Abstract: An integrated circuit product includes a substrate, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) material positioned above the substrate and a through-substrate-via (TSV) extending continuously through the substrate and the ILD material. The TSV includes a substrate portion of the TSV that is positioned in and extends continuously through the substrate and an ILD portion of the TSV that is positioned in and extends continuously through the ILD. An insulating liner layer is selectively positioned between and separates the substrate portion of the TSV and the substrate, wherein the selectively positioned insulating liner layer does not extend from the substrate to the ILD material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit product includes a substrate, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) material positioned above the substrate and a through-substrate-via (TSV) extending continuously through the substrate and the ILD material. The TSV includes a substrate portion of the TSV that is positioned in and extends continuously through the substrate and an ILD portion of the TSV that is positioned in and extends continuously through the ILD. An insulating liner layer is selectively positioned between and separates the substrate portion of the TSV and the substrate, wherein the selectively positioned insulating liner layer does not extend from the substrate to the ILD material.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a semiconductor device above a semiconducting substrate, forming a device level contact to the semiconductor device and, after forming the device level contact, performing at least one common process operation so as to form a through-substrate-via (TSV) in a trench in the substrate, a TSV contact structure that is conductively coupled to the TSV and a conductive metallization element that is conductively coupled to the device level contact.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a semiconductor device above a semiconducting substrate, forming a device level contact to the semiconductor device and, after forming the device level contact, performing at least one common process operation so as to form a through-substrate-via (TSV) in a trench in the substrate, a TSV contact structure that is conductively coupled to the TSV and a conductive metallization element that is conductively coupled to the device level contact.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal silicide region in a silicon region of a semiconductor substrate. The method comprises forming a metal layer over the silicon region, then in succession forming a titanium and a titanium nitride layer thereover. As the substrate is heated to form the silicide, the titanium getters silicon dioxide on the surface of the silicon region and the titanium nitride promotes the formation of a smooth surface at the interface between the silicide layer and the underlying silicon region.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are methods for making and there is an integrated circuit comprising a semiconductor substrate comprising device elements and a metallization layer interconnecting the device elements and having an uppermost layer. The integrated circuit can also include a protective overcoat formed over the metallization layer, the protective overcoat having a plurality of patterned regions that expose portions of the metallization layer, a first conductive layer formed on the protective overcoat, and a dielectric layer formed over the first conductive layer. The integrated circuit can further include a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer and a plurality of sidewall spacers contacting end portions of the first conductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one aspect, a method of fabricating a capacitor 615, comprising forming a first electrode 610, placing a dielectric 515 over the first electrode, and locating a second electrode 510 over the dielectric wherein at least one of the first or second electrodes 610, 510 is doped amorphous silicon.

Abstract: A physical vapor deposition process for maintaining the wafer below a critical temperature. The rate at which material particles are sputtered from the target and thus deposited on the wafer is controllable in response to power supplied to the target. Maintaining a desired deposition rate maintains the wafer temperature below the critical temperature.