Abstract: A method for treating a semiconductor device includes dissolving an inert gas species in a wet chemical cleaning solution and treating a material layer of a semiconductor device with the wet chemical cleaning solution in ambient atmosphere. The inert gas species is oversaturated in the wet chemical cleaning solution in the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A passivation layer is formed on inlaid Cu for protection against oxidation and removal during subsequent removal of an overlying metal hardmask. Embodiments include treating an exposed upper surface of inlaid Cu with hydrofluoric acid and a copper complexing agent, such as benzene triazole, to form a passivation monolayer of a copper complex, etching to remove the metal hardmask, removing the passivation layer by heating to at least 300° C., and forming a barrier layer on the exposed upper surface of the inlaid Cu.

Abstract: By using powerful data analysis techniques, such as PCR, PLS, CLS and the like, in combination with measurement techniques providing structural information, gradually varying material characteristics may be determined during semiconductor fabrication, thereby also enabling the monitoring of complex manufacturing sequences. For instance, the material characteristics of sensitive dielectric materials, such as ULK material, may be detected, for instance with respect to an extension of a damage zone, in order to monitor the quality of metallization systems of sophisticated semiconductor devices. The inline measurement data may be obtained on the basis of infrared spectroscopy, for instance using FTIR and the like, which may even allow directly obtaining the measurement data at process chambers, substantially without affecting the overall process throughput.

Abstract: During the patterning of via openings in sophisticated metallization systems of semiconductor devices, the opening may extend through a conductive cap layer and an appropriate ion bombardment may be established to redistribute material of the underlying metal region to exposed sidewall portions of the conductive cap layer, thereby establishing a protective material. Consequently, in a subsequent wet chemical etch process, the probability for undue material removal of the conductive cap layer may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A passivation layer is formed on inlaid Cu for protection against oxidation and removal during subsequent removal of an overlying metal hardmask. Embodiments include treating an exposed upper surface of inlaid Cu with hydrofluoric acid and a copper complexing agent, such as benzene triazole, to form a passivation monolayer of a copper complex, etching to remove the metal hardmask, removing the passivation layer by heating to at least 300° C., and forming a barrier layer on the exposed upper surface of the inlaid Cu.

Abstract: During the patterning of via openings in sophisticated metallization systems of semiconductor devices, the opening may extend through a conductive cap layer and an appropriate ion bombardment may be established to redistribute material of the underlying metal region to exposed sidewall portions of the conductive cap layer, thereby establishing a protective material. Consequently, in a subsequent wet chemical etch process, the probability for undue material removal of the conductive cap layer may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: During the patterning of via openings in sophisticated metallization systems of semi-conductor devices, the opening may extend through a conductive cap layer and an appropriate ion bombardment may be established to redistribute material of the underlying metal region to exposed sidewall portions of the conductive cap layer, thereby establishing a protective material. Consequently, in a subsequent wet chemical etch process, the probability for undue material removal of the conductive cap layer may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: By using powerful data analysis techniques, such as PCR, PLS, CLS and the like, in combination with measurement techniques providing structural information, gradually varying material characteristics may be determined during semiconductor fabrication, thereby also enabling the monitoring of complex manufacturing sequences. For instance, the material characteristics of sensitive dielectric materials, such as ULK material, may be detected, for instance with respect to an extension of a damage zone, in order to monitor the quality of metallization systems of sophisticated semiconductor devices. The inline measurement data may be obtained on the basis of infrared spectroscopy, for instance using FTIR and the like, which may even allow directly obtaining the measurement data at process chambers, substantially without affecting the overall process throughput.

Abstract: During the patterning of via openings in sophisticated metallization systems of semi-conductor devices, the opening may extend through a conductive cap layer and an appropriate ion bombardment may be established to redistribute material of the underlying metal region to exposed sidewall portions of the conductive cap layer, thereby establishing a protective material. Consequently, in a subsequent wet chemical etch process, the probability for undue material removal of the conductive cap layer may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: By exposing a wet chemical cleaning solution, such as hydrofluoric acid, to a pressurized inert gas ambient prior to applying the solution to patterned dielectric materials of semiconductor devices, the incorporation of oxygen into the liquid during storage and application may be significantly reduced. For instance, by generating a substantially saturated state in the pressurized inert gas ambient, a substantially oversaturated state may be achieved during the application of the liquid in ambient air, thereby enhancing efficiency of the treatment, for instance, by reducing the amount of material removal of exposed copper surfaces after trench patterning, without requiring sophisticated modifications of process chambers.

Abstract: By performing at least one additional wet chemical etch process in the edge region and in particular on the bevel of a substrate during the formation of a metallization layer, the dielectric material, especially the low-k dielectric material, may be reliably removed from the bevel prior to the formation of any barrier and metal layers. Moreover, an additional wet chemical etch process may be performed after the deposition of the metal to remove any unwanted metal and barrier material from the edge region and the bevel. Accordingly, defect issues and contamination of substrates and process tools may be efficiently reduced.

Abstract: By performing a wet chemical process after etching a via, contaminations may be removed and a thin passivation layer may be formed that may then be readily removed in a subsequent sputter etch process for forming a barrier/adhesion layer. In a particular embodiment, the wet chemical process may be performed on the basis of fluoric acid and triazole or a compound thereof.

Abstract: By performing at least one additional wet chemical etch process in the edge region and in particular on the bevel of a substrate during the formation of a metallization layer, the dielectric material, especially the low-k dielectric material, may be reliably removed from the bevel prior to the formation of any barrier and metal layers. Moreover, an additional wet chemical etch process may be performed after the deposition of the metal to remove any unwanted metal and barrier material from the edge region and the bevel. Accordingly, defect issues and contamination of substrates and process tools may be efficiently reduced.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises providing a substrate comprising a layer of a material formed on a first surface of the substrate. At least one recess is formed in the layer of material. The formation of the at least one recess comprises performing a dry etching process. A contamination layer formed in the dry etching process is removed from a second surface of the substrate. Thus, contaminations of tools used in later stages of the manufacturing process resulting from flakes splitting off the contamination layer may be avoided.

Abstract: By performing a wet chemical process after etching a via, contaminations may be removed and a thin passivation layer may be formed that may then be readily removed in a subsequent sputter etch process for forming a barrier/adhesion layer. In a particular embodiment, the wet chemical process may be performed on the basis of fluoric acid and triazole or a compound thereof.