Abstract:
Integrated circuits with improved contact structures and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with improved contact structures are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating integrated circuits includes providing a device in and/or on a semiconductor substrate. Further, the method includes forming a contact structure in electrical contact with the device. The contact structure includes silicate barrier portions overlying the device, a barrier metal overlying the device and positioned between the silicate barrier portions, and a fill metal overlying the barrier metal and positioned between the silicate barrier portions.
Abstract:
A method of forming a doped TaN Cu barrier adjacent to a Ru layer of a Cu interconnect structure and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a cavity in a SiO-based ILD; conformally forming a doped TaN layer in the cavity and over the ILD; conformally forming a Ru layer on the doped TaN layer; depositing Cu over the Ru layer and filling the cavity; planarizing the Cu, Ru layer, and doped TaN layer down to an upper surface of the ILD; forming a dielectric cap over the Cu, Ru layer, and doped TaN layer; and filling spaces formed between the dielectric cap and the doped TaN layer.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits using chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) for recessing metal are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes filling a trench with a metal and forming an overburden portion of the metal outside of the trench. The method further includes performing a planarization process with an etching slurry to remove the overburden portion of the metal and to recess the metal within the trench.
Abstract:
One method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming at least one layer of insulating material above a semiconductor layer, performing at least one contact opening etching process to form a contact opening in the at least one layer of insulating material that exposes a portion of the semiconductor layer, selectively depositing a metal-oxide insulating material through the contact opening on the exposed surface of the semiconductor layer, and forming a conductive contact in the contact opening that contacts the metal-oxide insulating material.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device includes a recess defined in a dielectric layer, the recess having an upper sidewall portion extending to an upper corner of the recess and a lower sidewall portion below the upper sidewall portion. An interconnect structure is positioned in the recess. The interconnect structure includes a continuous liner layer having upper and lower layer portions positioned laterally adjacent to the upper and lower sidewall portions, respectively. The upper layer portion includes an alloy of a first transition metal and a second transition metal and the lower layer portion includes the second transition metal but not the first transition metal. The interconnect structure also includes a fill material substantially filling the recess, wherein the second transition metal has a higher wettability for the fill material than the alloy.
Abstract:
Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a sacrificial gate structure over a semiconductor substrate. A spacer is formed around the sacrificial gate structure and a dielectric material is deposited over the spacer and semiconductor substrate. The method includes selectively etching the spacer to form a trench between the sacrificial gate structure and the dielectric material. The trench is bounded by a trench surface upon which a replacement spacer material is deposited. The method merges an upper region of the replacement spacer material to enclose a void within the replacement spacer material.
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 with magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with MTJ structures are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a first conductive line in electrical connection with an underlying semiconductor device. The method exposes a surface of the first conductive line. Further, the method selectively deposits a conductive material on the surface of the first conductive line to form an electrode contact. The method includes forming a MTJ structure over the electrode contact.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a conductive material overlying a semiconductor substrate and a dielectric material overlying the conductive material, wherein an opening exposes a surface of the conductive material and sidewalls of the dielectric material and selectively depositing a first layer of a first barrier material on the surface of the conductive material with the sidewalls of the dielectric material remaining exposed, the first barrier material being such that, if annealed in an annealing process, the first barrier material would diffuse into the conductive material. The method further includes modifying the first barrier material on the exposed surface to form a second barrier material, the second barrier material being such that, during an annealing process, the second barrier material does not diffuse into the conductive material and depositing a second layer of the first barrier material along the sidewalls of the opening. Still further, the method includes annealing the semiconductor substrate. Integrated circuits fabricated in accordance with the foregoing method are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided in various exemplary embodiments. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first exposed surface including an elemental metal material and a second exposed surface including a barrier material. The elemental metal material has a first etch rate when exposed to a wet etchant and the barrier material has a second etch rate when exposed to the wet etchant. Further, the method includes modifying the first exposed surface to form a modified first exposed surface so as to reduce the first etch rate when exposed to the wet etchant and applying the wet etchant simultaneously to the modified first exposed surface and to the second exposed surface.