Abstract: A Cu-CMP step applied to processes for 130 nm, 90 nm, and 65 nm technical nodes or the like mainly employs slurry to which an anticorrosive agent is added for preventing corrosion of Cu wiring. The inventors of the present application have studied and clearly found that in the Cu-CMP step using the slurry with the anticorrosive agent added thereto, the anticorrosive agent often forms complexes with Cu, which remain as foreign matter on a wafer in large quantity, leading to a reduction in yield, and in reliability of TDDB characteristics of the Cu wiring. In the invention of the present application, a post-CMP cleaning process involves applying wet cleaning to a wafer by supplying a cleaning solution, such as a chemical solution or pure water, to a device surface of the wafer substantially in a vertical direction with respect to the horizontal device surface, while rotating the wafer substantially about its center in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A Cu-CMP step applied to processes for 130 nm, 90 nm, and 65 nm technical nodes or the like mainly employs slurry to which an anticorrosive agent is added for preventing corrosion of Cu wiring. The inventors of the present application have studied and clearly found that in the Cu-CMP step using the slurry with the anticorrosive agent added thereto, the anticorrosive agent often forms complexes with Cu, which remain as foreign matter on a wafer in large quantity, leading to a reduction in yield, and in reliability of TDDB characteristics of the Cu wiring. In the invention of the present application, a post-CMP cleaning process involves applying wet cleaning to a wafer by supplying a cleaning solution, such as a chemical solution or pure water, to a device surface of the wafer substantially in a vertical direction with respect to the horizontal device surface, while rotating the wafer substantially about its center in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: In the forming process of buried wirings by filling wiring trenches formed in an insulator with a conductive film mainly made of Cu, the buried wirings are formed to have a uniform-height regardless of the width and density of the wiring trenches. When polishing a barrier conductor film comprised of a Ta film in the CMP process for forming the buried wirings, the polishing agent, which controls the removal rate of the underlying insulator of a silicon oxide film relative to the barrier conductor film to almost one twentieth or less, is used as the slurry, and the pad which is made of polyurethane with a hardness of 75 degrees or more measured by the Type E durometer in conformity with the JIS K6253 and which is comprised of the foam including non-uniform pores with a diameter of about 150 ?m or larger and a density of about 0.4–0.16 g/cm3, is used as the polishing pad.

Abstract: The copper interconnect formed by the use of a damascene technique is improved in dielectric breakdown strength (reliability). During post-CMP cleaning, alkali cleaning, a deoxidizing process due to hydrogen annealing or the like, and acid cleaning are carried out in this order. After the post-CMP cleaning and before forming an insulation film for a cap film, hydrogen plasma and ammonia plasma processes are carried out on the semiconductor substrate. In this way, a copper-based buried interconnect is formed in an interlayer insulation film structured of an insulation material having a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: A method of forming an oxide film having high insularity capability is performed within an ultra clean environment, using charged particles.

Abstract: Vacuum processing equipment capable of preventing particles from sticking to objects to be processed in vacuum vessels. The vacuum equipment comprises a series of vacuum vessels separated by doors, and the pressure in the vessels are reducible respectively. The vessels are so configured that objects to be processed are moveable among them and there is provided light projection means for projecting ultra rays on gases introduced to at least of the vessels.

Abstract: In the forming process of buried wirings by filling wiring trenches formed in an insulator with a conductive film mainly made of Cu, the buried wirings are formed to have a uniform-height regardless of the width and density of the wiring trenches. When polishing a barrier conductor film comprised of a Ta film in the CMP process for forming the buried wirings, the polishing agent which can control the removal rate of the underlying insulator of a silicon oxide film relative to the barrier conductor film to almost one twentieth or less is used as the slurry, and the pad made of polyurethane with a hardness of 75 degrees or more measured by the Type E durometer in conformity with the JIS K6253, which is comprised of the foam including non-uniform pores with a diameter of about 150 ?m or larger and a density of about 0.4-0.6 g/cm3, is used as the polishing pad.

Abstract: The copper interconnect formed by the use of a damascene technique is improved in dielectric breakdown strength (reliability). During post-CMP cleaning, alkali cleaning, a deoxidizing process due to hydrogen annealing or the like, and acid cleaning are carried out in this order. After the post-CMP cleaning and before forming an insulation film for a cap film, hydrogen plasma and ammonia plasma processes are carried out on the semiconductor substrate. In this way, a copper-based buried interconnect is formed in an interlayer insulation film structured of an insulation material having a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: The copper interconnect formed by the use of a damascene technique is improved in dielectric breakdown strength (reliability). During post-CMP cleaning, alkali cleaning, a deoxidizing process due to hydrogen annealing or the like, and acid cleaning are carried out in this order. After the post-CMP cleaning and before forming an insulation film for a cap film, hydrogen plasma and ammonia plasma processes are carried out on the semiconductor substrate. In this way, a copper-based buried interconnect is formed in an interlayer insulation film structured of an insulation material having a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: Vacuum processing equipment capable of preventing particles from sticking to objects to be processed in vacuum vessels. The vacuum equipment comprises a series of vacuum vessels separated by doors, and the pressure in the vessels are reducible respectively. The vessels are so configured that objects to be processed are movable among them, and there is provided light projection means for projecting ultra rays on gases introduced to at least of the vessels.

Abstract: The copper interconnect formed by the use of a damascene technique is improved in dielectric breakdown strength (reliability). During post-CMP cleaning, alkali cleaning, deoxidizing process due to hydrogen anneal or the like and acid cleaning are carried out in the order. After the post-CMP cleaning and before forming an insulation film for a cap film, hydrogen plasma and ammonia plasma processes are carried out on the semiconductor substrate. In this manner, a copper-based buried interconnect is formed in an interlayer insulation film structured of an insulation material having a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit wherein a patterned wafer polishing machine for uniformly polishing a surface by chemical mechanical polishing is utilized which is provided with a head for holding a wafer and rubbing it on an abrasive surface. A pressure plate provided with vents is held by the head body which is provided with a gas inlet and an elastic film for sealing vents is provided on the end face on the side reverse to the gas inlet side of the pressure plate. A patterned wafer is held by the head as the wafer, pressed by action of the pressure of air from the gas inlet via the elastic film is pressed mechanically by the pressure plate. The polishing surface which is a principal plane on the patterned side of the wafer is mechanochemically polished by the abrasive surface.

Abstract: Vacuum processing equipment capable of preventing particles from sticking to objects to be processed in vacuum vessels. The vacuum equipment comprises a series of vacuum vessels separated by doors, and the pressure in the vessels are reducible respectively. The vessels are so configured that objects to be processed are movable among them, and there is provided light projection means for projecting ultra rays on gases introduced to at least of the vessels.