The present disclosure describes an interconnect structure and a method forming the same. The interconnect structure can include a substrate, a layer of conductive material over the substrate, a metallic capping layer over the layer of conductive material, a layer of insulating material over top and side surfaces of the metallic capping layer, and a layer of trench conductor formed in the layer of insulating material and the metallic capping layer.

A method for making a middle-of-line interconnect structure in a semiconductor device includes forming, near a surface of a first interconnect structure comprised of a first metal, a region of varied composition including the first metal and a second element. The method further includes forming a recess within the region of varied composition. The recess laterally extends a first distance along the surface and vertically extends a second distance below the first surface. The method further includes filling the recess with a second metal to form a second interconnect structure that contacts the first interconnect structure.

Interconnect structures and methods of forming the same are provided. An interconnect structure according to the present disclosure includes a conductive line feature over a substrate, a conductive etch stop layer over the conductive line feature, a contact via over the conductive etch stop layer, and a barrier layer disposed along a sidewall of the conductive line feature, a sidewall of the conductive etch stop layer, and a sidewall of the contact via.

A semiconductor device includes: a lower structure including a device and a lower wiring structure; an insulating layer on the lower structure; a via penetrating the insulating layer; a wiring pattern on the insulating layer and the via; and a silicon oxide layer covering the wiring pattern, and including hydrogen, wherein the wiring pattern includes first and second conductive layers, an upper surface protective layer, and a side surface protective layer, wherein the second conductive layer is on the first conductive layer, wherein the upper surface protective layer covers an upper surface of the second conductive layer, and the side surface protective layer covers side surfaces of the first and second conductive layers, and wherein each of the upper surface protective layer and the side surface protective layer includes a metal material having an activation energy higher than that of a metal material of the second conductive layer.

A process of smoothing a top surface of a bit line metal of a memory structure to decrease resistance of a bit line stack. The process includes depositing titanium layer of approximately 30 angstroms to 50 angstroms on polysilicon layer on a substrate, depositing first titanium nitride layer of approximately 15 angstroms to approximately 40 angstroms on titanium layer, annealing substrate at a temperature of approximately 700 degrees Celsius to approximately 850 degrees Celsius, depositing second titanium nitride layer of approximately 15 angstroms to approximately 40 angstroms on first titanium nitride layer after annealing, depositing a bit line metal layer of ruthenium on second titanium nitride layer, annealing bit line metal layer at temperature of approximately 550 degrees Celsius to approximately 650 degrees Celsius, and soaking bit line metal layer in hydrogen-based ambient for approximately 3 minutes to approximately 6 minutes during annealing.

A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first metal layer formed over a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the first metal layer. The semiconductor device structure further includes an adhesion layer formed in the dielectric layer and over the first metal layer and a second metal layer formed in the dielectric layer. The second metal layer is electrically connected to the first metal layer, and a portion of the adhesion layer is formed between the second metal layer and the dielectric layer. The adhesion layer includes a first portion lining with a top portion of the second metal layer, and the first portion has an extending portion along a vertical direction.

Embodiments include plating a contact feature in a first opening in a mask layer, the contact feature physically coupled to a contact pad, the contact feature partially filling the first opening. A solder cap is directly plated onto the contact feature in the first opening. The mask layer is then removed to expose an upper surface of a work piece, the contact feature vertically protruding from the work piece. After utilizing the solder cap, etching the solder cap to remove the solder cap from over the contact feature. A first encapsulant is deposited laterally around and over an upper surface of the contact feature. The first encapsulant is planarized to level an upper surface of the first encapsulant with the upper surface of the contact feature.

A method and structure for forming an enhanced metal capping layer includes forming a portion of a multi-level metal interconnect network over a substrate. In some embodiments, the portion of the multi-level metal interconnect network includes a plurality of metal regions. In some cases, a dielectric region is disposed between each of the plurality of metal regions. By way of example, a metal capping layer may be deposited over each of the plurality of metal regions. Thereafter, in some embodiments, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) may be deposited, where the SAM forms selectively on the metal capping layer, while the dielectric region is substantially free of the SAM. In various examples, after selectively forming the SAM on the metal capping layer, a thermal process may be performed, where the SAM prevents diffusion of the metal capping layer during the thermal process.

Methods for selectively depositing on metallic surfaces are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosure utilize a hydrocarbon having at least two functional groups selected from alkene, alkyne, ketone, alcohol, ester, or combinations thereof to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on metallic surfaces.

A semiconductor device includes a metal component covered by a passivation layer, wherein the metal component has a top surface and the passivation layer includes an outer layer which is substantially planar. The outer layer of the passivation layer does not extend below the top surface of the metal component.