A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer, a via, a first graphene layer, and a metal line. The dielectric layer is over the semiconductor substrate. The via extends through the dielectric layer. The first graphene layer extends along a top surface of the via. The metal line spans the first graphene layer. The metal line has a line width decreasing as a distance from the first graphene layer increases.

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 semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, at least two source/drain features, at least two source/drain features, one or more channel layers, a gate structure, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, and an alignment mark. The semiconductor substrate has a first region and a second region next to the first region. The at least two source/drain features are disposed in the second region and are laterally arranged to each other. The one or more channel layers are disposed in the second region and connect the at least two source/drain features. The gate structure is disposed in the second region and engages the one or more channel layers and interposes the at least two source/drain features. The first conductive feature is disposed in the second region and is electrically coupled to the at least two source/drain features. The second conductive feature is disposed in the second region and is electrically coupled to the at least two source/drain features through the first conductive feature. The alignment mark is disposed in the first region and includes a first dielectric feature and a third conductive feature lining a bottom and a sidewall of the first dielectric feature.

Methods of forming metal traces and a semiconductor structure are presented. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a cutting pattern formed of hard masks protruding from the substrate, and photoresist positioned over the substrate such that openings in the photoresist direct print trenches to be formed in dielectrics of the substrate and the cutting pattern blocks portions of the openings to form tip-to-tip cuts in the trenches.

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.

Embodiments provide a method and resulting structure that includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer to expose a metal feature, selectively depositing a metal cap on the metal feature, depositing a barrier layer over the metal cap, and depositing a conductive fill on the barrier layer.

In accordance with embodiments, a memory array is formed with a multiple patterning process. In embodiments a first trench is formed within a multiple layer stack and a first conductive material is deposited into the first trench. After the depositing the first conductive material, a second trench is formed within the multiple layer stack, and a second conductive material is deposited into the second trench. The first conductive material and the second conductive material are etched.

An embodiment is a method including forming a first interconnect structure over a first substrate, forming a redistribution via over the first interconnect structure, the redistribution via being electrically coupled to at least one of the metallization patterns of the first interconnect structure, forming a redistribution pad over the redistribution via, the redistribution pad being electrically coupled to the redistribution via, forming a first dielectric layer over the redistribution pad, and forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer. The method also includes patterning the first and second dielectric layers, forming a bond via over the redistribution pad and in the first dielectric layer, the bonding via being electrically coupled to the redistribution pad, the bond via overlapping the redistribution via, and forming a first bond pad over the bonding via and in the second dielectric layer, the first bond pad being electrically coupled to the bond via.

The present invention relates to a metal interconnect structure containing no barrier metal and a method of manufacturing the metal interconnect structure. The method includes: filling at least a first interconnect trench with an intermetallic compound by depositing the intermetallic compound on an insulating layer having the first interconnect trench and a second interconnect trench formed in the insulating layer, the second interconnect trench being wider than the first interconnect trench; performing a planarization process of polishing the intermetallic compound until the insulating layer is exposed; and then performing a height adjustment process of polishing the intermetallic compound and the insulating layer until a height of the intermetallic compound in the first interconnect trench reaches a predetermined height.

A method for manufacturing an electrical interconnection structure including a step of providing an initial structure including a substrate, an electrically conductive lower element, a cavity formed in the substrate and having an inner wall internally defining an access to the lower element, and an electrically insulating layer; a step of forming an interconnection element in the cavity; and a final polishing step, wherein a portion of the interconnection element and at least one part of the electrically insulating layer are removed simultaneously by chemical-mechanical polishing using a final polishing agent, thereby forming the electrical interconnection structure.