Integrated circuit (IC) chips and seal ring structures are provided. An IC chip according to the present disclosure includes an interconnect structure that includes a first metal line, a second metal line, a third metal line, a fourth metal line, and a fifth meal line extending along a first direction, a first group of lateral connectors disposed between the second metal line and the third metal line or between the fourth metal line and the fifth metal line, and a second group of lateral connectors disposed between the first metal line and the second metal line or between the third metal line and the fourth metal line.

Integrated circuit (IC) chips and seal ring structures are provided. An IC chip according to the present disclosure includes an interconnect structure that includes a first metal line, a second metal line, a third metal line, a fourth metal line, and a fifth meal line extending along a first direction, a first group of lateral connectors disposed between the second metal line and the third metal line or between the fourth metal line and the fifth metal line, and a second group of lateral connectors disposed between the first metal line and the second metal line or between the third metal line and the fourth metal line.

A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. A substrate is provided and an integrated circuit area is formed on the substrate. The integrated circuit area includes a dielectric stack. A seal ring is formed in the dielectric stack and around a periphery of the integrated circuit area. A trench is formed around the seal ring and exposing a sidewall of the dielectric stack. The trench is formed within a scribe line. A moisture blocking layer is formed on the sidewall of the dielectric stack, thereby sealing a boundary between two adjacent dielectric films in the dielectric stack.

A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. A substrate is provided and an integrated circuit area is formed on the substrate. The integrated circuit area includes a dielectric stack. A seal ring is formed in the dielectric stack and around a periphery of the integrated circuit area. A trench is formed around the seal ring and exposing a sidewall of the dielectric stack. The trench is formed within a scribe line. A moisture blocking layer is formed on the sidewall of the dielectric stack, thereby sealing a boundary between two adjacent dielectric films in the dielectric stack.

An integrated circuit includes a capacitor with a bottom conductive plate and a top conductive plate. A passivation layer is disposed above the top conductive plate. An intermetal dielectric layer is disposed between the bottom conductive plate and the top conductive plate and is formed of a first dielectric material. Shield layers are disposed between the top conductive plate and above the intermetal dielectric layer and extend horizontally to at least past guard rings. The shield layers include a dielectric layer formed of dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than the material of the intermetal dielectric layer. The shield layers include horizontally offset trenches to stop horizontal flow of current in the shield layers. The offset ensures there is no vertical path from the passivation layer to lower/ground potentials through the shield layers.

An integrated circuit includes a capacitor with a bottom conductive plate and a top conductive plate. A passivation layer is disposed above the top conductive plate. An intermetal dielectric layer is disposed between the bottom conductive plate and the top conductive plate and is formed of a first dielectric material. Shield layers are disposed between the top conductive plate and above the intermetal dielectric layer and extend horizontally to at least past guard rings. The shield layers include a dielectric layer formed of dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than the material of the intermetal dielectric layer. The shield layers include horizontally offset trenches to stop horizontal flow of current in the shield layers. The offset ensures there is no vertical path from the passivation layer to lower/ground potentials through the shield layers.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure that includes dielectric layers disposed over a semiconductor substrate; and a seal ring structure formed in the dielectric layers and distributed in multiple metal layers. The seal ring structure further includes first metal lines of a metal layer disposed in a first area and longitudinally oriented along a first direction; second metal lines of the metal layer disposed in a second area and longitudinally oriented along the first direction; and metal bars of the metal layer disposed in the first area and longitudinally oriented along a second direction, the metal bars connecting the first metal lines.

A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. A substrate is provided and an integrated circuit area is formed on the substrate. The integrated circuit area includes a dielectric stack. A seal ring is formed in the dielectric stack and around a periphery of the integrated circuit area. A trench is formed around the seal ring and exposing a sidewall of the dielectric stack. The trench is formed within a scribe line. A moisture blocking layer is formed on the sidewall of the dielectric stack, thereby sealing a boundary between two adjacent dielectric films in the dielectric stack.

An integrated circuit includes a capacitor with a bottom conductive plate and a top conductive plate. A passivation layer is disposed above the top conductive plate. An intermetal dielectric layer is disposed between the bottom conductive plate and the top conductive plate and is formed of a first dielectric material. Shield layers are disposed between the top conductive plate and above the intermetal dielectric layer and extend horizontally to at least past guard rings. The shield layers include a dielectric layer formed of dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than the material of the intermetal dielectric layer. The shield layers include horizontally offset trenches to stop horizontal flow of current in the shield layers. The offset ensures there is no vertical path from the passivation layer to lower/ground potentials through the shield layers.

An integrated circuit includes a capacitor with a bottom conductive plate and a top conductive plate. A passivation layer is disposed above the top conductive plate. An intermetal dielectric layer is disposed between the bottom conductive plate and the top conductive plate and is formed of a first dielectric material. Shield layers are disposed between the top conductive plate and above the intermetal dielectric layer and extend horizontally to at least past guard rings. The shield layers include a dielectric layer formed of dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than the material of the intermetal dielectric layer. The shield layers include horizontally offset trenches to stop horizontal flow of current in the shield layers. The offset ensures there is no vertical path from the passivation layer to lower/ground potentials through the shield layers.