Abstract: Processes for forming porous low k dielectric materials from low k dielectric films containing a porogen material include exposing the low k dielectric film to ultraviolet radiation. In one embodiment, the film is exposed to broadband ultraviolet radiation of less than 240 nm for a period of time and intensity effective to remove the porogen material. In other embodiments, the low k dielectric film is exposed to a first ultraviolet radiation pattern effective to increase a crosslinking density of the film matrix while maintaining a concentration of the porogen material substantially the same before and after exposure to the first ultraviolet radiation pattern. The low k dielectric film can be then be processed to form a metal interconnect structure therein and subsequently exposed to a second ultraviolet radiation pattern effective to remove the porogen material from the low k dielectrics film and form a porous low k dielectric film.

Abstract: A low temperature plasma ashing process for use with substrates comprising a ferroelectric material. The process generally includes plasma ashing the photoresist and residues at a temperature of about room temperature to about 140° C., wherein the plasma is generated from a gas mixture consisting essentially of hydrogen and an inert gas, and wherein the ferroelectric material is exposed to the plasma.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant porous materials with improved elastic modulus and material hardness. The process of making such porous materials involves providing a porous dielectric material and plasma curing the porous dielectric material with a fluorine-free plasma gas to produce a fluorine-free plasma cured porous dielectric material. Fluorine-free plasma curing of the porous dielectric material yields a material with improved modulus and material hardness, and with comparable dielectric constant. The improvement in elastic modulus is typically greater than or about 50%, and more typically greater than or about 100%. The improvement in material hardness is typically greater than or about 50%. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Processes for forming porous low k dielectric materials from low k dielectric films containing a porogen material include exposing the low k dielectric film to ultraviolet radiation. In one embodiment, the film is exposed to broadband ultraviolet radiation of less than 240 nm for a period of time and intensity effective to remove the porogen material. In other embodiments, the low k dielectric film is exposed to a first ultraviolet radiation pattern effective to increase a crosslinking density of the film matrix while maintaining a concentration of the porogen material substantially the same before and after exposure to the first ultraviolet radiation pattern. The low k dielectric film can be then be processed to form a metal interconnect structure therein and subsequently exposed to a second ultraviolet radiation pattern effective to remove the porogen material from the low k dielectrics film and form a porous low k dielectric film.

Abstract: A substantially oxygen-free and nitrogen-free plasma ashing process for removing photoresist in the presence of a low k material from a semiconductor substrate includes forming reactive species by exposing a plasma gas composition to an energy source to form plasma. The plasma gas composition is substantially free from oxygen-bearing and nitrogen-bearing gases. The plasma selectively removes the photoresist from the underlying substrate containing low k material by exposing the photoresist to substantially oxygen and nitrogen free reactive species. The process can be used with carbon containing low k dielectric materials.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant porous materials with improved elastic modulus and hardness. The process of making such porous materials involves providing a porous dielectric material and plasma curing the porous dielectric material to produce a plasma cured porous dielectric material. Plasma curing of the porous dielectric material yields a material with improved modulus and hardness. The improvement in elastic modulus is typically greater than or about 50%, more typically greater than or about 100%, and more typically greater than or about 200%. The improvement in hardness is typically greater than or about 50%. The plasma cured porous dielectric material can optionally be post-plasma treated. The post-plasma treatment of the plasma cured porous dielectric material reduces the dielectric constant of the material while maintaining an improved elastic modulus and hardness as compared to the plasma cured porous dielectric material.

Abstract: A low temperature plasma ashing process for use with substrates comprising a ferroelectric material. The process generally includes plasma ashing the photoresist and residues at a temperature of about room temperature to about 140° C., wherein the plasma is generated from a gas mixture consisting essentially of hydrogen and an inert gas, and wherein the ferroelectric material is exposed to the plasma.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant films with improved elastic modulus. An SiO2-containing plasma treated coating is provided, the coating being formed by providing a porous network coating produced from a resin molecule containing at least 2 Si—H groups, curing the porous network coating by heating to a temperature sufficient to convert the porous network coating into a ceramic, and plasma treating the porous network coating to reduce an amount of Si—H bonds. Plasma treating the porous network coating provides a coating with improved modulus, but with a higher dielectric constant. Accordingly, the plasma treated coating can be annealed to provide an annealed, plasma treated coating having a lower dielectric constant and a comparable elastic modulus. The annealed, SiO2-containing plasma treated coating can have a dielectric constant between about 1.1 and about 3.5, and an elastic modulus greater than or about 4 GPa.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant film materials with improved elastic modulus. The method of making such film materials involves providing a porous methyl silsesquioxane based dielectric film material produced from a resin molecule containing at least 2 Si—CH3 groups and plasma curing the porous film material to convert the film into porous silica. Plasma curing of the porous film material yields a film with improved modulus and outgassing properties. The improvement in elastic modulus is typically greater than or about 100%, and more typically greater than or about 200%. The plasma cured porous film material can optionally be annealed. The annealing of the plasma cured film may reduce the dielectric constant of the film while maintaining an improved elastic modulus as compared to the plasma cured porous film material. The annealed, plasma cured film has a dielectric constant between about 1.1 and about 2.4 and an improved elastic modulus.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant materials with improved elastic modulus and material hardness. The process of making such materials involves providing a dielectric material and ultraviolet (UV) curing the material to produce a UV cured dielectric material. UV curing yields a material with improved modulus and material hardness. The improvement is each typically greater than or about 50%. The UV cured dielectric material can optionally be post-UV treated. The post-UV treatment reduces the dielectric constant of the material while maintaining an improved elastic modulus and material hardness as compared to the UV cured dielectric material. UV cured dielectrics can additionally exhibit a lower total thermal budget for curing than for furnace curing processes.

Abstract: A substantially oxygen-free and nitrogen-free plasma ashing process for removing photoresist in the presence of a low k material from a semiconductor substrate includes forming reactive species by exposing a plasma gas composition to an energy source to form plasma. The plasma gas composition is substantially free from oxygen-bearing and nitrogen-bearing gases. The plasma selectively removes the photoresist from the underlying substrate containing low k material by exposing the photoresist to substantially oxygen and nitrogen free reactive species. The process can be used with carbon containing low k dielectric materials.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating on a substrate. A coating is formed on a substrate by depositing a solution comprising a resin molecule containing at least 2 Si—H groups, at least 2 Si—CH3 groups, or a combination thereof, and, a solvent in a manner in which at least about 5 volume % of the solvent remains in the coating after deposition, followed by exposing the coating to UV radiation at a power and wavelength spectrum sufficient to cause hydrolysis of the Si—H groups, Si—CH3 groups, or combination thereof, and at least partial condensation, and evaporating the solvent from the coating to form a porous network coating. The method enables production of low-k materials without treatment with ammonia.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant porous materials with improved elastic modulus and material hardness. The process of making such porous materials involves providing a porous dielectric material and plasma curing the porous dielectric material with a fluorine-free plasma gas to produce a fluorine-free plasma cured porous dielectric material. Fluorine-free plasma curing of the porous dielectric material yields a material with improved modulus and material hardness, and with comparable dielectric constant. The improvement in elastic modulus is typically greater than or about 50%, and more typically greater than or about 100%. The improvement in material hardness is typically greater than or about 50%. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant materials with improved elastic modulus and material hardness. The process of making such materials involves providing a dielectric material and ultraviolet (UV) curing the material to produce a UV cured dielectric material. UV curing yields a material with improved modulus and material hardness. The improvement is each typically greater than or about 50%. The UV cured dielectric material can optionally be post-UV treated. The post-UV treatment reduces the dielectric constant of the material while maintaining an improved elastic modulus and material hardness as compared to the UV cured dielectric material. UV cured dielectrics can additionally exhibit a lower total thermal budget for curing than for furnace curing processes.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant films with improved elastic modulus. An SiO2-containing plasma treated coating is provided, the coating being formed by providing a porous network coating produced from a resin molecule containing at least 2 Si—H groups, curing the porous network coating by heating to a temperature sufficient to convert the porous network coating into a ceramic, and plasma treating the porous network coating to reduce an amount of Si—H bonds. Plasma treating the porous network coating provides a coating with improved modulus, but with a higher dielectric constant. Accordingly, the plasma treated coating can be annealed to provide an annealed, plasma treated coating having a lower dielectric constant and a comparable elastic modulus. The annealed, SiO2-containing plasma treated coating can have a dielectric constant between about 1.1 and about 3.5, and an elastic modulus greater than or about 4 GPa.

Abstract: An oxygen-free and nitrogen-free plasma ashing process for removing photoresist in the presence of a low k material from a semiconductor substrate. The process includes forming reactive species by exposing a plasma gas composition to an energy source to form plasma. The plasma gas composition is free from oxygen-bearing and nitrogen-bearing gases. The plasma selectively removes the photoresist from the underlying substrate containing low k material by exposing the photoresist to the reactive species. The process can be used with carbon and/or hydrogen based low k dielectric materials.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant films with improved elastic modulus. An SiO2-containing plasma cured coating having a first dielectric constant and having a first elastic modulus is provided, the coating being formed by providing a porous network coating produced from a resin molecule containing at least 2 Si—H groups, and plasma curing the porous network coating to reduce an amount of Si—H bonds. Plasma curing of the network coating yields a coating with improved modulus, but with a higher dielectric constant. Accordingly, an SiO2-containing plasma cured coating is also provided, the coating being formed by annealing the plasma cured coating to produce an annealed, plasma cured coating having a second dielectric constant which is less than the first dielectric constant and having a second elastic modulus which is comparable to the first elastic modulus. The annealed, SiO2-containing plasma cured coating can have a dielectric constant between about 1.1 and about 3.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant porous materials with improved elastic modulus and film hardness. The process of making such porous materials involves providing a porous dielectric material and plasma curing the porous dielectric material with a fluorine-free plasma gas to produce a fluorine-free plasma cured porous dielectric material. Fluorine-free plasma curing of the porous dielectric material yields a material with improved modulus and hardness, but with a higher dielectric constant. The improvement in elastic modulus is typically greater than or about 100%, and more typically greater than or about 200%. The improvement in film hardness is typically greater than or about 50%. The fluorine-free plasma cured porous dielectric material can optionally be post-plasma treated.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant films with improved elastic modulus. The method of making such coatings involves providing a porous network coating produced from a resin containing at least 2 Si—H groups where the coating has been thermally cured and has a dielectric constant in the range of from about 1.1 to about 3.5, and plasma treating the coating to convert the coating into porous silica. Plasma treatment of the network coating yields a coating with improved modulus, but with a higher dielectric constant. The coating is plasma treated for between about 15 and 120 seconds at a temperature less than or about 350° C. The plasma treated coating can optionally be annealed. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) of the plasma treated coating reduces the dielectric constant of the coating while maintaining an improved elastic modulus as compared to the initial porous coating. The annealing temperature is preferably in excess of or about 350° C., and the annealing time is preferably at least or about 120 seconds.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant films with improved elastic modulus. The method of making such coatings involves providing a porous network coating produced from a resin containing at least 2 Si—H groups and plasma curing the coating to convert the coating into porous silica. Plasma curing of the network coating yields a coating with improved modulus, but with a higher dielectric constant. The costing is plasma cured for between about 15 and about 120 seconds at a temperature less than or about 350° C. The plasma cured coating can optionally be annealed. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) of the plasma cured coating reduces the dielectric constant of the coating while maintaining an improved elastic modulus as compared to the plasma cured porous network coating. The annealing temperature is typically loss than or about 475° C., and the annealing time is typically no more than or about 180 seconds. The annealed, plasma cured coating has a dielectric constant in the range of from about 1.1 to about 2.