Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing are provided. In some embodiments the method includes depositing an etch stop layer over a first hard mask material, the first hard mask material over a gate stack, depositing an interlayer dielectric over the etch stop layer, forming a first opening through the interlayer dielectric, the etch stop layer, and the first hard mask material, the first opening exposing a conductive portion of the gate stack, and treating sidewalls of the first opening with a first dopant to form a first treated region within the interlayer dielectric, a second treated region within the etch stop layer, a third treated region within the first hard mask material, and a fourth treated region within the conductive portion, wherein after the treating the fourth treated region has a higher concentration of the first dopant than the first treated region.

Abstract: A barrier layer is formed in a portion of a thickness of sidewalls in a recess prior to formation of an interconnect structure in the recess. The barrier layer is formed in the portion of the thickness of the sidewalls by a plasma-based deposition operation, in which a precursor reacts with a silicon-rich surface to form the barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed in the portion of the thickness of the sidewalls in that the precursor consumes a portion of the silicon-rich surface of the sidewalls as a result of the plasma treatment. This enables the barrier layer to be formed in a manner in which the cross-sectional width reduction in the recess from the barrier layer is minimized while enabling the barrier layer to be used to promote adhesion in the recess.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of forming a semiconductor structure are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. An epitaxial source/drain region is formed adjacent to the gate structure. A dielectric layer is formed over the epitaxial source/drain region. An opening is formed, the opening extending through the dielectric layer and exposing the epitaxial source/drain region. Sidewalls of the opening are defined by the dielectric layer and a bottom of the opening is defined by the epitaxial source/drain region. A silicide layer is formed on the epitaxial source/drain region. A metal capping layer including tungsten, molybdenum, or a combination thereof is selectively formed on the silicide layer by a first deposition process. The opening is filled with a first conductive material in a bottom-up manner from the metal capping layer by a second deposition process different from the first deposition process.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes following operations. A substrate is provided with a gate stack thereon, an epitaxial layer therein, and a dielectric layer aside the gate stack and over the epitaxial layer. An opening is formed through the dielectric layer, and the opening exposes the epitaxial layer. A metal silicon-germanide layer is formed on the epitaxial layer, wherein the metal silicon-germanide layer includes a metal having a melting point of about 1700° C. or higher. A connector is formed over the metal silicon-germanide layer in the opening.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive feature in a first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a trench that penetrates through the second dielectric layer, and terminates at the conductive feature; forming a contact layer in the trench and on the conductive feature; etching back the contact layer to form a first via contact feature in the trench, the first via contact feature being electrically connected to the conductive feature; and forming a second via contact feature on the first via contact feature in the trench.

Abstract: Techniques described herein include performing a first anneal operation on a first portion of the interconnect, filling the remaining portion of the interconnect, and then performing a second anneal operation on the interconnect. The two-step anneal techniques described herein enable the removal of defects in an interconnect structure, particularly for high aspect ratio interconnect structures. Accordingly, the two-step anneal techniques described herein may be used to fabricate defect free or near defect free interconnect structures in a semiconductor device. This reduces contact resistance for the interconnect structures, reduces premature device failure for the semiconductor device, increases manufacturing yield, and increases tolerance of the interconnect structures to subsequent processing operations, among other examples.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing are provided. In some embodiments the method includes depositing an etch stop layer over a first hard mask material, the first hard mask material over a gate stack, depositing an interlayer dielectric over the etch stop layer, forming a first opening through the interlayer dielectric, the etch stop layer, and the first hard mask material, the first opening exposing a conductive portion of the gate stack, and treating sidewalls of the first opening with a first dopant to form a first treated region within the interlayer dielectric, a second treated region within the etch stop layer, a third treated region within the first hard mask material, and a fourth treated region within the conductive portion, wherein after the treating the fourth treated region has a higher concentration of the first dopant than the first treated region.

Abstract: A barrier layer is formed in a portion of a thickness of sidewalls in a recess prior to formation of an interconnect structure in the recess. The barrier layer is formed in the portion of the thickness of the sidewalls by a plasma-based deposition operation, in which a precursor reacts with a silicon-rich surface to form the barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed in the portion of the thickness of the sidewalls in that the precursor consumes a portion of the silicon-rich surface of the sidewalls as a result of the plasma treatment. This enables the barrier layer to be formed in a manner in which the cross-sectional width reduction in the recess from the barrier layer is minimized while enabling the barrier layer to be used to promote adhesion in the recess.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a semiconductor fin, a dielectric layer on the gate structure, and a gate contact extending through the dielectric layer to the gate structure. The gate contact includes a first conductive material on the gate structure, a top surface of the first conductive material extending between sidewalls of the dielectric layer, and a second conductive material on the top surface of the first conductive material.