Abstract: A first metallization layer comprises a set of first conductive lines that extend along a first direction on a first dielectric layer on a substrate. Pillars are formed on recessed first dielectric layers and a second dielectric layer covers the pillars. A dual damascene etch provides a contact hole through the second dielectric layer and an etch removes the pillars to form air gaps.

Abstract: Processing methods comprising selectively orthogonally growing a first material through a mask to provide an expanded first material are described. The mask can be removed leaving the expanded first material extending orthogonally from the surface of the first material. Further processing can create a self-aligned via.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to a method for forming a metal layer and to a method for forming an oxide layer on the metal layer. In one implementation, the metal layer is formed on a seed layer, and the seed layer helps the metal in the metal layer nucleate with small grain size without affecting the conductivity of the metal layer. The metal layer may be formed using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and nitrogen gas may be flowed into the processing chamber along with the precursor gases. In another implementation, a barrier layer is formed on the metal layer in order to prevent the metal layer from being oxidized during subsequent oxide layer deposition process. In another implementation, the metal layer is treated prior to the deposition of the oxide layer in order to prevent the metal layer from being oxidized.

Abstract: A first metallization layer comprises a set of first conductive lines that extend along a first direction on a first dielectric layer on a substrate. Pillars are formed on recessed first dielectric layers and a second dielectric layer covers the pillars. A dual damascene etch provides a contact hole through the second dielectric layer and an etch removes the pillars to form air gaps.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits. More particularly, the implementations described herein provide techniques for deposition of hardmask films on a substrate. In one implementation, a method of forming a hardmask layer on a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a seed layer on a substrate by supplying a seed layer gas mixture in a processing chamber. The method further includes forming a transition layer comprising tungsten, boron and carbon on the seed layer by supplying a transition layer gas mixture in the processing chamber. The method further includes forming a bulk hardmask layer comprising tungsten, boron and carbon on the transition layer by supplying a main deposition gas mixture in the processing chamber.

Abstract: Methods comprising forming a film on at least one feature of a substrate surface are described. The film is expanded to fill the at least one feature and cause growth of the film from the at least one feature. Methods of forming self-aligned vias are also described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a barrier layer is provided. The method includes positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, forming a barrier layer over the substrate and in contact with the underlayer, and annealing the substrate. The substrate comprises at least one underlayer having cobalt, tungsten, or copper. The barrier layer has a thickness of less than 70 angstroms.

Abstract: Processing methods to etch metal oxide films with less etch residue are described. The methods comprise etching a metal oxide film with a metal halide etchant, and exposing the etch residue to a reductant to remove the etch residue. Some embodiments relate to etching tungsten oxide films. Some embodiments utilize tungsten halides to etch metal oxide films. Some embodiments utilize hydrogen gas as a reductant to remove etch residues.

Abstract: Methods comprising forming a film on at least one feature of a substrate surface are described. The film is expanded to fill the at least one feature and cause growth of the film from the at least one feature. Methods of forming self-aligned vias are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and methods for forming a hardmask layer that may be utilized to transfer patterns or features to a film stack with accurate profiles and dimension control for manufacturing three dimensional (3D) stacked semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a method of forming a hardmask layer on a substrate includes forming a seed layer comprising boron on a film stack disposed on a substrate by supplying a seed layer gas mixture in a processing chamber, forming a transition layer comprising born and tungsten on the seed layer by supplying a transition layer gas mixture in the processing chamber, and forming a bulk hardmask layer on the transition layer by supplying a main deposition gas mixture in the processing chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and materials for fabricating semiconductor device structures. In one example, a metal film stack includes a plurality of metal containing films and a plurality of metal derived films arranged in an alternating manner. In another example, a metal film stack includes a plurality of metal containing films which are modified into metal derived films. In certain embodiments, the metal film stacks are used in oxide/metal/oxide/metal (OMOM) structures for memory devices.

Abstract: Processing methods comprising selectively orthogonally growing a first material through a mask to provide an expanded first material are described. The mask can be removed leaving the expanded first material extending orthogonally from the surface of the first material. Further processing can create a self-aligned via.

Abstract: A first metallization layer comprises a set of first conductive lines that extend along a first direction on a first dielectric layer on a substrate. Pillars are formed on recessed first dielectric layers and a second dielectric layer covers the pillars. A dual damascene etch provides a contact hole through the second dielectric layer and an etch removes the pillars to form air gaps.

Abstract: Processing methods comprising selectively orthogonally growing a first material through a mask to provide an expanded first material are described. The mask can be removed leaving the expanded first material extending orthogonally from the surface of the first material. Further processing can create a self-aligned via.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits. More particularly, the implementations described herein provide techniques for deposition of hardmask films on a substrate. In one implementation, a method of forming a hardmask layer on a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a seed layer on a substrate by supplying a seed layer gas mixture in a processing chamber. The method further includes forming a transition layer comprising tungsten, boron and carbon on the seed layer by supplying a transition layer gas mixture in the processing chamber. The method further includes forming a bulk hardmask layer comprising tungsten, boron and carbon on the transition layer by supplying a main deposition gas mixture in the processing chamber.

Abstract: Processing methods comprising selectively orthogonally growing a first material through a mask to provide an expanded first material are described. The mask can be removed leaving the expanded first material extending orthogonally from the surface of the first material. Further processing can create a self-aligned via.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits. More particularly, the implementations described herein provide techniques for deposition of thick hardmask films on a substrate. In one implementation, a method of forming a hardmask layer on a substrate is provided. The method comprises applying a chucking voltage to a substrate positioned on an electrostatic chuck in a processing chamber, forming a seed layer comprising boron on a film stack disposed on a substrate by supplying a seed layer gas mixture in the processing chamber while maintaining the chucking voltage, forming a transition layer comprising boron and tungsten on the seed layer by supplying a transition layer gas mixture in the processing chamber and forming a bulk hardmask layer on the transition layer by supplying a main deposition gas mixture in the processing chamber.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to a method for forming a metal layer and to a method for forming an oxide layer on the metal layer. In one implementation, the metal layer is formed on a seed layer, and the seed layer helps the metal in the metal layer nucleate with small grain size without affecting the conductivity of the metal layer. The metal layer may be formed using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and nitrogen gas may be flowed into the processing chamber along with the precursor gases. In another implementation, a barrier layer is formed on the metal layer in order to prevent the metal layer from being oxidized during subsequent oxide layer deposition process. In another implementation, the metal layer is treated prior to the deposition of the oxide layer in order to prevent the metal layer from being oxidized.

Abstract: Methods comprising forming a film on at least one feature of a substrate surface are described. The film is expanded to fill the at least one feature and cause growth of the film from the at least one feature. Methods of forming self-aligned vias are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and methods for forming a hardmask layer that may be utilized to transfer patterns or features to a film stack with accurate profiles and dimension control for manufacturing three dimensional (3D) stacked semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a method of forming a hardmask layer on a substrate includes forming a seed layer comprising boron on a film stack disposed on a substrate by supplying a seed layer gas mixture in a processing chamber, forming a transition layer comprising born and tungsten on the seed layer by supplying a transition layer gas mixture in the processing chamber, and forming a bulk hardmask layer on the transition layer by supplying a main deposition gas mixture in the processing chamber.