Provided are methods of filling patterned features with molybdenum (Mo). The methods involve selective deposition of Mo films on bottom metal-containing surfaces of a feature including dielectric sidewalls. The selective growth of Mo on the bottom surface allows bottom-up growth and high quality, void-free fill. Also provided are related apparatus.

A method of manufacturing one or more interconnects to magnetoresistive structure comprising (i) depositing a first conductive material in a via; (2) etching the first conductive material wherein, after etching the first conductive material a portion of the first conductive material remains in the via, (3) partially filling the via by depositing a second conductive material in the via and directly on the first conductive material in the via; (4) depositing a first electrode material in the via and directly on the second conductive material in the via; (5) polishing a first surface of the first electrode material wherein, after polishing, the first electrode material is (i) on the second conductive material in the via and (ii) over the portion of the first conductive material remaining in the via; and (6) forming a magnetoresistive structure over the first electrode material.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a semiconductor device including: a substrate having a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the first side; active circuitry disposed on the first side of the substrate; a metallic implant disposed in the substrate, the metallic implant being a blanket implant on the second side of the substrate; and a metallic layer disposed on the second side of the substrate, the metallic layer and the second side of the substrate including the metallic implant defining an ohmic contact.

A memory device includes a substrate, a buried word line, a connecting structure, an air gap, and a first dielectric layer. The buried word line is disposed in the substrate. The connecting structure is disposed on the buried word line. The air gap is disposed on the buried word line and is adjacent to the connecting structure. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the connecting structure and the air gap, wherein the buried word line, the connecting structure, and the first dielectric layer are disposed in the first direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate.

A method and apparatus for nitride capping of titanium materials via chemical vapor deposition techniques is provided. The method includes forming a titanium nitride layer upon a titanium material layer formed on a substrate. The titanium nitride layer is formed by exposing the titanium material layer to a hydrogen-rich nitrogen-containing plasma followed by exposing the titanium material layer to a nitrogen-rich nitrogen-containing plasma. The titanium nitride layer is then exposed to an argon plasma followed by exposing the titanium nitride layer to a halide soak process.

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a stack structure including a horizontal recess over a substrate, forming a blocking layer lining the horizontal recess, forming an interface control layer including a dielectric barrier element and a conductive barrier element over the blocking layer, and forming a conductive layer over the interface control layer to fill the horizontal recess.

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.

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.

Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having vertically discrete source or drain structures, and methods of fabricating gate-all-around integrated circuit structures having vertically discrete source or drain structures, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A gate stack is around the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A first epitaxial source or drain structure is at a first end of the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires, the first epitaxial source or drain structure including vertically discrete portions aligned with the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A second epitaxial source or drain structure is at a first end of the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires, the second epitaxial source or drain structure including vertically discrete portions aligned with the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires.