Abstract: A mass spectrometer system includes a chamber configured to receive a sample; a gas source coupled to the chamber for delivering a gas across the sample; and a desorption energy source configured to desorb a contaminant from a test area of the sample. The system may also include a mass spectrometer including a vacuum source, an ion source, a mass analyzer and a detector, and a capillary transfer line operatively coupled to the chamber and the mass spectrometer and configured to deliver desorbed volatiles of the contaminant from the test area to the mass spectrometer, the capillary transfer line having an intake proximal the test area. A method of identifying a contaminant is also disclosed.

Abstract: A releasable buried layer for 3-D fabrication and methods of manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes forming an interposer structure which includes forming a carbon rich dielectric releasable layer over a wafer. The method further includes forming back end of the line (BEOL) layers over the carbon rich dielectric layer, including wiring layers and solder bumps. The method further includes bonding the solder bumps to a substrate using flip chip processes. The flip chip processes comprises reflowing the solder bumps and rapidly cooling down the solder bumps which releases the carbon rich dielectric releasable layer from the wafer.

Abstract: Alternative methods of fabricating an interconnect structure in which an enhanced diffusion barrier including an in-situ formed metal nitride liner formed between an interconnect dielectric material and an overlying metal diffusion barrier liner are provided. In one embodiment, at least one opening is formed into an interconnect dielectric material. A nitrogen enriched dielectric surface layer is formed within exposed surfaces of the interconnect dielectric material utilizing thermal nitridation. A metal diffusion barrier liner is the formed. During and/or after the formation of the metal diffusion barrier liner, a metal nitride liner forms in-situ in a lower region of the metal diffusion barrier liner. A conductive material is then formed on the metal diffusion barrier liner. The conductive material, the metal diffusion barrier liner and the metal nitride liner that are located outside of the at least one opening are removed to provide a planarized structure.

Abstract: A releasable buried layer for 3-D fabrication and methods of manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes forming an interposer structure which includes forming a carbon rich dielectric releasable layer over a wafer. The method further includes forming back end of the line (BEOL) layers over the carbon rich dielectric layer, including wiring layers and solder bumps. The method further includes bonding the solder bumps to a substrate using flip chip processes. The flip chip processes comprises reflowing the solder bumps and rapidly cooling down the solder bumps which releases the carbon rich dielectric releasable layer from the wafer.

Abstract: Alternative methods of fabricating an interconnect structure in which an enhanced diffusion barrier including an in-situ formed metal nitride liner formed between an interconnect dielectric material and an overlying metal diffusion barrier liner are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes forming at least one opening into an interconnect dielectric material. A nitrogen enriched dielectric surface layer is formed within exposed surfaces of the interconnect dielectric material utilizing thermal nitridation. A metal diffusion barrier liner is formed on the nitrogen enriched dielectric surface. During and/or after the formation of the metal diffusion barrier liner, a metal nitride liner forms in-situ in a lower region of the metal diffusion barrier liner. A conductive material is then formed on the metal diffusion barrier liner.

Abstract: Alternative methods of fabricating an interconnect structure in which an enhanced diffusion barrier including an in-situ formed metal nitride liner formed between an interconnect dielectric material and an overlying metal diffusion barrier liner are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes forming at least one opening into an interconnect dielectric material. A nitrogen enriched dielectric surface layer is formed within exposed surfaces of the interconnect dielectric material utilizing thermal nitridation. A metal diffusion barrier liner is formed on the nitrogen enriched dielectric surface. During and/or after the formation of the metal diffusion barrier liner, a metal nitride liner forms in-situ in a lower region of the metal diffusion barrier liner. A conductive material is then formed on the metal diffusion barrier liner.

Abstract: A method to reduce liquid polymer macromolecule mobility through forming a polymer blend system is provided. More particularly, a small amount of polymer crosslinker is added to a liquid polymer matrix to prevent intermolecular movement. The crosslinker functions as cages to block linear or branched linear macromolecules and prevent them from sliding into each other.

Abstract: When an interconnect structure is built on porous ultra low k (ULK) material, the bottom and/or sidewall of the trench and/or via is usually damaged by a following metallization or cleaning process which may be suitable for dense higher dielectric materials. Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of repairing process induced dielectric damage from forming an interconnect structure on an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) material. The method includes treating an exposed area of the ILD material to create a carbon-rich area, and metallizing the carbon-rich area. One embodiment includes providing treatment to an exposed sidewall area of the ILD material to create a carbon-rich area by irradiating the exposed area using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) generated through a gas including a straight chain or branched, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, and metallizing the carbon-rich area.

Abstract: Methods of forming devices include forming a first electrically insulating layer having a metal interconnection therein, on a substrate and then forming a first electrically insulating barrier layer on an upper surface of the metal interconnection and on the first electrically insulating layer. The first electrically insulating barrier layer is exposed to a plasma that penetrates the first electrically insulating barrier and removes oxygen from an upper surface of the metal interconnection. The barrier layer may have a thickness in a range from about 5 ? to about 50 ? and the plasma may be a hydrogen-containing plasma that converts oxygen on the upper surface of the metal interconnection to water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure and method for forming a structure including a SiCOH layer having increased mechanical strength. The structure includes a substrate having a layer of dielectric or conductive material, a layer of oxide on the layer of dielectric or conductive material, the oxide layer having essentially no carbon, a graded transition layer on the oxide layer, the graded transition layer having essentially no carbon at the interface with the oxide layer and gradually increasing carbon towards a porous SiCOH layer, and a porous SiCOH (pSiCOH) layer on the graded transition layer, the porous pSiCOH layer having an homogeneous composition throughout the layer. The method includes a process wherein in the graded transition layer, there are no peaks in the carbon concentration and no dips in the oxygen concentration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure and method for forming a structure including a SiCOH layer having increased mechanical strength. The structure includes a substrate having a layer of dielectric or conductive material, a layer of oxide on the layer of dielectric or conductive material, the oxide layer having essentially no carbon, a graded transition layer on the oxide layer, the graded transition layer having essentially no carbon at the interface with the oxide layer and gradually increasing carbon towards a porous SiCOH layer, and a porous SiCOH (pSiCOH) layer on the graded transition layer, the porous pSiCOH layer having an homogeneous composition throughout the layer. The method includes a process wherein in the graded transition layer, there are no peaks in the carbon concentration and no dips in the oxygen concentration.

Abstract: Methods of forming devices include forming a first electrically insulating layer having a metal interconnection therein, on a substrate and then forming a first electrically insulating barrier layer on an upper surface of the metal interconnection and on the first electrically insulating layer. The first electrically insulating barrier layer is exposed to a plasma that penetrates the first electrically insulating barrier and removes oxygen from an upper surface of the metal interconnection. The barrier layer may have a thickness in a range from about 5 ? to about 50 ? and the plasma may be a hydrogen-containing plasma that converts oxygen on the upper surface of the metal interconnection to water.

Abstract: A method to reduce liquid polymer macromolecule mobility through forming a polymer blend system is provided. More particularly, a small amount of polymer crosslinker is added to a liquid polymer matrix to prevent intermolecular movement. The crosslinker functions as cages to block linear or branched linear macromolecules and prevent them from sliding into each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure and method for forming a structure including a SiCOH layer having increased mechanical strength. The structure includes a substrate having a layer of dielectric or conductive material, a layer of oxide on the layer of dielectric or conductive material, the oxide layer having essentially no carbon, a graded transition layer on the oxide layer, the graded transition layer having essentially no carbon at the interface with the oxide layer and gradually increasing carbon towards a porous SiCOH layer, and a porous SiCOH (pSiCOH) layer on the graded transition layer, the porous pSiCOH layer having an homogeneous composition throughout the layer. The method includes a process wherein in the graded transition layer, there are no peaks in the carbon concentration and no dips in the oxygen concentration.

Abstract: When an interconnect structure is built on porous ultra low k (ULK) material, the bottom and/or sidewall of the trench and/or via is usually damaged by a following metallization or cleaning process which may be suitable for dense higher dielectric materials. Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of repairing process induced dielectric damage from forming an interconnect structure on an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) material. The method includes treating an exposed area of the ILD material to create a carbon-rich area, and metallizing the carbon-rich area. One embodiment includes providing treatment to an exposed sidewall area of the ILD material to create a carbon-rich area by irradiating the exposed area using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) generated through a gas including a straight chain or branched, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, and metallizing the carbon-rich area.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures comprising a composite of fluorinated particulate carbon dispersed in a polymer, the fluorinated carbon being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the dielectric constant of the composition, the structure also including electrical conductor patterns.The composite can be made conductive by irradiating it with an UV excimer laser.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures comprising a composite of fluorinated particulate carbon dispersed in a polymer, the fluorinated carbon being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the dielectric constant of the composition, the structure also including electrical conductor patterns.The composite can be made conductive by irradiating it with an UV excimer laser.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of effecting a change in the dielectric constant and coefficient of thermal expansion of a polyimide material, by forming a composite based on a dispersion of 2-60 wt. % of fluorinated particulate carbon material and a polyimide or polyimide precursor, and heating the dispersion to about 400.degree. C. at 65.degree.-200.degree. C./second.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures comprising a composite of fluorinated particulate carbon dispersed in a polymer, the fluorinated carbon being present in an amount sufficient to reduce the dielectric constant of the composition, the structure also including electrical conductor patterns. The composite can be made conductive by irradiating it with an UV excimer laser.

Abstract: Method for water vapor plasma treating the surface of a polymer body to enhance the adhesion of a first and second polymer surface. The method is particularly useful for polyimide surfaces.