Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer, a first metal layer, a metal via, and a second metal layer. The first dielectric layer is over a substrate. The first metal layer is over the first dielectric layer and has a first segment and a second segment separated from the first segment. The metal via includes a first portion between the first and second segments of the first metal layer, and a second portion above the first metal layer. The second metal layer is over the metal via. From a top view, the second metal layer includes a metal line extending across the first and second segments of the first metal layer. From a cross-sectional view, the first portion of the metal via has opposite sidewalls respectively offset from opposite sidewalls of the second portion of the metal via.

Abstract: An interconnect structure comprises a first dielectric layer, a first metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a metal via, and a second metal layer. The first dielectric layer is over a substrate. The first metal layer is over the first dielectric layer. The first metal layer comprises a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion. The second dielectric layer is over the first metal layer. The metal via has an upper portion in the second dielectric layer, a middle portion between the first and second portions of the first metal layer, and a lower portion in the first dielectric layer. The second metal layer is over the metal via. From a top view the second metal layer comprises a metal line having longitudinal sides respectively set back from opposite sides of the first portion of the first metal layer.

Abstract: An interconnect structure comprises a first dielectric layer, a first metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a metal via, and a second metal layer. The first dielectric layer is over a substrate. The first metal layer is over the first dielectric layer. The first metal layer comprises a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion. The second dielectric layer is over the first metal layer. The metal via has an upper portion in the second dielectric layer, a middle portion between the first and second portions of the first metal layer, and a lower portion in the first dielectric layer. The second metal layer is over the metal via. From a top view the second metal layer comprises a metal line having longitudinal sides respectively set back from opposite sides of the first portion of the first metal layer.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a first dummy metal layer over the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dummy metal layer has first and second portions laterally separated from each other; depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dummy metal layer; etching an opening having an upper portion in the second dielectric layer, a middle portion between the first and second portions of the first dummy metal layer, and a lower portion in the first dielectric layer, wherein a width of the lower portion of the opening is greater than a width of the middle portion of the opening, and a bottom of the opening is higher than a bottom of the first dielectric layer; and forming a dummy via in the opening and a second dummy metal layer over the dummy via and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lower conductive lines overlying a substrate and extending in a first direction, an insulating layer overlying the plurality of lower conductive lines, a plurality of upper conductive lines overlying the insulating layer and the first conductive lines and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material formed in the insulating layer. The plurality of upper conductive lines are arranged in the first direction with a first pitch. The plurality of vias includes first vias and second vias. At least one via of the first vias connects at least two lines of the plurality of lower conductive lines and one line of the plurality of upper conductive lines. An average width in the first direction of the first vias is different from an average width in the first direction of the second vias.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a first dummy metal layer over the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dummy metal layer has first and second portions laterally separated from each other; depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dummy metal layer; etching an opening having an upper portion in the second dielectric layer, a middle portion between the first and second portions of the first dummy metal layer, and a lower portion in the first dielectric layer, wherein a width of the lower portion of the opening is greater than a width of the middle portion of the opening, and a bottom of the opening is higher than a bottom of the first dielectric layer; and forming a dummy via in the opening and a second dummy metal layer over the dummy via and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate. Next, forming a first dummy metal layer on the first dielectric layer. Then, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dummy metal layer. Furthermore, forming an opening in the second dielectric layer and the first dummy metal layer. Then, forming a dummy via in the opening, wherein the dummy via extending through the second dielectric layer and at least partially through the first dummy metal layer. Finally, forming a second dummy metal layer on the second dielectric layer and contact the dummy via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lower conductive lines overlying a substrate and extending in a first direction, an insulating layer overlying the plurality of lower conductive lines, a plurality of upper conductive lines overlying the insulating layer and the first conductive lines and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material formed in the insulating layer. The plurality of upper conductive lines are arranged in the first direction with a first pitch. The plurality of vias includes first vias and second vias. At least one via of the first vias connects at least two lines of the plurality of lower conductive lines and one line of the plurality of upper conductive lines. An average width in the first direction of the first vias is different from an average width in the first direction of the second vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lower conductive lines overlying a substrate and extending in a first direction, an insulating layer overlying the plurality of lower conductive lines, a plurality of upper conductive lines overlying the insulating layer and the first conductive lines and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material formed in the insulating layer. The plurality of upper conductive lines are arranged in the first direction with a first pitch. The plurality of vias includes first vias and second vias. At least one via of the first vias connects at least two lines of the plurality of lower conductive lines and one line of the plurality of upper conductive lines. An average width in the first direction of the first vias is different from an average width in the first direction of the second vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lower conductive lines overlying a substrate and extending in a first direction, an insulating layer overlying the plurality of lower conductive lines, a plurality of upper conductive lines overlying the insulating layer and the first conductive lines and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material formed in the insulating layer. The plurality of upper conductive lines are arranged in the first direction with a first pitch. The plurality of vias includes first vias and second vias. At least one via of the first vias connects at least two lines of the plurality of lower conductive lines and one line of the plurality of upper conductive lines. An average width in the first direction of the first vias is different from an average width in the first direction of the second vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lower conductive lines overlying a substrate and extending in a first direction, an insulating layer overlying the plurality of lower conductive lines, a plurality of upper conductive lines overlying the insulating layer and the first conductive lines and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material formed in the insulating layer. The plurality of upper conductive lines are arranged in the first direction with a first pitch. The plurality of vias includes first vias and second vias. At least one via of the first vias connects at least two lines of the plurality of lower conductive lines and one line of the plurality of upper conductive lines. An average width in the first direction of the first vias is different from an average width in the first direction of the second vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lower conductive lines overlying a substrate and extending in a first direction, an insulating layer overlying the plurality of lower conductive lines, a plurality of upper conductive lines overlying the insulating layer and the first conductive lines and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material formed in the insulating layer. The plurality of upper conductive lines are arranged in the first direction with a first pitch. The plurality of vias includes first vias and second vias. At least one via of the first vias connects at least two lines of the plurality of lower conductive lines and one line of the plurality of upper conductive lines. An average width in the first direction of the first vias is different from an average width in the first direction of the second vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate. Next, forming a first dummy metal layer on the first dielectric layer. Then, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dummy metal layer. Furthermore, forming an opening in the second dielectric layer and the first dummy metal layer. Then, forming a dummy via in the opening, wherein the dummy via extending through the second dielectric layer and at least partially through the first dummy metal layer. Finally, forming a second dummy metal layer on the second dielectric layer and contact the dummy via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lower conductive lines overlying a substrate and extending in a first direction, an insulating layer overlying the plurality of lower conductive lines, a plurality of upper conductive lines overlying the insulating layer and the first conductive lines and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material formed in the insulating layer. The plurality of upper conductive lines are arranged in the first direction with a first pitch. The plurality of vias includes first vias and second vias. At least one via of the first vias connects at least two lines of the plurality of lower conductive lines and one line of the plurality of upper conductive lines. An average width in the first direction of the first vias is different from an average width in the first direction of the second vias.

Abstract: Within a method for forming a microelectronic fabrication there is provided a substrate having formed thereover a patterned dielectric layer which defines a via. There is also formed within a lower portion of the via a tungsten stud layer having a recess thereabove within the via. There is also formed within the recess a patterned conductor capping layer formed of a conductor material other than tungsten. The patterned conductor capping layer may seal a void formed within the tungsten stud layer.

Abstract: Within a method for forming a microelectronic fabrication there is provided a substrate having formed thereover a patterned dielectric layer which defines a via. There is also formed within a lower portion of the via a tungsten.stud layer having a recess thereabove within the via. There is also formed within the recess a patterned conductor capping layer formed of a conductor material other than tungsten. The patterned conductor capping layer may seal a void formed within the tungsten stud layer.