Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided which utilize an air gap to help isolate conductive structures within a dielectric layer. A first etch stop layer is deposited over the conductive structures, and the first etch stop layer is patterned to expose corner portions of the conductive structures. A portion of the dielectric layer is removed to form an opening. A second etch stop layer is deposited to line the opening, wherein the second etch stop layer forms a stepped structure over the corner portions of the conductive structures. Dielectric material is then deposited into the opening such that an air gap is formed to isolate the conductive structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer has a via opening and a conductive line opening. The semiconductor device further includes a via in the via opening. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive line in the conductive line opening. The conductive line includes a first liner layer, wherein a first thickness of the first liner layer over the via is less than a second thickness of the first liner layer over the insulating layer, and a conductive fill, wherein the first liner layer surrounds the conductive fill.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening through a dielectric layer. The opening exposes a top surface of a first conductive feature. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on sidewalls of the opening, passivating the exposed top surface of the first conductive feature with a treatment process, forming a liner layer over the barrier layer, and filling the opening with a conductive material. The liner layer may include ruthenium.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening through a dielectric layer. The opening exposes a top surface of a first conductive feature. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on sidewalls of the opening, passivating the exposed top surface of the first conductive feature with a treatment process, forming a liner layer over the barrier layer, and filling the opening with a conductive material. The liner layer may include ruthenium.

Abstract: A device, structure, and method are provided whereby an insert layer is utilized to provide additional support for weaker and softer dielectric layer. The insert layer may be applied between two weaker dielectric layers or the insert layer may be used with a single layer of dielectric material. Once formed, trenches and vias are formed within the composite layers, and the insert layer will help to provide support that will limit or eliminate undesired bending or other structural motions that could hamper subsequent process steps, such as filling the trenches and vias with conductive material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with an improved metal structure is described. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate having an upper surface, an interconnect layer over the upper surface, and an additional structure deposited over the interconnect layer. The interconnect layer can include a patterned seed layer over the substrate, at least two metal lines over the seed layer, and a dielectric material between adjacent metal lines. A barrier layer can be deposited over the at least two metal lines. Methods of making the semiconductor structures are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided which utilize an air gap to help isolate conductive structures within a dielectric layer. A first etch stop layer is deposited over the conductive structures, and the first etch stop layer is patterned to expose corner portions of the conductive structures. A portion of the dielectric layer is removed to form an opening. A second etch stop layer is deposited to line the opening, wherein the second etch stop layer forms a stepped structure over the corner portions of the conductive structures. Dielectric material is then deposited into the opening such that an air gap is formed to isolate the conductive structures.

Abstract: A device, structure, and method are provided whereby an insert layer is utilized to provide additional support for weaker and softer dielectric layer. The insert layer may be applied between two weaker dielectric layers or the insert layer may be used with a single layer of dielectric material. Once formed, trenches and vias are formed within the composite layers, and the insert layer will help to provide support that will limit or eliminate undesired bending or other structural motions that could hamper subsequent process steps, such as filling the trenches and vias with conductive material.

Abstract: In some implementations, one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a via within a substrate of a semiconductor device. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may deposit a ruthenium-based liner within the via. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may deposit, after depositing the ruthenium-based liner, a copper plug within the via.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature, depositing a graphite layer over the first conductive feature, patterning the graphite layer to form a graphite conductive feature, depositing a dielectric spacer layer on the graphite layer, depositing a first dielectric layer over the dielectric spacer layer, planarizing the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and forming a second conductive feature in the second dielectric layer. The second conductive feature is over and electrically connected to the graphite conductive feature.

Abstract: An opening is formed through a dielectric material layer to physically expose a top surface of a conductive material portion in, or over, a substrate. A metallic nitride liner is formed on a sidewall of the opening and on the top surface of the conductive material portion. A metallic adhesion layer including an alloy of copper and at least one transition metal that is not copper is formed on an inner sidewall of the metallic nitride liner. A copper fill material portion may be formed on an inner sidewall of the metallic adhesion layer. The metallic adhesion layer is thermally stable, and remains free of holes during subsequent thermal processes, which may include reflow of the copper fill material portion. An additional copper fill material portion may be optionally deposited after a reflow process.

Abstract: An interconnect structure including a contact via in an interlayer dielectric, a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer, the first dielectric layer over the interlayer dielectric, a first liner in the first dielectric layer, the first liner comprising a first part in contact with a sidewall surface of the first conductive feature, and a second part in contact with a bottom surface of the first conductive feature. The interconnect structure includes a first cap layer in contact with a top surface of the first conductive feature, a second conductive feature in a second dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, a second liner in the second dielectric layer, wherein the first and second conductive features comprise a first conductive material, and the contact via, first liner, first cap layer, and second liner comprise a second conductive material chemically different than the first conductive material.

Abstract: In some implementations, one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a via within a substrate of a semiconductor device. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may deposit a ruthenium-based liner within the via. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may deposit, after depositing the ruthenium-based liner, a copper plug within the via.

Abstract: Devices with aluminum structures and methods of fabrication are provided. An exemplary device includes an interconnect structure and an aluminum structure electrically connected to the interconnect structure. The aluminum structure includes a first aluminum layer, a migration barrier layer over the first aluminum layer, and a second aluminum layer over the migration barrier layer.

Abstract: An opening is formed through a dielectric material layer to physically expose a top surface of a conductive material portion in, or over, a substrate. A metallic nitride liner is formed on a sidewall of the opening and on the top surface of the conductive material portion. A metallic adhesion layer including an alloy of copper and at least one transition metal that is not copper is formed on an inner sidewall of the metallic nitride liner. A copper fill material portion may be formed on an inner sidewall of the metallic adhesion layer. The metallic adhesion layer is thermally stable, and remains free of holes during subsequent thermal processes, which may include reflow of the copper fill material portion. An additional copper fill material portion may be optionally deposited after a reflow process.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method and resulting structure that includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer to expose a metal feature, selectively depositing a metal cap on the metal feature, depositing a barrier layer over the metal cap, and depositing a conductive fill on the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes etching an insulating layer to form a first opening and a second opening. The method further includes depositing a conductive material in the first opening. The method further includes performing a surface modification process on the conductive material. The method further includes depositing, after the surface modification process, a first liner layer in the second opening, wherein the first liner layer extends over the conductive material and the insulating layer. The method further includes depositing a conductive fill over the first liner layer, wherein the conductive fill includes a different material from the conductive material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured by modifying an electromagnetic field within a deposition chamber. In embodiments in which the deposition process is a sputtering process, the electromagnetic field may be modified by adjusting a distance between a first coil and a mounting platform. In other embodiments, the electromagnetic field may be adjusted by applying or removing power from additional coils that are also present.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured by modifying an electromagnetic field within a deposition chamber. In embodiments in which the deposition process is a sputtering process, the electromagnetic field may be modified by adjusting a distance between a first coil and a mounting platform. In other embodiments, the electromagnetic field may be adjusted by applying or removing power from additional coils that are also present.