Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to gate structures and methods of manufacture. The method includes: forming a first gate structure and a second gate structure with gate materials; etching the gate materials within the second gate structure to form a trench; and depositing a conductive material within the trench so that the second gate structure has a metal composition different than the first gate structure.

Abstract: A method of measuring misregistration in the manufacture of semiconductor device wafers including providing a multilayered semiconductor device wafer including at least a first layer and a second layer including at least one misregistration measurement target including a first periodic structure formed together with the first layer having a first pitch and a second periodic structure formed together with the second layer having a second pitch, imaging the first layer and the second layer at a depth of focus and using light having at least one first wavelength that causes images of both the first layer and the second layer to appear in at least one plane within the depth of focus and quantifying offset in the at least one plane between the images of the first layer and the second layer, thereby to calculate misregistration of the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: The present application discloses a array substrate, a manufacturing method of the array substrate, and a display panel, the manufacture procedure includes the following steps: sequentially forming a buffer layer and a photoresist layer on a glass substrate; placing the substrate into an activation agent for activation, and forming an activation liquid particle layer with a first preset pattern at a corresponding position where the activation agent is in contact with the photoresist layer, and forming an activation liquid particle layer with a second preset pattern at a corresponding position where the activation agent is in contact with the buffer layer; removing the photoresist layer and the activation liquid particle layer with the first preset pattern; and performing chemical plating to form a first metal layer at a position corresponding to the activation liquid particle layer with the second preset pattern in contact with the buffer layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a ruthenium film on a surface of a substrate in order to embed ruthenium in a recess formed in the surface of the substrate includes depositing ruthenium by supplying a ruthenium raw material gas to the substrate under a preset first pressure, and depositing the ruthenium by supplying the ruthenium raw material gas to the substrate under a preset second pressure, which is lower than the first pressure. The ruthenium film is formed by alternately repeating the depositing the ruthenium under the first pressure and the depositing the ruthenium under the second pressure.

Abstract: Two pairs of alignment targets (one aligned, one misaligned by a bias distance) are formed on different masks to produce a first pair of conjugated interference patterns. Other pairs of alignment targets are also formed on the masks to produce a second pair of conjugated interference patterns that are inverted the first. Misalignment of the dark and light regions of first interference patterns and the second interference patterns in both pairs of conjugated interference patterns is determined when patterns formed using the masks are overlaid. A magnification factor (of the interference pattern misalignment to the target misalignment) is calculated as a ratio of the difference of misalignment of the relatively dark and relatively light regions in the pairs of interference patterns, over twice the bias distance. The interference pattern misalignment is divided by the magnification factor to produce a self-referenced and self-calibrated target misalignment amount, which is then output.

Abstract: We disclose herein a semiconductor device sub-assembly comprising a plurality of semiconductor units of a first type, a plurality of semiconductor units of a second type; a plurality of conductive blocks operatively coupled with the plurality of semiconductor units, a conductive malleable layer operatively coupled with the plurality of conductive blocks, wherein the plurality of conductive blocks are located between the conductive malleable layer and the plurality of semiconductor units. In use, at least some of the plurality of conductive blocks are configured to apply a pressure on the conductive malleable layer, when a predetermined pressure is applied to the semiconductor device sub-assembly. At least one semiconductor unit of a second type is configured to withstand an applied pressure greater than a threshold pressure.

Abstract: A resistive memory structure, for example, phase change memory structure, includes one access device and two or more resistive memory cells. Each memory cell is coupled to a rectifying device to prevent parallel leak current from flowing through non-selected memory cells. In an array of resistive memory bit structures, resistive memory cells from different memory bit structures are stacked and share rectifying devices.

Abstract: Two pairs of alignment targets (one aligned, one misaligned by a bias distance) are formed on different masks to produce a first pair of conjugated interference patterns. Other pairs of alignment targets are also formed on the masks to produce a second pair of conjugated interference patterns that are inverted the first. Misalignment of the dark and light regions of the first interference patterns and the second interference patterns in both pairs of conjugated interference patterns is determined when patterns formed using the masks are overlaid. A magnification factor (of the interference pattern misalignment to the target misalignment) is calculated as a ratio of the difference of misalignment of the relatively dark and relatively light regions in the pairs of interference patterns, over twice the bias distance. The interference pattern misalignment is divided by the magnification factor to produce a self-referenced and self-calibrated target misalignment amount, which is then output.

Abstract: Two pairs of alignment targets (one aligned, one misaligned by a bias distance) are formed on different masks to produce a first pair of conjugated interference patterns. Other pairs of alignment targets are also formed on the masks to produce a second pair of conjugated interference patterns that are inverted the first. Misalignment of the dark and light regions of the first interference patterns and the second interference patterns in both pairs of conjugated interference patterns is determined when patterns formed using the masks are overlaid. A magnification factor (of the interference pattern misalignment to the target misalignment) is calculated as a ratio of the difference of misalignment of the relatively dark and relatively light regions in the pairs of interference patterns, over twice the bias distance. The interference pattern misalignment is divided by the magnification factor to produce a self-referenced and self-calibrated target misalignment amount, which is then output.

Abstract: Providing for two-terminal memory that mitigates diffusion of external material therein is described herein. In some embodiments, a two-terminal memory cell can comprise an electrode layer. The electrode layer can be at least in part permeable to ionically or chemically reactive material, such as oxygen or the like. The two-terminal memory can further comprise a diffusion mitigation material disposed between the electrode layer and external material. This diffusion mitigation material can be selected to mitigate or prevent diffusion of the undesired element(s) or compound(s), to mitigate or avoid exposure of such element(s) or compound(s) to the electrode layer. Accordingly, degradation of the two-terminal memory as a result of contact with the undesired element(s) or compound(s) can be mitigated by various disclosed embodiments.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to processes for enhancing the deposition of noble metal thin films on a substrate by atomic layer deposition. Treatment with gaseous halides or metalorganic compounds reduces the incubation time for deposition of noble metals on particular surfaces. The methods may be utilized to facilitate selective deposition. For example, selective deposition of noble metals on high-k materials relative to insulators can be enhanced by pretreatment with halide reactants. In addition, halide treatment can be used to avoid deposition on the quartz walls of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor includes: forming a storage node contact plug over a substrate; forming an insulation layer having an opening exposing a surface of the storage node contact plug over the storage contact plug; forming a conductive layer for a storage node over the insulation layer and the exposed surface of the storage node contact plug through two steps performed at different temperatures; performing an isolation process to isolate parts of the conductive layer; and sequentially forming a dielectric layer and a plate electrode over the isolated conductive layer.

Abstract: Techniques formation of high purity copper (Cu)-filled lines and vias are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating lines and vias filled with high purity copper with is provided. The method includes the following steps. A via is etched in a dielectric. The via is lined with a diffusion barrier. A thin ruthenium (Ru) layer is conformally deposited onto the diffusion barrier. A Cu layer is deposited on the Ru layer by a sputtering process. A reflow anneal is performed to eliminate voids in the lines and vias.

Abstract: A plurality of metal tracks are formed in an integrated circuit die in three metal layers stacked within the die. A protective dielectric layer is formed around metal tracks of an intermediate metal layer. The protective dielectric layer acts as a hard mask to define contact vias between metal tracks in the metal layers above and below the intermediate metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of bonding a copper wire to a substrate, particularly a printed circuit board and an IC-substrate, possessing a layer assembly comprising a copper bonding portion and a palladium or palladium alloy layer and a substrate having a copper wire bonded to aforementioned layer assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a capping layer over copper containing contacts in a dielectric layer with a liner comprising a noble metal liner around the copper containing contacts is provided. An electroless deposition is provided to deposit a deposition comprising copper on the noble metal liner and the copper containing contacts. A capping layer is formed over the deposition comprising copper.

Abstract: A nitride-based semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a nitride-based semiconductor multilayer structure 20 which includes a p-type semiconductor region with a surface 12 being inclined from the m-plane by an angle of not less than 1° and not more than 5°; and an electrode 30 provided on the p-type semiconductor region. The p-type semiconductor region is formed by an AlxInyGazN (where x+y+z=1, x?0, y?0, and z?0) layer 26. The electrode 30 includes a Mg layer 32 and an Ag layer 34 provided on the Mg layer 32. The Mg layer 32 is in contact with the surface 12 of the p-type semiconductor region of the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.

Abstract: Provided is a technology for forming a conductive via hole to implement a three dimensional stacked structure of an integrated circuit. A method for forming a conductive via hole according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: filling inside of a via hole structure that is formed in one or more of an upper portion and a lower portion of a substrate with silver by using a reduction and precipitation of silver in order to connect a plurality of stacked substrates by a conductor; filling a portion that is not filled with silver inside of the via hole structure by flowing silver thereinto; and sublimating residual material of silver oxide series, which is generated during the flowing, on an upper layer inside of the via hole structure filled with silver.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an interconnect structure is provided which includes providing a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 3.0 or less and at least one conductive material embedded therein, the at least one conductive material has an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the dielectric material; and forming a noble metal-containing cap directly on the upper surface of the at least one conductive material, wherein the noble metal cap is discontinuous or non-uniform.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a smooth silicide without the use of a cap layer are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided. The FET device includes a SOI wafer having a SOI layer over a BOX and at least one active area formed in the wafer; a gate stack over a portion of the at least one active area which serves as a channel of the device; source and drain regions of the device adjacent to the gate stack, wherein the source and drain regions of the device include a semiconductor material selected from: silicon and silicon germanium; and silicide contacts to the source and drain regions of the device, wherein an interface is present between the silicide contacts and the semiconductor material, and wherein the interface has an interface roughness of less than about 5 nanometers.

Abstract: A method patterns at least one opening in a low-K insulator layer of a multi-level integrated circuit structure, such that a copper conductor is exposed at the bottom of the opening. The method then lines the sidewalls and the bottom of the opening with a first Tantalum Nitride layer in a first chamber and forms a Tantalum layer on the first Tantalum Nitride layer in the first chamber. Next, sputter etching on the opening is performed in the first chamber, so as to expose the conductor at the bottom of the opening. A second Tantalum Nitride layer is formed on the conductor, the Tantalum layer, and the first Tantalum Nitride layer, again in the first chamber. After the second Tantalum Nitride layer is formed, the methods herein form a flash layer comprising a Platinum group metal on the second Tantalum Nitride layer in a second, different chamber.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: forming a film to be a first metal layer on a substrate where an element portion is formed; forming a first insulating layer provided with an opening on the film to be the first metal layer; forming a second metal layer in the opening of the first insulating layer; eliminating the first insulating layer; eliminating the film to be the first metal layer with the second metal layer used as a mask so as to form the first metal layer; and forming an electrode portion by covering exposed surfaces of the first metal layer and the second metal layer with a third metal layer including a metal of a smaller ionization tendency than the metal of the second metal layer.

Abstract: A method for forming gate, source, and drain contacts on a MOS transistor having an insulated gate including polysilicon covered with a metal gate silicide, this gate being surrounded with at least one spacer made of a first insulating material, the method including the steps of a) covering the structure with a second insulating material and leveling the second insulating material to reach the gate silicide; b) oxidizing the gate so that the gate silicide buries and covers the a silicon oxide; c) selectively removing the second insulating material; and d) covering the structure with a first conductive material and leveling the first conductive material all the way to a lower level at the top of the spacer.

Abstract: Electrical interconnects for integrated circuits and methods of fabrication of interconnects are provided. Devices are provided comprising copper interconnects having metallic liner layers comprising silver and a second component, such as, lanthanum, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, antimony, or calcium. Methods include providing a substrate having a trench or via formed therein, forming a silver alloy layer, comprising silver and a second component selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, antimony, and calcium, onto surfaces of the feature, depositing a copper seed layer, and depositing copper into the feature.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a gate on a substrate with source/drain (S/D) regions adjacent to the gate. A first dielectric layer overlays the gate and the S/D regions, the first dielectric layer having first contact holes over the S/D regions with first contact plugs formed of a first material and the first contact plugs coupled to respective S/D regions. A second dielectric layer overlays the first dielectric layer and the first contact plugs. A second contact hole formed in the first and second dielectric layers is filled with a second contact plug formed of a second material. The second contact plug is coupled to the gate and interconnect structures formed in the second dielectric layer, the interconnect structures coupled to the first contact plugs. The second material is different from the first material, and the second material has an electrical resistance lower than that of the first material.

Abstract: An LED includes a first intermetallic layer, a first metal thin film layer, an LED chip, a substrate, a second metal thin film layer, and a second intermetallic layer. The first metal thin film layer is located on the first intermetallic layer. The LED chip is located on the first metal thin film layer. The second metal thin film layer is located on the substrate. The second intermetallic layer is located on the second metal thin film layer, and the first intermetallic layer is located on the second intermetallic layer. Materials of the first and the second metal thin film layer are selected from a group consisting of Au, Ag, Cu, and Ni. Materials of the intermetallic layers are selected from a group consisting of a Cu—In—Sn intermetallics, an Ni—In—Sn intermetallics, an Ni—Bi intermetallics, an Au—In intermetallics, an Ag—In intermetallics, an Ag—Sn intermetallics, and an Au—Bi intermetallics.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus formed thereby, to construct shallow recessed wells on top of exposed conductive vias on the surface of a semiconductor. The shallow recessed wells are subsequently filled with a conductive cap layer, such as a tantalum nitride (TaN) layer, to prevent or reduce oxidation which may otherwise occur naturally when exposed to air, or possibly occur during an under-bump metallization process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming copper-based conductive structures on integrated circuit devices. In one example, the method includes forming a trench/via in a layer of insulating material, performing a deposition process to form an as-deposited copper-based seed layer above the layer of insulating material in the trench/via, wherein the copper-based seed layer has a first portion that is positioned above a bottom of the trench/via that is thicker than second portions of the copper seed layer that are positioned above sidewalls of the trench/via, performing an etching process on the as-deposited copper-based seed layer to substantially remove portions of the second portions of the as-deposited copper-based seed layer and performing an electroless deposition process to fill the trench/via with a copper-based material.

Abstract: A semiconductor package and testing method is disclosed. The package includes a substrate having top and bottom surfaces, a semiconductor chip mounted in a centrally located semiconductor chip mounting area of the substrate, and a plurality of test pads disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and comprising a first group of test pads configured on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and having a first height above the respective top and bottom surface of the substrate, and a second group of test pads disposed on the lower surface of the substrate and having a second height greater than the first, wherein each one of the second group of test pads includes a solder ball attached thereto.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a substrate, a semiconductor device, a protection layer, a bonding wire, and a molding compound is provided. The substrate has a contact pad and a solder mask, and the contact pad is exposed from the solder mask. The semiconductor device is disposed on the substrate. The protection layer is disposed on the contact pad. The bonding wire connects the semiconductor device to the contact pad. An end of the bonding wire penetrates the protection layer and bonds with a portion of a surface of the contact pad to form a bonding region. The protection layer covers an entire surface of the contact pad except the bonding region. The molding compound covers the semiconductor device, the contact pad, and the bonding wire.

Abstract: Disclosed are layers and patterns of nanowire or nanotube using a chemical self assembly for forming a semiconductor layer and a conductive layer of a thin film transistor by using a nanowire and/or nanotube solution and an diamine-based self-assembled monolayer (SAM) material. The Layers and patterns including layers and patterns of nanowire or nanotube using a chemical self assembly include: a substrate having a surface terminated with amine group (—NH2) by using a chemical self-assembled monolayer (SAM) material having at least one end terminated with amine group(—NH2); and a first nanowire or nanotube layer ionically coupled to the amine group (—NH2) of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for sealing a porous dielectric are presented including: receiving a substrate, the substrate including the porous dielectric; exposing the substrate to an organosilane, where the organosilane includes a hydrolysable group for facilitating attachment with the porous dielectric, and where the organosilane does not include an alkyl group; and forming a layer as a result of the exposing to seal the porous dielectric. In some embodiments, methods are presented where the organosilane includes: alkynyl groups, aryl groups, flouroalkyl groups, heteroarlyl groups, alcohol groups, thiol groups, amine groups, thiocarbamate groups, ester groups, ether groups, sulfide groups, and nitrile groups. In some embodiments, method further include: removing contamination from the porous dielectric and a conductive region of the substrate prior to the exposing; and removing contamination from the conductive region after the forming.

Abstract: An improved structure of backside copper metallization for semiconductor devices and a fabrication method thereof, in which the improved structure comprises sequentially from top to bottom an active layer, a substrate, a backside metal seed layer, at least one thermal expansion buffer layer, a backside metal layer, and at least one oxidation resistant layer, in which the backside metal seed layer is formed of Pd, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the thermal expansion buffer layer is in the range between the thermal expansion coefficients of the backside metal seed layer and of the backside metal layer. The semiconductor chip using the structure provided by the present invention can sustain high-temperature operations.

Abstract: A metal interconnect structure, which includes metal alloy capping layers, and a method of manufacturing the same. The originally deposited alloy capping layer element within the interconnect features will diffuse into and segregate onto top surface of the metal interconnect. The metal alloy capping material is deposited on a reflowed copper surface and is not physically in contact with sidewalls of the interconnect features. The metal alloy capping layer is also reflowed on the copper. Thus, there is a reduction in electrical resistivity impact from residual alloy elements in the interconnect structure. That is, there is a reduction, of alloy elements inside the features of the metal interconnect structure. The metal interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer with a recessed line, a liner material on sidewalls, a copper material, an alloy capping layer, and a dielectric cap.

Abstract: Production of a device including: a substrate; multiple components forming an electronic circuit on the substrate; multiple superimposed metal levels of interconnections of the components, wherein the metal levels are located in at least one insulating layer resting on the substrate; and multiple elements made from a positive temperature coefficient conductive polymer material, wherein the elements traverse the insulating layer to a given depth, and are connected to at least one conductive line of a given interconnection level.

Abstract: A nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device with improved characteristics of ohmic contact to an n-electrode and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-electrode, a p-electrode, an n-type compound semiconductor layer, and an active layer and a p-type compound semiconductor layer formed between the n- and p-electrodes. The n-electrode includes: a first electrode layer formed of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Pd, Pt, Ni, Co, Rh, Ir, Fe, Ru, Os, Cu, Ag, and Au; and a second electrode layer formed on the first electrode layer using a conductive material containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Mo, W, Re, Ir, Al, In, Pb, Ni, Rh, Ru, Os, and Au.

Abstract: A contact rhodium structure is fabricated by a process that comprises obtaining a substrate having a dielectric layer thereon, wherein the dielectric layer has cavities therein into which the contact rhodium is to be deposited; depositing a seed layer in the cavities and on the dielectric layer; and depositing the rhodium by electroplating from a bath comprising a rhodium salt; an acid and a stress reducer; and then optionally annealing the structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device which is characterized as follows. The semiconductor device includes: an interlayer insulating film formed above a semiconductor substrate and provided with a hole above an impurity diffusion region; a conductive plug formed in the hole and electrically connected to the impurity diffusion region; a conductive oxygen barrier film formed on the conductive plug and the interlayer insulating film around the conductive plug; a conductive anti-diffusion film formed on the conductive oxygen barrier film; and a capacitor that has a lower electrode which is formed on the conductive anti-diffusion film and which exposes platinum or palladium on the upper surface, a capacitor dielectric film made of a ferroelectric material, and an upper electrode. The conductive anti-diffusion film is made of a non-oxide conductive material for preventing the diffusion of the constituent element of the capacitor dielectric film.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure and methods for forming the same are provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; an opening in the dielectric layer; a conductive line in the opening; a metal alloy layer overlying the conductive line; a first metal silicide layer overlying the metal alloy layer; and a second metal silicide layer different from the first metal silicide layer on the first metal silicide layer. The metal alloy layer and the first and the second metal silicide layers are substantially vertically aligned to the conductive line.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an interconnect structure is provided which includes providing a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 3.0 or less and at least one conductive material embedded therein, the at least one conductive material has an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the dielectric material; and forming a noble metal-containing cap directly on the upper surface of the at least one conductive material, wherein the noble metal cap is discontinuous or non-uniform.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes providing a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 4.0 or less and at least one conductive material embedded therein, the at least one conductive material has an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the dielectric material and the upper surface of the at least one conductive material has hollow-metal related defects that extend inward into the at least one conductive material; and filling the hollow-metal related defects with a surface repair material.

Abstract: An electronic component has a substrate, a die bonding pad provided on an upper surface of the substrate, a semiconductor element bonded onto the die bonding pad by a die bonding resin, a conductive pattern disposed adjacent to the die bonding pad, and a coating member covering the conductive pattern. At least an outer peripheral portion of a surface of the die bonding pad is made of an inorganic material. The inorganic material of the outer peripheral portion is exposed. The die bonding pad and the conductive pattern are separated by an air gap such that the coating member does not come into contact with the die bonding pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating a high-temperature compatible power semiconductor module in which a power semiconductor chip is bonded by means of a diffusion solder layer to a substrate and said substrate is bonded by means of silver sintered layer to a base plate, after which a bonding element is bonded to the top chip metallization. To prevent oxidation of the predefined bond area when producing the diffusion solder layer and the sintered silver layer 4? an anti-oxidation layer is applied to the top chip metallization at least in the region of the predefined bond area.

Abstract: A noble metal layer is formed using ozone (O3) as a reaction gas.

Abstract: Reliability of a semiconductor element and its product yield are improved by reducing variations in the electrical characteristic of a metal silicide layer. After forming a nickel-platinum alloy film over a semiconductor substrate, by carrying out a first thermal treatment at a thermal treatment temperature of 210 to 310° C. using a heater heating device, the technique causes the nickel-platinum alloy film and silicon to react with each other to form a platinum-added nickel silicide layer in a (PtNi)2Si phase. After removing unreacted nickel-platinum alloy film, the technique carries out a second thermal treatment having the thermal treatment temperature higher than that of the first thermal treatment to form the platinum-added nickel silicide layer in a PtNiSi phase. The temperature rise rate of each thermal treatment is set to 10° C./s or more.

Abstract: In a resistance change memory (ReRAM) storing data by utilizing change in resistance of a resistance change element, a lower electrode (ground-side electrode) of the resistance change element is formed of a transition metal such as Ni, and an upper electrode (positive polarity-side electrode) is configured of a noble metal such as Pt. In addition, a transition metal oxide film between the lower electrode and the upper electrode is formed of an oxide film (NiOx film) of a transition metal that is of the same kind as the transition metal constituting the lower electrode, for example.

Abstract: Noble metal may be used as a non-oxidizing diffusion barrier to prevent diffusion from copper lines. A diffusion barrier may be formed of a noble metal formed over an adhesion promoting layer or by a noble metal cap over an oxidizable diffusion barrier. The copper lines may also be covered with a noble metal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a multilayer interconnection including a copper interconnection film formed in a predetermined area within an insulating film, a liner film, and a high-melting-point metal film. The copper interconnection film is polycrystalline, and crystal grains occupying 40% or more of an area of a unit interconnection surface among crystal grains forming the polycrystal are oriented to (111) in a substrate thickness direction. The copper interconnection film has crystal conformity with the noble metal liner film. In a case where the high-melting-point metal film is formed of Ti and the noble metal liner film is a Ru film, the high-melting-point metal of Ti dissolves into Ru in a solid state to form the noble metal liner. Thus, a copper interconnection is formed with both of Cu diffusion barrier characteristics and Cu crystal conformity.

Abstract: A method is provided for integrating metal-containing cap layers into copper (Cu) metallization of semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a planarized patterned substrate containing metal surfaces and dielectric layer surfaces with a residue formed thereon, removing the residue from the planarized patterned substrate, and depositing metal-containing cap layers selectively on the metal surfaces by exposing the dielectric layer surfaces and the metal surfaces to a deposition gas containing metal-containing precursor vapor. The removing includes treating the planarized patterned substrate containing the residue with a reactant gas containing a hydrophobic functional group, and exposing the treated planarized patterned substrate to a reducing gas.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate in which a first interlayer insulation layer having a first via hole and a first trench is formed. The semiconductor device also includes a first via plug and a first metal line respectively formed by filling the first via hole and the first trench with a first metal, a predetermined scratch being formed on the first metal line; and a second via plug a second metal line respectively formed by filling a second via hole and a second trench with a second metal, the second metal lines being separated.