Abstract: The present invention relates to an isothermal method for detecting in a sample a target nucleic acid strand.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a metal contact structure, an electrically conductive capping layer formed on the metal contact structure, and a conductive via electrically connected to the metal contact structure through the electrically conductive capping layer.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating integrated circuits includes forming a metal contact structure that is electrically connected to a device. A capping layer is selectively formed on the metal contact structure, and an interlayer dielectric material is deposited over the capping layer. A metal hard mask is deposited and patterned over the interlayer dielectric material to define an exposed region of the interlayer dielectric material. The method etches the exposed region of the interlayer dielectric material to expose at least a portion of the capping layer. The method includes removing the metal hard mask with an etchant while the capping layer physically separates the metal contact structure from the etchant. A metal is deposited to form a conductive via electrically connected to the metal contact structure through the capping layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lipase variants and methods of obtaining them. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes an electrically conductive feature including a first metal, a dielectric material provided over the electrically conductive feature and a hardmask. The hardmask includes a hardmask material and is provided over the dielectric material. An opening is provided in the interlayer dielectric and the hardmask. A portion of the electrically conductive feature is exposed at a bottom of the opening. The hardmask is removed. The removal of the hardmask includes exposing the semiconductor structure to an etching solution including hydrogen peroxide and a corrosion inhibitor. After the removal of the hardmask, the semiconductor structure is rinsed. Rinsing the semiconductor structure includes exposing the semiconductor structure to an alkaline rinse solution.

Abstract: A drill bit has a shank (4) between a drilling head (3) and an insertable end (5) along an axis (2). The shank (4) is provided with at least two first flutes (34) that run along the axis (2) and at least a second helical flute (31). The first flutes (34) and the second flute (31) cross each other at several crossings (41).The width (35) of the first flute 34 steadily decreases over the area between two adjacent crossings (41) from one of the crossings (41) all the way to the narrowest place (42) and subsequently steadily increases all the way to the other crossing (41).

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating integrated circuits includes forming a metal contact structure that is electrically connected to a device. A capping layer is selectively formed on the metal contact structure, and an interlayer dielectric material is deposited over the capping layer. A metal hard mask is deposited and patterned over the interlayer dielectric material to define an exposed region of the interlayer dielectric material. The method etches the exposed region of the interlayer dielectric material to expose at least a portion of the capping layer. The method includes removing the metal hard mask with an etchant while the capping layer physically separates the metal contact structure from the etchant. A metal is deposited to form a conductive via electrically connected to the metal contact structure through the capping layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for fabricating integrated circuits are provided, as are embodiments of an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of depositing an interlayer dielectric (“ILD”) layer over a semiconductor device, depositing a barrier polish stop layer over the ILD layer, and patterning at least the barrier polish stop layer and the ILD layer to create a plurality of etch features therein. Copper is plated over the barrier polish stop layer and into the plurality of etch features to produce a copper overburden overlying the barrier polish stop layer and a plurality of conductive interconnect features in the ILD layer and barrier polish stop layer. The integrated circuit is polished to remove the copper overburden and expose the barrier polish stop layer.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices, contact elements in the contact level may be formed by patterning the contact openings and filling the contact openings with the metal of the first metallization layer in a common deposition sequence. To this end, in some illustrative embodiments, a sacrificial fill material may be provided in contact openings prior to depositing the dielectric material of the first metallization layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for fabricating integrated circuits are provided, as are embodiments of an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of depositing an interlayer dielectric (“ILD”) layer over a semiconductor device, depositing a barrier polish stop layer over the ILD layer, and patterning at least the barrier polish stop layer and the ILD layer to create a plurality of etch features therein. Copper is plated over the barrier polish stop layer and into the plurality of etch features to produce a copper overburden overlying the barrier polish stop layer and a plurality of conductive interconnect features in the ILD layer and barrier polish stop layer. The integrated circuit is polished to remove the copper overburden and expose the barrier polish stop layer.

Abstract: By forming metallization structures on the basis of an imprint technique, in which via openings and trenches may be commonly formed, a significant reduction of process complexity may be achieved due to the omission of at least one further alignment process as required in conventional process techniques. Furthermore, the flexibility and efficiency of imprint lithography may be increased by providing appropriately designed imprint molds in order to provide via openings and trenches exhibiting an increased fill capability, thereby also improving the performance of the finally obtained metallization structures with respect to reliability, resistance against electromigration and the like.

Abstract: By providing a surface modification process prior to or during a self-limiting deposition process, the per se highly conformal deposition behavior may be selectively changed so as to obtain reliable coverage at specific surface areas, while significantly reducing or suppressing a deposition above unwanted surface areas, such as the bottom of a via in advanced metallization structures of highly scaled semiconductor devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having antimicrobial activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices, contact elements in the contact level may be formed by patterning the contact openings and filling the contact openings with the metal of the first metallization layer in a common deposition sequence. To this end, in some illustrative embodiments, a sacrificial fill material may be provided in contact openings prior to depositing the dielectric material of the first metallization layer.

Abstract: By forming an additional doped region with increased junction depth at areas in which contact regions may connect to drain and source regions, any contact irregularities may be embedded into the additional doped region, thereby reducing the risk for leakage currents or short circuits between the drain and source region and the well region that may be conventionally caused by the contact irregularity. Moreover, additionally or alternatively, the surface topography of the semiconductor region and the adjacent isolation trench may be modified prior to the formation of metal silicide regions and contact plugs to enhance the lithography procedure for forming respective contact openings in an interlayer dielectric material. For this purpose, the isolation trench may be brought to an equal or higher level compared to the adjacent semiconductor region.

Abstract: By forming metallization structures on the basis of an imprint technique, in which via openings and trenches may be commonly formed, a significant reduction of process complexity may be achieved due to the omission of at least one further alignment process as required in conventional process techniques. Furthermore, the flexibility and efficiency of imprint lithography may be increased by providing appropriately designed imprint molds in order to provide via openings and trenches exhibiting an increased fill capability, thereby also improving the performance of the finally obtained metallization structures with respect to reliability, resistance against electromigration and the like.

Abstract: By forming metallization structures on the basis of an imprint technique, in which via openings and trenches may be commonly formed, a significant reduction of process complexity may be achieved due to the omission of at least one further alignment process as required in conventional process techniques. Furthermore, the flexibility and efficiency of imprint lithography may be increased by providing appropriately designed imprint molds in order to provide via openings and trenches exhibiting an increased fill capability, thereby also improving the performance of the finally obtained metallization structures with respect to reliability, resistance against electromigration and the like.

Abstract: By providing a protection layer at the bevel region, the deposition of polymer materials during the patterning process of complex metallization structures may be reduced. Additionally or alternatively, a surface topography may be provided, for instance in the form of respective recesses, in order to enhance the degree of adhesion of any materials deposited in the bevel region during the manufacturing of complex metallization structures. Advantageously, the provision of the protection layer providing the reduced polymer deposition may be combined with the modified surface topography.

Abstract: By removing excess material of an interlayer dielectric material deposited by SACVD, the gap filling capabilities of this deposition technique may be exploited, while, on the other hand, negative effects of this material may be reduced. In other aspects, a buffer material, such as silicon dioxide, may be formed prior to depositing the interlayer dielectric material on the basis of SACVD, thereby creating enhanced uniformity during the deposition process when depositing the interlayer dielectric material on dielectric layers having different high intrinsic stress levels. Consequently, the reliability of the interlayer dielectric material may be enhanced while nevertheless maintaining the advantages provided by an SACVD deposition.

Abstract: By forming a direct contact structure connecting, for instance, a polysilicon line with an active region on the basis of an increased amount of metal silicide by removing the sidewall spacers prior to the silicidation process, a significantly increased etch selectivity may be achieved during the contact etch stop layer opening. Hence, undue etching of the highly doped silicon material of the active region would be suppressed. Additionally or alternatively, an appropriately designed test structure is disclosed, which may enable the detection of electrical characteristics of contact structures formed in accordance with a specified manufacturing sequence and on the basis of specific design criteria.