Abstract: Bottom barrier free interconnects are provided. In one aspect, an interconnect structure includes: metal lines embedded in a dielectric; an interlayer dielectric (ILD) disposed over the metal lines; interconnects formed in the ILD on top of the metal lines; a barrier layer separating the interconnects from the ILD, wherein the barrier layer is absent in between the interconnects and the metal lines; and a selective capping layer disposed on the interconnects.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an interconnect in a first dielectric layer, and forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer. In the method, an etch stop layer is formed on the second dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A trench and an opening are formed in the third and second dielectric layers, respectively. A barrier layer is deposited in the trench and in the opening, and on a top surface of the interconnect. The method also includes removing the barrier layer from the top surface of the interconnect and from a bottom surface of the trench, and depositing a conductive fill layer in the trench and in the opening, and on the interconnect. A bottom surface of the trench includes the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first metallization layer on a substrate comprising a plurality of conductive lines. The method further includes forming a first dielectric layer on the substrate and between adjacent conductive lines. The method further includes forming a first via layer comprising at least one via in the first dielectric layer and exposing a top surface of at least one of the plurality of conductive lines. The method further includes depositing a first conductive material in the first via. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on a top surface of the first dielectric layer and exposing a top surface of the plurality of conductive lines and the first conductive material.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a first electrically conductive via portion on an upper surface of a substrate, the first electrically conductive via elongated along a first direction, and a first ILD material on the substrate and covering the first electrically conductive via portion. The first ILD material includes an ILD upper surface exposing a via surface of the first electrically conductive via portion. A second electrically conductive via portion is on the ILD upper surface and the via upper surface thereby defining a contact area between the first electrically conductive via portion and the second electrically conductive via portion. The second electrically conductive via portion elongated along a second direction orthogonal with respect to the first direction. A second ILD material is on the ILD upper surface to cover the second electrically conductive via portion. The first and second electrically conductive via portions are fully aligned at the contact area.

Abstract: Methods and structures for pitch multiplication include forming a plurality of mandrel lines and non-mandrel lines on a target layer, wherein the non-mandrel lines include a protective spacer material about a top sidewall portion and a first spacer material about a lower sidewall portion, wherein the protective spacer material has a different etch selectivity than the first spacer material. The plurality of mandrel lines and non-mandrel lines are transferred into the target layer.

Abstract: An interconnect structure of an integrated circuit (IC) in which dielectric material defines upper and lower cavities and a via cavity communicative with the upper and lower cavities at upper and lower ends thereof. The interconnect structure includes first conductive material filling the upper and lower cavities to form upper and lower lines, respectively and second conductive material filling the via cavity from the upper end thereof to the lower end thereof to form a via electrically communicative with the upper and lower lines.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes depositing a spacer material in a trench arranged in a dielectric layer. An end of the trench extends to a metal layer of an interconnect structure. A portion of the spacer material in contact with the metal layer is removed. A recess is formed in the metal layer at the end of the trench.

Abstract: Integrated circuits include back end of line metallization levels. An upper metallization level is on a lower metallization level and includes at least one top via-line interconnect structure in an interlayer dielectric. The lower metallization level includes at least one top via-line interconnect structure in an interlayer dielectric, wherein the top via is raised relative to the interlayer dielectric in the lower metallization level. The line in the upper metallization level contacts a top surface and sidewall portions of the top via raised above the interlevel dielectric. Also described are methods for fabricating the same.

Abstract: A back end of line interconnect structure and methods for forming the interconnect structure including a fully aligned via design generally includes wide lines formed of copper and narrow lines formed of an alternative metal. The fully aligned vias are fabricated using a metal recess approach and the hybrid metal conductors can be fabricated using a selective deposition approach.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an interconnect in a first dielectric layer, and forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer. In the method, an etch stop layer is formed on the second dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A trench and an opening are formed in the third and second dielectric layers, respectively. A barrier layer is deposited in the trench and in the opening, and on a top surface of the interconnect. The method also includes removing the barrier layer from the top surface of the interconnect and from a bottom surface of the trench, and depositing a conductive fill layer in the trench and in the opening, and on the interconnect. A bottom surface of the trench includes the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of interconnects spaced apart from each other on a substrate. The plurality of interconnects each have an upper portion and a lower portion. In the method, a plurality of spacers are formed on sides of the upper portions of the plurality of interconnects. A space is formed between adjacent spacers of the plurality of spacers on adjacent interconnects of the plurality of interconnects. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer on the plurality of spacers and on the plurality of interconnects. The dielectric layer fills in the space between the adjacent spacers of the plurality of spacers, which blocks formation of the dielectric layer in an area below the space. The area below the space is between lower portions of the adjacent interconnects.

Abstract: Techniques to enable bottom barrier free interconnects without voids. In one aspect, a method of forming interconnects includes: forming metal lines embedded in a dielectric; depositing a sacrificial dielectric over the metal lines; patterning vias and trenches in the sacrificial dielectric down to the metal lines, with the trenches positioned over the vias; lining the vias and trenches with a barrier layer; depositing a conductor into the vias and trenches over the barrier layer to form the interconnects; forming a selective capping layer on the interconnects; removing the sacrificial dielectric in its entirety; and depositing an interlayer dielectric (ILD) to replace the sacrificial dielectric. An interconnect structure is also provided.

Abstract: A dual damascene interconnect structure with a fully aligned via integration scheme is formed with a partially removed etch stop layer. Portions of the etch stop layer are removed prior to dual damascene patterning of an interlevel dielectric layer formed above metal lines and after such patterning. Segments of the etch stop layer remain only around the vias, allowing the overall capacitance of the structure to be reduced.

Abstract: A method is presented for back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) metallization with lines formed by subtractive patterning and vias formed by damascene processes. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a conductive layer formed over a substrate, forming spacers surrounding mandrel sections formed over the dielectric layer, selectively depositing gap fill material adjacent the spacers, selectively removing the spacers, etching the dielectric layer and the conductive layer to expose a top surface of the substrate, depositing and planarizing an inter-layer dielectric, selectively forming openings in the dielectric layer, and filling the openings with a conductive material to define metal vias.

Abstract: An interconnect structure of an integrated circuit (IC) in which dielectric material defines upper and lower cavities and a via cavity communicative with the upper and lower cavities at upper and lower ends thereof. The interconnect structure includes first conductive material filling the upper and lower cavities to form upper and lower lines, respectively and second conductive material filling the via cavity from the upper end thereof to the lower end thereof to form a via electrically communicative with the upper and lower lines.

Abstract: Integrated chips and methods of forming the same include forming a conductive layer over a lower conductive line. The conductive layer is etched to form a via on the lower conductive line. A first insulating layer is formed around the via. The first insulating layer is etched back to a height below a height of the via. An upper conductive line is formed on the via, making contact with at least a top surface and a side surface of the via.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods for forming the interconnect structures generally include a subtractive etching process to form a fully aligned top via and metal line interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a top via and a metal line formed of an alternative metal other than copper or tungsten. A conductive etch stop layer is intermediate the top via and the metal line. The top via is fully aligned to the metal line.

Abstract: Dual damascene interconnect structures with fully aligned via integration schemes are formed using different dielectric materials having different physical properties. A low-k dielectric material having good fill capabilities fills nanoscopic trenches in such structures. Another dielectric material forms the remainder of the dielectric portion of the interconnect layer and has good reliability properties, though not necessarily good trench filling capability. The nanoscopic trenches may be filled with a flowable polymer using flowable chemical vapor deposition. A further dielectric layer having good reliability properties is deposited over the metal lines and dual damascene patterned to form interconnect line and via patterns. The patterned dielectric layer is filled with interconnect metal, thereby forming interconnect lines and fully aligned via conductors. The via conductors are electrically connected to previously formed metal lines below.

Abstract: Integrated circuits include back end of line metallization levels. An upper metallization level is on a lower metallization level and includes at least one top via-line interconnect structure in an interlayer dielectric. The lower metallization level includes at least one top via-line interconnect structure in an interlayer dielectric, wherein the top via is raised relative to the interlayer dielectric in the lower metallization level. The line in the upper metallization level contacts a top surface and sidewall portions of the top via raised above the interlevel dielectric. Also described are methods for fabricating the same.

Abstract: Methods and structures for pitch multiplication include forming a plurality of mandrel lines and non-mandrel lines on a target layer, wherein the non-mandrel lines include a protective spacer material about a top sidewall portion and a first spacer material about a lower sidewall portion, wherein the protective spacer material has a different etch selectivity than the first spacer material. The plurality of mandrel lines and non-mandrel lines are transferred into the target layer.