Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer overlying a substrate. A lower conductive structure is disposed within the first ILD layer. A capping layer continuously extends along a top surface of the lower conductive structure. An upper ILD structure overlies the lower conductive structure. A conductive body is disposed within the upper ILD structure. A bottom surface of the conductive body directly overlies the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A width of the bottom surface of the conductive body is less than a width of the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed between the conductive body and the upper ILD structure. The diffusion barrier layer is laterally offset from a region disposed directly between the bottom surface of the conductive body and the top surface of the lower conductive structure by a non-zero distance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured by modifying an electromagnetic field within a deposition chamber. In embodiments in which the deposition process is a sputtering process, the electromagnetic field may be modified by adjusting a distance between a first coil and a mounting platform. In other embodiments, the electromagnetic field may be adjusted by applying or removing power from additional coils that are also present.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same are provided. A method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a conductive feature. The dielectric layer is patterned to form an opening therein. The opening exposes a first portion of the conductive feature. A first barrier layer is deposited on a sidewall of the opening. The first portion of the conductive feature remains exposed at the end of depositing the first barrier layer.

Abstract: A structure includes a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; and a second conductive feature extending through the second dielectric layer to physically contact the first conductive feature, wherein the second conductive feature includes a metal adhesion layer over and physically contacting the first conductive feature; a barrier layer extending along sidewalls of the second dielectric layer; and a conductive filling material extending over the metal adhesion layer and the barrier layer, wherein a portion of the conductive filling material extends between the barrier layer and the metal adhesion layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming an insulating layer over a conductive feature; etching the insulating layer to expose a first surface of the conductive feature; covering the first surface of the conductive feature with a sacrificial material, wherein the sidewalls of the insulating layer are free of the sacrificial material; covering the sidewalls of the insulating layer with a barrier material, wherein the first surface of the conductive feature is free of the barrier material, wherein the barrier material includes tantalum nitride (TaN) doped with a transition metal; removing the sacrificial material; and covering the barrier material and the first surface of the conductive feature with a conductive material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a trench in a low-K dielectric layer, where the trench exposes an underlying contact area of a substrate. A first tantalum nitride (TaN) layer is conformally deposited within the trench, where the first TaN layer is deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A tantalum (Ta) layer is deposited on the first TaN layer conformally within the trench, where the Ta layer is deposited using physical vapor deposition (PVD). An electroplating process is performed to deposit a conductive layer over the Ta layer. A via is formed over the conductive layer, where forming the via includes depositing a second TaN layer within the via and in contact with the conductive layer.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate having a dielectric layer over the substrate and a first conductive feature disposed within the dielectric layer. A metal nitride material is disposed directly on a top surface of the first conductive feature. A metal oxynitride material is disposed directly on a top surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the metal nitride and the metal oxynitride are coplanar. A second conductive feature is disposed over and interfacing the metal nitride material.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer overlying a substrate. A lower conductive structure is disposed within the first ILD layer. A capping layer continuously extends along a top surface of the lower conductive structure. An upper ILD structure overlies the lower conductive structure. A conductive body is disposed within the upper ILD structure. A bottom surface of the conductive body directly overlies the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A width of the bottom surface of the conductive body is less than a width of the top surface of the lower conductive structure. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed between the conductive body and the upper ILD structure. The diffusion barrier layer is laterally offset from a region disposed directly between the bottom surface of the conductive body and the top surface of the lower conductive structure by a non-zero distance.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.

Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for mitigating pattern collapse are provided herein. For example, a semiconductor structure for mitigating pattern collapse is formed. In some embodiments, the semiconductor structure includes an extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric region associated with a via or a metal line. For example, a first metal line portion and a second metal line portion are associated with a first lateral location and a second lateral location, respectively. In some embodiments, the first portion is formed based on a first stage of patterning and the second portion is formed based on a second stage of patterning. In this manner, pattern collapse associated with the semiconductor structure is mitigated, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier layer over a dielectric layer, a concentration of an impurity in the barrier layer increasing as the barrier layer extends away from the dielectric layer; and performing a plasma process to treat the barrier layer.

Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for mitigating pattern collapse are provided herein. For example, a semiconductor structure for mitigating pattern collapse is formed. In some embodiments, the semiconductor structure includes an extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric region associated with a via or a metal line. For example, a first metal line portion and a second metal line portion are associated with a first lateral location and a second lateral location, respectively. In some embodiments, the first portion is formed based on a first stage of patterning and the second portion is formed based on a second stage of patterning. In this manner, pattern collapse associated with the semiconductor structure is mitigated, for example.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier layer over a dielectric layer, a concentration of an impurity in the barrier layer increasing as the barrier layer extends away from the dielectric layer; and performing a plasma process to treat the barrier layer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier layer over a dielectric layer, a concentration of an impurity in the barrier layer increasing as the barrier layer extends away from the dielectric layer; and performing a plasma process to treat the barrier layer.