Abstract: Structures for an on-chip capacitor and methods of forming an on-chip capacitor. A metal terminal is formed that has a side edge. Metal fingers are formed that have a parallel arrangement. Floating islands comprised of a metal are formed and are electrically isolated from the metal fingers. Each of the metal fingers has an end and extends from the side edge of the metal terminal toward the end. Each of the floating islands is arranged in a spaced relationship with the end of a respective one of the metal fingers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated circuit (IC) including a first metal layer running in a first direction, a second metal layer running in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second metal layer above the first metal layer and a third metal layer running in the first direction above the second metal layer. A viabar electrically connects the first metal layer to the third metal layer, the viabar running in the first direction wherein the viabar vertically extends from the first metal layer to the third metal layer. A method of manufacturing the IC is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated circuit (IC) including a first metal layer running in a first direction, a second metal layer running in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second metal layer above the first metal layer and a third metal layer running in the first direction above the second metal layer. A viabar electrically connects the first metal layer to the third metal layer, the viabar running in the first direction wherein the viabar vertically extends from the first metal layer to the third metal layer. A method of manufacturing the IC is provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first insulating layer containing a first metal layer embedded therein and on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer on the first insulating layer, and forming at least one via trench structure including a first metallization trench and a via in the ILD layer. In addition, the method also includes depositing a metal material to form a first metallization layer in the first metallization trench, a via contact in the via, and a second metal layer on top of at least a portion of the first metal layer in the opening of the first insulating layer. The first metal layer and the second metal layer constitute a multilayer metal contact located in the opening of the first insulating layer.

Abstract: Devices and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices using semi-bidirectional patterning are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device having a dielectric layer, a first, a second, and a third hardmask layer, and a lithography stack; patterning a first set of lines; patterning a second set of lines between the first set of lines; etching to define a combination of the first and second set of lines; depositing a second lithography stack; patterning a third set of lines in a direction perpendicular to the first and second set of lines; etching to define the third set of lines, leaving an OPL; depositing a spacer over the OPL; etching the spacer, leaving a vertical set of spacers; and etching the second hardmask layer using the third hardmask layer and the set of vertical spacers as masks.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first insulating layer containing a first metal layer embedded therein and on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer on the first insulating layer, and forming at least one via trench structure including a first metallization trench and a via in the ILD layer. In addition, the method also includes depositing a metal material to form a first metallization layer in the first metallization trench, a via contact in the via, and a second metal layer on top of at least a portion of the first metal layer in the opening of the first insulating layer. The first metal layer and the second metal layer constitute a multilayer metal contact located in the opening of the first insulating layer.

Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having horizontal and vertical scribe lines thereon defining semiconductor areas for printed circuits and/or semiconductor devices, and forming a metallic structure on the semiconductor substrate to serve as a bus bar for the printed circuits and/or semiconductor devices. A semiconductor structure is realized with the method, the semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having horizontal and vertical scribe lines thereon defining semiconductor areas for printed circuits and/or semiconductor devices, a metallic structure on the semiconductor substrate serving as a bus bar for the printed circuits and/or semiconductor devices, and printed circuits and/or semiconductor devices in the semiconductor areas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated circuit (IC) including a first metal layer running in a first direction, a second metal layer running in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second metal layer above the first metal layer and a third metal layer running in the first direction above the second metal layer. A viabar electrically connects the first metal layer to the third metal layer, the viabar running in the first direction wherein the viabar vertically extends from the first metal layer to the third metal layer. A method of manufacturing the IC is provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices using semi-bidirectional patterning are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device having a dielectric layer, a first hardmask layer, a second hardmask layer, a third hardmask layer, and a lithography stack; patterning a first set of lines; patterning a second set of lines between the first set of lines; etching to define a combination of the first and second set of lines; depositing a second lithography stack; patterning a set of islands; etching to define the set of islands, leaving an OPL; depositing a spacer over the OPL; etching the spacer, leaving a vertical set of spacers; and etching the second hardmask layer using the third hardmask layer and the set of vertical spacers as masks.

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: Devices and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices using semi-bidirectional patterning are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device having a dielectric layer, a first hardmask layer, a second hardmask layer, a third hardmask layer, and a lithography stack; patterning a first set of lines; patterning a second set of lines between the first set of lines; etching to define a combination of the first and second set of lines; depositing a second lithography stack; patterning a third set of lines in a direction perpendicular to the first and second set of lines; etching to define the third set of lines, leaving an OPL; depositing a spacer over the OPL; etching the spacer, leaving a vertical set of spacers; and etching the second hardmask layer using the third hardmask layer and the set of vertical spacers as masks.

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: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) structure with a metal crack stop and methods of forming the same. An IC structure according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include an insulator positioned over a substrate; a barrier film positioned over the insulator; an interlayer dielectric positioned over the barrier film; and a metal crack stop positioned over the substrate and laterally adjacent to each of the insulator, the barrier film, and the interlayer dielectric, wherein the metal crack stop includes a sidewall having a first recess therein, and wherein a horizontal interface between the barrier film and the interlayer dielectric intersects the sidewall of the metal crack stop.

Abstract: A first aspect of the disclosure provides for an integrated circuit structure. The integrated circuit structure may comprise a first metal structure in a first dielectric layer on a substrate in a crack stop area; and a first crack stop structure in a second dielectric layer, the first crack stop structure being over the first metal structure and including: a first metal fill contacting the first metal structure; and an air seam substantially separating the first metal fill and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A first aspect of the disclosure provides for an integrated circuit structure. The integrated circuit structure may comprise a first metal structure in a first dielectric layer on a substrate in a crack stop area; and a first crack stop structure in a second dielectric layer, the first crack stop structure being over the first metal structure and including: a first metal fill contacting the first metal structure; and an air seam substantially separating the first metal fill and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) structure with a metal crack stop and methods of forming the same. An IC structure according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include an insulator positioned over a substrate; a barrier film positioned over the insulator; an interlayer dielectric positioned over the barrier film; and a metal crack stop positioned over the substrate and laterally adjacent to each of the insulator, the barrier film, and the interlayer dielectric, wherein the metal crack stop includes a sidewall having a first recess therein, and wherein a horizontal interface between the barrier film and the interlayer dielectric intersects the sidewall of the metal crack stop.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first insulating layer containing a first metal layer embedded therein and on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer on the first insulating layer, and forming at least one via trench structure including a first metallization trench and a via in the ILD layer. In addition, the method also includes depositing a metal material to form a first metallization layer in the first metallization trench, a via contact in the via, and a second metal layer on top of at least a portion of the first metal layer in the opening of the first insulating layer. The first metal layer and the second metal layer constitute a multilayer metal contact located in the opening of the first insulating layer.

Abstract: One portion of a first insulator film, which is positioned on a second semiconductor region, and another portion of the first insulator film, which is positioned on a third semiconductor region, are removed, while a first portion of the first insulator film, which is positioned on a first semiconductor region is remained, one portion of a second insulator film, which is positioned on the first semiconductor region, and another portion of the second insulator film, which is positioned on the second semiconductor region, are removed, while a second portion of the second insulator film, which is positioned on the third semiconductor region is remained, and a metal film that covers the first portion, the second semiconductor region, and the second portion, and the second semiconductor region are caused to react with each other and a metal compound layer is formed.

Abstract: One portion of a first insulator film, which is positioned on a second semiconductor region, and another portion of the first insulator film, which is positioned on a third semiconductor region, are removed, while a first portion of the first insulator film, which is positioned on a first semiconductor region is remained, one portion of a second insulator film, which is positioned on the first semiconductor region, and another portion of the second insulator film, which is positioned on the second semiconductor region, are removed, while a second portion of the second insulator film, which is positioned on the third semiconductor region is remained, and a metal film that covers the first portion, the second semiconductor region, and the second portion, and the second semiconductor region are caused to react with each other and a metal compound layer is formed.

Abstract: In a measurement system that comprises plural measurement devices classified by groups, and plural data processing devices on a network that receives and processes measured data from the measurement devices, the data processing devices are smoothly allocated. The measurement devices belong to groups based on the areas in which they are located, and respectively transmit measured data to a multicast address defined for each of the groups to which they belong. A management device detects an overloaded or failed data processing device, stops data processing on a multicast address at which the data processing device receives data, alternatively commands another less loaded data processing device to join the multicast group, receive measured data transmitted to the multicast address, and process the data.