Integrated circuit (IC) interconnect lines having improved electromigration resistance. Multi-patterning may be employed to define a first mask pattern. The first mask pattern may be backfilled and further patterned based on a second mask layer through a process-based selective occlusion of openings defined in the second mask layer that are below a threshold minimum lateral width. Portions of material underlying openings defined in the second mask layer that exceed the threshold are removed. First trenches in an underlying dielectric material layer may be etched based on a union of the remainder of the first mask layer and the partially occluded second mask layer. The first trenches may then be backfilled with a first conductive material to form first line segments. Additional trenches in the underlayer may then be etched and backfilled with a second conductive material to form second line segments that are coupled together by the first line segments.

Disclosed are approaches for forming a semiconductor device. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a plurality of patterning structures over a device layer, each of the plurality of patterning structures including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper surface, and forming a mask by depositing a masking material at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a perpendicular to a plane defined by a top surface of the device layer. The mask may be formed over the plurality of patterning structures without being formed along the second sidewall. The method may further include selectively forming a metal layer along the second sidewall of each of the plurality of patterning structures.

Semiconductor device and fabrication method are provided. The method for forming the semiconductor device includes providing a substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the substrate; forming a through hole in the dielectric layer, the through hole exposing a portion of a top surface of the substrate; performing a surface treatment process on the dielectric layer of sidewalls of the through hole; and filling a metal layer in the through hole.

Disclosed are semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device comprises a gate electrode on a substrate, an upper capping pattern on the gate electrode, and a lower capping pattern between the gate electrode and the upper capping pattern. The lower capping pattern comprises a first portion between the gate electrode and the upper capping pattern, and a plurality of second portions extending from the first portion onto corresponding side surfaces of the upper capping pattern. The upper capping pattern covers a topmost surface of each of the second portions.

A package substrate of a semiconductor package includes conductive lines of a first layer disposed on a first surface of a base layer and conductive lines of a second layer disposed on a second surface of the base layer. An opening hole located between a first remaining portion and a second remaining portion to separate the first and second remaining portions from each other. The first remaining portion is electrically connected to a first conductive line among the conductive lines of the second layer, and the second remaining portion is electrically connected to a second conductive line among the conductive lines of the second layer.

Methods for processing a semiconductor substrate are proposed. An example of a method includes forming cavities in the semiconductor substrate by implanting ions through a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The cavities define a separation layer in the semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. Semiconductor device elements are formed in the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor substrate is separated along the separation layer into a first substrate part including the semiconductor layer and a second substrate part.

A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The conductive tiers comprise metal along sides of the memory blocks. Silicon is formed between the memory blocks over the metal of the conductive tiers. The silicon and the metal react to form metal silicide therefrom that is directly against and longitudinally-along the metal of individual of the conductive tiers. After the reacting, unreacted of the silicon is removed from between the memory blocks and intervening material is formed between and longitudinally-along the memory blocks. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.

In one exemplary aspect, a method comprises providing a semiconductor structure having a substrate, one or more first dielectric layers over the substrate, a first metal plug in the one or more first dielectric layers, and one or more second dielectric layers over the one or more first dielectric layers and the first metal plug. The method further comprises etching a via hole into the one or more second dielectric layers to expose the first metal plug, etching a top surface of the first metal plug to create a recess thereon, and applying a metal corrosion protectant comprising a metal corrosion inhibitor to the top surface of the first metal plug.

A method of processing a substrate is provided. The substrate includes an etching target region and a patterned region. The patterned region is provided on the etching target region. In the method, an organic film is formed on a surface of the substrate. Subsequently, the etching target region is etched by plasma generated from a processing gas. The organic film is formed in a state that the substrate is placed in a processing space within a chamber. When the organic film is formed, a first gas containing a first organic compound is supplied toward the substrate, and then, a second gas containing a second organic compound is supplied toward the substrate. An organic compound constituting the organic film is generated by polymerization of the first organic compound and the second organic compound.

A method of processing a substrate is provided. The substrate includes an etching target region and a patterned region. The patterned region is provided on the etching target region. In the method, an organic film is formed on a surface of the substrate. Subsequently, the etching target region is etched by plasma generated from a processing gas. The organic film is formed in a state that the substrate is placed in a processing space within a chamber. When the organic film is formed, a first gas containing a first organic compound is supplied toward the substrate, and then, a second gas containing a second organic compound is supplied toward the substrate. An organic compound constituting the organic film is generated by polymerization of the first organic compound and the second organic compound.