Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for depositing high quality conformal tantalum (Ta) and tantalum nitride (TaNx) films from inorganic tantalum pentahalide (TaX5) precursors is described. The inorganic tantalum halide precursors are tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), tantalum pentachloride (TaCl5) and tantalum pentabromide (TaBr5). A TaX5 vapor is delivered into a heated chamber. The vapor is combined with a process gas to deposit a Ta or TaNx film on a substrate that is heated to 300° C.-500° C. The deposited film is useful for integrated circuits containing copper films, especially in small high aspect ratio features. The high conformality of these films is superior to films deposited by PVD.

Abstract: Reactive gas cluster ion beam processing using gas cluster ions comprising a mixture of gases cleans and/or etches the bottoms of electrical interconnect vias and/or trenches in integrated circuits to produce interconnect structures with lower contact resistances and better reliability than was previously achieved with conventional processes. In one embodiment, an electrical interconnect via structure uses a dielectric or high resistivity diffusion barrier material.

Abstract: Method for removing and/or redistributing material in the trenches and/or vias of integrated circuit interconnect structures by a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) is described to improve the fabrication process and quality of metal interconnects in an integrated circuit. The process entails opening up an undesired ‘necked in’ region at the entrance to the structure, re-depositing the barrier metal from thicker areas such as the neck or bottom of the structure to the side walls and/or removing some of the excess and undesired material on the bottom of the structure by sputtering. The GCIB process may be applied after the barrier metal deposition and before the copper seed layer/copper electroplating or the process may be applied after the formation of the copper seed layer and before electroplating. The method may extend the usability of the known interconnect deposition technologies to next generation integrated circuits and beyond.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the migration of reaction by-product gases from a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process chamber to a transfer vacuum chamber shared by other process chambers. Separate regulated flows of purge gas are provided to the CVD process chamber and the transfer vacuum chamber before establishing a pathway for substrate transfer. A pressure differential is created between the transfer vacuum chamber and the CVD process chamber that reduces or prevents the migration of CVD reaction by-product gases arising from the establishment of the substrate transfer pathway. While the pathway is established, a directional flow of purge gas is maintained from the transfer vacuum chamber into the CVD process chamber.

Abstract: Reactive gas cluster ion beam processing using gas cluster ions comprising a mixture of gases cleans and/or etches the bottoms of electrical interconnect vias and/or trenches in integrated circuits to produce interconnect structures with lower contact resistances and better reliability than was previously achieved with conventional processes. In one embodiment, an electrical interconnect via structure uses a dielectric or high resistivity diffusion barrier material.

Abstract: A plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method for depositing high quality conformal tantalum (Ta) films from inorganic tantalum pentahalide (TaX5) precursors is described. The inorganic tantalum halide precursors are tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), tantalum pentachloride (TaCl5) and tantalum pentabromide (TaBr5). A TaX5 vapor is delivered into a heated chamber. The vapor is combined with a process gas to deposit a Ta film on a substrate that is heated to 300° C.-500° C. The deposited Ta film is useful for integrated circuits containing copper films, especially in small high aspect ratio features. The high conformality of these films is superior to films deposited by PVD.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for depositing high quality conformal tantalum/tantalum nitride (Ta/TaNx) bilayer films from inorganic tantalum pentahalide (TaX5) precursors and nitrogen is described. The inorganic tantalum halide precursors are tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), tantalum pentachloride (TaCl5) and tantalum pentabromide (TaBr5). A TaX5 vapor is delivered into a heated reaction chamber. The vapor is combined with a process gas to deposit a Ta film and a process gas containing nitrogen to deposit a TaNx film on a substrate that is heated to 300° C.-500° C. The deposited Ta/TaNx bilayer film is useful for integrated circuits containing copper films, especially in small high aspect ratio features. The high conformality of these films is superior to films deposited by PVD.

Abstract: A thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for depositing high quality conformal tantalum nitride (TaNx) films from inorganic tantalum pentahalide (TaX5) precursors and nitrogen is described. The inorganic tantalum halide precursors are tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), tantalum pentachloride (TaCl5) and tantalum pentabromide (TaBr5). A TaX5 vapor is delivered into a heated chamber. The vapor is combined with a process gas containing nitrogen to deposit a TaNx a substrate that is heated to 300° C.-500° C. The deposited TaNx film is useful for integrated circuits containing copper films, especially in small high aspect ratio features. The high conformality of these films is superior to films deposited by PVD.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for depositing high quality conformal tantalum (Ta) and tantalum nitride (TaNx) films from inorganic tantalum pentahalide (TaX5) precursors is described. The inorganic tantalum halide precursors are tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), tantalum pentachloride (TaCl5) and tantalum pentabromide (TaBr5). A TaX5 vapor is delivered into a heated chamber. The vapor is combined with a process gas to deposit a Ta or TaNx film on a substrate that is heated to 300° C.-500° C. The deposited film is useful for integrated circuits containing copper films, especially in small high aspect ratio features. The high conformality of these films is superior to films deposited by PVD.

Abstract: A plasma treated chemical vapor deposition (PTTCVD) method for depositing high quality conformal tantalum nitride (TaNx) films from inorganic tantalum halide (TaX5) precursors and a nitrogen containing gas is described. The inorganic tantalum halide precursors are tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), tantalum pentachloride (TaCl5) and tantalum pentabromide (TaBr5). In a thermal CVD process, a TaX5 vapor is delivered into a heated chamber. The vapor is combined with a process gas containing nitrogen to deposit a TaNx film on a substrate that is heated to 300° C.-500° C. A hydrogen gas is introduced in a radiofrequency generated plasma to plasma treat the TaNx film. The plasma treatment is performed periodically until a desired TaNx film thickness is achieved. The PTTCVD films have improved microstructure and reduced resistivity with no change in step coverage. The deposited TaNx film is useful for integrated circuits containing copper films, especially in small high aspect ratio features.

Abstract: A plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method for depositing high quality conformal tantalum nitride (TaNx) films from inorganic tantalum pentahalide (TaX5) precursors and nitrogen is described. The inorganic tantalum halide precursors are tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), tantalum pentachloride (TaCl5) and tantalum pentabromide (TaBr5). A TaX5 vapor is delivered into a heated chamber. The vapor is combined with a process gas containing nitrogen to deposit a TaNx film on a substrate that is heated to 300° C.-500° C. The deposited TaNx film is useful for integrated circuits containing copper films, especially in small high aspect ratio features. The high conformality of these films is superior to films deposited by PVD.