The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The IC structure includes first and second fins formed on a semiconductor substrate and laterally separated from each other by an isolation feature, the isolation feature formed of a dielectric material that physically contacts the semiconductor substrate; and a contact feature between the first and second fins and extending into the isolation feature thereby defining an air gap vertically between the isolation feature and the contact feature, the dielectric material of the isolation feature extending from the semiconductor substrate to the contact feature.

A method of manufacturing a radio frequency switch includes the steps of: forming a first silicide layer on a second conductive or semiconductor layer; forming a third insulating layer on the first layer; forming a cavity in the third insulating layer reaching the first silicide layer; forming a fourth metal layer in the cavity in contact with the first silicide layer; performing a non-oxidizing annealing; and filling the cavity with a conductive material. The first silicide layer is provided on one or more of the gate, source, and drain of a transistor forming the radio frequency switch.

The disclosed technology generally relates to forming a titanium nitride-based thin films, and more particularly to a conformal and smooth titanium nitride-based thin films and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, a method of forming a diffusion barrier comprising TiSiN comprises exposing a semiconductor substrate to one or more first deposition phases alternating with one or more second deposition phases. Exposing the semiconductor substrate to the one or more first deposition phases comprises alternatingly exposing the semiconductor substrate to a titanium (Ti) precursor and a nitrogen (N) precursor. Exposing the semiconductor substrate to the one or more second deposition phases comprises sequentially exposing the semiconductor substrate to the Ti precursor and a silicon (Si) precursor without an intervening exposure to the N precursor therebetween, followed by exposing the semiconductor substrate to the N precursor.

A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a conductive structure in a first dielectric layer, the conductive structure including an terminal portion and an extending portion, forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a first opening through the second dielectric layer directly above the extending portion and a second opening through the second dielectric layer directly above the terminal portion, a width of the second opening being smaller than 50% of a width of the first opening, forming a conductive material layer on the second dielectric layer and filling the first opening and the second opening, and performing a chemical mechanical polishing process to remove the conductive material layer outside the first opening and the second opening to obtain a conductive via in the first opening and a dummy via in the second opening.

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 directly and physically connected to 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, a dummy via through the second dielectric layer and directly contacting the terminal portion, wherein the dummy via comprises a lower portion consisting of a first filling layer and an upper portion consisting of a second filling layer, wherein the first filling layer and the second filling layer comprise different materials.

The disclosure relates to a semiconductor die that includes: a semiconductor body; an insulating layer; and a metallization. A conductor line is formed in the metallization and arranged outside an active area of the semiconductor die. A first contact opening is formed in the insulating layer below the conductor line. The conductor line is electrically connected to the semiconductor body in a first contact area in the first contact opening. The first contact opening is divided along a length extension of the conductor line into a plurality of first contact opening sections. The first contact area is provided with a respective first interruption between neighboring first contact opening sections.

The disclosed technology generally relates to forming a titanium nitride-based thin films, and more particularly to a conformal and smooth titanium nitride-based thin films and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, a method comprises forming a diffusion barrier comprising TiSiN having a modulus exceeding 290 GPa and a Si content exceeding 2.7 atomic % by exposing a semiconductor substrate to one or more first deposition phases alternating with one or more second deposition phases. Exposing the semiconductor substrate to the one or more first deposition phases comprises alternatingly exposing the semiconductor substrate to a titanium (Ti) precursor and a nitrogen (N) precursor. Exposing the semiconductor substrate to the one or more second deposition phases comprises sequentially exposing the semiconductor substrate to the Ti precursor, followed by a silicon (Si) precursor, followed by the N precursor.

The present application discloses a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; a first bottom conductive layer positioned in the substrate; a bottom porous dielectric layer positioned on the substrate; a top porous dielectric layer positioned on the bottom porous dielectric layer; a middle porous dielectric layer positioned between the bottom porous dielectric layer and the top porous dielectric layer; and a mixing-area conductive structure positioned along the top porous dielectric layer, the middle porous dielectric layer, and the bottom porous dielectric layer, and positioned on the first bottom conductive layer. A porosity of the top porous dielectric layer is greater than a porosity of the middle porous dielectric layer. The porosity of the middle porous dielectric layer is greater than a porosity of the bottom porous dielectric layer.

A semiconductor device may include a first film and a second film defining parts of a trench, a plug conductive film, a via, and a wiring in the trench. The trench may include a second sub-trench having a second width below a first sub-trench having a first width. The plug conductive film may extend from a first side of the first film to penetrate a bottom face of the trench. An uppermost face of the plug conducive film may be in the trench. The via may include an insulating liner between the plug conductive film and the first film. The uppermost face of the plug conductive film and at least a part of a side wall of the plug conductive film may be in contact with the wiring. An upper face of the insulating liner may be exposed by a bottom face of the second sub-trench.

A dielectric structure is formed over a layer than contains a conductive component. An opening is formed in the dielectric structure. The opening exposes an upper surface of the conductive component. A first deposition process is performed that deposits a first conductive layer over the dielectric structure and partially in the opening. A treatment process is performed on a first portion of the first conductive layer formed over the dielectric structure. The treatment process introduces a non-metal material to the first portion of the first conductive layer. After the treatment process has been performed, a second deposition process is performed that at least partially fills the opening with a second conductive layer without trapping a gap therein.