Abstract: A method for cleaning residual material from a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus in situ employing dry etching. There is first employed a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) method to deposit layers of silicon oxide material upon substrates within a chemical vapor deposition reactor apparatus. After removal of substrates, the reactor chamber is closed off. The interior of the reactor is then filled with a gas and a plasma formed therewithin, to which oxygen is added and the reactor allowed to come to an increased temperature and bake for a period of time. The reactor power is then turned off and the reactor evacuated. There is then carried out a normal cleaning step within the reactor chamber employing a reactive gas such as NF3, with greater cleaning efficiency due to the increased temperature caused by the baking step.

Abstract: An improved composite dielectric structure and method of forming thereof which prevents delamination of FSG (F-doped SiO2) and allows FSG to be used as the interlevel dielectric between successive conducting interconnection patterns in multilevel integrated circuit structures has been developed. The composite dielectric structure comprises FSG, undoped silicon oxide (optional), silicon-rich silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The silicon-rich silicon oxide layer having a thickness between about 1000 and 2000 Angstroms prevents reaction of F atoms from the FSG layer with the silicon nitride layer during subsequent manufacturing heat treatment cycles and prevents the deleterious formation of delamination bubbles which cause peeling of the FSG layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer having a double inter-metal dielectric layer formed in the gaps of and on closely. spaced metal interconnection circuitry. The double dielectric layer is formed by an in situ low temperature two step deposition HDP-CVD process separated by a cool-down period. The low temperature process mitigates metal line defects such as distortion or warping caused by heat generated during the process of filling gaps having aspect ratios greater than 2. The double dielectric layer is composed of Group IV materials, silicon being the preferred material. These double layers may be individually doped. Titanium nitride layers, present as by-products of seeding and anti-reflective coatings serve to reduce electro-migration of the metal circuitry.

Abstract: A method for improving the adhesion of a thick silicon nitride layer, to an underlying spin on glass, (SOG), layer, has been developed. After applying, baking and curing of a SOG layer, plasma treatment of the SOG layer, is performed in a deposition tool, using a nitrous oxide plasma. The plasma treatment prepares the exposed SOG surface for an in situ deposition of a thick silicon nitride layer, by improving the adhesion of thick silicon nitride to the underlying SOG layer, and by decreasing the possibility of silicon nitride delamination, that can occur with counterparts, fabricated without the nitrous oxide plasma treatment of the SOG layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a PE-silane oxide layer with a greatly reduced particle count is described. A semiconductor substrate is provided over which a silicon oxide film is to be formed. The silicon oxide film is formed by the steps of: 1) pre-flowing a non-silane gas into a deposition chamber for at least two seconds whereby the pre-flowing step prevents formation of particles on the silicon oxide film, and 2) thereafter depositing a silicon oxide film by chemical vapor deposition by flowing a silane gas into the deposition chamber to complete formation of a silicon oxide film using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition in the fabrication of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method for forming a patterned reflective layer first employs a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a blanket reflective layer. There is then formed upon the blanket reflective layer an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer formed employing a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method employing a deposition gas composition comprising silane, nitrous oxide and argon. There is then formed upon the blanket anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer a blanket photoresist layer. There is then photoexposed and developed the blanket photoresist layer to form a patterned photoresist layer. There is then etched, while employing a first etch method, the blanket anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer to form a patterned anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer while employing the patterned photoresist layer as a first etch mask layer.

Abstract: This invention provides an in situ low temperature, two step deposition HDP-CVD process separated by a cooldown period, for forming an inter-metal dielectric passivation layer for an integrated circuit structure. Said process mitigating metal line defects such as distortion or warping caused by excessive heat generated during the etching/deposition process.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor structure is provided that has an exposed first metal contact and a dielectric layer formed thereover. An FSG layer having a predetermined thickness is then formed over the dielectric layer. A trench, having a predetermined width, is formed within the FSG layer and the dielectric layer exposing the first metal contact. A barrier layer, having a predetermined thickness, may be formed over the FSG layer and lining the trench side walls and bottom. A metal, preferably copper, is then deposited on the barrier layer to form a copper layer, having a predetermined thickness, over said barrier layer covered FSG layer, filling the lined trench and blanket filling the barrier layer covered FSG layer. The copper layer, and the barrier layer on said upper surface of said FSG layer, are planarized, exposing the upper surface of the FSG layer and forming a planarized copper filled trench.