Embodiments of the invention provide self-assembled monolayers (SAM) formulations and cleaning to promote quick depositions. A hydrogen-based plasma clean is performed on a structure, the structure including a metal layer and a dielectric layer. A self-assembled monolayers (SAM) solution is dispensed on the structure, the SAM solution including SAMs and a solvent, the SAMs being configured to assemble on the metal layer. The structure is rinsed with a rinse solution including the solvent.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including: a semiconductor device layer including a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is at a front side of the semiconductor device layer, and the second surface is at a backside of the semiconductor device layer; an insulating layer above the second surface of the semiconductor device; and a through-silicon via (TSV) traversing the insulating layer. Associated manufacturing methods of the same are also provided.

A semiconductor structure containing at least two metal resistor structures having different resistivities is provided and includes a first metal resistor structure located on a portion of a dielectric-containing substrate. The first metal resistor structure includes, from bottom to top, a first nitridized dielectric surface layer portion having a first nitrogen content, a first metal layer portion and a first nitridized metal surface layer. A second metal resistor structure is located on a second portion of the dielectric-containing substrate and spaced apart from the first metal resistor structure. The second metal resistor structure includes, from bottom to top, a second nitridized dielectric surface layer portion having a second nitrogen content, a second metal layer portion and a second nitridized metal surface layer. The second nitrogen content of the second nitridized dielectric surface layer portion differs from the first nitrogen content of the first nitridized dielectric surface layer portion.

Conformal hermetic dielectric films suitable as dielectric diffusion barriers over 3D topography. In embodiments, the dielectric diffusion barrier includes a dielectric layer, such as a metal oxide, which can be deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques with a conformality and density greater than can be achieved in a conventional silicon dioxide-based film deposited by a PECVD process for a thinner contiguous hermetic diffusion barrier. In further embodiments, the diffusion barrier is a multi-layered film including a high-k dielectric layer and a low-k or intermediate-k dielectric layer (e.g., a bi-layer) to reduce the dielectric constant of the diffusion barrier. In other embodiments a silicate of a high-k dielectric layer (e.g., a metal silicate) is formed to lower the k-value of the diffusion barrier by adjusting the silicon content of the silicate while maintaining high film conformality and density.

Previous layer self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects are described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer disposed above a substrate. The first layer of the interconnect structure includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. A second layer of the interconnect structure is disposed above the first layer. The second layer includes a grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. Each metal line of the grating of the second layer is disposed on a recessed dielectric line composed of alternating distinct regions of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material corresponding to the alternating metal lines and dielectric lines of the first layer of the interconnect structure.

Methods are provided for fabricating self-aligned, low resistance metal interconnect structures, as well as semiconductor devices comprising such metal interconnect structures. A first metal line is formed in a first insulating layer. An etch stop layer is formed by selectively depositing dielectric material on the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the etch stop layer and the first metal line, and an opening is etched in the second insulating layer selective to the etch stop layer to prevent etching of the first insulating layer. The opening is filled with a metallic material to form a second metal line in contact with the first metal line. The first and second metal lines are formed with aspect ratios that are less than 2.5 to minimize resistivity of the metal lines. The first and second metal lines collectively form a single metal line of an interconnect structure.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to using an implantation process and a melting anneal process performed on a nanosecond scale to achieve a high surface concentration (surface pile up) dopant profile and a retrograde dopant profile simultaneously. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a source/drain structure in an active area on a substrate, the source/drain structure including a first region comprising germanium, implanting a first dopant into the first region of the source/drain structure to form an amorphous region in at least the first region of the source/drain structure, implanting a second dopant into the amorphous region containing the first dopant, and heating the source/drain structure to liquidize and convert at least the amorphous region into a crystalline region, the crystalline region containing the first dopant and the second dopant.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of forming a self-aligned contact includes depositing an etch-stop liner on a surface of a gate cap and a contact region. A dielectric oxide layer is deposited onto the etch-stop layer. The dielectric oxide layer and the etch-stop liner are removed in a region above the contact region to form a removed region. A contact is deposited in the etched region.

A method of forming an interconnect structure for semiconductor devices is described. The method comprises depositing an etch stop layer on a substrate by physical vapor deposition followed by in situ deposition of a metal layer on the etch stop layer. The in situ deposition comprises flowing a plasma processing gas into the chamber and exciting the plasma processing gas into a plasma to deposit the metal layer on the etch stop layer on the substrate. The substrate is continuously under vacuum and is not exposed to ambient air during the deposition processes.

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive line over a substrate; forming an etch stop layer (ESL) over the conductive line, the ESL extending continuously along an upper surface of the conductive line and along an upper surface of a first dielectric layer adjacent to the conductive line, where a first lower surface of the ESL contacts the upper surface of the conductive line, and a second lower surface of the ESL contacts the upper surface of the first dielectric layer, the first lower surface being closer to the substrate than the second lower surface; forming a second dielectric layer over the ESL; forming an opening in the second dielectric layer, the opening exposing a first portion of the ESL; removing the first portion of the ESL to expose the conductive line; and filling the opening with an electrically conductive material to form a via.