Abstract: A method of producing a patterned inorganic thin film dielectric stack includes providing a substrate. A first patterned deposition inhibiting material layer is provided on the substrate. A first inorganic thin film dielectric material layer is selectively deposited on a region of the substrate where the first deposition inhibiting material layer is not present using an atomic layer deposition process. The first deposition inhibiting and first inorganic thin film dielectric material layers are simultaneously treated after deposition of the first inorganic thin film dielectric material layer. A second patterned deposition inhibiting material layer is provided on the substrate. A second inorganic thin film dielectric material layer is selectively deposited on a region of the substrate where the second deposition inhibiting material layer is not present using an atomic layer deposition process.

Abstract: There is disclosed methods of making photosensitive devices, such as flexible photovoltaic (PV) devices, through the use of epitaxial liftoff. Also described herein are methods of preparing flexible PV devices comprising a structure having a growth substrate, wherein the selective etching of protective layers yields a smooth growth substrate that us suitable for reuse.

Abstract: A method for defining patterns in an integrated circuit comprises defining a plurality of features in a first photoresist layer using photolithography over a first region of a substrate. The method further comprises using pitch multiplication to produce at least two features in a lower masking layer for each feature in the photoresist layer. The features in the lower masking layer include looped ends. The method further comprises covering with a second photoresist layer a second region of the substrate including the looped ends in the lower masking layer. The method further comprises etching a pattern of trenches in the substrate through the features in the lower masking layer without etching in the second region. The trenches have a trench width.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for forming a coating type BPSG film, which comprises: one or more structures comprising a silicic acid represented by the following general formula (1) as a skeletal structure, one or more structures comprising a phosphoric acid represented by the following general formula (2) as a skeletal structure and one or more structures comprising a boric acid represented by the following general formula (3) as a skeletal structure. There can be provided a composition for forming a coating type BPSG film which is excellent in adhesiveness in fine pattern, can be easily wet etched by a peeling solution which does not cause any damage to the semiconductor apparatus substrate, the coating type organic film or the CVD film mainly comprising carbon which are necessary in the patterning process, and can suppress generation of particles by forming it in the coating process.

Abstract: One or more stopper features (e.g., bump structures) are formed in a standard ASIC wafer top passivation layer for preventing MEMS device stiction vertically in integrated devices having a MEMS device capped directly by an ASIC wafer. A TiN coating may be used on the stopper feature(s) for anti-stiction. An electrical potential may be applied to the TiN anti-stiction coating of one or more stopper features.

Abstract: A resist underlayer film for a resist pattern formation by developing a resist with organic solvent after exposure of resist. Method for manufacturing a semiconductor includes: applying onto a substrate a resist underlayer film forming composition including hydrolyzable silanes, hydrolysis products of hydrolyzable silanes, hydrolysis-condensation products of hydrolyzable silanes, or a combination thereof. Hydrolyzable silanes being silane of Formulas (1), (2) and (3).

Abstract: A replacement metal gate transistor and methods of forming replacement metal gate transistors are described. Various examples provide methods of manufacturing a replacement metal gate transistor that includes depositing a dielectric layer into a trench, wherein the dielectric layer is deposited onto the bottom of the trench and the sidewalls of the trench, depositing a first metal layer into the trench, wherein the first metal layer is deposited onto the bottom of the trench and the sidewalls of the trench over the dielectric layer, depositing a second metal layer into the trench, wherein the second metal layer is deposited onto the bottom of the trench and the sidewalls of the trench over the first metal layer, removing at least a portion of the second metal layer from the sidewalls of the trench, and depositing a conducting layer into the trench. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, first, on a process object, a hydrophilic guide pattern including a first hole forming pattern having a first hole diameter and a second hole forming pattern having a second hole diameter is formed. Then, above the guide pattern, a frame pattern having a first opening region in a forming region of a plurality of the first hole forming patterns and a second opening region in a forming region of a plurality of the second hole forming patterns is formed. Then, a first solution including a first block copolymer having a hydrophilic polymer chain and a hydrophobic polymer chain is supplied to the first opening region to condense the first block copolymer. The hydrophilic polymer chain is then removed to reduce the diameter of the first hole forming pattern to a third hole diameter that is smaller than the first hole diameter.

Abstract: Provided are a method for forming a microfine structure and a microfine structure forming body prepared by the method. The method allows a remaining film part to be formed thinner and more uniform on a substrate than the conventional techniques. The method comprises the steps of: forming an oxide layer on a metallic thin film; a photocurable resin layer via first and second adhesive layers over the oxide layer; and transferring a microfine structure formed on a mold by pressing the mold onto the photocurable resin layer. The first adhesive layer includes a compound having at least two hydrolysable functional groups, and the second adhesive layer includes a compound having at least a hydrolysable functional group and a reactive functional group.

Abstract: A patterning method is provided. A mask composite layer and a first tri-layer photoresist are sequentially formed on a target layer. A first etching is performed to the mask composite layer, using the first tri-layer photoresist as a mask, to form at least one first opening in an upper portion of the mask composite layer. The first tri-layer photoresist is removed. A second tri-layer photoresist is formed on the mask composite layer. A second etching is performed to the mask composite layer, using the second tri-layer photoresist as a mask, to form at least one second opening in the upper portion of the mask composite layer. The second tri-layer photoresist is removed. A lower portion of the mask composite layer is patterned by using the upper portion of the mask composite layer as a mask. The target layer is patterned by using the patterned mask composite layer as a mask.

Abstract: Provided are a roller apparatus, a printing method and a method of fabricating an LCD device using the same, which can minimize the number of processes and a printing defect. In the printing method, first patterns are formed on a blanket. The first patterns have different surface energy from that of the blanket, and the blanket is formed around a roller. The roller is rotated and a printing material is dropped to form second patterns on the blanket between the first patterns. The second patterns are transferred from the roller onto a substrate.

Abstract: The inventive concepts provide methods of forming a pattern. In the method, a block copolymer layer may be formed on a neutral layer having an uneven structure and then phase separation is induced. The neutral layer may have an affinity for all of a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic polymer, so that vertical cultivation of phases of the block copolymer may be realized on the uneven structure. Thus, a self-assembled phenomenon may be induced.

Abstract: A SIT method includes the following steps. An SIT mandrel material is deposited onto a substrate and formed into a plurality of SIT mandrels. A spacer material is conformally deposited onto the substrate covering a top and sides of each of the SIT mandrels. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is used to deposit the SIT spacer at low temperatures. The spacer material is selected from the group including a metal, a metal oxide, a metal nitride and combinations including at least one of the foregoing materials. The spacer material is removed from all but the sides of each of the SIT mandrels to form SIT sidewall spacers on the sides of each of the SIT mandrels. The SIT mandrels are removed selective to the SIT sidewall spacers revealing a pattern of the SIT sidewall spacers. The pattern of the SIT sidewall spacers is transferred to the underlying stack or substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a high voltage device includes the step of forming a patterned photoresist layer on a conductive layer and a dielectric below the conductive. The conductive layer and the dielectric layer are patterned by taking the patterned photoresist layer as a mask. Subsequently the patterned photoresist layer is shrunk. The conductive layer and the dielectric layer are then patterned by taking the shrunk photoresist layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method for etching features in a silicon layer is provided. A hard mask layer is formed over the silicon layer. A photoresist layer is formed over the hard mask layer. The hard mask layer is opened. The photoresist layer is stripped by providing a stripping gas; forming a plasma with the stripping gas by providing a high frequency RF power and a low frequency RF power, wherein the low frequency RF power has a power less than 50 watts; and stopping the stripping gas when the photoresist layer is stripped. The opening the hard mask layer and the stripping the photoresist layer are performed in a same chamber.

Abstract: A resin-sealed semiconductor device 10 of the present invention includes: a mesa-type semiconductor element 100 which includes a mesa-type semiconductor base body having a pn-junction exposure portion in an outer peripheral tapered region which surrounds a mesa region, and a glass layer which covers at least the outer peripheral tapered region; and a molding resin 40 which seals the mesa-type semiconductor element 100, wherein the mesa-type semiconductor element 100 includes a glass layer which substantially contains no Pb as the glass layer. The resin-sealed semiconductor device of the present invention can acquire higher resistance to a reverse bias at a high temperature than a conventional resin-sealed semiconductor device, although the resin-sealed semiconductor device of the present invention has the structure where the mesa-type semiconductor element is molded with a resin in the same manner as the conventional resin-sealed semiconductor device.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a composition for forming a tungsten oxide film from an aqueous solution, and also to provide a pattern formation method employing that composition. [Means] The present invention provides a tungsten oxide film-forming composition comprising: water, a water-soluble metatungstate, and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of anionic polymers, nonionic polymers, anionic surfactants, and tertiary amino group-containing nonionic surfactants. For forming a pattern, this composition can be employed in place of a silicon dioxide film-forming composition in a pattern formation process using an image reversal trilayer structure, a resist undercoat layer or a resist top protective film.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of manufacturing dual gate oxide devices. The method comprises coating photoresist on the substrate which is deposited by an oxide thin film; removing some of the photoresist by exposure and development to divide the oxide thin film into a first area to be etched and a second area coated by the remained photoresist; coating RELACS material on the remained photoresist and heating to form a protective film based on the crosslinking reaction between the RELACS material and the high molecular compounds in the photoresist; performing UV radiation to strengthen and cure the protective film; removing the oxide thin film in the first area by etching and removing the remained photoresist; and depositing again an oxide film to form an oxide layer of different thickness in the first area and the second area so as to form a dual gate oxide structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a mask for a lithography exposure process. The mask includes a mask substrate; a first mask material layer patterned to have a first plurality of openings that define a first layer pattern; and a second mask material layer patterned to have a second plurality of openings that define a second layer pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure. A patterned first hard mask is formed on a substrate. The patterned first hard mask includes first trench patterns extending along a first direction. A second hard mask is then formed on the patterned first hard mask. A patterned photoresist layer is formed on the second hard mask. The patterned photoresist layer includes second trench patterns extending along a second direction. The second trench patterns intersect first trench patterns. Using the patterned photoresist layer as an etch mask, a first etch process is performed to transfer the second trench patterns into the patterned first hard mask and the second hard mask. Subsequently, using the patterned first hard mask as an etch mask, a second etch process is performed to transfer the first trench patterns and the second trench patterns into the substrate.

Abstract: To improve the manufacturing yield of semiconductor devices. Over a semiconductor wafer, a film to be processed is formed; over that film, an antireflection film is formed; and, over the antireflection film, a resist layer is formed. Then, the resist layer is subjected to liquid immersion exposure, and a development and rinsing process to form a resist pattern. After that, the antireflection film and the film to be processed are etched sequentially using the resist pattern as an etching mask. In the development process of the resist layer, the antireflection film is exposed from parts from which the resist layer has been removed by the development process. When performing a rinsing process after the development, the water repellent property of the surface of the antireflection film exposed from the resist layer is not lower than the water repellent property of the surface of the resist layer.

Abstract: Methodology enabling a generation of fins having a variable fin pitch less than 40 nm, and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: forming a hardmask on a substrate; providing first and second mandrels on the hardmask; providing a first spacer on each side of each of the first and second mandrels; removing the first and second mandrels; providing, after removal of the first and second mandrels, a second spacer on each side of each of the first spacers; and removing the first spacers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate. A first dielectric layer is deposited on the substrate. A patterned photoresist layer is formed on the first dielectric layer. The patterned photoresist layer is trimmed. The first dielectric layer is etched through the trimmed patterned photoresist layer to form a dielectric feature. A sacrificing energy decomposable layer (SEDL) is deposited on the dielectric feature and etched to form a SEDL spacer on sides of the dielectric feature. A second dielectric layer is deposited on the SEDL spacer and etched to form a dielectric spacer. The SEDL spacer is decomposed to form a trench.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: providing an underlying layer; forming a tri-layered photoresist on the underlying layer, which comprises forming a bottom photoresist layer on the underlying layer, forming a silicon-containing material layer on the bottom photoresist layer, and forming a patterned photoresist layer on the silicon-containing material layer; performing an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for forming a thin layer on the tri-layered photoresist; and performing an etching process for forming a via hole, which comprises etching the silicon-containing material layer according to the thin layer on the tri-layered photoresist.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a process for the fabrication of a semiconductor device. In some embodiments the semiconductor device comprises a patterned surface. The pattern can be formed from a self-assembled monolayer. The disclosed process provides self-assembled monolayers which can be deposited quickly, thereby increasing production throughput and decreasing cost, as well as providing a pattern having substantially uniform shape.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provides methods for forming a PVD silicon oxide or silicon rich oxide, or PVD SiN or silicon rich SiN, or SiC or silicon rich SiC, or combination of the preceding including a variation which includes controlled doping of hydrogen into the compounds heretofore referred to as SiOxNyCz:Hw, where w, x, y, and z can vary in concentration from 0% to 100%, is produced as a hardmask with optical properties that are substantially matched to the photo-resists at the exposure wavelength. Thus making the hardmask optically planarized with respect to the photo-resist. This allows for multiple sequences of litho and etches in the hardmask while the photo-resist maintains essentially no optical topography or reflectivity variations.

Abstract: Structure including nano-ribbons and method thereof. The structure include multiple nano-ribbons. Each of the multiple nano-ribbons corresponds to a first end and a second end, and the first end and the second end are separated by a first distance of at least 100 ?m. Each of the multiple nano-ribbons corresponds to a cross-sectional area associated with a ribbon thickness, and the ribbon thickness ranges from 5 nm to 500 nm. Each of the multiple nano-ribbons is separated from at least another nano-ribbon selected from the multiple nano-ribbons by a second distance ranging from 5 nm to 500 nm.

Abstract: A method for defining a template for directed self-assembly (DSA) materials includes patterning a resist on a stack including an ARC and a mask formed over a hydrophilic layer. A pattern is formed by etching the ARC and the mask to form template lines which are trimmed to less than a minimum feature size (L). Hydrophobic spacers are formed on the template lines and include a fractional width of L. A neutral brush layer is grafted to the hydrophilic layer. A DSA material is deposited between the spacers and annealed to form material domains in a form of alternating lines of a first and a second material wherein the first material in contact with the spacers includes a width less than a width of the lines. A metal is added to the domains forming an etch resistant second material. The first material and the spacers are removed to form a DSA template pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming different structures of a semiconductor device using a single mask and a hybrid photoresist. The method includes: applying a first photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first photoresist layer using a photomask to form a first patterned photoresist layer; using the first patterned photoresist layer to form a first structure of a semiconductor device; removing the first patterned photoresist layer; applying a second photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate; patterning the second photoresist layer using the photomask to form a second patterned photoresist layer; using the second patterned photoresist layer to form a second structure of a semiconductor device; removing the second patterned photoresist layer; and wherein either the first or the second photoresist layer is a hybrid photoresist layer comprising a hybrid photoresist.

Abstract: A method for separating a layer for transfer includes forming a crack guiding layer on a substrate and forming a device layer on the crack-guiding layer. The crack guiding layer is weakened by exposing the crack-guiding layer to a gas which reduces adherence at interfaces adjacent to the crack guiding layer. A stress inducing layer is formed on the device layer to assist in initiating a crack through the crack guiding layer and/or the interfaces. The device layer is removed from the substrate by propagating the crack.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a layered structure having a hard dielectric layer containing a first dielectric material having a Young's modulus greater than 10 GPa in a central portion of a main surface of a main body comprising a single crystalline semiconductor body, and providing a dielectric stress relief layer containing a second dielectric material having a lower Young's modulus than the first dielectric material, the stress relief layer covering the layered structure and extending beyond an outer edge of the layered structure.

Abstract: A method for defining a template for directed self-assembly (DSA) materials includes patterning a resist on a stack including an ARC and a mask formed over a hydrophilic layer. A pattern is formed by etching the ARC and the mask to form template lines which are trimmed to less than a minimum feature size (L). Hydrophobic spacers are formed on the template lines and include a fractional width of L. A neutral brush layer is grafted to the hydrophilic layer. A DSA material is deposited between the spacers and annealed to form material domains in a form of alternating lines of a first and a second material wherein the first material in contact with the spacers includes a width less than a width of the lines. A metal is added to the domains forming an etch resistant second material. The first material and the spacers are removed to form a DSA template pattern.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide semiconductor devices and fabrication methods. In an exemplary method, a dielectric layer can be formed on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of pillar structures having a matrix arrangement can be formed on the dielectric layer. A plurality of sidewall spacers can be formed on the dielectric layer. Each sidewall spacer can be formed on a sidewall surface of one of the plurality of pillar structures. A distance between adjacent pillar structures in a same row or in a same column can be less than or equal to a double of a thickness of the each sidewall spacer on the sidewall surface. The plurality of pillar structures can be removed. The dielectric layer can be etched using the plurality of sidewall spacers as an etch mask to form a plurality of trenches or through holes in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a double patterned structure and a method for forming the semiconductor structure are provided. A positive photoresist layer is formed on a negative photoresist layer, which is formed over a substrate. An exposure process is performed to form a first exposure region in the positive photoresist layer and to form a second exposure region in the negative photoresist layer in response to a first and a second intensity thresholds of the exposure energy. A positive-tone development process is performed to remove the first exposure region from the positive photoresist layer to form first opening(s). The second exposure region in the negative photoresist layer is then etched along the first opening(s) to form second opening(s) therein. A negative-tone development process is performed to remove portions of the negative photoresist layer outside of remaining second exposure region to form a double patterned negative photoresist layer.

Abstract: A method for defining a template for directed self-assembly (DSA) materials includes patterning a resist on a stack including an ARC and a mask formed over a hydrophilic layer. A pattern is formed by etching the ARC and the mask to form template lines which are trimmed to less than a minimum feature size (L). Hydrophobic spacers are formed on the template lines and include a fractional width of L. A neutral brush layer is grafted to the hydrophilic layer. A DSA material is deposited between the spacers and annealed to form material domains in a form of alternating lines of a first and a second material wherein the first material in contact with the spacers includes a width less than a width of the lines. A metal is added to the domains forming an etch resistant second material. The first material and the spacers are removed to form a DSA template pattern.

Abstract: A method includes a step of performing a time multiplexed etching process, wherein the last etching step of the time multiplexed etching process is of a first time duration. After performing the time multiplexed etching process, an etching step having a second time duration is performed, wherein the second time duration is greater than the first time duration.

Abstract: A stable and minute processing method of a thin film is provided. Further, a miniaturized semiconductor device is provided. A method for processing a thin film includes the following steps: forming a film to be processed over a formation surface; forming an organic coating film over the film to be processed; forming a resist film over the organic coating film; exposing the resist film to light_or_an electron beam; removing part of the resist film by development to expose part of the organic coating film; depositing an organic material layer on the top surface and a side surface of the resist film by plasma treatment; etching part of the organic coating film using the resist film and the organic material layer as masks to expose part of the film to be processed; and etching part of the film to be processed using the resist film and the organic material layer as masks.

Abstract: A resist underlayer composition, including a solvent, and an organosilane condensation polymerization product of hydrolyzed products produced from a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, a compound represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a compound represented by Chemical Formula 3.

Abstract: Lithography processes are provided. The lithography process includes installing a reticle masking (REMA) part having a REMA open region in a lithography apparatus, loading a reticle including at least one reticle chip region in which circuit patterns are disposed into the lithography apparatus, and sequentially exposing a first wafer field, which includes a first chip region corresponding to the reticle chip region, and a second wafer field, which includes a second chip region corresponding to the reticle chip region, of a wafer to rays using the reticle and the REMA part to transfer images of the circuit patterns onto the wafer. An edge boundary of the REMA open region transferred on the first wafer field is located on a scribe lane region between the first and second chip regions while the first wafer field is exposed. Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the lithography process are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides an electronic device and a fabrication method thereof. An electronic device according to an implementation of the disclosed technology may include: a first interlayer insulating layer formed over a substrate; first and second contact plugs passing through the first interlayer insulating layer to contact the substrate and alternately arranged to cross each other; a variable resistance element formed over the first interlayer insulating layer and coupled to the first contact plug; a second interlayer insulating layer formed over an entire structure including the first interlayer insulating layer; a third contact plug passing through the second interlayer insulating layer so as to be coupled to the variable resistance element, and a fourth contact plug passing through the second interlayer insulating layer so as to be contacted to the second contact plug; and conductive lines coupled to the third contact plug and the fourth contact plug, respectively.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an etch stop layer over a workpiece. The etch stop layer has an etch selectivity to a material layer of the workpiece of greater than about 4 to about 30. The method includes forming an insulating material layer over the etch stop layer, and patterning the insulating material layer using the etch stop layer as an etch stop.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing the number of defects in a directed self-assembled structure formed on a guiding pre-pattern (e.g., a chemical pre-pattern) on a substrate. A first layer comprising a first self-assembly material is applied onto the guiding pre-pattern, with the first self-assembly material forming domains whose alignment and orientation are directed by the guiding pre-pattern; as a result, a first self-assembled structure is formed. The first self-assembled structure is washed away, and a second layer comprising a second self-assembly material is then applied. The second self-assembly material forms a second self-assembled structure having fewer defects than the first self-assembled structure.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes forming a layer of insulating material above a semiconductor substrate, forming a hard mask layer comprised of a metal-containing material above the layer of insulating material, forming a blanket protection layer on the hard mask layer, forming a masking layer above the protection layer, performing at least one etching process on the masking layer to form a patterned masking layer having an opening that stops on and exposes a portion of the blanket protection layer, confirming that the patterned masking layer is properly positioned relative to at least one underlying structure or layer and, after confirming that the patterned masking layer is properly positioned, performing at least one etching process through the patterned masking layer to pattern at least the blanket protection layer.

Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor devices are provided. A plasma pre-treatment operation is performed on a photoresist pattern formed over a material disposed over a substrate, and reduces critical dimensions (CDs) of features of the photoresist pattern to a greater extent at a central portion of the substrate than at outer portions of the substrate, thereby forming a treated pattern with a gradient of CDs. The material is then etched using the treated pattern as a photomask. An overetch operation that tends to reduce CDs of the etched features of the material to a greater extent at outer portions of the substrate than at the central portion of the substrate, is employed. The plasma pre-treatment operation is designed in conjunction with the overetch characteristics and, in combination, the operations produce etched features having CDs with a high degree of uniformity across the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and precursors for depositing silicon nitride films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are provided. In some embodiments the silicon precursors comprise an iodine ligand. The silicon nitride films may have a relatively uniform etch rate for both vertical and the horizontal portions when deposited onto three-dimensional structures such as FinFETS or other types of multiple gate FETs. In some embodiments, various silicon nitride films of the present disclosure have an etch rate of less than half the thermal oxide removal rate with diluted HF (0.5%).

Abstract: Methods for fabricating guide patterns and methods for fabricating integrated circuits using guide patterns are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating a guide pattern includes forming a coating of a material with latent grafting sites and a photosensitive component configured to activate the latent grafting sites upon exposure over a substrate. The method exposes selected latent grafting sites in the coating to convert the selected latent grafting sites to active grafting sites. A grafting agent is bonded to the active grafting sites to form the guide pattern.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a patterned hard mask layer comprised of a plurality of discrete openings above a structure, wherein the patterned hard mask layer is comprised of a plurality of intersecting line-type features, forming a patterned etch mask above the patterned hard mask layer that exposes at least one, but not all, of the plurality of discrete openings, and performing at least one etching process through the patterned etch mask and the at least one exposed opening in the patterned hard mask layer to define an opening in the structure.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes the steps of performing a directed self-assembly process to form a DSA masking layer, performing at least one process operation to remove at least one of the features of the DSA masking layer so as to thereby define a patterned DSA masking layer with a DSA masking pattern, performing at least one process operation to form a patterned transfer masking layer having a transfer masking pattern comprised of a plurality of features that define a plurality of openings in the transfer masking layer, wherein the transfer masking pattern is the inverse of the DSA masking pattern, and performing at least one etching process through the patterned transfer masking layer on a layer of material to form a plurality of trench/via features in the layer of material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a mask layer forming a first photo resist over the mask layer, performing a first patterning step on the first photo resist, and performing a first etching step on the mask layer using the first photo resist as an etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. The method further includes forming a particle-fixing layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the mask layer, forming a second photo resist over the particle-fixing layer and the mask layer, performing a second patterning step on the second photo resist, and performing a second etching step on the particle-fixing layer and the mask layer using the second photo resist as an etching mask. The particle-fixing layer is etched through. A target layer underlying the mask layer is etched using the mask layer as an etching mask.

Abstract: Methodology enabling a generation of an interconnection design utilizing an SIT process is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a hardmask on a substrate; forming a mandrel layer on the hardmask including: first and second vertical portions extending along a vertical direction and separated by a horizontal distance; and a plurality of horizontal portions extending in a horizontal direction, wherein each of the horizontal portions is positioned between the first and second vertical portions and at a different position along the vertical direction; and forming a spacer layer on outer edges of the mandrel layer.