Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first cap layer over a metal layer. The method also includes patterning the metal layer and the first cap layer to form openings exposing the gate structure, and forming a first dielectric layer in the openings, and patterning the first cap layer to form a via cap plug over the metal layer. The method also includes forming a second dielectric layer over the via cap plug and the metal layer, and forming a trench in the second dielectric material to expose the via cap plug. The method also includes removing the via cap plug to enlarge the trench and filling the trench with a conductive material.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods of forming the same are provided. An interconnect structure according to the present disclosure includes a conductive line feature over a substrate, a conductive etch stop layer over the conductive line feature, a contact via over the conductive etch stop layer, and a barrier layer disposed along a sidewall of the conductive line feature, a sidewall of the conductive etch stop layer, and a sidewall of the contact via.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a first spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The plurality of lines is removed, thereby providing a patterned first spacer layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the substrate, over the patterned first spacer layer, and onto sidewalls of the patterned first spacer layer, and forming a patterned material layer over the second spacer layer with a second mask. Whereby, the patterned material layer and the second spacer layer collectively define a plurality of trenches.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a first spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The plurality of lines is removed, thereby providing a patterned first spacer layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the substrate, over the patterned first spacer layer, and onto sidewalls of the patterned first spacer layer, and forming a patterned material layer over the second spacer layer with a second mask. Whereby, the patterned material layer and the second spacer layer collectively define a plurality of trenches.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A substrate having a dielectric layer over it is provided. A block co-polymer (BCP) layer is deposited over the dielectric layer. The BCP layer is then annealed to form a first polymer nanostructures surrounded by a second polymer nanostructures over the dielectric layer. The second polymer nanostructure is selectively etched using the first polymer nanostructure as an etch mask to form a nano-block. The dielectric layer is selectively etched using the nano-block as an etch mask to form a nano-trench. The nano-trenched is sealed to form a nano-air-gap.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A first layer is deposited over a substrate. A plurality of mandrels is formed over the first layer. Guiding-spacers are formed along sidewalls of the mandrels. Then the mandrels are removed. A neutral layer (NL) and a block copolymer (BCP) layer are deposited over the first layer and the guiding-spacers. A anneal is applied to the BCP layer to form a first polymer nanostructure between the guiding-spacers and being surrounded by a second polymer nanostructure. The first polymer nanostructures locate at a same distance from the first layer. Polymer nano-blocks are formed by selectively etching the second polymer nanostructure and the NL. By using the polymer nano-blocks and the guiding spacer as etch masks, the first layer is etched to form openings. The substrate is etched through the openings to form substrate trench and substrate fin.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a first spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The plurality of lines is removed, thereby providing a patterned first spacer layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the substrate, over the patterned first spacer layer, and onto sidewalls of the patterned first spacer layer, and forming a patterned material layer over the second spacer layer with a second mask. Whereby, the patterned material layer and the second spacer layer collectively define a plurality of trenches.

Abstract: A method includes forming a patterned mask layer over a conductive layer; forming a first dielectric layer over the patterned mask layer and the conductive layer; selectively etching the first dielectric layer, thereby exposing an upper surface of the patterned mask layer, wherein the upper surface of the first dielectric layer is lower than a top surface of the patterned mask layer; removing the patterned mask layer; and selectively etching the conductive layer to form a conductive feature having a tapered profile.

Abstract: A method includes forming a resist over a substrate, resulting in a layer of resist scum between the resist and the substrate. The method further includes forming trenches in the resist, wherein at least a portion of the layer of resist scum remains between the trenches and the substrate. The method further includes forming a first material layer in the trenches, wherein the first material layer has a higher etch resistance than the resist in an etching process. The method further includes performing the etching process to the first material layer, the resist, and the layer of resist scum, thereby forming a patterned first material layer over a patterned layer of resist scum over the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a first spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The plurality of lines is removed, thereby providing a patterned first spacer layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the substrate, over the patterned first spacer layer, and onto sidewalls of the patterned first spacer layer, and forming a patterned material layer over the second spacer layer with a second mask. Whereby, the patterned material layer and the second spacer layer collectively define a plurality of trenches.

Abstract: Provided is a method of patterning a substrate. The method includes forming a resist layer over the substrate, wherein a layer of resist scum forms in between a first portion of the resist layer and the substrate. The method further includes patterning the resist layer to form a plurality of trenches in the first portion, wherein the layer of resist scum provides a floor for the plurality of trenches. The method further includes forming a first material layer in the plurality of trenches, wherein the first material layer has a higher etch resistance than the resist layer and the layer of resist scum. The method further includes etching the first material layer, the resist layer, and the layer of resist scum, thereby forming a patterned first material layer over a patterned layer of resist scum over the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a method of patterning a substrate. The method includes forming a resist layer over the substrate, wherein a layer of resist scum forms in between a first portion of the resist layer and the substrate. The method further includes patterning the resist layer to form a plurality of trenches in the first portion, wherein the layer of resist scum provides a floor for the plurality of trenches. The method further includes forming a first material layer in the plurality of trenches, wherein the first material layer has a higher etch resistance than the resist layer and the layer of resist scum. The method further includes etching the first material layer, the resist layer, and the layer of resist scum, thereby forming a patterned first material layer over a patterned layer of resist scum over the substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A first layer is deposited over a substrate. A plurality of mandrels is formed over the first layer. Guiding-spacers are formed along sidewalls of the mandrels. Then the mandrels are removed. A neutral layer (NL) and a block copolymer (BCP) layer are deposited over the first layer and the guiding-spacers. A anneal is applied to the BCP layer to form a first polymer nanostructure between the guiding-spacers and being surrounded by a second polymer nanostructure. The first polymer nanostructures locate at a same distance from the first layer. Polymer nano-blocks are formed by selectively etching the second polymer nanostructure and the NL. By using the polymer nano-blocks and the guiding spacer as etch masks, the first layer is etched to form openings. The substrate is etched through the openings to form substrate trench and substrate fin.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a first spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The plurality of lines is removed, thereby providing a patterned first spacer layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the substrate, over the patterned first spacer layer, and onto sidewalls of the patterned first spacer layer, and forming a patterned material layer over the second spacer layer with a second mask. Whereby, the patterned material layer and the second spacer layer collectively define a plurality of trenches.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A substrate having a dielectric layer over it is provided. A block co-polymer (BCP) layer is deposited over the dielectric layer. The BCP layer is then annealed to form a first polymer nanostructures surrounded by a second polymer nanostructures over the dielectric layer. The second polymer nanostructure is selectively etched using the first polymer nanostructure as an etch mask to form a nano-block. The dielectric layer is selectively etched using the nano-block as an etch mask to form a nano-trench. The nano-trenched is sealed to form a nano-air-gap.

Abstract: A method of forming a target pattern includes forming a plurality of lines over a substrate with a first mask and forming a first spacer layer over the substrate, over the plurality of lines, and onto sidewalls of the plurality of lines. The plurality of lines is removed, thereby providing a patterned first spacer layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a second spacer layer over the substrate, over the patterned first spacer layer, and onto sidewalls of the patterned first spacer layer, and forming a patterned material layer over the second spacer layer with a second mask. Whereby, the patterned material layer and the second spacer layer collectively define a plurality of trenches.