Abstract: A physical unclonable function (PUF) device includes a ring oscillator, a plurality of band-pass filters, a demultiplexer, and a latch. The ring oscillator generates a frequency signal. Each passive band-pass filter performs filtering on the frequency signal to pass the frequency signal or block the frequency signal. The demultiplexer receives a set of challenge bits and delivers the frequency signal to a selected passive band-pass filter among the plurality of passive band-passed filters based on the challenge bit. The latch outputs a response bit in response to the filtering performed by the selected passive band-pass filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to integrated circuits and related method steps for forming an IC chip. The method steps result in semiconductor device structures that include redundant same via level formation using a top via subtractive etch and bottom via from dual damascene etch techniques. In embodiments, the same level redundancy via option is optional. Provision of redundant same via level connections using dual damascene processes improves device resistance and capacitive performance. Further method steps result in semiconductor device structures that include a direct super via connection bypassing subtractive etch metal level via formations. These highlighted method steps increase design flexibility—and reduce device footprint (by skipping a metal level) with the benefit of reduced via connection height and shorter metal connections.

Abstract: Techniques for area scaling of contacts in VTFET devices are provided. In one aspect, a VTFET device includes: a fin(s); a bottom source/drain region at a base of the fin(s); a gate stack alongside the fin(s); a top source/drain region present at a top of the fin(s); a bottom source/drain contact to the bottom source/drain region; and a gate contact to the gate stack, wherein the bottom source drain and gate contacts each includes a top portion having a width W1CONTACT over a bottom portion having a width W2CONTACT, wherein W2CONTACT<W1CONTACT, and wherein a sidewall along the top portion is discontinuous with a sidewall along the bottom portion. The bottom portion having the width W2CONTACT is present alongside the gate stack and the top source/drain region. A method of forming a VTFET device is also provided.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a self-aligned middle-of-the-line (MOL) contact. The method includes forming a fin structure over a substrate, depositing and etching a first set of dielectric layers over the fin structure, etching the fin structure to form a sacrificial fin and a plurality of active fins, depositing a work function metal layer over the plurality of active fins, depositing an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) and a second set of dielectric layers. The method further includes etching the second set of dielectric layers and the ILD to form a first, via portion and to expose a top surface of the sacrificial fin, removing the sacrificial fin to form a second via portion, and filling the first and second via portions with a conductive material to form the MOL contact in the first via portion and a contact landing in the second via portion.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor manufacture comprising forming a plurality of first mandrels as the top layer of the multi-layered hard mask and forming a first spacer around each of the plurality of first mandrels. Removing the plurality of first mandrels and cutting the first spacer to form a plurality of second mandrels. Forming a second spacer around each of the plurality of second mandrels and forming a first self-aligned pattern that includes a plurality of third mandrels. Removing the plurality of second mandrels and the second spacer and etching the multi-layered hard mask to transfer the first-self aligned pattern to a lower layer of the multi-layered hard mask. Forming a second self-aligned pattern, wherein the second self-aligned pattern is intermixed with the first self-aligned pattern and etching the first self-aligned pattern and the second self-aligned pattern into the conductive metal layer.

Abstract: A device includes: a first dielectric material; a first metal line in the first dielectric material; a second dielectric material disposed on the first dielectric material and the first metal line; a second metal line in the second dielectric material; and a plurality of metal vias disposed on a same level and connecting the first metal line and the second metal line, wherein the plurality of metal vias comprise a first top via and a bottom via having different sidewall profile angles.

Abstract: A method of forming a multi color resist structure includes providing a substrate including an underlayer material; forming a first organic planarizing layer on the substrate; forming a first anti reflecting layer on the first organic planarizing layer, forming and developing a first patterned resist on the first anti reflecting layer; forming a second organic planarizing layer on the first anti reflecting layer and on the first patterned resist; forming a second anti reflecting layer on the second organic planarizing layer and forming and developing the second patterned resist, wherein the first patterned resist is a non-chemically amplified resist (n-CAR) or metal resist and the second patterned resist is CAR organic resist.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe methods of forming semiconductor devices. The methods may include etching vias and trenches in a middle-of-line (MOL) layer that has a low-k dielectric layer, a sacrificial nitride layer, and a hard mask layer. The methods may also include depositing a thin nitride layer within the via trench, depositing a carbon layer on the thin nitride layer within the vias and trenches, etching back the thin nitride layer to expose a portion of the hard mask layer, removing the hard mask layer and the carbon layer, and removing the thin nitride layer and the sacrificial nitride layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming conductive lines in the same include forming a cut region in a first dielectric layer, the cut region having a first width. A second dielectric plug is formed in the cut region. A mask is formed, over the first dielectric layer, that defines at least one trench region that crosses the second dielectric plug, with the at least one trench region having a second width that is smaller than the first width. Material from the first dielectric layer in the trench regions is etched away, using a selective anisotropic etch that leaves the second dielectric plug in place, to form trenches in the first dielectric layer. Conductive material is deposited in the trenches to form conductive lines that are separated by the second dielectric plug.

Abstract: A redistribution layer for an integrated circuit package is provided. The redistribution layer includes a first conductive layer and a second layer disposed directly on the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer has a resistivity of less than 3.6*10?8 ?·m and has a thickness of greater than or equal to 1 ?m. The second layer includes tungsten. An integrated circuit package is also provided that includes the redistribution layer electrically connecting a first integrated circuit of the first integrated circuit package to a first input/output of a frame of the integrated circuit package. The frame is connected to the first integrated circuit. A method for manufacturing a redistribution layer is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises at least one vertical fin, an epitaxial layer adjacent a bottom portion of the at least one vertical fin, wherein the epitaxial layer comprises a plurality of different heights, and a contact structure disposed on the epitaxial layer. The contact structure is disposed on respective surfaces of the epitaxial layer at the plurality of different heights. The epitaxial layer comprises a bottom source/drain region of at least one vertical transport field-effect transistor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to fabrication methods and resulting structures having a back-end-of-line (BEOL) single damascene (SD) top via spacer defined by pillar mandrels. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first conductive line is formed in a first dielectric layer. A mandrel is formed over the first conductive line and a spacer is formed on a sidewall of the mandrel. A portion of a second dielectric layer is recessed to expose a top surface of the spacer and a top surface of the mandrel and the mandrel is removed. The spacer prevents damage to the second dielectric layer while removing the mandrel. The mandrel is replaced with a conductive material. A first portion of the conductive material defines a via and a second portion of the conductive material defines a second conductive line. The via couples the first conductive line to the second conductive line.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of conductive lines formed within a dielectric, wherein each of the plurality of conductive lines electrically communicates with a respective contact, a metal layer disposed over each of the plurality of conductive lines, a phase change memory (PCM) element disposed over the metal layer of each of the plurality of conductive lines, and a projection liner encapsulating the PCM element. Spacers directly contact sidewalls of the projection liner and the PCM element includes a GeSbTe (germanium-antimony-tellurium or GST) layer.

Abstract: A resistance switching RAM logic device is presented. The device includes a pair of resistance switching RAM cells that may be independently programed into at least a low resistance state (LRS) or a high resistance state (HRS). The resistance switching RAM logic device may further include a shared output node electrically connected to the pair of resistance switching RAM cells. A logical output may be determined from the programmed resistance state of each of the resistance switching RAM cells.

Abstract: A method of forming vias and skip vias is provided. The method includes forming a blocking layer on an underlying layer, and forming an overlying layer on the blocking layer. The method further includes opening a hole in the overlying layer that overlaps the blocking layer, and etching past the blocking layer into the underlying layer to form a second hole that is smaller than the hole in the overlying layer.

Abstract: Structures are provided that include a metal-insulator-metal capacitor (MIMCAP) present in the back-end-of-the-line (BEOL). The MIMCAP includes at least one of the bottom electrode and the top electrode having a via portion and a base portion that is formed utilizing a subtractive via etch process. Less via over etching occurs resulting in improved critical dimension control of the bottom and/or top electrodes that are formed by the subtractive via etch process. No bottom liner is present in the MIMCAP thus improving the resistance/capacitance of the device. Also, and in some embodiments, a reduced foot-print area is possible to bring the via portion of the bottom electrode closer to the top electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device containing a self-aligned contact rail is provided. The self-aligned contact rail can have a reduced critical dimension, CD. The self-aligned contact rail can be obtained utilizing a sacrificial semiconductor fin as a placeholder structure for the contact rail. The used of the sacrificial semiconductor fin enables reduced, and more controllable, CDs.

Abstract: Interconnect structures including super vias are formed during back-end-of-line processing using sacrificial placeholders to protect the bottom portions of the super vias while upper portions of the super vias are formed. The sacrificial placeholders are removed and replaced by metal conductors that fill the bottom and upper portions of the super vias.

Abstract: A top cap layer covering a first metal line and a second metal line, horizontally between the first metal line and the second metal line is, in sequential order, a post cap liner, an air gap and the post cap liner. A first set of metal lines embedded in an upper surface of a dielectric, a second set of metal lines embedded below the dielectric and above the electronic components, a post cap liner covering the first set of metal lines, a cavity which dissects a first metal line of the first set of metal lines and extends to a second metal line of the second set of metal lines and dissects the second set of metal lines. Forming a cavity in a first metal line embedded in an upper surface of a dielectric, where the first metal line and the dielectric are covered by a top cap layer.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes depositing an oxide material on a patterned mask arranged on a substrate. The method further includes removing a portion of the oxide material such that the patterned mask is exposed. The method also includes removing the patterned mask such that the substrate is exposed between areas of remaining oxide material.