Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for processing a dielectric film on a substrate with UV energy. In one embodiment, a precursor film is deposited on the substrate, and the precursor film includes a plurality of porogen molecules. The precursor film is first exposed to UV energy at a first temperature to initiate a cross-linking process. After a first predetermined time, the temperature of the precursor film is increased to a second temperature for a second predetermined time to remove porogen molecules and to continue the cross-linking process. The resulting film is a porous low-k dielectric film having improved elastic modulus and hardness.

Abstract: Methods of single precursor deposition of hardmask and ARC layers, are described. The resultant film is a SiOC layer with higher carbon content terminated with high density silicon oxide SiO2 layer with low carbon content. The method can include delivering a first deposition precursor to a substrate, the first deposition precursor comprising an SiOC precursor and a first flow rate of an oxygen containing gas; activating the deposition species using a plasma, whereby a SiOC containing layer over an exposed surface of the substrate is deposited. Then delivering a second precursor gas to the SiOC containing layer, the second deposition gas comprising different or same SiOC precursor with a second flow rate and a second flow rate of the oxygen containing gas and activating the deposition gas using a plasma, the second deposition gas forming a SiO2 containing layer over the hardmask, the SiO2 containing layer having very low carbon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes to selectively form a cobalt layer on a copper surface over exposed dielectric surfaces. Embodiments described herein control selectivity of deposition by preventing damage to the dielectric surface, repairing damage to the dielectric surface, such as damage which can occur during the cobalt deposition process, and controlling deposition parameters for the cobalt layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide multi-layer dielectric stack configurations that are resistant to plasma damage. Methods are disclosed for the deposition of thin protective low dielectric constant layers upon bulk low dielectric constant layers to create the layer stack. As a result, the dielectric constant of the multi-layer stack is unchanged during and after plasma processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes to selectively form a cobalt layer on a copper surface over exposed dielectric surfaces. Embodiments described herein control selectivity of deposition by preventing damage to the dielectric surface, repairing damage to the dielectric surface, such as damage which can occur during the cobalt deposition process, and controlling deposition parameters for the cobalt layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low K dielectric film with one or more features is disclosed herein. A method of forming a dielectric layer can include positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, delivering a deposition gas to the processing chamber, depositing a dense organosilicon layer using the deposition gas on the surface of the substrate, the dense organosilicon layer comprising a porogenic carbon, transferring a pattern into the dense organosilicon layer, forming a pore-forming plasma from a reactant gas, exposing the dense organosilicon layer to the pore-forming plasma to create a porous organosilicon layer, wherein the pore-forming plasma removes at least a portion of the porogenic carbon and exposing the porous organosilicon layer to a desiccating post treatment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide multi-layer dielectric stack configurations that are resistant to plasma damage. Methods are disclosed for the deposition of thin protective low dielectric constant layers upon bulk low dielectric constant layers to create the layer stack. As a result, the dielectric constant of the multi-layer stack is unchanged during and after plasma processing.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the k value of a layer using air gaps and devices produced by said methods are disclosed herein. Methods disclosed herein can include depositing a carbon containing stack over one or more features in a substrate, depositing a porous dielectric layer over the carbon containing stack, and curing the substrate to volatilize the carbon containing stack. The resulting device includes a substrate with one or more features formed therein, a porous dielectric layer formed over the features with an air gap formed in the features.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the k value of a layer using air gaps and devices produced by said methods are disclosed herein. Methods disclosed herein can include depositing a carbon containing stack over one or more features in a substrate, depositing a porous dielectric layer over the carbon containing stack, and curing the substrate to volatilize the carbon containing stack. The resulting device includes a substrate with one or more features formed therein, a porous dielectric layer formed over the features with an air gap formed in the features.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally include methods for forming porous low k dielectric films. In one embodiment, a method of forming a porous low k dielectric film on a substrate using PECVD and in situ radical curing in a processing chamber is disclosed. The method includes introducing radicals into a processing region of the processing chamber, introducing a gas mixture into the processing region of the processing chamber, forming a plasma in the processing region and depositing the porous low k dielectric film on the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for processing a dielectric film on a substrate with UV energy. In one embodiment, a precursor film is deposited on the substrate, and the precursor film includes a plurality of porogen molecules. The precursor film is first exposed to UV energy at a first temperature to initiate a cross-linking process. After a first predetermined time, the temperature of the precursor film is increased to a second temperature for a second predetermined time to remove porogen molecules and to continue the cross-linking process. The resulting film is a porous low-k dielectric film having improved elastic modulus and hardness.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method for sealing a porous low-k dielectric film. The method includes forming a sealing layer on the porous low-k dielectric film using a cyclic process. The cyclic process includes repeating a sequence of depositing a sealing layer on the porous low-k dielectric film and treating the sealing layer until the sealing layer achieves a predetermined thickness. The treating of each intermediate sealing layer generates more reactive sites on the surface of each intermediate sealing layer, which improves the quality of the resulting sealing layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low K dielectric film with one or more features is disclosed herein. A method of forming a dielectric layer can include positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, delivering a deposition gas to the processing chamber, depositing a dense organosilicon layer using the deposition gas on the surface of the substrate, the dense organosilicon layer comprising a porogenic carbon, transferring a pattern into the dense organosilicon layer, forming a pore-forming plasma from a reactant gas, exposing the dense organosilicon layer to the pore-forming plasma to create a porous organosilicon layer, wherein the pore-forming plasma removes at least a portion of the porogenic carbon and exposing the porous organosilicon layer to a desiccating post treatment.

Abstract: A low k porous dielectric film with improved mechanical strength and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. A method of forming a dielectric layer can include positioning a substrate in a processing chamber, delivering a deposition gas to the processing chamber, depositing a dense organosilicon layer using the deposition gas on the surface of the substrate, the dense organosilicon layer comprising a porogenic carbon, forming a pore-forming plasma from a reactant gas, exposing the dense organosilicon layer to the pore-forming plasma to create a porous organosilicon layer, wherein the pore-forming plasma removes at least a portion of the porogenic carbon and exposing the porous organosilicon layer to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a film stack and method for depositing an adhesive layer for a low dielectric constant bulk layer without the need for an initiation layer. A film stack for use in a semiconductor device comprises of a dual layer low-K dielectric deposited directly on an underlying layer. The dual low-K dielectric consists of an adhesive layer deposited without a carbon free initiation layer.

Abstract: Methods for making a low k porous dielectric film with improved mechanical strength are disclosed herein. A method of forming a dielectric layer can include delivering a deposition gas to a substrate in a processing chamber, the deposition gas comprising an acrylate precursor with a UV active side group and an oxygen containing precursor; activating the deposition gas to deposit an uncured carbon-containing layer on a surface of the substrate; and delivering UV radiation to the uncured carbon-containing layer to create a cured carbon-containing layer, the UV active side group crosslinking with a second group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a method and apparatus for forming a low-k dielectric porous silicon oxycarbon layer within an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a method is provided for depositing a porogen and bulk layer containing silicon oxycarbon layer, selectively removing the porogens from the formed layer without simultaneously cross-linking the bulk layer, and then cross-linking the bulk layer material. In other embodiments, methods are provided for depositing multiple silicon oxycarbon sublayers, selectively removing porogens from each sub-layer without simultaneously cross-linking the bulk material of the sub-layer, and separately cross-linking the sub-layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes to selectively form a cobalt layer on a copper surface over exposed dielectric surfaces. Embodiments described herein control selectivity of deposition by preventing damage to the dielectric surface, repairing damage to the dielectric surface, such as damage which can occur during the cobalt deposition process, and controlling deposition parameters for the cobalt layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for lowering the dielectric constant of low-k dielectric films used in semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method for lowering the dielectric constant (k) of a low-k silicon-containing dielectric film, comprising exposing a porous low-k silicon-containing dielectric film to a hydrofluoric acid solution and subsequently exposing the low-k silicon-containing dielectric film to a silylation agent. The silylation agent reacts with Si—OH functional groups in the porous low-k dielectric film to increase the concentration of carbon in the low-k dielectric film.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes to selectively form a cobalt layer on a copper surface over exposed dielectric surfaces. Embodiments described herein control selectivity of deposition by preventing damage to the dielectric surface, repairing damage to the dielectric surface, such as damage which can occur during the cobalt deposition process, and controlling deposition parameters for the cobalt layer.