Abstract: An improved and new process for fabricating a planarized structure of shallow trench isolation (STI) embedded in a silicon substrate has been developed. The planarizing method comprises a two-step CMP process in which the first CMP step comprises chemical-mechanical polishing of silicon oxide using a first polishing slurry which is selective to silicon oxide. The time of the second CMP step is determined by selecting an overpolish thickness based on the percentage of substrate area occupied by the trench. High manufacturing yield and superior planarity for silicon oxide STI are achieved.

Abstract: An improved composite dielectric structure and method of forming thereof which prevents delamination of FSG (F-doped SiO2) and allows FSG to be used as the interlevel dielectric between successive conducting interconnection patterns in multilevel integrated circuit structures has been developed. The composite dielectric structure comprises FSG, undoped silicon oxide (optional), silicon-rich silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The silicon-rich silicon oxide layer having a thickness between about 1000 and 2000 Angstroms prevents reaction of F atoms from the FSG layer with the silicon nitride layer during subsequent manufacturing heat treatment cycles and prevents the deleterious formation of delamination bubbles which cause peeling of the FSG layer.

Abstract: A cobalt silicide process having a titanium-rich/titanium nitride capping layer to improve junction leakage is described. Semiconductor device structures to be silicided are formed in and on a semiconductor substrate. A cobalt layer is deposited overlying the semiconductor device structures. A titanium-rich/titanium nitride capping layer is deposited overlying the cobalt layer. Thereafter, a cobalt silicide layer is formed on the semiconductor device structures. The titanium-rich/titanium nitride capping layer and an unreacted portion of the cobalt layer are removed to complete fabrication of the integrated circuit device.

Abstract: A process for preparing a surface of a lower level metal structure, exposed at the bottom of a sub-micron diameter opening, to allow a low resistance interface to be obtained when overlaid with an upper level metal structure, has been developed. A disposable, capping insulator layer is first deposited on the composite insulator layer in which the sub-micron diameter opening will be defined in, to protect underlying components of the composite insulator from a subsequent metal pre-metal procedure. After anisotropically defining the sub-micron diameter opening in the capping insulator, and composite insulator layers, and after removal of the defining photoresist shape, an argon sputtering procedure is used to remove native oxide from the surface of the lower level metal structure. In addition to native oxide removal the argon sputtering procedure, featuring a negative DC bias applied to the substrate, also removes the capping insulator layer from the top surface of the composite insulator layer.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the creation of layers of dielectric that are used for metal stack interconnect layers where the metal stack exceeds five layers. A stack of five layers of metal interconnect lines contains one layer of Intra Metal dielectric (ILD) and four layers of Inter Metal dielectric (IMD). One or more of the layers of IMD can be formed in the conventional method. One or more of the layers of IMD can be formed in the conventional method after which a layer of high compressive PECVD is deposited over this one or more layers of IMD. The layer of high compressive PECVD provides a crack resistant film that eliminates the formation of cracks in the surface of the IMD.

Abstract: A multi-step chemical-mechanical polishing method for improving tungsten chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process is provided in the present invention. The method comprises following steps. First, a wafer is placed on a first pad of a CMP system, wherein a head fixes the wafer on the first pad. Then, the head is rotated and the wafer is polished on the first pad by using a tungsten slurry. Next, the wafer is transferred to place on a second pad of the CMP system, wherein the head fixes the wafer on the second pad. Following, the head is rotated and the wafer is polished on the second pad by using the tungsten slurry. Then, the wafer is cleaned on the second pad by using a de-ionic water. Next, the wafer is transferred to place on a third pad of the CMP system, wherein the head fixes the wafer on the third pad. Following, the wafer is cleaned on the third pad by using the de-ionic water.

Abstract: A method to prevent the accumulation of particle impurities on the surface of a semiconductor substrate that contains wolfram plugs during the process of polishing the surface of the wafer. The polishing sequence consists of three distinct polishing steps whereby the first two steps use hard polishing pads while the third step uses a soft polishing pad with the application of slurry during the third polish.