Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a thin film resistor structure that includes a resistive element electrically connecting first conductor layers of adjacent interconnect structures. The resistive element is covered by a dielectric cap layer that acts as a stabilizer and heat sink for the resistive element. Each interconnect includes a second conductor layer over the first conductive layer. The thin film resistor includes a chromium silicon resistive element covered by a silicon nitride cap layer.

Abstract: A trimmable resistor for use in an integrated circuit is trimmed using a heater. The heater is selectively coupled to a voltage source. The application of voltage to the heater causes the heater temperature to increase and produce heat. The heat permeates through a thermal separator to the trimmable resistor. The resistance of the trimmable resistor is permanently increased or decreased when the temperature of the resistor is increased to a value within a particular range of temperatures.

Abstract: A hybrid ionized physical vapor deposition technique to form liner films for vias, trenches, and other structures of integrated circuits. The techniques involves depositing liner materials within a via, hole, trench, or other structure in a neutral state, using, for example, physical vapor deposition. The liner materials deposited in this step have an ionization ratio of less than ten percent, and no bias potential is applied to an underlying substrate. The technique also involves depositing liner materials in ionized form in the same via using ionized physical vapor deposition. The liner materials deposited in this step have an ionization ratio far more than ten percent, and an optional bias potential may be applied to the underlying substrate. After liner film is formed, any other suitable actions or processing steps may take place including building additional metallization and dielectric layers and vias or trenches to produce a multi-level interconnect system.