Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first device having a first source or drain region, and a second device having a second source or drain region that is laterally adjacent to the first source or drain region. A conductive source or drain contact includes (i) a lower portion in contact with the first source or drain region, and extending above the first source or drain region, and (ii) an upper portion extending laterally from above the lower portion to above the second source or drain region. A dielectric material is between at least a section of the upper portion of the conductive source or drain contact and the second source or drain region. In an example, each of the first and second devices is a gate-all-around (GAA) device having one or more nanoribbons, nanowires, or nanosheets as channel regions, or is a finFet structure having a fin-based channel region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit interconnect level including a lower metallization line vertically spaced from upper metallization lines. Lower metallization lines may be self-aligned to upper metallization lines enabling increased metallization line width without sacrificing line density for a given interconnect level. Combinations of upper and lower metallization lines within an interconnect metallization level may be designed to control intra-layer resistance/capacitance of integrated circuit interconnect. Dielectric material between two adjacent co-planar metallization lines may be recessed or deposited selectively to the metallization lines. Supplemental metallization may then be deposited and planarized. A top surface of the supplemental metallization may either be recessed to form lower metallization lines between upper metallization lines, or planarized with dielectric material to form upper metallization lines between lower metallization lines.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first interconnect layer, and a second interconnect layer above the first interconnect layer. The first interconnect layer includes a first interconnect feature and a second interconnect feature. The second interconnect layer includes a third interconnect feature, a fourth interconnect feature, and a fifth interconnection feature. The third interconnect feature extends from an upper surface of the first interconnect feature to an upper surface of the second interconnect layer. In an example, the fourth interconnect feature extends from an upper surface of the second interconnect feature to below the upper surface of the second interconnect layer, and the fifth interconnect feature extends from an upper surface of the fourth interconnect feature to the upper surface of the second interconnect layer. Thus, a double-decked vertical stack of interconnect features is formed using the fourth interconnect feature within the second interconnect layer.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) structures, computing devices, and related methods are disclosed. An IC structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), an interconnect, and a liner material separating the interconnect from the ILD. The interconnect includes a first end extending to or into the ILD and a second end opposite the first end. A second portion of the interconnect extending from the second end to a first portion of the interconnect proximate to the first end does not include the liner material thereon. A method of manufacturing an IC structure includes removing an ILD from between interconnects, applying a conformal hermetic liner, applying a carbon hard mask (CHM) between the interconnects, removing a portion of the CHM, removing the conformal hermetic liner to a remaining CHM, and removing the exposed portion of the liner material to the remaining CHM to expose the second portion of the interconnects.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) structures, computing devices, and related methods are disclosed. An IC structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), an interconnect, and a liner material separating the interconnect from the ILD. The interconnect includes a first end extending to or into the ILD and a second end opposite the first end. A second portion of the interconnect extending from the second end to a first portion of the interconnect proximate to the first end does not include the liner material thereon. A method of manufacturing an IC structure includes removing an ILD from between interconnects, applying a conformal hermetic liner, applying a carbon hard mask (CHM) between the interconnects, removing a portion of the CHM, removing the conformal hermetic liner to a remaining CHM, and removing the exposed portion of the liner material to the remaining CHM to expose the second portion of the interconnects.

Abstract: Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having depopulated channel structures, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having depopulated channel structures using multiple bottom-up oxidation approaches, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical arrangement of nanowires. All nanowires of the vertical arrangement of nanowires are oxide nanowires. A gate stack is over the vertical arrangement of nanowires, around each of the oxide nanowires. The gate stack includes a conductive gate electrode.

Abstract: Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having depopulated channel structures, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having depopulated channel structures using multiple bottom-up oxidation approaches, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical arrangement of nanowires. All nanowires of the vertical arrangement of nanowires are oxide nanowires. A gate stack is over the vertical arrangement of nanowires, around each of the oxide nanowires. The gate stack includes a conductive gate electrode.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for non-planar transistors having varying channel widths (Wsi). In some instances, the resulting structure has a fin (or nanowires, nanoribbons, or nanosheets) comprising a first channel region and a second channel region, with a source or drain region between the first channel region and the second channel region. The widths of the respective channel regions are independent of each other, e.g., a first width of the first channel region is different from a second width of the second channel region. The variation in width of a given fin structure may vary in a symmetric fashion or an asymmetric fashion. In an embodiment, a spacer-based forming approach is utilized that allows for abrupt changes in width along a given fin. Sub-resolution fin dimensions are achievable as well.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable independent control of interconnect lines and line end structures using a single mask. The techniques provided are particularly useful, for instance, where single mask lithography processes limit the scaling of line end structures. In some embodiments, the techniques can be implemented using a liner body and multiple angled etches of the liner body to provide a line end structure comprised of a remaining portion of the liner body. In such cases, the line end structure material enables an etch rate that is slower than the etch rate of surrounding insulator materials. Furthermore, the line end structure can be of minimal size not attainable using conventional single mask processes. In other embodiments, the techniques can be implemented using a hardmask that includes hardmask features defining lines, and one or more angled etches of the hardmask to provide line end structure(s) of minimal size.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a semiconductor device structure is formed by using an angled etch to remove material so as to expose a portion of an adjacent conductor. The space formed upon removing the material can then be filled with a conductive material during formation of a contact or other conductive structure (e.g., and interconnection). In this way, the contact formation also fills the space to form an angled local interconnect portion that connects adjacent structures (e.g., a source/drain contact to an adjacent source/drain contact, a source/drain contact to an adjacent gate contact, a source/drain contact to an adjacent device level conductor also connected to a gate/source/drain contact). In other embodiments, an interconnection structure herein termed a “jogged via” establishes and electrical connection from laterally adjacent peripheral surfaces of conductive structures that are not coaxially or concentrically aligned with one another.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) structures, computing devices, and related methods are disclosed. An IC structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), an interconnect, and a liner material separating the interconnect from the ILD. The interconnect includes a first end extending to or into the ILD and a second end opposite the first end. A second portion of the interconnect extending from the second end to a first portion of the interconnect proximate to the first end does not include the liner material thereon. A method of manufacturing an IC structure includes removing an ILD from between interconnects, applying a conformal hermetic liner, applying a carbon hard mask (CHM) between the interconnects, removing a portion of the CHM, removing the conformal hermetic liner to a remaining CHM, and removing the exposed portion of the liner material to the remaining CHM to expose the second portion of the interconnects.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticles and methods of forming EUV reticles. In an embodiment, the reticle may comprise a substrate and a mirror layer over the substrate. In an embodiment, the mirror layer comprises a plurality of alternating first mirror layers and second mirror layers. In an embodiment, a phase-shift layer is formed over the mirror layer. In an embodiment, openings for printable features and openings for non-printable features are formed into the phase-shift layer. In an embodiment, the non-printable features have a dimension that is smaller than a dimension of the printable features.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) structures, computing devices, and related methods are disclosed. An IC structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), an interconnect, and a liner material separating the interconnect from the ILD. The interconnect includes a first end extending to or into the ILD and a second end opposite the first end. A second portion of the interconnect extending from the second end to a first portion of the interconnect proximate to the first end does not include the liner material thereon. A method of manufacturing an IC structure includes removing an ILD from between interconnects, applying a conformal hermetic liner, applying a carbon hard mask (CHM) between the interconnects, removing a portion of the CHM, removing the conformal hermetic liner to a remaining CHM, and removing the exposed portion of the liner material to the remaining CHM to expose the second portion of the interconnects.

Abstract: An integrated circuit interconnect level including a lower metallization line vertically spaced from upper metallization lines. Lower metallization lines may be self-aligned to upper metallization lines enabling increased metallization line width without sacrificing line density for a given interconnect level. Combinations of upper and lower metallization lines within an interconnect metallization level may be designed to control intra-layer resistance/capacitance of integrated circuit interconnect. Dielectric material between two adjacent co-planar metallization lines may be recessed or deposited selectively to the metallization lines. Supplemental metallization may then be deposited and planarized. A top surface of the supplemental metallization may either be recessed to form lower metallization lines between upper metallization lines, or planarized with dielectric material to form upper metallization lines between lower metallization lines.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for non-planar transistors having varying channel widths (Wsi). In some instances, the resulting structure has a fin (or nanowires, nanoribbons, or nanosheets) comprising a first channel region and a second channel region, with a source or drain region between the first channel region and the second channel region. The widths of the respective channel regions are independent of each other, e.g., a first width of the first channel region is different from a second width of the second channel region. The variation in width of a given fin structure may vary in a symmetric fashion or an asymmetric fashion. In an embodiment, a spacer-based forming approach is utilized that allows for abrupt changes in width along a given fin. Sub-resolution fin dimensions are achievable as well.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a semiconductor device structure is formed by using an angled etch to remove material so as to expose a portion of an adjacent conductor. The space formed upon removing the material can then be filled with a conductive material during formation of a contact or other conductive structure (e.g., and interconnection). In this way, the contact formation also fills the space to form an angled local interconnect portion that connects adjacent structures (e.g., a source/drain contact to an adjacent source/drain contact, a source/drain contact to an adjacent gate contact, a source/drain contact to an adjacent device level conductor also connected to a gate/source/drain contact). In other embodiments, an interconnection structure herein termed a “jogged via” establishes and electrical connection from laterally adjacent peripheral surfaces of conductive structures that are not coaxially or concentrically aligned with one another.

Abstract: Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having depopulated channel structures, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having depopulated channel structures using multiple bottom-up oxidation approaches, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical arrangement of nanowires. All nanowires of the vertical arrangement of nanowires are oxide nanowires. A gate stack is over the vertical arrangement of nanowires, around each of the oxide nanowires. The gate stack includes a conductive gate electrode.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) structures, computing devices, and related methods are disclosed. An IC structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD), an interconnect, and a liner material separating the interconnect from the ILD. The interconnect includes a first end extending to or into the ILD and a second end opposite the first end. A second portion of the interconnect extending from the second end to a first portion of the interconnect proximate to the first end does not include the liner material thereon. A method of manufacturing an IC structure includes removing an ILD from between interconnects, applying a conformal hermetic liner, applying a carbon hard mask (CHM) between the interconnects, removing a portion of the CHM, removing the conformal hermetic liner to a remaining CHM, and removing the exposed portion of the liner material to the remaining CHM to expose the second portion of the interconnects.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable independent control of interconnect lines and line end structures using a single mask. The techniques provided are particularly useful, for instance, where single mask lithography processes limit the scaling of line end structures. In some embodiments, the techniques can be implemented using a liner body and multiple angled etches of the liner body to provide a line end structure comprised of a remaining portion of the liner body. In such cases, the line end structure material enables an etch rate that is slower than the etch rate of surrounding insulator materials. Furthermore, the line end structure can be of minimal size not attainable using conventional single mask processes. In other embodiments, the techniques can be implemented using a hardmask that includes hardmask features defining lines, and one or more angled etches of the hardmask to provide line end structure(s) of minimal size.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticles and methods of forming EUV reticles. In an embodiment, the reticle may comprise a substrate and a mirror layer over the substrate. In an embodiment, the mirror layer comprises a plurality of alternating first mirror layers and second mirror layers. In an embodiment, a phase-shift layer is formed over the mirror layer. In an embodiment, openings for printable features and openings for non-printable features are formed into the phase-shift layer. In an embodiment, the non-printable features have a dimension that is smaller than a dimension of the printable features.