Abstract: An improvement in the formation of low dielectric constant carbon-containing silicon oxide dielectric material by reacting a carbon-substituted silane with an oxidizing agent is described, wherein the process is carried out in the presence of a reaction retardant. The reaction retardant reduces the sensitivity of the reaction to changes in pressure, temperature, and flow rates, and reduces the problem of pressure spiking, resulting in the formation of a deposited film of more uniform thickness across the substrate as well as a film with a smooth surface, and a reduction of the amount of carbon lost during the reaction.

Abstract: An aluminum layer formed over an integrated circuit structure is patterned to form a plurality of aluminum metal lines. The patterned aluminum metal lines are then anodized in an acid anodizing bath to form anodized aluminum oxide on the exposed sidewall surfaces of the patterned aluminum. The anodization may be carried out until the anodized aluminum films on horizontally adjacent aluminum metal lines contact one another, or may be stopped prior to this point, leaving a gap between the anodized aluminum oxide films on adjacent aluminum metal lines. This gap may then be either filled with other low k dielectric material or by standard (non-low k) dielectric material. A capping layer of non-porous dielectric material is then formed over the porous anodized aluminum oxide.

Abstract: An interconnection system having a bottom metal layer that has a conduction layer with a sidewall and an overlying barrier layer. A lateral barrier layer is disposed adjacent the sidewall of the conduction layer, and an insulation layer is over the bottom metal layer. The insulation layer forms vias extending through the insulation layer to the bottom metal layer. A top metal layer extends through the vias to electrically contact the bottom metal layer. The overlying barrier layer and the lateral barrier layer are relatively resistant to interaction with the top metal layer as compared to the conduction layer.

Abstract: A low temperature process is described for forming a low dielectric constant (k) fluorine and carbon-containing silicon oxide dielectric material for integrated circuit structures. A reactor has a semiconductor substrate mounted on a substrate support which is maintained at a low temperature not exceeding about 25° C., preferably not exceeding about 10° C., and most preferably not exceeding about 0° C. A low k fluorine and carbon-containing silicon oxide dielectric material is formed on the surface of the substrate by reacting together a vaporous source of a mild oxidizing agent, such as a vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and a vaporous substituted silane having the formula (CFmHn)—Si—(R)xHy wherein m is 1-3; n is 3-m; R is an alkyl selected from the group consisting of ethyl (—C2H5), methyl (—CH3), and mixtures thereof; x is 1-3; and y is 3-x.

Abstract: A low dielectric constant multiple carbon-containing silicon oxide dielectric material for an integrated circuit structure is described which comprises a silicon oxide material including silicon atoms which are each bonded to a multiple carbon-containing group consisting of carbon atoms and primary hydrogens. Preferably such multiple carbon-containing groups have the general formula —(C)y(CH3)z, where y is an integer from 1 to 4 for a branched alkyl group and from 3 to 5 for a cyclic alkyl group, and z is 2y+1 for a branched alkyl group and 2y−1 for a cyclic alkyl group.

Abstract: A process for forming low k silicon oxide dielectric material having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.0, while suppressing pressure spikes during the formation of the low k silicon oxide dielectric material comprises reacting an organo-silane and hydrogen peroxide in a reactor chamber containing a silicon substrate while maintaining an electrical bias on the substrate. In a preferred embodiment the reactants are flowed into the reactor at a reactant flow ratio of organo-silane reactant to hydrogen peroxide reactant of not more than 10.6 sccm of organo-silane reactant per 0.1 grams/minute of hydrogen peroxide reactant; and the substrate is biased with either a positive DC bias potential, with respect to the grounded reactor chamber walls, of about +50 to +300 volts, or a low frequency AC bias potential ranging from a minimum of +50/-50 volts up to a maximum of about +300/-300 volts.

Abstract: A method for treating exposed surfaces of a low k carbon doped silicon oxide dielectric material in order to protect the low k carbon doped silicon oxide dielectric material from damage during removal of photoresist mask materials is described. The process comprises (a) first treating the exposed surfaces of a low k carbon doped silicon oxide dielectric material with a plasma capable of forming a densified layer on and adjacent the exposed surfaces of low k carbon doped silicon oxide dielectric material and (b) then treating the semiconductor wafer with a mild oxidizing agent capable of removing photoresist materials from the semiconductor wafer. These steps will prevent the degradation of the exposed surfaces of a low k carbon doped silicon oxide dielectric material during removal of an etch mask after formation of vias or contact openings in the low k carbon doped silicon oxide dielectric material.

Abstract: Provided are methods for fabricating hardened composite thin layer gate dielectrics. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, composite gate dielectrics may be produced as bilayers having oyxnitride portions with nitrogen contents above 10 atomic percent, while avoiding the drawbacks of prior art nitridization methods. In one aspect of the present invention, a hardened composite thin layer gate dielectric may be formed by deposition of a very thin silicon layer on a very thin oxide layer on a silicon substrate, followed by low energy plasma nitridization and subsequent oxidation of the thin silicon layer. In another aspect of the invention, low energy plasma nitridization of a thin oxide layer formed on a silicon substrate may be followed by deposition of a very thin silicon layer and subsequent oxidation, or additional low energy plasma nitridization and then oxidation, of the thin silicon layer.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating gate dielectric layers having variable thicknesses and compositions over different regions of a semiconductor wafer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a gate oxide layer is first grown over the various regions. Regions that are to have a relatively thicker, unhardened gate dielectric are masked and the wafer is exposed to a remote low energy nitrogen plasma. After the nitridization process is completed, the mask is removed and the wafer is exposed to further oxidation. The regions where oxynitrides have been formed act as a barrier to the oxidation process. Consequently, different oxide thicknesses can be grown on the same wafer, thinner and hardened where nitridization has been performed, and thicker and not hardened in those regions that were masked during the nitridization.

Abstract: A uniformly doped polysilicon gate electrode of an MOS device forming a part of an integrated circuit structure on a semiconductor substrate is formed by first depositing a very thin layer of amorphous or polycrystalline silicon, e.g., from about 2 nm to about 10 nm, over a gate oxide layer. The thin layer of silicon layer is then exposed to a nitrogen plasma formed from N.sub.2 at a power level sufficient to break the silicon--silicon bonds in the thin layer of silicon, but insufficient to cause sputtering of the silicon to cause a barrier layer of silicon and nitrogen to form at the surface of the thin silicon layer. Further silicon, e.g., polysilicon, is then deposited over the barrier layer to the desired thickness of the polysilicon gate electrode. The gate electrode is then conventionally doped, i.e.