Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100055897 | WET CLEANING STRIPPING OF ETCH RESIDUE AFTER TRENCH AND VIA OPENING FORMATION IN DUAL DAMASCENE PROCESS - After trench line pattern openings and via pattern openings are formed in a inter-metal dielectric insulation layer of a semiconductor wafer using trench-first dual damascene process, the wafer is wet cleaned in a single step wet clean process using a novel wet clean solvent composition. The wet clean solvent effectively cleans the dry etch residue from the plasma etching of the dual damascene openings, etches back the TiN hard mask layer along the dual damascene openings and forms a recessed surface at the conductor metal from layer below exposed at the bottom of the via openings of the dual damascene openings. | 03-04-2010 |
20130157462 | METHOD OF FORMING PATTERN FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - The present disclosure provides a method including providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a first layer and a second layer on the semiconductor substrate. The first layer is patterned to provide a first element, a second element, and a space interposing the first and second elements. Spacer elements are then formed on the sidewalls on the first and second elements of the first layer. Subsequently, the second layer is etched using the spacer elements and the first and second elements as a masking element. | 06-20-2013 |
20130196481 | METHOD OF PATTERNING FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A method that includes forming a masking element on a semiconductor substrate and overlying a defined space. A first feature and a second feature are each formed on the semiconductor substrate. The space interposes the first and second features and extends from a first end of the first feature to a first end of the second feature. A third feature is then formed adjacent and substantially parallel the first and second features. The third feature extends at least from the first end of the first feature to the first end of the second feature. | 08-01-2013 |
20140127897 | DUAL DAMASCENE PROCESS - A method for forming dual damascene structures in a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The method generally includes etching a substrate using a first hard mask to form a plurality of first trenches and vias, forming a set of first conductive lines and via interconnects, removing the first hard mask, etching the substrate using a second hard mask to form a plurality of second trenches and vias, and forming a set of second conductive lines and via interconnects. At least some of the first conductive lines are interspersed between some of the second conductive lines. A planarization process is used on the substrate after forming the first conductive lines and via interconnects before forming the second conductive lines and via interconnects. | 05-08-2014 |
20140148005 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH SELF ALIGNED END-TO-END CONDUCTIVE LINE STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAME - A method for forming semiconductor devices using damascene techniques provides self-aligned conductive lines that have an end-to-end spacing less than 60 nm without shorting. The method includes using at least one sacrificial hardmask layer to produce a mandrel and forming a void in the mandrel. The sacrificial hardmask layers are formed over a base material which is advantageously an insulating material. Another hardmask layer is also disposed over the base material and under the mandrel in some embodiments. Spacer material is formed alongside the mandrel and filling the void. The spacer material serves as a mask and at least one etching procedure is carried out to translate the pattern of the spacer material into the base material. The patterned base material includes trenches and raised portions. Conductive features are formed in the trenches using damascene techniques. | 05-29-2014 |
20140193974 | MULTI-PATTERNING METHOD AND DEVICE FORMED BY THE METHOD - A multi-patterning method includes: patterning at least two first openings in a hard mask layer over a substrate using a first mask; forming spacers within two of the at least two first openings, each spacer having a spacer opening therein for patterning a respective first circuit pattern over the substrate, wherein each spacer defines a pattern-free region adjacent to a respective one of the at least two first circuit patterns, and patterning a second circuit pattern in the hard mask layer using a second mask. The second circuit pattern is located between and excluded from the pattern free regions adjacent the at least two first circuit patterns. | 07-10-2014 |
20140193980 | PATTERNED LINE END SPACE - One or more techniques or systems for forming a line end space structure are provided herein. In some embodiments, a first patterned second hard mask (HM) region is formed above a first HM region. In some embodiments, a first sacrificial HM region and a second sacrificial HM region are formed above at least one of the first patterned second HM region or the first HM region. Photo resist (PR) is patterned above the second sacrificial HM region, and a spacer region is deposited above the PR and second sacrificial HM region. In some embodiments, at least some of at least one of the spacer region, the PR, or the respective sacrificial HMs is removed. Accordingly, first patterned second hard mask (HM) region is patterned, thus forming the line end space structure associated with an end-to-end space. | 07-10-2014 |
20140193981 | PHOTO RESIST TRIMMED LINE END SPACE - One or more techniques or systems for forming a line end space structure are provided herein. In some embodiments, a first patterned second hard mask (HM) region is formed above a first HM region. Additionally, at least some of the first patterned second HM region is removed. In some embodiments, a first sacrificial HM region and a second sacrificial HM region are formed above at least one of the first patterned second HM region or the first HM region. Photo resist (PR) is patterned above the second sacrificial HM region, and a spacer region is deposited above the patterned PR and second sacrificial HM region. In some embodiments, at least some of at least one of the spacer region, the PR, or the respective sacrificial HMs is removed. In this way, a line end space structure associated with an end-to-end space is formed. | 07-10-2014 |
20140252625 | Method of Preventing a Pattern Collapse - A device includes a substrate and at least three conducting features embedded into the substrate. Each conducting feature includes a top width x and a bottom width y, such that a top and bottom width (x1, y1) of a first conducting feature has a dimension of (x1y2), and a top and bottom width (x3, y3) of a third conducting feature has a dimension of (x3>y3). The device also includes a gap structure isolating the first and second conducting features. The gap structure can include such things as air or dielectric. | 09-11-2014 |
20140252648 | INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a first metal line and a second metal line over a substrate; a portion of a first low-k (LK) dielectric layer between the first metal line and the second metal line; and a second LK dielectric layer over the portion of the first LK dielectric layer. A top surface of the second LK dielectric layer is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the first metal line or the second metal line, and a thickness of the second LK dielectric layer is less than a thickness of the first metal line or a thickness of the second metal line. | 09-11-2014 |
20140264903 | INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a lower etch stop layer (ESL); an upper low-k (LK) dielectric layer over the lower ESL; a first conductive feature in the upper LK dielectric layer, wherein the first conductive feature has a first metal line and a dummy via contiguous with the first metal line, the dummy via extending through the lower ESL; a first gap along an interface of the first conductive feature and the upper LK dielectric layer; and an upper ESL over the upper LK dielectric layer, the first conductive feature, and the first gap. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264926 | Method and Apparatus for Back End of Line Semiconductor Device Processing - A via opening comprising an etch stop layer (ESL) opening and methods of forming the same are provided which can be used in the back end of line (BEOL) process of IC fabrication. A metal feature is provided with a first part within a dielectric layer and with a top surface. An ESL is formed with a bottom surface of the ESL above and in contact with the dielectric layer, and a top surface of the ESL above the bottom surface of the ESL. An opening at the ESL is formed exposing the top surface of the metal feature; wherein the opening at the ESL has a bottom edge of the opening above the bottom surface of the ESL, a first sidewall of the opening at a first side of the metal feature, and a second sidewall of the opening at a second side of the metal feature. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273433 | DOUBLE PATTERNING METHOD - Self-aligned double patterning methods that can be used in back-end-of-line (BEOL) processing and other stages of integrate circuit device manufacturing. In these methods, line termini are masked prior to self-aligned double patterning. The self-aligned double patterning involves forming a mandrel, the shape of which is determined by a lithographic mask. That same lithographic mask is used prior to self-aligned double patterning to trim the mask that determines the locations of line termini. The methods provide precise positioning of the line termini mask relative to the line locations determined by self-aligned double patterning. The methods forms consistent end-of-line shapes and allow line termini to be placed more closely together than would otherwise be feasible. | 09-18-2014 |
20140377962 | PHOTO RESIST TRIMMED LINE END SPACE - One or more techniques or systems for forming a line end space structure are provided herein. In some embodiments, a first patterned second hard mask (HM) region is formed above a first HM region. Additionally, at least some of the first patterned second HM region is removed. In some embodiments, a first sacrificial HM region and a second sacrificial HM region are formed above at least one of the first patterned second HM region or the first HM region. Photo resist (PR) is patterned above the second sacrificial HM region, and a spacer region is deposited above the patterned PR and second sacrificial HM region. In some embodiments, at least some of at least one of the spacer region, the PR, or the respective sacrificial HMs is removed. In this way, a line end space structure associated with an end-to-end space is formed. | 12-25-2014 |
20150047891 | Integrated Circuit Features with Fine Line Space and Methods for Forming the Same - A method includes forming a hard mask over a base material, and forming an I-shaped first opening in the hard mask. The first opening includes two parallel portions and a connecting portion interconnecting the two parallel portions. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the first opening. The spacers fill an entirety of the connecting portion, wherein a center portion of each of the two parallel portions is unfilled by the spacers. The hard mask is etched to remove a portion of the hard mask and to form a second opening, wherein the second opening is between the two parallel portions of the first opening. The second opening is spaced apart from the two parallel portions of the first opening by the spacers. The first opening and the second opening are then extended down into the base material. | 02-19-2015 |