Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080214011 | Method for Fabricating Dual Damascene Structures - A method for fabricating a dual damascene structure includes providing a multi-layer photoresist stack comprising a first photoresist layer and a second photoresist layer, wherein each photoresist layer has a distinct dose-to-clear value, exposing said photoresist stack to one or more predetermined patterns of light, and developing said photo-resist layers to form a multi-tiered structure in the photo-resist layers. | 09-04-2008 |
20080220615 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING SELF-ALIGNED MASK, ARTICLES PRODUCED BY SAME AND COMPOSITION FOR SAME - A method for forming a self-aligned pattern on an existing pattern on a substrate comprising applying a coating of a solution containing a masking material in a carrier, the masking material being either photo or thermally sensitive; performing a blanket exposure of the substrate; and allowing at least a portion of the masking material to preferential develop in a fashion that is replicates the existing pattern of the substrate. The existing pattern may be comprised of a first set of regions of the substrate having a first reflectivity and a second set of regions of the substrate having a second reflectivity different from the first composition. The first set of regions may include one or more metal elements and the second set of regions may include a dielectric. Structures made in accordance with the method. | 09-11-2008 |
20080237868 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR ULTRA NARROW CRACK STOP FOR MULTILEVEL SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - An integrated circuit design and a method of fabrication and, more particularly, a semiconductor structure having an ultra narrow crack stop for use in multilevel level devices and a method of making the same. The structure includes a first dielectric layer having a first connection connecting to an underlying interconnect and a second dielectric layer having a second connection connecting to the first connection. A stop gap structure extends through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, and has a width of about less than 1 um. | 10-02-2008 |
20080248655 | DEVELOPMENT OR REMOVAL OF BLOCK COPOLYMER OR PMMA-b-S-BASED RESIST USING POLAR SUPERCRITICAL SOLVENT - Methods of developing or removing a select region of block copolymer films using a polar supercritical solvent to dissolve a select portion are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polar supercritical solvent includes chlorodifluoromethane, which may be exposed to the block copolymer film using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO | 10-09-2008 |
20080254630 | DEVICE AND METHODOLOGY FOR REDUCING EFFECTIVE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device structure, including the steps of providing a structure having an insulator layer with at least one interconnect, forming a sub lithographic template mask over the insulator layer, and selectively etching the insulator layer through the sub lithographic template mask to form sub lithographic features spanning to a sidewall of the at least one interconnect. | 10-16-2008 |
20080265377 | AIR GAP WITH SELECTIVE PINCHOFF USING AN ANTI-NUCLEATION LAYER - A method of forming cavities within a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method comprises depositing an anti-nucleating layer on the interior surface of cavities within an ILD layer of the semiconductor device. This anti-nucleating layer prevents subsequently deposited dielectric layers from forming within the cavities. By preventing the formation of these layers, the capacitance is reduced, thereby resulting in improved semiconductor performance. | 10-30-2008 |
20080265382 | Nonlithographic Method to Produce Self-Aligned Mask, Articles Produced by Same and Compositions for Same - A method for forming a self aligned pattern on an existing pattern on a substrate comprising applying a coating of a solution containing a masking material in a carrier, the masking material having an affinity for portions of the existing pattern; and allowing at least a portion of the masking material to preferentially assemble to the portions of the existing pattern. The pattern may be comprised of a first set of regions of the substrate having a first atomic composition and a second set of regions of the substrate having a second atomic composition different from the first composition. The first set of regions may include one or more metal elements and the second set of regions may include a dielectric. The first and second regions may be treated to have different surface properties. Structures made in accordance with the method. Compositions useful for practicing the method. | 10-30-2008 |
20080265415 | Nonlithographic Method to Produce Self-Aligned Mask, Articles Produced by Same and Compositions for Same - A method for forming a self aligned pattern on an existing pattern on a substrate comprising applying a coating of a solution containing a masking material in a carrier, the masking material having an affinity for portions of the existing pattern; and allowing at least a portion of the masking material to preferentially assemble to the portions of the existing pattern. The pattern may be comprised of a first set of regions of the substrate having a first atomic composition and a second set of regions of the substrate having a second atomic composition different from the first composition. The first set of regions may include one or more metal elements and the second set of regions may include a dielectric. The first and second regions may be treated to have different surface properties. Structures made in accordance with the method. Compositions useful for practicing the method. | 10-30-2008 |
20080284031 | METHOD FOR IMPROVED PROCESS LATITUDE BY ELONGATED VIA INTEGRATION - Interconnect dual damascene structure are fabricated by depositing on a layer of at least one dielectric, a mask forming layer for providing the via-level mask layer of the dual damascene structures; creating an elongated via pattern in the via-level mask layer; depositing a layer of line-level dielectric and creating a line pattern through the layer of line-level dielectric, and transferring the line pattern through the projected intersection of the elongated via-level pattern and of the line-level pattern thereby generating an aligned dual damascene structure. A conductive liner layer is deposited in the dual damascene structure followed by filling the dual damascene structure with a conductive fill metal to form a set of metal lines. The metal and liner layers are planarized. | 11-20-2008 |
20080284039 | INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES WITH TERNARY PATTERNED FEATURES GENERATED FROM TWO LITHOGRAPHIC PROCESSES - A method for fabricating an interconnect structure for interconnecting a semiconductor substrate to have three distinct patterned structures such that the interconnect structure provides both a low k and high structural integrity. The method includes depositing an interlayer dielectric onto the semiconductor substrate, forming a first pattern within the interlayer dielectric material by a first lithographic process that results in both via features and ternary features being formed in the interconnect structure. The method further includes forming a second pattern within the interlayer dielectric material by a second lithographic process to form line features within the interconnect structure. Hence the method forms the three separate distinct patterned structures using only two lithographic processes for each interconnect level. | 11-20-2008 |
20080303160 | Method for fabricating dual damascene structures using photo-imprint lithography, methods for fabricating imprint lithography molds for dual damascene structures, materials for imprintable dielectrics and equipment for photo-imprint lithography used in dual damascene patterning - The process of producing a dual damascene structure used for the interconnect architecture of semiconductor chips. More specifically the use of imprint lithography to fabricate dual damascene structures in a dielectric and the fabrication of dual damascene structured molds. | 12-11-2008 |
20080305197 | Method for fabricating dual damascene structures using photo-imprint lithography, methods for fabricating imprint lithography molds for dual damascene structures, materials for imprintable dielectrics and equipment for photo-imprint lithography used in dual damascene patterning - The process of producing a dual damascene structure used for the interconnect architecture of semiconductor chips. More specifically the use of imprint lithography to fabricate dual damascene structures in a dielectric and the fabrication of dual damascene structured molds. | 12-11-2008 |
20080308801 | STRUCTURE FOR STOCHASTIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PERSONALIZATION - A method of forming a stochastically based integrated circuit encryption structure includes forming a lower conductive layer over a substrate, forming a short prevention layer over the lower conductive layer, forming an intermediate layer over the short prevention layer, wherein the intermediate layer is characterized by randomly structured nanopore features. An upper conductive layer is formed over the random nanopore structured intermediate layer. The upper conductive layer is patterned into an array of individual cells, wherein a measurable electrical parameter of the individual cells has a random distribution from cell to cell with respect to a reference value of the electrical parameter. | 12-18-2008 |
20090023083 | Method for fabricating dual damascene structures using photo-imprint lithography, methods for fabricating imprint lithography molds for dual damascene structures, Materials for imprintable dielectrics and equipment for photo-imprint lithography used in dual damascene patterning - The process of producing a dual damascene structure used for the interconnect architecture of semiconductor chips. More specifically the use of imprint lithography to fabricate dual damascene structures in a dielectric and the fabrication of dual damascene structured molds. | 01-22-2009 |
20090032959 | ELECTRICAL FUSES AND RESISTORS HAVING SUBLITHOGRAPHIC DIMENSIONS - Electrical fuses and resistors having a sublithographic lateral or vertical dimension are provided. A conductive structure comprising a conductor or a semiconductor is formed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one insulator layer is formed on the conductive structure. A recessed area is formed in the at least one insulator layer. Self-assembling block copolymers are applied into the recessed area and annealed to form a first set of polymer blocks and a second set of polymer blocks. The first set of polymer blocks are etched selective to the second set and the at least one insulator layer. Features having sublithographic dimensions are formed in the at least one insulator layer and/or the conductive structure. Various semiconductor structures having sublithographic dimensions are formed including electrical fuses and resistors. | 02-05-2009 |
20090035668 | Method and materials for patterning a neutral surface - A self assembly step for the manufacture of an electronic component comprising, e.g., a semiconductor chip or semiconductor array or wafer comprises forming a diblock copolymer film placed on a random copolymer film substrate operatively associated with the electronic component and the diblock copolymer film wherein the surface energy of the random copolymer film is tailored by use of a photolithographic process prior to the self assembly step. By prior deterministic control over regional surface properties of the random copolymer film, domains of the diblock copolymer film form only in predefined areas. This approach offers simplified processing and a precise control of regions where domain formation occurs. Selective removal of some of the domains allows for further processing of the electronic component. | 02-05-2009 |
20090065956 | MEMORY CELL - Methods of forming line ends and a related memory cell including the line ends are disclosed. In one embodiment, the memory cell includes fa first device having a first conductive line extending over a first active region and having a first line end of the first conductive line positioned over an isolation region adjacent to the first active region; and a second device having a second conductive line extending over one of a second active region and a contact element and having a second line end of the second conductive line positioned over the isolation region adjacent to the one of the second active region and the contact element, wherein the first line end and the second line end each include a bulbous end that is distanced from a respective active region or contact element. | 03-12-2009 |
20090068837 | LINE ENDS FORMING - Methods of forming line ends and a related memory cell including the line ends are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first device element and a second device element separated from the first device element by a space; and forming a first line extending from the first device element, the first line including a bulbous line end over the space and distanced from the first device element, and a second line extending from the second device element, the second line including a bulbous line end over the space and distanced from the second device element. | 03-12-2009 |
20090072410 | MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUIT STRUCTURE WITH LAYERED LOW DIELECTRIC CONSTANT REGIONS - The circuit structure includes at least two generally parallel conductor structures, and a plurality of substantially horizontal layers of layer dielectric material interspersed with substantially horizontally extending relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes. The substantially horizontal layers and the substantially horizontally extending volumes are generally interposed between the at least two generally parallel conductor structures. Also included are a plurality of substantially vertically extending relatively low-k volumes sealed within the substantially horizontal layers and the substantially horizontally extending volumes between the at least two generally parallel conductor structures. The substantially vertically extending relatively low-k volumes and the substantially horizontally extending relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between the at least two generally parallel conductor structures as compared to an otherwise comparable microelectronic circuit not including the relatively low-k volumes. | 03-19-2009 |
20090186234 | METHOD AND MATERIAL FOR A THERMALLY CROSSLINKABLE RANDOM COPOLYMER - A structure that comprises a substrate; a cross-linked random free radical copolymer on the substrate; and a self-assembled patterned diblock copolymer film on the random copolymer; wherein the random copolymer is energy neutral with respect to each block of the diblock copolymer film. A method of making the structure is provided. | 07-23-2009 |
20090214689 | Imprint Lithography Templates Having Alignment Marks - One embodiment of the present invention is an imprint template for imprint lithography that comprises alignment marks embedded in bulk material of the imprint template. | 08-27-2009 |
20090294982 | INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES WITH TERNARY PATTERNED FEATURES GENERATED FROM TWO LITHOGRAPHIC PROCESSES - A method for fabricating an interconnect structure for interconnecting a semiconductor substrate to have three distinct patterned structures such that the interconnect structure provides both a low k and high structural integrity. The method includes depositing an interlayer dielectric onto the semiconductor substrate, forming a first pattern within the interlayer dielectric material by a first lithographic process that results in both via features and ternary features being formed in the interconnect structure. The method further includes forming a second pattern within the interlayer dielectric material by a second lithographic process to form line features within the interconnect structure. Hence the method forms the three separate distinct patterned structures using only two lithographic processes for each interconnect level. | 12-03-2009 |
20100230048 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TONE INVERTING OF RESIDUAL LAYER TOLERANT IMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY - A system for imprint lithography, which includes a substrate, a patterned mask, an imprint applying unit that imprints, via the patterned mask, a pattern into a resist layer on the substrate, and an overlay device that overlays a cladding layer over the substrate. | 09-16-2010 |
20100230385 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TONE INVERTING OF RESIDUAL LAYER TOLERANT IMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY - A method (and apparatus) of imprint lithography, includes imprinting, via a patterned mask, a pattern into a resist layer on a substrate, and overlaying a cladding layer over the imprinted resist layer. A portion of the cladding layer is used as a hard mask for a subsequent processing. | 09-16-2010 |
20100283121 | ELECTRICAL FUSES AND RESISTORS HAVING SUBLITHOGRAPHIC DIMENSIONS - Electrical fuses and resistors having a sublithographic lateral or vertical dimension are provided. A conductive structure comprising a conductor or a semiconductor is formed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one insulator layer is formed on the conductive structure. A recessed area is formed in the at least one insulator layer. Self-assembling block copolymers are applied into the recessed area and annealed to form a fist set of polymer blocks and a second set of polymer blocks. The first set of polymer blocks are etched selective to the second set and the at least one insulator layer. Features having sublithographic dimensions are formed in the at least one insulator layer and/or the conductive structure. Various semiconductor structures having sublithographic dimensions are formed including electrical fuses and resistors. | 11-11-2010 |
20110003402 | RECOVERY OF HYDROPHOBICITY OF LOW-K AND ULTRA LOW-K ORGANOSILICATE FILMS USED AS INTER METAL DIELECTRICS - Often used to reduce the RC delay in integrated circuits are dielectric films of porous organosilicates which have a silica like backbone with alkyl or aryl groups (to add hydrophobicity to the materials and create free volume) attached directly to the Si atoms in the network. Si—R bonds rarely survive an exposure to plasmas or chemical treatments commonly used in processing; this is especially the case in materials with an open cell pore structure. When Si—R bonds are broken, the materials lose hydrophobicity, due to formation of hydrophilic silanols and low dielectric constant is compromised. A method by which the hydrophobicity of the materials is recovered using a novel class of silylation agents which may have the general formula (R | 01-06-2011 |
20110111590 | DEVICE AND METHODOLOGY FOR REDUCING EFFECTIVE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - Method of manufacturing a structure which includes the steps of providing a structure having an insulator layer with at least one interconnect, forming a sub lithographic template mask over the insulator layer, and selectively etching the insulator layer through the sub lithographic template mask to form sub lithographic features spanning to a sidewall of the plurality of interconnects. | 05-12-2011 |
20110163446 | METHOD TO GENERATE AIRGAPS WITH A TEMPLATE FIRST SCHEME AND A SELF ALIGNED BLOCKOUT MASK AND STRUCTURE - A structure and method to produce an airgap on a substrate having a dielectric layer and copper interconnects with sublithographic perforations therein which are ordered throughout the wafer structure in a macro level and a micro level with no change in order orientation and the top layer of the copper interconnects are not exposed. | 07-07-2011 |
20120133078 | Step and Flash Imprint Lithography - A method of forming a relief image in a structure comprising a substrate and a transfer layer formed thereon comprises covering the transfer layer with a polymerizable fluid composition, and then contacting the polymerizable fluid composition with a mold having a relief structure formed therein such that the polymerizable fluid composition fills the relief structure in the mold. The polymerizable fluid composition is subjected to conditions to polymerize polymerizable fluid composition and form a solidified polymeric material therefrom on the transfer layer. The mold is then separated from the solid polymeric material such that a replica of the relief structure in the mold is formed in the solidified polymeric material; and the transfer layer and the solidified polymeric material are subjected to an environment to selectively etch the transfer layer relative to the solidified polymeric material such that a relief image is formed in the transfer layer. | 05-31-2012 |
20120321740 | PNEUMATIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NANO IMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY HAVING A CONFORMING MASK - An apparatus for nano lithography includes a mask having a pattern formed thereon and a pneumatic pressure driving source for applying a pneumatic pressure to at least one of a surface of the mask and a surface of a workpiece, thereby to uniformly transfer the pattern from the mask to the workpiece. | 12-20-2012 |
20130009315 | INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES WITH ENGINEERED DIELECTRICS WITH NANOCOLUMNAR POROSITY - A method for forming an interconnect structure with nanocolumnar intermetal dielectric is described involving the construction of an interconnect structure using a solid dielectric, and introducing a regular array of vertically aligned nanoscale pores through stencil formation and etching to form a hole array and subsequently pinching off the tops of the hole array with a cap dielectric. Variations of the method and means to construct a multilevel nanocolumnar interconnect structure are also described. | 01-10-2013 |