Abstract: Scribe-line structures and methods of forming such scribe-line structures on a face of a semiconductor substrate are provided. By means of the scribe-line structures and the methods of this invention, physical shock and cracking tendencies along a semiconductor substrate can be minimized during performance of a cutting process on the semiconductor substrate as part of post-fabrication processing. A representative method according to this invention comprises the sequential steps of: forming a lower layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a molding layer on the lower layer such that the molding layer includes at least one protective contact hole; subsequently forming a dielectric layer and an upper layer on the molding layer so as to fill the protective contact hole, such dielectric layer being formed of a material having a greater mechanical intensity than that of the molding layer; and then forming protective layer patterns on the upper layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for carrying out a damascene process in semiconductor fabrication including the steps of: forming an intermetal dielectric film on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the intermetal dielectric film and forming an intermetal dielectric pattern comprising at least two layers of different chemical compositions that includes at least an opening penetrating the intermetal dielectric film; forming a conductive film to fill the opening on the intermetal dielectric pattern; and etching the conductive film by means of a chemical/mechanical polishing operation until exposing an upper face of the intermetal dielectric pattern and the top of the filled opening so as to form a conductive pattern. An etching process is then performed to selectively remove an upper portion of the intermetal dielectric pattern.

Abstract: Example embodiments may provide metal line structures, and example methods may include forming the same. Example embodiment metal line structures may include a first metal line on a substrate, a first barrier metal layer on sidewalls and a lower surface of the first metal line, a first insulating layer covering the first metal line, a second metal line on the first insulating layer, a contact plug passing through the first insulating layer to electrically connect the first metal line and the second metal line, and a second barrier metal layer on sidewalls and a lower surface of the contact plug and the second metal line. The first barrier metal layer and the second barrier metal layer may contact each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a MIM capacitor that has a high capacitance that can be manufactured without the problems that affected the prior art. Such a capacitor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a dielectric layer that is intermediate the upper and the lower electrodes. A first voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage, can be applied to the lower electrode. A wire layer, through which the first voltage is applied to the upper electrode, is located in the same level as or in a lower level than the lower electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a MIM capacitor having a high capacitance with improved manufacturability. Such a capacitor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a dielectric layer that is intermediate the upper and the lower electrodes. A first voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage, can be applied to the lower electrode. A wire layer, through which the first voltage is applied to the upper electrode, is located in the same level as or in a lower level than the lower electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a MIM capacitor that has a high capacitance that can be manufactured without the problems that affected the prior art. Such a capacitor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a dielectric layer that is intermediate the upper and the lower electrodes. A first voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage, can be applied to the lower electrode. A wire layer, through which the first voltage is applied to the upper electrode, is located in the same level as or in a lower level than the lower electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for carrying out a damascene process in semiconductor fabrication including the steps of: forming an intermetal dielectric film on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the intermetal dielectric film and forming an intermetal dielectric pattern comprising at least two layers of different chemical compositions that includes at least an opening penetrating the intermetal dielectric film; forming a conductive film to fill the opening on the intermetal dielectric pattern; and etching the conductive film by means of a chemical/mechanical polishing operation until exposing an upper face of the intermetal dielectric pattern and the top of the filled opening so as to form a conductive pattern. An etching process is then performed to selectively remove an upper portion of the intermetal dielectric pattern.

Abstract: A selective copper alloy interconnection in a semiconductor device is provided. The interconnection includes a substrate, a dielectric formed on the substrate, and a first interconnection formed in the dielectric. The first interconnection has a first pure copper pattern. In addition, a second interconnection having a larger width than the first interconnection is formed in the dielectric. The second interconnection has a copper alloy pattern. The copper alloy pattern may be an alloy layer formed of copper (Cu) and an additive material. A method of forming the selective copper alloy pattern is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a MIM capacitor that has a high capacitance that can be manufactured without the problems that affected the prior art. Such a capacitor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a dielectric layer that is intermediate the upper and the lower electrodes. A first voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage, can be applied to the lower electrode. A wire layer, through which the first voltage is applied to the upper electrode, is located in the same level as or in a lower level than the lower electrode.

Abstract: Scribe-line structures and methods of forming such scribe-line structures on a face of a semiconductor substrate are provided. By means of the scribe-line structures and the methods of this invention, physical shock and cracking tendencies along a semiconductor substrate can be minimized during performance of a cutting process on the semiconductor substrate as part of post-fabrication processing. A representative method according to this invention comprises the sequential steps of: forming a lower layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a molding layer on the lower layer such that the molding layer includes at least one protective contact hole; subsequently forming a dielectric layer and an upper layer on the molding layer so as to fill the protective contact hole, such dielectric layer being formed of a material having a greater mechanical intensity than that of the molding layer; and then forming protective layer patterns on the upper layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first insulation layer on the substrate is patterned to form a first opening having a first width. A lower electrode is formed along an inner contour of the first opening. A second insulation layer on the first insulation layer is patterned to form a second opening that has a second width greater than the first width and is connected to the first opening with a stepped portion. A dielectric layer is formed on the lower electrode in the first opening, a sidewall of the second opening and a first stepped portion between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer, so that the electrode layer is covered with the dielectric layer. An upper electrode is formed on the dielectric layer. Accordingly, a leakage current between the lower and upper electrodes is suppressed.

Abstract: A metal interconnection structure includes a lower metal interconnection layer disposed in a first inter-layer dielectric layer. An inter-metal dielectric layer having a via contact hole that exposes a portion of surface of the lower metal layer pattern is disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric layer and the lower metal layer pattern. A second inter-layer dielectric layer having a trench that exposes the via contact hole is formed on the inter-metal dielectric layer. A barrier metal layer is formed on a vertical surface of the via contact and the exposed surface of the second lower metal interconnection layer pattern. A first upper metal interconnection layer pattern is disposed on the barrier metal layer, thereby filling the via contact hole and a portion of the trench. A void diffusion barrier layer is disposed on the first metal interconnection layer pattern and a second upper metal interconnection layer pattern is disposed on the void diffusion barrier layer to completely fill the trench.

Abstract: A metal interconnection structure includes a lower metal interconnection layer disposed in a first inter-layer dielectric layer. An inter-metal dielectric layer having a via contact hole that exposes a portion of surface of the lower metal layer pattern is disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric layer and the lower metal layer pattern. A second inter-layer dielectric layer having a trench that exposes the via contact hole is formed on the inter-metal dielectric layer. A barrier metal layer is formed on a vertical surface of the via contact and the exposed surface of the second lower metal interconnection layer pattern. A first upper metal interconnection layer pattern is disposed on the barrier metal layer, thereby filling the via contact hole and a portion of the trench. A void diffusion barrier layer is disposed on the first metal interconnection layer pattern and a second upper metal interconnection layer pattern is disposed on the void diffusion barrier layer to completely fill the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal interconnection and a metal resistor. The device is made by forming a lower interconnection of copper within an insulating layer, forming a capping layer on the insulating layer to cover and protect the lower interconnection, forming a window in the capping layer to selectively expose a top surface of the lower interconnection, and forming a metal resistor on the capping layer and which contacts the top surface of the lower interconnection through the window. Then an electrical contact is formed in the insulating layer. Alternatively, the metal resistor may be formed on the insulating layer after the electrical contact is formed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a MIM capacitor that has a high capacitance that can be manufactured without the problems that affected the prior art. Such a capacitor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a dielectric layer that is intermediate the upper and the lower electrodes. A first voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage, can be applied to the lower electrode. A wire layer, through which the first voltage is applied to the upper electrode, is located in the same level as or in a lower level than the lower electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a MIM capacitor that has a high capacitance that can be manufactured without the problems that affected the prior art. Such a capacitor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a dielectric layer that is intermediate the upper and the lower electrodes. A first voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage, can be applied to the lower electrode. A wire layer, through which the first voltage is applied to the upper electrode, is located in the same level as or in a lower level than the lower electrode.