Abstract: An interconnect structure on a semiconductor die includes: a lower conductive layer; an upper conductive layer disposed above the lower conductive layer; and a VIA disposed between the lower conductive layer and the upper conductive layer. The VIA includes: a primary interconnect structure and a sacrificial stress barrier ring disposed around the primary interconnect structure and separated a distance from the primary interconnect structure. A fabrication method for the interconnect structure includes: forming a dielectric layer over a lower conductive layer; patterning photoresist (PR) layer over the dielectric layer to define a location for a plurality of VIA trenches, wherein the patterning includes patterning the PR layer to provide a center opening for the VIA trenches that is surrounded by a ring opening for the VIA trenches, wherein the center opening and the ring opening are spaced apart.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. An exemplary method includes forming a first conductive feature in a dielectric layer, forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor over the dielectric layer, forming a first passivation structure over the MIM capacitor, forming a first contact via opening extending through the first passivation structure and the MIM capacitor to expose the first conductive feature, depositing a conductive material to fill the first contact via opening, performing a first etching process to the conductive material to form a first metal feature, the first metal feature comprising a first portion filling the first contact via opening and a second portion over the first passivation structure, and performing a second etching process to trim the second portion of the first metal feature, after the second etching process, a shape of a cross-sectional view of the second portion of the first metal feature comprises a barrel shape.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive layer over a first insulating layer and forming a first dielectric layer over the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over a first portion of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed over the second conductive layer. A third conductive layer is formed over the second dielectric layer and the second portion of the first dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is formed over the third conductive layer. A first conductive contact is formed contacting the first conductive layer. A second conductive contact is formed contacting the third conductive layer. The second conductive layer is an electrically floating layer.

Abstract: Methods for forming a back-end-of-line (BEOL) passive device structure are provided. A method according to the present disclosure includes depositing a first conductor layer over a substrate, patterning the first conductor layer to form a patterned first conductor layer, depositing a first insulation layer over the patterned first conductor layer, depositing a second conductor layer over the first insulation layer, patterning the second conductor layer to form a patterned second conductor layer, depositing a second insulation layer over the patterned second conductor layer, depositing a third conductor layer over the second insulation layer, and patterning the third conductor layer to form a patterned third conductor layer. The patterning of the first conductor layer includes removing a right-angle edge of the first conductor layer.

Abstract: A device structure according to the present disclosure includes a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack. The MIM stack includes at least one lower conductor plate layer, a first insulator layer disposed over the at least one lower conductor plate layer, a first conductor plate layer disposed over the first insulator layer, a second insulator layer disposed over the first conductor plate layer, and a second conductor plate layer disposed over the second insulator layer. The device structure further includes a ground via extending through and electrically coupled to a first ground plate in the first conductor plate layer and a first via extending through and electrically coupled to a high voltage plate in the second conductor plate layer. The first ground plate vertically overlaps the high voltage plate and the second insulator layer is different from the first insulator layer.

Abstract: A device structure according to the present disclosure includes a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack that includes a plurality of conductor plate layers interleaved by a plurality of insulator layers. The MIM stack includes a first region and a second region and the first region and the second region overlaps in a third region. The MIM stack further includes a first via passing through the first region and electrically coupled to a first subset of the plurality of conductor plate layers, a second via passing through the second region and electrically coupled to a second subset of the plurality of conductor plate layers, and a ground via passing through the third region and electrically coupled to a third subset of the plurality of conductor plate layers.

Abstract: Methods and semiconductor structures are provided. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of transistors, an interconnect structure electrically coupled to the plurality of transistors, a metal feature disposed over the interconnect structure and electrically isolated from the plurality of transistors, an insulation layer disposed over the metal feature, and a first redistribution feature and a second redistribution feature disposed over the insulation layer. A space between the first redistribution feature and the second redistribution feature is disposed directly over at least a portion of the metal feature.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature, a first metal line disposed in a first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first source/drain feature, a second metal line disposed in the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the second source/drain feature, and a first memory element disposed over the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first source/drain feature by way of the first metal line. A width of the first metal line is different from a width of the second metal line. By changing the widths of the first metal line and the second metal line, a source line series resistance of a semiconductor device can be advantageously reduced without changing a pitch of two metal lines.