Abstract:
In an example, there is disclosed a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit, including: depositing a metal interconnect layer on an interlayer dielectric (ILD) including an ILD material, including a first interconnect and a second interconnect; depositing a first cross grating having a first dielectric material; depositing a second cross grating having a second dielectric material, the second cross grating substantially perpendicular to the first cross grating; subtractively etching a plug pattern between the first interconnect and the second interconnect; filling the plug pattern with a plug dielectric material; and depositing a via to electrically couple the second interconnect to a different layer.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are integrated circuits incorporating grating layers with variable pitch, and methods of producing the same. In one implementation, an integrated circuit comprises a substrate and a grating layer formed above the substrate. The grating layer comprising metal regions separated from each other by dielectric spacers, having variable metal-to-metal pitch throughout the grating layer. The integrated circuit further comprises a hard mask layer formed above the grating layer, and a via formed through the hard mask layer to electrically couple a first metal region of the grating layer to an upper interconnect structure.
Abstract:
A dielectric composition including a metal oxide particle including a diameter of 5 nanometers or less capped with an organic ligand at at least a 1:1 ratio. A method including synthesizing metal oxide particles including a diameter of 5 nanometers or less; and capping the metal oxide particles with an organic ligand at at least a 1:1 ratio. A method including forming an interconnect layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a first hardmask material and a different second hardmask material on the interconnect layer, wherein at least one of the first hardmask material and the second hardmask material is formed over an area of interconnect layer target for a via landing and at least one of the first hardmask material and the second hardmask material include metal oxide nanoparticles; and forming an opening to the interconnect layer selectively through one of the first hardmask material and the second hardmask material.
Abstract:
Forming self-aligned vertical interconnect accesses (vias) in interconnect structures for integrated circuits (ICs) is disclosed. To reduce or avoid misalignment of a via to an underlying, interconnected metal line, vias are fabricated in the interconnect structure to be self-aligned with an underlying, interconnected metal line. In this regard, underlying metal lines are formed in a dielectric layer. A recess is formed in an underlying metal line below a top surface of an inter-layer dielectric. A stop layer is disposed above the inter-layer dielectric and within the recess of the underlying metal line. The stop layer allows a via tunnel to be formed (e.g., etched) down within the recess of the underlying metal line to self-align the via tunnel with the underlying metal line. A conductive material is then deposited in the via tunnel extending into the recess to form the self-aligned via interconnected to the underlying metal line.
Abstract:
Fabrication schemes based on triblock copolymers for forming self-aligning vias or contacts for back end of line interconnects, and the resulting structures, are described. In an example, a method of fabricating an interconnect structure for a semiconductor die includes forming a lower metallization layer including alternating metal lines and dielectric lines above a substrate. The method also includes forming a triblock copolymer layer above the lower metallization layer. The method also includes segregating the triblock copolymer layer to form a first segregated block component over the dielectric lines of the lower metallization layer, and to form alternating second and third segregated block components disposed over the metal lines of the lower metallization layer, where the third segregated block component is photosensitive. The method also includes irradiating and developing select locations of the third segregated block component to provide via openings over the metal lines of the lower metallization layer.
Abstract:
Techniques are disclosed for forming electrically conductive features with improved alignment and capacitance reduction. In accordance with some embodiments, individual conductive features may be formed over a semiconductor substrate by a damascene process. For a given feature, first and second barrier layers (conformal or otherwise) may be disposed along sidewalls thereof, and a helmet-like hardmask body may be disposed over a top surface thereof. Additional conductive features can be formed between existing features, using the barrier layers as alignment spacers, thereby halving (or otherwise reducing) feature pitch. A layer of another hardmask material may be disposed over the additionally formed features. That layer and the helmet-like hardmask bodies may be of different material composition, providing for etch selectivity with respect to one another. Additional layer(s) can be formed over the resultant topography, exploiting the hardmask etch selectivity in forming interconnects for adjacent integrated circuit layers.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations associated with an integrated circuit (IC) structure with a replacement inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer disposed on a first ILD layer. A sacrificial layer may be formed on the first ILD layer. Trenches may be patterned and formed in the sacrificial layer such that the trenches are disposed on the first ILD layer. Vias may be patterned and formed in the first ILD layer below the trenches. After formation of the trenches, the sacrificial layer may be removed, and the replacement ILD layer (e.g., a second ILD layer) may be formed on the first ILD layer between the trenches. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
Abstract:
Self-aligned isotropic etch processes for via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects, and the resulting structures, are described. In an example, a method of fabricating an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes removing a sacrificial or permanent placeholder material of a subset of a plurality of holes or trenches through openings in a patterning layer. The method also includes removing the patterning layer and filling the subset of the plurality of holes or trenches with a permanent material.
Abstract:
Methods of forming self-aligned structures on patterned substrates are described. The methods may be used to form metal lines or vias without the use of a separate photolithography pattern definition operation. Self-aligned contacts may be produced regardless of the presence of spacer elements. The methods include directionally ion-implanting a gapfill portion of a gapfill silicon oxide layer to implant into the gapfill portion without substantially ion-implanting the remainder of the gapfill silicon oxide layer (the sidewalls). Subsequently, a remote plasma is formed using a fluorine-containing precursor to etch the patterned substrate such that the gapfill portions of silicon oxide are selectively etched relative to other exposed portions exposed parallel to the ion implantation direction. Without ion implantation, the etch operation would be isotropic owing to the remote nature of the plasma excitation during the etch process.