Abstract: Low-flow tungsten chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques described herein provide substantially uniform deposition of tungsten on a semiconductor substrate. In some implementations, a flow of a processing vapor is provided to a CVD processing chamber such that a flow rate of tungsten hexafluoride in the processing vapor results in the tungsten layer being grown at a slower rate than a higher flow rate of the tungsten hexafluoride to promote substantially uniform growth of the tungsten layer. In this way, the low-flow tungsten CVD techniques may be used to achieve similar surface uniformity performance to an atomic layer deposition (ALD) while being a faster deposition process relative to ALD (e.g., due to the lower deposition rate and large quantity of alternating processing cycles of ALD). This reduces the likelihood of defect formation in the tungsten layer while increasing the throughput of semiconductor device processing for the semiconductor substrate (and other semiconductor substrates).

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a lower integrated circuit die; an upper integrated circuit die bonded to the lower integrated circuit die with a dielectric-to-dielectric bonding region and with a metal-to-metal bonding region; a first buffer layer around the upper integrated circuit die, the first buffer layer including a buffer material having a first thermal conductivity, the buffer material having a columnar crystalline structure, the columnar crystalline structure including crystalline columns having a substantially uniform orientation in a direction that extends away from the lower integrated circuit die; and a gap-fill dielectric over the first buffer layer and around the upper integrated circuit die, the gap-fill dielectric having a second thermal conductivity, the first thermal conductivity greater than the second thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a top die to a bottom die, depositing a first dielectric liner on the top die, and depositing a gap-fill layer on the first dielectric liner. The gap-fill layer has a first thermal conductivity value higher than a second thermal conductivity value of silicon oxide. The method further includes etching the gap-fill layer and the first dielectric liner to form a through-opening, wherein a metal pad in the bottom die is exposed to the through-opening, depositing a second dielectric liner lining the through-opening, filling the through-opening with a conductive material to form a through-via connecting to the metal pad, and forming a redistribution structure over and electrically connecting to the top die and the through-via.

Abstract: A method includes forming a conductive member over a first conductive line; forming a second conductive line over the conductive member; and removing a portion of the conductive member exposed by the second conductive line to form a conductive via. The formation of the second conductive line is implemented prior to the formation of the conductive via. A semiconductor structure includes a first conductive line having a first surface; a second conductive line disposed above the first conductive line and having a second surface overlapping the first surface; and a conductive via electrically connected to the first surface and the second surface. The conductive via includes a first end disposed within the first surface, a second end disposed within the second surface, and a cross-section between the first end and the second end, wherein at least two of interior angles of the cross-section are substantially unequal to 90°.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a top die to a bottom die, depositing a first dielectric liner on the top die, and depositing a gap-fill layer on the first dielectric liner. The gap-fill layer has a first thermal conductivity value higher than a second thermal conductivity value of silicon oxide. The method further includes etching the gap-fill layer and the first dielectric liner to form a through-opening, wherein a metal pad in the bottom die is exposed to the through-opening, depositing a second dielectric liner lining the through-opening, filling the through-opening with a conductive material to form a through-via connecting to the metal pad, and forming a redistribution structure over and electrically connecting to the top die and the through-via.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a top die to a bottom die, depositing a first dielectric liner on the top die, and depositing a gap-fill layer on the first dielectric liner. The gap-fill layer has a first thermal conductivity value higher than a second thermal conductivity value of silicon oxide. The method further includes etching the gap-fill layer and the first dielectric liner to form a through-opening, wherein a metal pad in the bottom die is exposed to the through-opening, depositing a second dielectric liner lining the through-opening, filling the through-opening with a conductive material to form a through-via connecting to the metal pad, and forming a redistribution structure over and electrically connecting to the top die and the through-via.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method to a metallization process with improved gap fill properties. The method includes forming a contact opening in an oxide, forming a barrier layer in the contact opening, forming a liner layer on the barrier layer, and forming a first metal layer on the liner layer to partially fill the contact opening. The method further includes forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer to fill the contact opening, where forming the second metal layer includes sputter depositing the second metal layer with a first radio frequency (RF) power and a direct current power, as well as reflowing the second metal layer with a second RF power.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method to a metallization process with improved gap fill properties. The method includes forming a contact opening in a dielectric layer to expose a source/drain epitaxial layer in a substrate. An aspect ratio of the contact opening is between about 3 and about 10. The method further includes forming a first metal layer in the contact opening and in contact with the source/drain epitaxial layer, forming a barrier layer on the first metal layer, forming a liner layer on the barrier layer, forming second metal layer on the liner layer to partially fill the contact opening, and forming a third metal layer on the second metal layer to fill the contact opening.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back by a wet etching process. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an underlying dielectric welding layer is exposed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming capping layers configured to prevent the migration of out-diffused cobalt atoms into upper metallization layers In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a cobalt diffusion barrier layer on a liner-free conductive structure that includes ruthenium, where depositing the cobalt diffusion barrier layer includes forming the cobalt diffusion barrier layer self-aligned to the liner-free conductive structure. The method also includes depositing, on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer, a stack with an etch stop layer and dielectric layer, and forming an opening in the stack to expose the cobalt diffusion barrier layer. Finally, the method includes forming a conductive structure on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an upper portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is smoothed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer and over the smoothed upper portion of the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming capping layers configured to prevent the migration of out-diffused cobalt atoms into upper metallization layers In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a cobalt diffusion barrier layer on a liner-free conductive structure that includes ruthenium, where depositing the cobalt diffusion barrier layer includes forming the cobalt diffusion barrier layer self-aligned to the liner-free conductive structure. The method also includes depositing, on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer, a stack with an etch stop layer and dielectric layer, and forming an opening in the stack to expose the cobalt diffusion barrier layer. Finally, the method includes forming a conductive structure on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an upper portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is smoothed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer and over the smoothed upper portion of the barrier layer.

Abstract: A package includes a frontside redistribution layer (RDL) structure, a semiconductor die on the frontside RDL structure, and a backside RDL structure on the semiconductor die including a first RDL, and a backside connector extending from a distal side of the first RDL and including a tapered portion having a width that decreases in a direction away from the first RDL, wherein the tapered portion includes a contact surface at an end of the tapered portion. A method of forming the package may include forming the backside redistribution layer (RDL) structure, attaching a semiconductor die to the backside RDL structure, forming an encapsulation layer around the semiconductor die on the backside RDL structure, and forming a frontside RDL structure on the semiconductor die and the encapsulation layer.

Abstract: In some implementations, one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a metal cap on a metal gate. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form one or more dielectric layers on the metal cap. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a recess to the metal cap within the one or more dielectric layers. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may perform a bottom-up deposition of metal material on the metal cap to form a metal plug within the recess and directly on the metal cap.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.

Abstract: In some implementations, one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a metal cap on a metal gate. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form one or more dielectric layers on the metal cap. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a recess to the metal cap within the one or more dielectric layers. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may perform a bottom-up deposition of metal material on the metal cap to form a metal plug within the recess and directly on the metal cap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a source/drain region disposed in the substrate, a silicide structure disposed on the source/drain region, a first dielectric layer disposed over the substrate, a conductive contact disposed in the first dielectric layer and over the silicide structure, a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, a via contact disposed in the second dielectric layer and connected to the conductive contact, and a first metal surrounding the via contact.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, two semiconductor fins protruding from the substrate, an epitaxial feature over the two semiconductor fins and connected to the two semiconductor fins, a silicide layer over the epitaxial feature, a barrier layer over the silicide layer, and a metal layer over the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a metal nitride. Along a boundary between the barrier layer and the metal layer, an atomic ratio of oxygen to metal nitride is about 0.15 to about 1.0.