Abstract: Methods of forming an interconnect structure include depositing a first conductive material on a substrate. Aspects include subtractively etching the conductive material to form a patterned first conductive layer, and depositing a dielectric layer on interconnect structure. Aspects also include depositing a second conductive material on the dielectric layer and removing the second conductive material through the top of the second metal liner.

Abstract: A back end of the line (BEOL) fuse structure having a stack of vias. The stacking of vias leads to high aspect ratios making liner and seed coverage inside the vias poorer. The weakness of the liner and seed layers leads to a higher probability of electromigration (EM) failure. The fuse structure addresses failures due to poor liner and seed coverage. Design features permit determining where failures occur, determining the extent of the damaged region after fuse programming and preventing further propagation of the damaged dielectric region.

Abstract: A method of forming an air gap for a semiconductor device and the device formed are disclosed. The method may include forming an air gap mask layer over a dielectric interconnect layer, the dielectric interconnect layer including a dielectric layer having a conductive interconnect therein and a cap layer over the dielectric layer; patterning the air gap mask layer using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light and etching to form an air gap mask including an opening in the cap layer exposing a portion of the dielectric layer of the dielectric interconnect layer adjacent to the conductive interconnect; removing the air gap mask; etching an air gap space adjacent to the conductive interconnect within the dielectric layer of the dielectric interconnect layer using the opening in the cap layer; and forming an air gap in the dielectric interconnect layer by depositing an air gap capping layer to seal the air gap space.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of forming a semiconductor interconnect structure and the interconnect structure. The method includes etching an opening in a first interconnect dielectric material. The method includes performing a nitridation process that converts the surfaces of the opening into nitride residues, and forms a nitrided interconnect dielectric material surface in the opening. The method includes depositing tantalum to create a tantalum layer on the nitrided interconnect dielectric surface region. The method includes depositing copper to fill the opening and planarizing the surface of the first dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated metal line and interconnect. The method may include forming a first trench in a first ILD exposing a lower metal line, the first ILD is above a substrate, and the lower metal line is in the substrate; forming a first barrier layer in the first trench; forming an integrated metal layer (including a first metal line and a first via) on the first barrier layer; forming a first hardmask on the integrated metal layer; forming an isolation trench in the first hardmask and in the first metal line; forming a second barrier layer in the isolation trench; removing a portion of the second barrier layer from a bottom of the isolation trench exposing the first ILD; and forming a second ILD on the second barrier and in the isolation trench, where a bottom of the second ILD is in the first ILD.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first circuit structure and a second circuit structure. The first circuit structure includes a wiring line and a via upon and electrically contacting the wiring line. The via induces lateral etching voids between the via and the wiring line below the via upon the surface of the wiring line. The second circuit structure includes a similar wiring line, relative to the reference wiring line, without or fewer via thereupon. The first circuit structure is therefore relatively more prone to lateral etching void formation as compared to the second circuit structure. Resistances are measured across the first circuit structure and the second circuit structure and compared against a comparison threshold to determine whether the first circuit structure includes one or more lateral etching voids. If the first structure is deemed to not include lateral etching voids, the fabrication process of the device may be deemed reliable.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: depositing, in the via, a dielectric layer; depositing, in the via, a barrier layer; allowing the barrier layer to oxidize; and depositing, in the via, a conducting layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an air gap for a semiconductor device and the device formed are disclosed. The method may include forming an air gap mask layer over a dielectric interconnect layer, the dielectric interconnect layer including a dielectric layer having a conductive interconnect therein and a cap layer over the dielectric layer; patterning the air gap mask layer using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light and etching to form an air gap mask including an opening in the cap layer exposing a portion of the dielectric layer of the dielectric interconnect layer adjacent to the conductive interconnect; removing the air gap mask; etching an air gap space adjacent to the conductive interconnect within the dielectric layer of the dielectric interconnect layer using the opening in the cap layer; and forming an air gap in the dielectric interconnect layer by depositing an air gap capping layer to seal the air gap space.

Abstract: Methods of forming an interconnect structure include depositing a first conductive material on a substrate. Aspects include subtractively etching the conductive material to form a patterned first conductive layer, and depositing a dielectric layer on interconnect structure. Aspects also include depositing a second conductive material on the dielectric layer and removing the second conductive material through the top of the second metal liner.

Abstract: A BEOL e-fuse is disclosed which reliably blows in the via and can be formed even in the tightest pitch BEOL layers. The BEOL e-fuse can be formed utilizing a line first dual damascene process to create a sub-lithographic via to be the programmable link of the e-fuse. The sub-lithographic via can be patterned using standard lithography and the cross section of the via can be tuned to match the target programming current.

Abstract: Methods of forming an interconnect structure include depositing a first conductive material on a substrate. Aspects include subtractively etching the conductive material to form a patterned first conductive layer, and depositing a dielectric layer on interconnect structure. Aspects also include depositing a second conductive material on the dielectric layer and removing the second conductive material through the top of the second metal liner.

Abstract: A method of forming an air gap for a semiconductor device and the device formed are disclosed. The method may include forming conductive interconnects in an ILD including a high etch selectivity dielectric layer such as a silicon nitride with hydrogen component (SiNH) layer, and patterning an air gap mask layer preferably using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light form an air gap mask. The air gap mask may be used to etch an air gap space in the high etch selectivity dielectric layer. Use of EUV with the high etch selectivity dielectric layer provides an air gap having a width of no greater than 15 nm with the opening used to form the air gap space having a width of no greater than 10 nm width. This integration approach offers smaller pinch-off height, e.g., less than approximately 6 nm, which improves process window for subsequent Mx+1 module builds.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include integrated circuit (IC) structures with metal plugs therein, and methods of forming the same. An IC fabrication method according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include: providing a structure including a via including a bulk semiconductor material therein, wherein the via further includes a cavity extending from a top surface of the via to an interior surface of the via, and wherein a portion of the bulk semiconductor material defines at least one sidewall of the cavity; forming a first metal level on the via, wherein the first metal level includes a contact opening positioned over the cavity of the via; forming a metal plug within the cavity to the surface of the via, such that the metal plug conformally contacts a sidewall of the cavity and the interior surface of the via, wherein the metal plug is laterally distal to an exterior sidewall of the via; and forming a contact within the contact opening of the first metal level.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: depositing, in the via, a dielectric layer; depositing, in the via, a barrier layer; allowing the barrier layer to oxidize; and depositing, in the via, a conducting layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of forming a semiconductor interconnect structure and the interconnect structure. The method includes etching an opening in a first interconnect dielectric material. The method includes performing a nitridation process that converts the surfaces of the opening into nitride residues, and forms a nitrided interconnect dielectric material surface in the opening. The method includes depositing tantalum to create a tantalum layer on the nitrided interconnect dielectric surface region. The method includes depositing copper to fill the opening and planarizing the surface of the first dielectric material.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of forming an interconnect for use in an integrated circuit. The method comprises: forming an opening in a dielectric layer on a substrate; filling the opening with a metal such that an overburden outside of the opening is created; subjecting the metal to a microwave energy dose such that atoms from the overburden migrate to within the opening; and planarizing the metal to a top surface of the opening to remove the overburden, thereby forming the interconnect.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: depositing, in the via, a dielectric layer; depositing, in the via, a barrier layer; allowing the barrier layer to oxidize; and depositing, in the via, a conducting layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming an interconnect structure include depositing a first conductive material on a substrate. Aspects include subtractively etching the conductive material to form a patterned first conductive layer, and depositing a dielectric layer on interconnect structure. Aspects also include depositing a second conductive material on the dielectric layer and removing the second conductive material through the top of the second metal liner.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include integrated circuit (IC) structures with metal plugs therein, and methods of forming the same. An IC fabrication method according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include: providing a structure including a via including a bulk semiconductor material therein, wherein the via further includes a cavity extending from a top surface of the via to an interior surface of the via, and wherein a portion of the bulk semiconductor material defines at least one sidewall of the cavity; forming a first metal level on the via, wherein the first metal level includes a contact opening positioned over the cavity of the via; forming a metal plug within the cavity to the surface of the via, such that the metal plug conformally contacts a sidewall of the cavity and the interior surface of the via, wherein the metal plug is laterally distal to an exterior sidewall of the via; and forming a contact within the contact opening of the first metal level.

Abstract: A BEOL e-fuse is disclosed which reliably blows in the via and can be formed even in the tightest pitch BEOL layers. The BEOL e-fuse can be formed utilizing a line first dual damascene process to create a sub-lithographic via to be the programmable link of the e-fuse. The sub-lithographic via can be patterned using standard lithography and the cross section of the via can be tuned to match the target programming current.