Power distribution fabrics and methods of forming the same include forming a first layer of parallel conductive lines, having a first width. At least one additional layer of conductive lines is formed over the first layer of conductive lines, with the conductive lines of each successive layer in the at least one additional layer having a different orientation and a different width relative to the conductive lines of the preceding layer.

A method of microfabrication includes providing a substrate having an existing pattern, wherein the existing pattern comprises features formed within a base layer such that a top surface of the substrate has features uncovered and the base layer is uncovered, depositing a selective attachment agent on the substrate, wherein the selective attachment agent includes a solubility-shifting agent, depositing a first resist on the substrate, activating the solubility shifting agent such that a portion of the first resist becomes insoluble to a first developer, developing the first resist using the first developer such that a relief pattern comprising openings is formed, wherein the openings expose the features of the existing layer, and executing a selective growth process that grows a selective-deposition material on the features and within the openings of the relief pattern to provide self-aligned selective deposition features.

Embodiments described herein may be related to apparatuses, processes, and techniques related to patterning and metallization to produce metal features on a substrate that have pitches less than 26 nm. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

The present application discloses a semiconductor device including a first isolation structure, a second isolation structure, and a third isolation structure disposed in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a transistor and a resistor. The transistor is disposed between the first isolation structure and the second isolation structure, and includes a gate electrode and a first source/drain (S/D) region. The resistor is disposed between the second isolation structure and the third isolation structure, and includes a resistor electrode. The first S/D region is disposed between the gate electrode and the second isolation structure, and is electrically connected to the resistor electrode.

An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a device substrate having a first side and a second side. A dielectric layer is disposed over the first side of the device substrate. A through via extends along a first direction through the dielectric layer and through the device substrate from the first side to the second side. The through via has a total length along the first direction and a width along a second direction that is different than the first direction. The total length is a sum of a first length of the through via in the dielectric layer and a second length of the through via in the device substrate. The first length is less than the second length. A guard ring is disposed in the dielectric layer and around the through via.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive structure in the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes an etch stop layer over the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the etch stop layer. The semiconductor device further includes a dual damascene conductive element in the ILD, wherein the dual damascene conductive element extends through the etch stop layer to electrically connect to the conductive structure, and the dual damascene conductive element has a line end roughness (LER) ranging from 3.3 nanometers (nm) to 5.3 nm.

A semiconductor device includes a gate pattern disposed over a lower structure, and including a gate electrode region and a gate pad region extending from the gate electrode region; and a vertical channel semiconductor layer having a side surface facing the gate electrode region of the gate pattern. The gate pad region includes a first pad region having a thickness greater than a thickness of the gate electrode region. The first pad region includes an upper surface, a lower surface opposing the upper surface, and an outer side surface. The outer side surface has a lower outer side surface and an upper outer side surface, divided from each other by a boundary portion. The lower outer side surface extends from the lower surface, and a connection portion of the lower outer side surface and the lower surface has a rounded shape.

A semiconductor processing system includes a layout database that stores a plurality of layouts indicating features to be formed in a wafer. The semiconductor processing system includes a layout analyzer that analyzes the layouts and determines, for each layout, whether a non-perpendicular particle bombardment process should be utilized in conjunction with a photolithography process for forming the features of the layout in a wafer.

A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer on a substrate, a conductive structure disposed in the first dielectric layer and including a terminal portion and an extending portion connecting the terminal portion and extending away from the terminal portion, a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, a conductive via through the second dielectric layer and directly contacting the extending portion, and a dummy via through the second dielectric layer and directly contacting the terminal portion. In a cross-sectional view, a width of the dummy via is smaller than 50% of a width of the conductive via.

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following operations. A substrate is provided with an electric component. A composite dielectric layer is formed on the substrate and covers the electric component. An opening is formed through the composite dielectric layer. A directional etching process is performed to widen an upper portion of the opening. A metal feature is formed in the opening.