Abstract: Lined photoresist structures to facilitate fabricating back end of line (BEOL) interconnects are described. In an embodiment, a hard mask has recesses formed therein, wherein liner structures are variously disposed each on a sidewall of a respective recess. Photobuckets comprising photoresist material are also variously disposed in the recesses. The liner structures variously serve as marginal buffers to mitigate possible effects of misalignment in the exposure of photoresist material to photons or an electron beam. In another embodiment, a recess has disposed therein a liner structure and a photobucket that are both formed by self-assembly of a photoresist-based block-copolymer.

Abstract: Dielectric helmet-based approaches for back end of line (BEOL) interconnect fabrication, and the resulting structures, are described. In an example, a semiconductor structure includes a substrate. A plurality of alternating first and second conductive line types is disposed along a same direction of a back end of line (BEOL) metallization layer disposed in an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer disposed above the substrate. A dielectric layer is disposed on an uppermost surface of the first conductive line types but not along sidewalls of the first conductive line types, and is disposed along sidewalls of the second conductive line types but not on an uppermost surface of the second conductive line types.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a metal layer comprising a plurality of interconnect lines on a plurality of vias; an additional metal layer comprising first, second, and third interconnect lines on first, second, and third vias; the first and third vias coupling the first and third interconnect lines to two of the plurality of interconnect lines; a lateral interconnect, included entirely within the additional metal layer, directly connected to each of the first, second, and third interconnect lines; and an insulator layer included entirely between two sidewalls of the second via. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Image tone-reversal with a dielectric using bottom-up cross-linking for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, a semiconductor structure including a metallization layer includes a plurality of trenches in an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer above a substrate. A pre-catalyst layer is on sidewalls of one or more, but not all, of the plurality of trenches. Cross-linked portions of a dielectric material are proximate the pre-catalyst layer, in the one or more of the plurality of trenches. Conductive structures are in remaining ones of the trenches.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include microelectronic devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment, a microelectronic device, includes one or more pre-patterned features formed into a interconnect layer, with a conformal barrier layer formed over the first wall, and the second wall of one or more of the pre-patterned features. A photoresist layer may formed over the barrier layer and within one or more of the pre-patterned features and a conductive via may be formed in at least one of the pre-patterned features.

Abstract: Methods of selectively depositing high-K gate dielectric on a semiconductor structure are disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor structure is disposed beside an isolation sidewall. A sacrificial blocking layer is then selectively deposited on the isolation sidewall and not on the semiconductor structure. Thereafter, a high-K gate dielectric is deposited on the semiconductor structure, but not on the sacrificial blocking layer. Properties of the sacrificial blocking layer prevent deposition of oxide material on its surface. A thermal treatment is then performed to remove the sacrificial blocking layer, thereby forming a high-K gate dielectric only on the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an interconnect structure and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, the interconnect structure may include an interlayer dielectric (ILD) with a first hardmask layer over a top surface of the ILD. Certain embodiments include one or more first interconnect lines in the ILD and a first dielectric cap positioned above each of the first interconnect lines. For example a surface of the first dielectric cap may contact a top surface of the first hardmask layer. Embodiments may also include one or more second interconnect lines in the ILD arranged in an alternating pattern with the first inter-connect lines. In an embodiment, a second dielectric cap is formed over a top surface of each of the second interconnect lines. For example, a surface of the second dielectric cap contacts a top surface of the first hardmask layer.

Abstract: Techniques related to forming selective gate spacers for semiconductor devices and transistor structures and devices formed using such techniques are discussed. Such techniques include forming a blocking material on a semiconductor fin, disposing a gate having a different surface chemistry than the blocking material on a portion of the blocking material, forming a selective conformal layer on the gate but not on a portion of the blocking material, and removing exposed portions of the blocking material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an interconnect structure with a via and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, the interconnect structure comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD). A first interconnect line and a second interconnect line extend into the first ILD. According to an embodiment, a second ILD is positioned over the first interconnect line and the second interconnect line. A via may extend through the second ILD and electrically coupled to the first interconnect line. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include a portion of a bottom surface of the via being positioned over the second interconnect line. However, an isolation layer may be positioned between the bottom surface of the via and a top surface of the second interconnect line, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for insulating or electrically isolating select vias within a given interconnect layer, so a conductive routing can skip over those select isolated vias to reach other vias or interconnects in that same layer. Such a via blocking layer may be selectively implemented in any number of locations within a given interconnect as needed. Techniques for forming the via blocking layer are also provided, including a first methodology that uses a sacrificial passivation layer to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer, a second methodology that uses spin-coating of wet-recessible polymeric formulations to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer, and a third methodology that uses spin-coating of nanoparticle formulations to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer. Harmful etching processes typically associated with conformal deposition processes is avoided.

Abstract: Bottom-up fill approaches for forming metal features of semiconductor structures, and the resulting structures, are described. In an example, a semiconductor structure includes a trench disposed in an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer. The trench has sidewalls, a bottom and a top. A U-shaped metal seed layer is disposed at the bottom of the trench and along the sidewalls of the trench but substantially below the top of the trench. A metal fill layer is disposed on the U-shaped metal seed layer and fills the trench to the top of the trench. The metal fill layer is in direct contact with dielectric material of the ILD layer along portions of the sidewalls of the trench above the U-shaped metal seed layer.

Abstract: Image tone-reversal with a dielectric using bottom-up cross-linking for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, a semiconductor structure including a metallization layer includes a plurality of trenches in an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer above a substrate. A pre-catalyst layer is on sidewalls of one or more, but not all, of the plurality of trenches. Cross-linked portions of a dielectric material are proximate the pre-catalyst layer, in the one or more of the plurality of trenches. Conductive structures are in remaining ones of the trenches.

Abstract: A conductive route structure may be formed comprising a conductive trace and a conductive via, wherein the conductive via directly contacts the conductive trace. In one embodiment, the conductive route structure may be formed by forming a dielectric material layer on the conductive trace. A via opening may be formed through the dielectric material layer to expose a portion of the conductive trace and a blocking layer may be from only on the exposed portion of the conductive trace. A barrier line may be formed on sidewalls of the via opening and the blocking layer may thereafter be removed. A conductive via may then be formed within the via opening, wherein the conductive via directly contacts the conductive trace.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for insulating or electrically isolating select vias within a given interconnect layer, so a conductive routing can skip over those select isolated vias to reach other vias or interconnects in that same layer. Such a via blocking layer may be selectively implemented in any number of locations within a given interconnect as needed. Techniques for forming the via blocking layer are also provided, including a first methodology that uses a sacrificial passivation layer to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer, a second methodology that uses spin-coating of wet-recessible polymeric formulations to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer, and a third methodology that uses spin-coating of nanoparticle formulations to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer. Harmful etching processes typically associated with conformal deposition processes is avoided.

Abstract: Photodefinable alignment layers for chemical assisted patterning and approaches for forming photodefinable alignment layers for chemical assisted patterning are described. An embodiment of the invention may include disposing a chemically amplified resist (CAR) material over a hardmask that includes a switch component. The CAR material may then be exposed to form exposed resist portions. The exposure may produces acid in the exposed portions of the CAR material that interact with the switch component to form modified regions of the hardmask material below the exposed resist portions.

Abstract: Methods of selectively depositing high-K gate dielectric on a semiconductor structure are disclosed. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor structure is disposed beside an isolation sidewall. A sacrificial blocking layer is then selectively deposited on the isolation sidewall and not on the semiconductor structure. Thereafter, a high-K gate dielectric is deposited on the semiconductor structure, but not on the sacrificial blocking layer. Properties of the sacrificial blocking layer prevent deposition of oxide material on its surface. A thermal treatment is then performed to remove the sacrificial blocking layer, thereby forming a high-K gate dielectric only on the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for insulating or electrically isolating select vias within a given interconnect layer, so a conductive routing can skip over those select isolated vias to reach other vias or interconnects in that same layer. Such a via blocking layer may be selectively implemented in any number of locations within a given interconnect as needed. Techniques for forming the via blocking layer are also provided, including a first methodology that uses a sacrificial passivation layer to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer, a second methodology that uses spin-coating of wet-recessible polymeric formulations to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer, and a third methodology that uses spin-coating of nanoparticle formulations to facilitate selective deposition of insulator material that form the via blocking layer. Harmful etching processes typically associated with conformal deposition processes is avoided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include microelectronic devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment, a microelectronic device, includes one or more pre-patterned features formed into a interconnect layer, with a conformal barrier layer formed over the first wall, and the second wall of one or more of the pre-patterned features. A photoresist layer may formed over the barrier layer and within one or more of the pre-patterned features and a conductive via may be formed in at least one of the pre-patterned features.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an interconnect structure and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, the interconnect structure may include an interlayer dielectric (ILD) with a first hardmask layer over a top surface of the ILD. Certain embodiments include one or more first interconnect lines in the ILD and a first dielectric cap positioned above each of the first interconnect lines. For example a surface of the first dielectric cap may contact a top surface of the first hardmask layer. Embodiments may also include one or more second interconnect lines in the ILD arranged in an alternating pattern with the first inter-connect lines. In an embodiment, a second dielectric cap is formed over a top surface of each of the second interconnect lines. For example, a surface of the second dielectric cap contacts a top surface of the first hardmask layer.

Abstract: A method of an aspect includes forming a directed self assembly alignment promotion layer over a surface of a substrate having a first patterned region and a second patterned region. A first directed self assembly alignment promotion material is formed selectively over the first patterned region without using lithographic patterning. The method also includes forming an assembled layer over the directed self assembly alignment promotion layer by directed self assembly. A plurality of assembled structures are formed that each include predominantly a first type of polymer over the first directed self assembly alignment promotion material. The assembled structures are each adjacently surrounded by predominantly a second different type of polymer over the second patterned region. The first directed self assembly alignment promotion material has a greater chemical affinity for the first type of polymer than for the second different type of polymer.