Abstract: Methods and systems for watermarking a circuit design include defining a watermarked cell library that includes cells, each of which defines a design structure that corresponds to a manufacturable physical structure, at least one of which being a watermarked call that includes a watermark. The watermark is encoded using a design structure that extends beyond a respective cell boundary. A first circuit design file is generated for a device to be manufactured. The first circuit design file including at least one watermarked cell. The first circuit design file is sent to a manufacturer for fabrication of a corresponding device that includes a watermark structure that encodes an identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a first source region and a first drain region forming a first L-shaped layout. Embodiments include a second source region and a second drain region forming a second L-shaped layout, the first L-shaped layout and the second L-shaped layout being interrupted by a gate.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first nanosheet stack and a second nanosheet stack on a semiconductor substrate. The first nanosheet stack includes a plurality of alternating first sacrificial layers and first channel layers. The first sacrificial layers each define a first sacrificial height. The second nanosheet stack includes a plurality of alternating second sacrificial layers and second channel layers. The second sacrificial layers each define a second sacrificial height greater than the first sacrificial height of the first sacrificial layers. The method further includes removing the first and second sacrificial layers respectively from the first and second nanosheet stacks. A metal gate is deposited over the first and second nanosheet stacks to form respective first and second nanosheet transistor structures.

Abstract: A method can include obtaining characteristic data for a wafer. The characteristic data can correspond to the wafer in a processed state and can include a set of stress values of the wafer. The wafer can include a front side, a back side opposite the front side, and a set of regions. The set of stress values can include a first stress value corresponding to a first region. In the processed state, one or more front-side processes can be completed on the front side of the wafer. The method can include determining that the first stress value exceeds a stress threshold and generating a compensation map. The compensation map can identify one or more regions for forming one or more trenches. The method can include initiating, based on the compensation map, a formation of a first trench on the back side of the wafer in the first region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for fabricating a semiconductor device and the resulting structure. A first field-effect transistor (FET) having a first source/drain region is formed. A second FET having a second source/drain region is formed, where the second FET is stacked above the first FET. A trench extending from above the second source/drain region to beneath the first source/drain region is formed, where the trench passes through portions of (i) the first source/drain region and (ii) the second source/drain region. A bottom contact is formed in the trench. A dielectric layer is formed in the trench, the dielectric layer on a top surface of the bottom contact. A top contact is formed in the trench, the top contact on a top surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Interconnect structures including signal lines, power lines and ground lines are configured for improvements in routing and scaling. Vertical stacking of the relatively wide power and ground lines allows for additional signal tracks in the same footprint of a standard cell or other electronic device. Alternatively, vertical stacking of the signal lines allows an increased number of signal tracks. Such interconnect structures are formed during back-end-of-line processing using subtractive or damascene interconnect integration techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for watermarking a circuit design include defining a watermarked cell library that includes cells, each of which defines a design structure that corresponds to a manufacturable physical structure, at least one of which being a watermarked call that includes a watermark. The watermark is encoded using a design structure that extends beyond a respective cell boundary. A first circuit design file is generated for a device to be manufactured. The first circuit design file including at least one watermarked cell. The first circuit design file is sent to a manufacturer for fabrication of a corresponding device that includes a watermark structure that encodes an identifier.

Abstract: Epitaxially grow first lower source-drain regions within a substrate. Portions of the substrate adjacent the lower regions are doped to form second lower source-drain regions. An undoped silicon layer is formed over the first and second lower regions. Etch completely through the undoped layer into the first and second lower regions to form fins and to define bottom junctions beneath the fins. The fins and bottom junctions define intermediate cavities. Form lower spacers, gates, and upper spacers in the cavities; form top junctions on outer surfaces of the fins; and form epitaxially grown first upper source-drain regions outward of the upper spacers and opposite the first lower regions. The first upper regions are doped the same as the first lower regions. Form second upper source-drain regions outward of the upper spacers and opposite the second lower regions; these are doped the same as the second lower regions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first line pattern within sacrificial mandrel material disposed on at least one hard mask layer disposed on a substrate. The first line pattern has a pitch defined by a target line width and a minimum width of space between lines. The method further includes forming, within the first line pattern, a first spacer having a width corresponding to the minimum width of space between lines to minimize pinch points and a first gap having the target line width, and forming a first plug within the first gap corresponding to a first location above the at least one hard mask layer to block pattern transfer into the at least one hard mask layer.

Abstract: Epitaxially grow first lower source-drain regions within a substrate. Portions of the substrate adjacent the lower regions are doped to form second lower source-drain regions. An undoped silicon layer is formed over the first and second lower regions. Etch completely through the undoped layer into the first and second lower regions to form fins and to define bottom junctions beneath the fins. The fins and bottom junctions define intermediate cavities. Form lower spacers, gates, and upper spacers in the cavities; form top junctions on outer surfaces of the fins; and form epitaxially grown first upper source-drain regions outward of the upper spacers and opposite the first lower regions. The first upper regions are doped the same as the first lower regions. Form second upper source-drain regions outward of the upper spacers and opposite the second lower regions; these are doped the same as the second lower regions.

Abstract: A method can include obtaining characteristic data for a wafer. The characteristic data can correspond to the wafer in a processed state and can include a set of stress values of the wafer. The wafer can include a front side, a back side opposite the front side, and a set of regions. The set of stress values can include a first stress value corresponding to a first region. In the processed state, one or more front-side processes can be completed on the front side of the wafer. The method can include determining that the first stress value exceeds a stress threshold and generating a compensation map. The compensation map can identify one or more regions for forming one or more trenches. The method can include initiating, based on the compensation map, a formation of a first trench on the back side of the wafer in the first region.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a nanosheet stack including alternating layers of a sacrificial material and a channel material over a substrate, the layers of channel material providing nanosheet channels for one or more nanosheet field-effect transistors. The method also includes forming a hard mask stack over the nanosheet stack, and forming a patterning layer over the hard mask stack. The method further includes patterning a lithographic mask over the patterning layer, the lithographic mask defining (i) one or more first regions for direct printing of one or more fins of a first width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate and (ii) one or more second regions for setting the spacing between two or more fins of a second width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate using self-aligned double patterning. The second width is less than the first width.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first nanosheet stack and a second nanosheet stack on a semiconductor substrate. The first nanosheet stack includes a plurality of alternating first sacrificial layers and first channel layers. The first sacrificial layers each define a first sacrificial height. The second nanosheet stack includes a plurality of alternating second sacrificial layers and second channel layers. The second sacrificial layers each define a second sacrificial height greater than the first sacrificial height of the first sacrificial layers. The method further includes removing the first and second sacrificial layers respectively from the first and second nanosheet stacks. A metal gate is deposited over the first and second nanosheet stacks to form respective first and second nanosheet transistor structures.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a nanosheet stack including alternating layers of a sacrificial material and a channel material over a substrate, the layers of channel material providing nanosheet channels for one or more nanosheet field-effect transistors. The method also includes forming a hard mask stack over the nanosheet stack, and forming a patterning layer over the hard mask stack. The method further includes patterning a lithographic mask over the patterning layer, the lithographic mask defining (i) one or more first regions for direct printing of one or more fins of a first width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate and (ii) one or more second regions for setting the spacing between two or more fins of a second width in the nanosheet stack and the substrate using self-aligned double patterning. The second width is less than the first width.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first nanosheet stack and a second nanosheet stack on a semiconductor substrate. The first nanosheet stack includes a plurality of alternating first sacrificial layers and first channel layers. The first sacrificial layers each define a first sacrificial height. The second nanosheet stack includes a plurality of alternating second sacrificial layers and second channel layers. The second sacrificial layers each define a second sacrificial height greater than the first sacrificial height of the first sacrificial layers. The method further includes removing the first and second sacrificial layers respectively from the first and second nanosheet stacks. A metal gate is deposited over the first and second nanosheet stacks to form respective first and second nanosheet transistor structures.

Abstract: Epitaxially grow first lower source-drain regions within a substrate. Portions of the substrate adjacent the lower regions are doped to form second lower source-drain regions. An undoped silicon layer is formed over the first and second lower regions. Etch completely through the undoped layer into the first and second lower regions to form fins and to define bottom junctions beneath the fins. The fins and bottom junctions define intermediate cavities. Form lower spacers, gates, and upper spacers in the cavities; form top junctions on outer surfaces of the fins; and form epitaxially grown first upper source-drain regions outward of the upper spacers and opposite the first lower regions. The first upper regions are doped the same as the first lower regions. Form second upper source-drain regions outward of the upper spacers and opposite the second lower regions; these are doped the same as the second lower regions.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a hard mask layer on the dielectric layer, forming a sacrificial mandrel layer on the hard mask layer, depositing a sacrificial fill material in an opening in the sacrificial mandrel layer and utilizing the sacrificial fill material to selectively pattern the hard mask layer. The pattern defining first and second spaced openings in the hard mask layer. The method further includes etching the dielectric layer through the first and second openings in the hard mask layer to create first and second trenches in the dielectric layer separated by a dielectric segment of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A multilayered integrated circuit includes a first layer with a first conductive element overlaying a substrate, a second layer with a second conductive element overlaying the first layer, an intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer, and a via structure. The via structure is partially embedded within the intermediate layer and is communicatively coupled to the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The via structure extends from the first conductive element and has a first end with a first end width and a second end with a second end width. The second end is further from the substrate than the first end and the first end width is greater than the second end width such that the via structure tapers between the first end and the second end of the via structure.

Abstract: Power distribution fabrics and methods of forming the same include forming a first layer of parallel conductive lines, having a first width. At least one additional layer of conductive lines is formed over the first layer of conductive lines, with the conductive lines of each successive layer in the at least one additional layer having a different orientation and a different width relative to the conductive lines of the preceding layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and apparatus for making a multi-layer device comprising a conductive layer, a dielectric layer formed on top of conductive layer, a via pattern formed in the dielectric layer, wherein the via pattern is comprised of a plurality of channels and columns, wherein a first portion of the via pattern downwards extends through the entire dielectric layer to directly contact the conductive layer, wherein a second portion of the via pattern extends downwards without coming into direct contact with the conductive layer.