A method of fabricating interconnects in a semiconductor device is provided, which includes forming an interconnect layer having a conductive line and depositing a first aluminum-containing layer over the interconnect layer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the first aluminum-containing layer, followed by a second aluminum-containing layer deposited over the dielectric layer. A via opening is formed in the second aluminum-containing layer through to the conductive line, wherein the via opening has chamferless sidewalls.

A method is provided for forming a multi-level interconnect structure on a semiconductor substrate, e.g., for use in an integrated circuit, comprising forming on the substrate a first interconnection level comprising a first dielectric layer and a first set of conductive structures arranged in the first dielectric layer, forming on the first interconnection level a second interconnection level comprising a second dielectric layer and a second set of conductive structures arranged in the second dielectric layer, and forming on the second interconnection level a third interconnection level.

There is provided a composite for film formation, including: a first component and a second component that are polymerized with each other to produce a urea compound, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is a monofunctional compound.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by performing a process on a substrate includes: forming a protective layer made of a polymer having a urea bond by supplying a raw material for polymerization to a surface of a substrate on which a protected film to be protected is formed; forming a sealing film at a first temperature lower than a second temperature at which the polymer is depolymerized so cover a portion where the protective layer is exposed; subsequently, subjecting the substrate to a treatment at a third temperature equal to or higher than the second temperature at which the polymer as the protective layer is depolymerized; subsequently, performing a treatment which causes damage to the protected film when the protective layer is not present; and after the performing a treatment which causes damage to the protected film, depolymerizing the polymer by heating the substrate.

A method includes bonding a first wafer to a second wafer, with a first plurality of dielectric layers in the first wafer and a second plurality of dielectric layers in the second wafer bonded between a first substrate of the first wafer and a second substrate in the second wafer. A first opening is formed in the first substrate, and the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second wafer are etched through the first opening to form a second opening. A metal pad in the second plurality of dielectric layers is exposed to the second opening. A conductive plug is formed extending into the first and the second openings.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for forming a hole structure in a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first etch mask over a stack structure, and removing a portion of the stack structure exposed by the first etch mask. The first etch mask may have a first mask opening with a first lateral dimension. The method may also include forming a second etch mask from the first etch mask. The second etch mask may have a second mask opening with a second lateral dimension that is greater than the first lateral dimension. The method may further include removing another portion of the stack structure exposed by the second etch mask to form the hole structure having a first hole portion and a second hole portion connected to and over the first hole portion.

An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a lower etch stop layer (ESL); an upper low-k (LK) dielectric layer over the lower ESL; a first conductive feature in the upper LK dielectric layer, wherein the first conductive feature has a first metal line and a dummy via contiguous with the first metal line, the dummy via extending through the lower ESL; a first gap along an interface of the first conductive feature and the upper LK dielectric layer; and an upper ESL over the upper LK dielectric layer, the first conductive feature, and the first gap.

A method of fabricating interconnects in a semiconductor device is provided, which includes forming an interconnect layer having a conductive line and depositing a first aluminum-containing layer over the interconnect layer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the first aluminum-containing layer, followed by a second aluminum-containing layer deposited over the dielectric layer. A via opening is formed in the second aluminum-containing layer through to the conductive line, wherein the via opening has chamferless sidewalls.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first conductive pattern and a conductive mask disposed over the first conductive pattern. The semiconductor device further includes a second conductive pattern disposed over the conductive mask, and electrically connecting with the first conductive pattern through the conductive mask. The conductive mask has a lower etch rate to a predetermined etchant than the second conductive pattern. A method for forming the semiconductor device is also provided.

A method for forming an interconnection structure for a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: (i) forming a conductive layer on an insulating layer; (ii) forming above the conductive layer a first set of mandrel lines of a first material; (iii) forming a set of spacer lines of a second material different from the first material, wherein the spacer lines of the second material are formed on sidewalls of the first set of mandrel lines; (iv) forming a second set of mandrel lines of a third material different from the first and second materials, wherein the second set of mandrel lines fill gaps between spacer lines of the set of spacer lines; (v) cutting at least a first mandrel line of the second set of mandrel lines into two line segments separated by a gap by etching said first mandrel line of the second set of mandrel lines selectively to the set of spacer lines and the first set of mandrel lines, cutting at least a first mandrel line of the first set of mandrel lines into two line segments separated by a gap by etching said first mandrel line of the first set of mandrel lines selectively to the set of spacer lines and the second set of mandrel lines; (vi) removing the set of spacer lines, selectively to the first and second sets of mandrel lines, thereby forming an alternating pattern of mandrel lines of the first set of mandrel lines and mandrel lines of the second set of mandrel lines; and (vii) patterning the conductive layer to form a set of conductive lines, wherein the patterning comprises etching while using the alternating pattern of mandrel lines of the first and second sets of mandrel lines as an etch mask.