Abstract: Back end of line metallization structures and methods for fabricating self-aligned vias. The structures generally include a first interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first interconnect structure includes a metal line formed in a first interlayer dielectric. A second interconnect structure overlies the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a second cap layer on the first interlayer dielectric, a second interlayer dielectric thereon, and at least one self-aligned via in the second interlayer dielectric conductively coupled to at least a portion of the metal line of the first interconnect structure, wherein any misalignment of the at least one self-aligned via results in the at least one self-aligned via landing on both the metal line of the first interconnect structure and the second cap layer. The second cap layer is an insulating material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for fabricating a semiconductor device and the resulting structure. Mandrels are patterned on a hardmask, where the hardmask is located on an interlayer dielectric layer. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the mandrels. The mandrels are removed. A wide spacing masking layer is patterned on the interlayer dielectric layer. Exposed portions of the hardmask are etched such that top surfaces of the ILD layer are exposed. Exposed portions of the ILD layer are etched such that a plurality of trenches are formed within the ILD layer. The plurality of trenches are filled with conductive metal.

Abstract: Back end of line metallization structures and methods for fabricating self-aligned vias. The structures generally include a first interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first interconnect structure includes a metal line formed in a first interlayer dielectric. A second interconnect structure overlies the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a second cap layer on the first interlayer dielectric, a second interlayer dielectric thereon, and at least one self-aligned via in the second interlayer dielectric conductively coupled to at least a portion of the metal line of the first interconnect structure, wherein any misalignment of the at least one self-aligned via results in the at least one self-aligned via landing on both the metal line of the first interconnect structure and the second cap layer. The second cap layer is an insulating material.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming self-aligned vias by employing a top level line pattern. The method includes forming first conductive lines within a first dielectric material, recessing one conductive line of the conductive lines to define a first opening, filling the first opening with a second dielectric material, and forming a sacrificial block perpendicular to and in direct contact with a non-recessed first conductive line. The method further includes forming a single via directly underneath the sacrificial block by recessing the non-recessed first conductive line, removing the sacrificial block to define a second opening, and filling the second opening with a conductive material to define a second conductive line such that the single via aligns to both the non-recessed first conductive line and the second conductive line.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming self-aligned vias by employing top level line double patterns. The method includes forming a plurality of first conductive lines within a first dielectric material, recessing one or more of the plurality of first conductive lines to define first openings, filling the first openings with a second dielectric material, and forming sacrificial blocks perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines. The method further includes forming vias directly underneath the sacrificial blocks, removing the sacrificial blocks, and constructing a plurality of second conductive lines such that the vias align to both the plurality of first conductive lines and the plurality of second conductive lines.

Abstract: Embedded BEOL memory devices having a top electrode pillar are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an embedded memory device includes: depositing a first ILD on a substrate; forming first/second interconnect in the first ILD over logic/memory regions of the substrate; depositing a capping layer onto the first ILD; forming a memory film stack on the capping layer; patterning the memory film stack into a memory device(s) including a bottom electrode, a dielectric element, and a top electrode; patterning the top electrode to form a pillar-shaped top electrode; depositing a conformal encapsulation layer over the capping layer and memory device(s); depositing a second ILD over the conformal encapsulation layer; and forming a first metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the first interconnect(s), and a second metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the pillar-shaped top electrode. A device is also provided.

Abstract: Back end of line metallization structures and methods for fabricating self-aligned vias. The structures generally include a first interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first interconnect structure includes a metal line formed in a first interlayer dielectric. A second interconnect structure overlies the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a second cap layer on the first interlayer dielectric, a second interlayer dielectric thereon, and at least one self-aligned via in the second interlayer dielectric conductively coupled to at least a portion of the metal line of the first interconnect structure, wherein any misalignment of the at least one self-aligned via results in the at least one self-aligned via landing on both the metal line of the first interconnect structure and the second cap layer. The second cap layer is an insulating material.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a photolithographic mask is provided. The photolithographic mask includes at least one merged via pattern in the photolithographic mask for printing a merged via opening in a resist layer, wherein the at least one merged via pattern includes a compound shape having a first rectangular opening portion and a second rectangular opening portion that intersect at an angle.

Abstract: Embedded BEOL memory devices having a top electrode pillar are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an embedded memory device includes: depositing a first ILD on a substrate; forming first/second interconnect in the first ILD over logic/memory regions of the substrate; depositing a capping layer onto the first ILD; forming a memory film stack on the capping layer; patterning the memory film stack into a memory device(s) including a bottom electrode, a dielectric element, and a top electrode; patterning the top electrode to form a pillar-shaped top electrode; depositing a conformal encapsulation layer over the capping layer and memory device(s); depositing a second ILD over the conformal encapsulation layer; and forming a first metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the first interconnect(s), and a second metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the pillar-shaped top electrode. A device is also provided.

Abstract: A method is presented for protecting resistive random access memory (RRAM) stacks within a resistive memory crossbar array. The method includes forming conductive lines within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), forming a metal nitride layer over at least one conductive line, forming a bottom electrode, forming a RRAM stack over the metal nitride layer, the RRAM stack including a first top electrode and a second top electrode, undercutting the second top electrode to define recesses, and filling the recesses with inner spacers.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming self-aligned vias by employing a top level line pattern. The method includes forming first conductive lines within a first dielectric material, recessing one conductive line of the conductive lines to define a first opening, filling the first opening with a second dielectric material, and forming a sacrificial block perpendicular to and in direct contact with a non-recessed first conductive line. The method further includes forming a single via directly underneath the sacrificial block by recessing the non-recessed first conductive line, removing the sacrificial block to define a second opening, and filling the second opening with a conductive material to define a second conductive line such that the single via aligns to both the non-recessed first conductive line and the second conductive line.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming self-aligned vias by employing top level line double patterns. The method includes forming a plurality of first conductive lines within a first dielectric material, recessing one or more of the plurality of first conductive lines to define first openings, filling the first openings with a second dielectric material, and forming sacrificial blocks perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines. The method further includes forming vias directly underneath the sacrificial blocks, removing the sacrificial blocks, and constructing a plurality of second conductive lines such that the vias align to both the plurality of first conductive lines and the plurality of second conductive lines.

Abstract: Back end of line metallization structures and methods for fabricating self-aligned vias. The structures generally include a first interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first interconnect structure includes a metal line formed in a first interlayer dielectric. A second interconnect structure overlies the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a second cap layer on the first interlayer dielectric, a second interlayer dielectric thereon, and at least one self-aligned via in the second interlayer dielectric conductively coupled to at least a portion of the metal line of the first interconnect structure, wherein any misalignment of the at least one self-aligned via results in the at least one self-aligned via landing on both the metal line of the first interconnect structure and the second cap layer. The second cap layer is an insulating material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing an electronic design. A layout of a via of an electronic design is obtained and a determination is made if the layout of the via satisfies one or more retargeting conditions, at least one of the retargeting conditions being that a first edge of a metal line is within a specified distance from a first edge of the via and a second edge of the metal line is within the specified distance from a second edge of the via, the first edge of the metal line being parallel to the first edge of the via and the second edge of the metal line being parallel to the second edge of the via; and reducing a resistance of the via by the layout of the via is retargeted in response to the retargeting conditions being satisfied.

Abstract: Back end of line (BEOL) structures and methods generally includes forming at least two adjacent conductors separated by a space formed in a first dielectric material, wherein a liner layer is intermediate the first dielectric material and each of the at least two adjacent conductors. A second dielectric material in the space between the at least two adjacent conductors and in contact with the first dielectric material at a bottom surface thereof, wherein the first dielectric material is different from the second dielectric material, and wherein the first dielectric material has a nitrogen enriched surface at an interface between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. The nitrogen enriched surface can be formed by plasma nitridation, thermal nitridation, or laser annealing in the presence of nitrogen gas, ammonia, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Back end of line (BEOL) structures and methods generally includes forming at least two adjacent conductors separated by a space formed in a first dielectric material, wherein a liner layer is intermediate the first dielectric material and each of the at least two adjacent conductors. A second dielectric material in the space between the at least two adjacent conductors and in contact with the first dielectric material at a bottom surface thereof, wherein the first dielectric material is different from the second dielectric material, and wherein the first dielectric material has a nitrogen enriched surface at an interface between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. The nitrogen enriched surface can be formed by plasma nitridation, thermal nitridation, or laser annealing in the presence of nitrogen gas, ammonia, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing an electronic design. A layout of a via of an electronic design is obtained and a determination is made if the layout of the via satisfies one or more retargeting conditions, at least one of the retargeting conditions being that a first edge of a metal line is within a specified distance from a first edge of the via and a second edge of the metal line is within the specified distance from a second edge of the via, the first edge of the metal line being parallel to the first edge of the via and the second edge of the metal line being parallel to the second edge of the via; and reducing a resistance of the via by the layout of the via is retargeted in response to the retargeting conditions being satisfied.

Abstract: A method is presented for protecting resistive random access memory (RRAM) stacks within a resistive memory crossbar array. The method includes forming conductive lines within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), forming a metal nitride layer over at least one conductive line, forming a bottom electrode, forming a RRAM stack over the metal nitride layer, the RRAM stack including a first top electrode and a second top electrode, undercutting the second top electrode to define recesses, and filling the recesses with inner spacers.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing interconnect BEOL structures from a patternable low-k dielectric on a microcircuit substrate having an optional anti-reflective coating comprises applying to the microcircuit substrate a via coating for forming a via comprising a low-k patternable dielectric coating, exposing the via coating to a via pattern, developing the exposed via coating, curing the exposed and developed via coating to form a via film, applying a trench coating for forming a trench comprising a patternable low-k dielectric coating, exposing the trench coating to a trench pattern, developing the exposed and developed trench coating, followed by curing the trench coating to form a trench film; Curing one of the uncured coatings to form a film prevents it from inter-mixing with the other applied uncured coating.

Abstract: A method is presented for protecting resistive random access memory (RRAM) stacks within a resistive memory crossbar array. The method includes forming conductive lines within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), forming a metal nitride layer over at least one conductive line, forming a bottom electrode, forming a RRAM stack over the metal nitride layer, the RRAM stack including a first top electrode and a second top electrode, undercutting the second top electrode to define recesses, and filling the recesses with inner spacers.