Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer, a first metal layer, a via, an air gap, an etching stop layer, a second dielectric layer, and a second metal layer. The first metal layer is embedded in the first dielectric layer. The first metal layer includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line. The via is disposed on the first conductive line. The air gap is located on the second conductive line. The sustaining layer covers the air gap. The etching stop layer is disposed on the sustaining layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the etching stop layer. The second metal layer is disposed on the second dielectric layer and connected to the via.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of conductive interconnects arranged within a dielectric structure having a plurality of inter-level dielectric (ILD) layers stacked onto one another. A heat pipe vertically extends through the plurality of ILD layers. A high thermal conductivity layer is sandwiched between neighboring ones of the plurality of ILD layers. The high thermal conductivity layer laterally extends from over one or more of the plurality of conductive interconnects to the heat pipe.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, strained layers, source/drain contact patterns, a gate contact via, and source/drain contact vias. The gate structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The strained layers are disposed aside the gate structure. The source/drain contact patterns are disposed on and electrically connected to the strained layers. Top surfaces of the source/drain contact patterns are coplanar with a top surface of the gate structure. The gate contact via is disposed on and electrically connected to the gate structure. The source/drain contact vias are disposed on and electrically connected to the source/drain contact patterns.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interconnect structure includes: forming a first dielectric layer; forming a mask; patterning the first dielectric layer through the mask to form a trench, an inner surface of the trench having two first portions opposite to each other along an X direction, two second portions opposite to each other along a Y direction, and a bottom portion; forming a second dielectric layer over the mask and the patterned first dielectric layer, and along an inner surface of the trench; etching the second dielectric layer by directing an etchant in a predetermined direction such that a first part of the second dielectric layer on the two first portions and the bottom portion is removed, and a second part of the second dielectric layer on the second portions of the trench remains and is formed into two reinforcing spacers; and forming a trench-filling element.

Abstract: The semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer, a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first etching stop layer, a second etching stop layer, a second dielectric layer, a first via and a second via. The first metal layer and the second metal are embedded in the first dielectric layer. The first etching stop layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer. The second etching stop layer is disposed on the first etching stop layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the second etching stop layer. The first via and the second via are embedded in the second dielectric layer. A width of the second etching stop layer is smaller a width of the first etching stop layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer; depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; etching a trench opening in the second dielectric layer, wherein the trench opening exposes a first sidewall of the second dielectric layer and a second sidewall of the second dielectric layer, the first sidewall of the second dielectric layer extends substantially along a first direction, and the second sidewall of the second dielectric layer extends substantially along a second direction different from the first direction in a top view; forming a via etch stop layer on the first sidewall of the second dielectric layer, wherein the second sidewall of the second dielectric layer is free from coverage by the via etch stop layer; forming a conductive line in the trench opening; and forming a conductive via over the conductive line.

Abstract: A power converter and a power conversion method are provided and capable of bus capacitor voltage balance based on inherent inductor components of the power converter. Compared with the conventional approach that adds a balance circuit, the power converter and the power conversion method can reduce a size of overall circuit and improve a power density. In addition, two relays of the power converter are configured to switch switching states such that two inductors store or release energy, thereby transmitting electrical energy between two bus capacitors and two load capacitors. The power converter and the power conversion method are able to realize energy balance and hybrid power supply and satisfy various load requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a substrate, a first metal line, and a hybrid metal line. The first metal line includes a first metal material and is within a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The hybrid metal line is also within the first ILD layer. The hybrid metal line includes a pair of first metal segments that comprise the first metal material. The hybrid metal line further includes a second metal segment that comprises a second metal material that is different from the first metal material. The second metal segment is laterally between the pair of first metal segments.

Abstract: A power converter is coupled between a power source and multiple loads, and the power converter includes a first switch module. The switch module includes an inductor, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch. The first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are configured to be turned on or turned off so that the inductor is stored energy or released energy to converter the power source into multiple voltages to the multiple loads.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a substrate, a first metal line, and a hybrid metal line. The first metal line includes a first metal material and is within a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The hybrid metal line is also within the first ILD layer. The hybrid metal line includes a pair of first metal segments that comprise the first metal material. The hybrid metal line further includes a second metal segment that comprises a second metal material that is different from the first metal material. The second metal segment is laterally between the pair of first metal segments.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a heat dissipation dielectric layer, a conductive interconnect structure, and a blocking dielectric layer. The heat dissipation dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate and has a thermal conductivity greater than 10 W/mK. The conductive interconnect structure is disposed in the heat dissipation dielectric layer. The blocking dielectric layer is disposed in the heat dissipation dielectric layer to isolate the conductive interconnect structure from the heat dissipation dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature. The substrate includes a semiconductor device. The dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate. The first conductive feature is formed in the first dielectric layer. The second conductive feature penetrates the first conductive feature and the dielectric layer, and is electrically connected to the first conductive feature and the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a patterned metal structure on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the patterned metal structure includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer deposited in a single deposition step. The method further includes etching a portion of the second metal layer thereby forming a metal plug in the second metal layer, the first metal layer of the patterned metal structure having a first metal feature underlying and contacting the metal plug.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a patterned metal structure on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the patterned metal structure includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer deposited in a single deposition step. The method further includes etching a portion of the second metal layer thereby forming a metal plug in the second metal layer, the first metal layer of the patterned metal structure having a first metal feature underlying and contacting the metal plug.

Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece having an interconnect structure that includes a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature disposed beside the first conductive feature, and an inter-level dielectric disposed between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. A conductive material of an etch stop layer is selectively deposited on the first conductive feature and on the second conductive feature without depositing the conductive material on the inter-level dielectric, and the inter-level dielectric is removed to form a gap between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature. The substrate includes a semiconductor device. The dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate. The first conductive feature is formed in the first dielectric layer. The second conductive feature penetrates the first conductive feature and the dielectric layer, and is electrically connected to the first conductive feature and the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A device includes a nanostructure, a gate dielectric layer, a gate electrode, and a gate contact. The nanostructure is over a substrate. The gate dielectric layer laterally surrounds the nanostructure. The gate electrode laterally surrounds the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode has a bottom surface and a top surface both higher than a bottom end of the nanostructure. The gate electrode has a horizontal dimension decreasing from the bottom surface to the top surface. The gate contact is electrically coupled to the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes a first dielectric structure. The semiconductor device includes a second conductive structure. The first dielectric structure is positioned between a first surface of the first conductive structure and a surface of the second conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes an etch stop layer overlaying the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes a first spacer structure overlaying the first dielectric structure. The semiconductor device includes a second dielectric structure overlaying the first spacer structure and the etch stop layer.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and method of forming the same are disclosed herein. An exemplary interconnect structure includes a first contact feature in a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, a second contact feature over the first contact feature, a barrier layer between the second dielectric layer and the second contact feature, and a liner between the barrier layer and the second contact feature. An interface between the first contact feature and the second contact feature includes the liner but is free of the barrier layer.

Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece having an interconnect structure that includes a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature disposed beside the first conductive feature, and an inter-level dielectric disposed between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. A conductive material of an etch stop layer is selectively deposited on the first conductive feature and on the second conductive feature without depositing the conductive material on the inter-level dielectric, and the inter-level dielectric is removed to form a gap between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature.