Abstract: A method is provided for activating a first surface for bonding to a second surface. In some embodiments, the method includes exposing the first surface to a plasma that has a high electron density in a range between 1×109 cm?3 and 1×1012 cm?3 and a low electron temperature of less than 1 eV, and then bonding the first surface to the second surface. In some embodiments, the plasma is generated by a plasma generator using a slot-plane-antenna (SPA) technique. In some embodiments, the plasma also includes a reducing agent.

Abstract: A method for processing a substrate that includes: depositing a filling material over the substrate including a first recess and a second recess, the filling material filling the first recess and the second recess; patterning the filling material such that the first recess is reopened while the second recess remains filled with the filling material; filling the first recess with a conductive material to a first height; etching the filling material selectively to the conductive material to reopen the second recess; filling a remainder of the first recess and the second recess with the conductive material; and performing an etch back process to etch the conductive material such that the first recess and the second recess are filled with the conductive material to a second height.

Abstract: A method for making forming a semiconductor package comprises forming a plurality of alignment marks in or on a carrier substrate; positioning and bonding a plurality of semiconductor dies to the carrier substrate based on the plurality of alignment marks; further processing the plurality of semiconductor dies into a reconstituted wafer; and decoupling the reconstituted wafer from the carrier substrate at an interface using a laser source. The alignment marks are interposed between the interface and the laser source.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: etching a recess in the substrate using a metal hard mask (MHM) layer as an etch mask, the substrate including a dielectric layer over a conductive layer the includes a first conductive material, a portion of the MHM layer remaining over top surfaces of the dielectric layer after the etching; depositing a sacrificial fill over the substrate to at least partially fill the recess; removing the remaining portion of the MHM layer to expose the top surfaces while protecting the recess with the sacrificial fill; removing the sacrificial fill from the recess after removing the MHM layer, the removing of the sacrificial fill including exposing a portion of the conductive layer; and depositing a second conductive material to fill the recess, the depositing of the second conductive material providing an electrical connection between the conductive layer and the second conductive material.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: selectively depositing a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a metal line of the substrate, the SAM being in contact with the metal line, a surface of the substrate further including a first dielectric material that surrounds the metal line; selectively depositing a second dielectric material over the first dielectric material; forming a dielectric layer by depositing a third dielectric material over the second dielectric material and the SAM; and patterning the dielectric layer

Abstract: A self-aligned multiple patterning (SAMP) multi-color spacer patterning process is disclosed for formation of structures on substrates. Trenches and vias may be formed in the process. A trench memorization layer and a via memorization layer may be formed on the substrate. In one embodiment, the trench memorization layer and the via memorization layer are formed between the multi-color spacer patterning structures and a low-k interlayer dielectric layer. The use of the trench memorization layer and the via memorization layer allows the formation of trenches and vias in the low-k interlayer dielectric layer without causing damage to the low-k properties of the low-k interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for filling recessed features with a low-resistivity metal includes providing a patterned substrate containing a recessed feature formed in a first layer and a second layer that is exposed in the recessed feature, pre-treating the substrate with a surface modifier that increases metal deposition selectivity on the second layer relative to on the first layer, and depositing a metal layer on the substrate by vapor phase deposition, where the metal layer is preferentially deposited on the second layer in the recessed feature. The method further includes removing metal nuclei deposited on the first layer, including on a field area and on sidewalls of the first layer in the recessed feature, to selectively form the metal layer on the second layer in the recessed feature, where the removing includes exposing the patterned substrate to an etching gas containing ozone.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of bonding and/or debonding substrates. In one embodiment, at least one of the surfaces of the substrates to be bonded is comprised of an oxide. In one embodiment, the surfaces of both substrates comprise an oxide. A wet etch may then be utilized to debond the substrates by etching away the layers that have been bonded. In one embodiment, a fusion bonding process is utilized to bond two substrates, at least one substrate having a silicon oxide surface. In one exemplary etch, a dilute hydrofluoric (DHF) etch is utilized to etch the bonded silicon oxide surface, allowing for two bonded substrates to be debonded. In another embodiment, the silicon oxide may be a low density silicon oxide. In one embodiment, both substrates may have a surface layer of the low density silicon oxide which may be fusion bonded together.

Abstract: A self-aligned multiple patterning (SAMP) multi-color spacer patterning process is disclosed for formation of structures on substrates. Trenches and vias may be formed in the process. A trench memorization layer and a via memorization layer may be formed on the substrate. In one embodiment, the trench memorization layer and the via memorization layer are formed between the multi-color spacer patterning structures and a low-k interlayer dielectric layer. The use of the trench memorization layer and the via memorization layer allows the formation of trenches and vias in the low-k interlayer dielectric layer without causing damage to the low-k properties of the low-k interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of bonding and/or debonding substrates. In one embodiment, at least one of the surfaces of the substrates to be bonded is comprised of an oxide. In one embodiment, the surfaces of both substrates comprise an oxide. A wet etch may then be utilized to debond the substrates by etching away the layers that have been bonded. In one embodiment, a fusion bonding process is utilized to bond two substrates, at least one substrate having a silicon oxide surface. In one exemplary etch, a dilute hydrofluoric (DHF) etch is utilized to etch the bonded silicon oxide surface, allowing for two bonded substrates to be debonded. In another embodiment, the silicon oxide may be a low density silicon oxide. In one embodiment, both substrates may have a surface layer of the low density silicon oxide which may be fusion bonded together.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for semiconductor back end of line (BEOL) interconnect using multiple materials in a fully self-aligned via (FSAV) process. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving a substrate with a patterned structure formed on a surface of the substrate. A method may also include depositing a first interconnect material in a first region of the patterned structure. Such methods may also include depositing a second interconnect material in a second region of the patterned structure, wherein the first interconnect material is different from the second interconnect material, and wherein the first region and the second region include a common layer of the patterned structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for semiconductor back end of line (BEOL) interconnect using multiple materials in a fully self-aligned via (FSAV) process. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving a substrate with a patterned structure formed on a surface of the substrate. A method may also include depositing a first interconnect material in a first region of the patterned structure. Such methods may also include depositing a second interconnect material in a second region of the patterned structure, wherein the first interconnect material is different from the second interconnect material, and wherein the first region and the second region include a common layer of the patterned structures.

Abstract: A process is provided in which low-k layers are protected from etch damage by the use of a selectively formed protection layer which forms on the low-k layer. In one embodiment, the low-k layers may be low-k dielectric layers utilized in BEOL process steps. In one embodiment, the selectively formed protection layer may be formed by a selective deposition process which selectively forms layers on the low-k dielectric but not over the conductor layer. The selectively formed protection layer may then be utilized to protect the low-k layer from a plasma etch that is utilized to recess the conductor. In this manner, a conductor (for example metal) may be recessed in a low-k dielectric layer via a plasma etch process.

Abstract: A process is provided in which low-k layers are protected from etch damage by the use of a selectively formed protection layer which forms on the low-k layer. In one embodiment, the low-k layers may be low-k dielectric layers utilized in BEOL process steps. In one embodiment, the selectively formed protection layer may be formed by a selective deposition process which selectively forms layers on the low-k dielectric but not over the conductor layer. The selectively formed protection layer may then be utilized to protect the low-k layer from a plasma etch that is utilized to recess the conductor. In this manner, a conductor (for example metal) may be recessed in a low-k dielectric layer via a plasma etch process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier metal film including a high melting point metal in a concave portion formed in an insulating film formed over a substrate; forming a seed alloy film including copper and an impurity metal different from the copper over the barrier metal film so as to fill a portion of the concave portion; forming a plated metal film containing copper as a major ingredient over the seed alloy film so as to fill the concave portion; first heat-treating the seed alloy film and the plated metal film at 200° C. or higher and for ten minutes or less; removing the plated metal film, the seed alloy film, and the barrier metal film which are exposed to the outside of the concave portion, after the first heat-treating; and second heat-treating the seed alloy film and the plated metal film.

Abstract: A design support system which supports designing a semiconductor device is provided. The design support system includes a gate film information acquisition section and a maximum allowable antenna ratio setting section. The gate film information acquisition section acquires information on the thickness of the gate insulating film of a semiconductor device which has been designed. The gate insulating film thickness refers to a physical film thickness. The maximum allowable antenna ratio setting section sets maximum allowable antenna ratios for a gate electrode according to the film thickness information acquired by the gate film information acquisition section. Hence, a designer designing a semiconductor device can set concrete values when changing maximum allowable antenna ratios according to the thickness of the gate insulating film.

Abstract: There is provided a technique for obtaining improved maximum allowed value for the antenna ratio while inhibiting the damage on the gate insulating film of the MOSFET. A semiconductor device having a configuration that comprises a silicon substrate, a contact interlayer film, a first interconnect interlayer film, a first via interlayer film and a second interconnect interlayer film, all of which are sequentially formed in this order, comprises two protective diodes, which are coupled to a MOSFET via the second interconnect.

Abstract: In a provided semiconductor device, a plurality of seal rings each made of a conductive material is formed along a periphery of the semiconductor chip and as to surround the circuit formation portion, the seal rings being connected with the semiconductor substrate and being buried in the plurality of wiring insulating films in such a manner as to extend over the wiring insulating films, and one or more slit-like notches are formed at specified positions in the plurality of seal rings in such a manner that the respective slit-like notches in two seal rings being adjacent to each other are not aligned.

Abstract: There is provided a technique for obtaining improved maximum allowed value for the antenna ratio while inhibiting the damage on the gate insulating film of the MOSFET. A semiconductor device having a configuration that comprises a silicon substrate, a contact interlayer film, a first interconnect interlayer film, a first via interlayer film and a second interconnect interlayer film, all of which are sequentially formed in this order, comprises two protective diodes, which are coupled to a MOSFET via the second interconnect.

Abstract: In a provided semiconductor device, a plurality of seal rings each made of a conductive material is formed along a periphery of the semiconductor chip and as to surround the circuit formation portion, the seal rings being connected with the semiconductor substrate and being buried in the plurality of wiring insulating films in such a manner as to extend over the wiring insulating films, and one or more slit-like notches are formed at specified positions in the plurality of seal rings in such a manner that the respective slit-like notches in two seal rings being adjacent to each other are not aligned.