Abstract: Self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first layer includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. A second layer of the interconnect structure is disposed above the first layer. The second layer includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. Each metal line of the grating of the second layer is disposed on a recessed dielectric line having alternating distinct regions of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material corresponding to the alternating metal lines and dielectric lines of the first layer of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for realizing a two-dimensional target lithography feature/pattern by decomposing (splitting) it into multiple unidirectional target features that, when aggregated, substantially (e.g., fully) represent the original target feature without leaving an unrepresented remainder (e.g., a whole-number quantity of unidirectional target features). The unidirectional target features may be arbitrarily grouped such that, within a grouping, all unidirectional target features share a common target width value. Where multiple such groupings are provided, individual groupings may or may not have the same common target width value. In some cases, a series of reticles is provided, each reticle having a mask pattern correlating to a grouping of unidirectional target features. Exposure of a photoresist material via the aggregated series of reticles substantially (e.g., fully) produces the original target feature/pattern.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for realizing a two-dimensional target lithography feature/pattern by decomposing (splitting) it into multiple unidirectional target features that, when aggregated, substantially (e.g., fully) represent the original target feature without leaving an unrepresented remainder (e.g., a whole-number quantity of unidirectional target features). The unidirectional target features may he arbitrarily grouped such that, within a grouping, all unidirectional target features share a common target width value. Where multiple such groupings are provided, individual groupings may or may not have the same common target width value. In some cases, a series of reticles is provided, each reticle having a mask pattern correlating to a grouping of unidirectional target features. Exposure of a photoresist material via the aggregated series of reticles substantially (e.g., fully) produces the original target feature/pattern.

Abstract: Interconnect fuse structures including a fuse with a necked line segment, as well as methods of fabricating such structures. A current driven by an applied fuse programming voltage may open necked fuse segments to affect operation of an IC. In embodiments, the fuse structure includes a pair of neighboring interconnect lines equidistant from a center interconnect line. In further embodiments, the center interconnect line, and at least one of the neighboring interconnect lines, include line segments of lateral widths that differ by a same, and complementary amount. In further embodiments, the center interconnect line is interconnected at opposite ends of a necked line segment. In further embodiments, the necked line segment is fabricated with pitch-reducing spacer-based patterning process.

Abstract: Self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first layer includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. A second layer of the interconnect structure is disposed above the first layer. The second layer includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. Each metal line of the grating of the second layer is disposed on a recessed dielectric line having alternating distinct regions of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material corresponding to the alternating metal lines and dielectric lines of the first layer of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: Subtractive self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate. The first layer includes a first grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. The dielectric lines have an uppermost surface higher than an uppermost surface of the metal lines. The interconnect structure further includes a second layer of the interconnect structure disposed above the first layer of the interconnect structure. The second layer includes a second grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The dielectric lines have a lowermost surface lower than a lowermost surface of the metal lines. The dielectric lines of the second grating overlap and contact, but are distinct from, the dielectric lines of the first grating.

Abstract: Previous layer self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects are described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer disposed above a substrate. The first layer of the interconnect structure includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. A second layer of the interconnect structure is disposed above the first layer. The second layer includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. Each metal line of the grating of the second layer is disposed on a recessed dielectric line composed of alternating distinct regions of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material corresponding to the alternating metal lines and dielectric lines of the first layer of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate including coating a first resist onto a hardmask, exposing regions of the first resist to electromagnetic radiation at a dose of 10.0 mJ/cm2 or greater and removing a portion of said the and forming guiding features. The method also includes etching the hardmask to form isolating features in the hardmask, applying a second resist within the isolating features forming regions of the second resist in the hardmask, and exposing regions of the second resist to electromagnetic radiation having a dose of less than 10.0 mJ/cm2 and forming elements.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for sub-second annealing a lithographic feature to, for example, tailor or otherwise selectively alter its profile in one, two, or three dimensions. Alternatively, or in addition to, the techniques can be used, for example, to smooth or otherwise reduce photoresist line width/edge roughness and/or to reduce defect density. In some cases, the sub-second annealing process has a time-temperature profile that can effectively change the magnitude of resist shrinkage in one or more dimensions or otherwise modify the resist in a desired way (e.g., smooth the resist). The techniques may be implemented, for example, with any type of photoresist (e.g., organic, inorganic, hybrid, molecular photoresist materials) and can be used in forming, for instance, processor microarchitectures, memory circuitry, logic arrays, and numerous other digital/analog/hybrid integrated semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for double patterning of a lithographic feature using a barrier layer between the pattern layers. In some cases, the techniques may be implemented with double patterning of a one- or two-dimensional photolithographic feature, for example. In some embodiments, the barrier layer is deposited to protect a first photoresist pattern prior to application of a second photoresist pattern thereon and/or to tailor (e.g., shrink) one or more of the critical dimensions of a trench, hole, or other etchable geometric feature to be formed in a substrate or other suitable surface via lithographic processes. In some embodiments, the techniques may be implemented to generate/print small features (e.g., less than or equal to about 100 nm) including one- and two-dimensional features/structures of varying complexity.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate including coating a first resist onto a hardmask, exposing regions of the first resist to electromagnetic radiation at a dose of 10.0 mJ/cm2 or greater and removing a portion of said the and forming guiding features. The method also includes etching the hardmask to form isolating features in the hardmask, applying a second resist within the isolating features forming regions of the second resist in the hardmask, and exposing regions of the second resist to electromagnetic radiation having a dose of less than 10.0 mJ/cm2 and forming elements.

Abstract: A method including forming a pattern on a surface of a substrate, the pattern including one of discrete structures including at least one sidewall defining an oblique angle relative to the surface and discrete structures complemented with a material layer therebetween, the material layer including a volume modified into distinct regions separated by at least one oblique angle relative to the surface; and defining circuit features on the substrate using the pattern, the features having a pitch less than a pitch of the pattern.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for using sub-resolution phased assist features (SPAF) in a lithography mask to improve through process pattern fidelity and/or mitigate inverted aerial image problems. The technique also may be used to improve image contrast in non-inverted weak image sites. The use of SPAF in accordance with some such embodiments requires no adjustment to existing design rules, although adjustments can be made to enable compliance with mask inspection constraints. The use of SPAF also does not require changing existing fab or manufacturing processes, especially if such processes already comprehend phased shift mask capabilities. The SPAFs can be used to enhance aerial image contrast, without the SPAFs themselves printing. In addition, the SPAF phase etch depth can be optimized so as to make adjustments to a given predicted printed feature critical dimension.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate including coating a first resist onto a hardmask, exposing regions of the first resist to electromagnetic radiation at a dose of 10.0 mJ/cm2 or greater and removing a portion of said the and forming guiding features. The method also includes etching the hardmask to form isolating features in the hardmask, applying a second resist within the isolating features forming regions of the second resist in the hardmask, and exposing regions of the second resist to electromagnetic radiation having a dose of less than 10.0 mJ/cm2 and forming elements.

Abstract: A method including forming a pattern on a surface of a substrate, the pattern including one of discrete structures including at least one sidewall defining an oblique angle relative to the surface and discrete structures complemented with a material layer therebetween, the material layer including a volume modified into distinct regions separated by at least one oblique angle relative to the surface; and defining circuit features on the substrate using the pattern, the features having a pitch less than a pitch of the pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate including coating a first resist onto a hardmask, exposing regions of the first resist to electromagnetic radiation at a dose of 10.0 mJ/cm2 or greater and removing a portion of said the and forming guiding features. The method also includes etching the hardmask to form isolating features in the hardmask, applying a second resist within the isolating features forming regions of the second resist in the hardmask, and exposing regions of the second resist to electromagnetic radiation having a dose of less than 10.0 mJ/cm2 and forming elements.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for realizing a two-dimensional target lithography feature/pattern by decomposing (splitting) it into multiple unidirectional target features that, when aggregated, substantially (e.g., fully) represent the original target feature without leaving an unrepresented remainder (e.g., a whole-number quantity of unidirectional target features). The unidirectional target features may he arbitrarily grouped such that, within a grouping, all unidirectional target features share a common target width value. Where multiple such groupings are provided, individual groupings may or may not have the same common target width value. In some cases, a series of reticles is provided, each reticle having a mask pattern correlating to a grouping of unidirectional target features. Exposure of a photoresist material via the aggregated series of reticles substantially (e.g., fully) produces the original target feature/pattern.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for sub-second annealing a lithographic feature to, for example, tailor or otherwise selectively alter its profile in one, two, or three dimensions. Alternatively, or in addition to, the techniques can be used, for example, to smooth or otherwise reduce photoresist line width/edge roughness and/or to reduce defect density. In some cases, the sub-second annealing process has a time-temperature profile that can effectively change the magnitude of resist shrinkage in one or more dimensions or otherwise modify the resist in a desired way (e.g., smooth the resist). The techniques may be implemented, for example, with any type of photoresist (e.g., organic, inorganic, hybrid, molecular photoresist materials) and can be used in forming, for instance, processor microarchitectures, memory circuitry, logic arrays, and numerous other digital/analog/hybrid integrated semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A method including forming a pattern on a surface of a substrate, the pattern including one of discrete structures including at least one sidewall defining an oblique angle relative to the surface and discrete structures complemented with a material layer therebetween, the material layer including a volume modified into distinct regions separated by at least one oblique angle relative to the surface; and defining circuit features on the substrate using the pattern, the features having a pitch less than a pitch of the pattern.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for double patterning of a lithographic feature using a barrier layer between the pattern layers. In some cases, the techniques may be implemented with double patterning of a one- or two-dimensional photolithographic feature, for example. In some embodiments, the barrier layer is deposited to protect a first photoresist pattern prior to application of a second photoresist pattern thereon and/or to tailor (e.g., shrink) one or more of the critical dimensions of a trench, hole, or other etchable geometric feature to be formed in a substrate or other suitable surface via lithographic processes. In some embodiments, the techniques may be implemented to generate/print small features (e.g., less than or equal to about 100 nm) including one- and two-dimensional features/structures of varying complexity.