Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductive device that comprises interlevel dielectric layers that are located over devices. The interlevel dielectric layers have a dielectric constant (k) less than about 4.0. Interconnects are formed within or over the interlevel dielectric layers. The semiconductive device further comprises an aluminum oxide barrier located between at least one pair of the interlevel dielectric layers. The aluminum oxide barrier is substantially laterally co-extensive with the interlevel dielectric layers.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode (24?) for a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit is disclosed. A hardmask layer (26), for example formed of silicon-rich nitride, is deposited over a polysilicon layer (24) from which the gate electrode (24?) is to be formed. An anti-reflective coating, or bottom anti-reflective coating or BARC, layer (29) is then formed over the hardmask layer (26), and photoresist (30) is photolithographically patterned to define the pattern of the gate electrode (24?), although to a wider, photolithographic, width (LW). The pattern is transferred from the photoresist (30) to the BARC layer (29). The remaining elements of the BARC layer (29) are then trimmed, preferably by a timed isotropic etch, to a sub-lithographic width (SW). This pattern is then transferred to the hardmask layer (26) by an anisotropic etch of that layer, using the trimmed BARC elements (29) as a mask.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer. The method includes depositing spin-on-glass material over the semiconductor wafer (step 208), modifying a top surface of the spin-on glass material to form a SiO2 layer (step 210), applying a vapor prime (step 212), forming a photoresist layer over the spin-on-glass material (step 214), patterning the photoresist layer (step 214), and then etching the semiconductor wafer (step 216). Another embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacturing a dual damascene back-end layer on a semiconductor wafer. The method includes depositing spin-on-glass material over the dielectric layer and within the via holes (step 208), modifying a top surface of the spin-on glass material to form a SiO2 layer (step 210), applying a vapor prime (step 212), forming a photoresist layer over said spin-on-glass material (step 214), patterning the photoresist layer (step 214), and etching trench spaces (step 216).

Abstract: A bleed duct is configured for bleeding fan air from the fan bypass duct in a turbofan aircraft engine. The bleed duct includes a tubular conduit having an inlet and outlet at opposite ends. The conduit is configured in flow area for recovering pressure from speeding fan air bled therethrough. A shroud extends forwardly from the duct inlet for suppressing dynamic pressure oscillations inside the conduit without degrading the pressure recovery.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of fabricating a microelectronics device 200. This embodiment comprises forming a liner 310 over a substrate 210 and a gate structure 230, subjecting the liner 310 to an electron beam 405 and depositing a pre-metal dielectric layer 415 over the liner 310.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated with energy based process(es) that alter etch rates for dielectric layers within damascene processes. A first interconnect layer is formed over a semiconductor body. A first dielectric layer is formed over the first interconnect layer. An etch rate of the first dielectric layer is altered. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer. An etch rate of the second dielectric layer is then altered. A trench etch is performed to form a trench cavity within the second dielectric layer. A via etch is performed to form a via cavity within the first dielectric layer. The cavities are filled with conductive material and then planarized to remove excess fill material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for improving the hardness and/or modulus of elasticity of a dielectric layer and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. The process for improving the hardness and/or modulus of elasticity of a dielectric layer, among other steps, includes providing a dielectric layer having a hardness and a modulus of elasticity, and subjecting the dielectric layer to an energy beam, thereby causing the hardness or modulus of elasticity to increase in value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interconnect structure, a method of manufacture therefore, and an integrated circuit including the same. In one embodiment of the present invention, the interconnect structure includes a conductive feature (150) located in or over a dielectric layer (140), and a silicon oxycarbonitride layer (160) located over the conductive feature (150).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for increasing the hermeticity of a hermetic layer, a method for manufacturing an interconnect structure, and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. The process for increasing the hermeticity of the hermetic layer, without limitation, includes providing a hermetic layer over a substrate (160), the hermetic layer having a initial hermeticity, and subjecting the hermetic layer to an energy beam, thereby causing the initial hermeticity to improve (170).

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit, having copper metallization formed by a dual damascene process, is disclosed. A layered insulator structure is formed over a first conductor (22), within which a second conductor (40) is formed to contact the first conductor. The layered insulator structure includes a via etch stop layer (24), an interlevel dielectric layer (26), a trench etch stop layer (28), an intermetal dielectric layer (30), and a hardmask layer (32). The interlevel dielectric layer (26) and the intermetal dielectric layer (30) are preferably of the same material. A via is partially etched through the intermetal dielectric layer (30), and through an optional trench etch stop layer (28). A trench location is then defined by photoresist (38), and this trench location is transferred to the hardmask layer (32).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method of removing contaminants from a low-k film. The method involves forming a sacrificial layer over the contaminated film. The contaminants combine with the sacrificial layer and are removed by etching away the sacrificial layer. An effective material for the sacrificial layer is, for example, a silicon carbide. The method can be used to prevent the occurrence of pattern defects in chemically amplified photoresists formed over low-k films.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that selectively apply strain to multiple regions of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device having one or more regions is provided (102). A strain inducing liner is formed over the semiconductor device (104). A selection mechanism, such as a layer of photoresist or UV reflective coating is applied to the semiconductor device to select a region (106). The selected region is treated with a stress altering treatment that alters a type and/or magnitude of stress produced by the selected region (108).

Abstract: The present invention provides an interconnect structure, a method of manufacture therefore, and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit including the same. The method for forming the interconnect structure, among other steps, includes subjecting a first portion (510) of a substrate (220) to a first etch process, the first etch process designed to etch at a first entry angle (?1), and subjecting a second portion (610) of the substrate (220) to a second different etch process, the second different etch process designed to etch at a second lesser entry angle (?2).

Abstract: A method for operating a pulse detonation system. The method includes providing a pulse detonation chamber including a plurality of detonation tubes extending therein, and detonating a mixture of fuel and air within each detonation tube such that at least a first tube is detonated at a different time than at least a second detonation tube.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode (24?) for a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit is disclosed. A hardmask layer (26), for example formed of silicon-rich nitride, is deposited over a polysilicon layer (24) from which the gate electrode (24?) is to be formed. An anti-reflective coating, or bottom anti-reflective coating or BARC, layer (29) is then formed over the hardmask layer (26), and photoresist (30) is photolithographically patterned to define the pattern of the gate electrode (24?), although to a wider, photolithographic, width (LW). The pattern is transferred from the photoresist (30) to the BARC layer (29). The remaining elements of the BARC layer (29) are then trimmed, preferably by a timed isotropic etch, to a sub-lithographic width (SW). This pattern is then transferred to the hardmask layer (26) by an anisotropic etch of that layer, using the trimmed BARC elements (29) as a mask.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a dual damascene layer 13 of an integrated circuit 2 containing a dual damascene pattern liner 21. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacturing dual damascene layer 13 where a dual damascene pattern liner 21 is formed over a cap layer 25 and within via holes. Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacturing dual damascene layer 13 where a dual damascene pattern liner 21 is formed over a cap layer 25 and within trench spaces.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer. The method includes depositing spin-on-glass material over the semiconductor wafer (step 208), modifying a top surface of the spin-on glass material to form a SiO2 layer (step 210), applying a vapor prime (step 212), forming a photoresist layer over the spin-on-glass material (step 214), patterning the photoresist layer (step 214), and then etching the semiconductor wafer (step 216). Another embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacturing a dual damascene back-end layer on a semiconductor wafer. The method includes depositing spin-on-glass material over the dielectric layer and within the via holes (step 208), modifying a top surface of the spin-on glass material to form a SiO2 layer (step 210), applying a vapor prime (step 212), forming a photoresist layer over said spin-on-glass material (step 214), patterning the photoresist layer (step 214), and etching trench spaces (step 216).

Abstract: One or more aspects of the subject disclosure pertain to forming single or dual damascene interconnect structures in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. The interconnect structures are formed in manners that mitigate one or more adverse effects associated with conventional techniques. One or more aspects of the invention may be employed, for example, to facilitate better via critical dimension (CD) control, improve selectivity of etch-stop layer to inter layer dielectric (ILD) and/or intra-metal dielectric (IMD) material, and/or to simplify and make the fabrication process more efficient and/or cost effective.

Abstract: A BARC etch comprises a selective etch chemistry in combination with a high-polymerizing gas for CD control. The BARC etch may be used in a via-first dual damascene method. After via (116) pattern and etch, a thick BARC layer (120) is deposited to fill the via (116) and coat the IMD (110). A trench resist pattern (125) is formed over the BARC layer (120). Then, the exposed portion of BARC (120) over the IMD (110) is etched using a high-polymerizing gas added to a selective etch chemistry. The more polymerizing gas passivates the trench resist (125) sidewall to preserve or improve the trench CD. During the main trench etch, portions of BARC (120) remain in the via to protect the etch-stop (104) at the bottom of the via (116).

Abstract: A method for operating a pulse detonation system. The method includes providing a pulse detonation chamber including a plurality of detonation tubes extending therein, and detonating a mixture of fuel and air within each detonation tube such that at least a first tube is detonated at a different time than at least a second detonation tube.