Abstract: A method is directed to forming a barrier layer, particularly suitable for use in a copper fabrication process. A substrate is provided. A conductive structure layer may have already been formed on the substrate. An inter-metal dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. The inter-metal dielectric layer is then patterned to form an opening that exposes the substrate. An oxygen getter layer is formed over the inter-metal dielectric layer and the opening. A barrier layer is formed on the oxygen getterlayer. A copper layer is deposited over the barrier layer. An oxidation of the oxygen getter layer is occurred in the subsequent high temperature steps. An oxide layer, serving as another barrier layer, is formed thereon. The oxygen getter layer includes any metal which can easily react with oxygen, such as titanium or tantalum.

Abstract: An improved dual damascene structure is provided for use in the wiring-line structures of multi-level interconnects in integrated circuit. In this dual damascane structures, low-K (low dielectric constant) dielectric materials are used to form both the dielectric layers and the etch-stop layer between the metal interconnects in the IC device. With this feature, the dual damascene structure can prevent high parasite capacitance to occur therein that would otherwise cause large RC delay to the signals being transmitted through the metal interconnects and thus degrade the performance of the IC device. With the dual damascence structure, such parasite capacitance can be reduced, thus assuring the performance of the IC device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a DRAM capacitor uses tungsten nitride in the process of forming a capacitor. The structure of the capacitor is simple and the process is easily executed. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of forming tungsten nitride, comprising a step of implanting nitrogen into a tungsten silicide layer and a step of executing a rapid thermal process under ammonia gas to form a tungsten nitride layer on the surface of the tungsten silicide layer. The method of fabricating a DRAM capacitor comprises forming the tungsten silicide layer after forming a part smaller than a bottom electrode of the capacitor from doped polysilicon and forming tungsten nitride on the surface of the tungsten nitride layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the lower electrode of a DRAM capacitor. The method includes depositing polysilicon instead of amorphous silicon to form the lower electrode. Because polysilicon has a higher depositing temperature, it has a higher depositing rate capable of shortening depositing time. After forming the polysilicon lower electrode, the upper portion of the polysilicon layer is transformed into an amorphous layer by bombarding the polysilicon layer with ions to damage its internal structure. Eventually, hemispherical grain silicon is able to grow over the lower electrode, thereby increasing its surface area.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene structure comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a first conductive layer formed thereon, and then sequentially forming a first dielectric layer, an anti-reflection layer and a second dielectric layer over the substrate. Next, the first dielectric layer, the anti-reflection layer and the second dielectric layer are patterned to form a first opening that exposes the conductive layer. Thereafter, the second dielectric layer is patterned to form a trench (or second opening) in a position above the first conductive layer. The trench and the first opening together form an opening of the dual damascene structure. Finally, a second conductive material is deposited into the opening and the trench to form conductive lines and the dual damascene structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing a photo-resist layer from a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer comprises an inter-metal dielectric layer (IMD), and a photo-resist layer positioned on the IMD. The method comprises performing a dry cleaning process by injecting a nitrogen-containing gas into an oxygen-free environment and utilizing a plasma reaction to remove most of the photo-resist layer, and performing a wet cleaning process to completely remove the photo-resist layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an inter-metal interconnection is provided. A substrate is provided. A dielectric layer with a metal plug therein is formed on the substrate. An IMD layer is formed on the dielectric layer. An insulating layer and a PE-oxide layer are formed on the IMD layer. A photolithography and etching process is performed to form a trench in the IMD layer and to expose the metal plug in the dielectric layer. A metal is filled into the trench to electrically connect to the metal plug.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device. A shallow trench isolation is formed by forming a well region, a gate oxide layer and a wiring layer prior to forming a trench in the substrate. The trench is then filled with silicon oxide layer doped with germanium, nitrogen, titanium or other refractory metal. In addition, a MOS device is also fabricated with a gate buried in the substrate with a shallow trench isolation filled with the doped silicon oxide layer formed therein.

Abstract: A method for fabricating, a shallow trench isolation structure. A pad oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer are formed in sequence on a substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate and a liner oxide layer is formed on a sidewall of the trench. A doped silicon dioxide layer is formed on the silicon nitride layer and fills the trench. An annealing process is performed to density the doped silicon dioxide layer. A portion of the doped silicon dioxide layer is removed to expose the silicon nitride layer by a planarization process.

Abstract: An bonding pad structure has a passivation layer over a copper layer having a pad window to expose a portion of the copper layer, a barrier layer conformal to a profile of the pad window, and an aluminum pad located in the pad window. The metal layer can be an aluminum, aluminum alloy or aluminum dominated layer for providing a better adhesion property between the copper layer and the bonding wire.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a capacitor. An isolation layer is formed on a substrate. An ion implantation step is performed. The isolation layer is patterned to form an opening in the isolation layer. The opening exposes a portion of the substrate. A patterned conductive layer is formed on the isolation layer to fill the opening. A hemispherical grained silicon layer is performed on the conductive layer. In addition, the step order of the ion implantation step can be changed. The ion implantation can also be performed after the opening is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method is provided for the fabrication of a dielectric structure for a storage capacitor in dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). In particular, the resultant dielectric structure can be fabricated thinner and more structurally-undefective than the prior art. By the method, a first nitridation process is performed to form a dielectric layer over a bottom electrode. Next, a layer of silicon nitride is formed over the dielectric layer. This silicon nitride layer would be typically formed with an undesired rugged surface with many punctures. To eliminate this structural defect, a second nitridation process is performed on the silicon nitride layer. The resultant silicon nitride layer and the dielectric layer in combination constitute an ON structure serving as the intended dielectric structure. Alternatively, an oxide layer can be further formed over the silicon nitride layer to constitute an ONO structure serving as the intended dielectric structure.

Abstract: A method for forming borderless contact is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate with active areas and a trench isolation region in which the active areas are silcide. Then, the substrate is nitridized such that a titanium nitride layer is formed on the active areas and a silicon oxynitride is formed on the trench isolation region. A dielectric layer is deposited on the substrate and an opening is etched in the dielectric layer in which the opening overlies both a portion of the trench isolation region and a portion of the active area.

Abstract: An improved dual damascene structure is provided for use in the wiring-line structures of multi-level interconnects in integrated circuit. In this dual damascene structure, low-K (low dielectric constant) dielectric materials are used to form both the dielectric layers and the etch-stop layers between the metal interconnects in the IC device. With this feature, the dual damascene structure can prevent high parasite capacitance to occur therein that would otherwise cause large RC delay to the signals being transmitted through the metal interconnects and thus degrade the performance of the IC device. With the dual damascene structure, such parasite capacitance can be reduced, thus assuring the performance of the IC device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing copper interconnects includes the steps of first providing a semiconductor substrate having a dielectric layer thereon. The dielectric layer further includes a copper layer embedded within. An inter-metal dielectric layer is deposited over the dielectric layer. A via opening and a trench opening that exposes a portion of the copper layer are formed in the inter-metal dielectric layer. A thin barrier layer is formed over the exposed copper layer at the bottom of the via opening. The bottom part of the via opening is bombarded by atoms until the copper layer is exposed. Copper material is deposited to fill the via opening and the trench opening, thereby forming a damascene structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal oxide semiconductor transistor having a raised source/drain is described. A first spacer is formed on a sidewall of a gate electrode. An epitaxial layer is then formed on the exposed surface of the substrate and a top surface of the gate electrode. A light implantation step is then performed on the substrate while using the gate electrode and the first spacer as a first mask. Thereafter, a second spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate electrode. A heavy implantation step is then performed on the substrate while using the gate electrode, the first spacer and the second spacer as a second mask. The epitaxial layer is then formed before the forming of the extension structure of the source/drain. Therefore, dopants in a source/drain extension structure avoid suffering the high temperature needed to form the epitaxial layer so that the redistribution of the dopants is prevented.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing shallow trench isolation structures. The method includes the steps of depositing insulating material into the trench of a substrate to form an insulation layer. The substrate has a plurality of active regions, each occupying a different area and having different sizes. In addition, there is a silicon nitride layer on top of each active region. Thereafter, a photoresist layer is then deposited over the insulation layer. Next, a portion of the photoresist layer is etched back to expose a portion of the oxide layer so that the remaining photoresist material forms a cap layer over the recessed area of the insulation layer. Subsequently, using the photoresist cap layer as a mask, the insulation layer is etched to remove a portion of the exposed oxide layer, thereby forming trenches within the oxide layer. After that, the photoresist cap layer is removed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contact pad. A substrate having a source/drain region formed therein is provided. A dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer and exposes the source/drain region. A selective epitaxial process is performed to form a contact pad in the opening, wherein a top of the contact pad extends onto a surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a shallow trench isolation structure is described. A preserve layer is formed on a substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate and the preserve layer. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate to fill the trench. A wet densification step is performed in a moist environment. A planarization step is performed until the preserve layer is exposed. A shallow trench isolation structure is formed.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor with overetched spacer is disclosed. The method includes firstly providing a semiconductor substrate with a gate oxide layer formed thereon, and forming a polysilicon layer on the gate oxide layer. Next, a photoresist layer is formed on the polysilicon layer to define a gate area, followed by anisotropically etching the polysilicon layer and the gate oxide layer. A first dielectric layer is conformably formed, and a second dielectric layer is then formed thereon. After anisotropically etching the second dielectric layer to form a first sidewall spacer on the sidewall of the first dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer is further formed over the exposed first dielectric layer and the first sidewall spacer.