Abstract: Multilayer dielectric structures are provided with graded composition. For example, a multilayer dielectric structure includes a stack of dielectric films, wherein the dielectric films include at least a first SiCNO (silicon carbon nitride oxide) film and a second SiCNO film. The first SiCNO film has a first composition profile of C, N, and O atoms. The second SiCNO film has a second composition profile of C, N, and O atoms, which is different from the first composition profile of C, N, and O atoms. The composition profiles of C, N and/or O atoms of the constituent dielectric films of the multilayer dielectric structure are customized to enhance or otherwise optimize one or more electrical and/or physical properties of the multilayer dielectric structure.

Abstract: Low capacitance and high reliability interconnect structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a copper based interconnect structure in an opening of a dielectric material. The method further includes forming a capping layer on the copper based interconnect structure. The method further includes oxidizing the capping layer and any residual material formed on a surface of the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on the capping layer by outdiffusing a material from the copper based interconnect structure to a surface of the capping layer. The method further includes removing the residual material, while the barrier layer on the surface of the capping layer protects the capping layer.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a semiconductor device and resulting structures having an air spacer between a gate and a contact by forming a gate on a substrate and over a channel region of a semiconductor fin. A contact is formed on a doped region of the substrate such that a space between the contact and the gate defines a trench. A first dielectric layer is formed over the gate and the contact such that the first dielectric layer partially fills the trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer such that an air spacer forms in the trench between the gate and the contact.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a semiconductor device and resulting structures having an air spacer between a gate and a contact by forming a gate on a substrate and over a channel region of a semiconductor fin. A contact is formed on a doped region of the substrate such that a space between the contact and the gate defines a trench. A first dielectric layer is formed over the gate and the contact such that the first dielectric layer partially fills the trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer such that an air spacer forms in the trench between the gate and the contact.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a semiconductor device and resulting structures having an air spacer between a gate and a contact by forming a gate on a substrate and over a channel region of a semiconductor fin. A contact is formed on a doped region of the substrate such that a space between the contact and the gate defines a trench. A first dielectric layer is formed over the gate and the contact such that the first dielectric layer partially fills the trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer such that an air spacer forms in the trench between the gate and the contact.

Abstract: Low capacitance and high reliability interconnect structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a copper based interconnect structure in an opening of a dielectric material. The method further includes forming a capping layer on the copper based interconnect structure. The method further includes oxidizing the capping layer and any residual material formed on a surface of the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on the capping layer by outdiffusing a material from the copper based interconnect structure to a surface of the capping layer. The method further includes removing the residual material, while the barrier layer on the surface of the capping layer protects the capping layer.

Abstract: Multilayer dielectric structures are provided with graded composition. For example, a multilayer dielectric structure includes a stack of dielectric films, wherein the dielectric films include at least a first SiCNO (silicon carbon nitride oxide) film and a second SiCNO film. The first SiCNO film has a first composition profile of C, N, and O atoms. The second SiCNO film has a second composition profile of C, N, and O atoms, which is different from the first composition profile of C, N, and O atoms. The composition profiles of C, N and/or O atoms of the constituent dielectric films of the multilayer dielectric structure are customized to enhance or otherwise optimize one or more electrical and/or physical properties of the multilayer dielectric structure.

Abstract: Low-temperature techniques for doping of Cu interconnects based on interfacially-assisted thermal diffusion are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming doped copper interconnects includes the steps of: patterning at least one trench in a dielectric material; forming a barrier layer lining the trench; forming a metal liner on the barrier layer; depositing a seed layer on the metal liner; plating a Cu fill into the trench to form Cu interconnects; removing a portion of a Cu overburden to access an interface between the metal liner and the Cu fill; depositing a dopant layer; and diffusing a dopant(s) from the dopant layer along the interface to form a Cu interconnect doping layer between the metal liner and the Cu fill. Alternatively, the overburden and the barrier layer/metal liner can be completely removed, and the dopant layer deposited selectively on the Cu fill. An interconnect structure is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal-containing structure such as a copper-containing wire or plug and a composite capping layer formed over the metal-containing structure. The composite capping layer includes a manganese-containing layer disposed over the metal-containing structure, a silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer disposed over the manganese-containing layer, and an intermediate layer between the manganese-containing layer and the silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer. The intermediate layer is the reaction product of the manganese-containing layer and the silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a semiconductor device and resulting structures having an air spacer between a gate and a contact by forming a gate on a substrate and over a channel region of a semiconductor fin. A contact is formed on a doped region of the substrate such that a space between the contact and the gate defines a trench. A first dielectric layer is formed over the gate and the contact such that the first dielectric layer partially fills the trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer such that an air spacer forms in the trench between the gate and the contact.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a semiconductor device and resulting structures having an air spacer between a gate and a contact by forming a gate on a substrate and over a channel region of a semiconductor fin. A contact is formed on a doped region of the substrate such that a space between the contact and the gate defines a trench. A first dielectric layer is formed over the gate and the contact such that the first dielectric layer partially fills the trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer such that an air spacer forms in the trench between the gate and the contact.

Abstract: A method for depositing a dielectric layer that includes introducing a substrate into a process chamber of a deposition tool; and heating the substrate to a process temperature. The method may further include introducing precursors that include at least one dielectric providing gas species for a deposited layer and at least one hydrogen precursor gas into the process chamber of the deposition tool. The hydrogen precursor gas is introduced to the deposition chamber at a flow rate ranging from 50 sccm to 5000 sccm. The molar ratio for Hydrogen/Silicon gas precursor can be equal or greater than 0.05.

Abstract: A method for depositing a dielectric layer that includes introducing a substrate into a process chamber of a deposition tool; and heating the substrate to a process temperature. The method may further include introducing precursors that include at least one dielectric providing gas species for a deposited layer and at least one hydrogen precursor gas into the process chamber of the deposition tool. The hydrogen precursor gas is introduced to the deposition chamber at a flow rate ranging from 50 sccm to 5000 sccm. The molar ratio for Hydrogen/Silicon gas precursor can be equal or greater than 0.05.

Abstract: Low-temperature techniques for doping of Cu interconnects based on interfacially-assisted thermal diffusion are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming doped copper interconnects includes the steps of: patterning at least one trench in a dielectric material; forming a barrier layer lining the trench; forming a metal liner on the barrier layer; depositing a seed layer on the metal liner; plating a Cu fill into the trench to form Cu interconnects; removing a portion of a Cu overburden to access an interface between the metal liner and the Cu fill; depositing a dopant layer; and diffusing a dopant(s) from the dopant layer along the interface to form a Cu interconnect doping layer between the metal liner and the Cu fill. Alternatively, the overburden and the barrier layer/metal liner can be completely removed, and the dopant layer deposited selectively on the Cu fill. An interconnect structure is also provided.

Abstract: A method for depositing a dielectric layer that includes introducing a substrate into a process chamber of a deposition tool; and heating the substrate to a process temperature. The method may further include introducing precursors that include at least one dielectric providing gas species for a deposited layer and at least one hydrogen precursor gas into the process chamber of the deposition tool. The hydrogen precursor gas is introduced to the deposition chamber at a flow rate ranging from 50 sccm to 5000 sccm. The molar ratio for Hydrogen/Silicon gas precursor can be equal or greater than 0.05.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes blocking a first region of a wafer and forming a plurality of fins in a second region of the wafer. A protective conformal mask layer is deposited over the plurality of fins in the second region, the second region is blocked, and a plurality of fins are formed in the first region of the wafer using a variety of wet and/or dry etching procedures. The protective conformal mask layer protects the plurality of fins in the second region from the variety of wet and/or dry etching procedures that are used to form the plurality of fins in the first region.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate including one or more conductors is provided. A first layer and a second layer are deposited on the top surface of the conductors. A dielectric cap layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate and air gaps are etched into the dielectric layer. The result is a bilayer cap air gap structure with effective electrical performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal-containing structure such as a copper-containing wire or plug and a composite capping layer formed over the metal-containing structure. The composite capping layer includes a manganese-containing layer disposed over the metal-containing structure, a silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer disposed over the manganese-containing layer, and an intermediate layer between the manganese-containing layer and the silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer. The intermediate layer is the reaction product of the manganese-containing layer and the silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: An electrical device including an opening in a low-k dielectric material, and a copper including structure present within the opening for transmitting electrical current. A liner is present between the opening and the copper including structure. The liner includes a superlattice structure comprised of a metal oxide layer, a metal layer present on the metal oxide layer, and a metal nitride layer that is present on the metal layer. A first layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the low-k dielectric material is one of said metal oxide layer and a final layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the copper including structure is one of the metal nitride layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal-containing structure such as a copper-containing wire or plug and a composite capping layer formed over the metal-containing structure. The composite capping layer includes a manganese-containing layer disposed over the metal-containing structure, a silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer disposed over the manganese-containing layer, and an intermediate layer between the manganese-containing layer and the silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer. The intermediate layer is the reaction product of the manganese-containing layer and the silicon-containing low-k dielectric layer.