Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate including a p-n junction with a p-type semiconductor portion and an n-type semiconductor portion one on top of the other. A plurality of patterned antireflective coating layers is located on a p-type semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein at least one portion of the p-type semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed. Aluminum is located directly on the at least one portion of the p-type semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate that is exposed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate including a p-n junction with a p-type semiconductor portion and an n-type semiconductor portion one on top of the other. A plurality of patterned antireflective coating layers is located on a p-type semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein at least one portion of the p-type semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed. Aluminum is located directly on the at least one portion of the p-type semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate that is exposed.

Abstract: A method of forming a low-k dielectric layer or film includes forming a porous low-k dielectric layer or film over a wafer or substrate. Active bonding is introduced into the porous low-k dielectric layer or film to improve damage resistance and chemical integrity of the layer or film, to retain the low dielectric constant of the layer and film after subsequent processing. Introduction of the active bonding may be accomplished by introducing OH and/or H radicals into pores of the porous low-k dielectric layer or film to generate, in the case of a Si based low-k dielectric layer or film, Si—OH and/or Si—H active bonds. After further processing of the low-k dielectric film, the active bonding is removed from the low-k dielectric layer or film.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure having an opening formed in a porous dielectric layer is provided. The exposed pores of the dielectric layer along the sidewalls of the opening are sealed. The sealing may comprise a selective or a non-selective deposition method. The sealing layer has a substantially uniform thickness in one portion of the opening and a non-uniform thickness in another portion of the opening. A damascene interconnect structure having a pore sealing layer is provided as is its method of manufacture.

Abstract: A semiconductor method of manufacturing involving low-k dielectrics is provided. The method includes depositing a hydrocarbon of the general composition CxHy on the surface of a low-k dielectric. The hydrocarbon layer is deposited by reacting a precursor material, preferably C2H4 or (CH3)2CHC6H6CH3, using a PECVD process. In accordance with embodiments of this invention, carbon diffuses into the low-k dielectric, thereby reducing low-k dielectric damage caused by plasma processing or etching. Other embodiments comprise a semiconductor device having a low-k dielectric, wherein the low-k dielectric has carbon-adjusted dielectric region adjacent a trench sidewall and a bulk dielectric region. In preferred embodiments, the carbon-adjusted dielectric region has a carbon concentration not more than about 5% less than in the bulk dielectric region.

Abstract: A method of forming a low-k dielectric layer or film includes forming a porous low-k dielectric layer or film over a wafer or substrate. Active bonding is introduced into the porous low-k dielectric layer or fihm to improve damage resistance and chemical integrity of the layer or film, to retain the low dielectric constant of the layer and film after subsequent processing. Introduction of the active bonding may be accomplished by introducing OH and/or H radicals into pores of the porous low-k dielectric layer or film to generate, in the case of a Si based low-k dielectric layer or film, Si—OH and/or Si—H active bonds. After further processing of the low-k dielectric film, the active bonding is removed from the low-k dielectric layer or film.

Abstract: A semiconductor method of manufacturing involving porous and/or carbon containing, low-k dielectrics is provided. The method includes forming a hydrocarbon of the general composition CxHy on the surface of the low-k dielectric. The hydrocarbon layer includes depositing a precursor material, preferably C2H4 or (CH3)2CHC6H6CH3. In accordance with embodiments of this invention, carbon diffuses into the low-k dielectric, thereby reducing carbon depletion damage caused by plasma processing or etching. Surface dielectric pores damaged by plasma processing are also repaired by sealing them with the CxHy layer. Embodiments include semiconductor devices, such as devices having damascene interconnect structures, manufacturing using methods provided.