Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to method of forming trench and via features using dielectric and metal mask layers. Particularly, embodiments of present disclosure provide a hard mask stack including a first dielectric mask layer, and second dielectric mask layer and a metal mask layer, wherein the first dielectric mask layer and second dielectric mask layer have a high etch selectivity.

A chip structure is provided. The chip structure includes a substrate. The chip structure includes an interconnect structure over the substrate. The chip structure includes a conductive pad over the interconnect structure. The chip structure includes a passivation layer covering the interconnect structure and exposing the conductive pad. The chip structure includes a first etch stop layer over the passivation layer. The chip structure includes a first buffer layer over the first etch stop layer. The chip structure includes a second etch stop layer over the first buffer layer. The chip structure includes a device element over the second etch stop layer.

Composite dielectric structures for semiconductor die assemblies, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the composite dielectric structure includes a flexible dielectric layer configured to conform to irregularities (e.g., particles, defects) at a bonding interface of directly bonded semiconductor dies (or wafers). The flexible dielectric layer may include a polymer material configured to deform in response to localized pressure generated by the irregularities during bonding process steps. The composite dielectric structure includes additional dielectric layers sandwiching the flexible dielectric layer such that the composite dielectric structure can provide robust bonding strength to other dielectric layers through the additional dielectric layers. In some embodiments, a chemical vapor deposition process may be used to form the composite dielectric structure utilizing siloxane derivatives as a precursor.

An exemplary device includes a dielectric layer and a transmission line structure disposed in the dielectric layer. The transmission line structure includes a first metal line disposed between a second metal line and a third metal line. Dielectric islands are disposed in a first region and a second region of the dielectric layer. The first region of the dielectric layer is between the first metal line and the second metal line. The second region of the dielectric layer is between the first metal line and the third metal line. A dielectric constant of the dielectric islands is greater than a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer. The dielectric islands may be doped sections of the dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the dielectric islands in the first region are aligned with the dielectric islands in the second region along a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the first metal line.

A microelectronic device includes a semiconductor substrate and a high voltage isolation capacitor over the substrate. The capacitor includes a bottom capacitor plate over the substrate. Dielectric layers are formed above the bottom capacitor plate, including a top dielectric layer. A high dielectric layer on the top dielectric layer includes at least a first sublayer having a first dielectric constant that is higher than a dielectric constant of the top dielectric layer. A top capacitor plate is formed on the high dielectric layer over the bottom capacitor plate. An electric field abatement structure surrounds the top capacitor plate. The electric field abatement structure includes a shelf of the high dielectric layer extending outward from a lower corner of the bottom capacitor plate at least 14 microns, and an isolation break in the high dielectric layer past the shelf, in which the first sublayer is removed from the isolation break.

The present application discloses a method for fabricating a semiconductor device with a protection structure for suppressing electromagnetic interference and air gaps for reducing parasitic capacitance. The method includes providing a first semiconductor die, forming a connecting dielectric layer above the first semiconductor die, forming a first trench in the connecting dielectric layer, forming a plurality of sacrificial spacers on sides of the first trench, forming a first protection structure in the first trench, and performing an energy treatment to turn the plurality of sacrificial spacers into a plurality of air gaps. The plurality of sacrificial spacers are formed of an energy-removable material and the first protection structure is formed of copper, aluminum, titanium, tungsten, or cobalt.

A semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises at least one two-dimensional (2D) conductive structure; a dielectric layer disposed on the 2D conductive structure; and at least one interconnect structure disposed in the dielectric layer and extending into the 2D conductive structure, wherein the interconnect structure laterally connects to at least one edge of the 2D conductive structure.

Provided are semiconductor and a method for manufacturing semiconductor. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate and a gate located on the substrate, a source is formed in the substrate on one side of the gate, and a drain is formed in the substrate on another side of the gate; a dielectric layer covering a surface of the gate; a contact structure passing through the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the source or the drain, the contact structure including a stack of a first contact layer and a second contact layer, and in a direction from the source to the drain, a width of the second contact layer being greater than a width of the first contact layer; and an electrical connection layer located at a top surface of the dielectric layer and in contact with part of a top surface of the second contact layer.

A device includes a first conductive feature in an insulating layer; a dielectric layer over the first conductive feature; a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer, wherein the second conductive feature is over and physically contacting the first conductive feature; an air spacer encircling the second conductive feature, wherein sidewalls of the second conductive feature are exposed to the air spacer; a metal cap covering the second conductive feature and extending over the air spacer, wherein the air spacer is sealed by a bottom surface of the metal cap; a first etch stop layer on the dielectric layer, wherein a sidewall of the first etch stop layer physically contacts a sidewall of the metal cap; and a second etch stop layer extending on a top surface of the metal cap and a top surface of the first etch stop layer.

An interconnection structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature disposed in the dielectric layer, and a conductive layer disposed over the dielectric layer. The conductive layer includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and the second portion of the conductive layer is disposed over the first conductive feature. The structure further includes a first barrier layer in contact with the first portion of the conductive layer, a second barrier layer in contact with the second portion of the conductive layer, and a support layer in contact with the first and second barrier layers. An air gap is located between the first and second barrier layers, and the dielectric layer and the support layer are exposed to the air gap.