Abstract: A method for simultaneous formation of a self-aligned contact of a core region and a local interconnect of a peripheral region of an integrated circuit includes etching a cap dielectric layer to simultaneously form a hole in the core region and a trench in the peripheral region of the cap dielectric layer, etching a dielectric layer to simultaneously form a hole in the core region and a trench in the peripheral region of the dielectric layer of the dielectric layer, etching a liner layer simultaneously on a shoulder of sidewall spacers associated with the hole and with the trench of the dielectric layer without etching the liner layer at a bottom area of the hole and the trench, performing an oxygen flushing to remove polymer residues, and etching simultaneously through the liner layer that lines the bottom area of the hole and the trench.

Abstract: The present invention is a production method for a semiconductor device equipped with a conductive film with predetermined film thickness on a sidewall of a concave portion formed in an insulating film, and comprises a step of forming the concave portion in the insulation film formed on a semiconductor substrate. Herein, the concave portion is a generic name of a via-hole and a trench. This production method comprises a step of forming a conductive film with film thickness, which is film thickness of a conductive film to be formed in the concave portion, and which is film thickness, calculated based upon the depth of the concave portion and a projected area of the sidewall of said concave portion when viewing the concave portion from the upper surface, and to be formed over the upper surface of the insulating film where the concave portion is formed. In other words, a film is formed taking the variation of configuration of these based upon a projected area of a via-hole or a trench into consideration.

Abstract: A method for forming, on a surface of a thinned-down semiconductor substrate, a contact connected to a metal track of an interconnect stack formed on the opposite surface of the thinned-down substrate, including the steps of: forming, on the side of a first surface of a substrate, an insulating region penetrating into the substrate and coated with a conductive region and with an insulating layer crossed by conductive vias, the vias connecting a metal track of the interconnect stack to the conductive region; gluing the external surface of the interconnect stack on a support and thinning down the substrate; etching the external surface of the thinned-down substrate and stopping on the insulating region; etching the insulating region and stopping on the conductive region; and filling the etched opening with a metal.

Abstract: To prevent two contacts that have different heights, share at least one interlayer insulating film and are disposed close to each other from being short-circuited to each other due to misalignment thereof, a semiconductor device according to the invention has a recess in an interlayer insulating film in which a first contact hiving a lower height, the recess being formed by the upper surface of the first contact, and a silicon nitride sidewall is formed in the recess to extend from the upper surface of the first contact and along the side surface of the recess.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, including: forming a first conductive layer so that it is sandwiched in an up-down direction by first insulating layers; forming a first hole so that it penetrates the first insulating layers and the first conductive layer; forming a first side wall insulating layer on a side wall facing the first hole; forming a sacrificing layer so that the sacrificing layer infills the first hole; forming a second conductive layer on an upper layer of the sacrificing layer so that the second conductive layer is sandwiched by the second insulating layer in an up-down direction; forming a second hole on a position which matches with the first hole so that the second hole penetrates the second insulating layer and the second conductive layer; forming a second side wall insulating layer on a side wall facing the second hole; removing the sacrificing layer after the formation of the second side wall insulating layer; and forming a semiconductor layer so that

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer wiring technology by which high adhesiveness and high insulation reliability between wirings are obtained, while maintaining effective low capacitance between wirings. A semiconductor device is characterized in that a first insulating film is an insulating film formed of at least one layer which contains a siloxane structure containing silicon, oxygen and carbon; the siloxane structure in the inner part of the first insulating film contains a larger number of carbon atoms than the number of silicon atoms; and a modified layer which containing a smaller number of carbon atoms and a larger number of oxygen atoms per unit volume than the inner part of the first insulating film is formed on at least one of an interface between the first insulating film and the metal and an interface between the first insulating film and a second insulating film.

Abstract: A through substrate via (TSV) die includes a plurality of TSVs including an outer dielectric sleeve and an inner metal core and protruding TSV tips including sidewalls that emerge from the TSV die. A passivation layer lateral to the protruding TSV tips is on a portion of the sidewalls of the protruding TSV tips. The passivation layers is absent from a distal portion of the protruding TSV tips to provide an exposed portion of the inner metal core. The TSV tips include bulbous distal tip ends including a first metal layer including a first metal other than solder and a second metal layer including a second metal other than solder that covers the exposed tip portion. The bulbous distal tip ends cover a portion of the TSV sidewalls and are over a topmost surface of the outer dielectric sleeve, and have a maximum cross sectional area that is ?25% more as compared to a cross sectional area of the protruding TSV tips below the bulbous distal tip ends.

Abstract: A method of forming a through substrate interconnect includes forming a via into a semiconductor substrate. The via extends into semiconductive material of the substrate. A liquid dielectric is applied to line at least an elevationally outermost portion of sidewalls of the via relative a side of the substrate from which the via was initially formed. The liquid dielectric is solidified within the via. Conductive material is formed within the via over the solidified dielectric and a through substrate interconnect is formed with the conductive material.

Abstract: An exemplary method lines the sidewalls of a first opening with a sacrificial material and then fills the first opening with a metallic conductor in a manner such that the metallic conductor contacts the substrate. Next, the method selectively removes the sacrificial material, to create at least one “second” opening along the metallic conductor within the first opening. The method selectively removes portions of the first insulator layer through the second opening to leave at least one air gap between the metallic conductor and the first insulator layer in the lower region of the second opening.

Abstract: A phase change memory formed by a plurality of phase change memory devices having a chalcogenide memory region extending over an own heater. The heaters have all a relatively uniform height. The height uniformity is achieved by forming the heaters within pores in an insulator that includes an etch stop layer and a sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is removed through an etching process such as chemical mechanical planarization. Since the etch stop layer may be formed in a repeatable way and is common across all the devices on a wafer, considerable uniformity is achieved in heater height. Heater height uniformity results in more uniformity in programmed memory characteristics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array substrate includes the following steps. A substrate having a thin film transistor disposed thereon is provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. An organic material layer is formed to cover the substrate and the thin film transistor. A via hole is formed in the organic material layer to expose the drain electrode. A first inorganic material layer is formed to cover at least a sidewall of the via hole and a part of the organic material layer, and the first inorganic material layer exposes at least the drain electrode. A patterned transparent pixel electrode layer is formed on the first inorganic material layer, wherein the patterned transparent pixel electrode layer contacts the drain electrode through the via hole.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor structure consists of interconnects in an upper interconnect level connected to interconnects in a lower interconnect level through use of a conductive protrusion located at the bottom of a via opening in an upper interconnect level, the conductive protrusion extends upward from bottom of the via opening and into the via opening. The improved interconnect structure with the conductive protrusion between the upper and lower interconnects enhances overall interconnect reliability.

Abstract: A method and system for forming dual damascene structures in a semiconductor package. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an intermediate dielectric layer on a bottom stop layer; forming an ashing removable dielectric layer on the intermediate dielectric layer; forming a patterned photoresist layer above the ashing removable dielectric layer in the semiconductor structure; and defining an in-situ hard mask in the ashing removable dielectric layer having an opening with a profile selected from the group consisting of a via, a trench, or a combination thereof. The profile of the in-situ mask preferably is capable of being transferred to the intermediate dielectric layer by etching.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of: (a) forming a low dielectric constant film over a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a recess in the low dielectric constant film; (c) after the step (b), sequentially performing the steps of (c1) applying an organic solution to the low dielectric constant film and (c2) silylating the low dielectric constant film with a silylating solution; and (d) after the step (c), embedding a metal in the recess to form at least one of a via plug and a metal wiring in the low dielectric constant film. Performing the step (c1) before the step (c2) improves a penetration property of the silylating solution into the low dielectric constant film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including a first face and a second face on a side opposite to the first face; an external connection terminal formed on the first face of the semiconductor substrate; a first electrode formed on the first face of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the external connection terminal; an electronic element formed on or above the second face of the semiconductor substrate; a second electrode electrically connected to the electronic element and having a top face and a rear face; a groove portion formed on the second face of the semiconductor substrate and having a bottom face including at least part of the rear face of the second electrode; and a conductive portion formed in the groove portion and electrically connected to the rear face of the second electrode.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming line patterns on a substrate, the line patterns defining narrow and wide gap regions, forming spacer patterns in the narrow and wide gap regions on sidewalls of the line patterns, spacer patterns in the wide gap regions exposing an upper surface of the substrate, and spacer patterns in the narrow gap regions contacting each other to fill the narrow gap regions, forming an insulating interlayer to cover the spacer patterns and the line patterns, forming at least one opening through the insulating interlayer, the opening including at least one contact hole selectively exposing the upper surface of the substrate in the wide gap region, the contact hole being formed by using the spacer patterns in the narrow gap region as an etching mask, and forming a conductive pattern to fill the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes: providing an insulating film formed above a semiconductor substrate with a processed portion; supplying a surface of the processed portion of the insulating film with a primary reactant from a reaction of a raw material including at least a Si-containing compound; and subjecting the primary reactant to dehydration condensation to form a silicon oxide film on the surface of the processed portion.

Abstract: An electronic package and methods by which the package reduces thermal fatigue failure of conductors in the electronic package. The electronic package includes a carrier substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of anchor vias having a via material extending from the first surface toward the second surface. The electronic package includes a first conducting layer having a length and a width extending laterally in two dimensions across a major part of the first surface of the carrier substrate. The anchor vias have plural attachments along the length and the width of the first conducting layer to secure the first conducting layer to the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A multilayered wiring is formed in a prescribed area in an insulating film that is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Dual damascene wiring that is positioned on at least one layer of the multilayered wiring is composed of an alloy having copper as a principal component. The concentration of at least one metallic element contained in the alloy as an added component in vias of the dual damascene wiring is determined according to the differences in the width of the wiring of an upper layer where the vias are connected. Specifically, a larger wiring width in the upper layer corresponds to a higher concentration of at least one metallic element within the connected vias. Accordingly, increases in the resistance of the wiring are minimized, the incidence of stress-induced voids is reduced, and reliability can be improved.

Abstract: An interconnect structure which includes a plating seed layer that has enhanced conductive material, preferably, Cu, diffusion properties is provided that eliminates the need for utilizing separate diffusion and seed layers. Specifically, the present invention provides an oxygen/nitrogen transition region within a plating seed layer for interconnect metal diffusion enhancement. The plating seed layer may include Ru, Ir or alloys thereof, and the interconnect conductive material may include Cu, Al, AlCu, W, Ag, Au and the like. Preferably, the interconnect conductive material is Cu or AlCu. In more specific terms, the present invention provides a single seeding layer which includes an oxygen/nitrogen transition region sandwiched between top and bottom seed regions. The presence of the oxygen/nitrogen transition region within the plating seed layer dramatically enhances the diffusion barrier resistance of the plating seed.

Abstract: A method of backside metal process for semiconductor electronic devices, particularly of using an electroless plating for depositing a metal seed layer for the plated backside metal film. The backside of a semiconductor wafer, with electronic devices already fabricated on the front side, is first coated with a thin metal seed layer by electroless plating. Then, the backside metal layer, such as a gold layer or a copper layer, is coated on the metal seed layer. The metal seed layer not only increases the adhesion between the front side metal layer and the backside metal layer through backside via holes, but also prevents metal peeling after subsequent fabrication processes. This is helpful for increasing the reliability of device performances. Suitable materials for the metal seed layer includes Pd, Au, Ni, Ag, Co, Cr, Cu, Pt, or their alloys, such as NiP, NiB, AuSn, Pt—Rh and the likes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a terminal on the substrate's first surface; a first electrode on the first surface connected to the terminal; an electronic element on the substrate's second surface; a second electrode connected to the electronic element; a groove on the second surface leading to the second electrode; a conductive portion inside the grove connected to the second electrode's rear face; a first wiring on the first surface connected to the first electrode; a second wiring connecting the first wiring and the terminal; a stress-absorbing layer between the substrate and terminal; a land connecting the first wiring and the second wiring, the land opening a part of the stress-absorbing layer and exposing the first wiring, the land being in a region surrounded by terminals, and the land being along a straight line connecting the centers of diagonal terminals, with the region between the terminals.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an inorganic insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, a contact plug that extends through the inorganic insulating layer to contact the semiconductor substrate and a stress buffer spacer disposed between the node contact plug and the inorganic insulating layer. The device further includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) disposed on the inorganic insulating layer and having a source/drain region extending along the inorganic insulating layer to contact the contact plug. The device may further include an etch stop layer interposed between the inorganic insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Methods for forming blind wafer interconnects (BWIs) from the back side surface of a substrate structure to the underside of a bond pad on the opposing surface includes the formation of a blind hole from the back side surface, forming a passivating layer therein, removing passivation material from the blind hole bottom, depositing at least one conductive layer within the blind hole, and filling the blind hole with solder or other conductive material or a dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of high aspect ratio contact etching a substantially vertical contact hole in an oxide layer using a hard photoresist mask is described. The oxide layer is deposited on an underlying substrate. A plasma etching gas is formed from a carbon source gas. Dopants are mixed into the gas. The doped plasma etching gas etches a substantially vertical contact hole through the oxide layer by doping carbon chain polymers formed along the sidewalls of the contact holes during the etching process into a conductive state. The conductive state of the carbon chain polymers reduces the charge buildup along sidewalls to prevent twisting of the contact holes by bleeding off the charge and ensuring proper alignment with active area landing regions. The etching stops at the underlying substrate.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to prevent reliability failures in semiconductor devices. A trench is patterned in a polyimide layer over a guard ring having a top metal layer. A passivation layer is etched at bottom of the trench. A capping layer is deposited on the trench over the etched passivation layer. The capping layer and the top metal layer form a mechanical strong interface to prevent a crack propagation.

Abstract: A tube is arranged to be in contact with an insulating layer in an opening formation region, and a treatment agent (etching gas or etchant) is discharged to the insulating layer through the tube. With the discharged treatment agent (etching gas or etchant), the insulating layer is selectively removed to form an opening in the insulating layer. Therefore, the insulating layer provided with the opening is formed over a first conductive layer, and the first conductive layer below the insulating layer is exposed at the bottom of the opening. A second conductive layer is formed in the opening to be in contact with an exposed part of the first conductive layer, so that the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are electrically connected in the opening provided in the insulating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of forming semiconductor structures. The methods may include disposing electrically conductive material within an opening in a first dielectric material, passivating an upper surface of the electrically conductive material and introducing materials to form an interlayer dielectric upon the passivated upper surface. The present invention also includes methods of passivating surfaces of a semiconductor structure with a nitrogen-containing species.

Abstract: Embodiments concern vertical interconnect structures having sub-micron widths for use in integrated circuits, and methods of their manufacture, which result in reduced interconnect resistance, I2R losses, and defects or variations due to cusping. Embodiments of the methods involve forming an opening in an insulating layer, where the opening forms a trench that exposes an underlying portion of a metal layer. Additional embodiments involve depositing multiple layers of conductive material within the opening and above the insulating layer, where one of the conductive layers includes aluminum and is deposited using a “cold aluminum” process, and a second one of the conductive layers also includes aluminum, but is deposited using a “hot aluminum” process. The interconnect structures are adapted for use in conjunction with memory cells and apparatus incorporating such memory cells, as well as other integrated circuits.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and fabrication process wherein the device includes a conductive layer with a localized thick region positioned below the contact hole. In one embodiment of the invention, the thick region to which contact is made is formed by means of an opening in an underlayer of material. This embodiment of the device includes an underlayer of material having an opening therein; a layer of thin conductive material formed on the underlayer and in the opening; and overlayer of material having a contact hole therethrough formed on the layer of thin conductive material; a conductor contacting the layer of thin conductive material through the contact hole; and wherein the opening in the underlayer is positioned below the contact hole and sized and shaped to form a localized thick region in the layer of thin conductive material within the opening.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a solid-state imaging device enabling an improvement of a light sensitivity characteristic in a light receiving unit, a solid-state imaging device in which the light sensitivity characteristic is improved, and a camera provided with the solid-state imaging device. A shield film projected around the light receiving unit is formed on a substrate in which the light receiving unit is formed; an transparent insulation film is formed on the shield film; a sidewall insulation film is formed by etch-back of the insulation film, in a side wall of the shield film; a mask layer having an aperture at a position corresponding to the light receiving unit is formed on the shield film; and the shield film is etched by using the sidewall insulation film and the mask layer as a mask to form an aperture portion exposing the light receiving unit.

Abstract: A method of measuring a resistivity of a sidewall of a contact hole formed in a semiconductor device, wherein said semiconductor device includes a first electrode formed on a substrate; a second electrode formed on the first electrode with an insulating film in between; a resist pattern formed on the first electrode and the second electrode; a contact hole formed in the first electrode and the second electrode; and an organic film deposited on the sidewall of the contact hole, includes the steps of: placing a probe needle on the first electrode and the second electrode so that the probe needle contacts with the first electrode and the second electrode several times; establishing electrical conductivity of the probe needle relative to the first electrode and the second electrode; and measuring the resistivity of the organic film between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Methods for forming dual damascene interconnect structures are provided. The methods incorporate an ashing operation comprising a first ash operation and a second overash operation. The ashing operation is performed prior to etching of an etch stop layer. The operation removes residue from a cavity formed during formation of the interconnect structure and facilitates better CD control without altering the cavity profiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interconnect structure that can be made in the BEOL which exhibits good mechanical contact during normal chip operations and does not fail during various reliability tests as compared with the conventional interconnect structures described above. The inventive interconnect structure has a kinked interface at the bottom of a via that is located within an interlayer dielectric layer. Specifically, the inventive interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer having at least one metallic interconnect embedded within a surface thereof; a second dielectric layer located atop the first dielectric layer, wherein said second dielectric layer has at least one aperture having an upper line region and a lower via region, wherein the lower via region includes a kinked interface; at least one pair of liners located on at least vertical walls of the at least one aperture; and a conductive material filling the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes: at least one silicon surface wherein the surface can be a substrate, wafer or other device. The structure further includes at least one electronic circuit formed on each side of the at least one surface; and at least one conductive high aspect ratio through silicon via running through the at least one surface. Each through silicon via is fabricated from at least one etch step and includes: at least one thermal oxide dielectric for coating at least some of a sidewall of the through silicon via for a later etch stop in fabrication of the through silicon via.

Abstract: Methods for via gouging and a related semiconductor structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a via opening in a dielectric material, the via opening aligned with a conductor; forming a protective coating over the dielectric material and in the via opening; performing via gouging; and removing the protective coating over horizontal surfaces of the dielectric material. A semiconductor structure may include a via having an interface with a conductor, the interface including a three-dimensionally shaped region extending into and past a surface of the conductor, wherein an outer edge of the three-dimensionally shaped region is distanced from an outermost surface of the via.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a first wiring in a first insulating layer on a base member, forming a second insulating layer on the first insulating layer, forming a first hole in the second insulating layer so as to reach the first wiring in the first insulating layer and a second hole in the second insulating layer so as to reach the first insulating layer, forming a via contact in the first hole, and forming a third insulating layer on the second insulating layer so as to shut the second hole.

Abstract: A dual damascene structure with improved profiles and reduced defects and method of forming the same, the method including forming a first dielectric over a conductive area; forming a first dielectric insulator over the first dielectric; forming a first opening in the first dielectric insulator; lining the opening with a second dielectric; forming a second dielectric insulator over the first dielectric insulator; forming a second opening in the second dielectric insulator overlying and communicating with the first opening; and, filling the first and second openings with a conductive material to electrically communicate with the conductive area.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate with circuit elements and electrode pads formed on one surface. This surface is covered by a dielectric layer with openings above the electrode pads. A metal layer is deposited on the dielectric layer and patterned to form a conductive pattern with traces leading to the electrode pads. A protective layer having openings exposing part of the conductive pattern is formed. Each opening is covered by an electrode such as a solder bump, which is electrically connected through the conductive pattern to one of the electrode pads. The method enables the thickness of the protective layer, which may function as a package of the semiconductor device, to be reduced. The protective layer may be formed from a photosensitive material, simplifying the formation of the openings for the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure with a contact spacer and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same. In the method of forming a contact structure, an interlayer dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interlayer dielectric layer is patterned, thereby forming a contact hole for exposing a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate. A contact spacer is formed on a sidewall of the contact hole using a deposition method having an inclined deposition direction with respect to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The deposition direction may be set between the main surface and a normal with respect to the main surface. Further, there is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the method of forming the contact structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an interconnect in a semiconductor memory device. The method includes forming a pair of source select transistors on a substrate. A source region is formed in the substrate between the pair of source select transistors. A first inter-layer dielectric is formed between the pair of source select transistors. A mask layer is deposited over the pair of source select transistors and the inter-layer dielectric, where the mask layer defines a local interconnect area between the pair of source select transistors having a width less than a distance between the pair of source select transistors. The semiconductor memory device is etched to remove a portion of the first inter-layer dielectric in the local interconnect area, thereby exposing the source region. A metal contact is formed in the local interconnect area.

Abstract: A metallic film 43 that becomes the matrix of pad 32 is formed on semiconductor substrate 41. Next, through hole 31 is formed in the semiconductor substrate 41 facing the metallic film 43 at the portion corresponding to an area where the pad 32 is formed. Thereafter, penetration electrode 17 is formed in through hole 31. Next, penetration portion 49 to expose the side of the penetration electrode 17 is formed in the semiconductor substrate 41. Next, an insulative member 16 is formed to be filled up in at least the penetration portion 49. After that, the pad 32 is formed by patterning the metallic film 43.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating silicon carriers with conductive through-vias that allow high-yield manufacture of silicon carrier with low defect density. In particular, methods are provided which enable fabrication of silicon carries with via diameters such as 1 to 10 microns in diameter for a vertical thickness of less than 10 micrometers to greater than 300 micrometers, which are capable robust to thermal-mechanical stresses during production to significantly minimize the thermal mechanical movement at the via sidewall interface between the silicon, insulator, liner and conductor materials.

Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor of a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulation layer having a storage node plug on a semiconductor substrate; forming an etch stop layer and a second insulation layer sequentially on the substrate having the first insulation layer; forming a hole exposing a portion of the storage node plug by selectively etching the second insulation layer by using the etch stop layer; recessing a portion of the storage node plug exposed by the hole; forming a barrier metal layer on a surface of the recessed storage node plug; forming a storage node electrode connected to the storage node plug through the barrier metal layer in the hole; and forming a dielectric layer and a metal layer for a plate electrode sequentially on the storage node electrode.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor memory device. A contact plug is formed by wet etching. An aspect ratio of SAC is decreased and SAC fail is reduced so that a process margin is secured. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate comprising an active region and a device isolation layer defining the active region, a conductive pattern formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a nitride layer formed on the semiconductor substrate perpendicularly to the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method of producing a semiconductor device having a plurality of wiring layers forms a first interlayer-insulating film, forms a plurality of grooves for wiring in the first interlayer-insulating film, fills metallic films in the grooves to form wirings, etches the first interlayer-insulating film with the wirings as a mask and removes the interlayer-insulating film between the wirings to provide grooves to be filled, and fills a second interlayer-insulating film made of a material of low dielectric constant in the grooves to be filled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of forming a contact plug of a semiconductor device. According to the method, a first dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate in which junction regions are formed. A hard mask is formed on the first dielectric layer. The hard mask and the first dielectric layer corresponding to the junction regions are etched to form trenches. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the trenches. Contact holes are formed in the first dielectric layer using an etch process employing the spacers and the hard mask so that the junction regions are exposed. The contact holes are gap filled with a conductive material, thus forming contact plugs. Accordingly, bit lines can be easily formed on the contact plugs formed at narrow spaces with a high density.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a lower interconnect level including a first dielectric material having at least one conductive feature embedded therein; a dielectric capping layer located on the first dielectric material and some, but not all, portions of the at least one conductive feature; and an upper interconnect level including a second dielectric material having at least one conductively filled via and an overlying conductively filled line disposed therein, wherein the conductively filled via is in contact with an exposed surface of the at least one conductive feature of the first interconnect level by an anchoring area. Moreover, the conductively filled via and conductively filled line of the inventive structure are separated from the second dielectric material by a single continuous diffusion barrier layer. As such, the second dielectric material includes no damaged regions in areas adjacent to the conductively filled line.

Abstract: A hole is formed in an insulating layer. A semiconductor substrate is heated at a temperature of equal to or more than 330° C. and equal to or less than 400° C. Tungsten-containing gas and at least one of B2H6 gas and SiH4 gas are introduced into a reaction chamber to thereby form a first tungsten layer. Subsequently, at least one of H2 gas and inert gas is introduced into the reaction chamber, the temperature of the semiconductor substrate is raised to equal to or more than 370° C. and equal to or less than 410° C. with 30 or more seconds, and tungsten-containing gas is introduced into the reaction chamber to thereby form a second tungsten layer on the first tungsten layer.

Abstract: In manufacturing a semiconductor device including a substrate having a (111)-plane orientation and an off-set angle in a range between 3 degrees and 4 degrees, a capacitor, a transistor and a diffusion resistor are formed in the substrate, each of which are separated by a junction separation layer. A first silicon nitride film is formed by low pressure CVD over a surface of the substrate except a bottom portion of a contact hole and a portion over the junction separation layer, and a silicon oxide film is formed by low pressure CVD over the first silicon nitride film. A second silicon nitride film as a protecting film is formed by plasma CVD so as to cover the semiconductor device finally. Therefore, the semiconductor device having high reliability can be obtained.