Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A first conductor core is connected to the semiconductor device. A low dielectric constant dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate and has an opening formed therein. A first barrier layer is deposited over the first conductor core. A second barrier layer is deposited to line the low dielectric constant dielectric layer and the first barrier layer. A third barrier layer is deposited to line the second barrier layer. A second conductor core is deposited to fill the opening over the third barrier layer.

Abstract: A non-planar target can be configured for use in a plasma vapor deposition (PVD) process in which ions bombard the non-planar target and cause alloy atoms present in the non-planar target to be knocked loose and form an alloy film layer. The target includes a top planar section having a first alloy concentration and a side annular section having a second alloy concentration. The side annular section has ends coupled to ends of the top planar section. The first alloy concentration and the second alloy concentration are different.

Abstract: A manufacturing method is provided for an integrated circuit having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A device dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A channel dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has an opening formed therein. A barrier layer lines the channel opening. A conductor core with a random grain texture fills the opening over the barrier layer. The crystallographic orientation of the conductor core is then graphoepitaxially changed to reduce its random grain texture.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A device dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate and a channel dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has an opening formed therein. A barrier layer lines the channel opening and a conductor core fills the opening over the barrier layer. A seedless barrier layer lines the opening, and a conductor core fills the opening over the seedless barrier layer. The barrier layer is deposited in the opening and contains atomic layers of barrier material which bonds to the dielectric layer, an intermediate material which bonds to the barrier material layer and to the conductor core, and a conductor core material which bonds to the intermediate material. The conductor core bonds to the conductor core material.

Abstract: Cu or a Cu alloy is deposited to partially fill openings in a dielectric layer and then annealed. Incomplete filling leaves room in the openings to accommodate a volume change associated with grain growth and, hence, prevents the generation of voids. The openings are then completely filled, annealed a second time and then planarized, as by CMP. Embodiments include partially filling about 70% to about 90% of the volume of the trenches and then annealing before completely filling the trenches.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method for manufacture thereof are provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A device dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer. A barrier layer with an alloying element is deposited to line the opening in the dielectric layer. A conductor core is deposited on the barrier layer to fill the opening and connect to the semiconductor device. The conductor core is annealed causing migration of the alloy element into the conductor core.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus for filling vias and trenches in integrated circuits is provided having a substrate with a device provided thereon. A device dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A channel dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has an opening provided therein. A barrier layer lines the opening of the channel dielectric. A seed layer is deposited over the barrier layer. Portions of the seed layer are then doped with a material that inhibits the deposition of copper by electroplating or electroless deposition using ion implantation. A conductor core layer is deposited on the seed layer by electroplating or electroless deposition, filling the opening over the barrier layer. The inhibiting material on the doped seed layer creates a filling profile that allows for a more efficient, faster, void-free filling of the conductor core layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A first channel dielectric layer over the semiconductor has a first opening lined by a first barrier layer and filled by a first conductor core. A via dielectric layer having a via opening which is open to the first conductor core is formed over the first channel dielectric layer. A second channel dielectric layer with a second opening which is open to the via is formed over the via dielectric layer. A second conductor core fills the via and second channel openings. A second barrier layer lining the via and second channel openings under the second conductor core forms a barrier between the second conductor core and the via and second channel dielectric layers, but does not form a barrier between the first and the second conductor cores.

Abstract: Copper interconnects are formed by depositing substantially pure copper into the lower portion of an interconnect opening. The upper portion of the interconnect opening is then filled with doped copper followed by a planarization process. The resulting copper interconnect exhibits reduced electromigration while maintaining low overall resistivity.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal or metal nitride layer interface between a copper layer and a silicon nitride layer can include providing a metal organic gas or metal/metal nitride precursor over a copper layer, forming a metal or metal nitride layer from reactions between the metal organic gas or metal/metal nitride precursor and the copper layer, and depositing a silicon nitride layer over the metal or metal nitride layer and copper layer. The metal or metal nitride layer can provide a better interface adhesion between the silicon nitride layer and the copper layer. The metal layer can improve the interface between the copper layer and the silicon nitride layer, improving electromigration reliability and, thus, integrated circuit device performance.

Abstract: In the present method of fabricating a semiconductor device, openings of different configurations (for example, different aspect ratios) are provided in a dielectric layer. Substantially undoped copper is deposited over the dielectric layer, filling the openings and extending above the dielectric layer, the different configurations of the openings providing an upper surface of the substantially undoped copper that is generally non-planar. A portion of the substantially undoped copper is removed to provide a substantially planar upper surface thereof, and a layer of doped copper is deposited on the upper surface of the substantially undoped copper. An anneal step is undertaken to difffuse the doping element into the copper in the openings.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A device dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has an opening formed therein including a conductor reservoir volume. A barrier layer lines the channel opening. A conductor core fills the opening over the barrier layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and has a second channel and via opening provided therein. A barrier layer lines the second channel and via opening except over the first channel opening. A conductor core fills the second channel and via opening over the barrier layer and the first conductor core to form the second channel and via. The conductor reservoir volume provides a supply of conductor material to prevent the formation of voids in the first channel and in the via.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A device dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has an opening formed therein including a conductor reservoir volume. A barrier layer lines the channel opening. A conductor core fills the opening over the barrier layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and has a second channel and via opening provided therein. A barrier layer lines the second channel and via opening except over the first channel opening. A conductor core fills the second channel and via opening over the barrier layer and the first conductor core to form the second channel and via. The conductor reservoir volume provides a supply of conductor material to prevent the formation of voids in the first channel and in the via.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate has an opening provided therein. The dielectric layer is of non-barrier dielectric material capable of being changed into a barrier dielectric material. The dielectric layer around the opening is changed into the barrier dielectric material and the conductor core material is deposited to fill the opening. The conductor core is processed to form a channel for the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device and a device dielectric layer formed on the semiconductor substrate. A channel dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has a channel opening, an alloy-barrier layer lining the channel opening, and a conductor core filling the channel opening. An alloy layer is deposited which contains an element capable of reacting during thermal treatment with both the conductor core and the channel dielectric layer to form an alloy-barrier to diffusion of the material of the conductor core to the channel dielectric layer. The alloy-barrier layer is reacted with the conductor core and the channel dielectric layer to form a compound which provides a bond which blocks surface diffusion and permits conductor core to conductor core diffusion in dual inlaid integrated circuits.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A device dielectric layer with an opening formed therein is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A barrier layer of barrier metal and barrier compound lines the opening, the barrier layer having a dielectric layer proximate and distal regions. The barrier layer has no barrier metal adjacent the dielectric layer proximate region and all barrier metal in the dielectric layer distal region, the barrier layer has all barrier compound adjacent the dielectric layer proximate region and no barrier compound before the dielectric layer distal region. A conductor core is over the barrier layer fills the opening and connects to the semiconductor device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided for an integrated circuit on a semiconductor substrate grated circuit having a semiconductor device. A dielectric layer is on the semiconductor substrate and has an opening provided therein. A barrier layer lines the opening, and a first conductor core fills the opening over the barrier layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and has a second channel and via opening provided therein. A shunt layer is in the via opening above the conductor core. A barrier layer lines the second channel and via opening over the shunt layer and the second dielectric layer. A conductor core fills the second channel and via opening over the barrier layer and the first conductor core to form the second channel and via.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefore is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device and a device dielectric layer formed on the semiconductor substrate. A channel dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has a channel opening, a barrier layer lining the channel opening, and a conductor core filling the channel opening. A barrier layer is deposited which contains an element capable of reacting during thermal treatment with both the conductor core and the channel dielectric layer to form a barrier to diffusion of the material of the conductor core to the channel dielectric layer. The barrier layer reacts with the conductor core and the channel dielectric layer to form a compound which provides a bond which blocks surface diffusion and permits conductor core to conductor core diffusion in dual inlaid integrated circuits.

Abstract: Copper or a low resistivity copper alloy is initially deposited to fill relatively narrow openings leaving relatively wider openings unfilled. A copper alloy having improved electromigration resistance with respect to copper is then selectively deposited to fill the relatively wider openings, thereby improving electromigration resistance without increasing narrow line resistance. Embodiments include annealing after filling the relatively narrow openings and before filling the relatively wider openings, thereby reducing void formation in narrow lines.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor is provided having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device. A device dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric layer on the device dielectric layer has an opening formed therein including a conductor reservoir volume. A barrier layer lines the channel opening. A conductor core fills the opening over the barrier layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and has a second channel and via opening provided therein. A barrier layer lines the second channel and via opening except over the first channel opening. A conductor core fills the second channel and via opening over the barrier layer and the first conductor core to form the second channel and via. The conductor reservoir volume provides a supply of conductor material to prevent the formation of voids in the first channel and in the via.