Abstract:
In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes patterning a layer of a first conductive metal, via a subtractive etch process, to form a plurality of lines for connecting semiconductor devices on the integrated circuit. A large feature area is formed outside of the plurality of conductive lines via a metal fill process using a second conductive metal.
Abstract:
A method for forming a memory device includes masking a photoresist material using a reticle and a developer having a polarity opposite that of the photoresist to provide an island of photoresist material. A planarizing layer is etched to establish a pillar of planarizing material defined by the island of photoresist material. A metal layer is etched to form a metal pillar having a diameter about the same as the pillar of planarizing material. A memory stack is etched to form a memory stack pillar having a diameter about the same as the metal pillar. A magnetoresistive memory cell includes a magnetic tunnel junction pillar having a circular cross section. The pillar has a pinned magnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a free magnetic layer. A first conductive contact is disposed above the magnetic tunnel junction pillar. A second conductive contact is disposed below the magnetic tunnel junction pillar.
Abstract:
In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes patterning a layer of a first conductive metal, via a subtractive etch process, to form a plurality of lines for connecting semiconductor devices on the integrated circuit. A large feature area is formed outside of the plurality of conductive lines via a metal fill process using a second conductive metal.
Abstract:
A method for cleaning etch residues that may include treating an etched surface with an aqueous lanthanoid solution, wherein the aqueous lanthanoid solution removes an etch residue that includes a majority of hydrocarbons and at least one element selected from the group consisting of carbon, oxygen, fluorine, nitrogen and silicon. In one example, the aqueous solution may be cerium ammonium nitrate (Ce(NH4)(NO3)),(CAN).
Abstract:
An apparatus for and methods of repairing and manufacturing integrated circuits using the apparatus. The apparatus, comprising: a vacuum chamber containing: a movable stage configured to hold a substrate; an inspection and analysis probe; a heat source; a gas injector; and a gas manifold connecting multiple gas sources to the gas injector.
Abstract:
One embodiment of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of conductive lines connecting the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein at least some of the plurality of conductive lines have pitches of less than one hundred nanometers and sidewall tapers of between approximately eighty and ninety degrees. Another embodiment of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of conductive lines connecting the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein at least some of the plurality of conductive lines are fabricated by providing a layer of conductive metal in a multi-layer structure fabricated upon a wafer and sputter etching the layer of conductive metal using a methanol plasma, wherein a portion of the layer of conductive metal that remains after the sputter etching forms the one or more conductive lines.
Abstract:
A method for a constructing radiation detector includes fabricating a multi-layer structure upon a wafer, the multi-layer structure comprising a plurality of metal layers, a plurality of sacrificial layers, and a plurality of insulating layers, forming a cavity within the multi-layer structure, filling the cavity with a gas that ionizes in response to nuclear radiation, and sealing the gas within the cavity.
Abstract:
Fabricating conductive lines in an integrated circuit includes patterning a layer of a transition metal to form the conductive lines and depositing a protective cap on at least some of the one or more conductive lines. Alternatively, fabricating conductive lines in an integrated circuit includes patterning a layer of a transition metal to form the conductive lines, wherein the conductive lines have sub-eighty nanometer pitches, and depositing a protective cap on at least some of the conductive lines, wherein the protective cap has a thickness between approximately five and fifteen nanometers. Alternatively, fabricating conductive lines in an integrated circuit includes patterning a layer of a transition metal to form the conductive lines, wherein the conductive lines have sub-eighty nanometer line widths, and depositing a protective cap on at least some of the conductive lines, wherein the protective cap has a thickness between approximately five and fifteen nanometers.
Abstract:
One embodiment of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of conductive lines connecting the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein at least some of the plurality of conductive lines have line widths of less than forty nanometers. Another embodiment of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of conductive lines connecting the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein at least some of the plurality of conductive lines are fabricated by providing a layer of conductive metal in a multi-layer structure fabricated upon a wafer, performing a first sputter etch of the layer of conductive metal using a methanol plasma, and performing a second sputter etch of the layer of conductive metal using a second plasma, wherein a portion of the layer of conductive metal that remains after the second sputter etch forms the one or more conductive lines.
Abstract:
A hydrofluorocarbon gas is employed as a polymer deposition gas in an anisotropic etch process employing an alternation of an etchant gas and the polymer deposition gas to etch a deep trench in a semiconductor substrate. The hydrofluorocarbon gas can generate a thick carbon-rich and hydrogen-containing polymer on sidewalls of a trench at a thickness on par with the thickness of the polymer on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The thick carbon-rich and hydrogen-containing polymer protects sidewalls of a trench, thereby minimizing an undercut below a hard mask without degradation of the overall rate. In some embodiments, an improvement in the overall etch rate can be achieved.