Abstract:
Devices and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices for forming low resistivity interconnects are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor interconnect device having a substrate, a cap layer, and a dielectric matrix including a set of trenches and a set of vias; depositing a barrier layer along a top surface of the semiconductor interconnect device; depositing and annealing a metal interconnect material over a top surface of the barrier layer, wherein the metal interconnect material fills the set of trenches and the set of vias; planarizing a top surface of the intermediate semiconductor interconnect device; exposing a portion of the barrier layer between the set of trenches and the set of vias; and depositing a dielectric cap. Also disclosed is an intermediate device formed by the method.
Abstract:
A method provides a structure having a FinFET in an Rx region, the FinFET including a channel, source/drain (S/D) regions and a gate, the gate including gate metal. A cap is formed over the gate having a high-k dielectric liner and a core. Trench silicide (TS) is disposed on sides of the gate. The TS is recessed to a level above a level of the gate and below a level of the cap. An oxide layer is disposed over the structure. A CB trench is patterned into the oxide layer within the Rx region to expose the core and liner at an intermediate portion of the CB trench. The core is selectively etched relative to the liner to extend the CB trench to a bottom at the gate metal. The CB trench is metalized to form a CB contact.
Abstract:
A method of forming a self-aligned MTJ without using a photolithography mask and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a first electrode over a metal layer, the metal layer recessed in a low-k dielectric layer; forming a MTJ layer over the first electrode; forming a second electrode over the MTJ layer; removing portions of the second electrode, the MTJ layer, and the first electrode down to the low-k dielectric layer; forming a silicon nitride-based layer over the second electrode and the low-k dielectric layer; and planarizing the silicon nitride-based layer down to the second electrode.
Abstract:
Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes contacting a liner that is disposed adjacent to a porous interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer of dielectric material with a selectively reactive gas at reaction conditions. A portion of the liner is reacted with the selectively reactive gas to form a converted expanded portion that is disposed between a remaining portion of the liner and the porous ILD layer.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating raised fin structures is provided, the fabricating including: providing a substrate and at least one dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a trench in the at least one dielectric layer, the trench having a lower portion, a lateral portion, and an upper portion, the upper portion being at least partially laterally offset from the lower portion and being joined to the lower portion by the lateral portion; and, growing a material in the trench to form the raised fin structure, wherein the trench is formed to ensure that any growth defect in the lower portion of the trench terminates either in the lower portion or the lateral portion of the trench and does not extend into the upper portion of the trench.
Abstract:
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, performing at least one etching process through an overall masking layer to define an opening in a layer of insulating material, wherein the overall masking layer is comprised of a patterned metal-silicate masking layer that is positioned on and in contact with the layer of insulating material and a patterned masking layer positioned on and in contact with the patterned metal-silicate masking layer, over-filling the opening with a conductive material and performing at least one planarization process so as to remove excess materials positioned outside of the opening above the patterned metal-silicate masking layer and thereby define a conductive structure that is positioned in the opening.
Abstract:
Circuit structure fabrication methods are provided which include: patterning at least one opening within a dielectric layer disposed over a substrate structure; providing a liner material within the at least one opening of the dielectric layer; disposing a surfactant over at least a portion of the liner material; and depositing, using an electroless process, a conductive material over the liner material to form a conductive structure, and the disposed surfactant inhibits formation of a void within the conductive structure.
Abstract:
One method includes forming a barrier layer in a trench/opening in an insulating material, forming a first region of a copper material above the barrier layer, forming a metal layer in the trench/opening on the first region of copper material, forming a second region of copper material on the metal layer, performing at least one CMP process to remove any materials positioned above a planarized upper surface of the layer of insulating material outside of the trench/opening so as to thereby define a structure comprised of the metal layer positioned between the first and second regions of copper material, forming a dielectric cap layer above the layer of insulating material and above the structure, and performing a metal diffusion anneal process to form a metal cap layer adjacent at least the upper surface of a conductive copper structure.
Abstract:
Approaches for forming a replacement metal gate (RMG) of a semiconductor device, are disclosed. Specifically provided is a p-channel field effect transistor (p-FET) and an n-channel field effect transistor (n-FET) formed over a substrate, the p-FET and the n-FET each having a recess formed therein, a high-k layer and a barrier layer formed within each recess, a work-function metal (WFM) selectively grown within the recess of the n-FET, wherein the high-k layer, barrier layer, and WFM are each recessed to a desired height within the recesses, and a metal material (e.g., Tungsten) formed within each recess. By providing a WFM chamfer earlier in the process, the risk of mask materials filling into each gate recess is reduced. Furthermore, the selective WFM growth improves fill-in of the metal material, which lowers gate resistance in the device.
Abstract:
A process is provided for methods of reducing damage to an ultra-low k layer during fabrication. In one aspect, a method includes: providing a cured ultra-low k film containing pores filled with a pore-stuffing material; and modifying an exposed surface of the ultra-low k film to provide a modified layer in the ultra-low k film. In another aspect, a semiconductor device comprising a modified layer on a surface of an ultra-low k film is provided.