Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a first metal layer over the semiconductor substrate. The first metal layer has a first minimum pitch. A second metal layer is over the first metal layer. The second metal layer has a second minimum pitch smaller than the first minimum pitch.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit comprises forming a gate of a transistor over a substrate. The method further comprises forming a connecting line over the substrate, the connecting line being coupled with an active area of the transistor. The method also comprises forming a dielectric layer surrounding the gate and the connecting line. The method additionally comprises forming an etch stop layer over the dielectric layer and covering a portion of a top surface of the connecting line. The method further comprises forming a via structure comprising a via in physical contact with a top surface of the gate and another portion of the top surface of the connecting line. The method also comprises forming a metallic line structure being coupled with the via structure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a first metal layer over the semiconductor substrate. The first metal layer has a first minimum pitch. A second metal layer is over the first metal layer. The second metal layer has a second minimum pitch smaller than the first minimum pitch.

Abstract: Integrated circuit methods are described. The methods include providing a photomask that includes two main features for two via openings and further includes an optical proximity correction (OPC) feature linking the two main features; forming a hard mask layer on a substrate, the hard mask layer including two trench openings; forming a patterned resist layer over the hard mask layer using the photomask, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a peanut-shaped opening with two end portion aligned with the two trench openings of the hard mask layer, respectively; and performing a first etch process to the substrate using the hard mask layer and the patterned resist layer as a combined etch mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a first conductive material-containing layer. The first conductive material-containing layer comprises a dielectric material, at least two conductive structures in the dielectric material, and an air-gap region in the dielectric material between the at least two conductive structures. The semiconductor structure also comprises a capping layer over the at least two conductive structures and the air-gap region. The semiconductor structure further comprises a second conductive material-containing layer over the capping layer. The second conductive material-containing layer comprises a via plug electrically connected to one of the at least two conductive structures. The via plug is separated from the air-gap region by at least a first predetermined distance. The semiconductor structure additionally comprises a conductive pad over the second conductive material-containing layer. The conductive pad is offset from the air-gap region by at least a second predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure, the method includes removing a portion of a dielectric filler from a first metal-containing layer formed over a semiconductor substrate to define an air-gap region according to a predetermined air-gap pattern. The method further includes filling the air-gap region with a decomposable filler and forming a dielectric capping layer over the first metal-containing layer. The method further includes decomposing the decomposable filler.

Abstract: A method for optimizing mask assignment for multiple pattern processes includes, through a computing system, defining which of a number of vias to be formed between two metal layers are critical based on metal lines interacting with the vias, determining overlay control errors for an alignment tree that defines mask alignment for formation of the two metal layers and the vias, and setting both the alignment tree and mask assignment for the vias so as to maximize the placement of critical vias on masks that have less overlay control error to the masks forming the relevant metal lines.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a copper-containing layer in the dielectric layer, wherein the copper-containing layer has a first portion and a second portion. The method further includes forming a first barrier layer between the first portion of the copper-containing layer and the dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a second barrier layer at a boundary between the second portion of the copper-containing layer and the dielectric layer wherein the second barrier layer is adjacent to an exposed portion of the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer is a dielectric layer, and the second barrier layer is a metal oxide layer, and a boundary between a sidewall of the copper-containing layer and the first barrier layer is free of the second barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for optimizing mask assignment for multiple pattern processes includes, through a computing system, defining which of a number of vias to be formed between two metal layers are critical based on metal lines interacting with the vias, determining overlay control errors for an alignment tree that defines mask alignment for formation of the two metal layers and the vias, and setting both the alignment tree and mask assignment for the vias so as to maximize the placement of critical vias on masks that have less overlay control error to the masks forming the relevant metal lines.

Abstract: Integrated circuit methods are described. The methods include providing a photomask that includes two main features for two via openings and further includes an optical proximity correction (OPC) feature linking the two main features; forming a hard mask layer on a substrate, the hard mask layer including two trench openings; forming a patterned resist layer over the hard mask layer using the photomask, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a peanut-shaped opening with two end portion aligned with the two trench openings of the hard mask layer, respectively; and performing a first etch process to the substrate using the hard mask layer and the patterned resist layer as a combined etch mask.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit comprises forming a gate of a transistor over a substrate. The method further comprises forming a connecting line over the substrate, the connecting line being coupled with an active area of the transistor. The method also comprises forming a dielectric layer surrounding the gate and the connecting line. The method additionally comprises forming an etch stop layer over the dielectric layer and covering a portion of a top surface of the connecting line. The method further comprises forming a via structure comprising a via in physical contact with a top surface of the gate and another portion of the top surface of the connecting line. The method also comprises forming a metallic line structure being coupled with the via structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece and a plurality of first conductive lines disposed over the workpiece in a metallization layer. A plurality of second conductive lines is disposed over the workpiece in the metallization layer. The plurality of second conductive lines comprises a greater vertical height in a cross-sectional view of the workpiece than a vertical height of the plurality of first conductive lines.

Abstract: Integrated circuit methods are described. The methods include providing a photomask that includes two main features for two via openings and further includes an optical proximity correction (OPC) feature linking the two main features; forming a hard mask layer on a substrate, the hard mask layer including two trench openings; forming a patterned resist layer over the hard mask layer using the photomask, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a peanut-shaped opening with two end portion aligned with the two trench openings of the hard mask layer, respectively; and performing a first etch process to the substrate using the hard mask layer and the patterned resist layer as a combined etch mask.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a copper-containing layer in the dielectric layer, wherein the copper-containing layer has a first portion and a second portion. The method further includes forming a first barrier layer between the first portion of the copper-containing layer and the dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a second barrier layer at a boundary between the second portion of the copper-containing layer and the dielectric layer wherein the second barrier layer is adjacent to an exposed portion of the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer is a dielectric layer, and the second barrier layer is a metal oxide layer, and a boundary between a sidewall of the copper-containing layer and the first barrier layer is free of the second barrier layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gate of a transistor disposed over a substrate. A connecting line is disposed over the substrate. The connecting line is coupled with an active area of the transistor. A level difference between a top surface of the connecting line and a top surface of the gate is about 400 ? or less. A via structure is coupled with the gate and the connecting line. A metallic line structure is coupled with the via structure.

Abstract: A copper interconnect includes a copper layer formed in a dielectric layer, having a first portion and a second portion. A first barrier layer is formed between the first portion of the copper layer and the dielectric layer. A second barrier layer is formed at the boundary between the second portion of the copper layer and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer is a dielectric layer, and the second barrier layer is a metal oxide layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece and a plurality of first conductive lines disposed over the workpiece in a metallization layer. A plurality of second conductive lines is disposed over the workpiece in the metallization layer. The plurality of second conductive lines comprises a greater vertical height in a cross-sectional view of the workpiece than a vertical height of the plurality of first conductive lines.

Abstract: Integrated circuit methods are described. The methods include providing a photomask that includes two main features for two via openings and further includes an optical proximity correction (OPC) feature linking the two main features; forming a hard mask layer on a substrate, the hard mask layer including two trench openings; forming a patterned resist layer over the hard mask layer using the photomask, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a peanut-shaped opening with two end portion aligned with the two trench openings of the hard mask layer, respectively; and performing a first etch process to the substrate using the hard mask layer and the patterned resist layer as a combined etch mask.

Abstract: In order to protect IMD layers, particularly low-k dielectrics, a protection film is formed on the sidewall of an opening in the IMD layers prior to etching a trench in the underlying silicon substrate. After etching the trench, such as through a TMAH wet etch, at least part of the protection film can be removed. The protection film can be removed in an anisotropic etch process such that a portion of the protection film remains as a sidewall spacer on the sidewall of the opening within the IMD layers.

Abstract: An interconnect structure including a bottom layer over a substrate, where the bottom layer includes at least one bottom layer line and at least one bottom layer via. The interconnect structure further includes a transition layer over the bottom layer, where the transition layer includes at least one transition layer line and at least one transition layer via. The interconnect structure further includes a top layer over the transition layer, where the top layer includes at least one top layer line and at least one top layer via. The at least one transition layer via has a cross sectional area at least 30% less than a cross sectional area of the at least one top layer via.