Abstract: In a replacement gate scheme, after formation of a gate dielectric layer, a work function material layer completely fills a narrow gate trench, while not filling a wide gate trench. A dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized over the work function material layer, and is subsequently recessed to form a dielectric material portion overlying a horizontal portion of the work function material layer within the wide gate trench. The work function material layer is recessed employing the dielectric material portion as a part of an etch mask to form work function material portions. A conductive material is deposited and planarized to form gate conductor portions, and a dielectric material is deposited and planarized to form gate cap dielectrics.

Abstract: In a replacement gate scheme, after formation of a gate dielectric layer, a work function material layer completely fills a narrow gate trench, while not filling a wide gate trench. A dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized over the work function material layer, and is subsequently recessed to form a dielectric material portion overlying a horizontal portion of the work function material layer within the wide gate trench. The work function material layer is recessed employing the dielectric material portion as a part of an etch mask to form work function material portions. A conductive material is deposited and planarized to form gate conductor portions, and a dielectric material is deposited and planarized to form gate cap dielectrics.

Abstract: Method of forming a semiconductor structure which includes forming first conductive spacers on a semiconductor substrate; forming second conductive spacers with respect to the first conductive spacers, at least one of the second conductive spacers adjacent to and in contact with each of the first conductive spacers to form combined conductive spacers; recessing the second conductive spacers with respect to the first conductive spacers so that the first conductive spacers extend beyond the second conductive spacers; depositing an ILD to cover the first and second spacers except for an exposed edge of the first conductive spacers; patterning the exposed edges of the first conductive spacers to recess the edges of the first conductive spacers in predetermined locations to form recesses with respect to the ILD; and filling the recesses with an insulating material to leave unrecessed edges of the first conductive spacers as vias to subsequent wiring features.

Abstract: A sidewall image transfer process for forming sub-lithographic structures employs a layer of sacrificial material that is deposited over a structure layer and covered by a cover layer. The sacrificial material layer and the cover layer are patterned with conventional resist and etched to form a sacrificial mandrel. The edges of the mandrel are oxidized or nitrided in a plasma at low temperature, after which the material layer and the cover layer are stripped, leaving sublithographic sidewalls. The sidewalls are used as hardmasks to etch sublithographic gate structures in the gate conductor layer.

Abstract: A transistor. The transistor including: a well region in a substrate; a gate dielectric layer on a top surface of the well region; a polysilicon gate electrode on a top surface of the gate dielectric layer; spacers formed on opposite sidewalls of the polysilicon gate electrode; source/drain regions formed on opposite sides of the polysilicon gate electrode in the well region; a first doped region in the polysilicon gate electrode, the first doped region extending into the polysilicon gate electrode from a top surface of the polysilicon gate electrode; and a buried second doped region in the polysilicon gate electrode.

Abstract: A hybrid interconnect structure containing copper regions that have different impurities levels within a same opening is provided. In one embodiment, the interconnect structure includes a patterned dielectric material having at least one opening located therein. A dual material liner is located at least on sidewalls of the patterned dielectric material within the at least one opening. The structure further includes a first copper region having a first impurity level located within a bottom region of the at least one opening and a second copper region having a second impurity level located within a top region of the at least one opening and atop the first copper region. In accordance with the present disclosure, the first impurity level of the first copper region is different from the second impurity level of the second copper region.

Abstract: Method of forming a semiconductor structure which includes forming first conductive spacers on a semiconductor substrate; forming second conductive spacers with respect to the first conductive spacers, at least one of the second conductive spacers adjacent to and in contact with each of the first conductive spacers to form combined conductive spacers; recessing the second conductive spacers with respect to the first conductive spacers so that the first conductive spacers extend beyond the second conductive spacers; depositing an ILD to cover the first and second spacers except for an exposed edge of the first conductive spacers; patterning the exposed edges of the first conductive spacers to recess the edges of the first conductive spacers in predetermined locations to form recesses with respect to the ILD; and filling the recesses with an insulating material to leave unrecessed edges of the first conductive spacers as vias to subsequent wiring features.

Abstract: A method for forming structure aligned with features underlying an opaque layer is provided for an interconnect structure, such as an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an opaque layer over a first layer, the first layer having a surface topography that maps to at least one feature therein, wherein the opaque layer is formed such that the surface topography is visible over the opaque layer. A second feature is positioned and formed in the opaque layer by reference to such surface topography.

Abstract: A metal interconnect structure, which includes metal alloy capping layers, and a method of manufacturing the same. The originally deposited alloy capping layer element within the interconnect features will diffuse into and segregate onto top surface of the metal interconnect. The metal alloy capping material is deposited on a reflowed copper surface and is not physically in contact with sidewalls of the interconnect features. The metal alloy capping layer is also reflowed on the copper. Thus, there is a reduction in electrical resistivity impact from residual alloy elements in the interconnect structure. That is, there is a reduction, of alloy elements inside the features of the metal interconnect structure. The metal interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer with a recessed line, a liner material on sidewalls, a copper material, an alloy capping layer, and a dielectric cap.

Abstract: A borderless contact structure or partially borderless contact structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a gate structure and a space within the gate structure, defined by spacers. The method further includes blanket depositing a sealing material in the space, over the gate structure and on a semiconductor material. The method further includes removing the sealing material from over the gate structure and on the semiconductor material, leaving the sealing material within the space. The method further includes forming an interlevel dielectric material over the gate structure. The method further includes patterning the interlevel dielectric material to form an opening exposing the semiconductor material and a portion of the gate structure. The method further includes forming a contact in the opening formed in the interlevel dielectric material.

Abstract: After formation of raised source and drain regions, a conformal dielectric material liner is deposited within recessed regions formed by removal of shallow trench isolation structures and underlying portions of a buried insulator layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A dielectric material that is different from the material of the conformal dielectric material liner is subsequently deposited and planarized to form a planarized dielectric material layer. The planarized dielectric material layer is recessed selective to the conformal dielectric material liner to form dielectric fill portions that fill the recessed regions. Horizontal portions of the conformal dielectric material liner are removed by an anisotropic etch, while remaining portions of the conformal dielectric material liner form an outer gate spacer. At least one contact-level dielectric layer is deposited. Contact via structures electrically isolated from a handle substrate can be formed within the contact via holes.

Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor layer, a gate spacer on the semiconductor layer, a gate dielectric comprising a first portion above the semiconductor layer and a second portion on sidewalls of the gate spacer, a work function metal layer comprising a first portion on the first portion of the gate dielectric and a second portion on sidewalls of the gate dielectric, a gate conductor on the first portion of the work function layer and abutting the second portion of the work function layer, a dielectric layer on the semiconductor layer and abutting the gate spacer, an oxide film above only one of the work function layer and the gate conductor, an oxide cap, source/drain regions, and a source/drain contact passing through the dielectric layer and contacting an upper surface of one of the source/drain regions. A portion of the source/drain contact is located directly on the oxide cap.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to MOSFET semiconductor structures exhibiting a reduced parasitic capacitance, as well as methods of making the MOSFET semiconductor structures. The MOSFET semiconductor structures of the instant disclosure comprise an air-gap interlayer dielectric material between the contacts to the source/drain and gate structures and gate stack structures. The air-gap interlayer dielectric material causes the MOSFET semiconductor structures of the instant disclosure to have a reduced parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A metal interconnect structure, which includes metal alloy capping layers, and a method of manufacturing the same. The originally deposited alloy capping layer element within the interconnect features will diffuse into and segregate onto top surface of the metal interconnect. The metal alloy capping material is deposited on a reflowed copper surface and is not physically in contact with sidewalls of the interconnect features. Thus, there is a reduction in electrical resistivity impact from residual alloy elements in the interconnect structure. That is, there is a reduction, of alloy elements inside the features of the metal interconnect structure. The metal interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer with a recessed line, a liner material on sidewalls, a copper material, an alloy cap, and a capping layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming an integrated circuit structure utilizing a selectively formed and at least partially oxidized metal cap over a gate, and associated structures. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a precursor structure including a transistor having a metal gate; forming an etch stop layer over an exposed portion of the metal gate; at least partially oxidizing the etch stop layer; and forming a dielectric layer over the at least partially oxidized etch stop layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip including a substrate; a dielectric layer over the substrate; a gate within the dielectric layer, the gate including a sidewall; a contact contacting a portion of the gate and a portion of the sidewall; and a sealed air gap between the sidewall, the dielectric layer and the contact.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to MOSFET semiconductor structures exhibiting a reduced parasitic capacitance, as well as methods of making the MOSFET semiconductor structures. The MOSFET semiconductor structures of the instant disclosure comprise an air-gap interlayer dielectric material between the contacts to the source/drain and gate structures and gate stack structures. The air-gap interlayer dielectric material causes the MOSFET semiconductor structures of the instant disclosure to have a reduced parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A size-filtered metal interconnect structure allows formation of metal structures having different compositions. Trenches having different widths are formed in a dielectric material layer. A blocking material layer is conformally deposited to completely fill trenches having a width less than a threshold width. An isotropic etch is performed to remove the blocking material layer in wide trenches, i.e., trenches having a width greater than the threshold width, while narrow trenches, i.e., trenches having a width less than the threshold width, remain plugged with remaining portions of the blocking material layer. The wide trenches are filled and planarized with a first metal to form first metal structures having a width greater than the critical width. The remaining portions of the blocking material layer are removed to form cavities, which are filled with a second metal to form second metal structures having a width less than the critical width.

Abstract: A finFET structure and method of manufacture such structure is provided with lowered Ceff and enhanced stress. The finFET structure includes a plurality of finFET structures and a stress material forming part of a gate stack and in a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of finFET structures.

Abstract: A hybrid interconnect structure containing copper regions that have different impurities levels within a same opening is provided. In one embodiment, the interconnect structure includes a patterned dielectric material having at least one opening located therein. A dual material liner is located at least on sidewalls of the patterned dielectric material within the at least one opening. The structure further includes a first copper region having a first impurity level located within a bottom region of the at least one opening and a second copper region having a second impurity level located within a top region of the at least one opening and atop the first copper region. In accordance with the present disclosure, the first impurity level of the first copper region is different from the second impurity level of the second copper region.