Abstract: A multilevel metal interconnect structure and method of fabrication for semiconductor integrated circuits. A first horizontal metal interconnector line, for example copper, is topped by a stack of horizontal insulating layers alternating between etch stop and dielectric layers so that the bottom etch stop layer is selected to be etchable at a first rate by a selected etchant, while the upper etch stop layers are selected to be etchable at a second rate by the same selected etchant. Preferably, the first etch rate is about ten times faster than the second etch rate. When a vertical trench and via are etched into the stack, the bottom stop layer can be opened for contact to the first metal line without etching the other stop layers substantially. Trench and via are finally filled with metal, for instance copper, to form the second level interconnector line and the via contact to the first level metal line.

Abstract: The structure and the fabrication method of an integrated circuit in the horizontal surface of a semiconductor body comprising a dielectric layer over said semiconductor body and a substantially vertical hole through the dielectric layer, the hole having sidewalls and a bottom. A barrier layer is positioned over the dielectric layer including the sidewalls within the hole and the bottom of the hole; the barrier layer is operable to seal copper. A copper-doped transition layer is positioned over the barrier layer; the transition layer has a resistivity higher than pure copper and is operable to strongly bond to copper and to the barrier layer, whereby electomigration reliability is improved. The remainder of said hole is filled with copper. The hole can be either a trench or a trench and a via.

Abstract: An aluminum hardmask (106, 214) is used for etching a dielectric layer (102, 210). A fluorine-based etch is used that does not etch the aluminum hardmask (106, 210). The aluminum hardmask (106, 214) is then removed by CMP.

Abstract: Treating a low-k dielectric layer (104) using a highly oxidizing wet solution (e.g., H2SO4) to improve patterning. Resist poisoning occurs due to an interaction between low-k films (104), such as OSG, and DUV resist (130,132). The wet treatment is performed to either pre-treat a low-k dielectric (104) before forming the pattern (130,132) or during a rework of the pattern (130,132) to reduce resist poisoning.

Abstract: A versatile system for reducing electromagnetic interference resulting from an inductor (300) formed within an integrated circuit is disclosed, including an inductor layer (310) having conductive elements (326) about its perimeter, first (306) and second (308) isolation layers disposed upon on opposite sides of the inductor layer and having conductive elements (326) about their perimeters, and first (302) and second (304) shield layers surrounding the first and second isolation layers, respectively, and coupled together by the conductive elements (326) of the isolation and inductor layers.

Abstract: A method for fabricating circuit interconnects in integrated circuits comprising vertical vias and horizontal trenches between metal lines, wherein only one photomask for creating vias and trenches is needed instead of the conventional two masks. The function of the second mask is replaced by a series of plasma etch steps, which exploit differential etch rates for areas which are open relative to areas which are narrow and constricted. As a technical advantage of the invention, each interconnection created by the method of the invention is a structure of wider trenches and narrower vias, wherein the diameter of the vias is approximately the same as the narrowest width of the reverse trench pattern, and each via is centered within the trench. The reverse trench pattern surrounding the via is approximately twice the width of the via diameter.

Abstract: An aluminum hardmask (106, 214) is used for etching a dielectric layer (102, 210). A fluorine-based etch is used that does not etch the aluminum hardmask (106, 210) The aluminum hardmask (106, 214) is then removed by CMP.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for forming integrated circuit interconnects using a dual hardmask dual damascene process. A first hardmask layer (50) and a second hardmask layer (60) are formed over a low k dielectric layer (40). The trench pattern is first defined by the second hardmask and via pattern is then defined by the first hardmask. Any interaction between low k dielectrics (40) and the photoresist (80) at patterning is prevented. The BARC and photoresist may be stripped before the start of the dielectric etching such that the low k dielectric material is protected by the hardmasks during resist strip.

Abstract: A method for fabricating circuit interconnects in integrated circuits comprising vertical vias and horizontal trenches between metal lines, wherein only one photomask for creating vias and trenches is needed instead of the conventional two masks. The function of the second mask is replaced by a series of plasma etch steps, which exploit differential etch rates for areas which are open relative to areas which are narrow and constricted.

Abstract: A method for completing an integrated circuit in the horizontal surface of a semiconductor substrate having interconnecting metal lines, comprising the steps of forming a dielectric layer over a said substrate; etching a substantially vertical hole into said dielectric layer so that it exposes one of said metal lines; depositing a barrier layer over said structure including within said hole, said barrier layer operable to seal said dielectric sidewalls of said structure; selectively removing said barrier layer from the bottom of said hole, thereby exposing said metal line; and forming a copper interconnect structure in said structure, contacting said metal line.

Abstract: A technique is described for providing cavities between the conducting paths of an integrated semiconductor circuit. These cavities can have air or a gas trapped therein to decrease the dielectric constant between two conducting paths. After forming the conducting paths, an etchable fill material formed between and over the conducting paths. An oxide cap is formed over the fill material. Conducting plugs, extending through the fill material and the oxide cap, and electrically coupled to the conducting paths are formed. A photo-resist layer applied over the conducting plugs and the oxide cap. The photo-resist layer is structured to permit access to the oxide cap between the conducting plugs. A “pin-hole” is fabricated through the oxide cap and the fill material exposed by the “pin-hole” is etched away. The “pin-hole” is plugged with additional oxide cap material and a surface is then formed on the oxide cap exposing the conducting plugs.

Abstract: Treating a low-k dielectric layer (104) using a highly oxidizing wet solution (e.g., H2SO4) to improve patterning. Resist poisoning occurs due to an interaction between low-k films (104), such as OSG, and DUV resist (130,132). The wet treatment is performed to either pre-treat a low-k dielectric (104) before forming the pattern (130,132) or during a rework of the pattern (130,132) to reduce resist poisoning.

Abstract: A versatile system for reducing electromagnetic interference resulting from an inductor (300) formed within an integrated circuit is disclosed, including an inductor layer (310) having conductive elements (326) about its perimeter, first (306) and second (308) isolation layers disposed upon on opposite sides of the inductor layer and having conductive elements (326) about their perimeters, and first (302) and second (304) shield layers surrounding the first and second isolation layers, respectively, and coupled together by the conductive elements (326) of the isolation and inductor layers.

Abstract: Treating a low-k dielectric layer (104) using a highly oxidizing wet solution (e.g., H2O2) to improve patterning. Resist poisoning occurs due to an interaction between low-k films (104), such as OSG, and DUV resist (130,132). The wet treatment is performed to either pre-treat a low-k dielectric (104) before forming the pattern (130,132) or during a rework of the pattern (130,132) to reduce resist poisoning.

Abstract: An inductor integrated in a semiconductor device is disclosed, comprising a first and second lower electrical trace, an upper electrical trace, aligned at a first end with a first end of the first lower electrical trace and at a second end with a second end of the second lower electrical trace, a first via intercoupling the first end of the upper electrical trace with the first end of the first lower electrical trace, and a second via intercoupling the second end of the upper electrical trace with the second end of the second lower electrical trace.

Abstract: A technique is described for providing cavities between the conducting paths of an integrated semiconductor circuit. These cavities can have air or a gas trapped therein to decrease the dielectric constant between two conducting paths. After forming the conducting paths, an etchable fill material formed between and over the conducting paths. An oxide cap is formed over the fill material. Conducting plugs, extending through the fill material and the oxide cap, and electrically coupled to the conducting paths are formed. A photo-resist layer applied over the conducting plugs and the oxide cap. The photo-resist layer is structured to permit access to the oxide cap between the conducting plugs. A “pin-hole” is fabricated through the oxide cap and the fill material exposed by the “pin-hole” is etched away. The “pin-hole” is plugged with additional oxide cap material and a surface is then formed on the oxide cap exposing the conducting plugs.

Abstract: A structure and method to direct the via 270 etch to the top of the interconnect 210, by using a sidewall layer 240, preferably. TiN, and thus preventing the etching down the side of the interconnect 210 and exposure of materials residing between the interconnects 210.

Abstract: A structure and method to direct the via 270 etch to the top of the interconnect 210, by using a sidewall layer 240, preferably TiN, and thus preventing the etching down the side of the interconnect 210 and exposure of materials residing between the interconnects 210.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a method of etching a conductive structure comprised of copper and overlying a semiconductor substrate, the method comprising the step of: subjecting the conductive structure to a combination of plasma, an etchant, and a gaseous aluminum source. Preferably, the conductive structure is comprised of aluminum and copper (more preferably, it is comprised of aluminum and 1 to 4% by weight copper) or it may be substantially comprised of substantially pure copper. In addition, the etchant is preferably introduced into the process chamber in a gaseous state and is comprised of Cl.sub.2. The gaseous aluminum source may be comprised of: DMAH, trimethylaluminum, dimethylalane, trimethylaminealine, dimethylethylaminealane, dimethylethylaminedimethylalane, or AlCl.sub.3.

Abstract: An ultimate low k (k=1) gap structure for high speed logic devices in which the sidewalls fully or partially cover the gaps between the interconnects by dry etching the already formed aluminum interconnects after the photoresist has been stripped. This method is particularly useful for the subsequent deposition of silicon dioxide and for forming air gaps.