Abstract: Integrated circuits with strained silicon and methods for fabricating such integrated circuits are provided. An integrated circuit includes a stack with a surface layer, an intermediate layer, and a base layer, where the surface layer overlies the intermediate layer, and the intermediate layer overlies the base layer. The surface layer and the base layer include strained silicon, where the silicon atoms are stretched beyond a normal crystalline silicon interatomic distance. The intermediate layer includes crystalline silicon germanium.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a first layer of an electrically insulating material over a semiconductor structure. A recess is formed in the first layer of electrically insulating material. A capacitor layer stack is deposited over the first layer of electrically insulating material. The capacitor layer stack includes one or more bottom electrode layers, a dielectric layer and a top electrode layer, wherein a first portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged in the recess and a second portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged over a portion of the first layer of electrically insulating material adjacent the recess. A chemical mechanical polishing process is performed. The chemical mechanical polishing process removes the second portion of the capacitor layer stack, wherein the first portion of the capacitor layer stack is not removed.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a first layer of an electrically insulating material over a semiconductor structure. A recess is formed in the first layer of electrically insulating material. A capacitor layer stack is deposited over the first layer of electrically insulating material. The capacitor layer stack includes one or more bottom electrode layers, a dielectric layer and a top electrode layer, wherein a first portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged in the recess and a second portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged over a portion of the first layer of electrically insulating material adjacent the recess. A chemical mechanical polishing process is performed. The chemical mechanical polishing process removes the second portion of the capacitor layer stack, wherein the first portion of the capacitor layer stack is not removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first metallization layer positioned above a substrate of the semiconductor device, the metallization layer including a dielectric material and a copper-containing metal region embedded in the dielectric material. The semiconductor device also includes a conductive barrier layer positioned along substantially an entirety of an interface between the copper-containing metal region and the dielectric material, the conductive barrier layer including a copper/silicon compound that is in direct contact with the dielectric material along substantially the entirety of the interface.

Abstract: Upon forming a complex metallization system, the parasitic capacitance between metal lines of adjacent metallization layers may be reduced by providing a patterned etch stop material. In this manner, the patterning process for forming the via openings may be controlled in a highly reliable manner, while, on the other hand, the resulting overall dielectric constant of the metallization system may be reduced, thereby also significantly reducing the parasitic capacitance between stacked metal lines.

Abstract: In sophisticated metallization systems of semiconductor devices, a sensitive core metal, such as copper, may be efficiently confined by a conductive barrier material comprising a copper/silicon compound, such as a copper silicide, which may provide superior electromigration behavior and higher electrical conductivity compared to conventionally used tantalum/tantalum nitride barrier systems.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for fabricating integrated circuits are provided, as are embodiments of an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of depositing an interlayer dielectric (“ILD”) layer over a semiconductor device, depositing a barrier polish stop layer over the ILD layer, and patterning at least the barrier polish stop layer and the ILD layer to create a plurality of etch features therein. Copper is plated over the barrier polish stop layer and into the plurality of etch features to produce a copper overburden overlying the barrier polish stop layer and a plurality of conductive interconnect features in the ILD layer and barrier polish stop layer. The integrated circuit is polished to remove the copper overburden and expose the barrier polish stop layer.

Abstract: The method described herein involves a method of forming metal gates and metal contacts in a common fill process. The method may involve forming a gate structure comprising a sacrificial gate electrode material, forming at least one conductive contact opening in a layer of insulating material positioned adjacent the gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate electrode material to thereby define a gate electrode opening, and performing a common deposition process to fill the conductive contact opening and the gate electrode opening with a conductive fill material.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes the steps of forming a ULK material layer, forming a hard mask layer above the ULK material layer, forming a patterned photoresist layer above the hard mask layer, performing at least one etching process to define an opening in at least the ULK material layer for a conductive structure to be positioned in at least the ULK material layer, forming a fill material such that it overfills the opening, performing a process operation to remove the patterned photoresist layer and to remove the fill material positioned outside of the opening, removing the fill material from within the opening and, after removing the fill material from within the opening, forming a conductive structure in the opening.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes the steps of forming a ULK material layer, forming a hard mask layer above the ULK material layer, forming a patterned photoresist layer above the hard mask layer, performing at least one etching process to define an opening in at least the ULK material layer for a conductive structure to be positioned in at least the ULK material layer, forming a fill material such that it overfills the opening, performing a process operation to remove the patterned photoresist layer and to remove the fill material positioned outside of the opening, removing the fill material from within the opening and, after removing the fill material from within the opening, forming a conductive structure in the opening.

Abstract: Upon forming a complex metallization system, the parasitic capacitance between metal lines of adjacent metallization layers may be reduced by providing a patterned etch stop material. In this manner, the patterning process for forming the via openings may be controlled in a highly reliable manner, while, on the other hand, the resulting overall dielectric constant of the metallization system may be reduced, thereby also significantly reducing the parasitic capacitance between stacked metal lines.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for fabricating integrated circuits are provided, as are embodiments of an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of depositing an interlayer dielectric (“ILD”) layer over a semiconductor device, depositing a barrier polish stop layer over the ILD layer, and patterning at least the barrier polish stop layer and the ILD layer to create a plurality of etch features therein. Copper is plated over the barrier polish stop layer and into the plurality of etch features to produce a copper overburden overlying the barrier polish stop layer and a plurality of conductive interconnect features in the ILD layer and barrier polish stop layer. The integrated circuit is polished to remove the copper overburden and expose the barrier polish stop layer.

Abstract: The method described herein involves a method of forming metal gates and metal contacts in a common fill process. The method may involve forming a gate structure comprising a sacrificial gate electrode material, forming at least one conductive contact opening in a layer of insulating material positioned adjacent the gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate electrode material to thereby define a gate electrode opening, and performing a common deposition process to fill the conductive contact opening and the gate electrode opening with a conductive fill material.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices, at least a portion of the interlayer dielectric material of the contact level may be provided in the form of a low-k dielectric material which may, in some illustrative embodiments, be accomplished on the basis of a replacement gate approach. Hence, superior electrical performance, for instance with respect to the parasitic capacitance, may be accomplished.

Abstract: In sophisticated metallization systems of semiconductor devices, a sensitive core metal, such as copper, may be efficiently confined by a conductive barrier material comprising a copper/silicon compound, such as a copper silicide, which may provide superior electromigration behavior and higher electrical conductivity compared to conventionally used tantalum/tantalum nitride barrier systems.