Abstract: A method includes burying a conductive pattern in an insulating film made of SiOH, SiCOH or organic polymer, treating surfaces of the insulating film and the conductive pattern with plasma which includes a hydrocarbon gas as a treatment gas, and forming a diffusion barrier film, which is formed of an SiCH film, an SiCHN film, an SiCHO film or an SiCHON film, over the insulating film and the conductive pattern with performing a plasma CVD by adding an Si-containing gas to the treatment gas while increasing an addition amount gradually or in a step by step manner.

Abstract: Void boundary structures, semiconductor devices having the void boundary structures, and methods of forming the same are provided. The structures, semiconductor devices and methods present a way for reducing parasitic capacitance between interconnections by forming a void between the interconnections. The interconnections may be formed on a semiconductor substrate. An upper width of each of the interconnections may be wider than a lower width thereof. A molding layer encompassing the interconnections may be formed. A void boundary layer covering the molding layer may be formed to define the void between the interconnections.

Abstract: A photodiode includes a substrate having a first semiconductor type surface region on at least a portion thereof, and a second semiconductor type surface layer formed in a portion of the surface region. A multi-layer anti-reflective coating (ARC) is on the second semiconductor type surface layer, wherein the multi-layer ARC comprises at least two different dielectric layers. A layer resistant to oxide etch is above a peripheral portion the multi-layer ARC. Further layers are above the layer resistant to oxide etch, and thereby above the peripheral portion the multi-layer ARC. A window extends down to the multi-layer ARC. A photodiode region is formed by a pn-junction of the first semiconductor type surface region and the second semiconductor type surface layer.

Abstract: A design structure is provided for interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The structure includes a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure has second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes in an interconnect structure which includes a first interconnect made of a copper-containing metal, a first Cu silicide layer covering the upper portion of the first interconnect, a conductive first plug provided on the upper portion of the Cu silicide layer and connected to the first interconnect, a Cu silicide layer covering the upper portion of the first plug, a first porous MSQ film provided over the side wall from the first interconnect through the first plug and formed to cover the side wall of the first interconnect, the upper portion of the first interconnect, and the side wall of the first plug, and a first SiCN film disposed under the first porous MSQ film to contact with the lower portion of the side wall of the first interconnect and having the greater film density than the first porous MSQ film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least three or more wiring layers stacked in an interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, a seal ring provided at the outer periphery of a chip region of the semiconductor substrate and a chip strength reinforcement provided in part of the chip region near the seal ring. The chip strength reinforcement is made of a plurality of dummy wiring structures and each of the plurality of dummy wiring structures is formed to extend across and within two or more of the wiring layers including one or none of the bottommost wiring layer and the topmost wiring layer using a via portion.

Abstract: A composite semiconductor device includes a substrate; a plurality of circuits formed on the substrate; one or more wiring layers each including a plurality of wiring patterns connected to circuits of the plurality of circuits, a plurality of dummy patterns electrically isolated from the plurality of circuits, and an interlayer dielectric film that is spin-coated directly onto the wiring patterns and onto the dummy patterns, and that is a spin-coated layer, the dummy patterns being formed in areas where the wiring patterns are absent and lying substantially in a plane in which the wiring patterns lie; and a semiconductor thin film layer including semiconductor device elements and disposed on an upper most surface of the one or more wiring layers. The spin-coated layer may be formed of an organic material or an oxide material.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device and a fabrication method thereof are disclosed, for effective suppression of a temperature increase therein that is caused by heat generation of a semiconductor element. The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor element, a multi-layer wiring structure and a heat conduction part. The semiconductor element is formed on a support substrate. The multi-layer wiring structure is formed in an insulation film on the support substrate and includes at least one connection hole and at least one metal wiring layer. The heat conduction part is formed of the same conductive materials as the connection hole and the metal wiring layer and extends toward an upper layer side along a path different from a wiring path including a connection hole and a metal wiring for signal transmission.

Abstract: In a formation method of a porous insulating film by supplying at least organosiloxane and an inert gas to a reaction chamber and forming an insulating film by a plasma vapor deposition method, a partial pressure of the organosiloxane in the reaction chamber is changed by varying a volume ratio of the organosiloxane and the inert gas to be supplied during deposition. Thus, the dielectric constant of the insulating film in the semiconductor device is reduced while the adhesion of the insulating film with other materials is improved. It is desirable that the organosiloxane be cyclic organosiloxane including at least silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, and that the total pressure of the reaction chamber be constant during deposition.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electrically conductive path under a barrier oxide layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and an integrated circuit including the path are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an electrically conductive path below a barrier oxide layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, the method comprising: forming a first barrier oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming the electrically conductive path within the first barrier oxide layer; and forming a second barrier oxide layer on the first barrier oxide layer. The electrically conductive path allows reduction of SRAM area by forming a wiring path underneath the barrier oxide layer on the SOI substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including one or several metallization levels, metal conductive strips and metal contact pads being formed on the last metallization level, the last level being covered with a passivation layer in which are formed openings above the contact pads. The thickness of the pads, at least at the level of their portions not covered by the passivation layer, is smaller than the thickness of said conductive strips.

Abstract: A chip structure comprises a substrate, a first built-up layer, a passivation layer and a second built-up layer. The substrate includes many electric devices placed on a surface of the substrate. The first built-up layer is located on the substrate. The first built-up layer is provided with a first dielectric body and a first interconnection scheme, wherein the first interconnection scheme interlaces inside the first dielectric body and is electrically connected to the electric devices. The first interconnection scheme is constructed from first metal layers and plugs, wherein the neighboring first metal layers are electrically connected through the plugs. The passivation layer is disposed on the first built-up layer and is provided with openings exposing the first interconnection scheme. The second built-up layer is formed on the passivation layer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming contacts for a semiconductor device. The methods may include depositing various materials, such as polysilicon, nitride, oxide, and/or carbon materials, over the semiconductor device. The methods may also include forming a contact hole and filling the contact hole to form the contact for the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A multilayer wiring structure of a semiconductor device having a stacked structure is arranged to restrain reliability degradation due to stress applied to the region of wiring between opposite upper and lower plugs. The rate of overlap of contact surface between upper plug and wiring on contact surface between lower plug and wiring, is small to the extent that no void is generated. The multilayer wiring structure is produced such that no grain boundary is contained in the region of wiring between upper and lower plugs. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the material of wiring and the material of upper and lower plugs, is small to the extent that no void is generated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in which a source contact plug and a drain contact plug are formed. The method includes the steps of etching part of the semiconductor substrate to form a step, thus forming an overlay vernier, and forming a hard mask on the step so that the step is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a fluorocarbon film formed on a substrate and a film containing metal formed on the fluorocarbon film, wherein the content amount of fluorine atom on the fluorocarbon film, which contacts the film containing metal, is in a predetermined range.

Abstract: An inclined surface having an inclination angle ? is formed in an edge portion which forms an opening portion of an inter-layer insulating film, thereby reducing a stress by the inclined surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to apply an insulating film of cure and high quality that is suitably applicable as gate insulating film and protective film to a technique that the insulating film is formed on the glass substrate under a temperature of strain point or lower, and to a semiconductor device realizing high efficiency and high reliability by using it. In a semiconductor device of the present invention, a gate insulating film of a field effect type transistor with channel length of from 0.35 to 2.5 ?m in which a silicon nitride film is formed over a crystalline semiconductor film through a silicon oxide film, wherein the silicon nitride film contains hydrogen with the concentration of 1×1021/cm3 or less and has characteristic of an etching rate of 10 nm/min or less with respect to mixed solution containing an ammonium hydrogen fluoride (NH4HF2) of 7.13% and an ammonium fluoride (NH4F) of 15.4%.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a first rigid dielectric layer and a second rigid dielectric layer. A first non-rigid low-k dielectric layer is formed between the first and second rigid dielectric layer. A plurality of dummy fill shapes is formed in the first non-rigid layer which replace portions of the first non-rigid low-k dielectric layer with lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) metal such that an overall CTE of the first non-rigid low-k dielectric layer and the plurality of dummy fill shapes matches a CTE of the first and second rigid dielectric layers more closely than that of the first non-rigid low-k dielectric layer alone.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for manufacture includes a substrate having a top first layer; a second thin transition layer located on top of the first layer; and, a third layer located on top of the transition layer, wherein the second thin transition layer provides strong adhesion and cohesive strength between the first and third layers of the structure. Additionally, a semiconductor device structure and method for manufacture includes an insulating structure comprising a multitude of dielectric and conductive layers with respective transition bonding layers disposed to enhance interfacial strength among the different layers. Further, an electronic device structure incorporates layers of insulating and conductive materials as intralevel or interlevel dielectrics in a back-end-of-the-line (“BEOL”) wiring structure in which the interfacial strength between different pairs of dielectric films is enhanced by a thin intermediate transition bonding layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device with a bonding pad made of a wiring layer including aluminum and its manufacturing method that enhance the yield of the semiconductor device. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of the invention includes removing a portion of an antireflection layer (e.g. made of a titanium alloy) formed on an uppermost second wiring layer (e.g. made of aluminum) on a semiconductor substrate by etching, forming a passivation layer covering the antireflection layer and a portion of the second wiring layer where the antireflection layer is not formed and having an opening exposing the other portion of the second wiring layer, and dividing the semiconductor substrate into a plurality of semiconductor dice by dicing.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate; a first dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer; a second dielectric layer between the semiconductor substrate and the metallization layer, wherein the second dielectric layer is over the first dielectric layer; and a contact plug with an upper portion substantially in the second dielectric layer and a lower portion substantially in the first dielectric layer. The contact plug is electrically connected to a metal line in the metallization layer. The contact plug is discontinuous at an interface between the upper portion and the lower portion.

Abstract: The use of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form a nanolaminate dielectric of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), hafnium oxide (HfO2) and tin oxide (SnO2) acting as a single dielectric layer with a formula of Zrx Hfy Sn1-x-y O2, and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer is described that produces a reliable structure with a high dielectric constant (high k). The dielectric structure is formed by depositing zirconium oxide by atomic layer deposition onto a substrate surface using precursor chemicals, followed by depositing hafnium oxide onto the substrate using precursor chemicals, followed by depositing tin oxide onto the substrate using precursor chemicals, and repeating to form the thin laminate structure. Such a dielectric may be used as a gate insulator, a capacitor dielectric, or as a tunnel insulator in non-volatile memories, because the high dielectric constant (high k) provides the functionality of a much thinner silicon dioxide film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including at least two layers of interlayer-insulator-films stacked above a substrate and at least partially formed by a low-relative-dielectric-constant-film having a relative-dielectric-constant of 3.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including a semiconductor substrate where a plurality of functional elements is formed; and a multilayer interconnection layer provided over the semiconductor substrate, the multilayer interconnection layer including a wiring layer mutually connecting the plural functional elements and including an interlayer insulation layer, wherein a region where the wiring layer is formed is surrounded by a groove forming part, the groove forming part piercing the multilayer interconnection layer; and the groove forming part is filled with an organic insulation material.

Abstract: A bonding pad structure in a semiconductor device includes a contact pad connected to an interconnect, a bonding pad overlying the contact pad with an intervention of an insulating film and exposed from an opening of a passivation film, and an annular contact disposed between the contact pad and the bonding pad for electric connection therebetween. The annular contact encircles the opening as viewed normal to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device may include an inter-wiring dielectric film in which a wiring trench is formed, a metal wiring layer formed in the wiring trench in the inter-wiring dielectric film, a first barrier layer formed on a side surface of the wiring trench, the first barrier layer being an oxide film made from a metal different from a main constituent metal element in the wiring layer, a second barrier layer formed on a side surface of the wiring layer, the second barrier layer having a Si atom of the metal used in the wiring layer, and a gap formed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a semiconductor arrangement, a power semiconductor component and an associated production method is disclosed. One embodiment includes a carrier substrate, a first interconnect layer, formed on the carrier substrate and has at least one cutout, an insulating filling layer, formed on the first interconnect layer and the carrier substrate and fills at least one cutout, an SiON layer, formed on the filling layer, and a second interconnect layer, formed over the SiON layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes a core area for core circuits and a peripheral area for peripheral circuits. The semiconductor device includes a core oxide on the semiconductor substrate in the core area, a portion of the core oxide being nitrided, a first polysilicon pattern on the core oxide, an I/O oxide including pure oxide on the semiconductor substrate in the peripheral area, and a second polysilicon pattern on the I/O oxide.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a plurality of lower interconnections at intervals in a first insulating film; removing a portion of the first insulating film located between the lower interconnections, thereby forming an interconnection-to-interconnection gap; forming a second insulating film over the first insulating film in which the lower interconnections and the interconnection-to-interconnection gap are formed such that an air gap is formed out of the interconnection-to-interconnection gap; and forming, in the second insulating film, a connection portion connected to one of the lower interconnections and an upper interconnection connected to the connection portion. The connection portion is formed to be connected to one of the lower interconnections not adjacent to the air gap.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes a semiconductor substrate; a first interconnection wire having a first portion and a second portion on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second portion is separated from the first portion; a second interconnection wire situated under the first interconnection wire; a first conductive via electrically coupling the first portion with the second interconnection wire; a conductive layer situated between the first interconnection wire and the second interconnection wire; and a second conductive via electrically coupling the conductive layer with the second portion.

Abstract: In integrated circuit technology; an electromigration and diffusion sensitive conductor of a metal such as copper and processing procedure therefore is provided, wherein, at a planarized chemical mechanical processed interfacing surface, the conductor metal is positioned in a region of a selectable low K eff dielectric material surrounded by a material selected to be protection from outdiffusion and a source of a film thickness cap that is to form over the conductor metal and/or serve as a catalytic layer for electroless selective deposition of a CoWP capping .

Abstract: Methods for forming conductive layers. A layer of metal composite is applied on a substrate, comprising a plurality of metal flakes, a plurality of nanometer metal spheres, and a plurality of mixed metal precursors. The plurality of mixed metal precursors comprises a mixture of inorganic salts and organic acidic salts. The layer of metal composite is cured to induce an exothermic reaction, thereby forming a conductive layer on the substrate at a relatively low temperature (<200° C.).

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and low dielectric film wiring line laminated structure portions which are provided in regions on the semiconductor substrate except a peripheral portion thereof. Each of the laminated structure portions has a laminated structure of low dielectric films and a plurality of wiring lines. An insulating film is provided on an upper side of the laminated structure portion. Connection pad portions for electrodes are arranged on the insulating film to be electrically connected to the connection pad portions of uppermost wiring lines of the laminated structure portion. Bump electrodes for external connection are provided on the connection pad portions for the electrodes. A sealing film is provided on the insulating film and on the peripheral portion of the semiconductor substrate. Side surfaces of the laminated structure portions are covered with the insulating film or the sealing film.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a dummy metal fill structure which makes it possible to reduce variations in transistor characteristics as much as possible even if mask misalignment occurs, as well as to ensure the intended planarizing effect of the metal CMP process. The dummy metal fill formed above the gate electrode extends in the gate length direction with both ends thereof protruding from a region corresponding to the gate electrode. Even if a mask for forming a wiring layer is misaligned and the position of the dummy metal fill is misaligned from an intended position, the shape of the dummy metal fill within a region of the gate electrode is kept symmetric with respect to the center of the gate electrode.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a layer arrangement, a plurality of electrically conductive structures are embedded in a substrate. Material of the substrate is removed at least between adjacent electrically conductive structures. An interlayer is formed on at least one portion of sidewalls of each of the electrically conductive structures. A first layer is formed on the interlayer where an upper partial region of the interlayer remaining free of a covering with the first layer. An electrically insulating second layer is formed selectively on that partial region of the interlayer which is free of the first layer, in such a way that the electrically insulating second layer bridges adjacent electrically conductive structures such that air gaps are formed between adjacent electrically conductive structures.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method of constructing a memory array is provided. An insulating layer is formed on a semiconductor wafer. A first metal stack is then formed on the insulating layer and etched to form first metal lines. A polymeric layer is formed over the first metal lines and the insulating layer. A puddle of smoothing solvent is then allowed to stand on the wafer. The smoothing solvent is then removed. After the smoothing solvent is removed, the polymeric layer has a reduced surface roughness. A second metal stack is then formed on the polymeric layer and etched to form second metal lines.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of redistributing bondpad locations are disclosed. In one implementation, a method of redistributing a bondpad location of an integrated circuit includes providing an integrated circuit comprising an inner lead bondpad. A first insulative passivation layer is formed over the integrated circuit. A bondpad-redistribution line is formed over the first insulative passivation layer and in electrical connection with the inner lead bondpad through the first insulative passivation layer. The bondpad-redistribution line includes an outer lead bondpad area. A second insulative passivation layer is formed over the integrated circuit and the bondpad-redistribution line. The second insulative passivation layer is formed to have a sidewall outline at least a portion of which is proximate to and conforms to at least a portion of the bondpad-redistribution line. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory array includes a multiplicity of memory cells, each of whose area is less than 4 F2 per cell (where F is a minimum feature size), and periphery elements to control the memory cells. The present invention also includes a non-volatile memory array which includes word lines and bit lines generally perpendicular to the word lines, with a word line pitch of less than 2 F. In one embodiment, the word lines are made of polysilicon spacers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device 100 includes a semiconductor substrate 14, a connection electrode 12 disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 14 and connected to an integrated circuit thereon, a through electrode 20 which penetrates the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 20, and an insulation portion 30 interposed between the semiconductor substrate 14 and the through electrode 20. The through electrode 20 is integrally formed to protrude outward from upper surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 12, and connected to the connection electrode 12 in a region where the through electrode 20 penetrates the connection electrode 12.

Abstract: An improved interconnect structure and method of making such a device. The improved interconnect electrically connects two otherwise separate areas on a semiconductor wafer. The interconnect preferably uses a copper conductor disposed within a trench and via structure formed in a low-k hybrid dielectric layer using a dual damascene process. Each contact region is served by a plurality of vias, each in communication with the trench conductor portion. The entry from the trench to the via is rounded for at least one and preferably all of the via structures.

Abstract: The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer laminated on the semiconductor substrate, a first metal wiring pattern embedded in a wire-forming region of the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer laminated on the first insulating layer, a second metal wiring pattern embedded in a wire-forming region of the second insulating layer and first dummy metal patterns embedded each in a wire-opposed region opposing to the wire-forming region of the second insulating layer and in a non-wire-opposed region opposing to a non-wire-forming region other than the wire-forming region of the second insulating layer, the wire-opposed region and the non-wire-opposed region each in a non-wire-forming region other than the wire-forming region of the first insulating layer.

Abstract: The reliability of wirings, each of which includes a main conductive film containing copper as a primary component, is improved. On an insulating film including the upper surface of a wiring serving as a lower layer wiring, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbonitride film having excellent barrier properties to copper is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbide film having excellent adhesiveness to a low dielectric constant material film is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a low dielectric constant material as an interlayer insulating film is formed; and thereafter a wiring as an upper layer wiring is formed.

Abstract: A method for defining patterns in an integrated circuit comprises defining a plurality of features in a first photoresist layer using photolithography over a first region of a substrate. The method further comprises using pitch multiplication to produce at least two features in a lower masking layer for each feature in the photoresist layer. The features in the lower masking layer include looped ends. The method further comprises covering with a second photoresist layer a second region of the substrate including the looped ends in the lower masking layer. The method further comprises etching a pattern of trenches in the substrate through the features in the lower masking layer without etching in the second region. The trenches have a trench width.

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a multi-layer wiring portion including insulating layers and wiring layers alternately stacked one on another on a main surface of the semiconductor substrate. All of the wiring layers are made of a same basis metal, at least one of the wiring layers contains an additive element, and a concentration of the additive element is lower on an upper layer side than that on a lower layer side.

Abstract: A metal interconnects structure, comprises a substrate (11), a dielectric layer (12) lying above the substrate, a stop layer (13) for metal etching lying above the dielectric layer, a metal layer (15?) lying above the stop layer, said metal layer being patterned according to a desired pattern.

Abstract: A 4-T SRAM cell in which two layers of permanent SOG (with an intermediate oxide layer) are used to provide planarization between the first and topmost poly layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a first insulating film, a first wiring layer formed in the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed above the first wiring layer and the first insulating film, the second insulating film including a low dielectric constant film, a second wiring layer formed in the second insulating film and coupled to the first wiring layer through a first connection section, and a third insulating film formed above the second wiring layer and the second insulating film and serving as one of an interlayer insulating film and a passivation film, and at least one of the first and third insulating films being one of a film formed mainly of SiON, a film formed mainly of SiN, and a laminated film being the films formed mainly of SiON or SiN respectively.

Abstract: A plurality of metal wires are formed on an underlying interlayer insulating film. Areas among the metal wires are filled with a buried insulating film of a silicon oxide film with a small dielectric constant (i.e., a first dielectric film), and thus, a parasitic capacitance of the metal wires can be decreased. On the buried insulating film, a passivation film of a silicon nitride film with high moisture absorption resistance (i.e., a second dielectric film) is formed, and thus, a coverage defect can be avoided. A bonding pad is buried in an opening formed in a part of a surface protecting film including the buried insulating film and the passivation film, so as not to expose the buried insulating film within the opening. Thus, moisture absorption through the opening can be prevented.