Abstract: A semiconductor device and method where a side wall insulating layer, extending perpendicular from a top surface of a semiconductor substrate, is prevented from contacting the semiconductor substrate by a barrier layer formed at an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the insulating layer.

Abstract: High aspect ratio trenches may be filled with metal that grows more from the bottom than the top of the trench. As a result, the tendency to form seams or to close off the trench at the top during filling may be reduced in some embodiments. Material that encourages the growth of metal may be formed in the trench at the bottom, while leaving the region of the trench near the top free of such material to encourage growth upwardly from the bottom.

Abstract: A dual damascene structure with an embedded liner and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a dual damascene structure in a substrate. The method further includes reflowing a seed layer such that material of the seed layer flows into a via of the dual damascene structure. The method further includes forming a liner material on the material over or within the via of the dual damascene structure. The method further includes filling any remaining portions of the via and a trench of the dual damascene structure with additional material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor devices includes the steps of annealing an insulating layer and forming a barrier layer including a metal element over the insulating layer. The insulating layer includes a fluorocarbon (CFx) film. The barrier layer is formed by a high-temperature sputtering process after the annealing step.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of fabricating an interconnection structure of an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of: forming a first conductive element within a first dielectric layer; depositing a first etch stop layer above the first conductive element and the first dielectric layer; forming an opening in the first etch stop layer above the first conductive element, to form a first connection area; depositing a second dielectric layer above the etch stop layer and above the first conductive element in the connection area; etching the second dielectric layer to form at least one hole which is at least partially aligned with the connection area; and filling the hole with a conductive material to form a second conductive element in electrical contact with the first conductive element.

Abstract: Material is removed from a substrate surface (e.g., from a bottom portion of a recessed feature on a partially fabricated semiconductor substrate) by subjecting the surface to a plurality of profiling cycles, wherein each profiling cycle includes a net etching operation and a net depositing operation. An etching operation removes a greater amount of material than is being deposited by a depositing operation, thereby resulting in a net material etch-back per profiling cycle. About 2-10 profiling cycles are performed. The profiling cycles are used for removing metal-containing materials, such as diffusion barrier materials, copper line materials, and metal seed materials by PVD deposition and resputter. Profiling with a plurality of cycles removes metal-containing materials without causing microtrenching in an exposed dielectric. Further, overhang is reduced at the openings of the recessed features and sidewall material coverage is improved. Integrated circuit devices having higher reliability are fabricated.

Abstract: A method includes applying, between connection conductors of adjacent substrates, a junction material containing the first metal or alloy component and the second metal or alloy component having a higher melting point than said first metal or alloy component. The method further includes melting the junction material by a heat treatment.

Abstract: An electromigration and stress migration enhancement liner is provided for use in an interconnect structure. The liner includes a metal that has a thickness at a bottom of the at least one via opening and on an exposed portion of an underlying conductive feature that is greater than a remaining thickness that is located on exposed sidewalls of the interconnect dielectric material. The thinner portion of the electromigration and stress migration enhancement liner is located between the interconnect dielectric material and an overlying diffusion barrier. The thicker portion of the electromigration and stress migration enhancement liner is located between the underlying conductive feature and the diffusion barrier as well as between an adjacent dielectric capping layer and the diffusion barrier. The remainder of the at least one via opening is filled with an adhesion layer and a conductive material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of making a semiconductor device wherein an insulation layer has a copper plug in contact with the last wiring layer of the device. There may also be a barrier layer separating the copper plug from the insulation layer. There may also be a cap layer over the copper plug to protect it from oxidation. There may also be a dielectric layer over the cap 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: A semiconductor device including an interconnection structure including a copper pad, a pad barrier layer and a metal redistribution layer, an interconnection structure thereof and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a copper pad disposed on a first layer, a pad barrier layer including titanium disposed on the copper pad, an inorganic insulating layer disposed on the pad barrier layer, a buffer layer disposed on the inorganic insulating layer, wherein the inorganic insulating layer and the buffer layer expose a portion of the pad barrier layer, a seed metal layer disposed on the exposed buffer layer, a metal redistribution layer disposed on the seed metal layer, and a first protective layer disposed on the metal redistribution layer.

Abstract: A memory device has multiple dielectric barrier regions. A memory device has multiple barrier regions that provide higher or lower current-voltage slope compared to a memory device having a single barrier region. The device also has electrode regions that provide further control over the current-voltage relationship.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a seal ring adjacent to edges of the semiconductor chip; an opening extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the seal ring, wherein the opening has a first end on an outer side of the seal ring and a second end on an inner side of the seal ring; and a moisture barrier having a sidewall parallel to a nearest side of the seal ring, wherein the moisture barrier is adjacent the seal ring and has a portion facing the opening.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with enhanced electromigration performance and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one metal line in electrical contact with a device. The method further includes forming at least one staple structure in electrical contact with the at least one metal line. The at least one staple structure is formed such that electrical current passing through the at least one metal line also passes through the at least staple structure to reduce electromigration issues.

Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect structure includes forming a dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming a metal-containing layer in the dielectric layer, forming a barrier layer overlying the metal-containing layer, and performing a thermal process to form a metal oxide layer underlying the conductive layer. The metal oxide layer is a barrier layer formed at the boundary between the dielectric layer and the metal-containing layer.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device including an oscillator arid a manufacturing method thereof, in which cost is low and design flexibility is high. The semiconductor device includes a wiring structure region and an oscillator region. The semiconductor device also includes, in the oscillator region, a metal resistive element as the same layer as a conducting film over uppermost metal wiring in the wiring structure region.

Abstract: Interconnect structures including a graphene cap located on exposed surfaces of a copper structure are provided. In some embodiments, the graphene cap is located only atop the uppermost surface of the copper structure, while in other embodiments the graphene cap is located along vertical sidewalls and atop the uppermost surface of the copper structure. The copper structure is located within a dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a low dielectric constant film in a lithographic process includes providing a dielectric film having thereover a resist composition, the dielectric film having a dielectric constant no greater than about 4.0, and stripping the resist composition to leave a substantially silicon-containing ash residue on the dielectric film. The method then includes contacting the ash residue with plasma comprising an ionized, essentially pure noble gas such as helium to remove the resist residue without substantially affecting the underlying dielectric film.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of in-situ vapor phase deposition of self-assembled monolayers as copper adhesion promoters and diffusion barriers. A copper region is formed in a dielectric layer. A diffusion barrier comprising a self-assembled monolayer is deposited over the copper region. A capping layer is deposited over the self-assembled monolayer. In some embodiments, the capping layer and self-assembled monolayer are deposited in the same process chamber.

Abstract: A multilevel interconnect structure in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating the same are described. The multilevel interconnect structure in the semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer formed on a semiconductor wafer, a Cu interconnect layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the Cu interconnect layer, and a metal oxide layer formed at an interface between the Cu interconnect layer and the second insulating layer. The metal oxide layer is formed by immersion-plating a metal, such as Sn or Zn, on the Cu interconnect layer and then heat-treating the plated layer in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: The semiconductor device of the present invention includes a silicon substrate having a logic region and a RAM region, an NMOS transistor formed in the logic region, and an NMOS transistor formed in the RAM region. The NMOS transistor has a stack structure obtained by sequentially stacking the gate insulating film and the metal gate electrode over the silicon substrate. The NMOS transistor has a cap film containing an element selected from a group consisting of lanthanum, ytterbium, magnesium, strontium, and erbium as a composition element between the silicon substrate and metal gate electrode. The cap film is not formed in the NMOS transistor.

Abstract: For simplifying the dual-damascene formation steps of a multilevel Cu interconnect, a formation step of an antireflective film below a photoresist film is omitted. Described specifically, an interlayer insulating film is dry etched with a photoresist film formed thereover as a mask, and interconnect trenches are formed by terminating etching at the surface of a stopper film formed in the interlayer insulating film. The stopper film is made of an SiCN film having a low optical reflectance, thereby causing it to serve as an antireflective film when the photoresist film is exposed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a semiconductor chip. The method includes forming a silicon layer; forming a first layer formed on the silicon layer and including a first seal ring surrounding a first chip area and a second seal ring surrounding a second chip area; and forming a second layer formed on the first layer and including a metal interconnection connecting one of the first and second chip areas and an external terminal.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a MOS device with memory function is provided, which includes: providing a semiconductor substrate, a surface of the semiconductor substrate being covered by a first dielectric layer, a metal interconnect structure being formed in the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer overlying a surface of the first dielectric layer and the metal interconnect structure; forming an opening in the second dielectric layer, a bottom of the opening revealing the metal interconnect structure; forming an alloy layer at the bottom of the opening, material of the alloy layer containing copper and other metal; and performing a thermal treatment to the alloy layer and the metal interconnect structure to form, on the surface of the metal interconnect structure, a compound layer containing oxygen element. The compound layer containing oxygen element and the MOS device formed in the semiconductor substrate constitute a MOS device with memory function.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for forming a vertical electrical connection (50) in a layered semiconductor structure (1), comprising the following steps: —providing (100) a layered semiconductor structure (1), said layered semiconductor structure (1) comprising: —a support substrate (20) including an first surface (22) and a second surface (24), —an insulating layer (30) overlying the first surface (22) of the support substrate (20), and —at least one device structure (40) formed in the insulating layer (30); and —drilling (300) a via (50) from the second surface of the support substrate (20) up to the device structure (40), in order to expose the device structure (40); characterized in that drilling (300) of the insulating layer is at least performed by wet etching (320).

Abstract: The disclosure belongs to the field of manufacturing and interconnection of integrated circuits, and in particular relates to compound dielectric anti-copper-diffusion barrier layer for copper interconnection and a manufacturing method thereof The disclosure uses compound dielectric (oxide & metal) as the anti-copper-diffusion barrier layer. First, it can enhance the capable of metal for anti-copper-diffusion efficiently, and prevent the barrier layer for valid owing to oxidized and prolong the life of the barrier layer. Second, it can reduce the effective dielectric constant of the interconnection circuits and furthermore reduce the RC delay of the whole interconnection circuits. Besides, the alloy is firmly adhered to the copper, and the metal copper can be directly electroplated without growing a layer of seed crystal copper. The method is simple and feasible and is expected to be applied to manufacturing of the anti-copper-diffusion barrier layers for copper interconnections.

Abstract: A through-substrate via (TSV) structure that is immune to metal contamination due to a backside planarization process is provided. After forming a through-substrate via (TSV) trench, a diffusion barrier liner is conformally deposited on the sidewalls of the TSV trench. A dielectric liner is formed by depositing a dielectric material on vertical portions of the diffusion barrier liner. A metallic conductive via structure is formed by subsequently filling the TSV trench. Horizontal portions of the diffusion barrier liner are removed. The diffusion barrier liner protects the semiconductor material of the substrate during the backside planarization by blocking residual metallic material originating from the metallic conductive via structure from entering into the semiconductor material of the substrate, thereby protecting the semiconductor devices within the substrate from metallic contamination.

Abstract: A system and a method for protecting vias is disclosed. An embodiment comprises forming an opening in a substrate. A barrier layer disposed in the opening including along the sidewalls of the opening. The barrier layer may include a metal component and an alloying material. A conductive material is formed on the barrier layer and fills the opening. The conductive material to form a via (e.g., TSV).

Abstract: A method of forming a biosensor chip enables a bond pad and detector electrode to be formed of different materials (one is formed of a connection layer such as copper and the other is formed of a diffusion barrier layer such as tantalum or tantalum nitride). A single planarizing operation is used for both the bond pad and the detector electrode. By using the same processing, resist patterning on an already-planarized surface is avoided, and the cleanliness of both the bond pad and detector electrode is ensured. Self-aligned nanoelectrodes and bond pads are obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming copper-based conductive structures on integrated circuit devices. In one example, the method includes forming a trench/via in a layer of insulating material, performing a deposition process to form an as-deposited copper-based seed layer above the layer of insulating material in the trench/via, wherein the copper-based seed layer has a first portion that is positioned above a bottom of the trench/via that is thicker than second portions of the copper seed layer that are positioned above sidewalls of the trench/via, performing an etching process on the as-deposited copper-based seed layer to substantially remove portions of the second portions of the as-deposited copper-based seed layer and performing an electroless deposition process to fill the trench/via with a copper-based material.

Abstract: A method of filling of vias and trenches in a dual damascene structure with a filling comprising copper or copper alloy is provided. An electroless deposition filling of the vias with a via filling comprising copper or copper alloy is provided. A trench barrier layer is formed over the via filling with a trench barrier layer comprising Mn or Al. The trench barrier layer is annealed at a temperature that causes a component of the trench barrier layer to pass into the via filling. The trenches are filled with a trench filling comprising copper or copper alloy.

Abstract: Films having high hermeticity and a low dielectric constant can be used as copper diffusion barrier films, etch stop films, CMP stop films and other hardmasks during IC fabrication. Hermetic films can protect the underlying layers, such as layers of metal and dielectric, from exposure to atmospheric moisture and oxygen, thereby preventing undesirable oxidation of metal surfaces and absorption of moisture by a dielectric. Specifically, a bi-layer film having a hermetic bottom layer composed of hydrogen doped carbon and a low dielectric constant (low-k) top layer composed of low-k silicon carbide (e.g., high carbon content hydrogen doped silicon carbide) can be employed. Such bi-layer film can be deposited by PECVD methods on a partially fabricated semiconductor substrate having exposed layers of dielectric and metal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an interlayer dielectric layer formed on a first side of a substrate, a first metallization layer formed over the interlayer dielectric layer, wherein the first metallization layer comprises a first metal line and a dielectric layer formed over the first metallization layer, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a metal structure having a bottom surface coplanr with a top surface of the first metal line.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques for forming a low k dielectric around a metal line during an integrated circuit (IC) fabrication process are provided. In an embodiment, a metal line is formed prior to forming a surrounding low k dielectric layer around the metal line. In an embodiment, the metal line is formed by filling a trench space in a skeleton layer with metal. In this embodiment, the skeleton layer is removed to form a dielectric space in a different location than the trench space. The dielectric space is then filled with a low k dielectric material to form a surrounding low k dielectric layer around the metal line. In this manner, damage to the surrounding low k dielectric layer, that would otherwise occur if the surrounding low k dielectric layer was etched, for example, is mitigated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming copper-based conductive structures on integrated circuit devices by performing a copper deposition process to fill the trench or via with copper, which can be performed by fill, plating or electroless deposition. Copper clearing of copper overburden is performed using CMP to stop on an existing liner. Copper in the trenches or vias is recessed by controlled etch. An Nblok cap layer is deposited to cap the trenches or vias so that copper is not exposed to ILD. Nblok overburden and adjacent liner is then removed by CMP. Nblok cap layer is then deposited. The proposed approach is an alternative CMP integration scheme that will eliminate the exposure of copper to ILD during CMP, will prevent any dendrite formation, can be used for all metal layers in BEOL stack, and can be utilized for multiple layers, as necessary, whenever copper CMP is desired.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first conductive layer and an under bump metallization layer over the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer has a first conductive region and a second conductive region electrically isolated from the first conductive region. The under bump metallization layer has a first conductive area and a second conductive area electrically isolated from the first conductive area, the first conductive area substantially located over the first conductive region and the second conductive area substantially located over the second conductive region. At least one of the first conductive area or the first conductive region includes a first protrusion extending toward the second conductive area or second conductive region, respectively. Conductive vias connect the first conductive region to the second conductive area and connect the second conductive region to the first conductive area, and the vias include at least one via connected to the first protrusion.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the conductivity of copper (Cu)-filled vias are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a Cu-filled via is provided. The method includes the following steps. A via is etched in a dielectric. The via is lined with a diffusion barrier. A thin ruthenium (Ru) layer is conformally deposited onto the diffusion barrier. A thin seed Cu layer is deposited on the Ru layer. A first anneal is performed to increase a grain size of the seed Cu layer. The via is filled with additional Cu. A second anneal is performed to increase the grain size of the additional Cu.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes, but is not limited to, the following processes. A first interlayer insulating film is formed. A hole is formed in the first interlayer insulating film. A second interlayer insulating film is formed, which buries the hole and covers the first interlayer insulating film. An interconnect groove is formed by selectively etching the second interlayer insulating film to leave the second interlayer insulating film in the hole. The second interlayer insulating film in the hole is removed.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and method for fabricating the interconnect structure having enhanced performance and reliability, by minimizing oxygen intrusion into a seed layer and an electroplated copper layer of the interconnect structure, are disclosed. At least one opening in a dielectric layer is formed. A sacrificial oxidation layer disposed on the dielectric layer is formed. The sacrificial oxidation layer minimizes oxygen intrusion into the seed layer and the electroplated copper layer of the interconnect structure. A barrier metal layer disposed on the sacrificial oxidation layer is formed. A seed layer disposed on the barrier metal layer is formed. An electroplated copper layer disposed on the seed layer is formed. A planarized surface is formed, wherein a portion of the sacrificial oxidation layer, the barrier metal layer, the seed layer, and the electroplated copper layer are removed. In addition, a capping layer disposed on the planarized surface is formed.

Abstract: A contiguous layer of graphene is formed on exposed sidewall surfaces and a topmost surface of a copper-containing structure that is present on a surface of a substrate. The presence of the contiguous layer of graphene on the copper-containing structure reduces copper oxidation and surface diffusion of copper ions and thus improves the electromigration resistance of the structure. These benefits can be obtained using graphene without increasing the resistance of copper-containing structure.

Abstract: For simplifying the dual-damascene formation steps of a multilevel Cu interconnect, a formation step of an antireflective film below a photoresist film is omitted. Described specifically, an interlayer insulating film is dry etched with a photoresist film formed thereover as a mask, and interconnect trenches are formed by terminating etching at the surface of a stopper film formed in the interlayer insulating film. The stopper film is made of an SiCN film having a low optical reflectance, thereby causing it to serve as an antireflective film when the photoresist film is exposed.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, an insulating interlayer having a groove is formed on an insulating underlayer. A silicon-diffused metal layer including no metal silicide is buried in the groove. A metal diffusion barrier layer is formed on the silicon-diffused metal layer and the insulating interlayer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards metallization of a fluorocarbon-based dielectric material for interconnect applications. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a device layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, the device layer including one or more transistor devices, and an interconnect layer disposed on the device layer, the interconnect layer comprising a fluorocarbon-based dielectric material, where x represents a stoichiometric quantity of fluorine relative to carbon in the dielectric material, and one or more interconnect structures configured to route electrical signals to or from the one or more transistor devices, the one or more interconnect structures comprising cobalt (Co), or ruthenium (Ru), or combinations thereof. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A method is provided for depositing a dielectric barrier film including a precursor with silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen with improved barrier dielectric properties including lower dielectric constant and superior electrical properties. This method will be important for barrier layers used in a damascene or dual damascene integration for interconnect structures or in other dielectric barrier applications. In this example, specific structural properties are noted that improve the barrier performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a fabricating process for the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a base layer having a part of a reactive material; and a self-assembled protecting layer of a self-assembled molecule reacting with the reactive material formed over the part.

Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect structure includes forming a recess in a dielectric layer of a substrate. An adhesion barrier layer is formed to line the recess. A first stress level is present across a first interface between the adhesion barrier layer and the dielectric layer. A stress-reducing barrier layer is formed over the adhesion barrier layer. The stress-reducing barrier layer reduces the first stress level to provide a second stress level, less than the first stress level, across a second interface between the adhesion barrier layer, the stress-reducing barrier layer, and the dielectric layer. The recess is filled with a fill layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device including an electrode having low contact resistivity to a nitride semiconductor is provided. The manufacturing method includes a carbon containing layer forming step of forming a carbon containing layer containing carbon on a nitride semiconductor layer, and a titanium containing layer forming step of forming a titanium containing layer containing titanium on the carbon containing layer. A complete solid solution Ti (C, N) layer of TiN and TiC is formed between the titanium containing layer and the nitride semiconductor layer. As a result, the titanium containing layer comes to be in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer throughout the border therebetween.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide semiconductor devices including a package structure and methods of forming the semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, the package structure can include a through-hole at least partially filled by one or more layers of material(s) to form a through-hole interconnect between semiconductor devices in the package structure. The through-hole can be filled by an insulating layer, a diffusion barrier layer, a metal interconnect layer, and/or a protective layer having a total thickness from the sidewall of the through-hole of less than or equal to the radius of the through-hole.

Abstract: Producing a vertical transistor includes providing a substrate including a gate material layer stack with a reentrant profile. A patterned deposition inhibiting material is deposited over a portion of the gate material layer stack and over a portion of the substrate. An electrically insulating material layer is deposited over a portion of the gate material layer stack and over a portion of the substrate using a selective area deposition process in which the electrically insulating material layer is not deposited over the patterned deposition inhibiting material. A semiconductor material layer is deposited over the electrically insulating material layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming an adhesion barrier layer over a dielectric layer formed on a substrate. A first stress level is present across a first interface between the adhesion barrier layer and the dielectric layer. A stress-reducing barrier layer is formed over the adhesion barrier layer. The stress-reducing barrier layer reduces the first stress level to provide a second stress level, less than the first stress level, across a second interface between the adhesion barrier layer, the stress-reducing barrier layer, and the dielectric layer. A metal layer is formed over the stress-reducing barrier layer. The metal layer, adhesion barrier layer, and stress-reducing barrier layer define an interconnect metal stack. Recesses are defined in the interconnect metal stack to expose the dielectric layer. The recesses are filled with a dielectric material, wherein a portion of the interconnect metal stack disposed between adjacent recessed filled with dielectric material defines an interconnect structure.