Abstract: An interconnect structure having a pitch of less than 40 nanometers and a self-aligned quadruple patterning process for forming the interconnect structure includes three types of lines: a ? line defined by a patterned bottom mandrel formed in the self-aligned quadruple patterning process; a ? line defined by location underneath a top mandrel formed in the self-aligned quadruple patterning process; and an ? line defined by elimination located underneath neither the top mandrel or the bottom mandrel formed in the self-aligned quadruple patterning process. The interconnect structure further includes multi-track jogs selected from a group consisting of a ??? jog; a ??? jog; an ??? jog; a ??? jog, and combinations thereof. The first and third positions refer to the uncut line and the second position refers to the cut line in the self-aligned quadruple patterning process.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned pattern of vias in a semiconductor device comprises etching a pattern of lines that contain notches that are narrower than other parts of the line. Thereafter, vias are created where the notches are located. The locations of the vias are such that the effect of blown-out areas is minimized. Thereafter, the lines are etched and the vias and line areas are filled. The layers are planarized such that the metal fill is level with a surrounding ultra-low-k dielectric. Additional metal layers, lines, and vias can be created. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: A method for fabricating fin field effect transistors comprises creating a pattern of self-aligned small cavities for P-type material growth using at least two hard mask layers, generating a pre-defined isolation area around each small cavity using a vertical spacer, selectively removing N-type material from the self-aligned small cavities, and growing P-type material in the small cavities. The P-type material may be silicon germanium (SiGe) and the N-type material may be tensile Silicon (t-Si). The pattern of self-aligned small cavities for P-type material growth is created by depositing two hard mask materials over a starting substrate wafer, selectively depositing photo resist over a plurality N-type areas, reactive ion etching to remove the second hard mask layer material over areas not covered by photo resist to create gaps in second hard mask layer, and removing the photo resist to expose the second hard mask material in the N-type areas.

Abstract: A method for forming conductive lines comprises forming a hardmask on an insulator layer, a planarizing layer on the hardmask, and a hardmask on the planarizing layer, removing exposed portions of a layer of sacrificial mandrel material to form first and second sacrificial mandrels on the hardmask, and depositing a layer of spacer material in the gap, and over exposed portions of the first and second sacrificial mandrels and the hardmask. Portions of the layer of spacer material are removed to expose the first and second sacrificial mandrels. A filler material is deposited between the first and second sacrificial mandrels. A portion of the filler material is removed to expose the first and second sacrificial mandrels. Portions of the layer of spacer material are removed to expose portions of the hardmask. A trench is formed in the insulator layer, and the trench is filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating fin field effect transistors comprises creating a pattern of self-aligned small cavities for P-type material growth using at least two hard mask layers, generating a pre-defined isolation area around each small cavity using a vertical spacer, selectively removing N-type material from the self-aligned small cavities, and growing P-type material in the small cavities. The P-type material may be silicon germanium (SiGe) and the N-type material may be tensile Silicon (t-Si). The pattern of self-aligned small cavities for P-type material growth is created by depositing two hard mask materials over a starting substrate wafer, selectively depositing photo resist over a plurality N-type areas, reactive ion etching to remove the second hard mask layer material over areas not covered by photo resist to create gaps in second hard mask layer, and removing the photo resist to expose the second hard mask material in the N-type areas.

Abstract: A method for forming a device with multiple gate lengths includes forming a gate stack on vertical fins. A cutting mask formed on the gate stack is etched to include two or more different heights. Gate structures with two or more gate lengths are etched by employing the two or more different heights in the cutting mask as an etch mask. The cutting mask is removed. A top source/drain regions is formed on top of the vertical fins.

Abstract: A method for forming a device with multiple gate lengths includes forming a gate stack on vertical fins. A cutting mask formed on the gate stack is etched to include two or more different heights. Gate structures with two or more gate lengths are etched by employing the two or more different heights in the cutting mask as an etch mask. The cutting mask is removed. A top source/drain regions is formed on top of the vertical fins.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices include a first semiconductor fin. A first gate stack is formed over the first semiconductor fin. Source and drain regions are formed on respective sides of the first gate stack. An interlayer dielectric is formed around the first gate stack. A gate cut plug is formed from a dielectric material at an end of the first gate stack.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of gate structures spaced apart from each other on a fin, forming an inorganic plug portion on the fin between at least two gate structures of the plurality of gate structures, forming a dielectric layer on the fin and between remaining gate structures of the plurality of gate structures, forming an organic planarizing layer (OPL) on the plurality of gate structures and on the inorganic plug portion, removing a portion of the OPL to expose the inorganic plug portion, selectively removing the inorganic plug portion, and forming a contact on the fin in place of the removed inorganic plug portion.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same include forming dummy gates over a semiconductor fin. An interlayer dielectric is formed around and between the dummy gates. The dummy gates are etched away, leaving gate voids. A first planarizing material is deposited in and over the gate voids. The first planarizing material is removed in a gate cut region. A gate cut plug is deposited in the gate cut region. The remaining first planarizing material is removed to expose the gate voids outside of the gate cut region. A gate stack is formed in the gate voids outside of the gate cut region.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes blocking a first region of a wafer and forming a plurality of fins in a second region of the wafer. A protective conformal mask layer is deposited over the plurality of fins in the second region, the second region is blocked, and a plurality of fins are formed in the first region of the wafer using a variety of wet and/or dry etching procedures. The protective conformal mask layer protects the plurality of fins in the second region from the variety of wet and/or dry etching procedures that are used to form the plurality of fins in the first region.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned pattern of vias in a semiconductor device comprises etching a pattern of lines that contain notches that are narrower than other parts of the line. Thereafter, vias are created where the notches are located. The locations of the vias are such that the effect of blown-out areas is minimized. Thereafter, the lines are etched and the vias and line areas are filled. The layers are planarized such that the metal fill is level with a surrounding ultra-low-k dielectric. Additional metal layers, lines, and vias can be created. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure for etch masking that includes forming first dielectric spacers on sidewalls of a plurality of mandrel structures and forming non-mandrel structures in space between adjacent first dielectric spacers. Second dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of an etch mask having a window that exposes a connecting portion of a centralized first dielectric spacer. The connecting portion of the centralized first dielectric spacer is removed. The mandrel structures and non-mandrel structures are removed selectively to the first dielectric spacers to provide an etch mask. The connecting portion removed from the centralized first dielectric spacer provides an opening connecting a first trench corresponding to the mandrel structures and a second trench corresponding to the non-mandrel structures.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure for etch masking that includes forming first dielectric spacers on sidewalls of a plurality of mandrel structures and forming non-mandrel structures in space between adjacent first dielectric spacers. Second dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of an etch mask having a window that exposes a connecting portion of a centralized first dielectric spacer. The connecting portion of the centralized first dielectric spacer is removed. The mandrel structures and non-mandrel structures are removed selectively to the first dielectric spacers to provide an etch mask. The connecting portion removed from the centralized first dielectric spacer provides an opening connecting a first trench corresponding to the mandrel structures and a second trench corresponding to the non-mandrel structures.

Abstract: A method for forming conductive lines comprises forming a hardmask on an insulator layer, a planarizing layer on the hardmask, and a hardmask on the planarizing layer, removing exposed portions of a layer of sacrificial mandrel material to form first and second sacrificial mandrels on the hardmask, and depositing a layer of spacer material in the gap, and over exposed portions of the first and second sacrificial mandrels and the hardmask. Portions of the layer of spacer material are removed to expose the first and second sacrificial mandrels. A filler material is deposited between the first and second sacrificial mandrels. A portion of the filler material is removed to expose the first and second sacrificial mandrels. Portions of the layer of spacer material are removed to expose portions of the hardmask. A trench is formed in the insulator layer, and the trench is filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned pattern of vias in a semiconductor device comprises etching a pattern of lines that contain notches that are narrower than other parts of the line. Thereafter, vias are created where the notches are located. The locations of the vias are such that the effect of blown-out areas is minimized. Thereafter, the lines are etched and the vias and line areas are filled. The layers are planarized such that the metal fill is level with a surrounding ultra-low-k dielectric. Additional metal layers, lines, and vias can be created. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned pattern of vias in a semiconductor device comprises forming a first layer of mandrels, then forming a second layer of mandrels orthogonal to the first layer of mandrels. The layout of the first and second layers of mandrels defines a pattern that can be used to create vias in a semiconductor material. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for removing photoresist bridging defects includes coating a photoresist layer over a dielectric layer formed over a substrate, applying a first developer that results in formation of one or more photoresist bridging defects, and applying a second developer to remove the one or more photoresist bridging defects. The first developer is an aqueous base developer and the second developer is a reverse tone weak developer (RTWD), the RTWD being a mixture of a first (good) solvent and a second (bad) solvent for the photoresist.

Abstract: A method for removing photoresist bridging defects includes coating a photoresist layer over a dielectric layer formed over a substrate, applying a first developer that results in formation of one or more photoresist bridging defects, and applying a second developer to remove the one or more photoresist bridging defects. The first developer is an aqueous base developer and the second developer is a reverse tone weak developer (RTWD), the RTWD being a mixture of a first (good) solvent and a second (bad) solvent for the photoresist.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned pattern of vias in a semiconductor device comprises forming a first layer of mandrels, then forming a second layer of mandrels orthogonal to the first layer of mandrels. The layout of the first and second layers of mandrels defines a pattern that can be used to create vias in a semiconductor material. Other embodiments are also described.