Patent · US Active

Self-aligned via and air gap

US9368395B1 · kind B1 · utility

32Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 6, 2014
Grant dateJun 14, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 6, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/76883
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Provided are approaches for forming a self-aligned via and an air gap within a semiconductor device. Specifically, one approach produces a device having: a first metal line beneath a second metal line within an ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric, the first metal line connected to the second metal line by a first via; a dielectric capping layer formed over the second metal line; a third metal line within first and second via openings formed within a ULK fill material formed over the dielectric capping layer, wherein the third metal line within the first via opening extends to a top surface of the dielectric capping layer, and wherein the third metal line within the second via opening is connected to the second metal by a second via passing through the dielectric capping layer; and an air gap formed between the third metal line within the first and seconds via openings.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.