摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the integrity of the device level may be enhanced after applying a replacement gate approach by providing an additional diffusion barrier layer, such as a silicon nitride layer, thereby obtaining a similar degree of diffusion blocking capabilities as in semiconductor devices without performing a replacement gate approach.
摘要:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the integrity of the device level may be enhanced after applying a replacement gate approach by providing an additional diffusion barrier layer, such as a silicon nitride layer, thereby obtaining a similar degree of diffusion blocking capabilities as in semiconductor devices without performing a replacement gate approach.
摘要:
By forming a protection layer prior to the application of the planarization layer during a dual damascene strategy for first patterning vias and then trenches, enhanced etch fidelity may be accomplished. In other aspects disclosed herein, via openings and trenches may be patterned in separate steps, which may be accomplished by different etch behaviors of respective dielectric materials and/or the provision of an appropriate etch stop layer, while filling the via opening and the trench with a barrier material and a highly conductive metal may be achieved in a common fill sequence. Hence, the via opening may be formed on the basis of a reduced aspect ratio, while nevertheless providing a highly efficient overall process sequence.
摘要:
In a replacement gate approach for forming high-k metal gate electrodes in semiconductor devices, a tapered configuration of the gate openings may be accomplished by using a tensile stressed dielectric material provided laterally adjacent to the gate electrode structure. Consequently, superior deposition conditions may be achieved while the tensile stress component may be efficiently used for the strain engineering in one type of transistor. Furthermore, an additional compressively stressed dielectric material may be applied after providing the replacement gate electrode structures.
摘要:
During the formation of metallization layers of sophisticated semiconductor devices, the damaging of sensitive dielectric materials, such as ULK materials, may be significantly reduced during a CMP process by applying a compressive stress level. This may be accomplished, in some illustrative embodiments, by forming a compressively stressed cap layer on the ULK material, thereby suppressing the propagation of micro cracks into the ULK material.
摘要:
By providing a protective layer in an intermediate manufacturing stage, an increased surface protection with respect to particle contamination and surface corrosion may be achieved. In some illustrative embodiments, the protective layer may be used during an electrical test procedure, in which respective contact portions are contacted through the protective layer, thereby significantly reducing particle contamination during a respective measurement process.
摘要:
In a metallization system of a complex semiconductor device, metal pillars, such as copper pillars, may be formed in a nail-like configuration in order to reduce the maximum mechanical stress acting on the metallization system while providing a required contact surface for connecting to the package substrate. The nail-like configuration may be obtained on the basis of appropriately configured resist masks.
摘要:
During the manufacture of advanced metallization systems, a dielectric cap layer formed on a sensitive dielectric material may be partially maintained during a CMP process for removing excess metal, thereby avoiding the necessity for depositing a dedicated etch stop material, as may be required in conventional approaches when substantially completely consuming the dielectric cap material during the CMP process. Hence, reduced process complexity and/or enhanced flexibility may be accomplished in combination with increased integrity of the low-k dielectric material.
摘要:
In a manufacturing sequence for forming metallization levels of semiconductor devices, out-gassing of volatile components after an etch process may be initiated immediately after the etch process, thereby reducing the probability of creating contaminants in other substrates and transport carriers during transport activities. Consequently, the defect rate of deposition-related irregularities in the metallization level may be reduced.
摘要:
By forming metal capacitors in the metallization structures of semiconductor devices, complex manufacturing sequences in the device level may be avoided. The process of manufacturing the metal capacitors may be performed on the basis of well-established patterning regimes of modern metallization systems by using appropriately selected etch stop materials, which may enable a high degree of compatibility for forming via openings in a metallization layer while providing a capacitor dielectric of a desired high dielectric constant in the capacitor.