Abstract: In a method for filling a hole with a metal, an insulating layer, a first mask layer and a second mask layer are successively formed on a semiconductor substrate. The first and second mask layers are etched using a photoresist pattern to form first and second masks. The first mask layer pattern is selectively etched using an etchant, the first mask layer pattern having a higher etching selectivity than the second layer pattern with respect to the etchant, to form a third mask layer pattern having a broadened opening. The insulating layer is etched using the second mask to form a hole in the insulating layer. A metal layer is formed in the hole and the third opening. The metal layer is planarized to form a metal plug buried in the hole without recesses or voids.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a dual damascene interconnection, a reliable trench profile is secured. The method includes forming a lower interconnect feature on a substrate, forming a dielectric layer on the lower interconnect feature, forming a hard mask on the dielectric layer, forming a via in the dielectric layer using the hard mask as an etch mask, forming a trench hard mask defining a trench by patterning the hard mask, forming a trench, which is connected with the via and in which an upper interconnection line is formed, by partially etching the dielectric layer using the trench hard mask as an etch mask, removing the trench hard mask using wet etch, and forming an upper interconnection line by filling the trench and the via with an interconnection material.

Abstract: A method of forming a via contact structure using a dual damascene technique is provided. The method includes forming a lower interconnection line on a semiconductor substrate and sequentially forming an inter-metal dielectric layer and a hard mask layer on the semiconductor substrate having the lower interconnection line. The hard mask layer and the inter-metal dielectric layer are successivley patterned to form a via hole that exposes the lower interconnnection line. A sacrificial layer filling the via hole is formed on the hard mask layer. The sacrificial layer and the hard mask layer are patterned to form a first sacrificial layer pattern having an opening that crosses over the via hole and a second sacrificial layer pattern that remains in the via hole and to simultaneously form a hard mask pattern underneath the first sacrificial layer pattern.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for forming metal interconnection layers of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Provided are an inter-metal dielectric pattern and a method of forming the same. The pattern includes a lower interconnection disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a lower dielectric layer having a via hole exposing the lower interconnection and covering the semiconductor substrate where the lower interconnection is disposed, and an upper dielectric pattern and a lower capping pattern, which include a trench line exposing the via hole and sequentially stacked on the lower dielectric layer. The lower dielectric layer and the upper dielectric pattern are low k-dielectric layers formed of materials such as SiO2, SiOF, SiOC, and porous dielectric. The method includes forming an inter-metal dielectric layer including a lower dielectric layer and upper dielectric layer, which are sequentially stacked, on a lower interconnection formed on a semiconductor substrate. The inter-metal dielectric layer is patterned to form a via hole, which exposes the upper side of the lower interconnection.

Abstract: In a method for filling a hole with a metal, an insulating layer, a first mask layer and a second mask layer are successively formed on a semiconductor substrate. The first and second mask layers are etched using a photoresist pattern to form first and second masks. The first mask layer pattern is selectively etched using an etchant, the first mask layer pattern having a higher etching selectivity than the second layer pattern with respect to the etchant, to form a third mask layer pattern having a broadened opening. The insulating layer is etched using the second mask to form a hole in the insulating layer. A metal layer is formed in the hole and the third opening. The metal layer is planarized to form a metal plug buried in the hole without recesses or voids.

Abstract: A method of forming a via contact structure using a dual damascene technique is provided. The method includes forming a lower interconnection line on a semiconductor substrate and sequentially forming an inter-metal dielectric layer and a hard mask layer on the semiconductor substrate having the lower interconnection line. The hard mask layer and the inter-metal dielectric layer are successivley patterned to form a via hole that exposes the lower interconnnection line. A sacrificial layer filling the via hole is formed on the hard mask layer. The sacrificial layer and the hard mask layer are patterned to form a first sacrificial layer pattern having an opening that crosses over the via hole and a second sacrificial layer pattern that remains in the via hole and to simultaneously form a hard mask pattern underneath the first sacrificial layer pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a MIM capacitor that has a high capacitance that can be manufactured without the problems that affected the prior art. Such a capacitor includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a dielectric layer that is intermediate the upper and the lower electrodes. A first voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage, can be applied to the lower electrode. A wire layer, through which the first voltage is applied to the upper electrode, is located in the same level as or in a lower level than the lower electrode.

Abstract: A dual damascene process is disclosed. According to the dual damascene process of the present invention, a first recessed region through an intermetal dielectric layer is filled with a bottom protecting layer, and the bottom protecting layer and the intermetal dielectric layer are simultaneously etched to form a second recessed region that has a shallower depth and wider width than the first recessed region on the first recessed region by using an etch gas selectively etches the intermetal dielectric layer with respect to the bottom protecting layer. In other words, the etch selectivity ratio, the intermetal dielectric layer with respect to the bottom protecting layer, is preferably about 0.5 to about 1.5. Thus, it is possible to form a dual damascene structure without the formation of a byproduct or an oxide fence.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a MIM capacitor having a bottom electrode is provided by forming a metal wire including copper on a substrate. After the metal wire is formed on the substrate, a dielectric film is formed on the metal wire. A top electrode film is formed on the dielectric film, and then the top electrode film is etched to form a top electrode. A hard metallic polymer formed during the etching of the top electrode film is removed using a mixture of an oxygen gas and a fluorocarbon based gas. The lifting of the thin films is effectively prevented, and the yield of the manufacturing process for manufacturing a MIM capacitor is increased. Additionally, the MIM capacitor has a uniform capacitance because the damage to the dielectric film is prevented, and the oxidation of the bottom electrode is also prevented.

Abstract: Provided are an inter-metal dielectric pattern and a method of forming the same. The pattern includes a lower interconnection disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a lower dielectric layer having a via hole exposing the lower interconnection and covering the semiconductor substrate where the lower interconnection is disposed, and an upper dielectric pattern and a lower capping pattern, which include a trench line exposing the via hole and sequentially stacked on the lower dielectric layer. The lower dielectric layer and the upper dielectric pattern are low k-dielectric layers formed of materials such as SiO2, SiOF, SiOC, and porous dielectric. The method includes forming an inter-metal dielectric layer including a lower dielectric layer and upper dielectric layer, which are sequentially stacked, on a lower interconnection formed on a semiconductor substrate. The inter-metal dielectric layer is patterned to form a via hole, which exposes the upper side of the lower interconnection.

Abstract: A method of forming electric wiring using a dual damascene process wherein prevention of damage to a lower conductive pattern and low contact resistance may be achieved. A first insulation layer having a first trench filled with a conductive material is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first etch stop layer, a second insulation layer and a third insulation layer are sequentially formed thereon. A capping layer is formed on the third insulation layer. A via hole is formed by selectively etching the capping layer, third insulation layer and second insulation layer. Then the capping layer is partially etched and a polymer layer is formed on the exposed first etch stop layer. A second trench is formed and the electric wiring is formed by filling a conductive material in a resulting structure. The polymer layer prevents damage to the conductive pattern by protecting the first etch stop layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming electric wiring using a dual damascene process wherein prevention of damage to a lower conductive pattern and low contact resistance may be achieved. A first insulation layer having a first trench filled with a conductive material is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first etch stop layer, a second insulation layer and a third insulation layer are sequentially formed thereon. A capping layer is formed on the third insulation layer. A via hole is formed by selectively etching the capping layer, third insulation layer and second insulation layer. Then the capping layer is partially etched and a polymer layer is formed on the exposed first etch stop layer. A second trench is formed and the electric wiring is formed by filling a conductive material in a resulting structure. The polymer layer prevents damage to the conductive pattern by protecting the first etch stop layer.

Abstract: In a semiconductor manufacturing method, etching control is provided by introducing a material containing a material having at least one of an —H, —C, —CH, —CH2, and —CH3 radical component, e.g., Si—O—C, in a lower portion or layer of a dielectric layer formed during a semiconductor manufacturing process. A semiconductor device made by the method includes a first dielectric layer of a material having a given amount of carbon formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a second dielectric layer of a material having a lesser amount of carbon formed on said first dielectric layer wherein the second dielectric layer has an etched pattern formed by etching the second dielectric layer to a depth determined by etching resistance of first dielectric layer.