Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit includes the step of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material. A first dielectric layer with a plurality of interconnect openings and a plurality of gap openings is formed above the first wiring level. The interconnect openings and the gap openings are pinched off with a pinching dielectric material to form relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes in the gap openings. Metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors and interconnects to the first wiring level conductors are formed at the interconnect openings while maintaining the relatively low-k volumes in the gap openings. The gap openings with the relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductor structures formed by the conductors and interconnects.

Abstract: A film stack is provided in which a first film including a first polymer directly contacts a surface of a substrate at which a given material is exposed. A second film, which can include a second polymer other than the first polymer, is formed to have an inner surface contacting the first film. The second film can have a thickness at which a free energy of the second film would be negative if the second film were disposed directly on the substrate. Desirably, the resulting second film is substantially free of dewetting defects.

Abstract: Methods of patterning a self-assembly nano-structure and forming a porous dielectric are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a hardmask over an underlying layer; predefining an area with a photoresist on the hardmask that is to be protected during the patterning; forming a layer of the copolymer over the hardmask and the photoresist; forming the self-assembly nano-structure from the copolymer; and etching to pattern the self-assembly nano-structure.

Abstract: An electrical structure and method of forming. The electrical structure includes a first substrate comprising a plurality of electrical components, a first thermally conductive film layer formed over and in contact with a first electrical component of the plurality of electrical components, a first thermally conductive structure in mechanical contact with a first portion of the first thermally conductive film layer, and a first thermal energy extraction structure formed over the first thermally conductive structure. The first thermal energy extraction structure is in thermal contact with the first thermally conductive structure. The first thermal energy extraction structure is configured to extract a first portion of thermal energy from the first electrical component through the first thermally conductive film layer and the first thermally conductive structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to integrated circuit (IC) chip fabrication, and more particularly, to an e-fuse device including an opening, a first via and a second via in an interlayer dielectric, wherein the opening, the first via and the second via are connected to an interconnect below the interlayer dielectric; a dielectric layer that encloses the first via and the second via; and a metal layer over the dielectric layer, wherein the metal layer fills the opening with a metal, and wherein the first via and the second via are substantially empty to allow for electromigration of the interconnect during re-programming of the e-fuse device.

Abstract: A photolithography mask contains at least one sublithographic assist feature (SLAF) such that the image of the fuselink shape on a photoresist contains a constructive interference portion and two neck portions. The width of the constructive interference portion is substantially the same as a critical dimension of the lithography tool and the widths of the two neck portions are sublithographic dimensions. The image on a photoresist is subsequently transferred into an underlying semiconductor layer to form an electrical fuse. The fuselink contains a constructive interference portion having a first width which is substantially the same as the critical dimension of the lithography tool and two neck portions having sublithographic widths. The inventive electrical fuse may be programmed with less voltage bias, current, and energy compared to prior art electrical fuses.

Abstract: A structure for reducing electromigration cracking and extrusion effects in semiconductor devices includes a first metal line formed in a first dielectric layer; a cap layer formed over the first metal line and first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer formed over the cap layer; and a void formed in the second dielectric layer, stopping on the cap layer, wherein the void is located in a manner so as to isolate structural damage due to electromigration effects of the first metal line, the effects including one or more of extrusions of metal material from the first metal line and cracks from delamination of the cap layer with respect to the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit includes the step of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material. A first dielectric layer with a plurality of interconnect openings and a plurality of gap openings is formed above the first wiring level. The interconnect openings and the gap openings are pinched off with a pinching dielectric material to form relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes in the gap openings. Metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors and interconnects to the first wiring level conductors are formed at the interconnect openings while maintaining the relatively low-k volumes in the gap openings. The gap openings with the relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductor structures formed by the conductors and interconnects.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and a structure of an IC incorporating strained MOSFETs on separated silicon layers are disclosed. N-channel field effect transistors (nFET) and P-channel FETs (pFET) are formed on the separated silicon layers, respectively. Shallow trench insulation (STI) regions adjacent to the nFETs and pFETs thus can be formed to induce different stress to the channel regions of the respective nFETs and pFETs. As a consequence, performance of both the nFETs and the pFETs can be improved by the STI stress. In addition, the area of the IC can also be reduced as the two silicon layers are positioned vertically relative to one another.

Abstract: An integrated circuit design and a method of fabrication and, more particularly, a semiconductor structure having an ultra narrow crack stop for use in multilevel level devices and a method of making the same. The structure includes a first dielectric layer having a first connection connecting to an underlying interconnect and a second dielectric layer having a second connection connecting to the first connection. A stop gap structure extends through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, and has a width of about less than 1 um.

Abstract: A fuse structure includes a non-planar fuse material layer typically located over and replicating a topographic feature within a substrate. The non-planar fuse material layer includes an angular bend that assists in providing a lower severance current within the non-planar fuse material layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit hard mask processing system is provided including providing a substrate having an integrated circuit; forming an interconnect layer over the integrated circuit; applying a low-K dielectric layer over the interconnect layer; forming a via opening through the low-K dielectric layer to the interconnect layer; and forming a carbon implant region around the via opening, a trench opening, or a combination thereof, for protecting the low-K dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of designing features on a semiconductor wafer. A design of active or functional features is provided for chiplets separated by kerf areas on the wafer. The method then includes determining pattern density of the chiplet features, and applying a pattern of spaced dummy features on chiplet area not covered by active or functional features, as well as in the kerf areas. The dummy features are uniformly expanded or reduced in size until a desired dummy feature pattern density is reached.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a microelectronic circuit includes the steps of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material; forming a plurality of alternating layers of layer dielectric material and sacrificial material over the first wiring level; and forming a plurality of interconnect openings and a plurality of gap openings in the alternating layers of layer dielectric material and sacrificial material. The interconnect openings are formed over the first wiring level conductors. The method further includes forming (i) metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors, and (ii) interconnects, at the interconnect openings; and removing the layers of the sacrificial material through the gap openings.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including at least one transistor located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the at least one transistor has a sub-lithographic channel length, is provided. Also provided is a method to form such a semiconductor structure using self-assembling block copolymer that can be placed at a specific location using a pre-fabricated hard mask pattern.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the formation of sublithographic features in a semiconductor structure using self-assembling polymers. The self-assembling polymers are formed in openings in a hard mask, annealed and then etched, followed by etching of the underlying dielectric material. At least one sublithographic feature is formed according to this method. Also disclosed is an intermediate semiconductor structure in which at least one interconnect wiring feature has a dimension that is defined by a self-assembled block copolymer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit includes the step of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material. A first dielectric layer with a plurality of inter connect openings and a plurality of gap openings is formed above the first wiring level. The interconnect openings and the gap openings are pinched off with a pinching dielectric material to form relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes in the gap openings. Metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors and interconnects to the first wiring level conductors are formed at the interconnect openings while maintaining the relatively low-k volumes in the gap openings. The gap openings with the relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductor structures formed by the conductors and interconnects.

Abstract: A method of isolating semiconductor devices formed on a semiconductor substrate having a silicon on insulator (SOI) layer is provided. The method includes forming at least one shallow trench area on a pad nitride layer deposited on a surface of the SOI layer, wherein the at least one shallow trench area includes an opening for exposing a portion of the SOI layer; applying diblock copolymer material over the pad nitride layer and the at least one shallow trench area; annealing the applied copolymer material to form self-organized patterns; and partially etching the shallow trench area using the diblock copolymer material as an etch mask. A semiconductor structures is also described having an isolation structure formed on a SOI layer of a semiconductor substrate the isolation structure having an oxidized substrate region; and a void region formed on the oxidized substrate region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the formation of features in a damascene process. According to the method, vias are formed in a dielectric layer and then covered by a layer of high molecular weight polymer. The high molecular weight polymer covers the vias but does not enter the vias. A trench is then etched through the high molecular weight polymer and the dielectric layer. Any remaining high molecular weight polymer is then removed.

Abstract: A gate conductor structure is provided having a barrier region between a N-type device and a P-type device, wherein the barrier region minimizes or eliminates cross-diffusion of dopant species across the barrier region. The barrier region comprises at least one sublithographic gap in the gate conductor structure. The sublithographic gap is formed by using self-assembling copolymers to form a sublithographic patterned mask over the gate conductor structure. According to one embodiment, at least one sublithographic gap is a slit or line that traverses the width of the gate conductor structure. The sublithographic gap is sufficiently deep to minimize or prevent cross-diffusion of the implanted dopant from the upper portion of the gate conductor. According to another embodiment, the sublithographic gaps are of sufficient density that cross-diffusion of dopants is reduced or eliminated during an activation anneal such that changes in Vt are minimized.