Abstract: An improved method of forming a semiconductor device that has a carbon doped oxide insulating layer. The method comprises forming a first insulating layer that includes a carbon doped oxide, then forming on the surface of the first insulating layer a second insulating layer that comprises silicon dioxide.

Abstract: An improved method of forming an integrated circuit, which includes forming a conductive layer on a substrate, then forming a dielectric layer on the conductive layer. After forming the dielectric layer, a layer of photoresist is patterned to define a region to be etched. A first etched region is then formed by removing a first portion of the dielectric layer. That first etched region is filled with a preferably light absorbing sacrificial material having dry etch properties similar to those of the dielectric layer. A second etched region is then formed by removing the sacrificial material and a second portion of the dielectric layer. This improved method may be used to make an integrated circuit that includes a dual damascene interconnect.

Abstract: An improved method of forming an integrated circuit, which includes forming a conductive layer on a substrate, then forming a dielectric layer on the conductive layer. After forming the dielectric layer, a layer of photoresist is patterned to define a region to be etched. A first etched region is then formed by removing a first portion of the dielectric layer. That first etched region is filled with a preferably light absorbing sacrificial material having dry etch properties similar to those of the dielectric layer. A second etched region is then formed by removing the sacrificial material and a second portion of the dielectric layer. This improved method may be used to make an integrated circuit that includes a dual damascene interconnect.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnection including the steps of depositing a first masking material over a first conductive region of an integrated circuit substrate and depositing a dielectric material over the first masking material. The method also includes forming a via through the dielectric material to expose the first masking material and a second masking material is deposited in a portion of the via. A trench is formed in the dielectric material over a portion of the via and the second masking material is removed from the via. The via is then extended through the first masking material and a conductive material is deposited in the via.

Abstract: An improved method for making an integrated circuit that includes forming a conductive layer on a substrate, then forming a dielectric layer comprising a polymer on the conductive layer. After forming the dielectric layer, a layer of photoresist is patterned to define a region to be etched. An etched region is then formed through the dielectric layer while simultaneously removing the layer of photoresist.

Abstract: A single step electroplating process for interconnect via fill and metal line formation on a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. In this process, a barrier layer is formed onto a surface of a substrate that has at least one via and then a conductive layer is formed onto the barrier layer. Next, a photoresist layer is applied and patterned on top of the conductive layer. The via plugs and metal lines are then deposited on the substrate simultaneously using an electroplating process. After the electroplating process is completed, the photoresist and the conductive layer between the deposited metal lines are removed. The process provides a simple, economical and highly controllable means of forming metal interconnect systems while avoiding the difficulties associated with depositing and patterning metal by traditional semiconductor fabrication techniques.