Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer disposed over a substrate; a first conductive feature at least partially embedded in the ILD layer; a dielectric layer disposed over and aligned with the ILD layer, wherein a top surface of the dielectric layer is above a top surface of the first conductive feature; an etch stop layer (ESL) disposed over the dielectric layer and over the first conductive feature; and a second conductive feature disposed on the first conductive feature, wherein the second conductive feature includes a first portion having a first bottom surface contacting a top surface of the first conductive feature and a second portion having a second bottom surface contacting a top surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A middle layer removal method is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a structure formed on the substrate, and forming a spacer layer on the structure. The method includes forming a mask layer over the spacer layer, the mask layer including a first layer, a second layer over the first layer, and a third layer over the second layer. The method also includes patterning the third layer of the mask layer, and etching the first layer and the second layer of the mask layer to form an opening to expose a bottom surface of the second layer. The method further includes removing the second layer using a wet etchant.

Abstract: A method includes forming a tri-layer. The tri-layer includes a bottom layer; a middle layer over the bottom layer; and a top layer over the middle layer. The top layer includes a photo resist. The method further includes removing the top layer; and removing the middle layer using a chemical solution. The chemical solution is free from potassium hydroxide (KOH), and includes at least one of a quaternary ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium fluoride.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer overlying a substrate. A lower conductive structure is disposed within the first ILD layer. A capping layer continuously extends along a top surface of the lower conductive structure. An upper ILD structure overlies the lower conductive structure. A conductive body is disposed within the upper ILD structure. A bottom surface of the conductive body directly overlies the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A width of the bottom surface of the conductive body is less than a width of the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed between the conductive body and the upper ILD structure. The diffusion barrier layer is laterally offset from a region disposed directly between the bottom surface of the conductive body and the top surface of the lower conductive structure by a non-zero distance.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer disposed over a substrate; a first conductive feature at least partially embedded in the ILD layer; a dielectric layer disposed over and aligned with the ILD layer, wherein a top surface of the dielectric layer is above a top surface of the first conductive feature; an etch stop layer (ESL) disposed over the dielectric layer and over the first conductive feature; and a second conductive feature disposed on the first conductive feature, wherein the second conductive feature includes a first portion having a first bottom surface contacting a top surface of the first conductive feature and a second portion having a second bottom surface contacting a top surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An opening is formed within a dielectric material overlying a semiconductor substrate. The opening may comprise a via portion and a trench portion. During the manufacturing process a treatment chemical is placed into contact with the exposed surfaces in order to release charges that have built up on the surfaces. By releasing the charges, a surface change potential difference is reduced, helping to prevent galvanic corrosion from occurring during further manufacturing.

Abstract: An etchant is utilized to remove a semiconductor material. In some embodiments an oxidizer is added to the etchant in order to react with surrounding semiconductor material and form a protective layer. The protective layer is utilized to help prevent damage that could occur from the other components within the etchant.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. After a patterning of a middle layer, the middle layer is removed. In order to reduce or prevent damage to other underlying layers exposed by the patterning of the middle layer and intervening layers, an inhibitor is included within an etching process in order to inhibit the amount of material removed from the underlying layers.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer overlying a substrate. A lower conductive structure is disposed within the first ILD layer. A capping layer continuously extends along a top surface of the lower conductive structure. An upper ILD structure overlies the lower conductive structure. A conductive body is disposed within the upper ILD structure. A bottom surface of the conductive body directly overlies the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A width of the bottom surface of the conductive body is less than a width of the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed between the conductive body and the upper ILD structure. The diffusion barrier layer is laterally offset from a region disposed directly between the bottom surface of the conductive body and the top surface of the lower conductive structure by a non-zero distance.

Abstract: An etchant is utilized to remove a semiconductor material. In some embodiments an oxidizer is added to the etchant in order to react with surrounding semiconductor material and form a protective layer. The protective layer is utilized to help prevent damage that could occur from the other components within the etchant.

Abstract: An apparatus, semiconductor device and method of manufacture are presented, wherein a hard mask layer and one or more etch stop layers are etched in an etching chamber. In an embodiment the semiconductor device is placed on a mounting platform at a first height and an etch process is performed, then the semiconductor device is moved to a second height within the chamber and a second etch process is performed, with the rotational speed of the semiconductor device reduced during movements in order to reduce the chance of cross contamination.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. After a patterning of a middle layer, the middle layer is removed. In order to reduce or prevent damage to other underlying layers exposed by the patterning of the middle layer and intervening layers, an inhibitor is included within an etching process in order to inhibit the amount of material removed from the underlying layers.

Abstract: An apparatus, semiconductor device and method of manufacture are presented, wherein a hard mask layer and one or more etch stop layers are etched in an etching chamber. In an embodiment the semiconductor device is placed on a mounting platform at a first height and an etch process is performed, then the semiconductor device is moved to a second height within the chamber and a second etch process is performed, with the rotational speed of the semiconductor device reduced during movements in order to reduce the chance of cross contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus, semiconductor device and method of manufacture are presented, wherein a hard mask layer and one or more etch stop layers are etched in an etching chamber. In an embodiment the semiconductor device is placed on a mounting platform at a first height and an etch process is performed, then the semiconductor device is moved to a second height within the chamber and a second etch process is performed, with the rotational speed of the semiconductor device reduced during movements in order to reduce the chance of cross contamination.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer disposed over a substrate; a first conductive feature at least partially embedded in the ILD layer; a dielectric layer disposed over and aligned with the ILD layer, wherein a top surface of the dielectric layer is above a top surface of the first conductive feature; an etch stop layer (ESL) disposed over the dielectric layer and over the first conductive feature; and a second conductive feature disposed on the first conductive feature, wherein the second conductive feature includes a first portion having a first bottom surface contacting a top surface of the first conductive feature and a second portion having a second bottom surface contacting a top surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a tri-layer. The tri-layer includes a bottom layer; a middle layer over the bottom layer; and a top layer over the middle layer. The top layer includes a photo resist. The method further includes removing the top layer; and removing the middle layer using a chemical solution. The chemical solution is free from potassium hydroxide (KOH), and includes at least one of a quaternary ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium fluoride.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes exposing a material to a semi-aqueous etching solution. The semi-aqueous etching solution comprises a solvent which chelates with the material and acts as a catalyst between the etching driving force and the material. As such, the etching driving force may be used to remove the material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to methods for forming a conductive feature in a dielectric layer in semiconductor processing and structures formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure includes a dielectric layer over a substrate, a surface modification layer, and a conductive feature. The dielectric layer has a sidewall. The surface modification layer is along the sidewall, and the surface modification layer includes phosphorous and carbon. The conductive feature is along the surface modification layer.

Abstract: An opening is formed within a dielectric material overlying a semiconductor substrate. The opening may comprise a via portion and a trench portion. During the manufacturing process a treatment chemical is placed into contact with the exposed surfaces in order to release charges that have built up on the surfaces. By releasing the charges, a surface change potential difference is reduced, helping to prevent galvanic corrosion from occurring during further manufacturing.

Abstract: A method includes forming a tri-layer. The tri-layer includes a bottom layer; a middle layer over the bottom layer; and a top layer over the middle layer. The top layer includes a photo resist. The method further includes removing the top layer; and removing the middle layer using a chemical solution. The chemical solution is free from potassium hydroxide (KOH), and includes at least one of a quaternary ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium fluoride.