IP Library Granted Patent US 12,406,920
Granted Patent B2
US 12,406,920 · App. 17/651,432 · Granted Sep 2, 2025

Top via interconnect with airgap

Inventors: Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng (Shatin, HK); Koichi Motoyama (Clifton Park, NY); Chanro Park (Clifton Park, NY); Chih-Chao Yang (Glenmont, NY)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
H01L23/5226H01L21/76802H01L21/7682H01L23/53295H01L21/76843
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,406,920
App. No.
17/651,432
Granted
Sep 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor structure including a first metal line, a top via above and directly contacting the first metal line, a second metal line adjacent to the first metal line, a first dielectric contacting sidewalls of the top via, a second dielectric directly between the first dielectric and the second metal line, and an air gap located between the first metal line and the second metal line, and below both the first dielectric and the second dielectric.

Claims (39)

1. A semiconductor structure comprising:

a first metal line;

a top via above and directly contacting the first metal line;

a second metal line adjacent to the first metal line;

a first dielectric contacting sidewalls of the top via;

a second dielectric directly between the first dielectric and the second metal line, wherein upper surfaces of the top via, the first dielectric, and the second dielectric are substantially flush; and

an air gap located between the first metal line and the second metal line, and below both the first dielectric and the second dielectric.

2. The semiconductor structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an underlying metal layer comprising conductors below and in electrical contact with the first metal line.

3. The semiconductor structure according to claim 1 , wherein the air gap directly contacts sidewalls of the first metal line and sidewalls of the second metal line.

4. The semiconductor structure according to claim 1 , wherein a sidewall of the second dielectric directly contacts a sidewall of the second metal line.

5. The semiconductor structure according to claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of first portions of the first dielectric is concave, and a bottom surface of second portions of the first dielectric contacts an upper surface of the second metal line.

6. The semiconductor structure according to claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the second dielectric is below a top surface of both the first metal line and the second metal line.

7. The semiconductor structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first metal line and the top via consist of a homogenous conductive material.

8. A semiconductor structure comprising:

a first metal line;

a top via above and directly contacting the first metal line;

a second metal line adjacent to the first metal line;

a first dielectric contacting sidewalls of the top via;

a second dielectric between the first dielectric and the second metal line, wherein upper surfaces of the top via, the first dielectric, and the second dielectric are substantially flush; and

an air gap located between the first metal line and the second metal line, and below both the first dielectric and the second dielectric,

wherein a lateral distance between the second dielectric and the top via is smaller than a lateral distance between the first metal line and the second metal line.

9. The semiconductor structure according to claim 8 , further comprising:

an underlying metal layer comprising conductors below and in electrical contact with the first metal line.

10. The semiconductor structure according to claim 8 , wherein the air gap directly contacts sidewalls of the first metal line and sidewalls of the second metal line.

11. The semiconductor structure according to claim 8 , wherein a sidewall of the second dielectric directly contacts a sidewall of the second metal line.

12. The semiconductor structure according to claim 8 , wherein a bottom surface of first portions of the first dielectric is concave, and a bottom surface of second portions of the first dielectric contacts an upper surface of the second metal line.

13. The semiconductor structure according to claim 8 , wherein a bottom surface of the second dielectric is below a top surface of both the first metal line and the second metal line.

14. The semiconductor structure according to claim 8 , wherein the first metal line and the top via consist of a homogenous conductive material.

15. A semiconductor structure comprising:

a first metal line;

a top via above and directly contacting the first metal line, wherein the first metal line and the top via consist of a homogenous conductive material;

a second metal line adjacent to the first metal line;

a first dielectric contacting sidewalls of the top via;

a second dielectric between the first dielectric and the second metal line, wherein a sidewall of the second dielectric directly contacts a sidewall of the second metal line, wherein upper surfaces of the top via, the first dielectric, and the second dielectric are substantially flush; and

an air gap located between the first metal line and the second metal line, and below both the first dielectric and the second dielectric,

wherein a lateral distance between the second dielectric and the top via is smaller than a lateral distance between the first metal line and the second metal line.

16. The semiconductor structure according to claim 15 , wherein a bottom surface of first portions of the first dielectric is concave, and a bottom surface of second portions of the first dielectric contacts an upper surface of the second metal line.

17. The semiconductor structure according to claim 15 , wherein a bottom surface of the second dielectric is below a top surface of both the first metal line and the second metal line.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2022
From: CHENG, KENNETH CHUN KUEN; MOTOYAMA, KOICHI; PARK, CHANRO; YANG, CHIH-CHAO
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059030/0319 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230260895A1 · Aug 17, 2023
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