Abstract: By moderately introducing defects into a highly conductive material, such as copper, the resistance versus temperature behavior may be significantly modified so that enhanced electromigration behavior and/or electrical performance may be obtained in metallization structures of advanced semiconductor devices. The defect-related portion of the resistance may be moderately increased so as to change the slope of the resistance versus temperature curve, thereby allowing the incorporation of impurity atoms for enhancing the electromigration endurance while not unduly increasing the overall resistance at the operating temperature or even reducing the corresponding resistance at the specified operating temperature. Thus, by appropriately designing the electrical resistance for a target operating temperature, both the electromigration behavior and the electrical performance may be enhanced.

Abstract: By introducing a metallic species into an exposed surface area of a copper region, the electromigration behavior of this surface area may be significantly enhanced. The incorporation of the metallic species may be accomplished in a highly selective manner so as to not unduly affect dielectric material positioned adjacent to the metal region, thereby essentially avoiding undue increase of leakage currents.

Abstract: By moderately introducing defects into a highly conductive material, such as copper, the resistance versus temperature behavior may be significantly modified so that enhanced electromigration behavior and/or electrical performance may be obtained in metallization structures of advanced semiconductor devices. The defect-related portion of the resistance may be moderately increased so as to change the slope of the resistance versus temperature curve, thereby allowing the incorporation of impurity atoms for enhancing the electromigration endurance while not unduly increasing the overall resistance at the operating temperature or even reducing the corresponding resistance at the specified operating temperature. Thus, by appropriately designing the electrical resistance for a target operating temperature, both the electromigration behavior and the electrical performance may be enhanced.

Abstract: By locally heating specific scan positions within a region of interest and automatically obtaining respective measurement data in a time-resolved and spatially-resolved fashion, dynamic processes within a metallization layer of semiconductor devices may be efficiently monitored and/or modified. For instance, OBIRCH and SEI techniques may be used in combination with the automated data recording and manipulation, thereby providing an efficient means for in situ failure analysis, defect identification, for any dynamic degradation processes in interconnects and interlayer dielectrics.

Abstract: By moderately introducing defects into a highly conductive material, such as copper, the resistance versus temperature behavior may be significantly modified so that enhanced electromigration behavior and/or electrical performance may be obtained in metallization structures of advanced semiconductor devices. The defect-related portion of the resistance may be moderately increased so as to change the slope of the resistance versus temperature curve, thereby allowing the incorporation of impurity atoms for enhancing the electromigration endurance while not unduly increasing the overall resistance at the operating temperature or even reducing the corresponding resistance at the specified operating temperature. Thus, by appropriately designing the electrical resistance for a target operating temperature, both the electromigration behavior and the electrical performance may be enhanced.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure comprises a feature comprising a first material and a layer of a second material formed over the feature. The semiconductor structure is exposed to an etchant. The etchant is adapted to selectively remove the first material, leaving the second material substantially intact. After exposing the semiconductor structure to the etchant, it is detected whether the feature has been affected by the etchant.

Abstract: By introducing a metallic species into an exposed surface area of a copper region, the electromigration behavior of this surface area may be significantly enhanced. The incorporation of the metallic species may be accomplished in a highly selective manner so as to not unduly affect dielectric material positioned adjacent to the metal region, thereby essentially avoiding undue increase of leakage currents.

Abstract: By providing dummy vias below electrically non-functional metal regions, the risk for metal delamination in subsequent processes may be significantly reduced. Moreover, in some embodiments, the mechanical strength of the resulting metallization layers may be even more enhanced by providing dummy metal regions, which may act as anchors for an overlying non-functional metal region. In addition, dummy vias may also be provided in combination with electrically functional metal lines and regions, thereby also enhancing the mechanical stability and the electrical performance thereof.

Abstract: By introducing a metallic species into an exposed surface area of a copper region, the electromigration behavior of this surface area may be significantly enhanced. The incorporation of the metallic species may be accomplished in a highly selective manner so as to not unduly affect dielectric material positioned adjacent to the metal region, thereby essentially avoiding undue increase of leakage currents.

Abstract: By moderately introducing defects into a highly conductive material, such as copper, the resistance versus temperature behavior may be significantly modified so that enhanced electromigration behavior and/or electrical performance may be obtained in metallization structures of advanced semiconductor devices. The defect-related portion of the resistance may be moderately increased so as to change the slope of the resistance versus temperature curve, thereby allowing the incorporation of impurity atoms for enhancing the electromigration endurance while not unduly increasing the overall resistance at the operating temperature or even reducing the corresponding resistance at the specified operating temperature. Thus, by appropriately designing the electrical resistance for a target operating temperature, both the electromigration behavior and the electrical performance may be enhanced.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure comprises a feature comprising a first material and a layer of a second material formed over the feature. The semiconductor structure is exposed to an etchant. The etchant is adapted to selectively remove the first material, leaving the second material substantially intact. After exposing the semiconductor structure to the etchant, it is detected whether the feature has been affected by the etchant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for estimating critical dimensions of highly scaled circuit features on the basis of scanning electron microscopy, wherein area fractions of a scan area are determined. Preferably, the SEM is operated with high electron beam energies to enhance the overall resolution and to reduce edge effects and image artifacts. Thus, fast and statistically significant measurement results may be obtained, thereby allowing enhanced process control.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a stress sensitive element. A property of the stress sensitive element is representative of a stress in the semiconductor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure may comprise an electrical element. The stress sensitive element and the electrical element comprise portions of a common layer structure. Analyzers may be adapted to determine a property of the stress sensitive element being representative of a stress in the semiconductor structure and a property of the electrical element. The property of the stress sensitive element may be determined and the manufacturing process may be modified based on the determined property of the stress sensitive element. The property of the electrical element may be related to the property of the stress sensitive element in order to investigate an influence of stress on the electrical element.

Abstract: By providing dummy vias below electrically non-functional metal regions, the risk for metal delamination in subsequent processes may be significantly reduced. Moreover, in some embodiments, the mechanical strength of the resulting metallization layers may be even more enhanced by providing dummy metal regions, which may act as anchors for an overlying non-functional metal region. In addition, dummy vias may also be provided in combination with electrically functional metal lines and regions, thereby also enhancing the mechanical stability and the electrical performance thereof.

Abstract: By locally heating specific scan positions within a region of interest and automatically obtaining respective measurement data in a time-resolved and spatially-resolved fashion, dynamic processes within a metallization layer of semiconductor devices may be efficiently monitored and/or modified. For instance, OBIRCH and SEI techniques may be used in combination with the automated data recording and manipulation, thereby providing an efficient means for in situ failure analysis, defect identification, for any dynamic degradation processes in interconnects and interlayer dielectrics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for estimating critical dimensions of highly scaled circuit features on the basis of scanning electron microscopy, wherein area fractions of a scan area are determined. Preferably, the SEM is operated with high electron beam energies to enhance the overall resolution and to reduce edge effects and image artifacts. Thus, fast and statistically significant measurement results may be obtained, thereby allowing enhanced process control.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a stress sensitive element. A property of the stress sensitive element is representative of a stress in the semiconductor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure may comprise an electrical element. The stress sensitive element and the electrical element comprise portions of a common layer structure. Analyzers may be adapted to determine a property of the stress sensitive element being representative of a stress in the semiconductor structure and a property of the electrical element. The property of the stress sensitive element may be determined and the manufacturing process may be modified based on the determined property of the stress sensitive element. The property of the electrical element may be related to the property of the stress sensitive element in order to investigate an influence of stress on the electrical element.

Abstract: By preparing fully-embedded interconnect structure samples for a cross-section analysis by means of electron microscopy or x-ray microscopy, degradation mechanisms may be efficiently monitored. Moreover, displaying some of the measurement results as a quick motion representation enables the detection of subtle changes of characteristics of an interconnect structure in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: By preparing fully-embedded interconnect structure samples for a cross-section analysis by means of electron microscopy or x-ray microscopy, degradation mechanisms may be efficiently monitored. Moreover, displaying some of the measurement results as a quick motion representation enables the detection of subtle changes of characteristics of an interconnect structure in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: For determining the quality of interconnections in integrated circuits, especially in damascene applications, a method of monitoring voids is disclosed, wherein a barrier metal layer is directly deposited on a planarized metal to provide a large-area surface that is not required to be destroyed for further analysis of the interface between the metal and the barrier metal layer. The analysis may be carried out by employing an electron microscope operated in a back-scatter mode.