Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive line embedded in the first dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes a second conductive line over the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is between the first conductive line and the second conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes conductive pillars passing through the second dielectric layer to electrically connect the first conductive line to the second conductive line. The conductive pillars are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first conductive feature in the dielectric layer. A portion of the dielectric layer has a top surface that is provided on a different level in relation to a top surface of the first conductive feature. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer and extending from a bottom surface of the first conductive feature. The portion of the dielectric layer is separated from the second conductive feature by a gap. A distance between the portion of the dielectric layer and the second conductive feature becomes smaller along a direction from the top surface of the first conductive feature towards the bottom surface of the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and an interconnect structure formed over the substrate. The interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate, and a first graphene layer formed in and on the first dielectric layer. The first graphene layer includes a first portion in the first dielectric layer and a second portion on the first dielectric layer and a first insulating layer formed over the first portion of the first graphene layer.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a contact plug over the semiconductor substrate, and an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) layer over the semiconductor substrate, with the contact plug being disposed in the ILD. An air gap is sealed by a portion of the ILD and the semiconductor substrate. The air gap forms a full air gap ring encircling a portion of the semiconductor substrate.

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 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. The beam structure includes a fixed portion and a moveable portion, the fixed portion is extended vertically, and the movable portion is extended horizontally. 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 device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive line embedded in the first dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes a second conductive line over the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is between the first conductive line and the second conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes conductive pillars passing through the second dielectric layer to electrically connect the first conductive line to the second conductive line. The conductive pillars are spaced apart from each other.

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: 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: Two-dimensional (2-D) interconnects in a one-dimensional (1-D) patterning layout for integrated circuits is disclosed. This disclosure provides methods of connecting even or odd numbered lines that are in the x-direction of a 1-D patterning layout through 2-D interconnects in the y-direction. Depending on device design needs, 2-D interconnects may be perpendicular or non-perpendicular to the even or odd numbered lines. The freedom of two-dimensional patterning compared to conventional self-aligned multiple patterning (SAMP) processes used in the 1-D patterning processes is provided. The two-dimensional patterning described herein provides line widths that match the critical dimensions in both x and y directions. The separation between the 1-D lines or between 2-D interconnects and the end of 1-D lines can be kept to a constant and at a minimum.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure has a first dielectric layer disposed over a substrate and a conductive structure arranged within the first dielectric layer. An air-gap separates sidewalls of the conductive structure from the first dielectric layer. The air-gap continuously extends from a first side of the conductive structure to an opposing second side of the conductive structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A conductive layer is formed over a substrate. The conductive layer is selectively etched to form a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and a spacing between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. A dielectric layer is formed over the first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the spacing, such that an air gap is formed in the spacing between the first and second conductive portions and is sealed by the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first conductive feature in the dielectric layer. A portion of the dielectric layer has a top surface that is provided on a different level in relation to a top surface of the first conductive feature. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer and extending from a bottom surface of the first conductive feature. The portion of the dielectric layer is separated from the second conductive feature by a gap. A distance between the portion of the dielectric layer and the second conductive feature becomes smaller along a direction from the top surface of the first conductive feature towards the bottom surface of the first conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip having a back-end-of-the-line interconnect stack. The integrated chip has a dielectric structure arranged over a substrate. A first interconnect structure is arranged within the dielectric structure and has sidewalls and a horizontally extending surface that define a recess within a lower surface of the first interconnect structure facing the substrate. A lower interconnect structure is arranged within the dielectric structure and extends from within the recess to a location between the first interconnect structure and the substrate. The first interconnect structure and the lower interconnect structure comprise one or more different conductive materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an interconnect structure. In some embodiments, the interconnect structure has a first conductive body arranged within a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A first air-gap separates sidewalls of the first conductive body from the first dielectric layer. A barrier layer is arranged on sidewalls of the first conductive body at a location between the first conductive body and the first air-gap. The first air-gap is defined by a sidewall of the barrier layer and an opposing sidewall of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming an opening in the dielectric layer. A dielectric constant of a first portion of the dielectric layer is less than that of a second portion of the dielectric layer surrounding the opening. The method further includes forming a conductive feature in the opening. The second portion is between the first portion and the conductive feature. In addition, the method includes modifying an upper portion of the first portion to increase the dielectric constant of the upper portion of the first portion. The method also includes removing the upper portion of the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a BEOL metallization layer that uses different conductive materials (e.g., metals) to fill different size openings in an inter-level dielectric layer, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having a first plurality of metal interconnect structures disposed within a first BEOL metallization layer, which include a first conductive material. The integrated chip also has a second plurality of metal interconnect structures disposed within the first BEOL metallization layer at positions laterally separated from the first plurality of metal interconnect structures. The second plurality of metal interconnect structures have a second conductive material that is different than the first conductive material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an image sensor with deep trench spacing isolation is provided. A trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate, around and between a plurality of pixel regions of the semiconductor substrate. A cap is formed using epitaxy to seal a gap between sidewalls of the trench. Pixel sensors corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions are formed over or within the corresponding pixel regions. An image sensor resulting from the method is also provided.

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: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming an opening in the dielectric layer. A dielectric constant of a first portion of the dielectric layer is less than that of a second portion of the dielectric layer surrounding the opening. The method further includes forming a conductive feature in the opening. The second portion is between the first portion and the conductive feature. In addition, the method includes modifying an upper portion of the first portion to increase the dielectric constant of the upper portion of the first portion. The method also includes removing the upper portion of the first portion and the second portion.