Abstract: A new method of forming a damascene interconnect in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device has been achieved. The damascene interconnect may be a single damascene or a dual damascene. Copper conductors are provided overlying a semiconductor substrate. A first passivation layer is provided overlying the copper conductors. A low dielectric constant layer is deposited overlying the first passivation layer. An optional capping layer is deposited overlying the low dielectric constant layer. A photoresist layer is deposited overlying the capping layer. The capping layer and the low dielectric constant layer are etched through to form via openings. The photoresist layer is simultaneously stripped away while forming a sidewall passivation layer on the sidewalls of the via openings using a sulfur-containing gas. Sidewall bowing and via poisoning are thereby prevented. The first passivation layer is etched through to expose the underlying copper conductors.

Abstract: A method of forming a boron carbide layer for use as a barrier and an etch-stop layer in a copper dual damascene structure, and the structure itself are disclosed. In addition to providing a good barrier to copper diffusion, good insulating properties, high etch selectivity with respect to dielectric insulators, boron carbide also provides good electrical characteristics because of its low dielectric constant of less than 5. The amorphous boron carbide is formed in a PECVD chamber by introducing a boron source gas such as B2H6, B5H9+, and carbon source gas such as CH4 and C2H6 at a deposition temperature of about 400° C. Any one, or any combination of the passivation, etch-stop, cap layers of the damascene structure can comprise boron carbide.

Abstract: A new method of forming metal interconnect levels containing damascene interconnects and via plugs in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device has been achieved. The method creates a reversed dual damascene structure. A first dielectric layer is provided overlying a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer is patterned to form trenches for planned damascene interconnects. Insulating spacers may optionally be formed on the trench sidewalls. A conductive barrier layer is deposited overlying the dielectric layer and lining the trenches. A metal layer, preferably comprising copper, is deposited overlying the conductive barrier layer and filling the trenches. The metal layer and the conductive barrier layer are polished down to thereby form the damascene interconnects. A passivation layer may optionally be deposited. The damascene interconnects are patterned to form via plugs overlying the damascene interconnects.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabrication used for semiconductor integrated circuit devices, and more specifically, in the formation of self-aligned dual damascene interconnects and vias, which incorporates low dielectric constant intermetal dielectrics (IMD) and utilizes silylated top surface imaging (TSI) photoresist, with a single or multi-step selective reactive ion etch (RIE) process, to form trench/via opening. The invention incorporates the use of a silylated top surface imaging (TSI) resist etch barrier layer to form the via pattern, in the first level of a dual damascene process. Two variations of using the top surface imaging (TSI) resist, with and without leaving an exposed region in place, are described in the first and second embodiment of the invention, and in addition, a thin dielectric layer is made use of just below the resist layer.

Abstract: A method of removing copper contamination from a semiconductor wafer, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor wafer having copper contamination thereon is provided. An oxidizing radical containing downstream plasma is provided from a first source (alternatively halogen (F2, Cl2, or Br2) may be used as on oxidizing agent). A vaporized chelating agent is provided from a second source. The oxidizing radical containing downstream plasma and vaporized chelating agent are mixed to form an oxidizing radical containing downstream plasma/vaporized chelating agent mixture. The mixture is directed to the copper contamination so that the mixture reacts with the copper contamination to form a volatile product. The volatile product is removed from the proximity of the wafer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabrication used for semiconductor integrated circuit devices, and more specifically to the use an alternate etch stop in dual damascene interconnects that improves adhesion between low dielectric constant organic materials. In addition, the etch stop material is a silicon containing material and is transformed into a low dielectric constant material (k=3.5 to 5), which becomes silicon-rich silicon oxide after UV radiation and silylation, oxygen plasma.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip having an exposed metal terminating pad thereover, and a separate substrate having a corresponding exposed metal track thereover are provided. A metal bump is formed over the exposed metal terminating pad. A photosensitive resin plug is formed over the metal bump. The metal bump of the semiconductor chip is aligned with the corresponding metal track on the separate substrate. The photosensitive resin plug over the metal bump is mated with the corresponding the metal track. The photosensitive resin plug is exposed to UV light to cure the photosensitive resin plug, permanently attaching the metal bump of the semiconductor chip to the corresponding metal track of the separate substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming an extended metal gate without poly wrap around effects. A semiconductor structure is provided having a gate structure thereon. The gate structure comprising a gate dielectric layer, a gate silicon layer, a doped silicon oxide layer, and a disposable gate layer stacked sequentially. Spacers are foremed on the sidewalls of the gate structure. A dielectric gapfill layer is formed over the semiconductor structure and the gate structure and planarized, stopping on the disposable gate layer. A first silicon nitride layer is formed over the disposable gate layer, and a dielectric layer is formed over the first silicon nitride layer. The dielectric layer is patterned to form a trench over the gate structure; wherein the trench has a width greater than the width of the gate structure. The first silicon nitride layer in the bottom of the trench and the disposable gate layer are removed using one or more selective etching processes.

Abstract: Methods for forming a high quality nickel silicide film in the fabrication of an integrated circuit are described. A semiconductor substrate is provided having silicon regions to be silicided wherein a native oxide layer forms on the silicon regions. A nickel layer is deposited overlying the silicon regions to be silicided. A titanium layer is deposited overlying the nickel layer. The substrate is annealed whereby titanium atoms from the titanium layer diffuse through the nickel layer and react with the native oxide layer and whereby the nickel is transformed to nickel silicide where it overlies the silicon regions and wherein the nickel not overlying the silicon regions is unreacted. In an alternative method, a titanium nitride layer over the titanium layer traps atmospheric oxygen freeing all of the titanium in the titanium layer to react with the underlying native oxide. The unreacted nickel layer is removed to complete formation of a nickel silicide film in the manufacture of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method for forming dual-damascene type conducting interconnects with nonmetallic barriers that protect said interconnects from fluorine out-diffusion from surrounding low-k, fluorinated dielectric materials. One embodiment of the method is particularly suited for forming such interconnects in microelectronics fabrications of the sub 0.15 micron generation.

Abstract: A method for forming dual-damascene type conducting interconnects with non-metallic barriers that protect said interconnects from fluorine out-diffusion from surrounding low-k, fluorinated dielectric materials. One embodiment of the method is particularly suited for forming such interconnects in microelectronics fabrications of the sub 0.15 micron generation.

Abstract: A method for forming dual-damascene type conducting interconnects with non-metallic barriers that protect said interconnects from fluorine out-diffusion from surrounding low-k, fluorinated dielectric materials. One embodiment of the method is particularly suited for forming such interconnects in microelectronics fabrications of the sub 0.15 micron generation.

Abstract: A method of fabricating trenches has been achieved. The method may be applied to damascene and dual damascene contacts to prevent damage to organic low dielectric constant materials due to photoresist ashing. A semiconductor substrate is provided. A first dielectric layer is deposited overlying the semiconductor substrate. A first etch stopping layer is deposited overlying the first dielectric layer. A second etch stopping layer is deposited overlying the first etch stopping layer. An optional anti-reflective coating is applied. A photoresist layer is deposited. The photoresist layer is patterned to define openings for planned trenches. The second etch stopping layer is etched through to form a hard mask for the planned trenches. The photoresist layer is stripped away by ashing where the first etch stopping layer protects the first dielectric layer from damage due to the presence of oxygen radicals.

Abstract: A method for forming dual-damascene type conducting interconnects with non-metallic barriers that protect said interconnects from fluorine out-diffusion from surrounding low-k, fluorinated dielectric materials. One embodiment of the method is particularly suited for forming such interconnects in microelectronics fabrications of the sub 0.15 micron generation.

Abstract: A method for reducing copper diffusion into an inorganic dielectric layer adjacent to a copper structure by doping the inorganic dielectric layer with a reducing agent (e.g. phosphorous, sulfur, or both) during plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The resulting doped inorganic dielectric layer can reduce copper diffusion without a barrier layer reducing fabrication cost and cycle time, as well as reducing RC delay.

Abstract: A method for forming an extended metal gate without poly wrap around effects. A semiconductor structure is provided having a gate structure thereon. The gate structure comprising a gate dielectric layer, a gate silicon layer, a doped silicon oxide layer, and a disposable gate layer stacked sequentially. Spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the gate structure. A dielectric gapfill layer is formed over the semiconductor structure and the gate structure and planarized, stopping on the disposable gate layer. A first silicon nitride layer is formed over the disposable gate layer, and a dielectric layer is formed over the first silicon nitride layer. The dielectric layer is patterned to form a trench over the gate structure; wherein the trench has a width greater than the width of the gate structure. The first silicon nitride layer in the bottom of the trench and the disposable gate layer are removed using one or more selective etching processes.

Abstract: A new method of depositing a copper layer, using disproportionation of Cu(I) ions from a solution stabilized by a polar organic solvent, for single and dual damascene interconnects in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device has been achieved. A dielectric layer, which may comprise a stack of dielectric material, is provided overlying a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer is patterned to form vias and trenches for planned dual damascene interconnects. A barrier layer is deposited overlying the dielectric layer to line the vias and trenches. A simple Cu(I) ion solution, stabilized by a polar organic solvent, is coated overlying said barrier layer. Water is added to the stabilized simple Cu(I) ion solution to cause disproportionation of the simple Cu(I) ion from the Cu(I) ion solution. A copper layer is deposited overlying the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for reducing RC delay by forming an air gap between conductive lines. A sacrificial layer is formed over a semiconductor structure, filling the gaps between conductive lines on the semiconductor structure. An air bridge layer is formed over the sacrificial layer. The semiconductor structure is exposed to an oxygen plasma, which penetrates through pores in the air bridge layer to react with the sacrificial layer, whereby the sacrificial layer is removed through the air bridge layer. The sacrificial layer and/or the air bridge layer comprise buckminsterfullerene. The air bridge layer can comprise buckminsterfullerene incorporated in an inorganic spin-on material. The buckminsterfullerene reacts with the oxygen plasma and is removed to form a porous air bridge layer. Then the oxygen species from the plasma penetrate the porous air bridge layer to react with and remove the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A method for forming dual-damascene type conducting interconnects with non-metallic barriers that protect said interconnects from fluorine out-diffusion from surrounding low-k, fluorinated dielectric materials. One embodiment of the method is particularly suited for forming such interconnects in microelectronics fabrications of the sub 0.15 micron generation.

Abstract: An improved method for removing a photoresist mask from an etched aluminum pattern after etching the pattern in a chlorine containing plasma has been developed. The method is a five step process, in which the first step is in a microwave generated plasma containing O2 and H2O; the second step is in a microwave generated plasma containing O2 and N2; the third step is in a microwave generated plasma containing H2O; the fourth step is in a microwave generated plasma containing O2 and N2; and the fifth step is in a microwave generated plasma containing H2O. The first step which initiates removal of photoresist while simultaneously beginning the passivation process causes residue-free removal of photoresist following etching of aluminum or aluminum-copper layers in chlorine bearing etchants.