Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip; a connection member having a first surface on which the semiconductor chip is disposed and a second surface opposing the first surface, an encapsulant disposed on the first surface of the connection member and encapsulating the semiconductor chip, a passivation layer on the second surface of the connection member; and an UBM layer partially embedded in the passivation layer, wherein the UBM layer includes an UBM via embedded in the passivation layer and connected to the redistribution layer of the connection member and an UBM pad connected to the UBM via and protruding from a surface of the passivation layer, and a width of a portion of the UBM via in contact with the UBM pad is narrower than a width of a portion of the UBM via in contact with the redistribution layer.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrical contact with a first metal layer and at least one second metal layer on a silicon carbide substrate includes removing at least some of the carbon residue by a chemical cleaning process, to clean the first metal layer. The first metal layer and/or the at least one second metal layer may be generated by sputtering deposition.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a trench extending into a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a gate electrode and a gate dielectric in the trench. The gate dielectric separates the gate electrode from the semiconductor substrate. A first region having a first conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor substrate at the first surface adjacent the trench. A second region having a second conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor substrate below the first region adjacent the trench. A third region having the first conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor substrate below the second region adjacent the trench. A contact opening in the semiconductor substrate extends into the second region. An electrically insulative spacer is disposed on sidewalls of the semiconductor substrate formed by the contact opening, and an electrically conductive material in the contact opening adjoins the electrically insulative spacer on the sidewalls.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and processes of fabricating the interconnect structures generally includes a recessed metal conductor and a discontinuous capping layer thereon. The discontinuous “capped” metal interconnect structure provides improved performance and reliability for the semiconductor industry.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnection structure includes following steps. A dielectric structure is deposited over a non-insulator structure. The dielectric structure is etched to form a via opening. A mask layer is formed over the dielectric structure. The mask layer is patterned. An anti-adhesion layer is deposited on a sidewall of the via opening after patterning the mask layer. The dielectric structure is etched to form a trench opening, wherein the patterned mask layer is used as an etch mask during forming the trench opening. A conductive structure is formed in the via opening and the trench opening.

Abstract: An interconnection structure includes a non-insulator structure, a liner layer, a dielectric structure, a conductive structure and an anti-adhesion layer. The liner layer is present on the non-insulator structure and has an opening therein. The dielectric structure is present on the liner layer. The dielectric structure includes a via opening therein. The via opening has a sidewall. The conductive structure is present in the via opening of the dielectric structure and electrically connected to the non-insulator structure through the opening of the liner layer. The anti-adhesion layer is present between the sidewall of the via opening of the dielectric structure and the conductive structure.

Abstract: An embodiment is a structure including a first die, a molding compound at least laterally encapsulating the first die, a first redistribution structure including metallization patterns extending over the first die and the molding compound, a first conductive connector comprising a solder ball and an under bump metallization coupled to the first redistribution structure, and an integrated passive device bonded to a first metallization pattern in the first redistribution structure with a micro bump bonding joint, the integrated passive device being adjacent the first conductive connector.

Abstract: A redistribution subtrate, a method of fabricating the same, and a semiconductor package are provided. The method including forming a first conductive pattern; forming a first photosensitive layer on the first conductive pattern, the first photosensitive layer having a first through hole exposing a first portion of the first conductive pattern; forming a first via in the first through hole; removing the first photosensitive layer; forming a first dielectric layer that encapsulates the first conductive pattern and the first via, the first dielectric layer exposing a top surface of the first via; and forming a second conductive pattern on the top surface of the first via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having active regions defined by a device isolation region; a conductive line extending in a direction on the active regions; insulating liners on both sidewalls of a lower portion of the conductive line that contacts with the active regions; spacers that are apart from the insulating liners in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate and sequentially formed on both sidewalls of an upper portion of the conductive line; a blocking layer arranged at a spacing between a spacer located in the middle of the spacers and the insulating liners and in a recess portion recessed from one end of the spacer located in the middle of the spacers toward the conductive line; and conductive patterns arranged on the active regions on both sides of the spacers.

Abstract: An embodiment is a structure including a first die, a molding compound at least laterally encapsulating the first die, a first redistribution structure including metallization patterns extending over the first die and the molding compound, a first conductive connector comprising a solder ball and an under bump metallization coupled to the first redistribution structure, and an integrated passive device bonded to a first metallization pattern in the first redistribution structure with a micro bump bonding joint, the integrated passive device being adjacent the first conductive connector.

Abstract: A 3D system-level packaging method includes providing a packaging substrate having a first functional surface and a second surface with wiring arrangement within the packaging substrate and between the first functional surface and the second surface. The method also includes forming at least one flip package layer on the first functional surface of the packaging substrate and forming at least one wiring and package layer on the flip package layer. The flip package layer is formed by subsequently forming a flip mounting layer, an underfill, a sealant layer, and a wiring layer; and the wiring and package layer is formed by subsequently forming a straight mounting layer, a sealant layer, and a wiring layer. Further, the method includes planting connection balls on the second functional surface of the packaging substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including: a substrate having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer arranged deeper than the first conductive layer; a large-diameter concave portion having, on a main side of a substrate, an opening sized to overlap the first and second conductive layers, with the first conductive layer exposed in part of the bottom of the large-diameter concave portion; a small-diameter concave portion extended from the large-diameter concave portion and formed by digging into the bottom of the large-diameter concave portion, with the second conductive layer exposed at the bottom of the small-diameter concave portion; and a conductive member provided in a connection hole made up of the large- and small-diameter concave portions to connect the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of using and forming such apparatuses. An apparatus among the apparatuses includes first and second conductive materials located in respective first and second levels of the apparatus, a pillar including a length extending between the first and second conductive materials, memory cells and control lines located along the pillar, a first select gate and a first select line located along the pillar between the first conductive material and the memory cells, a second select gate and a second select line located along the pillar between the first conductive material and the first select line, a first transistor and a first transistor gate line located along the pillar between the first conductive material and the first select line, and a second transistor and a second transistor gate line located along the pillar between the first conductive material and the first transistor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a conductive structure, a method of manufacturing the conductive structure, and an array substrate. The method of manufacturing the conductive structure, comprising steps of: Forming a barrier metal film and a copper metal film in this order on a substrate, wherein the copper metal film being laminated on the barrier metal film; forming a preset photoresist pattern on the copper metal film; etching the barrier metal film and the copper metal film; oxidizing an exposed sidewall of the etched barrier metal film and an exposed sidewall of the etched copper metal film, so as to generate metal oxide layers on the exposed sidewall of the etched barrier metal film and the exposed sidewall of the etched copper metal film, respectively; and stripping off the photoresist pattern by means of a photoresist stripping liquid.

Abstract: An inductor manufacturing method includes a first step of press bonding a Cu foil onto a non-magnetic resin sheet, a second step of forming a conductor pattern by performing etching on the Cu foil, a third step of press bonding another non-magnetic resin sheet onto the conductor pattern, and a via conductor formation step of forming a via conductor that penetrates through the other resin sheet and leads to the conductor pattern. The method further includes a step of forming a body in which resin having magnetism is provided outside of a coil, by press bonding magnetic-powder-containing resin sheets onto a multilayer body, obtained by a manufacturing method including the first to third steps and the via conductor formation step, and then thermally curing the magnetic-powder-containing resin sheets.

Abstract: A thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode and a pair of source and drain electrodes; and a semiconductor layer having a channel formed therein, and having a pair of connection sections connected to the pair of source and drain electrodes, respectively, wherein one or both of opposed surfaces of the pair of connection sections is a non-flat surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming first conductive layer structures in a first dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a patterned photoresist layer having portions that are each disposed over a respective one of the first conductive layer structures; forming an energy removable film (ERF) on the sidewalls of each of the portions; forming a second dielectric layer over the ERFs, the portions of the patterned photoresist layer, and the first dielectric layer; removing the portions to leave behind a plurality of openings; filling a conductive material in the openings, the conductive material defining second conductive layer structures; forming a ceiling layer over the second conductive layer structures, the ERFs, and the second dielectric layer; and applying energy to the ERFs to partially remove the ERFs on the sidewalls of the portions thereby forming air gaps.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a conductive pattern, a side spacer, and an air gap. The substrate includes an interlayer insulating layer and a trench penetrating the interlayer insulating layer. The conductive pattern is disposed within the trench of the substrate. The side spacer is disposed within the trench. The side spacer covers an upper side surface of the conductive pattern. The air gap is disposed within the trench. The air gap is bounded by a sidewall of the trench, the side spacer, and a lower side surface of the conductive pattern. A level of a bottom surface of the conductive pattern is lower than a level of bottom surfaces of the side spacer.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating integrated circuits includes providing a semiconductor substrate disposed with a device therein and/or thereon. A contact structure including a barrier layer and a plug metal overlying the barrier layer is formed in electrical contact with the device. A hardmask is formed overlying the contact structure. The method includes performing an etch to form a via opening through the hardmask and to expose the barrier layer and the plug metal. Further, the method removes a remaining portion of the hardmask with a wet etchant, while the contact structure is configured to inhibit the wet etchant from etching the barrier layer. In the method, the via opening is filled with a conductive material to form an interconnect to the contact structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes adjacent storage node contact plugs having different heights, and lower-electrode bowing profiles having different heights, such that a spatial margin between the lower electrodes is assured and a bridge fail is prevented, resulting in improved device operation characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a first storage node contact plug and a second storage node contact plug formed over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the second storage node contact plug is arranged at a height different from that of the first storage node contact plug, and a lower electrode formed over the first storage node contact plug and the second storage node contact plug.

Abstract: Various methods for forming a low profile assembly are described. The low profile assembly may include an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit as well as components associated with the integrated circuit may be positioned below a surface plane of a printed circuit board in which the integrated circuit is located. The integrated circuit may include bond wires configured to electrically connect the integrated circuits to other components. The low profile assembly may include forming various layers over a substrate and later removing some of the layers.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a sacrificial film as part of a process of forming a semiconductor device. The sacrificial film has a relatively high etch selectivity with respect to other materials of the semiconductor device so as to reduce loss of etching masks and improve the quality of a components (e.g., buried contacts) of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a device region formed in the semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; a conducting pad structure located in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the device region, wherein the conducting pad structure comprises a stacked structure of a plurality of conducting pad layers; a support layer disposed on a top surface of the conducting pad structure; and a protection layer disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a stacked via structure including a plurality of first vias formed over a substrate, a first interconnect formed on the plurality of first vias, a plurality of second vias formed on the first interconnect, and a second interconnect formed on the plurality of second vias. One of the first vias closest to one end part of the first interconnect and one of the second vias closest to the one end part of the first interconnect at least partially overlap with each other as viewed in the plane, and the first interconnect has a first extension part extending from a position of an end of the first via toward the one end part of the first interconnect and having a length which is more than six times as long as a via width of the first via.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, at least containing the following steps: first, a substrate is provided, wherein a first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, at least one metal gate is formed in the first dielectric layer and at least one source drain region (S/D region) is disposed on two sides of the metal gate, at least one first trench is then formed in the first dielectric layer, exposing parts of the S/D region. The manufacturing method for forming the first trench further includes performing a first photolithography process through a first photomask and performing a second photolithography process through a second photomask, and at least one second trench is formed in the first dielectric layer, exposing parts of the metal gate, and finally, a conductive layer is filled in each first trench and each second trench.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an interposer wafer includes forming a first hole having a first depth on a first main surface of a semiconductor wafer. The method further includes forming a second hole having a second depth on the first main surface of the semiconductor wafer before forming the first hole or after forming the first hole, the second depth being shallower than the first depth. The method further includes forming an electrode in the first hole. The method further includes forming an alignment mark in the second hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate (1) is provided on a main surface (14) with an intermetal dielectric (4) including metal planes (5) and on an opposite rear surface (15) with an insulation layer (2) and an electrically conductive connection pad (7). An etch stop layer (6) is applied on the intermetal dielectric to prevent a removal of the intermetal dielectric above the metal planes during subsequent method steps. An opening (9) having a side wall (3) and a bottom (13) is formed from the main surface through the substrate above the connection pad. A side wall spacer (10) is formed on the side wall by a production and subsequent partial removal of a dielectric layer (11). The insulation layer is removed from the bottom to uncover an area of the connection pad. A metal layer is applied in the opening and is provided for an interconnect through the substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer thereon, wherein at least one metal gate is formed in the ILD layer and at least one source/drain region is adjacent to two sides of the metal gate; forming a first dielectric layer on the ILD layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; performing a first etching process to partially remove the second dielectric layer; utilizing a first cleaning agent for performing a first wet clean process; performing a second etching process to partially remove the first dielectric layer; and utilizing a second cleaning agent for performing a second wet clean process, wherein the first cleaning agent is different from the second cleaning agent.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a Si-containing layer; forming a barrier layer over said Si-containing layer, said barrier layer comprising a compound including a metallic element; forming a metallic nucleation_seed layer over said barrier layer, said nucleation_seed layer including said metallic element; and forming a metallic interconnect layer over said nucleation_seed layer, wherein said barrier layer and said nucleation_seed layer are formed without exposing said semiconductor device to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A three-dimensional nonvolatile memory array includes a select layer that selectively connects vertical bit lines to horizontal bit lines. Individual select switches of the select layer include two separately controllable transistors that are connected in series between a horizontal bit line and a vertical bit line. Each transistor in a select switch is connected to a different control circuit by a different select line.

Abstract: Circuit structures and methods of fabrication are provided with enhanced electrical connection between, for instance, a first metal level and a contact surface of a conductive structure. Enhanced electrical connection is achieved using a plurality of contact vias which are differently-sized, and disposed over and electrically coupled to the contact surface. The differently-sized contact vias include at least one center region contact via disposed over a center region of the contact surface, and at least one peripheral region contact via disposed over a peripheral region of the contact surface, where the at least one center region contact via is larger than the at least one peripheral region contact via.

Abstract: A method for performing silicidation of gate electrodes includes providing a semiconductor device having first and second transistors with first and second gate electrodes formed on a semiconductor substrate, forming an oxide layer on the first and second gate electrodes and the semiconductor substrate, forming a cover layer on the oxide layer, and back etching the cover layer to expose portions of the oxide layer above the first and second gate electrodes while maintaining a portion of the cover layer between the first and second gate electrodes. Furthermore, the exposed portions of the oxide layer are removed from the first and second gate electrodes to expose upper portions of the first and second gate electrodes, while maintaining a portion of the oxide layer between the first and second gate electrodes, and a silicidation of the exposed upper portions of the first and second gate electrodes is performed.

Abstract: Processes for forming integrated circuits and integrated circuits formed thereby are provided in which a first dielectric layer including a first dielectric material is formed on an underlying substrate. A first etch mask having at least two patterned recesses is patterned over the first dielectric layer. At least one first-level via is etched in the first dielectric layer through one patterned recess in the first etch mask with a first etchant, and the first-level via is filled with electrically-conductive material. A second dielectric layer including a second dielectric material is formed over the first dielectric layer. A second etch mask having patterned recesses corresponding to the patterned recesses of the first etch mask is patterned over the second dielectric layer. Second-level vias are etched in the second dielectric layer through the patterned recesses in the second etch mask with a second etchant and exposed to the first etchant.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a through silicon via (TSV) structure is provided, in which, a first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, the first dielectric layer is patterned to have at least one first opening, a via hole is formed in the first dielectric layer and the substrate, a second dielectric layer is conformally formed on the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer has at least one second opening corresponding to the at least one first opening, and the second dielectric layer covers a sidewall of the via hole. A conductive material layer is formed to fill the via hole and the second opening. The conductive material layer is planarized to form a TSV within the via hole. A TSV structure is also provided, in which, the second dielectric layer is disposed within the first opening and on the sidewall of the via hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming first conductive layer structures in a first dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a patterned photoresist layer having portions that are each disposed over a respective one of the first conductive layer structures; forming an energy removable film (ERF) on the sidewalls of each of the portions; forming a second dielectric layer over the ERFs, the portions of the patterned photoresist layer, and the first dielectric layer; removing the portions to leave behind a plurality of openings; filling a conductive material in the openings, the conductive material defining second conductive layer structures; forming a ceiling layer over the second conductive layer structures, the ERFs, and the second dielectric layer; and applying energy to the ERFs to partially remove the ERFs on the sidewalls of the portions thereby forming air gaps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, at least containing the following steps: first, a substrate is provided, wherein a first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, at least one metal gate is formed in the first dielectric layer and at least one source drain region (S/D region) is disposed on two sides of the metal gate, at least one first trench is then formed in the first dielectric layer, exposing parts of the S/D region. The manufacturing method for forming the first trench further includes performing a first photolithography process through a first photomask and performing a second photolithography process through a second photomask, and at least one second trench is formed in the first dielectric layer, exposing parts of the metal gate, and finally, a conductive layer is filled in each first trench and each second trench.

Abstract: A method of forming contact holes includes: forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; forming an insulating layer on the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; forming a photoresist pattern which exposes first and second etch surfaces of a top surface of the insulating layer; performing a first etching process on the insulating layer at a first etching rate; and performing a second etching process on the insulating layer at a second etching rate which is higher than the first etching rate, after a top surface of the first conductive layer is exposed through the insulating layer. The first etch surface is on the first conductive layer, the second etch surface is on the second conductive layer, and a distance between the second etch surface and the second conductive layer is greater than a distance between the first etch surface and the first conductive layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including: a substrate having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer arranged deeper than the first conductive layer; a large-diameter concave portion having, on a main side of a substrate, an opening sized to overlap the first and second conductive layers, with the first conductive layer exposed in part of the bottom of the large-diameter concave portion; a small-diameter concave portion extended from the large-diameter concave portion and formed by digging into the bottom of the large-diameter concave portion, with the second conductive layer exposed at the bottom of the small-diameter concave portion; and a conductive member provided in a connection hole made up of the large- and small-diameter concave portions to connect the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed whereby multiple interconnect layers having effective air gaps positioned in regions most susceptible to capacitive coupling can be formed. The method includes providing a layer of conductive features, the layer including at least two line members disposed on a substrate and spaced from one another by less than or equal to an effective distance, and at least one such line member also having a via member extending away from the substrate, depositing a poorly conformal dielectric coating to form an air gap between such line members, and exposing a top end of the via.

Abstract: A method for patterning a semiconductor structure is provided. The method comprises following steps. A first mask defining a first pattern in a first region and a second pattern in a second region adjacent to the first region is provided. The first pattern defined by the first mask is transferred to a first film structure in the first region, and the second pattern defined by the first mask is transferred to the first film structure in the second region. A second film structure is formed on the first film structure. A second mask defining a third pattern in the first region is provided. At least 50% of a part of the first region occupied by the first pattern defined by the first mask is identical with a part of the first region occupied by the third pattern defined by the second mask.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a memory device having buried access lines (e.g., wordlines) and buried data/sense lines (e.g., digitlines) disposed below vertical cell contacts. The buried wordlines may be formed trenches in a substrate extending in a first direction, and the buried digitlines may be formed from trenches in a substrate extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The buried digitlines may be coupled to a silicon sidewall by a digitline contact disposed between the digitlines and the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A microelectronic unit includes a microelectronic element, e.g., an integrated circuit chip, having a semiconductor region of monocrystalline form. The semiconductor region has a front surface extending in a first direction, an active circuit element adjacent the front surface, a rear surface remote from the front surface, and a conductive via which extends towards the rear surface. The conductive via can be insulated from the semiconductor region by an inorganic dielectric layer. An opening can extend from the rear surface partially through a thickness of the semiconductor region, with the opening and the conductive via having respective widths in the first direction. The width of the opening may be greater than the width of the conductive via where the opening meets the conductive via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a semiconductor substrate, an impurity region at a side of the gate structure and the impurity region is within the semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulating layer covering the gate structure and the impurity region, a contact structure extending through the interlayer insulating layer and connected to the impurity region, and an insulating region. The contact structure includes a first contact structure that has a side surface surrounded by the interlayer insulating layer and a second contact structure that has a side surface surrounded by the impurity region. The insulating region is under the second contact structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure having a metal connect. A substrate is provided, and a transistor and a first ILD layer are formed thereon. A first contact plug is formed in the first ILD layer to electrically connect the source/drain region. A second ILD layer and a third ILD layer are formed on the first ILD layer. A first opening above the gate and a second opening above the first contact plug are formed, wherein a depth of the first contact plug is deeper than that of the second opening. Next, the first opening and the second opening are deepened. Lastly, a metal layer is filled into the first opening and the second opening to respectively form a first metal connect and a second metal connect.

Abstract: A method forms interlayer connectors extending to conductive layers of a stack of W conductive layers interleaved with dielectric layers. The stack is etched to expose landing areas at W?1 conductive layers using a set of M etch masks. For each etch mask m, m going from 0 to M?1, there is a first etching step, at least one mask trimming step, and a subsequent etching step following each trimming step. The etch mask may cover Nm+1 of the landing areas and the open etch region may cover Nm of the landing areas. N equals 2 plus the number of trimming steps. The trimming step may be carried out so that the increased size open etch region overlies an additional 1/N of the landing areas. Part of the stack surface may be shielded during the removing step to create dummy areas without contact openings.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a gate on a substrate with source/drain (S/D) regions adjacent to the gate. A first dielectric layer overlays the gate and the S/D regions, the first dielectric layer having first contact holes over the S/D regions with first contact plugs formed of a first material and the first contact plugs coupled to respective S/D regions. A second dielectric layer overlays the first dielectric layer and the first contact plugs. A second contact hole formed in the first and second dielectric layers is filled with a second contact plug formed of a second material. The second contact plug is coupled to the gate and interconnect structures formed in the second dielectric layer, the interconnect structures coupled to the first contact plugs. The second material is different from the first material, and the second material has an electrical resistance lower than that of the first material.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal interconnect structure includes forming a copper line within an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer; directly doping a top surface of the copper line with a copper alloy material; and forming a dielectric layer over the ILD layer and the copper alloy material; wherein the copper alloy material serves an adhesion interface layer between the copper line and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming contact holes includes: forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; forming an insulating layer on the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; forming a photoresist pattern which exposes first and second etch surfaces of a top surface of the insulating layer; performing a first etching process on the insulating layer at a first etching rate; and performing a second etching process on the insulating layer at a second etching rate which is higher than the first etching rate, after a top surface of the first conductive layer is exposed through the insulating layer. The first etch surface is on the first conductive layer, the second etch surface is on the second conductive layer, and a distance between the second etch surface and the second conductive layer is greater than a distance between the first etch surface and the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed whereby multiple interconnect layers having effective air gaps positioned in regions most susceptible to capacitive coupling can be formed. The method includes providing a layer of conductive features, the layer including at least two line members disposed on a substrate and spaced from one another by less than or equal to an effective distance, and at least one such line member also having a via member extending away from the substrate, depositing a poorly conformal dielectric coating to form an air gap between such line members, and exposing a top end of the via.

Abstract: Contact openings are produced in a semiconductor body by forming a plurality of self-aligned structures on a main surface of a semiconductor body, each self-aligned structure filling a trench formed in the semiconductor body and extending above and onto the main surface. Adjacent ones of the self-aligned structures have spaced apart sidewalls which face each other. A spacer layer is formed on the sidewalls of the self-aligned structures. Openings are formed in the semiconductor body between adjacent ones of the self-aligned structures while the spacer layer is on the sidewalls of the self-aligned structures. Each opening has a width and a distance to the sidewall of an adjacent trench which corresponds to a thickness of the spacer layer. Self-aligned contact structures can also be produced on a semiconductor body, with or without using the spacer layer.