Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor fabrication, and more particularly to a method of defining routing tracks for a standard cell semiconductor device, and to the standard cell semiconductor device fabricated using the method. In one aspect, a method of defining routing tracks in a target layer over a standard cell semiconductor device includes forming mandrels and forming a first set and a second set of spacers for defining the routing tracks. The standard cell semiconductor device includes a device layer and the routing tracks for contacting a device layer. The routing tracks include at least two pairs of off-center routing tracks, a central routing track arranged between the pairs of off-center routing tracks, and at least two edge tracks arranged on opposing sides of the at least two pairs of off-center routing tracks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for cuts of sacrificial metal lines in a back end of line structure. Sacrificial Mx+1 lines are formed above metal Mx lines. A line cut lithography stack is deposited and patterned over the sacrificial Mx+1 lines and a cut cavity is formed. The cut cavity is filled with dielectric material. A selective etch process removes the sacrificial Mx+1 lines, preserving the dielectric that fills in the cut cavity. Precut metal lines are then formed by depositing metal where the sacrificial Mx+1 lines were removed. Thus embodiments of the present invention provide precut metal lines, and do not require metal cutting. By avoiding the need for metal cutting, the risks associated with metal cutting are avoided.

Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of fins above a substrate. A first placeholder gate electrode is formed above the plurality of fins. The first placeholder gate electrode includes a placeholder material. A first sacrificial gate cut structure of a sacrificial material different than the placeholder material embedded in the first placeholder gate electrode is formed. A portion of the first placeholder gate electrode positioned above the first sacrificial gate cut structure is removed, exposing the first sacrificial gate cut structure. The first sacrificial gate cut structure is removed to define a gate cut cavity extending vertically through the first placeholder gate electrode. A dielectric material is formed in the gate cut cavity to define a gate cut structure. The first placeholder gate electrode is removed to define a first gate cavity segmented by the gate cut structure. A first replacement gate structure is formed in the first gate cavity.

Abstract: Structures including metallization layers and metal lines, and methods of forming thereof. A patterning stack, a masking layer, and a spacer patterning layer are formed over a dielectric layer, and an opening is formed in the spacer patterning layer. First and second spacers are formed on a portion of the masking layer at sidewalls of an opening in the spacer patterning layer. The first spacer and the second spacer overlie and traverse first portions of the dummy line. After removing the spacer patterning layer and masking layer, second portions of the dummy line are removed to form a feature in the patterning stack that includes a first gap beneath the first spacer and a second gap beneath the second spacer. A metal line is formed in the dielectric layer using the feature, and includes cuts at the first gap and the second gap in the feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: (i) a substrate; (ii) a first elongated semiconductor structure extending in a first horizontal direction along the substrate and protruding vertically above the substrate, wherein a first set of source/drain regions are formed on the first semiconductor structure; (iii) a second elongated semiconductor structure extending along the substrate in parallel to the first semiconductor structure and protruding vertically above the substrate, wherein a second set of source/drain regions are formed on the second semiconductor structure; and (iv) a first set of source/drain contacts formed on the first set of source/drain regions, wherein a first source/drain contact of the first set of source/drain contacts includes: (a) a vertically extending contact portion formed directly above a first source/drain region of the first set of source/drain regions, and (b) a via landing portion protruding horizontally from the vertically extending contact portion in a direction towards the second se

Abstract: Structures including metallization layers and metal lines, and methods of forming thereof. A patterning stack, a masking layer, and a spacer patterning layer are formed over a dielectric layer, and an opening is formed in the spacer patterning layer. First and second spacers are formed on a portion of the masking layer at sidewalls of an opening in the spacer patterning layer. The first spacer and the second spacer overlie and traverse first portions of the dummy line. After removing the spacer patterning layer and masking layer, second portions of the dummy line are removed to form a feature in the patterning stack that includes a first gap beneath the first spacer and a second gap beneath the second spacer. A metal line is formed in the dielectric layer using the feature, and includes cuts at the first gap and the second gap in the feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to interrupted small block shape structures (e.g., cut metal lines forming cell boundaries) and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of wiring lines with cuts that form a cell boundary; and at least one wiring line extending beyond the cell boundary and which is continuous from cell to cell.

Abstract: Structures including metallization layers and metal lines, and methods of forming thereof. A patterning stack, a masking layer, and a spacer patterning layer are formed over a dielectric layer, and an opening is formed in the spacer patterning layer. First and second spacers are formed on a portion of the masking layer at sidewalls of an opening in the spacer patterning layer. The first spacer and the second spacer overlie and traverse first portions of the dummy line. After removing the spacer patterning layer and masking layer, second portions of the dummy line are removed to form a feature in the patterning stack that includes a first gap beneath the first spacer and a second gap beneath the second spacer. A metal line is formed in the dielectric layer using the feature, and includes cuts at the first gap and the second gap in the feature.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein may include forming first and second via openings and forming conductive material for first and second conductive vias across substantially an entirety of an upper surface of a layer of insulating material and in the via openings. A patterned line etch mask layer is then formed above the conductive material, the etch mask having a first feature corresponding to a first conductive line and a second feature corresponding to a second conductive line, and performing at least one etching process to define the first and second conductive lines that are arranged in a tip-to-tip configuration. In this example, a first edge of the first conductive via is substantially aligned with a first end of the first conductive line and a second edge of the second conductive via is substantially aligned with a second end of the second conductive line.

Abstract: Fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) and their methods of manufacture include a self-aligned gate isolation layer. A method of forming the FinFETs includes the formation of sacrificial spacers over fin sidewalls, and the formation of an isolation layer between adjacent fins at self-aligned locations between the sacrificial spacers. An additional layer such as a sacrificial gate layer is formed over the isolation layer, and photolithography and etching techniques are used to cut, or segment, the additional layer to define a gate cut opening over the isolation layer. The gate cut opening is backfilled with a dielectric material, and the backfilled dielectric and the isolation layer cooperate to separate neighboring sacrificial gates and hence the later-formed functional gates associated with respective devices.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices with cross coupled contacts using patterning for cross couple pick-up are disclosed. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device; performing a first lithography to pattern a first shape; performing a second lithography to pattern a second shape overlapping a portion of the first shape; processing the first shape and the second shape to form an isolation region at the overlap; and forming four regions separated by the isolation region. An intermediate semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are integrated circuit (IC) structures and formation methods. In the methods, a gate with a sacrificial gate cap and a sacrificial gate sidewall spacer is formed on a channel region. The cap and sidewall spacer are removed, creating a cavity with a lower portion between the sidewalls of the gate and adjacent metal plugs and with an upper portion above the lower portion and the gate. A first dielectric layer is deposited, forming an air-gap in the lower portion and lining the upper portion. A second dielectric layer is deposited, filling the upper portion. During formation of a gate contact opening (optionally over an active region), the second dielectric layer is removed and the first dielectric layer is anisotropically etched, thereby exposing the gate and creating a dielectric spacer with a lower air-gap segment and an upper solid segment. Metal deposited into the opening forms the gate contact.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a FinFET device includes forming contact openings for source/drain contacts prior to performing a replacement metal gate (RMG) module. Etch selective metals are used to form source/drain contacts and gate contacts optionally within active device regions using a block and recess technique.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein for forming a finFET device. A gate structure comprising a gate spacer on a semiconductor wafer is formed. A self-aligned contact (SAC) cap is formed over the gate structure. A TS structure is formed. At least one M0 metal structure void is formed. At least one CB structure void adjacent the M0 metal structure void is formed. An etch process is performed the M0 and CB structures voids to the gate structure. At least one CA structure void adjacent the CB structure void is formed. The M0, CB, and CA structure voids are metallized.

Abstract: Methods of patterning a structure. A first hardmask layer is deposited on a second hardmask layer. A cut is formed that penetrates through the first hardmask layer and the second hardmask layer. A block mask is formed in the cut. The first hardmask layer is patterned to form first lines penetrating through the first hardmask layer to the second hardmask layer with at least one of the first lines superimposed on the block mask. After patterning the first hardmask layer, the second hardmask layer is patterned to transfer the first lines from the first hardmask layer to the second hardmask layer to form second lines penetrating through the second hardmask layer. The second hardmask layer is etched with an isotropic etching process that removes the second hardmask layer selective to the first hardmask layer such that the second lines are widened relative to the first lines.

Abstract: One method includes performing an etching process to define a gate cavity that exposes an upper surface and at least a portion of the sidewalls of a gate structure and forming a replacement spacer structure adjacent the exposed sidewalls of the gate structure, wherein the replacement spacer structure exposes a portion of the upper surface of the gate structure and includes at least one air space. In this example, the method also includes forming a conformal etch stop layer and a replacement gate cap structure in the gate cavity, selectively removing a portion of the replacement gate cap structure and a portion of the conformal etch stop layer so as to thereby expose the upper surface of the gate structure, and forming a conductive gate contact structure (CB) in the conductive gate contact opening, wherein the entire conductive gate contact structure (CB) is positioned vertically above the active region.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes, among other things, a stepped conductive source/drain structure with a first recess defined therein and a stepped final gate structure with a second recess defined therein, wherein, when viewed from above, the second recess is axially and laterally offset from the first recess. In this example, the device also includes a layer of insulating material positioned above the stepped conductive source/drain structure and the stepped final gate structure, a conductive gate (CB) contact that is conductively coupled to the stepped final gate structure and a conductive source/drain (CA) contact that is conductively coupled to the stepped conductive source/drain structure.

Abstract: A structure and method for forming a self-aligned metal wire on a contact structure. The method for forming the self-aligned metal wire and contact structure may include, among other things, forming an initial contact structure above a substrate; forming a patterned mask on the initial contact structure, the mask including an opening; using the patterned mask to form an opening through the initial contact structure; forming a dielectric layer in the openings; removing the patterned mask to expose a remaining portion of the initial contact structure; and forming the metal wire on the remaining portion of the initial contact structure. The contact structure may include a vertical cross-sectional geometry including one of a trapezoid wherein a bottommost surface of the first contact structure is wider than an uppermost surface of the first contact structure, and a parallelogram. The metal wire may completely contact an uppermost surface of the contact structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices with chamfer-less via multi-patterning are disclosed. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device; performing a trench etch into a portion of the intermediate semiconductor device to form a trench pattern; depositing an etching stack; performing at least one via patterning process; and forming at least one via opening into a portion of the intermediate semiconductor device. An intermediate semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of forming stacked elongated nanoshapes (NSs) (e.g., stacked nanowires (NWs)) of different semiconductor materials above a substrate, a method of forming different devices (e.g., stacked field effect transistors (FETs) having different type conductivities) using the stacked NSs and the resulting structures. In the methods, stacked elongated NSs made of the same first semiconductor material can be formed above a substrate. The stacked elongated NSs can include at least a first NS and a second NS above the first NS. The second NS can then be selectively processed in order to convert the second NS from the first semiconductor material to a second semiconductor material. The first and second NSs can subsequently be used to form first and second devices, respectively, wherein the second device is stacked above the first device. The first and second device can be, for example, first and second FETs, respectively.