A semiconductor device includes an element layer, a plurality of first interconnect lines on the element layer, a first insulation layer including carbon having a uniform concentration distribution between the first interconnect lines, a plurality of second interconnect lines spaced from the first interconnect lines, and a second insulation layer between the second interconnect lines. An air spacing is included between the second interconnect lines.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, an insulating structure over the gate stack, a conductive via in the insulating structure, and an contact etch stop layer (CESL) over the insulating structure. The insulating structure has an air slit therein. The conductive via is electrically connected to the gate stack. A portion of the CESL is exposed in the air slit.

Provided is an integrated circuit structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The integrated circuit structure comprises a substrate; a plurality of interconnecting structures on the substrate, each of the interconnecting structures comprises side surfaces and a top surface, the side surfaces directly define air gaps therebetween isolating the interconnecting structures from each other; and a planar protective layer on top of the plurality of interconnecting structures covering all of the air gaps. The protective layer comprises a sheltering film and a supporting film.

Structures that include interconnects and methods for forming a structure that includes interconnects. A metallization level includes a metallization level having a first interconnect with a first top surface, a second interconnect with a second top surface, and a cavity with an entrance between the first interconnect and the second interconnect. A first dielectric layer includes a first section arranged on the first top surface of the first interconnect and a second section arranged on the second top surface of the second interconnect. The first section of the first dielectric layer is separated from the second section of the first dielectric layer by the entrance of the cavity. A second dielectric layer is arranged to surround the cavity and to close the entrance to the cavity in order to encapsulate an airgap inside the cavity.

Structures that include interconnects and methods for forming a structure that includes interconnects. A metallization level includes a metallization level having a first interconnect with a first top surface, a second interconnect with a second top surface, and a cavity with an entrance between the first interconnect and the second interconnect. A first dielectric layer includes a first section arranged on the first top surface of the first interconnect and a second section arranged on the second top surface of the second interconnect. The first section of the first dielectric layer is separated from the second section of the first dielectric layer by the entrance of the cavity. A second dielectric layer is arranged to surround the cavity and to close the entrance to the cavity in order to encapsulate an airgap inside the cavity.

An embodiment includes first, second, and third metal layers; first, second, and third metal lines included in the second metal layer; a layer including airgaps, the first metal layer being between the layer including airgaps and the second metal layer; a first void between the first and second metal lines and a second void between the second and third metal lines; a conformal layer between the first and second metal lines; an additional layer between the first and second metal layers; wherein the first void includes air and the second void includes air; wherein a first axis intersects the first, second, and third metal lines and the first and second voids; wherein a second axis, orthogonal to the first axis, intersects the conformal layer and the additional layer; wherein a third axis, orthogonal to the first axis, intersects the second metal line and the additional layer.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, an insulating structure over the gate stack, a conductive via in the insulating structure, and an contact etch stop layer (CESL) over the insulating structure. The insulating structure has an air slit therein. The conductive via is electrically connected to the gate stack. A portion of the CESL is exposed in the air slit.

Embodiments of the invention include interconnect layers with floating interconnect lines and methods of forming such interconnect layers. In an embodiment, a plurality of openings are formed in a first sacrificial material layer. Conductive vias and dielectric pillars may be formed in the openings. A second sacrificial material layer may then be formed over the pillars, the vias, and the first sacrificial material layer. In an embodiment, a permeable etchstop layer is formed over a top surface of the second sacrificial layer. Embodiments then include forming an interconnect line in the second sacrificial material layer. In an embodiment, the first and second sacrificial material layers are removed through the permeable etchstop layer after the interconnect line has been formed. According to an embodiment, the permeable etchstop layer may then be stuffed with a fill material in order to harden the permeable etchstop layer.

A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, at least one first gate structure, at least one first spacer, at least one source drain structure, and a conductive plug. The first gate structure is present on the substrate. The first spacer is present on at least one sidewall of the first gate structure. The source drain structure is present adjacent to the first spacer. The conductive plug is electrically connected to the source drain structure while leaving a gap between the conductive plug and the spacer.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a first dielectric layer on a gate structure and a source drain structure. A recess is formed at least partially in the first dielectric layer. A protection layer is formed at least on a sidewall of the recess. The recess is deepened to expose the source drain structure. A bottom conductor is formed in the recess and is electrically connected to the source drain structure. The protection layer is removed to form a gap between the bottom conductor and the sidewall of the recess.