Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer, a conductive feature, a conductive layer, a capping layer, a support layer and an etch stop layer. The conductive feature is disposed in the dielectric layer. A first portion of the conductive layer is disposed over the first conductive feature, and a second portion of the conductive layer is disposed over the dielectric layer. A first portion of the capping layer is in contact with the first portion of the conductive layer, a second portion of the capping layer is in contact with the second portion of the conductive layer, and a third portion of the capping layer is in contact with the dielectric layer. An air gap is defined by the support layer and the capping layer. The etch stop layer is disposed over the second portion of the conductive layer, the second portion of the capping layer and the support layer.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a barrier-free interconnect layer includes patterning a metal layer disposed over a substrate to form a patterned metal layer including one or more trenches. In some embodiments, the method further includes selectively depositing a barrier layer on metal surfaces of the patterned metal layer within the one or more trenches. In some examples, and after selectively depositing the barrier layer, a dielectric layer is deposited within the one or more trenches. Thereafter, the selectively deposited barrier layer may be removed to form air gaps between the patterned metal layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device package, along with methods of forming such, are described. The semiconductor device package includes a first semiconductor device structure having a first substrate, two first devices disposed on the first substrate, a first interconnection structure disposed over the first substrate and the two first devices, and a first thermal feature disposed through the first substrate and the first interconnection structure. The semiconductor device package further includes a second semiconductor device structure disposed over the first semiconductor device structure having a second interconnection structure disposed over the first interconnection structure, a second substrate disposed over the second interconnection structure, two second devices disposed between the second substrate and the second interconnection structure, and a second thermal feature disposed through the second substrate and the second interconnection structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip may comprise a first metal line disposed over a substrate. A via may be disposed directly over a top of the first metal line and the via may comprise a first lower surface and a second lower surface above the first lower surface. A first dielectric structure may be disposed laterally adjacent to the first metal line and may be disposed along a sidewall of the first metal line. A first protective etch-stop structure may be disposed directly over a top of the first dielectric structure and the first protective etch-stop structure may vertically separate the second lower surface of the via from the top of the first dielectric structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for forming an integrated chip, the method includes forming a first conductive wire and a second conductive wire over a substrate. A dielectric structure is formed laterally between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire. The dielectric structure comprises a first dielectric liner, a dielectric layer disposed between opposing sidewalls of the first dielectric liner, and a void between an upper surface of the first dielectric liner and a lower surface of the dielectric layer. A dielectric capping layer is formed along an upper surface of the dielectric structure. Sidewalls of the dielectric capping layer are aligned with sidewalls of the dielectric structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-aligned via is presented. In one embodiment, an inhibitor layer is selectively deposited on the lower conductive region. In one embodiment, a dielectric is selectively deposited on the lower conductive region. In one embodiment, the deposited dielectric may be selectively etched. In one embodiment, an inhibitor is selectively deposited on the lower dielectric region. In one embodiment, a dielectric is selectively deposited on the lower dielectric region. In one embodiment, the deposited dielectric over the lower conductive region has a different etch rate than the deposited dielectric over the lower dielectric region which may lead to a via structure that is aligned with the lower conductive region.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, a hard mask layer, a conductive layer, and a capping layer. The first conductive feature is disposed in the dielectric layer. The hard mask layer is disposed on the first conductive feature. The conductive layer includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the conductive layer is disposed over at least a first portion of the hard mask layer, and the second portion of the conductive layer is disposed over the dielectric layer. The hard mask layer and the conductive layer are formed by different materials. The capping layer is disposed on the dielectric layer and the conductive layer.

Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate and an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a first conductive feature disposed within a first inter-level dielectric layer. A blocking layer is selectively formed on the first conductive feature without forming the blocking layer on the first inter-level dielectric layer. An alignment feature is selectively formed on the first inter-level dielectric layer without forming the alignment feature on the blocking layer. The blocking layer is removed from the first conductive feature, and a second inter-level dielectric layer is formed on the alignment feature and on the first conductive feature. The second inter-level dielectric layer is patterned to define a recess for a second conductive feature, and the second conductive feature is formed within the recess.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a conductive wire disposed within a first dielectric structure. An etch stop layer overlies the first dielectric structure. A dielectric capping layer is disposed between an upper surface of the conductive wire and the etch stop layer. An upper dielectric layer is disposed along sidewalls of the conductive wire and an upper surface of the etch stop layer. The upper dielectric layer contacts an upper surface of the dielectric capping layer and has a top surface vertically above the etch stop layer.

Abstract: An interconnection structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature disposed in the dielectric layer, and a conductive layer disposed over the dielectric layer. The conductive layer includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and the second portion of the conductive layer is disposed over the first conductive feature. The structure further includes a first barrier layer in contact with the first portion of the conductive layer, a second barrier layer in contact with the second portion of the conductive layer, and a support layer in contact with the first and second barrier layers. An air gap is located between the first and second barrier layers, and the dielectric layer and the support layer are exposed to the air gap.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a barrier-free interconnect layer includes patterning a metal layer disposed over a substrate to form a patterned metal layer including one or more trenches. In some embodiments, the method further includes selectively depositing a barrier layer on metal surfaces of the patterned metal layer within the one or more trenches. In some examples, and after selectively depositing the barrier layer, a dielectric layer is deposited within the one or more trenches. Thereafter, the selectively deposited barrier layer may be removed to form air gaps between the patterned metal layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer overlying a substrate. A conductive via is disposed within the ILD layer. A plurality of conductive wires overlie the ILD layer. The plurality of conductive wires includes a first conductive wire laterally offset a second conductive wire. A dielectric structure is disposed laterally between the first and second conductive wires. The dielectric structure includes a first dielectric liner, a dielectric layer, and an air-gap. The air-gap is disposed between an upper surface of the first dielectric liner and a lower surface of the dielectric layer. A dielectric capping layer is disposed along an upper surface of the dielectric structure. The dielectric capping layer continuously extends between opposing sidewalls of the dielectric structure and is laterally offset from the plurality of conductive wires.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip may comprise a first metal line disposed over a substrate. A via may be disposed directly over a top of the first metal line and the via may comprise a first lower surface and a second lower surface above the first lower surface. A first dielectric structure may be disposed laterally adjacent to the first metal line and may be disposed along a sidewall of the first metal line. A first protective etch-stop structure may be disposed directly over a top of the first dielectric structure and the first protective etch-stop structure may vertically separate the second lower surface of the via from the top of the first dielectric structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates an integrated chip. The integrated chip may include a first interconnect and a second interconnect disposed within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A lower etch stop structure is disposed on the first ILD layer and a third interconnect is disposed within a second ILD layer that is over the first ILD layer. The third interconnect extends through the lower etch stop structure to contact the first interconnect. An interconnect patterning layer is disposed on the second interconnect and laterally adjacent to the lower etch stop structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes an electrical interconnect structure, a thermal interconnect structure, and a thermal passivation layer over a substrate. The electrical interconnect structure includes interconnect vias and interconnect wires embedded within interconnect dielectric layers. The thermal interconnect structure is arranged beside the electrical interconnect structure and includes thermal vias, thermal wires, and/or thermal layers. Further, the thermal interconnect structure is embedded within the interconnect dielectric layers. The thermal passivation layer is arranged over a topmost one of the interconnect dielectric layers. The thermal interconnect structure has a higher thermal conductivity than the interconnect dielectric layers.

Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate and an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a first conductive feature disposed within a first inter-level dielectric layer. A blocking layer is selectively formed on the first conductive feature without forming the blocking layer on the first inter-level dielectric layer. An alignment feature is selectively formed on the first inter-level dielectric layer without forming the alignment feature on the blocking layer. The blocking layer is removed from the first conductive feature, and a second inter-level dielectric layer is formed on the alignment feature and on the first conductive feature. The second inter-level dielectric layer is patterned to define a recess for a second conductive feature, and the second conductive feature is formed within the recess.

Abstract: An interconnect structure is provided. The interconnect structure includes a first via in a first dielectric layer, a first metal line on and electrically connected to the first via, a first etching stop layer over the first dielectric layer, a second metal line over the first etching stop layer, and an encapsulating layer. The encapsulating layer includes a first vertical portion along a sidewall of the first metal line, a horizontal portion along an upper surface of the first etching stop layer, and a second vertical portion along a sidewall of the second metal line. The interconnect structure also includes a second dielectric layer nested within the encapsulating layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) structure overlying a substrate. A conductive contact directly overlies the substrate and is disposed within the first ILD structure. A conductive wire directly overlies the conductive contact. A conductive capping layer overlies the conductive wire such that the conductive capping layer continuously extends along an upper surface of the conductive wire. A second ILD structure overlies the conductive capping layer. The second ILD structure is disposed along opposing sides of the conductive wire. A pair of air-gaps are disposed within the second ILD structure. The conductive wire is spaced laterally between the pair of air-gaps. A dielectric capping layer is disposed along an upper surface of the conductive capping layer. The dielectric capping layer is spaced laterally between the pair of air-gaps and is laterally offset from an upper surface of the first ILD structure.

Abstract: An interconnect structure is provided. The interconnect structure includes a first metal line and a second metal line surrounded by a first dielectric layer, a dielectric block over a portion of the first dielectric layer between the first metal line and the second metal line, and a second dielectric layer over the dielectric block, the first metal line and the second metal line. A bottom surface of the second dielectric layer is lower than a top surface of the dielectric block. The interconnect structure also includes a first via surrounded by the second dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first metal line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, and a first dielectric layer positioned between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. An etch stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. A cap layer is over the first conductive feature, the second conductive feature, and the etch stop layer.