An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. The interconnect structure includes a metal line layer and a top via layer that each include a plurality of alternating first layers composed of a first metal and second layers composed of a second metal, whereby the second layers are thinner than the first layers.

A semiconductor device includes a conductive line disposed within a dielectric layer, a metal layer disposed over and in direct contact with the conductive line, and a metallization layer disposed over the metal layer such that a protruding segment of the metal layer acts as an interface between the conductive line and the metallization layer. The conductive line is copper (Cu) and the metal layer is ruthenium (Ru). The Ru metal layer includes an upper metal layer section and a lower metal layer section.

A semiconductor device includes a first underlying metal line and a second underlying metal line in a first dielectric layer over a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a first metal feature and a second metal feature in a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer. The first metal feature is over and connected to the first underlying metal line, and the second metal feature is over and connected to the second underlying metal line. The first metal feature has a first dimension, the second metal feature has a second dimension, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension. The first metal feature includes a first metal having a first mean free path, the second metal feature includes a second metal having a second mean free path, and the second mean free path is greater than the first mean free path.

A semiconductor device includes a first substrate, an insulation layer, and a first electrode. The first substrate contains a first semiconductor material. The insulation layer includes a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The first electrode includes a fourth surface, a fifth surface, and a sixth surface, and contains a porous first conductive material. The second surface and the fifth surface configure the same surface. The third surface faces the sixth surface. A distance between the first surface and the first substrate is less than a distance between the second surface and the first substrate. A distance between the fourth surface and the first substrate is less than a distance between the fifth surface and the first substrate.

A method involving a barrier for preventing eutectic break-through in through-substrate vias is disclosed. The method generally includes steps (A) to (D). Step (A) may form one or more vias through a substrate. The substrate generally comprises a semiconductor. Step (B) may form a first metal layer. Step (C) may form a barrier layer. The barrier layer generally resides between the vias and the first metal layer. Step (D) may form a second metal layer. The second metal layer may be in electrical contact with the first metal layer through the vias and the barrier layer.

Devices and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices for forming low resistivity interconnects with improved adhesion are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor interconnect device having a substrate, a cap layer, and a dielectric matrix including a set of trenches and a set of vias; depositing a metal interconnect material directly over and contacting a top surface of the dielectric matrix, wherein the metal interconnect material fills the set of trenches and the set of vias; depositing a barrier layer over a top surface of the device; annealing the barrier layer to diffuse the barrier layer to a bottom surface of the metal interconnect material; planarizing a top surface of the intermediate semiconductor interconnect device; and depositing a dielectric cap over the intermediate semiconductor interconnect device.

A method providing a high aspect ratio through substrate via in a substrate is described. The through substrate via has vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. The substrate has a horizontal field area surrounding the through substrate via. A metallic barrier layer is deposited on the sidewalls of the through substrate via. A nitridation process converts a surface portion of the metallic barrier layer to a nitride surface layer. The nitride surface layer enhances the nucleation of subsequent depositions. A first metal layer is deposited to fill a portion of the through substrate via and cover the horizontal field area. A thermal anneal step to reflow a portion of the first metal layer on the horizontal field area into the through substrate via. A second metal layer is deposited over the first metal layer to fill a remaining portion of the through substrate via. Another aspect of the invention is a device created by the method.

A method includes forming an insulating layer over a conductive feature; etching the insulating layer to expose a first surface of the conductive feature; covering the first surface of the conductive feature with a sacrificial material, wherein the sidewalls of the insulating layer are free of the sacrificial material; covering the sidewalls of the insulating layer with a barrier material, wherein the first surface of the conductive feature is free of the barrier material, wherein the barrier material includes tantalum nitride (TaN) doped with a transition metal; removing the sacrificial material; and covering the barrier material and the first surface of the conductive feature with a conductive material.

An apparatus comprises a through via formed in a substrate. The through via is coupled between a first side and a second side of the substrate. The through via comprises a bottom portion adjacent to the second side of the substrate, wherein the bottom portion is formed of a conductive material. The through via further comprises sidewall portions formed of the conductive material and a middle portion formed between the sidewall portions, wherein the middle portion is formed of a dielectric material.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for depositing metal on a reactive metal film on a workpiece includes electrochemically depositing a metallization layer on a seed layer formed on a workpiece using a plating electrolyte having at least one plating metal ion, a pH range of about 1 to about 6, and applying a cathodic potential in the range of about −0.5 V to about −4 V. The workpiece includes a barrier layer disposed between the seed layer and a dielectric surface of the workpiece, the barrier layer including a first metal having a standard electrode potential more negative than 0 V and the seed layer including a second metal having a standard electrode potential more positive than 0 V.