Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back by a wet etching process. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an underlying dielectric welding layer is exposed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In some embodiments, a structure includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate, a first conductive feature through the first dielectric layer, the first conductive feature comprising a first metal, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature through the second dielectric layer having a lower convex surface extending into the first conductive feature, wherein the lower convex surface of the second conductive feature has a tip end extending laterally under a bottom boundary of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an upper portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is smoothed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer and over the smoothed upper portion of the barrier layer.

Abstract: Vias, along with methods for fabricating vias, are disclosed that exhibit reduced capacitance and resistance. An exemplary interconnect structure includes a first source/drain contact and a second source/drain contact disposed in a dielectric layer. The first source/drain contact physically contacts a first source/drain feature and the second source/drain contact physically contacts a second source/drain feature. A first via having a first via layer configuration, a second via having a second via layer configuration, and a third via having a third via layer configuration are disposed in the dielectric layer. The first via and the second via extend into and physically contact the first source/drain contact and the second source/drain contact, respectively. A first thickness of the first via and a second thickness of the second via are the same. The third via physically contacts a gate structure, which is disposed between the first source/drain contact and the second source/drain contact.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In some embodiments, a structure includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate, a first conductive feature through the first dielectric layer, the first conductive feature comprising a first metal, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature through the second dielectric layer having a lower convex surface extending into the first conductive feature, wherein the lower convex surface of the second conductive feature has a tip end extending laterally under a bottom boundary of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first metallic feature, forming a dielectric layer over the first metallic feature, etching the dielectric layer to form an opening, with a top surface of the first metallic feature being exposed through the opening, and performing a first treatment on the top surface of the first metallic feature. The first treatment is performed through the opening, and the first treatment is performed using a first process gas. After the first treatment, a second treatment is performed through the opening, and the second treatment is performed using a second process gas different from the first process gas. A second metallic feature is deposited in the opening.

Abstract: Methods of forming contacts for source/drain regions and a contact plug for a gate stack of a finFET device are disclosed herein. Methods include etching a contact opening through a dielectric layer to expose surfaces of a first source/drain contact and repairing silicon oxide structures along sidewall surfaces of the contact opening and along planar surfaces of the dielectric layer to prevent selective loss defects from occurring during a subsequent selective deposition of conductive fill materials and during subsequent etching of other contact openings. The methods further include performing a selective bottom-up deposition of conductive fill material to form a second source/drain contact. According to some of the methods, once the second source/drain contact has been formed, the contact plug may be formed over the gate stack.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back by a wet etching process. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an underlying dielectric welding layer is exposed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor arrangement includes removing a portion of a first dielectric layer to form a first recess defined by sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a first conductive layer in the first recess, removing a portion of the first conductive layer to form a second recess defined by the sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a second conductive layer in the second recess, where the second conductive layer contacts the first conductive layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the second conductive layer, removing a portion of the second dielectric layer to form a third recess defined by sidewalls of the second dielectric layer, where the second conductive layer is exposed through the third recess, and forming a third conductive layer in the third recess, where the third conductive layer contacts the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming an effective metal diffusion barrier in sidewalls of epitaxy source/drain regions. In an embodiment, a structure includes an active area having a source/drain region on a substrate, a dielectric layer over the active area and having a sidewall aligned with the sidewall of the source/drain region, and a conductive feature along the sidewall of the dielectric layer to the source/drain region. The source/drain region has a sidewall and a lateral surface extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region, and the source/drain region further includes a nitrided region extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region into the source/drain region. The conductive feature includes a silicide region along the lateral surface of the source/drain region and along at least a portion of the sidewall of the source/drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of formation are provided. A semiconductor device includes an annealed cobalt plug over a silicide in a first opening of the semiconductor device, wherein the annealed cobalt plug has a repaired lattice structure. The annealed cobalt plug is formed by annealing a cobalt plug at a first temperature for a first duration, while exposing the cobalt plug to a first gas. The repaired lattice structure of the annealed cobalt plug is more regular or homogenized as compared to a cobalt plug that is not so annealed, such that the annealed cobalt plug has a relatively increased conductivity or reduced resistivity.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor contact structure is provided. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a substrate. The method also includes etching the dielectric layer to expose a sidewall of the dielectric layer and a top surface of the substrate. In addition, the method includes forming a silicide region in the substrate. The method also includes applying a plasma treatment to the sidewall of the dielectric layer and the top surface of the substrate to form a nitridation region adjacent to a periphery of the silicide region. The method further includes depositing an adhesion layer on the dielectric layer and the silicide region.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back by a wet etching process. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an underlying dielectric welding layer is exposed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In some embodiments, a structure includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate, a first conductive feature through the first dielectric layer, the first conductive feature comprising a first metal, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature through the second dielectric layer having a lower convex surface extending into the first conductive feature, wherein the lower convex surface of the second conductive feature has a tip end extending laterally under a bottom boundary of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back by a wet etching process. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an underlying dielectric welding layer is exposed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming an effective metal diffusion barrier in sidewalls of epitaxy source/drain regions. In an embodiment, a structure includes an active area having a source/drain region on a substrate, a dielectric layer over the active area and having a sidewall aligned with the sidewall of the source/drain region, and a conductive feature along the sidewall of the dielectric layer to the source/drain region. The source/drain region has a sidewall and a lateral surface extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region, and the source/drain region further includes a nitrided region extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region into the source/drain region. The conductive feature includes a silicide region along the lateral surface of the source/drain region and along at least a portion of the sidewall of the source/drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a source/drain feature formed over a substrate. A dielectric layer formed over the source/drain feature. A contact trench formed through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain feature. A titanium nitride (TiN) layer deposited in the contact trench and a cobalt layer deposited over the TiN layer in the contact trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of formation are provided. A semiconductor device includes an annealed cobalt plug over a silicide in a first opening of the semiconductor device, wherein the annealed cobalt plug has a repaired lattice structure. The annealed cobalt plug is formed by annealing a cobalt plug at a first temperature for a first duration, while exposing the cobalt plug to a first gas. The repaired lattice structure of the annealed cobalt plug is more regular or homogenized as compared to a cobalt plug that is not so annealed, such that the annealed cobalt plug has a relatively increased conductivity or reduced resistivity.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same that includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate and patterning a contact region in the dielectric layer, the contact region having side portions and a bottom portion that exposes the substrate. The method can also include forming a dielectric barrier layer in the contact region to cover the side portions and the bottom portion, and etching the dielectric barrier layer to expose the substrate. Subsequently, a conductive layer can be formed to cover the side portions and the bottom portion of the contact region and the conductive layer can be annealed to form a silicide region in the substrate beneath the bottom portion of the contact region, and the conductive layer can then be selectively removed on the side portions of the contact region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In some embodiments, a structure includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate, a first conductive feature through the first dielectric layer, the first conductive feature comprising a first metal, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature through the second dielectric layer having a lower convex surface extending into the first conductive feature, wherein the lower convex surface of the second conductive feature has a tip end extending laterally under a bottom boundary of the second dielectric layer.