Abstract: A method of making a precursor for a thin film formed by chemical vapor deposition processes, includes mixing ZCl4 with H(tmhd)3 solvent and benzene to form a solution, where Z is an element taken from the group of elements consisting of hafnium and zirconium; refluxing the solution for twelve hours in an argon atmosphere; removing the solvents via vacuum, thereby producing a solid compound; and sublimating the compound at 200° C. in a near vacuum of 0.1 mmHg. A ZOx precursor, for use in a chemical vapor deposition process, includes a Z-containing compound taken from the group of compounds consisting of ZCl(tmhd)3 and ZCl2(tmhd)2.

Abstract: A rapid thermal process (RTP) provides steps wherein silicon wafers that are pre-coated with barrier metal films by either in-situ or ex-situ CVD or physical vapor deposition (PVD) are pre-treated, prior to deposition of a Cu film thereon, in a temperature range of between 250 and 550 degrees Celsius in a non-reactive gas such as hHydrogen gas (H2), argon (Ar), or helium (He), or in an ambient vacuum. The chamber pressure typically is between 0.1 mTorr and 20 Torr, and the RTP time typically is between 30 to 100 seconds. Performing this rapid thermal process before deposition of the Cu film results in a thin, shiny, densely nucleated, and adhesive Cu film deposited on a variety of barrier metal surfaces. The pre-treatment process eliminates variations in the deposited Cu film caused by Cu precursors and is insensitive to variation in precursor composition, volatility, and other precursor variables.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device having a simultaneously formed gate and interconnect therefore, includes preparing a silicon substrate, including isolating active areas thereon; forming an insulating layer in a gate region of an active area; depositing a first barrier metal layer; depositing a gate place-holder layer on the first barrier metal layer; etching the gate place-holder layer and the first barrier metal layer to form a gate stack; building an oxide sidewall about the gate stack; forming a source region and a drain region in the active area; depositing an oxide layer over the structure and etching the oxide layer to form a dual damascene trench to the level of the gate place-holder and to form vias for the source region and drain region; removing the gate place-holder; depositing a second barrier metal layer; depositing copper into the dual damascene trench and the vias; and removing excess copper and all portions of the second barrier metal layer to the level of the last deposited oxide l

Abstract: A multi-layered barrier metal thin film is deposited on a substrate by atomic layer chemical vapor deposition (ALCVD). The multi-layer film may comprise several different layers of a single chemical species, or several layers each of distinct or alternating chemical species. In a preferred embodiment, the multi-layer barrier thin film comprises a Tantalum Nitride layer on a substrate, with a Titanium Nitride layer deposited thereon. The thickness of the entire multi-layer film may be approximately fifty Angstroms. The film has superior film characteristics, such as anti-diffusion capability, low resistivity, high density, and step coverage, when compared to films deposited by conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The multi-layered barrier metal thin film of the present invention has improved adhesion characteristics and is particularly suited for metallization of a Copper film thereon.

Abstract: A method for chemical vapor deposition of copper metal thin film on a substrate includes heating a substrate onto which the copper metal thin film is to be deposited in a chemical vapor deposition chamber; vaporizing a precursor containing the copper metal, wherein the precursor is a compound of (&agr;-methylstyrene)Cu(I)(hfac), where hfac is hexafluoroacetylacetonate, and (hfac)Cu(I)L, where L is an alkene; introducing the vaporized precursor into the chemical vapor deposition chamber adjacent the heated substrate; and condensing the vaporized precursor onto the substrate thereby depositing copper metal onto the substrate. A copper metal precursor for use in the chemical vapor deposition of a copper metal thin film is a compound of (&agr;-methylstyrene)Cu(I)(hfac), where hfac is hexafluoroacetylacetonate, and (hfac)Cu(I)L, where L is an alkene taken from the group of alkenes consisting of 1-pentene, 1-hexene and trimethylvinylsilane.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a dual metal gate CMOS includes forming a gate oxide in a gate region and depositing a place-holder gate in each of a n-well and p-well; removing the place-holder gate and gate oxide; depositing a high-k dielectric in the gate region; depositing a first metal in the gate region of the p-well; depositing a second metal in the gate region of each of the n-well and p-well; and insulating and metallizing the structure. A dual metal gate CMOS of the invention includes PMOS transistor and a NMOS transistor. In the NMOS, a gate includes a high-k cup, a first metal cup formed in the high-k cup, and a second metal gate formed in the first metal cup. In the PMOS, a gate includes a high-k cup and a second metal gate formed in the high-k cup.

Abstract: A fabrication process provides for achieving high adhesion of CVD copper thin films on metal nitride substrates, and in particular, on substrates having an outermost TaN layer. The method comprises introducing a certain amount of water vapor to the initial copper thin film deposition stage and reducing the amount of fluorine in the interface of the copper and metal nitride substrate. These two process steps result in a copper thin film having improved adhesion to metal nitride substrates, including TaN substrates.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing relatively pure (hfac)Cu(I)L precursors which can be directly used for CVD copper thin film deposition applications without further purification. The new synthesis method can be applied to the synthesis of copper precursors having ligands such as 1-pentene or 1-hexene. The synthesis method is based on providing a stoichiometric excess of Cu2O and L as initial reactants, compared to the amount of H(hfac) initially provided. The reaction is carried out at a low temperature, which reduces the occurrence of undesirable side-reactions that would reduce the purity of the copper precursor produced. The reaction has a large synthesis window which enhances the repeatability of the synthesis method so as to meet the requirements of large scale manufacturing production.

Abstract: A system and method of selectively etching copper surfaces free of copper oxides in preparation for the deposition of an interconnecting metallic material is provided The method removes metal oxides with &bgr;-diketones, such as Hhfac. The Hhfac is delivered into the system in vapor form, and reacts almost exclusively to copper oxides. The by-products of the cleaning process are likewise volatile for removal from the system with a vacuum pressure. Since the process is easily adaptable to most IC process systems, it can be conducted in an oxygen-free environment, without the removal of the IC from the process chamber. The in-situ cleaning process permits a minimum amount of copper oxide to reform before the deposition of the overlying interconnection metal. In this manner, a highly conductive electrical interconnection between the copper surface and the interconnecting metal material is formed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a one-transistor memory includes, on a single crystal silicon substrate, depositing a bottom electrode structure on a gate oxide layer; implanting ions to form a source region and a drain region and activating the implanted ions spin coating the structure with a first ferroelectric layer; depositing a second ferroelectric layer; and annealing the structure to provide a c-axis ferroelectric orientation.

Abstract: A slurry and CMP process to polish a noble metal surface is provided. The slurry and polishing process are used to form a damascene, or dual damascene noble metal inlay. Such as inlay is useful is forming an integrated circuit ferroelectric capacitor electrode. The slurry includes a halogen, such as bromine, in a basic aqueous solution to chemically react with the noble metal. With an abrasive added, the slurry is used to polish and remove noble metals from a wafer surface during a CMP process.

Abstract: A method of forming a volatile copper precursor for chemical vapor deposition of copper metal thin film includes formation of a volatile liquid having a chemical formula of (n-R-m-cyclohexene)Cu(I)(hfac) or (n-R-m-cyclopentene)Cu(I)(hfac), where n,m=1-6, and where R is a alkyl, such as methyl and ethyl.

Abstract: A system and method of selectively etching copper surfaces free of copper oxides in preparation for the deposition of an interconnecting metallic material is provided. The method removes metal oxides with &bgr;-diketones, such as Hhfac. The Hhfac is delivered into the system in vapor form, and reacts almost exclusively to copper oxides. The by-products of the cleaning process are likewise volatile for removal from the system with a vacuum pressure. Since the process is easily adaptable to most IC process systems, it can be conducted in an oxygen-free environment, without the removal of the IC from the process chamber. The in-situ cleaning process permits a minimum amount of copper oxide to reform before the deposition of the overlying interconnection metal. In this manner, a highly conductive electrical interconnection between the copper surface and the interconnecting metal material is formed.

Abstract: A MOS transistor is formed on a single crystal silicon substrate doped to form a conductive layer of a first type, and includes: an active region formed on said substrate; a source region and a drain region located in said active region, doped to form conductive channels of a second type; a metal gate region located in said active region between said source region and said drain region, wherein said metal gate has a width of less than one micron; a gate oxide region located over said gate region; an oxide region located over the structure; and a source electrode, a gate electrode and a drain electrode, each connected to their respective regions, and each formed of a combination of a contact metal and an electrode metal. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of MOS transistors which have an interconnect between their gate electrodes and the drain electrode of one transistor and the drain electrode of the other transistor.

Abstract: A Cu(hfac) precursor with a substituted phenylethylene ligand has been provided. The substituted phenylethylene ligand includes bonds to molecules selected from the group consisting of C1 to C6 alkyl, C1 to C6 haloalkyl, C1 to C6 phenyl, H and C1 to C6 alkoxyl. One variation, the &agr;-methylstyrene ligand precursor has proved to be stable a low temperatures, and sufficiently volatile at higher temperatures. Copper deposited with this precursor has low resistivity and high adhesive characteristics. A synthesis method has been provided which produces a high yield of the above-described precursor.

Abstract: A Cub(hfac) precursor with a substituted phenylethylene ligand has been provided. The substituted phenylethylene ligand includes bonds to molecules selected from the group consisting of C1 to C6 alkyl, C1 to C6 haloalkyl, C1 to C6 phenyl, H and C1 to C6 alkoxyl. One variation, the &agr;-methylstyrene ligand precursor has proved to be stable a low temperatures, and sufficiently volatile at higher temperatures. Copper deposited with this precursor has low resistivity and high adhesive characteristics. A synthesis method has been provided which produces a high yield of the above-described precursor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOSFET is provided, including: depositing an oxide layer on a silicon substrate for device isolation; forming a silicon based alloy island above a gate region in the substrate, wherein the silicon based alloy comprises a silicon germanium alloy or a silicon tin alloy or another alloy of Group IV-B elements; building a sidewall about the silicon based alloy island; forming a source region and a drain region in the substrate; removing the silicon based alloy island, thereby leaving a void over the gate region; filing the void and the areas over the source region and the drain region; and planarizing the upper surface of the structure by chemical mechanical polishing. Alternative embodiments providing conventional and raised source/drain structures are disclosed.

Abstract: A method has been provided to counteract the inherent tension in a deposited film. A wafer substrate is fixed to a wafer chuck having a curved surface. When the chuck surface is convex, a tensile stress is implanted in a deposited film. Upon release from the chuck, the deposited film develops a compressive stress. When the chuck surface is concave, a compressive stress is implanted in the deposited film. Upon release from the chuck, the deposited film develops a tensile stress. Loading a film with a compressive stress is helpful in making films having an inherently tensile stress become thermal stable. Stress loading is also used to improve adhesion between films, and to prevent warping of a film during annealing. A product-by-process using the above-described method is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method of selectively etching copper surfaces free of copper oxides in preparation for the deposition of an interconnecting metallic material is provided. The method removes metal oxides with .beta.-diketones, such as Hhfac. The Hhfac is delivered into the system in vapor form, and reacts almost exclusively to copper oxides. The by-products of the cleaning process are likewise volatile for removal from the system with a vacuum pressure. Since the process is easily adaptable to most IC process systems, it can be conducted in an oxygen-free environment, without the removal of the IC from the process chamber. The in-situ cleaning process permits a minimum amount of copper oxide to reform before the deposition of the overlying interconnection metal. In this manner, a highly conductive electrical interconnection between the copper surface and the interconnecting metal material is formed.

Abstract: A method of constructing a single-transistor ferroelectric memory (FEM) cell includes: preparing a silicon substrate for construction of a FEM gate unit; forming gate, source and drain regions on the silicon substrate; forming a nitride layer over the structure to a predetermined thickness equal to a specified thickness for a bottom electrode of the FEM gate unit; forming a first insulating layer over the structure; chemically-mechanically polishing the first insulating layer such that the top surface thereof is even with the top of the nitride layer; forming the bottom electrode for the FEM cell; and chemically-mechanically polishing the bottom electrode such that the top surface thereof is even with the top surface of the first insulating layer. Additional layers are formed and polished, depending on the specific final configuration of the FEM cell.