Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide increased distance between vias and neighboring metal lines in a back end of line (BEOL) structure. A copper alloy seed layer is deposited in trenches that are formed in a dielectric layer. The trenches are then filled with copper. An anneal is then performed to create a self-forming barrier using a seed layer constituent, such as manganese, as the manganese is drawn to the dielectric layer during the anneal. The self-forming barrier is disposed on a shoulder region of the dielectric layer, increasing the effective distance between the via and its neighboring metal lines.

Abstract: An electrical device comprising including an opening in a low-k dielectric material, and a copper including structure present within the opening for transmitting electrical current. A liner is present between the opening and the copper including structure. The liner includes a superlattice structure comprised of a metal oxide layer, a metal layer present on the metal oxide layer, and a metal nitride layer that is present on the metal layer. A first layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the low-k dielectric material is one of said metal oxide layer and a final layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the copper including structure is one of the metal nitride layers.

Abstract: A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure provide a plurality of voids interposed between a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of voids is also located between a liner layer and an inter-level dielectric layer. The voids provide for enhanced electrical performance of the microelectronic structure.

Abstract: A porous low k dielectric material containing atoms of at least Si, C, N and H (C and/or O may also be present) is used to provide an interconnect structure having reduced BEOL capacitance and resistance. The porous low k dielectric material is used as an interconnect dielectric material in which at least one interconnect metal-containing structure is embedded therein. The porous low k dielectric material has metal diffusion barrier properties due to the presence of nitrogen as an elemental constituent of the porous low k dielectric material. As such, the porous low k dielectric material can eliminate the need of a diffusion barrier liner, or reduce the thickness of the diffusion barrier liner that is typically formed between an interconnect dielectric material and the embedded interconnect metal structure.

Abstract: A single damascene interconnect structure which includes a first layer that includes a first dielectric material having a first filled opening that has a barrier layer of a refractory material with Cu filling the first filled opening. Also included is a second layer of a second dielectric material having a second filled opening that has a sidewall layer which includes a compound of a metal, O, and Si such that the metal is Mn, Ti and Al, and with Cu filling the second filled opening. The compound is in direct contact with the second dielectric material. The first layer is adjacent to the second layer and the first filled opening is aligned with the second filled opening so that the first filled opening is a via and the second filled opening is a trench.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide increased distance between vias and neighboring metal lines in a back end of line (BEOL) structure. A copper alloy seed layer is deposited in trenches that are formed in a dielectric layer. The trenches are then filled with copper. An anneal is then performed to create a self-forming barrier using a seed layer constituent, such as manganese, as the manganese is drawn to the dielectric layer during the anneal. The self-forming barrier is disposed on a shoulder region of the dielectric layer, increasing the effective distance between the via and its neighboring metal lines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide increased distance between vias and neighboring metal lines in a back end of line (BEOL) structure. A copper alloy seed layer is deposited in trenches that are formed in a dielectric layer. The trenches are then filled with copper. An anneal is then performed to create a self-forming barrier using a seed layer constituent, such as manganese, as the manganese is drawn to the dielectric layer during the anneal. The self-forming barrier is disposed on a shoulder region of the dielectric layer, increasing the effective distance between the via and its neighboring metal lines.

Abstract: An electrical device including an opening in a low-k dielectric material, and a copper including structure present within the opening for transmitting electrical current. A liner is present between the opening and the copper including structure. The liner includes a superlattice structure comprised of a metal oxide layer, a metal layer present on the metal oxide layer, and a metal nitride layer that is present on the metal layer. A first layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the low-k dielectric material is one of said metal oxide layer and a final layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the copper including structure is one of the metal nitride layers.

Abstract: Low capacitance and high reliability interconnect structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a copper based interconnect structure in an opening of a dielectric material. The method further includes forming a capping layer on the copper based interconnect structure. The method further includes oxidizing the capping layer and any residual material formed on a surface of the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on the capping layer by outdiffusing a material from the copper based interconnect structure to a surface of the capping layer. The method further includes removing the residual material, while the barrier layer on the surface of the capping layer protects the capping layer.

Abstract: Low capacitance and high reliability interconnect structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a copper based interconnect structure in an opening of a dielectric material. The method further includes forming a capping layer on the copper based interconnect structure. The method further includes oxidizing the capping layer and any residual material formed on a surface of the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on the capping layer by outdiffusing a material from the copper based interconnect structure to a surface of the capping layer. The method further includes removing the residual material, while the barrier layer on the surface of the capping layer protects the capping layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure including a barrier layer between a metal line and an air gap oxide layer. The barrier layer may be formed in-situ or by a thermal annealing process and may prevent diffusion or electrical conduction.

Abstract: An electrical device including an opening in a low-k dielectric material, and a copper including structure present within the opening for transmitting electrical current. A liner is present between the opening and the copper including structure. The liner includes a superlattice structure comprised of a metal oxide layer, a metal layer present on the metal oxide layer, and a metal nitride layer that is present on the metal layer. A first layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the low-k dielectric material is one of said metal oxide layer and a final layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the copper including structure is one of the metal nitride layers.

Abstract: An interconnect structure including an alloy liner positioned directly between a diffusion barrier and a Cu alloy seed layer as well as methods for forming such an interconnect structure are provided. The alloy liner of the present invention is formed by thermally reacting a previously deposited diffusion barrier metal alloy layer with an overlying Cu alloy seed layer. During the thermal reaction, the metal alloys from the both the diffusion barrier and the Cu alloys seed layer react forming a metal alloy reaction product between the diffusion barrier and the Cu seed layer.

Abstract: A single damascene interconnect structure which includes a first layer of a first dielectric material having a first filled opening that has a sidewall layer which includes a compound of a metal, O, and Si such that the metal is Mn, Ti and Al, and with Cu filling the first filled opening. The compound is in direct contact with the first dielectric material. Also included is a second layer that includes a second dielectric material having a second filled opening that has a barrier layer of a refractory material with Cu filling the second filled opening. The first layer is adjacent to the second layer and the first filled opening is aligned with the second filled opening so that one of the first and second filled openings is a via and the other of the first and second filled openings is a trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a first metal line and a second metal line in a dielectric layer, the first metal line and the second metal line are adjacent and within the same dielectric level; an air gap structure in the dielectric layer and between the first metal line and the second metal line, wherein the air gap structure includes an air gap oxide layer and an air gap; and a barrier layer between the air gap structure and the first metal line, wherein the barrier layer is an oxidized metal layer.

Abstract: Compositions of matter, compounds, articles of manufacture and processes to reduce or substantially eliminate EM and/or stress migration, and/or TDDB in copper interconnects in microelectronic devices and circuits, especially a metal liner around copper interconnects comprise an ultra thin layer or layers of Mn alloys containing at least one of W and/or Co on the metal liner. This novel alloy provides EM and/or stress migration resistance, and/or TDDB resistance in these copper interconnects, comparable to thicker layers of other alloys found in substantially larger circuits and allows the miniaturization of the circuit without having to use thicker EM and/or TDDB resistant alloys previously used thereby enhancing the miniaturization, i.e., these novel alloy layers can be miniaturized along with the circuit and provide substantially the same EM and/or TDDB resistance as thicker layers of different alloy materials previously used that lose some of their EM and/or TDDB resistance when used as thinner layers.

Abstract: Interconnect structures containing metal oxide embedded diffusion barriers and methods of forming the same. Interconnect structures may include an Mx level including an Mx metal in an Mx dielectric, an Mx+1 level above the Mx level including an Mx+1 metal in an Mx+1 dielectric, an embedded diffusion barrier adjacent to the Mx+1 dielectric; and a seed alloy region adjacent to the Mx+1 metal separating the Mx metal from the Mx+1 metal. The embedded diffusion barrier may include a barrier-forming material such as manganese, aluminum, titanium, or some combination thereof. The seed alloy region may include a seed material such as cobalt, ruthenium, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure including a barrier layer between a metal line and an air gap oxide layer. The barrier layer may be formed in-situ or by a thermal annealing process and may prevent diffusion or electrical conduction.

Abstract: Interconnect structures containing metal oxide embedded diffusion barriers and methods of forming the same. Interconnect structures may include an Mx level including an Mx metal in an Mx dielectric, an Mx+1 level above the Mx level including an Mx+1 metal in an Mx+1 dielectric, an embedded diffusion barrier adjacent to the Mx+1 dielectric; and a seed alloy region adjacent to the Mx+1 metal separating the Mx metal from the Mx+1 metal. The embedded diffusion barrier may include a barrier-forming material such as manganese, aluminum, titanium, or some combination thereof. The seed alloy region may include a seed material such as cobalt, ruthenium, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure provide a plurality of voids interposed between a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of voids is also located between a liner layer and an inter-level dielectric layer. The voids provide for enhanced electrical performance of the microelectronic structure.