Back to results
US 2026/0282872 A1Published application
Subtractive interconnect structure with top via
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsAshim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang, Kamal Rudra, Nilanka W Sirikkathuge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interconnect includes an underling layer, and a first metal line located on top of the underlying layer. A via is located on top of the first metal line and at least one line divot is located adjacent to via. The at least one-line divot extends downwards into the first metal line.
Claims20
An interconnect comprising:
- an underling layer;
- a first metal line located on top of the underlying layer, wherein a via is located on top of the first metal line, wherein at least one line divot is located adjacent to via, wherein the at least one-line divot extends downwards into the first metal line.
An interconnect comprising:
- an underling layer;
- a first metal line located on top of the underlying layer, wherein a via is located on top of the first metal line, wherein at least one line divot is located adjacent to the to via, wherein the at least one-line divot extends downwards into the first metal line;
- and
- a second metal line located on top of the underlying layer, wherein a second via is located on top of the second metal line, wherein at least one line divot is located adjacent to the second via, wherein the at least one-line divot extends downwards into the second metal line.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- forming a Mx metal layer on an underlying layer;
- forming a first layer on top of the Mx metal layer;
- forming a trench within the first layer, wherein the trench exposes a top surface of the Mx metal layer;
- forming a top metal layer on top of the first layer, wherein the top metal layer fills the trench;
- etching the top metal layer, the first layer, and the Mx metal layer to form a plurality of lines;
- subtractively etching the top metal layer to remove it from most locations, wherein the subtractive etching of the top metal layer forms a via aligned with location of the trench on one of the plurality of lines, wherein the dimensions of the via differ from the dimensions of the trench, such that line divots are formed in the Mx metal layer from the subtractive etching process.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.