Abstract: Conductive element structures and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a conductive element in an insulating layer includes: forming a recess in a metal layer disposed over the insulating layer; selectively forming a metal liner on a sidewall of the recess; and etching a via in the insulating layer using the metal layer and the metal liner as a mask.

Abstract: An aluminum (Al) layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A selective portion of the Al layer is removed to form openings. The Al layer is anodized to obtain an alumina dielectric layer with a plurality of pores. The openings are filled with a conductive interconnect material. The pores are widened to form air gaps and a top etch stop layer is formed over the alumina dielectric layer.

Abstract: A device comprises a first rounded metal line in a metallization layer over a substrate, a second rounded metal line in the metallization layer, a first air gap between sidewalls of the first rounded metal line and the second metal line, a first metal line in the metallization layer, wherein a top surface of the first metal line is higher than a top surface of the second rounded metal line and a bottom surface of the first metal line is substantially level with a bottom surface of the second rounded metal line and a second air gap between sidewalls of the second rounded metal line and the first metal line.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes an interconnect which includes an interconnect metal plug surrounded by a second metal layer. The interconnect is adjacent a sidewall of a dielectric, such that an air gap is between the interconnect and the sidewall of the dielectric. A protective barrier is over the interconnect and the air gap, and is over and in direct physical contact with a top surface of the dielectric. The interconnect metal plug surrounded by the second metal layer is less susceptible to damage than an interconnect metal plug that is not surrounded by a second metal layer. The protective barrier in direct physical contact with the dielectric reduces parasitic capacitance, which reduces an RC delay of the semiconductor arrangement, as compared to a semiconductor arrangement that does not have a protective barrier in direct physical contact with a dielectric.

Abstract: A metal first, via first process for forming interconnects within a metallization layer of a semiconductor device is provided. In an embodiment a conductive material is deposited and the conductive material is patterned into a conductive line and a via. A dielectric material is deposited over the conductive line and the via, and the dielectric material and the via are planarized.

Abstract: An image sensor employing deep trench spacing isolation is provided. A plurality of pixel sensors is arranged over or within a semiconductor substrate. A trench is arranged in the semiconductor substrate around and between adjacent ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, and the trench has a gap located between sidewalls of the trench. A cap is arranged over or within the trench at a position overlying the gap. The cap seals the gap within the trench. A method of manufacturing the image sensor is also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A conductive feature over a substrate is provided. A first dielectric layer is deposited over the conductive feature and the substrate. A via-forming-trench (VFT) is formed in the first dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature and the substrate around the conductive feature. The VFT is filled in by a sacrificial layer. A via-opening is formed in the sacrificial layer to expose the conductive feature. A metal plug is formed in the via-opening to connect to the conductive feature. The sacrificial layer is removed to form a surrounding-vacancy around metal plug and the conductive feature. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the substrate to seal a portion of the surrounding-vacancy to form an enclosure-air-gap all around the metal plug and the conductive feature.

Abstract: Conductive element structures and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a conductive element in an insulating layer includes: forming a recess in a metal layer disposed over the insulating layer; selectively forming a metal liner on a sidewall of the recess; and etching a via in the insulating layer using the metal layer and the metal liner as a mask.

Abstract: An aluminum (Al) layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A selective portion of the Al layer is removed to form openings. The Al layer is anodized to obtain an alumina dielectric layer with a plurality of pores. The openings are filled with a conductive interconnect material. The pores are widened to form air gaps and a top etch stop layer is formed over the alumina dielectric layer.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an interconnect structure. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming a trench within a first dielectric layer and forming sacrificial spacers along sidewalls of the trench. The trench is filled with a conductive material, and the sacrificial spacers are removed after the trench has been filled with the conductive material. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer to leave an air-gap in a region from which the sacrificial spacers were removed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A conductive feature over a substrate is provided. A first dielectric layer is deposited over the conductive feature and the substrate. A via-forming-trench (VFT) is formed in the first dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature and the substrate around the conductive feature. The VFT is filled in by a sacrificial layer. A via-opening is formed in the sacrificial layer to expose the conductive feature. A metal plug is formed in the via-opening to connect to the conductive feature. The sacrificial layer is removed to form a surrounding-vacancy around metal plug and the conductive feature. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the substrate to seal a portion of the surrounding-vacancy to form an enclosure-air-gap all around the metal plug and the conductive feature.

Abstract: Conductive element structures and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a conductive element in an insulating layer includes: forming a recess in a metal layer disposed over the insulating layer; selectively forming a metal liner on a sidewall of the recess; and etching a via in the insulating layer using the metal layer and the metal liner as a mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes an interconnect which includes an interconnect metal plug surrounded by a second metal layer. The interconnect is adjacent a sidewall of a dielectric, such that an air gap is between the interconnect and the sidewall of the dielectric. A protective barrier is over the interconnect and the air gap, and is over and in direct physical contact with a top surface of the dielectric. The interconnect metal plug surrounded by the second metal layer is less susceptible to damage than an interconnect metal plug that is not surrounded by a second metal layer. The protective barrier in direct physical contact with the dielectric reduces parasitic capacitance, which reduces an RC delay of the semiconductor arrangement, as compared to a semiconductor arrangement that does not have a protective barrier in direct physical contact with a dielectric.

Abstract: An aluminum (Al) layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A selective portion of the Al layer is removed to form openings. The Al layer is anodized to obtain an alumina dielectric layer with a plurality of pores. The openings are filled with a conductive interconnect material. The pores are widened to form air gaps and a top etch stop layer is formed over the alumina dielectric layer.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a first low-k dielectric layer formed over a substrate. A first metal line is disposed in the first low-k dielectric layer. The first metal line includes a first conductive body with a first width and an up landing pad with a second width. The first width is smaller than the second width. The interconnect structure further includes a first air-gap adjacent to sidewalls of the first conductive body. The interconnect structure also includes a second low-k dielectric layer formed over the first low-k dielectric layer and a first via in the second low-k dielectric layer and disposed on the up landing pad.

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: An image sensor employing deep trench spacing isolation is provided. A plurality of pixel sensors is arranged over or within a semiconductor substrate. A trench is arranged in the semiconductor substrate around and between adjacent ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, and the trench has a gap located between sidewalls of the trench. A cap is arranged over or within the trench at a position overlying the gap. The cap seals the gap within the trench. A method of manufacturing the image sensor is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes an interconnect which includes an interconnect metal plug surrounded by a second metal layer. The interconnect is adjacent a sidewall of a dielectric, such that an air gap is between the interconnect and the sidewall of the dielectric. A protective barrier is over the interconnect and the air gap, and is over and in direct physical contact with a top surface of the dielectric. The interconnect metal plug surrounded by the second metal layer is less susceptible to damage than an interconnect metal plug that is not surrounded by a second metal layer. The protective barrier in direct physical contact with the dielectric reduces parasitic capacitance, which reduces an RC delay of the semiconductor arrangement, as compared to a semiconductor arrangement that does not have a protective barrier in direct physical contact with a dielectric.

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.