Abstract: The invention provides a stacked wafer structure with decreased failures. In one embodiment, there is a barrier layer deposited on exposed surfaces of conductors that extend across a distance between first and second device structures. The barrier layer may prevent diffusion and electromigration of the conductor material, which may decrease incidences of shorts and voids in the stacked wafer structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided an interconnect cladding layer. In one embodiment, a first sacrificial layer is deposited over a substrate and patterned. In the vias created during the patterning operation, a conductive material is placed to create conductive interconnects. After planarizing the conductive material, the sacrificial layer is removed leaving the interconnect exposed. A cladding layer is then deposited over the conductive material.

Abstract: A method and structure for sealing porous dielectrics using silane coupling reagents is herein described. A sealant chain (silane coupling reagent) is formed from at least silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen and exposed to a porous dielectric material, wherein the sealant chain reacts with a second chain, that has at least oxygen and is present in the porous dielectric defining the pores, to form a continuous layer over the surface of the porous dielectric.

Abstract: A method of bonding semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first substrate having a first conductive interconnecting structure formed thereon and a second substrate having a second conductive interconnecting structure formed thereon. A first conductive passivation layer is selectively formed over exposed areas of the first conductive interconnecting structure. A second conductive passivation layer is selectively formed over exposed areas of the second conductive interconnecting structure. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together in such a way that the first conductive passivation layer bonds to the second conductive passivation layer to create a passivation-passivation interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes introducing a precursor containing hydrocarbon substituents and optionally a second conventional or hydrocarbon-containing precursor into a vapor deposition apparatus; and forming a dielectric layer having the hydrocarbon substituents on a substrate within the vapor deposition apparatus from the precursor(s). In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the hydrocarbon substituents may be later removed from the dielectric layer to reduce density thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectronic device and a structure therein that includes a diffusion barrier layer having a first thickness and a first dielectric constant. An etch stop layer is disposed above and on the diffusion barrier layer. The etch stop layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant.

Abstract: A method of patterning a porous dielectric material that includes an ash process to treat the porous dielectric material. The treated porous dielectric material allows for the formation of a substantially continuous barrier layer, which can inhibit diffusion of, for example, a conductive material into to the dielectric material. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for sealing a porous dielectric layer atop a substrate, wherein the dielectric layer is patterned to form at least a trench and at least a via, comprises applying a first plasma to a surface of the dielectric layer to silanolize the surface, treating the surface of the dielectric layer with a silazane to form a monolayer of silane molecules on the surface, and applying a second plasma to the surface of the dielectric layer to induce a polymerization of at least a portion of the silane molecules. The polymerized silane molecules form a cross-linked matrix that builds over a substantial portion of the surface of the dielectric layer and seals at least some of the exposed pores.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including providing a substrate; forming a dielectric over the substrate, the dielectric having a k value of about 2.5 or lower, the dielectric having a Young's modulus of elasticity of about 15 GigaPascals or higher; forming an opening in the dielectric; and forming a conductor in the opening. The present invention further discloses a structure including a substrate; a dielectric located over the substrate, the dielectric having a k value of 2.5 or lower, the dielectric having a Young's modulus of elasticity of about 15 GigaPascals or higher; an opening located in the dielectric; and a conductor located in the opening.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device with stacked substrates. Conducting interconnecting structures of one substrate are bonded to conducting interconnecting structures of another substrate. A passivating layer may be on the conducting interconnecting structures between the substrates and may be formed by an atomic layer deposition process or a with a Langmuir-Blodgett technique.

Abstract: A method and structure for sealing porous dielectrics using silane coupling reagents is herein described. A sealant chain (silane coupling reagent) is formed from at least silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen and exposed to a porous dielectric material, wherein the sealant chain reacts with a second chain, that has at least oxygen and is present in the porous dielectric defining the pores, to form a continuous layer over the surface of the porous dielectric.

Abstract: A method of forming a film. The method comprises depositing a porous film. The porous film has active end groups; and preventing cross-linking among said active end groups, wherein the end groups are capped with less reactive or unreactive groups.

Abstract: An organic-framework zeolite interlayer dielectric is disclosed. The interlayer dielectric's resistance to chemical attack, its dielectric constant, its mechanical strength, or combinations thereof can be tailored by (1) varying the ratio of carbon-to-oxygen in the organic-framework zeolite, (2) by including tetravalent atoms other than silicon at tetrahedral sites in the organic-framework zeolite, or (3) by including combinations of pentavalent/trivalent atoms at tetrahedral sites in the organic-framework zeolite.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a dielectric layer utilizing a plasma, wherein the plasma comprises a porogen and substantially no oxidizing agent, and then applying energy to the dielectric layer, wherein the porogen disposed within the dielectric layer decomposes to form at least one pore.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a dielectric layer utilizing a plasma, wherein the plasma comprises a porogen and substantially no oxidizing agent, and then applying energy to the dielectric layer, wherein the porogen disposed within the dielectric layer decomposes to form at least one pore.

Abstract: A surface may be selectively coated with a polymer using an induced surface grafting or polymerization reaction. The reaction proceeds in those regions that are polymerizable and not in other regions. Thus, a semiconductor structure having organic regions and metal regions exposed, for example, may have the organic polymers formed selectively on the organic regions and not on the unpolymerizable or metal regions.

Abstract: A method for impregnating the pores of a zeolite low-k dielectric layer with a polymer, and forming an interconnect structure therein, thus mechanically strengthening the dielectric layer and preventing metal deposits within the pores.

Abstract: A surface may be selectively coated with a polymer using an induced surface grafting or polymerization reaction. The reaction proceeds in those regions that are polymerizable and not in other regions. Thus, a semiconductor structure having organic regions and metal regions exposed, for example, may have the organic polymers formed selectively on the organic regions and not on the unpolymerizable or metal regions.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes a molecular sieve layer is described herein. The molecular sieve layer may be used as a high mechanical strength, low dielectric constant insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of forming air gaps in the interconnect structure of an integrated circuit device. The air gaps may be formed by depositing sacrificial layer over a dielectric layer and then depositing a permeable hard mask over the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is subsequently removed to form air gaps. The permeable hard mask may have a thickness of less than approximately 250 nm, and internal stresses within the permeable hard mask may be controlled to prevent deformation of this layer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.