Abstract: Disclosed are integrated circuit (IC) structure embodiments that incorporate stacked pair(s) of field effect transistors (FETs) (e.g., gate-all-around FETs), including a lower FET and an upper FET on the lower FET, and various metal components that enable power and/or signal connections to the source/drain regions of those FETs. The metal components can include first buried wire(s) within an isolation region in a level below the stacked pair and a first embedded contact that electrically connects a source/drain region of the lower FET to a first buried wire. Optionally, the metal components can also include second buried wire(s) in dielectric material at the same level as the upper FET and a second embedded contact that electrically connects a source/drain region of the upper FET to a second buried wire. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of forming such IC structure embodiments.

Abstract: A first vertical field effect transistor (VFET) and a second VFET are formed on a substrate. The VFETs are parallel and adjacent to one another, and each comprises: a fin-shaped semiconductor; a lower source/drain (S/D) element; an upper S/D element; and a gate conductor. A portion of a gate conductor of the second VFET that is positioned over a lower S/D element of the second VFET is removed to leave a trench. An isolation spacer is formed to contact the gate conductor of the second VFET in a first portion of the trench. A lower S/D contact of the second VFET is formed on the lower S/D element of the second VFET in a second portion of the trench, a lower S/D contact of the first VFET is formed to a lower S/D element of the first VFET, and contacts are formed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides integrated circuit (IC) structures with single diffusion break (SDB) abutting end isolation regions, and methods of forming the same. An IC structure may include: a plurality of fins positioned on a substrate; a plurality of gate structures each positioned on the plurality of fins and extending transversely across the plurality of fins; an insulator region positioned on the plurality of fins and laterally between the plurality of gate structures; at least one single diffusion break (SDB) positioned within the insulator region and one of the plurality of fins, the at least one SDB region extending from an upper surface of the substrate to an upper surface of the insulator region; and an end isolation region abutting a lateral end of the at least one SDB along a length of the plurality of gate structures, the end isolation region extending substantially in parallel with the plurality of fins.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to gate all-around integrated circuit structures, finFETs having a dielectric isolation, and methods of forming the same. The gate all-around integrated circuit structure may include a first insulator region within a substrate; a pair of remnant liner stubs disposed within the first insulator region; a second insulator region laterally adjacent to the first insulator region within the substrate; a pair of fins over the first insulator region, each fin in the pair of fins including an inner sidewall facing the inner sidewall of an adjacent fin in the pair of fins and an outer sidewall opposite the inner sidewall; and a gate structure substantially surrounding an axial portion of the pair of fins and at least partially disposed over the first and second insulator regions, wherein each remnant liner stub is substantially aligned with the inner sidewall of a respective fin of the pair of fins.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure with self-aligned middle of the line (MOL) contacts and the resulting IC structure. In the methods, different, selectively etchable, dielectric materials are used above the gate level for: a dielectric cap above a gate; a dielectric spacer above a gate sidewall spacer and laterally surrounding the dielectric cap; and a stack of dielectric layer(s) that covers the dielectric cap, the dielectric spacer, and metal plugs positioned laterally adjacent to the dielectric spacer and above source/drain regions. Due to the different dielectric materials, subsequently formed gate and source/drain contacts are self-aligned in two dimensions to provide protection against the occurrence of opens between wires and/or vias in the first BEOL metal level and the contacts and to further provide protection against the occurrence of shorts between the gate contact and any metal plugs and between the source/drain contacts and the gate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) that incorporates multiple vertical field effect transistors (VFETs) (e.g., in a VFET array). In the method, self-aligned gates for each pair of VFETs and a self-aligned gate extension for contacting those self-aligned gates are essentially simultaneously formed such that the gates wrap around a pair of semiconductor fins, which are in end-to-end alignment, and such that the gate extension fills the space between adjacent ends of those semiconductor fins. By forming self-aligned gates and a self-aligned gate extension for a pair of VFETs, the method avoids the need for lithographically patterning extension cut isolation regions between adjacent pairs of VFETs in a VFET array. Thus, the method enables implementation of VFET array designs with a reduced fin pitch without incurring defects caused, for example, by overlay errors. Also disclosed herein is an IC formed according to the method.

Abstract: A first vertical field effect transistor (VFET) and a second VFET are formed on a substrate. The VFETs are parallel and adjacent to one another, and each comprises: a fin-shaped semiconductor; a lower source/drain (S/D) element; an upper S/D element; and a gate conductor. A portion of a gate conductor of the second VFET that is positioned over a lower S/D element of the second VFET is removed to leave a trench. An isolation spacer is formed to contact the gate conductor of the second VFET in a first portion of the trench. A lower S/D contact of the second VFET is formed on the lower S/D element of the second VFET in a second portion of the trench, a lower S/D contact of the first VFET is formed to a lower S/D element of the first VFET, and contacts are formed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and manufacturing system are disclosed herein for a vertical field effect transistor including a gate contact patterned in a self-aligned process. In one embodiment, we disclose a semiconductor device, including a semiconductor substrate and a first vertical field effect transistor (vFET) including a bottom source/drain (S/D) region disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a fin disposed above the bottom S/D region; a top source/drain (S/D) region disposed above the fin and having a top surface; and a gate having a top surface higher than the top surface of the top S/D region. A gate contact may be formed over the gate.

Abstract: Disclosed are integrated circuit (IC) structures and formation methods. In the methods, a gate with a sacrificial gate cap and a sacrificial gate sidewall spacer is formed on a channel region. The cap and sidewall spacer are removed, creating a cavity with a lower portion between the sidewalls of the gate and adjacent metal plugs and with an upper portion above the lower portion and the gate. A first dielectric layer is deposited, forming an air-gap in the lower portion and lining the upper portion. A second dielectric layer is deposited, filling the upper portion. During formation of a gate contact opening (optionally over an active region), the second dielectric layer is removed and the first dielectric layer is anisotropically etched, thereby exposing the gate and creating a dielectric spacer with a lower air-gap segment and an upper solid segment. Metal deposited into the opening forms the gate contact.

Abstract: A method of forming a logic or memory cell with less than or equal to 0 nm of TS extending past the active fins and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming gates across pairs of fins on a substrate; forming pairs of RSD between the gates on the fins; forming a planar SAC cap on each of the gates; forming a metal layer over the substrate coplanar with the SACs; forming a TS structure in the metal layer over the fins, the TS structure formed over the pairs of RSD, each upper portion having a width equal to or less than an overall width of a pair of fins; forming spacers on opposite sides of the upper portions; removing the metal layer between adjacent spacers; forming an ILD over the substrate; and forming a CA on each upper portion and a CB on a gate through the ILD.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) that incorporates multiple vertical field effect transistors (VFETs) (e.g., in a VFET array). In the method, self-aligned gates for each pair of VFETs and a self-aligned gate extension for contacting those self-aligned gates are essentially simultaneously formed such that the gates wrap around a pair of semiconductor fins, which are in end-to-end alignment, and such that the gate extension fills the space between adjacent ends of those semiconductor fins. By forming self-aligned gates and a self-aligned gate extension for a pair of VFETs, the method avoids the need for lithographically patterning extension cut isolation regions between adjacent pairs of VFETs in a VFET array. Thus, the method enables implementation of VFET array designs with a reduced fin pitch without incurring defects caused, for example, by overlay errors. Also disclosed herein is an IC formed according to the method.

Abstract: A vertical FinFET includes a semiconductor fin formed over a semiconductor substrate. A self-aligned first source/drain contact is electrically separated from a second source/drain contact by a spacer layer that is formed over an endwall of the fin. The spacer layer, which comprises a dielectric material, allows the self-aligned first source/drain contact to be located in close proximity to an endwall of the fin and the associated second source/drain contact without risk of an electrical short between the adjacent contacts.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to gate all-around integrated circuit structures, finFETs having a dielectric isolation, and methods of forming the same. The gate all-around integrated circuit structure may include a first insulator region within a substrate; a pair of remnant liner stubs disposed within the first insulator region; a second insulator region laterally adjacent to the first insulator region within the substrate; a pair of fins over the first insulator region, each fin in the pair of fins including an inner sidewall facing the inner sidewall of an adjacent fin in the pair of fins and an outer sidewall opposite the inner sidewall; and a gate structure substantially surrounding an axial portion of the pair of fins and at least partially disposed over the first and second insulator regions, wherein each remnant liner stub is substantially aligned with the inner sidewall of a respective fin of the pair of fins.

Abstract: A photomask includes a substrate having a top surface. A topographical feature is formed on the top surface of the substrate. The topographical feature may be a bump or a pit created on the top surface of the substrate. A reflector is formed on the top surface of the substrate over the topographical feature. The topographical feature warps the reflector in order to generate phase and/or amplitude gradients in light reflected off the reflector. An absorber is patterned on the reflector defining lithographic patterns for a resist material. The gradients in the light reflected off the reflector create shadow regions during lithography of the resist material using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light.

Abstract: One method includes performing an etching process to define a gate cavity that exposes an upper surface and at least a portion of the sidewalls of a gate structure and forming a replacement spacer structure adjacent the exposed sidewalls of the gate structure, wherein the replacement spacer structure exposes a portion of the upper surface of the gate structure and includes at least one air space. In this example, the method also includes forming a conformal etch stop layer and a replacement gate cap structure in the gate cavity, selectively removing a portion of the replacement gate cap structure and a portion of the conformal etch stop layer so as to thereby expose the upper surface of the gate structure, and forming a conductive gate contact structure (CB) in the conductive gate contact opening, wherein the entire conductive gate contact structure (CB) is positioned vertically above the active region.

Abstract: Disclosed are integrated circuit (IC) structure embodiments that incorporate a stacked pair of field effect transistors (FETs) (e.g., gate-all-around FETs) and metal components that enable power and/or signal connections to source/drain regions of those FETs. Specifically, the IC includes a first FET and a second FET stacked on and sharing a gate with the first FET. The metal components include an embedded contact in a source/drain region of the first FET and connected to a wire (e.g., a power or signal wire). The wire can be a front end of the line (FEOL) wire positioned laterally adjacent to the source/drain region and the embedded contact can extend laterally from the source/drain region to the FEOL wire. Alternatively, the wire can be a back end of the line (BEOL) wire and an insulated contact can extend vertically from the embedded contact through the second FET to the BEOL wire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided including forming raised source and drain regions on a semiconductor layer, forming a first insulating layer over the semiconductor layer, forming a first contact to one of the source and drain regions in the first insulating layer, forming a second insulating layer over the first contact, forming a trench in the second insulating layer to expose the first contact, removing a portion of the first contact below the trench, thereby forming a recessed surface of the first contact, removing a portion of the first insulating layer, thereby forming a recess in the trench and exposing a portion of a sidewall of the first contact below the recessed surface of the first contact, and filling the trench and the recess formed in the trench with a contact material to form a second contact in contact with the first contact.

Abstract: An integrated circuit product includes a first layer of insulating material including a first insulating material. The first layer of insulating material is positioned above a device layer of a semiconductor substrate. The device layer includes transistors. A metallization blocking structure is positioned in an opening in the first layer of insulating material. The metallization blocking structure includes a second insulating material that is different from the first insulating material. A metallization trench is defined in the first layer of insulating material on opposite sides of the metallization blocking structure. A conductive metallization line includes first and second portions positioned in the metallization trench on opposite sides of the metallization blocking structure. The conductive metallization line has a long axis extending along the first and second portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit (IC) structure that incorporates stacked pair(s) of field effect transistors (FETs), where each stacked pair has a shared gate. The structure also includes an irregular-shaped buried interconnect that connects source/drain regions that are on opposite sides of the shared gate and at different levels (i.e., a lower FET's source/drain region on one side of the shared gate to an upper FET's source/drain region on the opposite side). Also disclosed is a method for forming the structure by forming, during different process stages, different sections of an irregular-shaped cavity (including sections that expose surfaces of the source/drain regions at issue and a section with sidewalls lined by a dielectric spacer) and filling the different sections with sacrificial material. When all of the sections are completed, the sacrificial material is selectively removed, thereby creating the irregular-shaped cavity. Then, the buried interconnect is formed within the cavity.

Abstract: One method includes performing an etching process to define a gate cavity that exposes an upper surface and at least a portion of the sidewalls of a gate structure and forming a replacement spacer structure adjacent the exposed sidewalls of the gate structure, wherein the replacement spacer structure exposes a portion of the upper surface of the gate structure and includes at least one air space. In this example, the method also includes forming a conformal etch stop layer and a replacement gate cap structure in the gate cavity, selectively removing a portion of the replacement gate cap structure and a portion of the conformal etch stop layer so as to thereby expose the upper surface of the gate structure, and forming a conductive gate contact structure (CB) in the conductive gate contact opening, wherein the entire conductive gate contact structure (CB) is positioned vertically above the active region.