A metal interconnect structure is doped with zinc, indium, or gallium using top-down doping processes to improve diffusion barrier properties with minimal impact on line resistance. Dopant is introduced prior to metallization or after metallization. Dopant may be introduced by chemical vapor deposition on a liner layer at an elevated temperature prior to metallization, by chemical vapor deposition on a metal feature at an elevated temperature after metallization, or by electroless deposition on a copper feature after metallization. Application of elevated temperatures causes the metal interconnect structure to be doped and form a self-formed barrier layer or strengthen an existing diffusion barrier layer.

Vapor deposition methods and related systems are provided for depositing layers comprising vanadium and oxygen. In some embodiments, the methods comprise contacting a substrate in a reaction space with alternating pulses of a vapor-phase vanadium precursor and a vapor-phase oxygen reactant. The reaction space may be purged, for example, with an inert gas, between reactant pulses. The methods may be used to fill a gap on a substrate surface. Reaction conditions, including deposition temperature and reactant pulse and purge times may be selected to achieve advantageous gap fill properties. In some embodiments, the substrate on which deposition takes place is maintained at a relatively low temperature, for example between about 50 C. and about 185 C.

The semiconductor device includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a metal plane, a third dielectric layer and a fourth dielectric layer. The first metal layer comprises a first dielectric layer with a first plurality of signal track and a first plurality of power rails. The second metal layer comprises a second dielectric layer with a second plurality of signal tracks and a second plurality of power rails. The metal plane is between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. The third dielectric layer is between the first metal layer and the metal plane. The fourth dielectric layer is between the second metal layer and the metal plane.

Interconnect structures and methods and apparatuses for forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes supplying a process gas to a process chamber; igniting the process gas into a plasma in the process chamber; reducing a pressure of the process chamber to less than 0.3 mTorr; and after reducing the pressure of the process chamber, depositing a conductive layer on a substrate in the process chamber.

The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first interconnect layer over a substrate, the first interconnect layer including a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature, forming a patterned mask on the first interconnect layer, one or more openings in the patterned mask overlaying the second conductive feature, recessing the second conductive feature through the one or more openings in the patterned mask, and forming a second interconnect layer over the first interconnect layer. The second interconnect layer includes a first via in contact with the first conductive feature and a second via in contact with the second conductive feature.

Methods of forming high aspect ratio openings. The method comprises removing a portion of a dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0 C. to form at least one opening in the dielectric material. The at least one opening comprises an aspect ratio of greater than about 30:1. A protective material is formed in the at least one opening and on sidewalls of the dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0 C. Methods of forming high aspect ratio features are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of metal lines on the substrate, a protuberance layer formed on upper portions of sidewalls of the metal lines, anda liner layer formed between the metal lines and between the protuberance layer. The liner layer connects the protuberance layer, and an airgap exists in the liner layer below a bottom surface of the protuberance layers.

Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes levels of dielectric materials interleaved with levels of conductive materials, the levels of conductive materials including a first conductive level and a second conductive level; a memory cell string including a pillar extending in a direction from the first conductive level to the second conductive level, the second conductive level including a side wall; a conductive contact extending in the direction from the first conductive level to the second conductive level and contacting the second conductive level; a first dielectric material between the first conductive level and the conductive contact, the first dielectric material having a first dielectric constant; and a second dielectric material between the first dielectric material and the conductive contact, the second dielectric material having a second dielectric constant, wherein the second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant.

The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a lower conductive wire within a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A second dielectric layer is over the first dielectric layer. A conductive via is over the lower conductive wire and within the second dielectric layer. A conductive liner layer lines sidewalls of the via. A barrier layer lines sidewalls of the conductive liner layer and lines sidewalls of the second dielectric layer. The conductive liner layer is laterally separated from the second dielectric layer by the barrier layer. The conductive liner layer vertically extends between sidewalls of the barrier layer from a bottom surface of the conductive via to a top surface of the lower conductive wire.

A three-dimensional (3D) metal-insulator-metal capacitor (MIMCAP) includes a plurality of center studs disposed within cavity walls of a plurality of cavities in a top plate. The center studs and the cavity walls are oriented orthogonal to a first metal layer and extend through a first via layer and a second metal layer. Each center stud includes a metal layer stud in the second metal layer stacked on a via layer stud in the first via layer. A dielectric layer is disposed between the center studs and the cavity walls of the plurality of cavities in the top plate. The center studs are coupled to a first electrode, and the top plate is coupled to a second electrode in the interconnect layers. In some examples, the center studs can form vertically oriented cylindrical capacitive elements positioned for high capacitance density.