Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes a core area for core circuits and a peripheral area for peripheral circuits. The semiconductor device includes a core oxide on the semiconductor substrate in the core area, a portion of the core oxide being nitrided, a first polysilicon pattern on the core oxide, an I/O oxide including pure oxide on the semiconductor substrate in the peripheral area, and a second polysilicon pattern on the I/O oxide.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a porous, low-k dielectric layer is provided. A preferred embodiment comprises the steps of forming a porogen-containing, low-k dielectric layer, in the damascene process. In preferred embodiments, pore generation, by e-beam porogen degradation, occurs after the steps of CMP planarizing the damascene copper conductor and depositing a semipermeable cap layer. In alternative embodiments, the cap layer consists essentially of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, Co, W, Al, Ta, Ti, Ni, Ru, and combinations thereof. The semipermeable cap layer is preferably deposited under PECVD conditions such that the cap layer is sufficiently permeable to enable removal of porogen degradation by-products. Preferred embodiments further include an in-situ N2/NH3 treatment before depositing the semipermeable cap layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises: a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) over a substrate; a first metal layer; a plurality of second ILDs over the first ILD; and a plurality of second metal layers, each of the second metal layers is over one of the second ILDs. The first ILD is not cured. It has a k value of between about 2.5 and about 3.0, a pore size of smaller than about 10 ?, and a hardness of greater than about 1.5 Gpa. The second ILDs are cured therefore having lower k values of smaller than about 2.5, pore sizes of greater than about 10 ?, and hardness of smaller than about 1.5 Gpa. The semiconductor structure has reduced plasma charge damage from plasma curing.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for forming the device wherein the device includes a substrate; a dielectric insulating layer formed overlying the substrate; a metal filled dual damascene structure formed in the dielectric insulating layer, wherein the metal filled dual damascene structure includes a via portion and a trench portion; and at least one intervening dielectric layer in compressive stress formed in the dielectric insulating layer and disposed at a level adjacent to at least one of the via portion and the trench portion of the metal filled dual damascene structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with improved resistance to delamination and method for forming the same the method including providing a semiconductor wafer comprising a metallization layer with an uppermost etch stop layer; forming at least one adhesion promoting layer on the etch stop layer; and, forming an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on the at least one adhesion promoting layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a heterogeneous low k dielectric comprising a main layer and a sub-layer. The main layer comprises a first low k dielectric material with a first low k dielectric constant and the sub-layer comprises a second low k dielectric material with a second low k dielectric constant. The sub-layer directly adjoins the main layer, and the second low k dielectric constant is greater than the first low k dielectric constant by more than 0.1.