Abstract: An apparatus for reducing amine poisoning of photoresist layers comprises a substrate, an etch stop layer containing amines formed over the substrate, and a dense capping layer formed directly on the etch stop layer, wherein the dense capping layer substantially prevents the amines from diffusing out of the etch stop layer and into a subsequently formed photoresist layer. The dense capping layer may comprise silicon carbide, silicon carboxide, or a combination of silicon carbide and silicon carboxide. The dense capping layer may have a density greater than or equal to 2 g/cm3 and a thickness that ranges from 10 ? to 200 ?.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition) processes that produce uniform, dense SiO2 (silicon dioxide) films having a high purity that are suitable for use in IC device fabrication. Advantageously, these processes do not require the use of a DC bias or dual frequency RF power and can use some of the same precursors used to make low-k ILD films.

Abstract: A silicone-doped carbon interlayer dielectric (ILD) and its method of formation are disclosed. The ILD's dielectric constant and/or its mechanical strength can be tailored by varying the ratio of carbon-to-silicon in the silicon-doped carbon matrix.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of forming a low-k carbon doped oxide dielectric material with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbon doped oxide (CDO) film comprises doping an organosilane precursor material with a glycol material and using the doped organosilane precursor material in a deposition process to form the CDO film. The glycol material may be propylene glycol (PD). The PD-doped CDO films formed using the methods of the invention have been shown to have an increase in strength (e.g., an increase in Young's modulus) with a minimal effect on the dielectric constant of the PD-doped CDO film.

Abstract: An optical metrology system is provided with a data analysis method to determine the elastic moduli of optically transparent dielectric films such as silicon dioxide, other carbon doped oxides over metal or semiconductor substrates. An index of refraction is measured by an ellipsometer and a wavelength of a laser beam is measured using a laser spectrometer. The angle of refraction is determined by directing a light pulse focused onto a wafer surface, measuring a first set of x1, y1, and z1 coordinates, moving the wafer in the z direction, directing the light pulse onto the wafer surface and measuring a second set of x2, y2 and z2 coordinates, using the coordinates to calculate an angle of incidence, calculating an angle of refraction from the calculated angle of incidence, obtaining a sound velocity v, from the calculated angle of refraction and using the determined sound velocity v, to calculate a bulk modulus.