Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for forming a doped silicate glass dielectric layer within a microelectronics fabrication. There is first positioned within a reactor chamber a substrate employed within a microelectronics fabrication. There is then stabilized within the reactor chamber with respect to the substrate a first flow of a silicon source material absent a flow of a dopant source material. There is then deposited upon the substrate within the reactor chamber a doped silicate glass dielectric layer through a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The doped silicate glass dielectric layer is formed employing a second flow of the silicon source material, a flow of an oxidant source material and the flow of the dopant source material. There may subsequently be formed through the doped silicate glass dielectric layer an anisotropically patterned via through an anisotropic patterning method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an insulating layer 30 (IMD layer) that has a uniform etch rate and forms improved via/contact opening profiles. The method forms a coating film 11 of silicon oxide over the chamber walls 22 of a CVD reactor. Next, the wafer 12 is loaded into the CVD reactor 20. A first insulating layer 30 composed of oxide preferably formed by a sub-atmospheric undoped silicon glass (SAUSG) using TEOS is formed over the semiconductor structure 12. Via/Contact Openings 32 are then etched in the insulating layer 30. The coating film 11 over the interior surfaces (e.g., reactor walls) 22 improves the etch rate uniformity of the first insulating layer 30. The first insulating layer 30 is preferably a inter metal dielectric (IMD) layer.