Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to via and skip via structures and methods of manufacture. The method includes: forming a plurality of openings in a hardmask material; blocking at least one of the plurality of openings of the hardmask material with a blocking material; etching a skip via to a metallization feature in a stack of metallization features through another of the plurality of openings which is not blocked by the blocking material; and at least partially filling the skip via by a bottom up fill process.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an improved method for forming a vertical field effect transistor (VFET). In each of the embodiments of the method, a semiconductor fin is formed sufficiently thick (i.e., wide) so that the surface area of the top of the semiconductor fin is sufficiently large to facilitate epitaxial growth thereon of a semiconductor material for a second source/drain region. As a result, the second source/drain region will be sufficiently large to avoid potential contact-related defects (e.g., unlanded contacts, complete silicidation of second source/drain region during contact formation, etc.). Additionally, either before or after this second source/drain region is formed, at least the center portion of the semiconductor fin, which will include the channel region of the VFET, is thinned down to a desired critical dimension for optimal VFET performance. Also disclosed are VFET structure embodiments resulting from this method.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to via and skip via structures and methods of manufacture. The method includes: forming a plurality of openings in a hardmask material; blocking at least one of the plurality of openings of the hardmask material with a blocking material; etching a skip via to a metallization feature in a stack of metallization features through another of the plurality of openings which is not blocked by the blocking material; and at least partially filling the skip via by a bottom up fill process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure, the method including: forming a doped metal layer within a contact opening in an inter-level dielectric (ILD) material on a conductive region, such that the doped metal layer overlies the conductive region, the doped metal layer including a first metal doped with a second metal; and forming a contact to the conductive region within the contact opening of the ILD material by annealing the doped metal layer such that the second metal diffuses into the ILD material to form an interface liner directly between the annealed doped metal layer and the ILD material, the interface liner formed only on sidewalls of the contact opening and in direct contact with the ILD material and only at an interface of the doped metal layer and the ILD material.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods of forming interconnect structures. An opening is formed that penetrates from a top surface of a dielectric layer into the dielectric layer. A first conductor layer is conformally deposited with a uniform thickness on the dielectric layer surrounding the first opening. A second conductor layer is formed in a space inside the first opening that is interior of the first conductor layer. The first conductor layer and the second conductor layer collectively define a hybrid feature that is embedded in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Structures for a skip via and methods of forming a skip via in an interconnect structure. A metallization level is formed that includes a dielectric layer with a top surface. An opening is formed that extends vertically from the top surface of the dielectric layer into the dielectric layer. A dielectric cap layer is deposited on a bottom surface of the opening. A fill layer is formed inside the opening and extends from the top surface of the dielectric layer to the dielectric cap layer on the bottom surface of the opening. A via opening is etched that extends vertically through the fill layer to the dielectric cap layer on the bottom surface of the opening.

Abstract: Methods for forming interconnects that include cobalt. An interconnect opening is formed in a dielectric layer that penetrates from a top surface of the dielectric layer into the dielectric layer. A first cobalt layer is formed at a bottom of the interconnect opening and partially fills the interconnect opening. A second cobalt layer is selectively deposited on the first cobalt layer and grows upwardly from the first cobalt layer at the bottom of the interconnect opening.

Abstract: Methods of forming self-aligned cuts and structures formed with self-aligned cuts. A dielectric layer is formed on a metal hardmask layer, and a mandrel is formed on the dielectric layer. A cut is formed that extends through the dielectric layer to the metal hardmask layer. A section of a metal layer is formed on an area of the metal hardmask layer exposed by the cut in the dielectric layer. After the metal layer is formed, a spacer is formed on a vertical sidewall of the mandrel.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a first trench/via and a wider second trench/via in a layer of insulating material, forming a conductive adhesion layer in the first and second trench/vias and forming a conductive liner layer in the second trench/via such that the material of the conductive liner layer substantially fills the first trench/via. In this particular example, the method also includes removing portions of the conductive liner layer positioned within the second trench/via and above an upper surface of the conductive adhesion layer and removing portions of the conductive adhesion layer positioned above an upper surface of the layer of insulating material to define a conductive structure positioned in the first trench/via that comprises the material of the conductive adhesion layer and the material of the conductive liner layer.

Abstract: A conductive source/drain contact is formed within a trench overlying a raised epitaxial source/drain junction. The conductive contact includes a conductive liner and a conductive fill material formed directly over the conductive liner. The conductive fill material is selected from a platinum group metal such as ruthenium. The conductive liner may be directionally deposited into the trench and is adapted to form a metal silicide in situ through a reaction with the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to metal interconnect structures for super (skip) via integration and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first wiring layer with one or more wiring structures; a second wiring layer including an interconnect and wiring structure; and at least one upper wiring layer with one or more via interconnect and wiring structures located above the second wiring layer. The one or more via interconnect and wiring structures partially including a first metal material and remaining portions with a conductive material over the first metal material. A skip via passes through the second wiring layer and extends to the one or more wiring structures of the first wiring layer. The skip via partially includes the metal material and remaining portions of the skip via includes the conductive material over the first metal material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure, the method including: providing a structure with: a conductive region, and an inter-level dielectric (ILD) material positioned on the conductive region, wherein the ILD material includes a contact opening to the conductive region; forming a doped metal layer within the contact opening such that the doped metal layer overlies the conductive region, wherein the doped metal layer includes a first metal doped with a second metal; and forming a contact to the conductive region within the contact opening of the ILD material by annealing the doped metal layer such that the second metal diffuses into the ILD material to form an interface liner directly between the annealed doped metal layer and the ILD material.

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: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to post spacer self-aligned cut structures and methods of manufacture. The method includes: providing a non-mandrel cut; providing a mandrel cut; forming blocking material on underlying conductive material in the non-mandrel cut and the mandrel cut; forming trenches with the blocking material acting as a blocking mask at the mandrel cut and the non-mandrel cut; and filling the trenches with metallization features such that the metallization features have a tip to tip alignment.

Abstract: Methods of lithographic patterning. A metal hardmask layer is formed on a dielectric layer and a patterned layer is formed on the metal hardmask layer. A metal layer is formed on an area of the metal hardmask layer exposed by an opening in the patterned layer. After the metal layer is formed, the patterned layer is removed from the metal hardmask layer. After the patterned layer is removed, the metal hardmask layer is patterned with the metal layer masking the metal hardmask layer over the area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to metal interconnect structures for super (skip) via integration and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first wiring layer with one or more wiring structures; a second wiring layer including an interconnect and wiring structure; and at least one upper wiring layer with one or more via interconnect and wiring structures located above the second wiring layer. The one or more via interconnect and wiring structures partially including a first metal material and remaining portions with a conductive material over the first metal material. A skip via passes through the second wiring layer and extends to the one or more wiring structures of the first wiring layer. The skip via partially includes the metal material and remaining portions of the skip via includes the conductive material over the first metal material.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of forming an integrated circuit structure. The method may include: providing a set of fins over a semiconductor substrate, the set of fins including a plurality of working fins and a plurality of dummy fins, the plurality of dummy fins including a first subset of dummy fins within a pre-defined distance from any of the plurality of working fins, and a second subset of dummy fins beyond the pre-defined distance from any of the plurality of working fins; removing the first subset of dummy fins by an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technique; and removing at least a portion of the second subset of dummy fins.

Abstract: A method provides a structure having a FinFET in an Rx region, the FinFET including a channel, source/drain (S/D) regions and a gate, the gate including gate metal. A cap is formed over the gate having a high-k dielectric liner and a core. Trench silicide (TS) is disposed on sides of the gate. The TS is recessed to a level above a level of the gate and below a level of the cap. An oxide layer is disposed over the structure. A CB trench is patterned into the oxide layer within the Rx region to expose the core and liner at an intermediate portion of the CB trench. The core is selectively etched relative to the liner to extend the CB trench to a bottom at the gate metal. The CB trench is metalized to form a CB contact.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to self-aligned interconnect structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes an interconnect structure which is self-aligned with an upper level via metallization, and both the interconnect structure and the upper level via metallization are composed of a Pt group material.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods of fabricating an interconnect structure. A first section of a mandrel is covered with a feature of an etch mask. A top surface of a second section of the mandrel is exposed by the feature of the etch mask and is recessed with an etching process. A conductive via is formed that reproduces a shape of the first section of the mandrel, and a conductive line is formed that reproduces a shape of the second section of the mandrel. The mandrel is removed to release the conductive via and the conductive line.