Abstract: An integrated circuit device having a substrate including a dielectric layer is patterned with a set of conductive line trenches. Each conductive line trench has parallel vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. A first metal layer fills a first portion of the set of conductive line trenches. The first metal layer is created by an anneal and reflow process of a first metal. A liner which is an alloy of the first metal and a selected element is formed at interfaces of the metal layer and a surface of the dielectric. The liner is created simultaneously with the metal fill by the anneal and reflow process. A wetting layer is disposed on the first metal layer and fills a second portion of the set of conductive line trenches. A second metal layer is disposed on the wetting layer and fills a remainder portion of the set of conductive line trenches.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device having a substrate including a dielectric layer is patterned with a set of conductive line trenches. Each conductive line trench has parallel vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. A first metal fills a first portion of the set of conductive line trenches, wherein the metal fill is created by an anneal and reflow process. A liner which is an alloy of the first metal and a selected element is formed at the interfaces of the metal layer and a surface of the dielectric and is created simultaneously with the metal fill by the anneal and reflow process. A second metal layer fills a remainder portion of the set of conductive line trenches.

Abstract: It is to provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device including the following step of: preparing a semiconductor substrate having a silicon nitride film on the rear surface; forming an interlayer insulating film having a via hole on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; and forming a via-fill selectively within the via hole. The method further includes the steps of: performing the wafer rear surface cleaning to expose the surface of the silicon nitride film formed on the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate; and thereafter, forming a photoresist film made of chemical amplification type resist on the interlayer insulating film and the via-fill over the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, in which the semiconductor substrate is stored in an atmosphere with the ammonium ion concentration of 1000 ?g/m3 and less.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for fabricating an advanced metal conductor structure includes a conductive line pattern including a set of conductive line trenches in a dielectric layer. Each conductive line trench of the conductive line pattern has parallel vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. A surface treatment of the dielectric layer is performed. The surface treatment produces an element enriched surface layer in which a concentration of a selected element in a surface portion of the parallel sidewalls and horizontal bottoms of the conductive line trenches is increased. A first metal layer is deposited on the element enriched surface layer. A first thermal anneal is performed which simultaneously reflows the first metal layer to fill a first portion of the conductive line trenches and causes a chemical change at interfaces of the first metal layer and the element enriched surface layer creating a liner which is an alloy of the first metal and selected element.

Abstract: The present method of forming an electronic structure includes providing a tantalum base layer and depositing a layer of copper on the tantalum layer, the deposition being undertaken by physical vapor deposition with the temperature of the base layer at 50.degree. C. or less, with the deposition taking place at a power level of 300 W or less.

Abstract: Methods for depositing a metal layer in a feature definition of a semiconductor device are provided. In one implementation, a method for depositing a metal layer for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises performing a cyclic metal deposition process to deposit a metal layer on a substrate and annealing the metal layer disposed on the substrate. The cyclic metal deposition process comprises exposing the substrate to a deposition precursor gas mixture to deposit a portion of the metal layer on the substrate, exposing the portion of the metal layer to either a plasma treatment process or hydrogen annealing process and repeating the exposing the substrate to a deposition precursor gas mixture and exposing the portion of the metal layer to either a plasma treatment process or hydrogen annealing process until a predetermined thickness of the metal layer is achieved.

Abstract: Methods for forming metal organic tungsten for middle-of-the-line (MOL) applications are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate includes providing a substrate to a process chamber, wherein the substrate includes a feature formed in a first surface of a dielectric layer of the substrate; exposing the substrate to a plasma formed from a first gas comprising a metal organic tungsten precursor to form a tungsten barrier layer atop the dielectric layer and within the feature, wherein a temperature of the process chamber during formation of the tungsten barrier layer is less than about 225 degrees Celsius; and depositing a tungsten fill layer over the tungsten barrier layer to fill the feature to the first surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate stack overlying a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack, where a top surface of the spacer is above a top surface of the gate stack. Additionally, the semiconductor device includes a protection layer overlying the gate stack and filling at least a portion of a space surrounded by the spacer above the top surface of the gate stack. Furthermore, the semiconductor device includes a contact hole over the spacer, where the contact hole extends over the gate stack, and where a sidewall of the contact hole has a step-wise shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a light emitting structure, and an interconnection bump including an under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer disposed on an electrode of at least one of the first and second conductivity-type semiconductor layers, and having a first surface disposed opposite to a surface of the electrode and a second surface extending from an edge of the first surface to be connected to the electrode, an intermetallic compound (IMC) disposed on the first surface of the UBM layer, a solder bump bonded to the UBM layer with the IMC therebetween, and a barrier layer disposed on the second surface of the UBM layer and substantially preventing the solder bump from being diffused into the second surface of the UBM layer.

Abstract: Conductive structures and method of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a conductive structure includes providing a substrate having a recess formed therein, the recess lined with a first seed layer and partially filled with a first conductive material; removing a portion of the first seed layer free from the first conductive material to form an exposed surface of the recess; lining the exposed surface of the recess with a second seed layer; and filling the recess with a second conductive material, the second conductive material covering the first conductive material and the second seed layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer. A conductive line is formed in the opening, wherein the conductive line has an open void formed therein. A sealing metal layer is formed overlying the conductive line, the dielectric layer, and the open void, wherein the sealing metal layer substantially fills the open void. The sealing metal layer is planarized so that a top surface thereof is substantially level with a top surface of the conductive line. An interconnect feature is formed above the semiconductor substrate, wherein the interconnect feature is electrically coupled with the conductive line and the sealing metal layer-filled open void.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a via structure and method of manufacturing same. In an example, a via structure includes a via having via sidewall surfaces defined by a semiconductor substrate. The via sidewall surfaces have a first portion and a second portion. A conductive layer is disposed in the via on the first portion of the via sidewall surfaces, and a dielectric layer is disposed on the second portion of the via sidewall surfaces. The dielectric layer is disposed between the second portion of the via sidewall surfaces and the conductive layer. In an example, the dielectric layer is an oxide layer.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming an opening in at least one layer of insulating material so as to thereby expose at least a portion of a conductive contact, performing a selective metal silicide formation process to selectively form a metal silicide layer in the opening and on the conductive contact, depositing at least one conductive material above the selectively formed metal silicide layer so as to over-fill the opening, and performing at least one planarization process so as to remove excess materials and thereby define a conductive via that is positioned in the opening and conductively coupled to the selectively formed metal silicide layer and to the conductive contact.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices are provided. A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming an insulating layer that includes a trench therein. The method includes forming a high-k layer in the trench. Moreover, the method includes forming a metal layer on the high-k layer, then performing a first heat treatment at a first temperature, and performing a second heat treatment at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating interconnection structures of a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes, inter alia: forming a first insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a mold layer having trenches on the first insulation layer, forming a sidewall protection layer including a first metal silicide layer on sidewalls of the trenches, forming second metal lines that fill the trenches, forming upper protection layers on the second metal lines, removing the mold layer after formation of the upper protection layers to provide gaps between second metal lines, and forming a second insulation layer in the gaps and on the upper protection layers. The second insulation layer is formed to include air gaps between the second metal lines. Related interconnection structures are also provided.

Abstract: Structures and methods of forming the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a structure can comprise a region having first and second oppositely facing surfaces. A barrier region can overlie the region. An alloy region can overlie the barrier region. The alloy region can include a first metal and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), indium (Id), boron (B), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te), or cadmium (Cd).

Abstract: Apparatuses having, and methods for forming, conductive features are described. A hole is formed in a substrate and a conductive material is deposited in the hole. A part of the conductive material that occupies a first lengthwise portion of the hole is removed, and a conductive feature that occupies a second lengthwise portion of the hole remains in the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a trench includes etching an oxide layer to form a trench therein, conformally forming a first reaction layer along a surface of the trench, the first reaction layer including a first region on an upper portion of the trench and a second region on a lower portion of the trench, forming a barrier layer by reacting a first amount of etching gas with the first region of the first reaction layer, and etching the oxide layer on a lower portion of the second region by reacting a second amount of etching gas with the second region of the first reaction layer, the second amount of etching gas being greater than the first amount of etching gas.

Abstract: A copper alloy layer is blanket deposited over a low k dielectric layer and in via openings within the low k dielectric layer. The blanket deposited layer is then anisotropically etch to form horizontal interconnects. The interconnects are annealed to form a metal oxide barrier lining. A second low k dielectric layer is then depositing over the horizontal interconnects. Air gaps can be formed between adjacent interconnects to lower parasitic capacitance therebetween.

Abstract: Wet-etch solutions for conductive metals (e.g., copper) and metal nitrides (e.g., tantalum nitride) can be tuned to differentially etch the conductive metals and metal nitrides while having very little effect on nearby oxides (e.g., silicon dioxide hard mask materials), and etching refractory metals (e.g. tantalum) at an intermediate rate. The solutions are aqueous base solutions (e.g., ammonia-peroxide mixture or TMAH-peroxide mixture) with just enough hydrofluoric acid (HF) added to make the solution's pH about 8-10. Applications include metallization of sub-micron logic structures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: alternately performing (i) a first step of alternately supplying a first raw material containing a first metal element and a halogen element and a second raw material containing a second metal element and carbon to a substrate by a first predetermined number of times, and (ii) a second step of supplying a nitridation raw material to the substrate, by a second predetermined number of times, wherein alternating the first and second steps forms a metal carbonitride film containing the first metal element having a predetermined thickness on the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed, which can prevent migration of copper (Cu) ion when forming a Through Silicon Via (TSV). The semiconductor device includes a through silicon via (TSV) formed to pass through a semiconductor substrate; an oxide film located at a lower sidewall of the TSV; and a first prevention film formed to cover an upper portion of the TSV, an upper sidewall of the TSV, and an upper surface of the oxide film.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a method of making a semiconductor structure, comprising: forming a patterned metallic layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a second layer over the patterned metallic layer; and etching the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for forming layers on a substrate having one or more features formed therein are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for forming layers on a substrate having one or more features formed therein may include depositing a seed layer within the one or more features; and etching the seed layer to remove at least a portion of the seed layer proximate an opening of the feature such that the seed layer comprises a first thickness disposed on a lower portion of a sidewall of the feature proximate a bottom of the feature and a second thickness disposed on an upper portion of the sidewall proximate the opening of the feature and wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: Processes for improving adhesion of films to semiconductor wafers and a semiconductor structure are provided. By implementing the processes of the invention, it is possible to significantly suppress defect creation, e.g., decrease particle generation, during wafer fabrication processes. More specifically, the processes described significantly reduce flaking of a TaN film from edges or extreme edges (bevel) of the wafer by effectively increasing the adhesion properties of the TaN film on the wafer. The method increasing a mol percent of nitride with respect to a total tantalum plus nitride to 25% or greater during a barrier layer fabrication process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: alternately performing (i) a first step of alternately supplying a first raw material containing a first metal element and a halogen element and a second raw material containing a second metal element and carbon to a substrate by a first predetermined number of times, and (ii) a second step of supplying a nitridation raw material to the substrate, by a second predetermined number of times, wherein alternating the first and second steps forms a metal carbonitride film containing the first metal element having a predetermined thickness on the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally provide methods for reducing undesired low-k damages during a damascene process using a sacrificial dielectric material and optionally a barrier/capping layer. In one embodiment, a damascene structure is formed through a sacrificial dielectric material deposited over a dielectric base layer. The damascene structure is filled with a suitable metal such as copper. The sacrificial dielectric material filled in trench areas between the copper damascene is then removed, followed by a barrier/cap layer which conformally or selectively covers exposed surfaces of the copper damascene structure. Ultra low-k dielectric materials may then fill the trench areas that were previously filled with sacrificial dielectric material. The invention prevents the ultra low-k material between the metal lines from exposing to various damaging processes during a damascene process such as etching, stripping, wet cleaning, pre-metal cleaning or CMP process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pattern transfer method includes forming a photoreactive resin on a substrate to be processed. The method further includes pressing a mold against the photoreactive resin, the mold including a transparent substrate having a concave-convex pattern, and a light-blocking film provided on a part of surfaces of the concave-convex pattern. The method further includes irradiating the photoreactive resin with light through the mold in a state in which the mold is pressed against the photoreactive resin. The method further includes baking the photoreactive resin in a state in which the mold is pressed against the photoreactive resin after irradiating the photoreactive resin with the light. The method further includes releasing the mold from the photoreactive resin after baking the photoreactive resin. The method further includes rinsing the photoreactive resin with a rinsing solution after releasing the mold.

Abstract: A copper interconnect structure in a semiconductor device including an opening formed in a dielectric layer of the semiconductor device, the opening having sidewalls and a bottom. A first barrier layer is conformally deposited on the sidewalls and the bottom of the opening. A first seed layer is conformally deposited on the first barrier layer. A second barrier layer is conformally deposited on the first seed layer. A second seed layer is conformally deposited on the second barrier layer and a conductive plug is deposited in the opening of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor wafer with a plurality of semiconductor die separated by a non-active region. The semiconductor die can be circular or polygonal with three or more sides. A plurality of bumps is formed over the semiconductor die. A portion of semiconductor wafer is removed to thin the semiconductor wafer. A wafer ring is mounted to mounting tape. The semiconductor wafer is mounted to the mounting tape within the wafer ring. The mounting tape includes translucent or transparent material. A penetrable layer is applied over the bumps formed over the semiconductor wafer. An irradiated energy from a laser is applied through the mounting tape to the non-active region to form a modified region within the non-active region. The semiconductor wafer is singulated along the modified region to separate the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a fabricating process for the same are provided. The semiconductor fabricating process includes providing a first dielectric layer, a transitional layer formed on the first dielectric layer, and a conductive fill penetrated through the transitional layer and into the first dielectric layer; removing the transitional layer; and forming a second dielectric layer over the conductive fill and the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a polysilicon film formed above a semiconductor substrate, and a silicide film of a metal formed on the polysilicon film. The semiconductor device of the embodiment includes an oxide film of the metal formed above the silicide film, and a film containing tungsten or molybdenum formed on the oxide film.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to, the following processes. A multi-layered structure is prepared over a semiconductor substrate. The multi-layered structure may include, but is not limited to, first and second patterns of a first insulating film, a second insulating film covering the first pattern of the first insulating film, and a first conductive film covering the second pattern of the first insulating film. The second insulating film and the first conductive film are polished under conditions that the first and second insulating films are greater in polishing rate than the first conductive film, to expose the first and second patterns of the first insulating film.

Abstract: In a film forming method for forming a Co film on a substrate provided in a processing chamber, gaseous Co4(CO)12 as a single film forming material is supplied into the processing chamber. Then, the gaseous Co4(CO)12 is thermally decomposed on the substrate to form the Co film on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect structure with nanocolumnar intermetal dielectric is described involving the construction of an interconnect structure using a solid dielectric, and introducing a regular array of vertically aligned nanoscale pores through stencil formation and etching to form a hole array and subsequently pinching off the tops of the hole array with a cap dielectric. Variations of the method and means to construct a multilevel nanocolumnar interconnect structure are also described.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a replacement metal gate structure for a CMOS device including forming a dummy gate structure on an nFET portion and a pFET portion of the CMOS device; depositing an interlayer dielectric between the dummy gate structures; removing the dummy gate structures from the nFET and pFET portions, resulting in a recess on the nFET portion and a recess on the pFET portion; conformally depositing a gate dielectric into the recesses on the nFET and pFET portions; depositing sequential layers of a first titanium nitride, tantalum nitride and a second titanium nitride into the recesses on the nFET and pFET portions; removing the second layer of titanium nitride from the nFET portion only; depositing a third layer of titanium nitride into the recesses on the nFET and pFET portions; and filling the remainder of the cavity on the nFET and pFET portions with a metal.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for forming discreet multilayered structures. Each structure may be deposited by in situ deposition of multiple layers at one of multiple site isolation regions provided on the same substrate for use in combinatorial processing. Alignment of different layers within each structure is provided by using two or more differently sized openings in-between one or more sputtering targets and substrate. Specifically, deposition of a first layer is performed through the first opening that defines a first deposition area. A shutter having a second smaller opening is then positioned in-between the one or more targets and substrate. Sputtering of a second layer is then performed through this second opening that defines a second deposition area. This second deposition area may be located within the first deposition area based on sizing and alignment of the openings as well as alignment of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive layer over the substrate. A dielectric layer, having a first opening, is formed over the first conductive layer. A seed layer is deposited over the first dielectric layer and in the first opening. A layer is formed of conductive nanotubes from the seed layer over the first dielectric layer and over the first opening. A second dielectric is formed over the layer of conductive nanotubes. An opening is formed in the second dielectric layer over the first opening. Conductive material is deposited in the second opening.

Abstract: A method for fabricating metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate having a silicide thereon; performing a first rapid thermal process to drive-in platinum from a surface of the silicide into the silicide; and removing un-reacted platinum in the first rapid thermal process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include diffusion barriers, methods for forming the barriers, and semiconductor devices utilizing the barriers. The diffusion barrier comprises a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a semiconductor substrate, where one surface of the SAM is disposed in contact with and covalently bonded to the semiconductor substrate, and one surface of the monolayer is disposed in contact with and covalently bonded to a metal layer. In some embodiments, the barrier comprises an assembly of one or more monomeric subunits of the following structure: Si—(CnHy)-(LM)m where n is from 1 to 20, y is from 2n?2 to 2n, m is 1 to 3, L is a Group VI element, and M is a metal, such as copper. In some embodiments, (CnHy) can be branched, crosslinked, or cyclic.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising: forming a structure, the structure including at least a first element and a second element; and forming a passivation layer over the structure, the passivation layer including at least the first element and the second element, the first element and the second element of the passivation layer coming from the structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming a film stack on a substrate, comprising performing a silicon containing gas soak process to form a silicon containing layer over the substrate, reacting with the silicon containing layer to form a tungsten silicide layer on the substrate, depositing a tungsten nitride layer on the substrate, subjecting the substrate to a nitridation treatment using active nitrogen species from a remote plasma, and depositing a conductive bulk layer directly on the tungsten nitride layer.

Abstract: A substrate includes a die-bonding zone and a glue spreading pattern. The die-bonding zone is set to bond a die. The glue spreading pattern is placed in the die-bonding zone and includes a containing space. The die is placed on the glue spreading pattern, an area of a bottom of the die is greater than an area of an opening of the glue spreading pattern, the containing room of the glue spreading pattern is filled with a glue, and the die is bonded to the substrate by means of the glue.

Abstract: A method of forming a Cu wiring in a trench or hole formed in a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a barrier film on the surface of the trench or hole, forming a Ru film on the barrier film, and embedding Cu in the trench or hole by forming a Cu film on the Ru film using PVD while annealing the substrate such that migration of copper into the trench or hole occurs.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first recess formed in the first insulating film, a first barrier film formed on an inner surface of the first insulating film except a top peripheral region of the first trench, a first conductive film formed in the first trench, and a covering film formed on an upper surface and a top peripheral region of the first conductive film and an upper surface of the first barrier film. The first conductive film includes copper.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a metal gate is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device with a metal gate includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain features on the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the source and drain features. The gate stack includes a HK dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of barrier layers of a metal compound formed on top of the HK dielectric layer, wherein each of the barrier layers has a different chemical composition; and a stack of metals gate layers deposited over the plurality of barrier layers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit which includes an interconnect structure disposed at least partially in at least one opening of a dielectric layer. The integrated circuit further includes at least one air gap disposed between the dielectric layer and the interconnect structure. The integrated circuit further includes at least one first liner material disposed under the at least one air gap, the at least one first liner material extending along a bottom portion of a sidewall of the at least one opening of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer on a substrate; a first contact hole passing through the first insulating layer and exposing an upper surface of the substrate; a first barrier metal layer disposed on a sidewall and at a bottom of the first contact hole and a first metal plug disposed on the first barrier metal layer and in the first contact hole. A recess region is between the first insulating layer and the first metal plug. A gap-fill layer fills the recess region; and a second insulating layer is on the gap-fill layer. A second contact hole passes through the second insulating layer and exposes the upper surface of the first metal plug. A second barrier metal layer is on a sidewall and at the bottom of the second contact hole; and a second metal plug is on the second barrier metal layer.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and method for fabricating the interconnect structure having enhanced performance and reliability, by minimizing oxygen intrusion into a seed layer and an electroplated copper layer of the interconnect structure, are disclosed. At least one opening in a dielectric layer is formed. A sacrificial oxidation layer disposed on the dielectric layer is formed. The sacrificial oxidation layer minimizes oxygen intrusion into the seed layer and the electroplated copper layer of the interconnect structure. A barrier metal layer disposed on the sacrificial oxidation layer is formed. A seed layer disposed on the barrier metal layer is formed. An electroplated copper layer disposed on the seed layer is formed. A planarized surface is formed, wherein a portion of the sacrificial oxidation layer, the barrier metal layer, the seed layer, and the electroplated copper layer are removed. In addition, a capping layer disposed on the planarized surface is formed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric structure over a second region of a substrate to expose a first region of the substrate, forming a barrier layer over an entire surface including the first dielectric structure, forming a second dielectric structure over the barrier layer in the first region, forming first open parts and second open parts in the first region and the second region, respectively, by etching the second dielectric structure, the barrier layer and the first dielectric structure, forming first conductive patterns filled in the first open parts and second conductive patterns filled in the second open parts, forming a protective layer to cover the second region, and removing the second dielectric structure.