Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip structure. The method may be performed by forming a plurality of interconnect layers within a first interconnect structure disposed over an upper surface of a first semiconductor substrate. An edge trimming process is performed to remove parts of the first interconnect structure and the first semiconductor substrate along a perimeter of the first semiconductor substrate. The edge trimming process results in the first semiconductor substrate having a recessed surface coupled to the upper surface by way of an interior sidewall disposed directly over the first semiconductor substrate. A dielectric capping structure is formed onto a sidewall of the first interconnect structure after performing the edge trimming process.

Abstract: An interconnection structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a dielectric material and a conductive feature extending through the dielectric material. The conductive feature includes a conductive material and has a first top surface. The structure further includes a dummy conductive feature disposed adjacent the conductive feature in the dielectric material, and the dummy conductive feature has a second top surface substantially co-planar with the first top surface. An air gap is formed in the dummy conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a semiconductor device structure with fine boron nitride spacer patterns. The method includes undercutting a photoresist pattern over a semiconductor substrate, and forming an inner spacer element over a sidewall surface of the photoresist pattern. The inner spacer element has a portion extending into a recess (i.e., the undercut region) of the photoresist pattern to form a footing, and a width of the portion of the inner spacer element increases continuously as the portion extends toward the semiconductor substrate. As a result, the inner spacer element may be prevented from collapsing after removal of the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a scaled gate contact and source/drain cap and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure comprising an active region; source and drain contacts adjacent to the gate structure; a capping material over the source and drain contacts; a gate contact formed directly above the active region of the gate structure and over the capping material; a U-shape dielectric material around the gate contact, above the source and drain contacts; and a contact in direct electrical contact to the source and drain contacts.

Abstract: A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming a conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate and forming a dielectric layer over the conductive feature. The method also includes forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature. The method further includes forming a conductive material to overfill the opening. In addition, the method includes thinning the conductive material using a chemical mechanical polishing process. A slurry used in the chemical mechanical polishing process includes an iron-containing oxidizer that oxidizes a portion of the conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention further provides a method for forming a semiconductor device, the method including: first, a target layer is provided, an etching stop layer is formed on the target layer, a top oxide layer is formed on the etching stop layer, afterwards, a first photoresist layer is formed on the top oxide layer, and a first etching process is then performed, to form a plurality of first trenches in the top oxide layer. Next, a second photoresist layer is formed on the top oxide layer, portion of the second photoresist layer fills in each first trench, a second etching process is then performed to form a plurality of second trenches in the top oxide layer, and using the remaining etching stop layer as a hard mask, a third etching process is performed to remove parts of the etching stop layer and parts of the target layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes bit line structures disposed on a substrate, each bit line structure comprising a bit line and an insulating spacer structure, buried contacts which fill lower portions of spaces between bit line structures in the substrate, and landing pads which fill upper portions of the spaces, extend from upper surfaces of the buried contacts to upper surfaces of the bit line structures, and are spaced apart from each other by insulating structures. A first insulating structure is disposed between a first landing pad and a first bit line structure. The first insulating structure includes a sidewall extending along a sidewall of the first landing pad toward the substrate. In a direction extending toward the substrate, the sidewall of the first insulating structure gets closer to a first sidewall of the first bit line structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method of forming a trench and a via in a porous low dielectric constant film formed on a substrate as an interlayer insulating film, includes: embedding a polymer having a urea bond in pores of the porous low dielectric constant film by supplying a raw material for polymerization to the porous low dielectric constant film; forming the via by etching the porous low dielectric constant film; subsequently, embedding a protective filling material made of an organic substance in the via; subsequently, forming the trench by etching the porous low dielectric constant film; subsequently, removing the protective filling material; and after the forming a trench, removing the polymer from the pores of the porous low dielectric constant film by heating the substrate to depolymerize the polymer, wherein the embedding a polymer having a urea bond in pores is performed before the forming a trench.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and its preparation method, wherein the preparation method includes providing a substrate, forming bit line units, capacitor contacts and a conductive layer on the substrate, patterning the conductive layer on the substrate by step-by-step etching, etching first grooves to form first conductive parts positioned above the bit line units, protecting sidewalls of the first grooves, and then etching second grooves to form second conductive parts covering sidewalls of the bit line units and third conductive parts covering the capacitor contacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure with capacitor landing pads. The method includes the following operations: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a bit line structure protruding from the semiconductor substrate; depositing a landing pad layer to cover the bit line structure; planarizing a top surface of the landing pad layer; limning a trench in the landing pad layer to form the capacitor landing pads; forming an air gap within a sidewall of the bit line structure; and filling a first dielectric layer in the trench to seal the air gap.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes the following operations. A metal layer is formed. An adhesion-enhancing layer is formed over the metal layer by a silicide operation. A dielectric stack is formed over the adhesion-enhancing layer. A trench is formed in the dielectric stack by removing a portion of dielectric stack aligning with the metal layer. A barrier layer is formed conforming to the sidewall of the trench. A high-k dielectric layer is formed conforming to the barrier layer. A contact is formed in the trench and be connected to the metal layer.

Abstract: Etch stop layer-based approaches for via fabrication are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive lines in an ILD layer, wherein each of the plurality of conductive lines has a bulk portion including a metal and has an uppermost surface including the metal and a non-metal. A hardmask layer is on the plurality of conductive lines and on an uppermost surface of the ILD layer, and includes a first hardmask component on and aligned with the uppermost surface of the plurality of conductive lines, and a second hardmask component on and aligned with regions of the uppermost surface of the ILD layer. A conductive via is in an opening in the hardmask layer and on a portion of one of the plurality of conductive lines, the portion having a composition different than the uppermost surface including the metal and the non-metal.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes at least the following steps is provided. A first metal layer is formed on a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. The first dielectric layer is patterned, thereby forming a first opening exposing the first metal layer. A second metal layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and filling into the first opening. The second metal layer is patterned, thereby forming a metal pad. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and the metal pad. The second dielectric layer is patterned, thereby forming a second opening exposing the metal pad. A first annealing process is performed in an atmosphere of a gas including 50 vol % to 100 vol % of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method includes providing a film of a high-temperature superconductor compound on a flexible substrate, where a portion of the film has a first oxygen state, and exposing a portion of the film to a focused ion beam to create a structure within the film. The structure may result from the portion of the film being partially or completely removed. The structure may be a trench along the length or width of the film. The method may include annealing the exposed portion of the film to a second oxygen state. The oxygen content of the second oxygen state may be greater or less than the oxygen content of the first oxygen state.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) packages employing a thermal conductive semiconductor package substrate with die region split and related fabrication methods are disclosed. The package substrate includes a die split where metal contacts in one or more dielectric layers of the package substrate underneath the IC die(s) are thicker (e.g., in a core die region) than other metal contacts (e.g., in a peripheral die region) in the dielectric layer. This facilitates higher thermal dissipation from the IC die(s) through the thicker metal contacts in the package substrate. Cross-talk shielding of the package substrate may not be sacrificed since thinner metal contacts of the package substrate that carry high speed signaling can be of lesser thickness than the thicker metal contacts that provide higher thermal dissipation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first conductive layer, and a first structure that extends in a first direction orthogonal to a stacking direction of a stacked body and the stacking direction, and reaches a position deeper than an upper surface of the first conductive layer. The first structure has a first width at a bottom of the stacked body, and a second width narrower than the first width, in a first depth region from a position of the upper surface of the first conductive layer to a first depth position. A third conductive layer is connected to a side surface of the first conductive layer in the first depth region in a second direction orthogonal to the stacking direction and the first direction.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The method includes: providing a substrate, the substate having a first opening; forming a first epitaxial layer in the first opening, the first epitaxial layer having a second opening; forming a stop layer on sidewall surfaces and a bottom surface of the second opening; forming a second epitaxial layer on a top surface of the stop layer; after forming the second epitaxial layer, forming a dielectric layer on the substrate, the dielectric layer having a third opening exposing a surface of the second epitaxial layer; forming a fourth opening in the second epitaxial layer by etching the second epitaxial layer exposed by the third opening until the stop layer is exposed; and forming a contact layer on sidewall surfaces and a bottom surface of the fourth opening by performing a semiconductor metallization process.

Abstract: The semiconductor device has the CSP structure, and may include a plurality of electrode pads formed on a semiconductor integrated circuit in order to input/output signals from/to exterior; solder bumps for making external lead electrodes; and rewiring. The solder bumps may be arranged in two rows along the periphery of the semiconductor device. The electrode pads may be arranged inside the outermost solder bumps so as to be interposed between the two rows of solder bumps. Each trace of the rewiring may be extended from an electrode pad, and may be connected to any one of the outermost solder bumps or any one of the inner solder bumps.

Abstract: Fan Out Package-On-Package (PoP) assemblies in which a second chip is adhered to a non-active side of a first chip. An active side of the first chip embedded in a first package material may be electrically coupled through one or more redistribution layers that fan out to package interconnects on a first side of the POP. A second chip may be adhered, with a second package material, to the non-active side of the first chip. An active side of the second chip may be electrically coupled to the package interconnects through a via structure extending through the first package material. Second interconnects between the second chip, or a package thereof, may contact the via structure. Use of the second package material as an adhesive may improve positional stability of the second chip to facilitate wafer-level assembly techniques.

Abstract: A radiofrequency device includes a buried insulation layer, a transistor, a contact structure, a connection bump, an interlayer dielectric layer, and a mold compound layer. The buried insulation layer has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side in a thickness direction of the buried insulation layer. The transistor is disposed on the first side of the buried insulation layer. The contact structure penetrates the buried insulation layer and is electrically connected with the transistor. The connection bump is disposed on the second side of the buried insulation layer and electrically connected with the contact structure. The interlayer dielectric layer is disposed on the first side of the buried insulation layer and covers the transistor. The mold compound layer is disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer. The mold compound layer may be used to improve operation performance and reduce manufacturing cost of the radiofrequency device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device according to the present invention, comprises: preparing a substrate; forming an n-type semiconductor including a III-V compound semiconductor or a II-VI compound semiconductor material on the substrate; forming a metal thin film including at least one of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), and nickel (Ni) on the n-type semiconductor; and forming a p-type semiconductor on the n-type semiconductor by iodinizing the metal thin film using any one of liquid iodine (I), solid iodine (I), and gas iodine (I). Therefore, it is possible to overcome the limitation of the light emission efficiency of the p-type semiconductor by providing a hybrid type electronic device and a manufacturing method.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a first wafer comprising a plurality of first chips, and kerf and crack-stop structures around perimeters of the first chips, and a second wafer comprising a plurality second chips, a plurality of interconnect structures through a connection zone between the second chips, and a plurality of thru silicon vias, wherein the first wafer and the second wafer are bonded face-to-face such that the interconnect structures of the second wafer electrically connect adjacent chip sites of the first wafer and where a pitch of the chips on the first and second wafer are equal.

Abstract: An opto-electronic device includes: a first electrode; an organic layer disposed over the first electrode; a nucleation promoting coating disposed over the organic layer; a nucleation inhibiting coating covering a first region of the opto-electronic device; and a conductive coating covering a second region of the opto-electronic device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a base structure including a lower level via and a lower level dielectric layer, a conductive pillar including an upper level line and an upper level via disposed on the lower level via, and a protective structure disposed between the lower level via and the upper level line. The protective structure includes a material having an etch rate less than or equal to that of the lower level via.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed, including a first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern that are disposed in a first layer and extend in a first direction, at least one first conductive segment disposed in a second layer different from the first layer, and at least one via disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The at least one via is coupled between the at least one first conductive segment and one or both of the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern, at an output node of the integrated circuit. The at least one via comprises a tapered shape with a width that decreases from a first width to a second width narrower than the first width. The first width of the at least one via is greater than widths of the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes forming a first film including a first metal above a processing target member. The method includes forming a second film including two or more types of element out of a second metal, carbon, and boron above the first film. The method includes forming a third film including the first metal above the second film. The method includes forming a mask film by providing an opening part to a stacked film including the first film, the second film and the third film. The method includes processing the processing target member by performing etching using the mask film as a mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a substrate, source and drain contacts respectively on opposite sides of the gate structure and connected to the substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction connected to the drain contact, a first conductive line connected to the source contact, and a second conductive line connected to the first conductive line through a first via contact. The second conductive line is distal to the substrate in relation to the first conductive line. The first and second conductive lines extend in parallel along a first direction. The first and second conductive lines have widths in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The widths of the first and second conductive lines are the same. The first via contact is aligned with the source contact along a third direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present application disclosed a conducting layer-dielectric layer-conducting layer (CDC) laminate structure and test method for detecting defects of an inter-metal dielectric layer. The laminate structure comprises: a dielectric layer formed on a substrate; a first conducting layer formed at a first side of the dielectric layer, wherein the first conducting layer includes a first metal region and at least one first opening in the first metal region; and a second conducting layer formed at a second side of the dielectric layer opposite to the first conducting layer such that the second conducting layer is separated from the first conducting layer by the dielectric layer, wherein the second conducting layer includes a second metal region and a plurality of second openings in the second metal region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a gate structure on the substrate; depositing a first dielectric layer over the gate structure; depositing a conductive interconnect in a trench of the first dielectric layer thereby exposing a surface of the conductive interconnect through the first dielectric layer; depositing a conductive layer over the exposed surface of the conductive interconnect; depositing a silicon-containing layer over the conductive layer and the conductive interconnect; and forming a metal silicide layer to be a silicide form of the conductive layer by reacting the conductive layer with silicon in the silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming self-aligned vias by employing a top level line pattern. The method includes forming first conductive lines within a first dielectric material, recessing one conductive line of the conductive lines to define a first opening, filling the first opening with a second dielectric material, and forming a sacrificial block perpendicular to and in direct contact with a non-recessed first conductive line. The method further includes forming a single via directly underneath the sacrificial block by recessing the non-recessed first conductive line, removing the sacrificial block to define a second opening, and filling the second opening with a conductive material to define a second conductive line such that the single via aligns to both the non-recessed first conductive line and the second conductive line.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming self-aligned vias by employing top level line double patterns. The method includes forming a plurality of first conductive lines within a first dielectric material, recessing one or more of the plurality of first conductive lines to define first openings, filling the first openings with a second dielectric material, and forming sacrificial blocks perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines. The method further includes forming vias directly underneath the sacrificial blocks, removing the sacrificial blocks, and constructing a plurality of second conductive lines such that the vias align to both the plurality of first conductive lines and the plurality of second conductive lines.

Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods for forming the interconnect structures generally include forming a bulk metal encapsulated in first and second interlayer dielectrics, a liner layer about a lower surface of the bulk metal and a metal cap layer about an upper surface of the bulk metal. The liner layer is in the first interlayer dielectric and the metal cap layer is in the second interlayer dielectric, wherein liner layer and the metal cap layer are different metals.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of: a) dividing a large-scale touch sensing pattern to be manufactured into multiple divisional patterns and producing multiple photomasks corresponding to the multiple divisional patterns; b) providing a substrate with a conductive layer; c) disposing a photoresist layer on the conductive layer; d) a first exposure process: forming an exposing divisional pattern and multiple first targets the photoresist layer; e) an adjacent exposure process: forming an adjacent exposing divisional pattern and multiple second targets, and adjacently connecting the adjacent exposing divisional pattern and the exposing divisional pattern originally on the photoresist layer; f) repeating the adjacent exposure process to form multiple adjacent exposing divisional patterns until a complete exposing pattern has been assembled; g) performing a developing process to the photoresist layer; and h) etching the conductive layer to form the large-scale touch sensing pattern on the conductive layer.

Abstract: Methods/structures of forming thin film resistors using interconnect liner materials are described. Those methods/structures may include forming a first liner in a first trench, wherein the first trench is disposed in a dielectric layer that is disposed on a substrate. Forming a second liner in a second trench, wherein the second trench is adjacent the first trench, forming an interconnect material on the first liner in the first trench, adjusting a resistance value of the second liner, forming a first contact structure on a top surface of the interconnect material, and forming a second contact structure on the second liner.

Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a conductive line formed on a conductive via, the conductive line being formed though a dielectric material. The IC includes an etch stop layer having one or more extended portions intervening between one or more edge portions of the conductive line and the conductive via, the one or more edge portions being at a periphery of the conductive line and the conductive via, the etch stop layer including a higher dielectric breakdown than the dielectric material. The one or more extended portions of the etch stop layer cause the conductive line to be formed with a bottom part having a reduced dimension than an upper part of the conductive line.

Abstract: A flip-chip package substrate and a method for fabricating the same are provided. An insulation layer is formed on two opposing sides of a middle layer to form a composite core structure and increase the rigidity of the flip-chip package substrate. Therefore, the core structure can be made thinner. The conductive structures can also have a smaller end size, and more conductive points can be disposed within a unit area. Therefore, a circuit structure can be produced that have a fine line pitch and a high wiring density, satisfy the packaging demands of highly integrated circuit/large size substrate, and avoid an electronic package from being warpage.

Abstract: A back end of line interconnect structure and methods for forming the interconnect structure including a fully aligned via design generally includes wide lines formed of copper and narrow lines formed of an alternative metal. The fully aligned vias are fabricated using a metal recess approach and the hybrid metal conductors can be fabricated using a selective deposition approach.

Abstract: Representative techniques and devices including process steps may be employed to form a common interconnection of a multi-die or multi-wafer stack. Each device of the stack includes a conductive pad disposed at a predetermined relative position on a surface of the device. The devices are stacked to vertically align the conductive pads. A through-silicon via is formed that electrically couples the conductive pads of each device of the stack.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an integrated circuit may include an upper inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer, a lower ILD layer, and an interlayer arranged between the upper ILD layer and the lower ILD layer. The integrated circuit may further include a capacitor device and a resistor device. The capacitor device may include a top plate disposed in a first region of the interlayer and a bottom plate disposed in the lower ILD layer. The resistor device may include a resistive element and a plurality of vias disposed in a second region of the interlayer. The plurality of vias may extend from the resistive element to the lower ILD layer. A distance between the top plate and the lower ILD layer may be at least substantially equal to a height of each via of the plurality of vias.

Abstract: A method of processing a double sided wafer of a microelectromechanical device includes spinning a resist onto a first side of a first wafer. The method further includes forming pathways within the resist to expose portions of the first side of the first wafer. The method also includes etching one or more depressions in the first side of the first wafer through the pathways, where each of the depressions have a planar surface and edges. Furthermore, the method includes depositing one or more adhesion metals over the resist such that the one or more adhesion metals are deposited within the depressions, and then removing the resist from the first wafer. The method finally includes depositing indium onto the adhesion metals deposited within the depressions and bonding a second wafer to the first wafer by compressing the indium between the second wafer and the first wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body comprising a first surface and an edge surface, a contact electrode formed on the first surface and comprising an outer edge side, and a passivation layer section conformally covering the outer edge side of the contact electrode. The passivation layer section is a multi-layer stack comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Each of the first, second and third layers comprise outer edge sides facing the edge surface and opposite facing inner edge sides. The outer edge side of the contact electrode is disposed laterally between the inner edge sides and the outer edge sides of each layer. The inner and outer edge sides of the third layer are closer to the outer edge side of the electrode than the respective inner and outer edge sides of the first and second layer.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board includes a base layer and a pattern line. At least one communication hole penetrating opposite surfaces of the base layer. The pattern line includes two conductive circuit layers formed on the opposite surfaces of the base layer. At least one conductive pole are formed in the at least one communication hole and electrically connects the two conductive circuit layers. A gap being is formed between the conductive pole and the base layer.

Abstract: A metal resist cleaning liquid including a solvent and formic acid.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of interconnecting layers, a first connector, and a second connector. The semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of semiconductor devices therein. The interconnecting layers are disposed over the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to the semiconductor devices. The first connector is disposed over the plurality of interconnecting layers and extends to be in contact with a first level of the plurality of interconnecting layers. The second connector is disposed over the plurality of interconnecting layers and substantially leveled with the first connector.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes at least one first semiconductor device located on a first substrate, a first pad-level dielectric layer which is a diffusion barrier overlying the at least one first semiconductor device, and first bonding structures including a respective first metallic bonding pad embedded in the first pad-level dielectric layer. Each of the first bonding structures includes a metallic fill material portion having a horizontal distal surface that is located within a horizontal plane including a horizontal distal surface of the first pad-level dielectric layer, and a metallic liner laterally surrounding the metallic fill material portion and vertically spaced from the horizontal plane by a vertical recess distance.

Abstract: Package structures are provided. A package structure includes an adhesive layer and a semiconductor substrate over the adhesive layer. The package structure also includes a connector over the semiconductor substrate. The package structure further includes a first buffer layer surrounding the connector. In addition, the package structure includes an encapsulation layer surrounding the first buffer layer. The first buffer layer is sandwiched between the encapsulation layer and the semiconductor substrate, and a sidewall of the encapsulation layer is in direct contact with a sidewall of the first buffer layer and a sidewall of the adhesive layer. The package structure also includes a redistribution layer over the first buffer layer and the encapsulation layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and structures for forming a 3D integrated wiring structure are disclosed. The method can include forming a dielectric layer in a first substrate; forming a semiconductor structure having a first conductive contact over a front side of the first substrate; and forming a second conductive contact at a backside of the first substrate, wherein the second conductive contact extends through a backside of the dielectric layer and connects to a second end of the first conductive contact. The 3D integrated wiring structure can include a first substrate; a dielectric layer in the first substrate; a semiconductor structure over the front side of the first substrate, having a first conductive contact; and a second conductive contact at the backside of the first substrate, and the second conductive contact extends through a backside of the dielectric layer and connects to the second end of the first conductive contact.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a scaled gate contact and source/drain cap and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure comprising an active region; source and drain contacts adjacent to the gate structure; a capping material over the source and drain contacts; a gate contact formed directly above the active region of the gate structure and over the capping material; a U-shape dielectric material around the gate contact, above the source and drain contacts; and a contact in direct electrical contact to the source and drain contacts.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure including: a pillar-shaped honeycomb structure portion having an outer peripheral wall and partition walls disposed on an inner side of the outer peripheral wall and defining a plurality of cells extending from one end face to another end face to form flow paths; and at least an electrode portion disposed on an outer surface of the outer peripheral wall of the pillar-shaped honeycomb structure portion, wherein the pillar-shaped honeycomb structure portion is formed of ceramics containing either or both of Si and SiC, the electrode portion contains either or both of a metal and a metal compound in addition to an oxide, and a volume ratio of the oxide on an inner peripheral side of the electrode portion is higher than a volume ratio of the oxide on an outer peripheral side of the electrode portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a fully self-aligned via is provided. A workpiece having a pattern of features in a dielectric layer is received into a common manufacturing platform. Metal caps are deposited on the metal features, and a barrier layer is deposited on the metal caps. A first dielectric layer is added to exposed dielectric material. The barrier layer is removed and an etch stop layer is added on the exposed surfaces of the first dielectric layer and the metal caps. Additional dielectric material is added on top of the etch stop layer, then both the additional dielectric material and a portion of the etch stop layer are etched to form a feature to be filled with metal material. An integrated sequence of processing steps is executed within one or more common manufacturing platforms to provide controlled environments. Transfer modules transfer the workpiece between processing modules within and between controlled environments.