Abstract: An aluminum interconnection of the invention contains scandium as an impurity, so that the hardness of the interconnection is improved. Moreover, after a thin Al--Sc alloy film is formed, an annealing is performed so as to make the crystal grain larger than the width of the interconnection. The resulting Al interconnection has a high resistance against a stressmigration or electromigration, when a current stress is applied at a practical temperature in an LSI. This greatly contributes to the fabrication of a semiconductor device having a fine structure.

Abstract: The semiconductor connecting device comprises a first conductive layer to be connected electrically; an insulating film covering the first conductive layer in such a way as to expose a predetermined portion of the first conductive layer, resulting in forming a contact hole; a conductive material pad formed in the contact hole so as to be connected with the first conductive layer, extending in a limited way over the upper surface of the insulating film; a second conductive layer formed on the extended conductive material pad, being connected with the first conductive layer; an etching barrier material formed on said conductive material pad of said contact hole and a part of the extending region, said second conductive layer being formed on the region both of said conductive material pad which is not covered with said etching barrier material and which is covered by said etching barrier material.

Abstract: A method for forming air gaps 22 between metal leads 16 of a semiconductor device. A metal layer is deposited on a substrate 12. The metal layer is etched to form metal leads 16, exposing portions of the substrate 12. A disposable liquid 18 is deposited on the metal leads 16 and the exposed portions of substrate 12, and a top portion of the disposable liquid 18 is removed to lower the disposable liquid 18 to at least the tops of the leads 16. A porous silica precursor film 20 is deposited on the disposable liquid 18 and over the tops of the leads 16. The porous silica precursor film 20 is gelled to form a low-porosity silica film 24. The disposable liquid 18 is removed through the low-porosity silica film 24 to form air gaps 22 between metal leads 16 beneath the low-porosity silica film 24. The air gaps 22 have a low dielectric constant and result in reduced capacitance between the metal leads and decreased power consumption.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming at least one raised metallic contact on an electrical circuit. Generally, this method includes the following steps: providing a composite base substrate which is defined by at least a first conductive layer, a dielectric material and a second conductive layer; removing a portion of the first conductive layer to expose the dielectric material; removing the exposed portion of the dielectric material to the second conductive layer, thereby forming a depression; depositing at least one layer of conductive material on at least side wall portions of the depression; removing the second conductive layer; and completely removing the dielectric material to said first conductive layer thereby forming a raised metallic contact which extends perpendicularly away from the first conductive layer.

Abstract: In an aparatus for forming an aluminum thin film, or an aluminum alloy thin film useful to an interconnecting material of an electronic device, there are provided:a processing chamber capable of keeping a vacuum condition therein;a substrate holder mounted within said processing chamber, for holding a substrate and performing a temperature adjustment;a first temperature adjusting mechanism for performing the temperature adjustment of said substrate via said substrate holder;a gas conducting mechanism for conducting a predetermined gas into said processing chamber;an exhausting mechanism for exhausting an interior of said processing chamber;a distributing plate provided within said processing chamber, for uniformly supplying said predetermined gas to a surface of said substrate; whereby a part of element consisting said predetermined gas is deposited on the surface of said substrate; anda second temperature adjusting mechanism for adjusting the temperature of said distributing plate.

Abstract: A conductive layer in a semiconductor device is protected against chemical attack by a photoresist developer by forming a protective film overlying the conductive layer. The protective film is formed using a chemical reaction that occurs through defects in a passivation layer that was previously formed overlying the conductive layer. The chemical reaction substantially occurs at the surface of the conductive layer and chemically converts portions thereof in forming the protective film. Preferably, the conductive layer is aluminum or an alloy thereof containing copper and/or silicon, and the protective film is aluminum oxide formed on the aluminum layer to protect it from corrosion by tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH). The passivation layer is TiN, and the chemical reaction used is oxidation of the aluminum layer through defects in the overlying TiN layer by placing in an ozone asher.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnection in a contact hole having a high aspect ratio, which is capable of certainly forming a barrier layer metal layer and burying a blanket W film in the contact hole without generation of any void. A Ti film is deposited in a contact hole by sputtering using a sputter system having a collimator plate and an oxidation preventive TiN thin film is deposited thereon by reactive sputtering using the same sputter system having the collimator plate. Next, a titanium silicide layer is formed by a first heat-treatment and a TiN film is formed by a second heat-treatment. Finally, a blanket W film is deposited by CVD to be buried in the contact hole.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device according to this invention, a first insulating film formed on only a pattern formation conductive film on a semiconductor substrate and having a reflectance which is 25% or more and periodically changes in accordance with a change in film thickness of the first insulating film is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A second insulating film having a reflectance which is 25% or more and periodically changes in accordance with a change in film thickness and having a refractive index different from that of the first insulating film is formed on only the first insulating film. A total reflectance of the first and second insulating films is less than 25%. A photosensitive film is formed on the second insulating film and exposed through a reticle to form a predetermined pattern. Etching is performed using the photosensitive film having this pattern to form a conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor devices with a passivated surface includes providing a contact layer on a substrate so as to define an inter-electrode surface area. A first layer and an insulating layer, which are selectively etchable relative to each other and to the substrate and the contact layer, are deposited on the contact layer and the inter-electrode surface area. The insulating layer and the first layer are individually and selectively etched to define an electrode contact area and to expose the inter-electrode surface area. The exposed inter-electrode surface area is passivated, either subsequent to or during the etching of the first layer. A metal contact is formed in the electrode contact area in abutting engagement with the insulating layer so as to seal the inter-electrode surface area.

Abstract: A method for fabricating small contact openings in the polysilicon/metal 1 dielectric (PMD) layer on semiconductor substrates using polymer sidewall spacers was achieved. This extends the current photoresist resolution limits while simplifying the manufacturing process. The method involves depositing a polysilicon layer on the PMD layer and using a photoresist mask having openings over device contact areas in the substrate. The polysilicon layer is then patterned to form openings with vertical sidewalls to the PMD insulating layer. The contact openings are then anisotropically plasma etched in a gas mixture that simultaneously forms polymer sidewall spacers on the sidewalls in the openings in the polysilicon layer. These sidewall spacers further reduce the contact opening size. The remaining photoresist layer and polymer sidewall spacers are simultaneously removed to complete the narrow contact openings. This method eliminates the need to use an additional deposition and etch-back step to form the sidewalls.

Abstract: A new method of forming controlled voids within the intermetal dielectric and within the passivation layer of an integrated circuit is achieved. A first layer of patterned metallization is provided over semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate. An intermetal dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first patterned metal layer wherein the thickness of the intermetal dielectric layer is large enough so as to cause the formation of voids within the intermetal dielectric and wherein said voids are completely covered by said intermetal dielectric. A second layer of metallization is deposited over the intermetal dielectric and patterned. A passivation layer is deposited overlying the second patterned metal layer. The thickness of the passivation layer is large enough so as to cause the formation of voids within the passivation layer wherein said voids are completely covered by said passivation layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device or a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a field effect transistor having a source region, a drain region and a channel regions formed within a semiconductor substrate. A lower wiring is formed on the semiconductor substrate to form a gate electrode and its extension and oxidized to form an oxide film covering the lower wiring. An upper wiring is formed over the lower wiring on the semiconductor substrate to make contact with the drain or source region. The lower wiring is electrically insulated from the upper wiring by the oxide film.

Abstract: A wiring pattern is formed on an insulating film provided on one major surface of a semiconductor substrate. Then, a first dielectric film covering the wiring pattern is formed. A second dielectric film is formed on the first dielectric film by coating and baking. Then, the second dielectric film is etched until at least a part of the first dielectric film on steps of the wiring pattern is exposed. The steps between the first dielectric film and the second dielectric film are smoothed by the irradiation of the entire surface with low energy ions. Then, a third dielectric film is formed covering the first and second dielectric films.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect structure comprising a diffusion barrier and a method of forming the structure over a semiconductor substrate. A bi-layer diffusion barrier is formed over the substrate. The barrier comprises a capturing layer beneath a blocking layer. The blocking layer is both thicker than the capturing layer and is unreactive with the capturing layer. A conductive layer, thicker than the blocking layer, is then formed over the barrier. While the conductive layer is unreactive with the blocking layer of the barrier, the conductive layer is reactive with the capturing layer of the barrier.

Abstract: A first interlayer dielectric film layer is formed on a P-type semiconductor substrate. First connection holes are formed at specified positions of the first interlayer dielectric film layer. A first conductive film layer is formed in a region including at least the first connection holes and is composed of three layers by sequentially laminating a barrier metal film, an aluminum alloy film, and an anti-reflection film. A second interlayer dielectric film layer is formed on the first conductive film layer and is composed of a lower layer of silicon oxide film, an intermediate layer of silicon oxide film made of inorganic silica or organic silica, and a upper layer of silicon oxide film. Specified positions of the second interlayer dielectric film layer are selectively removed to form second connection holes. A second conductive film layer is formed thereon and is composed of two layers of refractory metal film in the bottom layer and aluminum alloy film in the top layer.

Abstract: A method of treating the surface of a metal nitride barrier layer on an integrated circuit to reduce the movement of silicon through the barrier. The metal nitride barrier (such as TiN) is exposed to a nitrogen plasma, thereby improving the barrier properties of the metal nitride barrier.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an improved landing pad of a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit formed according to the same. A first opening is formed through a first dielectric layer to expose a portion of a diffused region. A first polysilicon landing pad is formed over the first dielectric layer and in the opening. This landing pad will provide for smaller geometries and meet stringent design rules such as that for contact space to gate. A dielectric pocket is formed over the polysilicon landing pad over the active region. A second conductive landing pad is formed over the polysilicon landing pad and the dielectric pocket. A second dielectric layer is formed over the landing pad having a second opening therethrough exposing a portion of the landing pad. A conductive contact, such as aluminum, is formed in the second contact opening. The conductive contact will electrically connect with the diffused region through the landing pad.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an improved landing pad of a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit formed according to the same. A first opening is formed through a first dielectric layer to expose a portion of a diffused region. A first polysilicon landing pad is formed over the first dielectric layer and in the opening. This landing pad will provide for smaller geometries and meet stringent design rules such as that for contact space to gate. A dielectric pocket is formed over the polysilicon landing pad over the active region. A second conductive landing pad is formed over the polysilicon landing pad and the dielectric pocket. A second dielectric layer is formed over the landing pad having a second opening therethrough exposing a portion of the landing pad. A conductive contact, such as aluminum, is formed in the second contact opening. The conductive contact will electrically connect with the diffused region through the landing pad.

Abstract: A method for forming vias in a semiconductor device improves the resistance and reliability of contacts formed by use of an etch stop layer during the via formation process. An etch stop layer (40), preferably a silicon nitride or aluminum nitride layer, is deposited over conductive interconnect (34). A via (44) is etched in interlayer dielectric (42), stopping on etch stop layer (40). Etch stop layer (40) is then anisotropicly etched to expose the top of conductive interconnect (34), while maintaining a portion of the etch stop layer along a sidewall of the interconnect, and particularly along those sidewall portions which contain aluminum. A conductive plug (54) is then formed in the via, preferably using one or more barrier or glue layers (50). Formation of a tungsten plug using tungsten hexafluoride can then be performed without unwanted reactions between the tungsten source gas and the aluminum interconnect.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for producing a semiconductor device, means is provided for adding an oxidizing gas to an inactive gas to be fed to the sides of a wafer. Before a metal film is formed on the front of the wafer, the oxidizing gas oxidizes silicon exposed on the sides and rear of the wafer and unprotected from a raw material gas, thereby forming a silicon oxide film. Hence, even when the metal film is formed on the front of the wafer via an adhesion layer, it is scarcely formed on the sides and rear of the wafer and turns out a minimum of particles. This prevents the metal film from easily coming off without resorting to a great amount of inactive gas.