Abstract:
In one example, a method includes forming a template having a plurality of elements above a process layer and forming spacers on sidewalls of the plurality of elements. Portions of the process layer are exposed between adjacent spacers. At least one of the plurality of elements is removed. A mask structure is formed from a directed self-assembly material over the exposed portions. The process layer is patterned using at least the mask structure as an etch mask.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a graphoepitaxy DSA directing confinement well using a sidewall of an etch layer that overlies a semiconductor substrate. The graphoepitaxy DSA directing confinement well is filled with a block copolymer. The block copolymer is phase separated into an etchable phase and an etch resistant phase. The etchable phase is etched while leaving the etch resistant phase substantially in place to define an etch mask with a nanopattern. The nanopattern is transferred to the etch layer.
Abstract:
In one example, a method includes forming a template having a plurality of elements above a process layer and forming spacers on sidewalls of the plurality of elements. Portions of the process layer are exposed between adjacent spacers. At least one of the plurality of elements is removed. A mask structure is formed from a directed self-assembly material over the exposed portions. The process layer is patterned using at least the mask structure as an etch mask.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. One method includes decomposing a master pattern layout for a semiconductor device layer that includes a target metal line with a target interconnecting via/contact into a first sub-pattern and a second sub-pattern. The target metal line is decomposed into a first line feature pattern that is part of the first sub-pattern and a second line feature pattern that is part of the second sub-pattern such that the first and second line feature patterns have overlapping portions defining a stitch that corresponds to the target interconnecting via/contact. A first photomask is generated that corresponds to the first sub-pattern. A second photomask is generated that corresponds to the second sub-pattern.
Abstract:
Methods for directed self-assembly (DSA) using chemoepitaxy in the design and fabrication of integrated circuits are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming an A or B-block attracting layer over a base semiconductor layer, forming a trench in the A or B-block attracting layer to expose a portion of the base semiconductor layer, and forming a neutral brush or mat or SAMs layer coating within the trench and over the base semiconductor layer. The method further includes forming a block copolymer layer over the neutral layer coating and over the A or B-block attracting layer and annealing the block copolymer layer to form a plurality of vertically-oriented, cylindrical structures within the block copolymer layer.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes surface treating exposed portions of an anti-reflective coating (ARC) that overlie a semiconductor substrate to form surface treated ARC portions. A neutral layer is formed overlying the anti-reflective coating including over the surface treated ARC portions. First portions of the neutral layer are selectively removed and second portions of the anti-reflective coating that are disposed under the first portions laterally adjacent to the surface treated ARC portions are exposed to define a guide pattern. A block copolymer layer is deposited overlying the guide pattern. The block copolymer layer is phase separated to define a nanopattern that is registered to the guide pattern.
Abstract:
Approaches for multilayer pattern transfer for chemical guides are provided. In a typical embodiment, a device is formed by forming an etch mask layer (e.g., a nitride layer and an oxide layer) over a substrate (e.g., silicon (Si)). An orientation control layer (e.g., a neutral layer) is then formed over the etch mask layer, and an ARC layer (e.g., SiARC) is formed over the orientation control layer. In other embodiments, an organic planarization layer (OPL) and/or a protection layer may also be formed between the ARC layer and the orientation control layer. Regardless, a tapered etch profile/pattern may then be formed through the ARC and/or other layers.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. One method includes decomposing a master pattern layout for a semiconductor device layer that includes a target metal line with a target interconnecting via/contact into a first sub-pattern and a second sub-pattern. The target metal line is decomposed into a first line feature pattern that is part of the first sub-pattern and a second line feature pattern that is part of the second sub-pattern such that the first and second line feature patterns have overlapping portions defining a stitch that corresponds to the target interconnecting via/contact. A first photomask is generated that corresponds to the first sub-pattern. A second photomask is generated that corresponds to the second sub-pattern.
Abstract:
An illustrative DSA formulation disclosed herein includes a block copolymer material, a casting solvent and at least one plasticizer agent. An illustrative method disclosed herein includes depositing a liquid DSA formulation on a guide layer, performing a spin-coating process to form a DSA-based material layer comprised of the liquid DSA formulation above the guide layer, wherein the DSA-based material layer includes at least one plasticizing agent and, after performing the spin-coating process, performing at least one heating process on the DSA-based material layer while at least some of the plasticizing agent remains in the DSA-based material layer so as to enable phase separation of block copolymer materials.
Abstract:
Approaches for utilizing laser annealing to optimize lithographic processes such as directed self assembly (DSA) are provided. Under a typical approach, a substrate (e.g., a wafer) will be subjected to a lithographic process (e.g., having a set of stages/phases, aspects, etc.) such as DSA. Before or during such process, a set of laser annealing passes/scans will be made over the substrate to optimize one or more of the stages. In addition, the substrate could be subjected to additional processes such as hotplate annealing, etc. Still yet, in making a series of laser annealing passes, the techniques utilized and/or beam characteristics of each pass could be varied to further optimize the results.