Abstract: Methods for electrodepositing germanium on various semiconductor substrates such as Si, Ge, SiGe, and GaAs are provided. The electrodeposited germanium can be formed as a blanket or patterned film, and may be crystallized by solid phase epitaxy to the orientation of the underlying semiconductor substrate by subsequent annealing. These plated germanium layers may be used as the channel regions of high-mobility channel field effect transistors (FETs) in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for forming a structure that contains alternating first and second ferromagnetic layers of different material compositions. A substrate containing a supporting matrix with at least one open pore and a conductive base layer is first formed. Electroplating of the substrate is then carried out in an electroplating solution that contains at least one ferromagnetic metal element and one or more additional, different metal elements. A pulsed current with alternating high and low potentials is applied to the conductive base layer of the substrate structure to thereby form alternating ferromagnetic layers of different material compositions in the open pore of the supporting matrix.

Abstract: A memory storage device that contains alternating first and second ferromagnetic material layers is provided. Each first ferromagnetic material layer has a first layer thickness (L1) and a first critical current density (JC1), and each second ferromagnetic material layer has a second layer thickness (L2) and a second critical current density (JC2), provided that JC1<JC2, L1 is greater than about 300 nm, and L2 ranges from about 20 nm to about 200 nm. The device further comprises alternating magnetic domains of opposite directions that are separated by domain walls. The magnetic domains and domain walls are movable across the first and second ferromagnetic material layers upon application of a driving current. Correspondingly, data can be stored in the memory storage device as locations of the magnetic domains and domain walls.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating silicon carriers with conductive through-vias that allow high-yield manufacture of silicon carrier with, low defect density. In particular, methods are provided which enable fabrication of silicon, carries with via diameters such as 1 to 10 microns in diameter for a vertical thickness of less than 10 micrometers to greater than 300 micrometers, which are capable robust to thermal-mechanical stresses during production to significantly minimize the thermal mechanical movement at the via sidewall interface between the silicon, insulator, liner and conductor materials.

Abstract: A nanostructure comprising germanium, including wires of less than 1 micron in diameter and walls of less than 1 micron in width, in contact with the substrate and extending outward from the substrate is provided along with a method of preparation.

Abstract: A method is provided for electroplating a gate metal or other conducting or semiconducting material directly on a dielectric such as a gate dielectric. The method involves selecting a substrate, dielectric layer, and electrolyte solution or melt, wherein the combination of the substrate, dielectric layer, and electrolyte solution or melt allow an electrochemical current to be passed from the substrate through the dielectric layer into the electrolyte solution or melt. Methods are also provided for electrochemical modification of dielectrics utilizing through-dielectric current flow.

Abstract: A method is provided for electroplating a gate metal or other conducting or semiconducting material directly on a dielectric such as a gate dielectric. The method involves selecting a substrate, dielectric layer, and electrolyte solution or melt, wherein the combination of the substrate, dielectric layer, and electrolyte solution or melt allow an electrochemical current to be passed from the substrate through the dielectric layer into the electrolyte solution or melt. Methods are also provided for electrochemical modification of dielectrics utilizing through-dielectric current flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plating apparatus for a substrate which can plate a substrate under uniform pressure without increasing a load to be applied while holding the entire surface of a porous member in contact with the surface, to be plated, of the substrate. The plating apparatus for a substrate, includes: a substrate holder for holding a substrate; a cathode unit having a seal member for abutting against and sealing, in a water-tight manner, a peripheral portion of a surface, to be plated, of the substrate held by the substrate holder, and a cathode electrode which is brought into contact with the substrate to supply current to the substrate.

Abstract: An electrochemical process comprising: providing a 125 mm or larger semiconductor wafer in electrical contact with a conducting surface, wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor wafer is in contact with an electrolytic solution, said semiconductor wafer functioning as a first electrode; providing a second electrode in the electrolytic solution, the first and second electrode connected to opposite ends of an electric power source; and irradiating a surface of the semiconductor wafer with a light source as an electric current is applied across the first and the second electrodes. The invention is also directed to an apparatus including a light source and electrochemical components to conduct the electrochemical process.

Abstract: A contact metallurgy structure comprising a patterned dielectric layer having cavities on a substrate; a silicide or germanide layer such as of cobalt and/or nickel located at the bottom of cavities; a contact layer comprising Ti or Ti/TiN located on top of the dielectric layer and inside the cavities and making contact to the silicide or germanide layer on the bottom; a diffusion barrier layer located on top of the contact layer and inside the cavities; optionally a seed layer for plating located on top of the barrier layer; a metal fill layer in vias is provided along with a method of fabrication. The metal fill layer is electrodeposited with at least one member selected from the group consisting of copper, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, molybdenum, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, cadmium and zinc and alloys thereof. When the metal fill layer is rhodium, ruthenium, or iridium, an effective diffusion barrier layer is not required between the fill metal and the dielectric.

Abstract: A process for the formation of an interconnect in a semiconductor structure including the steps of forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first barrier layer on the dielectric layer, forming a second barrier layer on the first barrier layer, wherein the second barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium and wherein the formation of the second barrier layer is manipulated so that the bulk concentration of oxygen in the second barrier layer is 20 atomic percent or less, and forming a conductive layer on the second barrier layer. The process may additionally include a step of treating the second barrier to reduce the amount of oxide on the surface of the second barrier layer.

Abstract: Interconnect structures with copper conductors being at least substantially free of internal seams or voids are obtained employing an electroplating copper bath containing dissolved cupric salt wherein the concentration of the salt is at least about 0.4 molar and up to about 0.5 molar concentration of an acid. Also provided are copper damascene structures having an aspect ratio of greater than about 3 and a width of less than about 0.275 ?m and via openings filled with electroplated copper than is substantially free of internal seams or voids.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a layer containing copper, and an electrodeposited CoWP film on the copper layer. The CoWP film contains from 11 atom percent to 25 atom percent phosphorus and has a thickness from 5 nm to 200 nm. The invention is also directed to a method of making an interconnect structure comprising: providing a trench or via within a dielectric material, and a conducting metal containing copper within the trench or the via; and forming a CoWP film by electrodeposition on the copper layer. The CoWP film contains from 10 atom percent to 25 atom percent phosphorus and has a thickness from 5 nm to 200 nm. The invention is also directed to a interconnect structure comprising a dielectric layer in contact with a metal layer; an electrodeposited CoWP film on the metal layer, and a copper layer on the CoWP film.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical switch including: at least one pair of actuator electrodes; at least one input electrode and at least one output electrode for input and output, respectively, of a radio frequency signal; and a beam movable by an attraction between the at least one pair of actuator electrodes, the movable beam having at least a portion electrically connected to the at least one input electrode and to the at least one output electrode when moved by the attraction between the at least one pair of actuator electrodes to make an electrical connection between the at least one input and output electrodes; wherein the at least one pair of actuator electrodes are electrically isolated from each of the at least one input and output electrodes. The microelectromechanical switch can be configured in single or multiple-poles and/or single or multiple throws.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiple test structures for performing reliability and qualification tests on MEMS switch devices. A Test structure for contact and gap characteristic measurements is employed having a serpentine layout simulates rows of upper and lower actuation electrodes. A cascaded switch chain test is used to monitor process defects with large sample sizes. A ring oscillator is used to measure switch speed and switch lifetime. A resistor ladder test structure is configured having each resistor in series with a switch to be tested, and having each switch-resistor pair electrically connected in parallel. Serial/parallel test structures are proposed with MEMS switches working in tandem with switches of established technology. A shift register is used to monitor the open and close state of the MEMS switches. Pull-in voltage, drop-out voltage, activation leakage current, and switch lifetime measurements are performed using the shift register.

Abstract: A semiconductor micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch provided with noble metal contacts that act as an oxygen barrier to copper electrodes is described. The MEMS switch is fully integrated into a CMOS semiconductor fabrication line. The integration techniques, materials and processes are fully compatible with copper chip metallization processes and are typically, a low cost and a low temperature process (below 400° C.). The MEMS switch includes: a movable beam within a cavity, the movable beam being anchored to a wall of the cavity at one or both ends of the beam; a first electrode embedded in the movable beam; and a second electrode embedded in an wall of the cavity and facing the first electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are respectively capped by the noble metal contact.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a layer containing copper, and an electrodeposited CoWP film on the copper layer. The CoWP film contains from 11 atom percent to 25 atom percent phosphorus and has a thickness from 5 nm to 200 nm. The invention is also directed to a method of making an interconnect structure comprising: providing a trench or via within a dielectric material, and a conducting metal containing copper within the trench or the via; and forming a CoWP film by electrodeposition on the copper layer. The CoWP film contains from 10 atom percent to 25 atom percent phosphorus and has a thickness from 5 nm to 200 nm. The invention is also directed to a interconnect structure comprising a dielectric layer in contact with a metal layer; an electrodeposited CoWP film on the metal layer, and a copper layer on the CoWP film.

Abstract: Patterned copper structures are fabricated by selectively capping the copper employing selective etching and/or selective electroplating in the presence of a liner material. Apparatus for addressing the problem of an increased resistive path as electrolyte during electroetching and/or electroplating flows from the wafer edge inwards is provided.

Abstract: An electrolytic processing method is used to remove a metal film formed on a surface of a substrate. The electrolytic processing method includes providing a feeding electrode 31 and a processing electrode 32 on a table 12, providing an insulating member 36 between the feeding electrode and the processing electrode, holding the substrate W by a substrate carrier 11, bringing the substrate into contact with the insulating member, supplying first and second electrolytic processing liquids to gaps between the feeding electrode and the substrate and between the processing electrode and the substrate, respectively, while the first and second electrolytic processing liquids are electrically isolated, applying voltage between the feeding electrode and the processing electrode, and making a relative movement between the substrate carrier and the table to electrically process the metal film.

Abstract: An electrolytic processing apparatus can planarize uniformly over an entire surface of a substrate under a low pressure without any damages to the substrate. The electrolytic processing apparatus has a substrate holder configured to hold and rotate a substrate having a metal film formed on a surface of the substrate and an electrolytic processing unit configured to perform an electrolytic process on the substrate held by the substrate holder. The electrolytic processing unit has a rotatable processing electrode, a polishing pad attached to the rotatable processing electrode, and a pressing mechanism configured to press the polishing pad against the substrate.