configured to interconnect the first conductive feature with a second conductive feature, where polishing the conductive layer exposes a top surface of the ILD layer, polishing the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, such that a top portion of the via contact protrudes from the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, and forming the second conductive feature over the via contact, such that the top portion of the via contact extends into the second conductive feature.

Abstract: Methods of forming a slurry and methods of performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process utilized in manufacturing semiconductor devices, as described herein, may be performed on semiconductor devices including integrated contact structures with ruthenium (Ru) plug contacts down to a semiconductor substrate. The slurry may be formed by mixing a first abrasive, a second abrasive, and a reactant with a solvent. The first abrasive may include a first particulate including titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles and the second abrasive may include a second particulate that is different from the first particulate. The slurry may be used in a CMP process for removing ruthenium (Ru) materials and dielectric materials from a surface of a workpiece resulting in better WiD loading and planarization of the surface for a flat profile.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A dielectric structure is received. The dielectric structure includes a metal layer stack formed therein. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are exposed through a surface of the dielectric structure. A first composition is provided to remove a portion of the first metal layer from the surface of the dielectric structure. A second composition is provided to form a protecting layer over the second metal layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer. A CMP operation is performed to remove a portion of the second metal layer. In some embodiments, the protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the removal of the portion of the first metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes providing a metal gate (MG), an etch stop layer (ESL) formed on the MG, and a dielectric layer formed on the ESL. The method further includes etching the ESL and the dielectric layer to form a trench. A surface of the MG exposed in the trench is oxidized to form a first oxide layer on the MG. The method further includes removing the first oxide layer using a H3PO4 solution.

Abstract: Methods of forming a slurry and methods of performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process utilized in manufacturing semiconductor devices, as described herein, may be performed on semiconductor devices including integrated contact structures with ruthenium (Ru) plug contacts down to a semiconductor substrate. The slurry may be formed by mixing a first abrasive, a second abrasive, and a reactant with a solvent. The first abrasive may include a first particulate including titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles and the second abrasive may include a second particulate that is different from the first particulate. The slurry may be used in a CMP process for removing ruthenium (Ru) materials and dielectric materials from a surface of a workpiece resulting in better WiD loading and planarization of the surface for a flat profile.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate, forming an ILD layer over the first conductive feature, patterning the ILD layer to form a trench, and forming a conductive layer over the patterned ILD layer to fill the trench. The method further includes polishing the conductive layer to form a via contact configured to interconnect the first conductive feature with a second conductive feature, where polishing the conductive layer exposes a top surface of the ILD layer, polishing the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, such that a top portion of the via contact protrudes from the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, and forming the second conductive feature over the via contact, such that the top portion of the via contact extends into the second conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method includes providing a metal gate (MG), an etch stop layer (ESL) formed on the MG, and a dielectric layer formed on the ESL. The method further includes etching the ESL and the dielectric layer to form a trench. A surface of the MG exposed in the trench is oxidized to form a first oxide layer on the MG. The method further includes removing the first oxide layer using a H3PO4 solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming conductive features in a dielectric layer without using adhesion layers or barrier layers and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure comprising a dielectric layer over a substrate, and a conductive feature disposed through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a lower surface near the substrate and a top surface distal from the substrate. The conductive feature is in direct contact with the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer comprises an implant species. A concentration of the implant species in the dielectric layer has a peak concentration proximate the top surface of the dielectric layer, and the concentration of the implant species decreases from the peak concentration in a direction towards the lower surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming conductive features in a dielectric layer without using adhesion layers or barrier layers and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure comprising a dielectric layer over a substrate, and a conductive feature disposed through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a lower surface near the substrate and a top surface distal from the substrate. The conductive feature is in direct contact with the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer comprises an implant species. A concentration of the implant species in the dielectric layer has a peak concentration proximate the top surface of the dielectric layer, and the concentration of the implant species decreases from the peak concentration in a direction towards the lower surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A dielectric structure is received. The dielectric structure includes a metal layer stack formed therein. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are exposed through a surface of the dielectric structure. A first composition is provided to remove a portion of the first metal layer from the surface of the dielectric structure. A second composition is provided to form a protecting layer over the second metal layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer. A CMP operation is performed to remove a portion of the second metal layer. In some embodiments, the protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the removal of the portion of the first metal layer.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal layer is received. A CMP slurry composition is provided in a CMP apparatus. The CMP slurry composition includes at least a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer different from each other. The first oxidizer is oxidized to form a peroxidant by the second oxidizer. A portion of the metal layer is oxidized to form a first metal oxide by the peroxidant. The first metal oxide is re-oxidized to form a second metal oxide by the second oxidizer.

Abstract: A slurry composition, a polishing method and an integrated circuit are provided. The slurry composition includes a slurry and at least one rheology modifier. The slurry includes at least one liquid carrier, at least one abrasives and at least one oxidizer. The rheology modifier is dispensed in the slurry. The polishing method includes using the slurry composition with the rheology modifier to polish a conductive layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate, forming an ILD layer over the first conductive feature, patterning the ILD layer to form a trench, and forming a conductive layer over the patterned ILD layer to fill the trench. The method further includes polishing the conductive layer to form a via contact configured to interconnect the first conductive feature with a second conductive feature, where polishing the conductive layer exposes a top surface of the ILD layer, polishing the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, such that a top portion of the via contact protrudes from the exposed top surface of the ILD layer, and forming the second conductive feature over the via contact, such that the top portion of the via contact extends into the second conductive feature.

Abstract: A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming a conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate and forming a dielectric layer over the conductive feature. The method also includes forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature. The method further includes forming a conductive material to overfill the opening. In addition, the method includes thinning the conductive material using a chemical mechanical polishing process. A slurry used in the chemical mechanical polishing process includes an iron-containing oxidizer that oxidizes a portion of the conductive material.