In a method of forming patterns, first and second upper reverse patterns are formed on a lower reverse layer. A buffer layer is formed to fill first opening portions provided by the first upper reverse pattern. A shield pattern is formed to cover a second region of the buffer layer. An etching process is performed using the shield pattern and the first upper reverse pattern as an etching mask to form first lower reverse patterns providing second openings overlapping first openings, a buffer layer pattern and a second lower reverse pattern overlapping the shield pattern. A hard mask layer is formed and etched to separate hard mask layer first patterns filling the first and second openings. An etching process is performed using the hard mask layer first patterns and the second upper reverse patterns as etching masks to form third lower reverse patterns overlapping the second upper reverse pattern.

Methods of forming structures including a stress management layer for photolithography and structures including the stress management layer are disclosed. Further disclosed are systems for depositing a stress management layer. Exemplary methods include forming the stress management layer using one or more of plasma-enhanced cyclic (e.g., atomic layer) deposition and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

The invention provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first inter metal dielectric (IMD) layer, a second inter metal dielectric layer and a third inter metal dielectric layer sequentially arranged on the substrate. The first inter metal dielectric layer includes at least one first wire, the second inter metal dielectric layer includes at least one mask layer, and the third inter metal dielectric layer includes at least one third wire and a super via. The super via penetrates through the second inter metal dielectric layer, and electrically connect to the first wire and the third wire, and part of the super via directly contacts the mask layer in the second inter metal dielectric layer.

Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a fin comprising silicon, the fin having a lower fin portion and an upper fin portion. A first insulating layer is directly on sidewalls of the lower fin portion of the fin, wherein the first insulating layer is a non-doped insulating layer comprising silicon and oxygen. A second insulating layer is directly on the first insulating layer directly on the sidewalls of the lower fin portion of the fin, the second insulating layer comprising silicon and nitrogen. A dielectric fill material is directly laterally adjacent to the second insulating layer directly on the first insulating layer directly on the sidewalls of the lower fin portion of the fin.

A composition contains an organic solvent and compound (formula (1)), theoretical molecular weight 999 or less. (Z1 contains a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; U represents a monovalent organic group (formula (2)); and p represents 2 to 4.) (In formula (2), R1 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; A1 to A3 represent a hydrogen atom, or methyl or ethyl group: X represents —COO—, —OCO—, —O—, —S— or —NRa-; Ra represents a hydrogen atom or methyl group; Y represents a direct bond or optionally substituted alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2, R3 and R4 represent a hydrogen atom or optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or aryl group having 6 to 40 carbon atoms; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or hydroxy group; n represents 0 or 1; m1 and m2 represent 0 or 1; and * represents a binding site to Z1.)

A resist underlayer film forming composition capable of forming a flat film that exhibits high etching resistance, a good dry etching rate ratio and a good optical constant, while having good coverage even with respect to a so-called multileveled substrate and having a small difference in the film thickness after embedding. Also, a method for producing a polymer that is suitable for the resist underlayer film forming composition; a resist underlayer film which uses the resist underlayer film forming composition; and a method for producing a semiconductor device. This resist underlayer film forming composition contains: a reaction product of an aromatic compound (A) that has from 6 to 120 carbon atoms, and a compound that is represented by formula (1); and a solvent.

Methods of singulating semiconductor die. Specific implementations may include: providing a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of die located on a first side of the semiconductor wafer where the plurality of die include a desired thickness. The method may include etching a plurality of trenches into the semiconductor wafer from the first side of the semiconductor wafer where the plurality of trenches is located adjacent to a perimeter of the plurality of die. A depth of the plurality of trenches may be greater than the desired thickness of the plurality of die. The method may also include mounting the first side of the semiconductor wafer to a tape, thinning a second side of the semiconductor wafer, exposing the plurality of trenches while thinning the second side, and singulating the plurality of die through exposing the plurality of trenches.

Methods for forming a diamond like carbon layer with desired film density, mechanical strength and optical film properties are provided. In one embodiment, a method of forming a diamond like carbon layer includes generating an electron beam plasma above a surface of a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, and forming a diamond like carbon layer on the surface of the substrate. The diamond like carbon layer is formed by an electron beam plasma process, wherein the diamond like carbon layer serves as a hardmask layer in an etching process in semiconductor applications. The diamond like carbon layer may be formed by bombarding a carbon containing electrode disposed in a processing chamber to generate a secondary electron beam in a gas mixture containing carbon to a surface of a substrate disposed in the processing chamber, and forming a diamond like carbon layer on the surface of the substrate from elements of the gas mixture.

Aspects of the disclosure include method of making semiconductor structures. Aspects include providing a semiconductor structure including a plurality of spacer, an organic planarization layer, and a SiARC layer. Aspects also include forming an inverted mask on the semiconductor structure, the inverted mask including an inverted mask opening above a portion of the plurality of spacers and a portion of the TiN layer. Aspects also include eroding the portion of the plurality of spacers below the inverted mask opening. Aspects also include depositing a fill material masking the portion of the plurality of spacers below the inverted mask opening and the portion of the TiN layer below the inverted mask opening to generate a masked TiN layer segment and an unmasked TiN layer segment and removing a portion of the unmasked TiN layer segment.

A semiconductor device comprises a source/drain region arranged on a substrate and a first gate stack having a first length arranged on a first channel region of the substrate. A second gate stack having a second length is arranged on a second channel region of the substrate. The first length is greater than the second length.