Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a coaxial contact that has conductive layers extending from local interconnects and being coupled to metal layers. The local interconnects are stacked over a substrate and extend laterally along a top surface of the substrate. The metal layers are stacked over the local interconnects and extend laterally along the top surface of the substrate. The conductive layers are close-shaped and concentrically arranged, where each of the local interconnects is coupled to a corresponding conductive layer, and each of the conductive layers is coupled to a corresponding metal layer. The semiconductor device also includes insulating layers that are close-shaped, concentrically arranged, and positioned alternately with respect to the conductive layers so that the conductive layers are spaced apart from one another by the insulating layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The device includes a plurality of transistor pairs that are stacked over a substrate. Each of the plurality of transistor pairs includes a n-type transistor and a p-type transistor that are stacked over one another. The device also includes a plurality of gate electrodes that are stacked over the substrate with a staircase configuration. The plurality of gate electrodes are electrically coupled to gate structures of the plurality of transistor pairs. The device further includes a plurality of source/drain (S/D) local interconnects that are stacked over the substrate with a staircase configuration. The plurality of S/D local interconnects are electrically coupled to source regions and drain regions of the plurality of transistor pairs.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor stack. The transistor stack has a plurality of transistors that are stacked over a substrate. Each of the plurality of transistors includes a channel region stacked over the substrate and extending in a direction parallel to the substrate, a gate structure stacked over the substrate and surrounding the channel region of each of the plurality of transistors, and source/drain (S/D) regions stacked over the substrate and further positioned at two ends of the channel region of each of the plurality of transistors. The semiconductor device also includes one or more conductive planes formed over the substrate. The one or more conductive planes are positioned adjacent to the transistor stack, span a height of the transistor stack, and are electrically coupled to the transistor stack.

Abstract: A method of area selective deposition for cap layer formation in advanced semiconductor contacts. The method includes providing a planarized substrate including a first dielectric layer and a first metal layer, oxidizing a surface of the first metal layer to form an oxidized metal layer, and selectively depositing a second dielectric layer on the oxidized metal layer. The selectively depositing the second dielectric layer can include moving the planarized substrate below a gas inlet dispensing a deposition gas during a spatial vapor phase deposition process, where the deposition gas is preferentially exposed to the oxidized metal layer extending above a surface of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A substrate processing method is described for forming a titanium nitride material that may be used for superconducting metallization or work function adjustment applications. The substrate processing method includes depositing by vapor phase deposition at least one monolayer of a first titanium nitride film on a substrate, and treating the first titanium nitride film with plasma excited hydrogen-containing gas, where the first titanium nitride film is polycrystalline and the treating increases the (200) crystallographic texture of the first titanium nitride film. The method further includes depositing by vapor phase deposition at least one monolayer of a second titanium nitride film on the treated at least one monolayer of the first titanium nitride film, and treating the at least one monolayer of the second titanium nitride film with plasma excited hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: A method is provided for area-selective deposition on a semiconductor workpiece using an integrated sequence of processing steps executed on a common manufacturing platform hosting film-forming modules, etching modules, and transfer modules. A workpiece having a target surface of a first material an non-target surface of a second material different than the first material is received into the platform. An additive material is selectively deposited on the workpiece with the additive material forming on the target surface at a higher deposition rate than on the non-target surface, followed by etching to expose the non-target surface. The integrated sequence of processing steps is executed within the platform without leaving the controlled environment and the transfer modules are used to transfer the workpiece between the processing modules while maintaining the workpiece within the controlled environment.

Abstract: A method for filling recessed features with a low-resistivity metal. The method 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, and pre-treating the substrate with a surface modifier that increases metal deposition selectivity on the second layer relative to on the first layer, 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, and 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. The steps of pre-treating, depositing and removing may be repeated at least once to increase a thickness of the metal layer in the recessed feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor stack having a plurality of transistor pairs that are stacked over a substrate. Each transistor pair of the plurality of transistor pairs includes a n-type transistor and a p-type transistor that are stacked over one another. The plurality of transistor pairs have a plurality of gate electrodes that are stacked over the substrate and electrically coupled to gate structures of the plurality of transistor pairs, and a plurality of source/drain (S/D) local interconnects that are stacked over the substrate and electrically coupled to source regions and drain regions of the plurality of transistor pairs. The semiconductor device further includes one or more conductive planes formed over the substrate. The one or more conductive planes are positioned adjacent to the transistor stack, span a height of the transistor stack and are electrically coupled to the transistor stack.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for using a high volume manufacturing system for processing and measuring workpieces in a semiconductor processing sequence without leaving the system's controlled environment (e.g., sub-atmospheric pressure). The system includes an active interdiction control system to implement corrective processing within the system when a non-conformity is detected. The corrective processing method can include a remedial process sequence to correct the non-conformity or compensate for the non-conformity during subsequent process. The non-conformity may be associated with fabrication measurement data, process parameter data, and/or platform performance data.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes conductive structures formed in a first dielectric layer, a conductive cap layer selectively positioned over the conductive structures and the first dielectric layer with a top surface and sidewalls, a second dielectric layer selectively positioned over the first dielectric layer and disposed between the sidewalls of the conductive cap layer, a third dielectric layer selectively positioned over the second dielectric layer and disposed between the sidewalls of the conductive cap layer, a fourth dielectric layer arranged over the conductive structures and the third dielectric layer, and an interconnect structure formed in the fourth dielectric layer. The interconnect structure includes a trench structure and a via structure that is positioned below the trench structure and connected to the trench structure. The via structure includes a first portion positioned over the conductive cap layer and a second portion disposed over the first portion and the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes providing a substrate comprising a source/drain contact region and a dummy gate, forming a first etch stop layer aligned to the source/drain contact region, where the first etch stop layer does not cover the dummy gate. The method may include forming a second etch stop layer over the first etch stop layer, the second etch stop layer covering the first etch stop layer and the dummy gate. The method may include converting the dummy gate to a metal gate. The method may include removing the second etch stop layer using a plasma etching process. The method may include removing the first etch stop layer.

Abstract: A method of controlling the forming voltage of a dielectric film in a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) device. The method includes depositing a dielectric film contains intrinsic defects on a substrate, forming a plasma-excited treatment gas containing H2 gas, and exposing the dielectric film to the plasma-excited treatment gas to create additional defects in the dielectric film without substantially changing a physical thickness of the dielectric film, where the additional defects lower the forming voltage needed for generating an electrically conducting filament across the dielectric film. The dielectric film can include a metal oxide film and the plasma-excited treatment gas may be formed using a microwave plasma source.

Abstract: In a method for processing a substrate, a conductive cap layer is selectively formed over a plurality of conductive structures that are positioned in a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is selectively formed over the first dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is selectively formed over the second dielectric layer. A fourth dielectric layer is then formed over the plurality of conductive structures and the third dielectric layer, and an interconnect structure is subsequently formed within the fourth dielectric layer. The interconnect structure includes a via structure that has a first portion positioned over the conductive cap layer so that sidewalls of the first portion are surrounded by the third dielectric layer, and a second portion disposed over the first portion and the third dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for filling recessed features with a low-resistivity metal. The method 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, and pre-treating the substrate with a surface modifier that increases metal deposition selectivity on the second layer relative to on the first layer, 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, and 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. The steps of pre-treating, depositing and removing may be repeated at least once to increase a thickness of the metal layer in the recessed feature.

Abstract: A method of preparing a self-aligned via on a semiconductor workpiece includes using an integrated sequence of processing steps executed on a common manufacturing platform hosting a plurality of processing modules including one or more film-forming modules, one or more etching modules, and one or more transfer modules. The integrated sequence of processing steps include receiving the workpiece into the common manufacturing platform, the workpiece having a pattern of metal features in a dielectric layer wherein exposed surfaces of the metal features and exposed surfaces of the dielectric layer together define an upper planar surface; selectively etching the metal features to form a recess pattern by recessing the exposed surfaces of the metal features beneath the exposed surfaces of the dielectric layer using one of the one or more etching modules; and depositing an etch stop layer over the recess pattern using one of the one or more film-forming modules.

Abstract: A method of controlling the forming voltage of a dielectric film in a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) device. The method includes depositing a dielectric film contains intrinsic defects on a substrate, forming a plasma-excited treatment gas containing H2 gas, and exposing the dielectric film to the plasma-excited treatment gas to create additional defects in the dielectric film without substantially changing a physical thickness of the dielectric film, where the additional defects lower the forming voltage needed for generating an electrically conducting filament across the dielectric film. The dielectric film can include a metal oxide film and the plasma-excited treatment gas may be formed using a microwave plasma source.

Abstract: A first source/drain (S/D) structure of a first transistor is formed on a substrate and positioned at a first end of a first channel structure of the first transistor. A first substitute silicide layer is deposited on a surface of the first S/D structure and made of a first dielectric. A second dielectric is formed to cover the first substitute silicide layer and the first S/D structure. A first interconnect opening is formed subsequently in the second dielectric to uncover the first substitute silicide layer. The first interconnect opening is filled with a first substitute interconnect layer, where the first substitute interconnect layer is made of a third dielectric. Further, a thermal processing of the substrate is executed. The first substitute interconnect layer and the first substitute silicide layer are removed. A first silicide layer is formed on the surfaces of the first S/D structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming BPR structures filled with a replacement BPR material, first S/D structures, first replacement silicide layers, and a pre-metallization dielectric that covers the first replacement silicide layers and the first S/D structures. The method also includes forming first interconnect openings in the pre-metallization dielectric and first replacement interconnect layers in the first interconnect openings. The first replacement interconnect layers are connected to the first replacement silicide layers. A thermal process is executed. The method further includes replacing, from a first side of the first wafer, a first group of the first replacement interconnect layers, a first group of the first replacement silicide layers, and the replacement BPR material, and replacing, from a second side of the first wafer, a second group of the first replacement interconnect layers, and a second group of the first replacement silicide layers.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selective film deposition. One method includes providing a substrate containing a dielectric material and a metal layer, the metal layer having an oxidized metal layer thereon, coating the substrate with a metal-containing catalyst layer, treating the substrate with an alcohol solution that removes the oxidized metal layer from the metal layer along with the metal-containing catalyst layer on the oxidized metal layer, and exposing the substrate to a process gas containing a silanol gas for a time period that selectively deposits a SiO2 film on the metal-containing catalyst layer on the dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device herein includes doped extension regions for silicon and silicon germanium nanowires. The nanowires can be selectively grown and recessed into a gate spacer. The semiconductor device can include a gate structure including the gate spacer; the nanowire or channel extending through the gate structure such that an end of the channel is recessed within a recess in said gate spacer; an extension region in contact with the end of the channel within the recess, the extension region being formed of an extension material having a different composition than a channel material of the channel such that a strain is provided in the channel; and a source-drain contact in contact with the extension region and adjacent to the gate structure.