An embodiment is a device comprising a substrate, a metal pad over the substrate, and a passivation layer comprising a portion over the metal pad. The device further comprises a metal pillar over and electrically coupled to the metal pad, and a passive device comprising a first portion at a same level as the metal pillar, wherein the first portion of the passive device is formed of a same material as the metal pillar.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an insulation film including a trench on a substrate, forming a first metal gate film pattern and a second metal gate film pattern in the trench, redepositing a second metal gate film on the first and second metal gate film patterns and the insulation film, and forming a redeposited second metal gate film pattern on the first and second metal gate film patterns by performing a planarization process for removing a portion of the redeposited second metal gate film so as to expose a top surface of the insulation film, and forming a blocking layer pattern on the redeposited second metal gate film pattern by oxidizing an exposed surface of the redeposited second metal gate film pattern.

Self-aligned semiconductor device structures and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a self-aligned semiconductor device structure includes: at least one first conductive element embedded in a first dielectric; a second dielectric disposed selectively on the first dielectric relative to the at least one first conductive element; and at least one second conductive element present in the second dielectric that is fully aligned with the at least one first conductive element. A liner can be disposed on the second dielectric and which separates the second dielectric from the at least one second conductive element. A method of forming a self-aligned semiconductor device structure is also provided.

A structure having isolated deep substrate vias with decreased pitch and increased aspect ratio is disclosed. The structure includes a device layer over a buried oxide layer, a deep trench extending through the device layer, a dielectric filler in the deep trench, via holes in the dielectric filler, and conductive fillers in the via holes being the isolated deep substrate vias. The dielectric filler may include silicon oxide. The conductive fillers may include tungsten or copper. An adjacent pair of the isolated deep substrate vias within the deep trench has a pitch equal to or less than 1.0 microns.

Provided herein are methods of forming conductive cobalt (Co) interconnects and Co features. The methods involve deposition of a thin manganese (Mn)-containing film on a dielectric followed by subsequent deposition of cobalt on the Mn-containing film. The Mn-containing film may be deposited on a silicon-containing dielectric, such as silicon dioxide, and annealed to form a manganese silicate.

Apparatuses and methods to provide a fully self-aligned via are described. A first metallization layer comprises a set of first conductive lines extending along a first direction on a first insulating layer on a substrate, the set of first conductive lines recessed below a top portion of the first insulating layer. A capping layer is on the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer is on the capping layer. A second metallization layer comprises a set of second conductive lines on the second insulating layer and on a third insulating layer above the first metallization layer. The set of second conductive lines extend along a second direction that crosses the first direction at an angle. At least one via is between the first metallization layer and the second metallization layer. The via is self-aligned along the second direction to one of the first conductive lines. The tapering angle of the via opening may be in a range of from about 60° to about 120°.

A semiconductor device includes a first conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes a first dielectric structure. The semiconductor device includes a second conductive structure. The first dielectric structure is positioned between a first surface of the first conductive structure and a surface of the second conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes an etch stop layer overlaying the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes a first spacer structure overlaying the first dielectric structure. The semiconductor device includes a second dielectric structure overlaying the first spacer structure and the etch stop layer.

A method of forming low-k interconnect structure is disclosed, which comprises: providing at least one protruding structure on a substrate traversing between a first connection region to a second connection region defined thereon; performing anodic oxidation on the substrate having the protruding structure; forming one or more nanowire interconnect in the protruding structure traversing between the first connection region and the second connection region; the nanowire interconnect being surrounded by a dielectric layer formed during the anodic oxidation.

The present disclosure generally relates to methods of removing oxides and oxide-containing layers from the surfaces of substrates. In one aspect, a method of processing a substrate comprises positioning a substrate in a process chamber, the substrate having an oxide layer thereon; introducing one or more process gases to an interior of the process chamber; ionizing the one or more process gases; exposing the oxide layer to the one or more ionized process gases, wherein the process chamber is maintained at a pressure less than about 50 mTorr during the exposing, and the substrate is maintained at a temperature within a range of about zero degrees Celsius to about 30 degrees Celsius during the exposing; and removing the oxide layer from the surface of the substrate.

Method for producing one or more connection elements for integrated circuit including the formation of sacrificial elements passing through a porous layer formed between two superimposed levels of transistors, then the removal of the sacrificial elements through the porous layer and their replacement by a conductor material before or after having produced a higher level transistor.