Abstract: Described herein are structures and methods for preparing photobuckets for lithography, e.g. photolithography or electron-beam lithography. One method includes arranging photobuckets on a material to be etched using lithography and providing a layer of a first material at least on inner side walls of the photobuckets, followed by filling the photobuckets with a second material. The second material is more lithosensitive than the first material and the first material could be not lithosensitive at all. Layering each photobucket from the inner side wall(s) of the photobucket towards the center of the photobucket with materials that are increasingly more lithosensitive results in an improved control of lithographic patterning by reducing or eliminating edge placement errors of accidentally exposing photobuckets that should not have been exposed.

Abstract: Image tone-reversal with a dielectric using bottom-up cross-linking for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, a semiconductor structure including a metallization layer includes a plurality of trenches in an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer above a substrate. A pre-catalyst layer is on sidewalls of one or more, but not all, of the plurality of trenches. Cross-linked portions of a dielectric material are proximate the pre-catalyst layer, in the one or more of the plurality of trenches. Conductive structures are in remaining ones of the trenches.

Abstract: Precursor and process design for photo-assisted metal atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is described. In an example, a method of fabricating a thin metal film involves introducing precursor molecules proximate to a surface on or above a substrate, each of the precursor molecules having one or more metal centers surrounded by ligands. The method also involves depositing a metal layer on the surface by dissociating the ligands from the precursor molecules using a photo-assisted process.

Abstract: A conductive layer is deposited into a trench in a sacrificial layer on a substrate. An etch stop layer is deposited over the conductive layer. The sacrificial layer is removed to form a gap. In one embodiment, a beam is over a substrate. An interconnect is on the beam. An etch stop layer is over the beam. A gap is between the beam and the etch stop layer.

Abstract: Photodefinable alignment layers for chemical assisted patterning and approaches for forming photodefinable alignment layers for chemical assisted patterning are described. An embodiment of the invention may include disposing a chemically amplified resist (CAR) material over a hardmask that includes a switch component. The CAR material may then be exposed to form exposed resist portions. The exposure may produces acid in the exposed portions of the CAR material that interact with the switch component to form modified regions of the hardmask material below the exposed resist portions.

Abstract: Subtractive self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first layer includes a first grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. The dielectric lines have an uppermost surface higher than an uppermost surface of the metal lines. The interconnect structure further includes a second layer of the interconnect structure disposed above the first layer of the interconnect structure. The second layer includes a second grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The dielectric lines have a lowermost surface lower than a lowermost surface of the metal lines. The dielectric lines of the second grating overlap and contact, but are distinct from, the dielectric lines of the first grating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include interconnect structures with overhead vias and through vias that are self-aligned with interconnect lines and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, an interconnect structure is formed in an interlayer dielectric (ILD). One or more first interconnect lines may be formed in the ILD. The interconnect structure may also include one or more second interconnect lines in the ILD that arranged in an alternating pattern with the first interconnect lines. Top surfaces of each of the first and second interconnect lines may be recessed below a top surface of the ILD. The interconnect structure may include a self-aligned overhead via formed over one or more of the first interconnect lines or over one or more of the second interconnect lines. In an embodiment, a top surface of the self-aligned overhead via is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the ILD.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include microelectronic devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment, a microelectronic device, includes one or more pre-patterned features formed into a interconnect layer, with a conformal barrier layer formed over the first wall, and the second wall of one or more of the pre-patterned features. A photoresist layer may formed over the barrier layer and within one or more of the pre-patterned features and a conductive via may be formed in at least one of the pre-patterned features.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an interconnect structure and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, the interconnect structure may include an interlayer dielectric (ILD) with a first hardmask layer over a top surface of the ILD. Certain embodiments include one or more first interconnect lines in the ILD and a first dielectric cap positioned above each of the first interconnect lines. For example a surface of the first dielectric cap may contact a top surface of the first hardmask layer. Embodiments may also include one or more second interconnect lines in the ILD arranged in an alternating pattern with the first inter-connect lines. In an embodiment, a second dielectric cap is formed over a top surface of each of the second interconnect lines. For example, a surface of the second dielectric cap contacts a top surface of the first hardmask layer.

Abstract: Precursor and process design for photo-assisted metal atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is described. In an example, a method of fabricating a thin metal film involves introducing precursor molecules proximate to a surface on or above a substrate, each of the precursor molecules having one or more metal centers surrounded by ligands. The method also involves depositing a metal layer on the surface by dissociating the ligands from the precursor molecules using a photo-assisted process.

Abstract: A method of an aspect includes forming a directed self assembly alignment promotion layer over a surface of a substrate having a first patterned region and a second patterned region. A first directed self assembly alignment promotion material is formed selectively over the first patterned region without using lithographic patterning. The method also includes forming an assembled layer over the directed self assembly alignment promotion layer by directed self assembly. A plurality of assembled structures are formed that each include predominantly a first type of polymer over the first directed self assembly alignment promotion material. The assembled structures are each adjacently surrounded by predominantly a second different type of polymer over the second patterned region. The first directed self assembly alignment promotion material has a greater chemical affinity for the first type of polymer than for the second different type of polymer.

Abstract: Self-aligned via and plug patterning with photobuckets for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate, the first layer having a first grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. The dielectric lines have an uppermost surface higher than an uppermost surface of the metal lines. The integrated circuit also includes a second layer of the interconnect structure disposed above the first layer of the interconnect structure. The second layer includes a second grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The dielectric lines have a lowermost surface lower than a lowermost surface of the metal lines of the second grating. The dielectric lines of the second grating overlap and contact, but are distinct from, the dielectric lines of the first grating.

Abstract: Self-aligned via and plug patterning using diagonal hardmasks for improved overlay in fabricating back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, a method of fabricating an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit involves forming a first hardmask layer above an interlayer dielectric layer disposed above a substrate. The first hardmask layer includes a plurality of first hardmask lines having a first grating in a first direction and comprising one or more sacrificial materials interleaved with the first grating. The method also involves forming a second hardmask layer above the first hardmask layer. The second hardmask layer includes a plurality of second hardmask lines having a second grating in a second direction, diagonal to the first direction. The method also involves, using the second hardmask layer as a mask, etching the first hardmask layer to form a patterned first hardmask layer. The etching involves removing a portion of the one or more sacrificial materials.

Abstract: A method of an aspect includes forming a first thicker layer of a first material over a first region having a first surface material by separately forming each of a first plurality of thinner layers by selective chemical reaction. The method also includes limiting encroachment of each of the first plurality of thinner layers over a second region that is adjacent to the first region. A second thicker layer of a second material is formed over the second region having a second surface material that is different than the first surface material.

Abstract: A method of an aspect includes forming a directed self assembly alignment promotion layer over a surface of a substrate having a first patterned region and a second patterned region. A first directed self assembly alignment promotion material is formed selectively over the first patterned region without using lithographic patterning. The method also includes forming an assembled layer over the directed self assembly alignment promotion layer by directed self assembly. A plurality of assembled structures are formed that each include predominantly a first type of polymer over the first directed self assembly alignment promotion material. The assembled structures are each adjacently surrounded by predominantly a second different type of polymer over the second patterned region. The first directed self assembly alignment promotion material has a greater chemical affinity for the first type of polymer than for the second different type of polymer.

Abstract: Techniques and structure are disclosed for providing a MIM capacitor having a generally corrugated profile. The corrugated topography is provisioned using sacrificial, self-organizing materials that effectively create a pattern in response to treatment (heat or other suitable stimulus), which is transferred to a dielectric material in which the MIM capacitor is formed. The self-organizing material may be, for example, a layer of directed self-assembly material that segregates into two alternating phases in response to heat or other stimulus, wherein one of the phases then can be selectively etched with respect to the other phase to provide the desired pattern. In another example case, the self-organizing material is a layer of material that coalesces into isolated islands when heated. As will be appreciated in light of this disclosure, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, to increase capacitance per unit area, which can be scaled by etching deeper capacitor trenches/holes.

Abstract: A method of an aspect includes forming a directed self assembly alignment promotion layer over a surface of a substrate having a first patterned region and a second patterned region. A first directed self assembly alignment promotion material is formed selectively over the first patterned region without using lithographic patterning. The method also includes forming an assembled layer over the directed self assembly alignment promotion layer by directed self assembly. A plurality of assembled structures are formed that each include predominantly a first type of polymer over the first directed self assembly alignment promotion material. The assembled structures are each adjacently surrounded by predominantly a second different type of polymer over the second patterned region. The first directed self assembly alignment promotion material has a greater chemical affinity for the first type of polymer than for the second different type of polymer.

Abstract: Self-aligned via patterning with multi-colored photobuckets for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate, the first layer including a first grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. The dielectric lines have an uppermost surface higher than an uppermost surface of the metal lines. A second layer of the interconnect structure is disposed above the first layer of the interconnect structure, the second layer including a second grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The dielectric lines have a lowermost surface lower than a lowermost surface of the metal lines of the second grating. The dielectric lines of the second grating overlap and contact, but are distinct from, the dielectric lines of the first grating.

Abstract: Subtractive self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first layer includes a first grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. The dielectric lines have an uppermost surface higher than an uppermost surface of the metal lines. The interconnect structure further includes a second layer of the interconnect structure disposed above the first layer of the interconnect structure. The second layer includes a second grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The dielectric lines have a lowermost surface lower than a lowermost surface of the metal lines. The dielectric lines of the second grating overlap and contact, but are distinct from, the dielectric lines of the first grating.

Abstract: A method of an aspect includes forming a first thicker layer of a first material over a first region having a first surface material by separately forming each of a first plurality of thinner layers by selective chemical reaction. The method also includes limiting encroachment of each of the first plurality of thinner layers over a second region that is adjacent to the first region. A second thicker layer of a second material is formed over the second region having a second surface material that is different than the first surface material.