Abstract: Differently-sized features of an integrated circuit are formed by etching a substrate using a mask which is formed by combining two separately formed patterns. Pitch multiplication is used to form the relatively small features of the first pattern and conventional photolithography used to form the relatively large features of the second pattern. Pitch multiplication is accomplished by patterning a photoresist and then etching that pattern into an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall spacers are then formed on the sidewalls of the amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon is removed, leaving behind the sidewall spacers, which define the first mask pattern. A bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) is then deposited around the spacers to form a planar surface and a photoresist layer is formed over the BARC. The photoresist is next patterned by conventional photolithography to form the second pattern, which is then is transferred to the BARC.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of fabricating an interconnect for a semiconductor component. A semiconductor substrate is provided, and an opening is formed which extends entirely through the substrate. A first material is deposited along sidewalls of the opening at a temperature of less than or equal to about 200° C. The deposition can comprise one or both of atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition, and the first material can comprise a metal nitride. A solder-wetting material is formed over a surface of the first material. The solder-wetting material can comprise, for example, nickel. Subsequently, solder is provided within the opening and over the solder-wetting material.

Abstract: This invention includes atomic layer deposition methods of depositing oxide comprising layers on substrates. In one implementation, a substrate is positioned within a deposition chamber. A first species is chemisorbed to form a first species monolayer onto the substrate within the deposition chamber from a gaseous first precursor. The chemisorbed first species is contacted with a gaseous second precursor effective to react with the first species to form an oxide of a component of the first species monolayer. The contacting at least in part results from flowing O3 to the deposition chamber, with the O3 being at a temperature of at least 170° C. at a location where it is emitted into the deposition chamber. The chemisorbing and the contacting are successively repeated to form an oxide comprising layer on the substrate. Additional aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: A transition metal oxide dielectric material is doped with a non-metal in order to enhance the electrical properties of the metal oxide. In a preferred embodiment, a transition metal oxide is deposited over a bottom electrode and implanted with a dopant. In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxide is hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide and the dopant is nitrogen. The dopant can convert the crystal structure of the hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide to a tetragonal structure and increase the dielectric constant of the metal oxide.

Abstract: This invention includes atomic layer deposition methods of depositing oxide comprising layers on substrates. In one implementation, a substrate is positioned within a deposition chamber. A first species is chemisorbed to form a first species monolayer onto the substrate within the deposition chamber from a gaseous first precursor. The chemisorbed first species is contacted with a gaseous second precursor effective to react with the first species to form an oxide of a component of the first species monolayer. The contacting at least in part results from flowing O3 to the deposition chamber, with the O3 being at a temperature of at least 170° C. at a location where it is emitted into the deposition chamber. The chemisorbing and the contacting are successively repeated to form an oxide comprising layer on the substrate. Additional aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: This invention includes atomic layer deposition methods of depositing oxide comprising layers on substrates. In one implementation, a substrate is positioned within a deposition chamber. A first species is chemisorbed to form a first species monolayer onto the substrate within the deposition chamber from a gaseous first precursor. The chemisorbed first species is contacted with a gaseous second precursor effective to react with the first species to form an oxide of a component of the first species monolayer. The contacting at least in part results from flowing O3 to the deposition chamber, with the O3 being at a temperature of at least 170° C. at a location where it is emitted into the deposition chamber. The chemisorbing and the contacting are successively repeated to form an oxide comprising layer on the substrate. Additional aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: A method of enhanced atomic layer deposition is described. In an embodiment, the enhancement is the use of plasma. Plasma begins prior to flowing a second precursor into the chamber. The second precursor reacts with a prior precursor to deposit a layer on the substrate. In an embodiment, the layer includes at least one element from each of the first and second precursors. In an embodiment, the layer is TaN. In an embodiment, the precursors are TaF5 and NH3. In an embodiment, the plasma begins during the purge gas flow between the pulse of first precursor and the pulse of second precursor. In an embodiment, the enhancement is thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal energy is greater than generally accepted for ALD (>300 degrees Celsius). The enhancement assists the reaction of the precursors to deposit a layer on a substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of fabricating an interconnect for a semiconductor component. A semiconductor substrate is provided, and an opening is formed which extends entirely through the substrate. A first material is deposited along sidewalls of the opening at a temperature of less than or equal to about 200° C. The deposition can comprise one or both of atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition, and the first material can comprise a metal nitride. A solder-wetting material is formed over a surface of the first material. The solder-wetting material can comprise, for example, nickel. Subsequently, solder is provided within the opening and over the solder-wetting material.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of fabricating an interconnect for a semiconductor component. A semiconductor substrate is provided, and an opening is formed which extends entirely through the substrate. A first material is deposited along sidewalls of the opening at a temperature of less than or equal to about 200° C. The deposition can comprise one or both of atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition, and the first material can comprise a metal nitride. A solder-wetting material is formed over a surface of the first material. The solder-wetting material can comprise, for example, nickel. Subsequently, solder is provided within the opening and over the solder-wetting material.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of fabricating an interconnect for a semiconductor component. A semiconductor substrate is provided, and an opening is formed which extends entirely through the substrate. A first material is deposited along sidewalls of the opening at a temperature of less than or equal to about 200° C. The deposition can comprise one or both of atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition, and the first material can comprise a metal nitride. A solder-wetting material is formed over a surface of the first material. The solder-wetting material can comprise, for example, nickel. Subsequently, solder is provided within the opening and over the solder-wetting material.

Abstract: This invention includes atomic layer deposition methods of depositing oxide comprising layers on substrates. In one implementation, a substrate is positioned within a deposition chamber. A first species is chemisorbed to form a first species monolayer onto the substrate within the deposition chamber from a gaseous first precursor. The chemisorbed first species is contacted with a gaseous second precursor effective to react with the first species to form an oxide of a component of the first species monolayer. The contacting at least in part results from flowing O3 to the deposition chamber, with the O3 being at a temperature of at least 170° C. at a location where it is emitted into the deposition chamber. The chemisorbing and the contacting are successively repeated to form an oxide comprising layer on the substrate. Additional aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method of fabricating an interconnect for a semiconductor component. A semiconductor substrate is provided, and an opening is formed which extends entirely through the substrate. A first material is deposited along sidewalls of the opening at a temperature of less than or equal to about 200° C. The deposition can comprise one or both of atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition, and the first material can comprise a metal nitride. A solder-wetting material is formed over a surface of the first material. The solder-wetting material can comprise, for example, nickel. Subsequently, solder is provided within the opening and over the solder-wetting material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for insitu post atomic layer deposition (ALD) destruction of active species are provided. ALD processes deposit multiple atomic layers on a substrate. Pre-cursor gases typically enter a reactor and react with the substrate resulting in a monolayer of atoms. After the remaining gas is purged from the reactor, a second pre-cursor gas enters the reactor and the process is repeated. The active species of some pre-cursor gases do not readily purge from the reactor, thus increasing purge time and decreasing throughput. A high-temperature surface placed in the reactor downstream from the substrate substantially destroys the active species insitu. Substantially destroying the active species allows the reactor to be readily purged, increasing throughput.

Abstract: The invention includes atomic layer deposition methods of depositing an oxide on a substrate. In one implementation, a substrate is positioned within a deposition chamber. A first species is chemisorbed onto the substrate to form a first species monolayer within the deposition chamber from a gaseous precursor. The chemisorbed first species is contacted with remote plasma oxygen derived at least in part from at least one of O2 and O3 and with remote plasma nitrogen effective to react with the first species to form a monolayer comprising an oxide of a component of the first species monolayer. The chemisorbing and the contacting with remote plasma oxygen and with remote plasma nitrogen are successively repeated effective to form porous oxide on the substrate. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for depositing material onto a microfeature workpiece in a reaction chamber are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a gas supply assembly having a first gas source, a first gas conduit coupled to the first gas source, a first valve assembly, a reaction chamber, and a gas distributor carried by the reaction chamber. The first valve assembly includes first and second valves that are in fluid communication with the first gas conduit. The first and second valves are configured in a parallel arrangement so that the first gas flows through the first valve and/or the second valve. It is emphasized that this Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods for insitu post atomic layer deposition (ALD) destruction of active species are provided. ALD processes deposit multiple atomic layers on a substrate. Pre-cursor gases typically enter a reactor and react with the substrate resulting in a monolayer of atoms. After the remaining gas is purged from the reactor, a second pre-cursor gas enters the reactor and the process is repeated. The active species of some pre-cursor gases do not readily purge from the reactor, thus increasing purge time and decreasing throughput. A high-temperature surface placed in the reactor downstream from the substrate substantially destroys the active species insitu. Substantially destroying the active species allows the reactor to be readily purged, increasing throughput.

Abstract: A method of enhanced atomic layer deposition is described. In an embodiment, the enhancement is the use of plasma. Plasma begins prior to flowing a second precursor into the chamber. The second precursor reacts with a prior precursor to deposit a layer on the substrate. In an embodiment, the layer includes at least one element from each of the first and second precursors. In an embodiment, the layer is TaN. In an embodiment, the precursors are TaF5 and NH3. In an embodiment, the plasma begins during the purge gas flow between the pulse of first precursor and the pulse of second precursor. In an embodiment, the enhancement is thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal energy is greater than generally accepted for ALD (>300 degrees Celsius). The enhancement assists the reaction of the precursors to deposit a layer on a substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for insitu post atomic layer deposition (ALD) destruction of active species are provided. ALD processes deposit multiple atomic layers on a substrate. Pre-cursor gases typically enter a reactor and react with the substrate resulting in a monolayer of atoms. After the remaining gas is purged from the reactor, a second pre-cursor gas enters the reactor and the process is repeated. The active species of some pre-cursor gases do not readily purge from the reactor, thus increasing purge time and decreasing throughput. A high-temperature surface placed in the reactor downstream from the substrate substantially destroys the active species insitu. Substantially destroying the active species allows the reactor to be readily purged, increasing throughput.

Abstract: A method of enhanced atomic layer deposition is described. In an embodiment, the enhancement is the use of plasma. Plasma begins prior to flowing a second precursor into the chamber. The second precursor reacts with a prior precursor to deposit a layer on the substrate. In an embodiment, the layer includes at least one element from each of the first and second precursors. In an embodiment, the layer is TaN. In an embodiment, the precursors are TaF5 and NH3. In an embodiment, the plasma begins during the purge gas flow between the pulse of first precursor and the pulse of second precursor. In an embodiment, the enhancement is thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal energy is greater than generally accepted for ALD (>300 degrees Celsius). The enhancement assists the reaction of the precursors to deposit a layer on a substrate.