Abstract: A process has been developed in which high aspect ratio contact holes can be successfully filled, without voids, using a composite metallization layer. After adhesive and barrier layers are deposited, an additional titanium adhesive layer is deposited, for purposes of improving the adhesion of subsequent, overlying metallizations to underlying device structures. A two step aluminum deposition process is then employed, using an initial cold deposition followed by a hot aluminum deposition. The hot aluminum deposition process results in complete filling of the high aspect ratio contact hole, and also allows the formation of a titanium-aluminum intermetallic layer at the interface of the titanium adhesive layer and the initial, cold aluminum deposition layer.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the effectiveness of barrier layers, needed to prevent interaction between overlying aluminum interconnect metallizations, and underlying silicon device regions, has been developed. One method consists of using dual layers of titanium nitride, on titanium disilicide. The first titanium nitride layer is obtained via rapid thermal annealing of an underlying titanium layer, in a nitrogen containing ambient, also resulting in the formation of the underlying titanium disilicide layer. The second titanium nitride layer is deposited using reactive sputtering. A second method, used to create an enhanced barrier layer, is to reactively sputter titanium nitride, directly on an underlying titanium layer. Rapid thermal annealing, in an ammonia and oxygen ambient, results in an oxygen containing titanium nitride barrier layer. The rapid thermal anneal cycle also converts the underlying titanium layer, to the desired titanium disilicide layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a barrier/glue layer above the polysilicon layer of a MOS transistor gate comprising the step of providing a semiconductor substrate, and then forming a gate oxide layer above the substrate. Next, a polysilicon layer is formed over the gate oxide layer. Thereafter, a titanium layer is deposited over the polysilicon layer first, and then a titanium nitride layer is deposited above the titanium layer. This titanium/titanium nitride bi-layer is capable of increasing the adhesive strength with a subsequently deposited tungsten silicide layer, and preventing the peeling of the tungsten silicide layer. Furthermore, the titanium nitride layer acts as a barrier for fluorine atoms preventing their diffusion to the gate oxide layer/polysilicon layer interface, and affecting the effective thickness of the gate oxide layer. In the subsequent step, a tungsten suicide layer is formed above the titanium nitride layer.

Abstract: A process for fabricating contact plugs for semiconductor IC devices. An insulating layer is formed over the surface of an IC substrate. The insulating layer is then patterned for forming contact vias revealing the surface of an electrically conductive region of the IC circuitry that requires electrical connections by the contact plugs. A glue (adhesive) layer is then formed over the sidewall surface inside the contact vias. The glue (adhesive) layer is densified by either a rapid thermal annealing or a plasma treatment in order to prevent the formation of voids when the plugs are formed. The internal space of the contact vias are then filled with an electrically conductive material to form the contact plugs.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal plug. A contact window is formed to penetrate through a dielectric layer on a substrate having a MOS formed thereon. A titanium glue layer is formed on the dielectric layer and the circumference of the contact window. A titanium barrier layer is formed on the titanium nitride layer. Using nitrogen plasma bombardment on the titanium nitride layer, the structure of the titanium nitride layer is transformed. The number of the nucleation seeds is increased, and the size of grains is reduced. A metal layer is formed on the titanium nitride layer and fills the contact window. A part of the metal layer is removed and a metal plug within the contact window is formed.

Abstract: A method of preventing overpolishing in a chemical-mechanical polishing operation includes using a spin-on polymer material instead of spin-on glass as the local planarization material. The spin-on polymer layer is further used as a polishing stop layer so as to prevent damage to components due to overpolishing, because the polishing rate of the spin-on polymer layer in a chemical-mechanical polishing operation is, in general, lower than the polishing rate of the silicon dioxide layer formed using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A method for forming a barrier layer inside a contact in a semiconductor wafer is disclosed herein. The forgoing semiconductor wafer includes a dielectric layer on a silicon contained layer. A portion of the silicon contained layer is exposed by the contact. The method mentioned above includes the following steps.First, form a conductive layer on the topography of the semiconductor wafer by a method other than CVD to increase the ohmic contact to the exposed silicon contained layer. Thus a first portion of the conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer, and a second portion of the conductive layer is formed on the exposed silicon contained layer. Next, remove the first portion of the conductive layer to expose the dielectric layer. Finally, use a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to form the barrier layer on the dielectric layer and the first portion of the conductive layer to prevent said silicon contained layer from exposure.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive plug is disclosed. A device with a conductive region is formed on a semiconductor substrate. An insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The insulating layer is etched to form a contact window which exposes the conductive region of the device. A diffusion barrier layer is formed on the exposed conductive region and the periphery of the contact window. A hydrogen plasma treatment is performed in a reaction chamber; and a conductive material is filled in the contact window, to form the conductive plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing semiconductor components having a titanium nitride layer including the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate with a transistor including a gate and source/drain regions, depositing an insulating layer above the semiconductor substrate, etching the insulating layer to form an opening exposing the source/drain region below, depositing an ultra-thin titanium nitride layer having a grainy particulate profile and a thickness of about 0.5 nm to 2 nm around the edge and at the bottom of the opening, depositing a metallic layer over various aforementioned layers, and forming a metal silicide layer by heating the semiconductor substrate to allow the metallic layer to react with silicon on the semiconductor substrate surface.

Abstract: A method for treating via sidewalls comprising the steps of providing a substrate having a number of metallic wires already formed; depositing a liner oxide layer; depositing an organic spin-on-glass layer; and depositing a second oxide layer. The second oxide layer is planarized by a chemical-mechanical polishing method. Photolithographic and etching methods, employing oxygen plasma treatment as well as a wet etching removal method are used to form vias above the metallic layers. A hydrogen plasma treatment is performed for the via sidewalls to prevent the occurrence of out-gassing and to obtain superior electrical properties. A titanium/titanium nitride film is deposited, and aluminium or tungsten is deposited into the vias and to form aluminium or tungsten plugs, thus completing the manufacturing process according to this invention. A semiconductor device formned by this method is also described.

Abstract: A method for planarizing interlayer dielectric is disclosed. The present invention includes firstly forming a barrier layer over a semiconductor substrate. Next, a buffer layer is formed on the barrier layer by a spin-on-glass technique. A dielectric layer is formed on the buffer layer, wherein etch rate of the dielectric layer is larger than etch rate of the buffer layer, and the barrier layer serves as a block of autodoping coming from the dielectric layer. Finally, the dielectric layer is etched back using the buffer layer as buffer, thereby planarizing the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for effectively cleaning the slurry remnants left on a polishing pad after the completion of a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process is provided. This method is able to substantially thoroughly clean away all of the slurry remnants left on the polishing pad. In the method of the invention, the first step is to prepare a cleaning agent which is a mixture of H.sub.2 O.sub.2, deionized water, an acid solution, and an alkaline solution mixed to a predetermined ratio. The cleaning agent is subsequently directed to a nozzle formed in the pad dresser. This allows the cleaning agent to be jetted forcibly onto the slurry remnants on the polishing pad so as to clean the slurry remnants away from the polishing pad. The cleaning agent can be provided with predetermined ratios for various kinds of slurries so that the cleaning agent can be adjusted to be either acid or alkaline in nature.

Abstract: A new method of forming controlled voids within the intermetal dielectric and within the passivation layer of an integrated circuit is achieved. A first layer of patterned metallization is provided over semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate. An intermetal dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first patterned metal layer wherein the thickness of the intermetal dielectric layer is large enough so as to cause the formation of voids within the intermetal dielectric and wherein said voids are completely covered by said intermetal dielectric. A second layer of metallization is deposited over the intermetal dielectric and patterned. A passivation layer is deposited overlying the second patterned metal layer. The thickness of the passivation layer is large enough so as to cause the formation of voids within the passivation layer wherein said voids are completely covered by said passivation layer.

Abstract: A MOST capacitor for use in a DRAM is formed by using BPSG precipitates after densification as a mask for etching a BPSG layer to form BPSG islands. The BPSG islands are then used as a mask for etching a polysilicon layer to form pillars in the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating a convex charge coupled device is achieved. A silicon oxide layer is formed over the surface of a silicon substrate and patterned with a charge coupled device (CCD) electrode mask to provide openings to the silicon substrate. Nitride spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the openings. The integrated circuit is coated with a spin-on-glass layer. After curing, the spin-on-glass layer is etched back to expose the nitride spacers. Removing the nitride spacers leaves a second set of openings to the silicon substrate. Ions are implanted into the substrate through the second set of openings. The oxide layer is removed. The wafer is globally oxidized resulting in a thermal oxide layer with undulatory thickness. The thermal oxide is removed leaving a convex surface on the silicon substrate. A gate oxide layer is formed on the convex surface of the silicon substrate.