Abstract: A method includes depositing an etch stop layer over a first conductive feature, performing a first treatment to amorphize the etch stop layer, depositing a dielectric layer over the etch stop layer, etching the dielectric layer to form an opening, etching-through the etch stop layer to extend the opening into the etch stop layer, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a second conductive feature.

Abstract: A method for improving reliability of interconnect structures for semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes forming a contact structure on a transistor and forming a metallization layer on the contact structure. The forming the metallization layer includes depositing an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on the transistor, forming an opening within the IMD layer to expose a top surface of the contact structure, depositing a metallic layer to fill the opening, forming an electron barrier layer within the IMD layer, and forming a capping layer within the metallic layer. The electron barrier layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the IMD layer underlying the electron barrier layer. The capping layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the metallic layer underlying the capping layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal layer, an insulating layer disposed above the metal layer, and a multi-layer diffusion barrier disposed on the metal layer between the metal layer and the insulating layer. The multi-layer diffusion barrier includes a first material layer including a metallic nitride and a second material layer including a metallic oxide.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and a method for handling contamination in the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus. The semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus can include a deposition apparatus and a processor. The deposition apparatus can include a chamber, a detection module configured to detect impurities in the chamber, and a gas scrubbing device configured to remove the impurities. The processor can be configured to receive, from the detection module, an impurity characteristic associated with the impurities; compare the impurity characteristic to a baseline characteristic; and instruct the gas scrubbing device to supply a decontamination gas in the chamber based on the comparison of the impurity characteristic to the baseline characteristic.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes comparing a thickness profile of a surface of a wafer with a reference value using a control unit. The method further includes transmitting a control signal to an adjustable nozzle based on the comparison of the thickness profile and the reference value. The method further includes rotating the adjustable nozzle about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable nozzle in response to the control signal.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, an adhesion enhancement layer is formed on a surface of the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer is formed on the adhesion enhancement layer.

Abstract: A method includes depositing an etch stop layer over a first conductive feature, performing a first treatment to amorphize the etch stop layer, depositing a dielectric layer over the etch stop layer, etching the dielectric layer to form an opening, etching-through the etch stop layer to extend the opening into the etch stop layer, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a second conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal layer, an insulating layer disposed above the metal layer, and a multi-layer diffusion barrier disposed on the metal layer between the metal layer and the insulating layer. The multi-layer diffusion barrier includes a first material layer including a metallic nitride and a second material layer including a metallic oxide.

Abstract: A method for improving reliability of interconnect structures for semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes forming a contact structure on a transistor and forming a metallization layer on the contact structure. The forming the metallization layer includes depositing an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on the transistor, forming an opening within the IMD layer to expose a top surface of the contact structure, depositing a metallic layer to fill the opening, forming an electron barrier layer within the IMD layer, and forming a capping layer within the metallic layer. The electron barrier layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the IMD layer underlying the electron barrier layer. The capping layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the metallic layer underlying the capping layer.

Abstract: A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP CVD) chamber includes a nozzle including a base having a hollow center portion for conducting gas; a tip coupled to the base and having an opening formed therein for conducting gas from the base to the exterior of the nozzle. The HDP CVD chamber further includes a baffle positioned in a top portion of the HDP CVD chamber, wherein the baffle is equipped with an adjustable baffle nozzle.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, an adhesion enhancement layer is formed on a surface of the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer is formed on the adhesion enhancement layer.

Abstract: A method includes depositing an etch stop layer over a first conductive feature, performing a first treatment to amorphize the etch stop layer, depositing a dielectric layer over the etch stop layer, etching the dielectric layer to form an opening, etching-through the etch stop layer to extend the opening into the etch stop layer, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a second conductive feature.

Abstract: A method for improving reliability of interconnect structures for semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes forming a contact structure on a transistor and forming a metallization layer on the contact structure. The forming the metallization layer includes depositing an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on the transistor, forming an opening within the IMD layer to expose a top surface of the contact structure, depositing a metallic layer to fill the opening, forming an electron barrier layer within the IMD layer, and forming a capping layer within the metallic layer. The electron barrier layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the IMD layer underlying the electron barrier layer. The capping layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the metallic layer underlying the capping layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal layer, an insulating layer disposed above the metal layer, and a multi-layer diffusion barrier disposed on the metal layer between the metal layer and the insulating layer. The multi-layer diffusion barrier includes a first material layer including a metallic nitride and a second material layer including a metallic oxide.

Abstract: An Equipment Front End Module (EFEM) having a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP) dock and a tool access port, includes a robotic wafer handling system configured to transfer silicon wafers between a FOUP coupled to the FOUP dock and a process tool positioned for access via the tool access port. An air curtain system inside the EFEM is positioned to produce an air curtain across the tool access port while the port is open, acting to isolate the interior of the EFEM from the tool environment, and prevent passage of airborne contaminants into the EFEM via the access port.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a gate dielectric layer is formed over a channel region, a first conductive layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer, a protective layer is formed at a surface region of the first conductive layer, a metallic layer is formed by applying a metal containing gas on the protective layer, and the metallic layer is removed by a wet etching operation using a solution. The protective layer is resistant to the solution of the wet etching operation.

Abstract: A method for improving reliability of interconnect structures for semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes forming a contact structure on a transistor and forming a metallization layer on the contact structure. The forming the metallization layer includes depositing an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on the transistor, forming an opening within the IMD layer to expose a top surface of the contact structure, depositing a metallic layer to fill the opening, forming an electron barrier layer within the IMD layer, and forming a capping layer within the metallic layer. The electron barrier layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the IMD layer underlying the electron barrier layer. The capping layer has a hole carrier concentration higher than a hole carrier concentration of a portion of the metallic layer underlying the capping layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a gate dielectric layer is formed over a channel region, a first conductive layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer, a protective layer is formed at a surface region of the first conductive layer, a metallic layer is formed by applying a metal containing gas on the protective layer, and the metallic layer is removed by a wet etching operation using a solution. The protective layer is resistant to the solution of the wet etching operation.

Abstract: A high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP CVD) chamber includes a nozzle including a base having a hollow center portion for conducting gas; a tip coupled to the base and having an opening formed therein for conducting gas from the base to the exterior of the nozzle. The HDP CVD chamber further includes a baffle positioned in a top portion of the HDP CVD chamber, wherein the baffle is equipped with an adjustable baffle nozzle.

Abstract: Aluminum-containing layers and systems and methods for forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, a method includes depositing an aluminum-containing layer on a substrate in a chamber by atomic layer deposition. The depositing further includes contacting the substrate with an aluminum-containing precursor in a first pulse having a first peak pulse flow rate and a first pulse width; contacting the substrate with a nitrogen-containing precursor; contacting the substrate with the aluminum-containing precursor in a second pulse having a second peak pulse flow rate and a second pulse width; and contacting the substrate with the nitrogen-containing precursor. The first peak pulse flow rate is greater than the second peak pulse flow rate. The first pulse width is smaller than the second pulse width.