Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first metal wire arranged within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A second metal wire is arranged within the ILD layer and is laterally separated from the first metal wire by an air-gap. A dielectric layer is arranged over the first metal wire and the second metal wire. The dielectric layer has a curved surface along a top of the air-gap. The curved surface of the dielectric layer is a smooth curved surface that continuously extends between opposing sides of the air-gap. A via is disposed on and over the second metal wire.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate-all-around device includes forming a gate electrode layer over a substrate, patterning the gate electrode layer to form a conical frustum-shaped gate electrode, etching the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode to form a through hole extending through top and bottom surfaces of the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode, and after etching the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode, forming a nanowire in the through hole in the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a conductive line over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive via on the conductive line. The conductive via has an upper portion and a protruding portion. The protruding portion extends from a bottom of the upper portion towards the conductive line. The bottom of the upper portion is wider than a top of the upper portion. The semiconductor device structure further includes a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, and the dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line and the conductive via.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first metal wire arranged within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate and laterally separated in a first direction from a first closest air-gap by a first distance. A second metal wire is arranged within the ILD layer and is laterally separated in the first direction from a second closest air-gap by a second distance that is larger than the first distance. A via is disposed on an upper surface of the second metal wire.

Abstract: A NEMS device structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The NEMS device structure includes a substrate and an interconnect structure formed over the substrate. The NEMS device structure includes a dielectric layer formed over the interconnect structure and a beam structure formed in and over the dielectric layer, wherein the beam structure includes a plurality of strip structures. The NEMS device structure includes a cap structure formed over the dielectric layer and the beam structure and a cavity formed between the beam structure and the cap structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement comprises a conductive contact in contact with a substantially planar first top surface of a first active area, the contact between and in contact with a first alignment spacer and a second alignment spacer both having substantially vertical outer surfaces. The contact formed between the first alignment spacer and the second alignment spacer has a more desired contact shape then a contact formed between alignment spacers that do not have substantially vertical outer surfaces. The substantially planar surface of the first active area is indicative of a substantially undamaged structure of the first active area as compared to an active area that is not substantially planar. The substantially undamaged first active area has a greater contact area for the contact and a lower contact resistance as compared to a damaged first active area.

Abstract: A method for patterning a metal layer includes depositing a hard mask layer on a metal layer, depositing a first patterned layer on the hard mask layer, forming a first set of sidewall spacers on sidewalls of features of the first patterned layer, forming a second set of sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the first set of sidewall spacers, removing the first set of sidewall spacers, and performing a reactive ion etching process to pattern portions of the metal layer exposed through the first patterned layer and the second set of sidewall spacers.

Abstract: Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.

Abstract: A vertical MOS transistor includes a substrate, a metal line over the substrate, a semiconductor pillar, a gate dielectric layer surrounding the semiconductor pillar, and a metal gate surrounding the gate dielectric layer. The metal line is under a bottom surface of the semiconductor pillar. The semiconductor pillar is grown by using the bottom-up growing in low temperature to reduce turn off leakage current (Ioff), short channel effect, thermo-budget, and provide high electron mobility.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming an integrated circuit structure. The method includes depositing a first metal layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a hard mask on the first metal layer; patterning the first metal layer to form first metal features using the hard mask as an etch mask; depositing a dielectric layer of a first dielectric material on the first metal features and in gaps among the first metal features; performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process to both the dielectric layer and the hard mask; removing the hard mask, thereby having portions of the dielectric layer extruded above the metal features; forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer of the second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material; and patterning the ILD layer to form openings that expose the first metal features and are constrained to be self-aligned with the first metal features by the extruded portions of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming an interconnect structure, including forming an Nth metal line principally extending in a first direction, forming a sacrificial bilayer over the Nth metal line, forming a dielectric layer over the sacrificial bilayer, removing a portion of the sacrificial bilayer, forming a conductive post in the sacrificial bilayer, wherein the conductive post having a top pattern coplanar with a top surface of the sacrificial bilayer and a bottom pattern in contact with a top surface of the Nth metal line, and forming an Nth metal via over the sacrificial bilayer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods which employ a patterning photolithography/etch operations to form self-aligned interconnects with multi-metal gap fill. For example, the method includes a first pattern structure and a second pattern structure formed over a dielectric layer. Each of the first and second pattern structures includes a pair of spacers, and a center portion between the pair of spacers. A first opening, self-aligned to a space between the first and second pattern structures, is formed in the dielectric layer. A first conductive material is deposited in the first opening. The center portion of the second pattern structure is removed to form a void above the dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers of the second pattern structure. A second opening, self-aligned to the void, is formed in the dielectric layer; and a second conductive material is deposited in the second opening.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a first conductive line and a second conductive line in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, each having a planar top surface, applying an etch-back process to the first dielectric layer until a dielectric portion between the first conductive line and the second conductive line has been removed, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line have respective cross sectional shapes including a rounded surface and two rounded corners and depositing a second dielectric layer over the substrate, while leaving a first air gap between the first conductive line and the second conductive line.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer and a second conductive feature over the first dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive via between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. The conductive via includes an etching stop layer over the first conductive feature, a conductive pillar over the etching stop layer, and a capping layer surrounding the conductive pillar and the etching stop layer. The first conductive feature and the second conductive feature are electrically connected to each other through the capping layer, the conductive pillar, and the etching stop layer. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and below the second conductive feature. The second dielectric layer surrounds the conductive via.

Abstract: Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.

Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece having an interconnect structure that includes a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature disposed beside the first conductive feature, and an inter-level dielectric disposed between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. A conductive material of an etch stop layer is selectively deposited on the first conductive feature and on the second conductive feature without depositing the conductive material on the inter-level dielectric, and the inter-level dielectric is removed to form a gap between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a first conductive line and a second conductive line in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, each having a planar top surface, applying an etch-back process to the first dielectric layer until a dielectric portion between the first conductive line and the second conductive line has been removed, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line have respective cross sectional shapes including a rounded surface and two rounded corners and depositing a second dielectric layer over the substrate, while leaving a first air gap between the first conductive line and the second conductive line.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods which employ a patterning photolithography/etch operations to form self-aligned interconnects with multi-metal gap fill. For example, the method includes a first pattern structure and a second pattern structure formed over a dielectric layer. Each of the first and second pattern structures includes a pair of spacers, and a center portion between the pair of spacers. A first opening, self-aligned to a space between the first and second pattern structures, is formed in the dielectric layer. A first conductive material is deposited in the first opening. The center portion of the second pattern structure is removed to form a void above the dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers of the second pattern structure. A second opening, self-aligned to the void, is formed in the dielectric layer; and a second conductive material is deposited in the second opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an integrated circuit, a first dielectric layer, an etching stop layer, a barrier layer, a conductive layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is over the integrated circuit. The etching stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. The barrier layer has an upper portion extending along a top surface of the etching stop layer and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion along a sidewall of the etching stop layer and a sidewall of the first dielectric layer. The conductive layer is over the barrier layer and having a void region extending through the conductive layer, the barrier layer and the etching stop layer. The second dielectric layer is over the conductive layer and the void region.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate-all-around device includes forming a gate electrode layer over a substrate, patterning the gate electrode layer to form a conical frustum-shaped gate electrode, etching the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode to form a through hole extending through top and bottom surfaces of the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode, and after etching the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode, forming a nanowire in the through hole in the conical frustum-shaped gate electrode.