Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a layer of insulating material with its upper surface positioned at a first level and a recessed conductive interconnect structure positioned at least partially within the layer of insulating material, wherein a recessed upper surface of the recessed conductive interconnect structure is positioned at a second level that is below the first level. In this example, the device also includes a conductive cap layer positioned on the recessed upper surface of the recessed conductive interconnect structure, wherein an upper surface of the conductive cap layer is substantially co-planar with the upper surface of the layer of insulating material and a memory cell positioned above the conductive cap layer, wherein the memory cell comprises a lower conductive material that is conductively coupled to the conductive cap layer.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a layer of insulating material having an upper surface positioned at a first level and a recessed conductive interconnect structure positioned at least partially within the layer of insulating material, wherein the recessed conductive interconnect structure has a recessed upper surface that is positioned at a second level that is below the first level. In this example, the device also includes a recess defined in the recessed conductive interconnect structure, a memory cell positioned above the recessed conductive interconnect structure and a conductive via plug that is conductively coupled to the recessed conductive interconnect structure and a lower conductive material of the memory cell, wherein at least a portion of the conductive via plug is positioned in the recess defined in the recessed conductive interconnect.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a layer of insulating material with its upper surface positioned at a first level and a recessed conductive interconnect structure positioned at least partially within the layer of insulating material, wherein a recessed upper surface of the recessed conductive interconnect structure is positioned at a second level that is below the first level. In this example, the device also includes a conductive cap layer positioned on the recessed upper surface of the recessed conductive interconnect structure, wherein an upper surface of the conductive cap layer is substantially co-planar with the upper surface of the layer of insulating material and a memory cell positioned above the conductive cap layer, wherein the memory cell comprises a lower conductive material that is conductively coupled to the conductive cap layer.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a layer of insulating material having an upper surface positioned at a first level and a recessed conductive interconnect structure positioned at least partially within the layer of insulating material, wherein the recessed conductive interconnect structure has a recessed upper surface that is positioned at a second level that is below the first level. In this example, the device also includes a recess defined in the recessed conductive interconnect structure, a memory cell positioned above the recessed conductive interconnect structure and a conductive via plug that is conductively coupled to the recessed conductive interconnect structure and a lower conductive material of the memory cell, wherein at least a portion of the conductive via plug is positioned in the recess defined in the recessed conductive interconnect.

Abstract: One method includes performing an etching process to define a gate cavity that exposes an upper surface and at least a portion of the sidewalls of a gate structure and forming a replacement spacer structure adjacent the exposed sidewalls of the gate structure, wherein the replacement spacer structure exposes a portion of the upper surface of the gate structure and includes at least one air space. In this example, the method also includes forming a conformal etch stop layer and a replacement gate cap structure in the gate cavity, selectively removing a portion of the replacement gate cap structure and a portion of the conformal etch stop layer so as to thereby expose the upper surface of the gate structure, and forming a conductive gate contact structure (CB) in the conductive gate contact opening, wherein the entire conductive gate contact structure (CB) is positioned vertically above the active region.

Abstract: Methods of forming non-mandrel cuts. A dielectric layer is formed on a metal hardmask layer, and a patterned sacrificial layer is formed on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is etched to form a non-mandrel cut in the dielectric layer that is vertically aligned with the opening in the patterned sacrificial layer. A metal layer is formed on an area of the metal hardmask layer exposed by the non-mandrel cut in the dielectric layer. The metal hardmask layer is patterned with the metal layer masking the metal hardmask layer over the area.

Abstract: One method includes performing an etching process to define a gate cavity that exposes an upper surface and at least a portion of the sidewalls of a gate structure and forming a replacement spacer structure adjacent the exposed sidewalls of the gate structure, wherein the replacement spacer structure exposes a portion of the upper surface of the gate structure and includes at least one air space. In this example, the method also includes forming a conformal etch stop layer and a replacement gate cap structure in the gate cavity, selectively removing a portion of the replacement gate cap structure and a portion of the conformal etch stop layer so as to thereby expose the upper surface of the gate structure, and forming a conductive gate contact structure (CB) in the conductive gate contact opening, wherein the entire conductive gate contact structure (CB) is positioned vertically above the active region.

Abstract: Methods of forming non-mandrel cuts. A dielectric layer is formed on a metal hardmask layer, and a patterned sacrificial layer is formed on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is etched to form a non-mandrel cut in the dielectric layer that is vertically aligned with the opening in the patterned sacrificial layer. A metal layer is formed on an area of the metal hardmask layer exposed by the non-mandrel cut in the dielectric layer. The metal hardmask layer is patterned with the metal layer masking the metal hardmask layer over the area.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating integrated circuits. In accordance with one embodiment, the method includes forming a portion of a semiconductor substrate at least partially bounded by a confinement isolation material. A liner dielectric is formed overlying the confinement isolation material and is treated to passivate a surface thereof. An epitaxial layer of semiconductor material is then grown overlying the portion of semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating integrated circuits. In accordance with one embodiment, the method includes forming a portion of a semiconductor substrate at least partially bounded by a confinement isolation material. A liner dielectric is formed overlying the confinement isolation material and is treated to passivate a surface thereof An epitaxial layer of semiconductor material is then grown overlying the portion of semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods for better height control of the finFET patterned fins. In one example, this invention begins by depositing or growing an oxide material, for example, silicon dioxide. This oxide material is then patterned and etched to open windows or trenches to the substrate where fins will be grown. If a common channel material is desired, it is epitaxially grown in the windows. Then, some windows are covered and one pole of fins (for example nFET) are epitaxially grown in the exposed windows. The previously masked windows are opened and the newly formed fins are masked. The alternate channel material is then grown. The masked fins are then un-masked and the oxide is recessed to allow the fins to protrude from the oxide. This invention also allows for different channel materials for NMOS and PMOS.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods for better height control of the finFET patterned fins. In one example, this invention begins by depositing or growing an oxide material, for example, silicon dioxide. This oxide material is then patterned and etched to open windows or trenches to the substrate where fins will be grown. If a common channel material is desired, it is epitaxially grown in the windows. Then, some windows are covered and one pole of fins (for example nFET) are epitaxially grown in the exposed windows. The previously masked windows are opened and the newly formed fins are masked. The alternate channel material is then grown. The masked fins are then un-masked and the oxide is recessed to allow the fins to protrude from the oxide. This invention also allows for different channel materials for NMOS and PMOS.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for better variable height control of FinFET patterned fins. In one example, the method includes forming a layer on a substrate, patterning that layer to create trenches, and forming a common stack material in the trenches. Next, a pFET masking material is formed over a portion of the structure, and an nFET channel material is formed in the unmasked trenches. The pFET masking material is removed and an nFET masking material is formed over the portion of the structure that includes the nFET channel material, and a pFET channel material is formed in the unmasked trenches. Next, the unmasked patterned material is made flush with the pFET channel material, thereby creating a difference in height with the masked pattern material. Finally, the nFET masking material is removed and the patterned layer is recessed to expose pFET and nFET channel material fin structures of differing heights.