Abstract: A method of making Copper alloys containing between 0.01 and 10 weight percent of at least one alloying element selected from carbon, indium and tin is disclosed for improved electromigration resistance, low resistivity and good corrosion resistance that can be used in chip and package interconnections and conductors by first forming the copper alloy and then annealing it to cause the diffusion of the alloying element toward the grain boundaries between the grains in the alloy are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a copper interconnect structure, using a low resistivity Cu.sub.3 Ge intermetallic layer, as an adhesive layer, has been developed. Following an in situ, CVD of a titanium nitride barrier layer, a germanium layer, and a copper layer, an anneal procedure is used to form the Cu.sub.3 Ge intermetallic layer, with the intermetallic layer, located between the underlying titanium nitride barrier layer, and the overlying copper layer. The Cu.sub.3 Ge intermetallic layer can also be formed in situ, during deposition, if the deposition temperature exceeds 150.degree. C. Cu.sub.3 Ge layer exhibits a resistivity of about 5E-6 ohm - cm. A second iteration of this invention allows a thick copper layer to be plated on a thin copper seed layer, only on the top surface of a semiconductor substrate. This iteration, also incorporating the low resistivity, Cu.sub.3 Ge intermetallic, and the adhesive layer, prevents copper from being plated on the beveled edge of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The intermetallic compound used to form a liner in the wiring of the semiconductor device is formed from a compound of a main component of the metal film used as the wiring and at least one metal material made to be dissolved in the main component to form a solid solution, or from a compound of at least two metal materials capable of forming a solid solution with the main component. The metal elements constituting the intermetallic compound are made to be dissolved in the metal film to form a solid solution during a heat treatment, and thus the barrier formed by the liner, which has been a problem studied to be solved, can be absent. Therefore, a semiconductor device excellent in resistance against electromigration and a highly reliable wiring process can be obtained.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing method of forming a conductively doped semiconductive material plug within a contact opening includes, a) providing a node location and a plug molding layer outwardly thereof; b) providing a contact opening through the plug molding layer to the node location; c) providing a first layer of semiconductive material over the molding layer to within the contact opening, the first layer thickness being less than one-half the contact opening width to leave a first remaining opening, the first layer having an average conductivity enhancing dopant concentration from 0 atoms/cm.sup.3 to about 5.times.10.sup.18 atoms/cm.sup.3 ; d) after providing the first layer, increasing the average conductivity enhancing dopant concentration of the first layer to greater than or equal to about 1.times.10.sup.19 atoms/cm.sup.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for filling voids in a substrate with a desired material to form conductive components and/or other features on the substrate. In one embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a substrate with voids is covered with a first layer of material and then a second layer of material is formed on top of the first layer. The first layer is deformable at a deformation temperature, while the second layer has a higher yield strength than the first layer and is substantially non-deformable at the deformation temperature. The second layer, for example, may be a rigid and/or substantially incompressible layer that distributes a driving force to the first layer. The second layer is then pressed against the first layer at a temperature equal to or greater than the deformation temperature to drive portions of the first layer into the voids in the substrate.

Abstract: A platinum film, which is used as a bottom electrode for a capacitor in a DRAM cell or a non-volatile ferroelectric memory cell, is formed in two separate processes, wherein a first thickness platinum part thereof is deposited under an inert gas atmosphere, and the second thickness platinum part is deposited under an atmosphere containing oxygen, nitrogen and/or a mixture thereof as well as an inert gas. The platinum film is annealed under a vacuum atmosphere to remove the oxygen an/or nitrogen introduced during the deposition of the second thickness platinum part. The annealed platinum film prevents formation of an oxide on a functional intermediate film such as a diffusion barrier layer or an adhesion layer, which is provided below the bottom electrode of platinum film.

Abstract: A method and a resulting device for mounting a semiconductor to a submount by depositing a first layer of a first metal solder having a selected first melting point and corresponding thickness onto a surface of the semiconductor. Depositing a second layer of a second metal solder having a selected second melting point higher than the first melting point and a corresponding selected thickness onto a surface of the submount. Disposing the semiconductor surface and submount surface in confronting intimate contact and heating the submount and semiconductor to a temperature greater than the first temperature and lower that the second temperature for initiating and promoting liquid interdiffusion between the first and second solders.

Abstract: A process for preparing a semiconductor device using a dielectric thin film includes the steps of forming a first electrode on a base plate; forming a dielectric film on the first electrode, the dielectric film including a Perovskite structure oxide; forming a second electrode on the dielectric film; and annealing the first and second electrodes so that metal components of the first and second electrodes are oxidized and diffused into a crystal system of the dielectric film.

Abstract: A CVD process for Ti--Si--N or Ti--B--N films wherein a single feed gas (preferably TDMAT) serves as the source for titanium and nitrogen, and another feed gas is used as the source for silicon or boron. This avoids gas-phase particulate nucleation while providing good conformality. When the required thickness has been deposited, the silicon or boron feed gas continues to flow for some time after the titanium/nitrogen or titanium/boron source gas has been turned off. This results in a Ti--N film with a Si-rich or B-rich surface, which is conformal and has a low defect density. In a second embodiment, a single feed gas, such as TDMAT, is thermally decomposed to form a Ti--N layer. A post-deposition anneal is performed in a gas which supplies silicon or boron, incorporating these materials into the layer. The incorporation of silicon or boron into the layer minimizes the absorption of oxygen into the films, and therefore stabilizes the resulting films.

Abstract: A method for flip-chip bonding an integrated circuit die to a substrate. The method includes the steps of providing the integrated circuit die with at least one gold bump, forming a barrier layer on the gold bump, forming a bronzing agent on the barrier layer, and providing the substrate with at least one conductive bonding area, which is also covered with gold. The bronzing agent on the integrated circuit die is then aligned on the conductive bonding area, and a compression force is applied to the die and substrate so as to establish contact between the bronzing agent and the conductive bonding area. While maintaining position between the gold bump and conductive bonding area, the structure is alloyed such that the bronzing agent and the gold on the conductive bonding area form an intermetallic compound, thereby forming a bond between the die and the substrate. The barrier layer functions to prevent the bronzing agent from diffusing with the gold bump.

Abstract: A method of forming electrical conductors having sub-half-micron geometries and using a high yield process is described. Trenches provided with an overhang are positioned where a metal interconnection is to be formed. A composite insulator layer is deposited and is followed by laterally filling with metal the trench under the overhang. Excess metal is then chem-mech polished. Only the non-crucial neck of the metal wiring is left exposed during polishing. Since spacing between the exposed metal lines is increased, it requires longer distances for the metal to smear and cause unwanted shorts. Three methods are described to laterally fill the trenches under the overhang. A first method describes the process parameters to achieve lateral deposition by high surface mobility and low sticking coefficient. A second method teaches a technique of inducing micro-creep to laterally fill the trenches under the overhang.

Abstract: The present relates to a method of fabricating wiring structures which contain a continuous, single crystalline conductive material extending through the structure. This is achieved in the present invention by utilizing an open-bottomed via liner structure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate with doped regions, a patterned polysilicon layer defining contacts and local interconnects, a submetal dielectric, a two-metal layer metal interconnect structure with an intermetal dielectric layer, and a passivation layer. Like the dielectric layers, the passivation layer is optically transparent, thick, and planarized. Because of this, laser energy can be directed through the passivation layer to fuse two conductors of the top metal layer without delaminating the passivation layer. In addition, laser energy is directed through the passivation layer and the intermetal dielectric to fuse pairs of conductors in the lower metal layer. Thus, the present invention provides for reliable convenient circuit modification without disturbing dielectric and exposing metal features to moisture and other contaminants.

Abstract: A fluxless method for fusing preformed solder balls to contact pads on a semiconductor package substrate wherein a masking plate having one or more vertical holes corresponding to the contact pads is placed over the package substrate, oxide-free solder balls are placed in the holes, the assembly is preheated to a temperature less than the melting point of the solder, and an energetic beam is directed onto the preformed solder balls to melt them and fuse them to the contact pads.

Abstract: The method of this invention produces a silicide region on a silicon body that is useful for a variety of purposes, including the reduction of the electrical contact resistance to the silicon body or an integrated electronic device formed thereon. The invented method includes the steps of producing an amorphous region on the silicon body using ion implantation, for example, forming or positioning a metal such as titanium, cobalt or nickel in contact with the amorphous region, and irradiating the metal with intense light from a laser source, for example, to cause metal atoms to diffuse into the amorphous region. The amorphous region thus becomes an alloy region with the desired silicide composition. Upon cooling after irradiation, the alloy region becomes partially crystalline. To convert the alloy region into a more crystalline form, the invented method preferably includes a step of treating the alloy region using rapid thermal annealing, for example.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing and mounting a semiconductor device in which a void in a bonding portion is eliminated. A material which is to be formed into a protruding electrode is placed on a semiconductor element. The protruding electrode material is heated in a depressurized atmosphere so as to be melted. Then, the protruding electrode material is heated in a pressurized atmosphere which provides a pressure greater than a pressure in said depressurized atmosphere. Finally, the protruding electrode material is cooled so as to be solidified while the pressurized atmosphere is maintained. The semiconductor device is mounted to a mount board after a surface layer is electroplated on an electrode of the mount board.

Abstract: A process for metallizing semiconductor devices is provided, wherein a plurality of aluminum contacts is formed. The plurality of aluminum contacts is at least partially nitrided in a nitrogen-containing plasma at a temperature of less than about 350.degree. C. The aluminum nitride layer or cap is capable of eliminating aluminum corrosion without affecting the electrical properties of the aluminum contacts.

Abstract: A process wherein a Au layer 3 and a Sn layer 5 are laminated on a barrier layer 8 which is formed on an optical circuit substrate 1. An Au layer 5 having a predetermined thickness is formed on the laminated layers as a top layer. A junction portion 2 is constituted of these layers. An electrode layer of an optical semiconductor element 9 is made to contact with the top Au layer 5 and the optical semiconductor element 9 is pressed to the optical circuit substrate 1. Then, by heating, the optical semiconductor element 9 is joined on the optical circuit substrate. A weight % of Au and Sn in the junction portion 2 of the optical circuit substrate 1 is about 80%:20% before the joining. The electrode layer is formed as a thin Au layer. The optical circuit substrate 1 is heated at a temperature of 280.degree. C. or more such that the Au layer and the Sn layer are melted and is cooled such that Au and Sn are solidified.

Abstract: A wiring structure of semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same which fills up a contact hole of below one half micron. An insulating layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a contact hole or a via hole is formed in the insulating layer. On the insulating layer, a first metal is deposited via a CVD method to form a CVD metal layer or a CVD metal plug filling up the contact hole. Then, the thus-obtained CVD metal layer or the CVD metal plug is heat-treated in a vacuum at a high temperature below the melting point of the first metal, thereby planarizing the surface thereof the CVD metal layer. A second metal is deposited via a sputtering method on the CVD metal layer or on the CVD metal plug to thereby form a sputtered metal layer. The contact hole is filled up with the first metal by the CVD method and then a reliable sputtered metal layer is deposited via a sputtering method. The wiring layer can be used for the semiconductor device of the next generation.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a first and a second insulator film and a first and a second conductive layer held to the first and said second insulator films, respectively. The first insulator film is formed to have a first wiring trench along an upper surface of the first insulator film and a first through hole extending from the first wiring trench to a lower surface of the first insulator film. A first conductive material is deposited on the upper surface of the first insulator film to fill the first wiring trench and the first through hole. Thereafter, the first conductive material is partially removed to have an upper surface coplanar with the upper surface of the first insulator film. As a result, the first conductive material becomes the first wiring layer. Next, the second insulator film and the second wiring layer are formed in the manner which is similar to that of forming the first insulator film and the first wiring layer.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a vacuum enclosure for a semiconductor device formed on a substrate with leads extending peripherally. Assembly of the enclosure is compatible with known batch fabrication techniques and is carried out at pressures required for optimal device operation. In a first embodiment, an intrinsic silicon shell is sealed to the substrate via electrostatic or anodic bonding with the leads diffusing into the shell. In a second embodiment, a thin interface layer of silicon or polysilicon is deposited on the substrate prior to electrostatic bonding a glass shell thereon. In a third embodiment, tunnels are formed between a lower peripheral edge of the shell and the substrate, allowing leads to pass thereunder. The tunnels are sealed by a dielectric material applied over the enclosure.

Abstract: An improved contact hole plug and method are disclosed, the plug connecting a first conductive layer to a second conductive layer which is insulated from the first conductive layer. The contact hole plug may be formed using the steps of: (1) forming a first conductive layer consisting of a multi-layer metal (2) forming an inter-layer insulating film, and a contact hole therein; and (3) carrying out a rapid heat treatment which causes an alloy reaction in the multi-layer metal, and the resulting alloy expands to form a plug in the contact hole. The rapid heat treatment may be accomplished with a heat treatment furnace or a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process at a temperature of 300.degree.-600.degree. C. for about 30 seconds (RTA) or 30 minutes (heating furnace).

Abstract: A method for forming a contact between a conductive layer and a portion of the substrate during manufacture of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: (a) covering a semiconductor substrate with an insulating layer, and forming a contact hole on the portion where a contact is to be formed; (b) forming a metal layer on the whole surface of the substrate, and implanting positive ions into the metal layer; and (c) heat-treating the whole substrate so as to form a silicide layer. The metals used are those which can react with silicon to form a silicide, and may be selected from high melting point metals including Co, Ti, Ta, Ni, Mo, and Hf. The ions used are ions including H+ or halogen element ions, and a heat treatment is carried out so that the implanted positive ions may spread on/in the grain boundaries, or that the positive ions may bond with dangling bonds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing material to conformally cover or fill holes within the surface of a semiconductor substrate. The preferred method includes the steps of coherently depositing a first thickness of the material onto the surface of the substrate; reverse sputtering the deposited material so as to coat the sidewalls of the contact holes with the deposited material; after the first thickness of the material is deposited onto the surface of the substrate, depositing a second thickness of the material onto the surface of the substrate; and while depositing the second thickness of the material onto the surface of the substrate, heating the substrate to enhance reflow of the material being deposited.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention an antifuse structure capable of high density fabrication comprises an antifuse material layer under a plug of an electrically conductive material disposed between two metallization layers. According to a second aspect of the present invention an antifuse structure capable of high density fabrication comprises an antifuse material layer comprising a first nitride/first amorphous silicon/second nitride/second amorphous silicon sandwich under a plug of an electrically conductive material lined with titanium disposed between two metallization layers. In this aspect of the invention the titanium is allowed to react with the second amorphous silicon layer to form an electrically conductive silicide. This leaves the first nitride/first amorphous silicon/second nitride as the antifuse material layer while guaranteeing a strict control on the thickness of the antifuse material layer for assuring strict control over its respective breakdown or programming voltage.

Abstract: A process for producing components having a contact structure provides for vertical contact-making, in which, for the connection of a metal contact of a first component to a metal contact of a second component, the substrate is etched out, starting from the top, in a region provided for a vertical, conductive connection, this recess is filled with a metal so that said metal is connected to the surface of the metal contact, the rear side of the substrate is removed until the metal projects beyond the rear side, a metallization layer made of a metal having a low melting point, for example AuIn, is applied to the metal contact of the second component, the surface of the second component is provided with a planar layer, the two components are arranged vertically with respect to one another and a permanent contact is produced between the metal of the first component and the metallization layer of the second component by pressing one onto the other and heating.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing method of forming a conductively doped semiconductive material plug within a contact opening includes, a) providing a node location and a plug molding layer outwardly thereof; b) providing a contact opening through the plug molding layer to the node location; c) providing a first layer of semiconductive material over the molding layer to within the contact opening, the first layer thickness being less than one-half the contact opening width to leave a first remaining opening, the first layer having an average conductivity enhancing dopant concentration from 0 atoms/cm.sup.3 to about 5.times.10.sup.18 atoms/cm.sup.3 ; d) after providing the first layer, increasing the average conductivity enhancing dopant concentration of the first layer to greater than or equal to about 1.times.10.sup.19 atoms/cm.sup.

Abstract: A process for forming an integrated circuit structure is described wherein individual integrated circuit devices such as MOS or bipolar transistors are constructed on and in a semiconductor substrate and one or more layers of metal interconnects are constructed on and in a second substrate, preferably of similar thickness, and the two substrates are then aligned and bonded together to thereby provide electrical interconnections of individual integrated circuit devices on the semiconductor substrate with appropriate metal interconnects on the second substrate to provide the desired integrated circuit structure.

Abstract: After a contact hole is formed in an insulating film covering the surface of a semiconductor substrate, a Ti layer and a TiON (or TiN) layer are sequentially formed on the insulating film. On the TiON layer an Al alloy layer 18 containing Si is formed, and a reflow thermal treatment is performed after or during the formation of the Al alloy layer in order to improve step coverage. During this thermal treatment, Si nodules are generated. After a Ti layer is formed on the reflowed Al alloy layer, an annealing thermal treatment is performed for 120 seconds at a temperature of 450.degree. to 500.degree. C. With this thermal treatment, Si of Si nodules is absorbed in the Ti layer so that Si nodules are reduced or extinguished. After an antireflection TiN (or TiON) layer is formed on the Ti layer, wiring patterns are formed by using resist patterns as a mask. Since Si nodules are extinguished, wiring resistance can be reduced and an etching time can be shortened.

Abstract: A process for forming aluminum interconnect structures has been developed, that concentrates on alleviating the effects of the poor step coverage of the interconnect metallization, that develops in areas where aluminum overlies tungsten filled contact holes. A high pressure treatment of the aluminum based metallization layer is performed at pressures in the range of 50 to 120 Mega-pascal, to improve the coverage of the aluminum based layer, specifically in seams or voids in the underlying tungsten plugs.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal layer including the steps of heat treating a semiconductor substrate for a predetermined time at an intermediate temperature between 200.degree. C. and 400.degree. C., then depositing the metal layer on the semiconductor substrate at a temperature below 200.degree. C., in a vacuum, then thermally treating the metal layer at a temperature between 0.6 Tm-1.0 Tm (where Tm is the melting point of the metal layer), without breaking the vacuum, thereby reflowing the grains of the metal layer, and then gradually cooling the metal layer. Alternatively, the intermediate heat-treatment step can be performed after the metal layer is thermally treated, in which case, the metal layer should thereafter be rapidly cooled.

Abstract: A manufacturable method for forming a highly reliable electrical interconnection. An electrical interconnection pattern is first formed in a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate as recessed regions in the dielectric layer. Sidewalls containing a material which wets copper are then formed against the walls within the recessed regions. A conductive layer primarily comprising copper is thereafter deposited over the surface and in the recessed regions of the dielectric layer. The conductive layer is then reflowed to fill the recessed regions of the dielectric layer with substantially no void formation.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to the present invention, includes the steps of forming a polycrystal lower-level Al wiring layer on a silicon substrate, forming an interlayer insulation film for covering the lower-level Al wiring layer on the entire surface, forming a connection hole which reaches the lower-level Al wiring layer in the interlayer insulation film, forming a polycrystal upper-level Al wiring layer on a surface of the interlayer insulation film, forming an interlayer insulation film for covering the upper-level Al wiring layer on the entire surface, and forming a single-crystal lower-level Al wiring layer and upper-layer Al wiring layer which are connected to each other in the connection hole by heating the silicon substrate so that the lower-level Al wiring layer and the upper-level Al wiring layer are converted from a polycrystal phase to an amorphous phase, and then cooling the silicon substrate so that the upper-level Al wiring layer is set in a supercooling st