Abstract: An oxide hard mask is formed between a deep ultraviolet photoresist and an anti-reflective coating to prevent interactions with the photoresist, thereby preventing reduction of a critical dimension of a patterned conductive layer. Embodiments include depositing a substantially nitrogen free oxide layer on the anti-reflective coating, such as a silicon oxide derived from tertaethyl orthosilicate by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A dielectric layer comprising a benzocyclobutene (BCB)-based low dielectric constant (low k) material is formed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer substrate by (a) spin coating a layer of a fluid material comprising BCB in a liquid solvent or dispersant vehicle on the substrate; (b) baking the coated substrate at a first temperature and for a first time interval to remove the solvent; (c) curing the baked coating by heating at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and for a second time interval; and (d) subjecting the substrate with cured coating thereon to a cool-down treatment at a third temperature and for a third time interval. Embodiments include performing steps (a)-(d) consecutively and in the same apparatus. Other embodiments include processing in an "on track" type automated semiconductor processing apparatus.

Abstract: Photoresist masks are stripped using a H.sub.2 -N.sub.2 plasma to prevent increasing the dielectric constant of an exposed carbon-containing dielectric material. Embodiments of the present invention include forming a low dielectric constant, carbon-containing layer, e.g., a polymeric layer, on an exposed metal feature overlying a wafer, forming a photoresist mask on the dielectric layer, forming an opening in the dielectric layer exposing the metal feature and a portion of the dielectric layer, preheating the wafer and stripping the photoresist mask using the H.sub.2 -N.sub.2 plasma.