Abstract: A method or utilizing electroless copper deposition to selectively form encapsulated copper plugs to connect conductive regions on a semiconductor. A via opening in an inter-level dielectric (ILD) provides a path for connecting two conductive regions separated by the ILD. Once the underlying metal layer is exposed by the via opening, a SiN or SiON dielectric encapsulation layer is formed along the sidewalls of the via. Then, a contact displacement technique is used to form a thin activation layer of copper on a barrier metal, such as TiN, which is present as a covering layer on the underlying metal layer. After the contact displacement of copper on the barrier layer at the bottom of the via, an electroless copper deposition technique is then used to auto-catalytically deposit copper in the via. The electroless copper deposition continues until the via is almost filled, but leaving sufficient room at the top in order to form an upper encapsulation layer.

Abstract: A technique for utilizing an electric field to initiate electroless deposition of a material to form layers and/or structures on a semiconductor wafer. The wafer is disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode and disposed so that its deposition surface faces the positive electrode. A conductive surface on the wafer is then subjected to an electroless copper deposition solution. When copper is the conductive material being deposited, positive copper ions in the solution are repelled by the positive electrode and attracted by the negatively charged wafer surface. Once physical contact is made, the copper ions dissipate their charges by accepting electrons from the conductive surface, thereby forming copper atoms on the surface. The deposited copper have the catalytic properties so that when a reductant in the solution is absorbed at the copper sites and then oxidized, additional electrons are released into the conductive surface.

Abstract: Reduction of reflection from an integrated circuit substrate during exposure of a photoresist layer on a surface such as an integrated circuit wafer is minimized by incorporating an antireflective coating between the photoresist layer and the integrated circuit substrate. The antireflective layer, after exposure and development of the photoresist layer, is preferably removed by exposing the non-masked antireflective layer to activating radiation while heating the coating to induce a solubilizing reaction in an antireflective coating and a curing reaction in an overlying photoresist mask. Thereafter, the exposed portions of the antireflective layer are removed by treatment with a suitable developer.

Abstract: A method of using additives with silica-based slurries to enhance metal selectivity in polishing metallic materials utilizing a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process. Additives are used with silica-based slurries to passivate a dielectric surface, such as a silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) surface, of a semiconductor wafer so that dielectric removal rate is reduced when CMP is applied. The additive is comprised of at least a polar component and an apolar component. The additive interacts with the surface silanol group of the SiO.sub.2 surface to inhibit particles of the silica-based slurry from interacting with hydroxyl molecules of the surface silanol group. By applying a surface passivation layer on the SiO.sub.2 surface, erosion of the SiO.sub.2 surface is reduced. However, the metallic surface is not influenced significantly by the additive, so that the selectivity of metal removal over oxide removal is enhanced.

Abstract: A tri-polar electrostatic chuck has both positive and negative electrodes housed on a non-polarized base housing. A non-polarized guard ring surrounds the outer periphery of the chuck and enclosing the electrodes. A wafer is placed atop the chuck with its back-side cooled by a cooling gas that is piped up through the chuck. The edge of the wafer is made to reside over the guard ring, instead of over one of the polarized electrodes. The proximity of the non-polarized guard ring to the wafer edge helps to reduce the amount of plasma leakage around the edge of the wafer, resulting in less breakdown of the dielectric coating of the chuck. The positioning of the electrodes also provides for a uniform impedance across the processing surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A pulsed-force CMP scheme allows for the down force holding a wafer onto a pad to cycle periodically between minimum and maximum values. When the force is near its minimum value, slurry flows into the space between the wafer and the pad. When the force is near its maximum value, slurry is squeezed out allowing for the abrasive action of the pad surface to erode wafer surface features.

Abstract: Liquid nitrogen is introduced onto a surface of a semiconductor wafer to remove submicron particles from its surface. LN.sub.2 flows across the wafer surface wherein the surface tension of the liquid collects contaminant particles and removes them off the edge of the wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the endpoint of an etch during semiconductor fabrication is provided. The endpoint detection system utilizes a mass spectrometer having an energy source located outside the vacuum chamber of the endpoint detection system, thus providing an easily replaceable energy source. The energy source may be a light source to provide photo-ionization. The energy source may be selected based upon the gas species of the etch of which an endpoint as being detected. The energy is directed into an ionization chamber of the endpoint detection system through a transparent window.

Abstract: An attenuated phase shifting mask has absorbers embedded (buried) in the mask substrate, instead of on the surface of the substrate. The buried absorbers allow for controlling attenuation and phase shifting parameters. The material composition and the thickness of the absorber regions determine the amount of attenuation that is to be achieved, as well as phase shifting in some instances. In other instances, offset distances of the absorbers from the surface of the mask control the phase shift. Light scattering and diffraction is reduced or eliminated by having the absorbers below the surface of the mask. By reducing light scattering and distortion, the mask of the present invention allows for PSM lithography techniques to be extended to ranges of shorter wavelength.

Abstract: A point of use slurry dispensing system with controls for dilution, temperature and oxidizer/etchant/additive infusion. A slurry in unmixed form and a diluting agent are independently pumped to a pad on a CMP tool. Liquid heaters are used to heat the slurry and the diluting agent to a desirable temperature. The actual mixing occurs at the point of use on the pad or in a dispensing line just prior to the point of use. In some instances a third independent distribution line is used to dispense an oxidizer, etchant and/or chemical additive at or near the point of use.

Abstract: Hotelling's T.sup.2 statistical analysis and control is used to provide multivariate analysis of components of an RF spectra for real time, in-situ control of an ongoing semiconductor process. An algorithm calculates the T.sup.2 value which is then used to generate a feedback signal, if the T.sup.2 value is out of range, to indicate an out-of-tolerance condition.

Abstract: A globally planarized binary optical mask has absorbers embedded (buried) in the mask substrate, instead of on the surface of the mask. Light scattering at rough vertical edges of absorbers of prior art masks are reduced or eliminated. Also, due to the buried nature of the absorbers, a triple singularity point encountered in prior art masks at the interface of three environments of quartz, absorber and air, no longer exists. The buried absorbers have an offset distance from the surface of the substrate so that with a minimum effective offset distance, defects and contaminants at the surface of the mask are no longer in the image plane, wherein alleviating a need for a pellicle to protect the mask surface. By reducing light scattering and distortion, the mask of the present invention allows for conventional optical lithography to be extended to ranges of shorter wavelength.

Abstract: A RF sensor for monitoring voltage, current and phase angle of a RF signal being coupled to a plasma reactor. Outputs from the sensor are used to calculate various properties of the plasma. These values are then utilized to characterize the process and/or used to provide feedback for in-situ control of an ongoing plasma process.

Abstract: A multi-layer PSM structure with multi-layer optical coating disposed between a quartz substrate and a surrounding medium, which typically is air. The multi-layer coating is comprised of a high index of refraction material overlying the quartz and a lower index of refraction material overlying the first. The multi-layer coating essentially functions as an anti-reflective coating to reduce scattering and reflection at the interface boundaries.

Abstract: The present invention describes a technique to control the radial profile of microwave power in an ECR plasma discharge. In order to provide for a uniform plasma density to a specimen, uniform energy absorption by the plasma is desired. By controlling the radial profile of the microwave power transmitted through the microwave window of a reactor, the profile of the transmitted energy to the plasma can be controlled in order to have uniform energy absorption by the plasma. An advantage of controlling the profile using the window transmission characteristics is that variations to the radial profile of microwave power can be made without changing the microwave coupler or reactor design.

Abstract: A RF sensor for monitoring voltage, current and phase angle of a RF signal being coupled to a plasma reactor. Outputs from the sensor are used to calculate various properties of the plasma. These values are then utilized to characterize the process and/or used to provide feedback for in-situ control of an ongoing plasma process.

Abstract: Liquid nitrogen is introduced onto a surface of a semiconductor wafer to remove submicron particles from its surface. LN.sub.2 flows across the wafer surface wherein the surface tension of the liquid collects contaminant particles and removes them off the edge of the wafer.

Abstract: A feedback control system for providing automated control of multi-component chemical concentrations in a hydrogen peroxide/ammonia (SC-1) aqueous bath or in a hydrogen peroxide/hydrochloric (SC-2) aqueous bath used for semiconductor processing. A sample from the liquid bath is routed to two sensors. Three separate schemes for determining concentrations of the two chemicals in the bath are provided by the selection of one of three separate pairs of sensors. A processor is used to monitor and control the chemical makeup of the bath.

Abstract: A method of fabricating phase shifters with absorbing or attenuating sidewalls in order to inhibit or prevent light scattering at quartz-air interfaces. A quartz substrate is patterned and trenches are formed to provide "shifters". A metal film layer is formed along sidewalls of the trenches to provide the light absorbing characteristics. In one technique, the conformal metal layer is anisotropically etched while in another the metal layer is removed along with the photoresist by a lift-off technique.

Abstract: A phase shifting mask has phase shifters in which the sidewalls of the shifters are coated with a light absorbing or attenuating material. The light absorption at the sidewalls reduces the edges scattering and improves the resolution by obtaining similar transmission profiles from phase shifted and unshifted regions of the PSM.