Abstract: A method of lithography patterning includes forming a mask layer on a material layer and forming a capping layer on the mask layer. The capping layer is a boron-containing layer with a higher resistance to an etching reaction of patterning process of the material layer. By adapting the boron-containing layer as the capping layer, the thickness of the mask layer can be thus reduced. Hence, a better gap filling for forming an interconnect metallization in the material layer could be achieved as well.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the performance of an integrated circuit by lowering RC delay time is provided. A preferred embodiment comprises adding a reactive etch gas to the ash/flush plasma process following a low-k dielectric etch. The illustrative embodiments implement a removal of the damage layer that is formed during a low-k dielectric etch.

Abstract: A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first etch stop layer, a second etch stop layer, and a hard mask layer on a material layer. The materials of the first etch stop layer and the second etch stop layer are selected by the way that there is a material gradient composition between the second etch stop layer, the first etch stop layer, and the material layer. Hence, gradient etching rates between the second etch stop layer, the first etch stop layer, and the material layer are achieved in an etching process to form etched patterns with smooth and/or vertical sidewalls within the second and the first etch stop layers and the material layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit comprises forming a low-k dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the low-k dielectric layer to form an opening, and treating the low-k dielectric layer with a gaseous organic chemical to cause a reaction between the low-k dielectric layer and the gaseous organic chemical. The gaseous organic chemical is free from silicon.

Abstract: A bilayer porous low dielectric constant (low-k) interconnect structure and methods of fabricating the same are presented. A preferred embodiment having an effective dielectric constant of about 2.2 comprises a bottom deposited dielectric layer and a top deposited dielectric layer in direct contact with the former. The bottom layer and the top layer have same atomic compositions, but a higher dielectric constant value k. The bottom dielectric layer serves as an etch stop layer for the top dielectric layer, and the top dielectric layer can act as CMP stop layer. One embodiment of making the structure includes forming a bottom dielectric layer having a first porogen content and a top dielectric layer having a higher porogen content. A curing process leaves lower pore density in the bottom dielectric layer than that left in the top dielectric layer, which leads to higher dielectric value k in the bottom dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods for improving post etch in via or trench formation in semiconductor devices. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a re-capping layer over a dielectric film following an initial etch to form a feature in the dielectric film, followed by additional etch and etch back processing steps. The re-capping method provides protection for underlying films and prevents film damage post etch. Uniform feature profiles are maintained and critical dimension uniformity is obtained by use of the methods of the invention. The time dependent dielectric breakdown performance is increased.

Abstract: An extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric film scheme for advanced interconnects includes an upper ELK dielectric layer and a lower ELK dielectric with different refractive indexes. The refractive index of the upper ELK dielectric layer is greater than the refractive index of the lower ELK dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit comprises forming a low-k dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the low-k dielectric layer to form an opening, and treating the low-k dielectric layer with a gaseous organic chemical to cause a reaction between the low-k dielectric layer and the gaseous organic chemical. The gaseous organic chemical is free from silicon.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a low-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; generating hydrogen radicals using a remote plasma method; performing a first hydrogen radical treatment to the low-k dielectric layer using the hydrogen radicals; forming an opening in the low-k dielectric layer; filling the opening with a conductive material; and performing a planarization to remove excess conductive material on the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure including reflective metal pads is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first low-k dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first low-k dielectric layer is a top low-k dielectric layer; a second low-k dielectric layer immediately underlying the first low-k dielectric layer; and a reflective metal pad in the second low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure having an opening formed in a porous dielectric layer is provided. The exposed pores of the dielectric layer along the sidewalls of the opening are sealed. The sealing may comprise a selective or a non-selective deposition method. The sealing layer has a substantially uniform thickness in one portion of the opening and a non-uniform thickness in another portion of the opening. A damascene interconnect structure having a pore sealing layer is provided as is its method of manufacture.

Abstract: An extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric film scheme for advanced interconnects includes an upper ELK dielectric layer and a lower ELK dielectric with different refractive indexes. The refractive index of the upper ELK dielectric layer is greater than the refractive index of the lower ELK dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a first porous SiCOH dielectric layer, a second porous SiCOH dielectric layer, and an oxide layer. The first porous SiCOH dielectric layer overlies the substrate. The second porous SiCOH dielectric layer overlies the first porous SiCOH dielectric layer. The oxide layer overlies the second porous SiCOH dielectric layer. The atomic percentage of carbon in the second porous SiCOH dielectric layer is between 16% and 22% of that in the first porous SiCOH dielectric layer.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the performance of an integrated circuit by lowering RC delay time is provided. A preferred embodiment comprises adding a reactive etch gas to the ash/flush plasma process following a low-k dielectric etch. The illustrative embodiments implement a removal of the damage layer that is formed during a low-k dielectric etch.

Abstract: Interconnect structures are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an interconnect structure comprises a substrate with a low-k dielectric layer thereon. A via opening and a trench opening are formed in the low-k dielectric layer, wherein the trench opening is formed over the via opening and the via opening exposes a portion of the substrate. A liner layer is formed on sidewalls of the low-k dielectric layer exposed by the trench and via protions and a bottom surface exposed by the trench via portion, wherein the portion of the liner layer on sidewalls of the low-k dielectric layer exposed by the trench and via protions and the portion of the liner layer formed on a bottom surface exposed by the trench portion comprise different materials. A conformal conductive barrier layer is formed in the trench and via openings, covering the liner layer and the exposed portion of the substrate. A conductive layer is formed on the conductive barrier layer, filling in the trench and via openings.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with improved resistance to delamination and method for forming the same the method including providing a semiconductor wafer comprising a metallization layer with an uppermost etch stop layer; forming at least one adhesion promoting layer on the etch stop layer; and, forming an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on the at least one adhesion promoting layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a first porous SiCOH dielectric layer, a second porous SiCOH dielectric layer, and an oxide layer. The first porous SiCOH dielectric layer overlies the substrate. The second porous SiCOH dielectric layer overlies the first porous SiCOH dielectric layer. The oxide layer overlies the second porous SiCOH dielectric layer. The atomic percentage of carbon in the second porous SiCOH dielectric layer is between 16% and 22% of that in the first porous SiCOH dielectric layer.

Abstract: An UV treatment for making a low-k dielectric layer having improved properties in a damascene structure. A low-k dielectric layer in a damascene structure is subjected to an UV treatment with He gas or H2 gas to eliminate etching damage to the exposed surfaces of the low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for plasma treatment of anisotropically etched openings to improve a crack initiation and propagation resistance including providing a semiconductor wafer having a process surface including anisotropically etched openings extending at least partially through a dielectric insulating layer; plasma treating in at least one plasma treatment the process surface including the anisotropically etched openings to improve an adhesion of a subsequently deposited refractory metal adhesion/barrier layer thereover; and, blanket depositing at least one refractory metal adhesion/barrier layer to line the anisotropically etched openings.

Abstract: An extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric film scheme for advanced interconnects includes an upper ELK dielectric layer and a lower ELK dielectric with different refractive indexes. The refractive index of the upper ELK dielectric layer is greater than the refractive index of the lower ELK dielectric layer.