An integrated circuit interconnect structure includes a first metallization level including a first metal line having a first sidewall and a second sidewall extending a length in a first direction. A second metal line is adjacent to the first metal line and a dielectric is between the first metal line and the second metal line. A second metallization level is above the first metallization level where the second metallization level includes a third metal line extending a length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The third metal line extends over the first metal line and the second metal line but not beyond the first sidewall. A conductive via is between the first metal line and the third metal line where the conductive via does not extend beyond the first sidewall or beyond the second sidewall.

Embodiments of the invention include microelectronic devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment, a microelectronic device, includes one or more pre-patterned features formed into a interconnect layer, with a conformal barrier layer formed over the first wall, and the second wall of one or more of the pre-patterned features. A photoresist layer may formed over the barrier layer and within one or more of the pre-patterned features and a conductive via may be formed in at least one of the pre-patterned features.

Embodiments of the invention include interconnect structures with overhead vias and through vias that are self-aligned with interconnect lines and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, an interconnect structure is formed in an interlayer dielectric (ILD). One or more first interconnect lines may be formed in the ILD. The interconnect structure may also include one or more second interconnect lines in the ILD that arranged in an alternating pattern with the first interconnect lines. Top surfaces of each of the first and second interconnect lines may be recessed below a top surface of the ILD. The interconnect structure may include a self-aligned overhead via formed over one or more of the first interconnect lines or over one or more of the second interconnect lines. In an embodiment, a top surface of the self-aligned overhead via is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the ILD.

Embodiments of the invention include an interconnect structure and methods of forming such structures. In an embodiment, the interconnect structure may include an interlayer dielectric (ILD) with a first hardmask layer over a top surface of the ILD. Certain embodiments include one or more first interconnect lines in the ILD and a first dielectric cap positioned above each of the first interconnect lines. For example a surface of the first dielectric cap may contact a top surface of the first hardmask layer. Embodiments may also include one or more second interconnect lines in the ILD arranged in an alternating pattern with the first inter-connect lines. In an embodiment, a second dielectric cap is formed over a top surface of each of the second interconnect lines. For example, a surface of the second dielectric cap contacts a top surface of the first hardmask layer.

It is to provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device including the following step of: preparing a semiconductor substrate having a silicon nitride film on the rear surface; forming an interlayer insulating film having a via hole on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; and forming a via-fill selectively within the via hole. The method further includes the steps of: performing the wafer rear surface cleaning to expose the surface of the silicon nitride film formed on the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate; and thereafter, forming a photoresist film made of chemical amplification type resist on the interlayer insulating film and the via-fill over the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, in which the semiconductor substrate is stored in an atmosphere with the ammonium ion concentration of 1000 μg/m.sup.3 and less.

A termination opening can be formed through the stack alternating dielectrics concurrently with forming contact openings through the stack. A termination structure can be formed in the termination opening. An additional opening can be formed through the termination structure and through the stack between groups of semiconductor structures that pass through the stack. In another example, an opening can be formed through the stack so that a first segment of the opening is between groups of semiconductor structures in a first region of the stack and a second segment of the opening is in a second region of the stack that does not include the groups of semiconductor structures. A material can be formed in the second segment so that the first segment terminates at the material. In some instances, the material can be implanted in the dielectrics in the second region through the second segment.

There is set forth herein a method including fabricating a photonics structure having one or more photonics device. The method can include forming one or more conductive material formation for communicating electrical signals to and/or from the one or more photonics device.

An integrated circuit interconnect level including a lower metallization line vertically spaced from upper metallization lines. Lower metallization lines may be self-aligned to upper metallization lines enabling increased metallization line width without sacrificing line density for a given interconnect level. Combinations of upper and lower metallization lines within an interconnect metallization level may be designed to control intra-layer resistance/capacitance of integrated circuit interconnect. Dielectric material between two adjacent co-planar metallization lines may be recessed or deposited selectively to the metallization lines. Supplemental metallization may then be deposited and planarized. A top surface of the supplemental metallization may either be recessed to form lower metallization lines between upper metallization lines, or planarized with dielectric material to form upper metallization lines between lower metallization lines. Vias to upper and lower metallization line may extend another metallization level.

A finFET device and a method of forming are provided. The device includes a transistor comprising a gate electrode and a first source/drain region next to the gate electrode, the gate electrode being disposed over a first substrate. The device also includes a first dielectric layer extending along the first source/drain region, and a second dielectric layer overlying the first dielectric layer. The device also includes a contact disposed in the first dielectric layer and in the second dielectric layer, the contact contacting the gate electrode and the first source/drain region. A first portion of the first dielectric layer extends between the contact and the gate electrode. The contact extends along a sidewall of the first portion of the first dielectric layer and a first surface of the first portion of the first dielectric layer, the first surface of the first portion being farthest from the first substrate.

An etching method including: (a) providing a workpiece including a first region made of a first material and a second region made of a second material defining a recess, the first region filling the recess of the second region while covering the second region; (b) generating plasma of a first fluorocarbon gas to etch the first region until before exposing the second region; (c) generating plasma of a second fluorocarbon gas to form fluorocarbon deposits on the first region; (d) generating plasma of an inert gas to etch the first region by fluorocarbon radicals contained in the fluorocarbon deposits; and (e) repeating step (c) and step (d) one or more times until after exposing the second region. An etching rate of the first material of the first region is higher than that of the second material of the second region with respect to the second fluorocarbon gas.