Abstract: Provided is a process for forming a barrier film to prevent resist poisoning in a semiconductor device by depositing a second nitrogen-free barrier layer on top of a first barrier layer containing nitrogen. A low-k dielectric layer is formed over the second barrier layer. This technique maintains the low electrical leakage characteristics of the first barrier layer and reduces nitrogen poisoning of a photoresist layer subsequently applied.

Abstract: A capping layer of an insulator such as silicon oxynitride is formed over horizontally closely spaced apart metal lines on an oxide layer of an integrated circuit structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. Low k silicon oxide dielectric material which exhibits void-free deposition properties in high aspect ratio regions between the closely spaced apart metal lines is then deposited over and between the metal lines and over the silicon oxynitride caps on the metal lines. After the formation of such void-free low k silicon oxide dielectric material between the closely spaced apart metal lines and the silicon oxynitride caps thereon, the structure is planarized to bring the level of the low k silicon oxide dielectric material down to the level of the tops of the silicon oxynitride caps on the metal lines. A further layer of standard k silicon oxide dielectric material is then formed over the planarized void-free low k silicon oxide dielectric layer and the silicon oxynitride caps.

Abstract: A process for forming an integrated circuit structure comprises forming a layer of low k dielectric material over a previously formed integrated circuit structure, and treating the upper surface of the layer of low k dielectric material with a plasma to form a layer of densified dielectric material over the remainder of the underlying layer of low k dielectric material, forming a second layer of low k dielectric material over the layer of densified dielectric material, and treating this second layer of low k dielectric material to form a second layer of densified dielectric material over the second layer of low k dielectric material. The layer or layers of densified dielectric material formed from the low k dielectric material provide mechanical support and can then function as etch stop and mask layers for the formation of vias and/or trenches.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having at least one overlying layer formed thereon. The at least one overlying layer including at least one layer of dielectric material. The at least one layer of dielectric material including a protected region having a first dielectric constant and another porous region having a second dielectric constant wherein the value for the second dielectric constant is less than the first dielectric constant. The porous region having been formed by the implantation of a porosity inducing material into the porous region and subsequent annealing. A method for forming such structures is also included.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure is disclosed wherein the capacitance between nearby conductive portions may be lowered using carbon-containing low k silicon oxide dielectric material, without contributing to the problem of via poisoning, by careful control of the carbon content of the dielectric material in two regions of the integrated circuit structure. The first region comprises the region between adjacent raised conductive lines formed over an underlying insulation layer, where undesirable capacitance may be formed horizontally between such adjacent conductive lines, while the second region comprises the region above the raised conductive lines where vias are normally formed extending upward from the raised conductive lines through the dielectric layer to an overlying layer of metal interconnects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a silicon carbide anti-reflective coating (ARC) and a silicon oxycarbide ARC. Another embodiment is directed to a silicon oxycarbide ARC that is treated with oxygen plasma. The invention includes method embodiments for forming silicon carbide layers and silicon oxycarbide layers as ARC's on a semiconductor substrate surface. Particularly, the methods include introducing methyl silane materials into a process chamber where they are ignited as plasma and deposited onto the substrate surface as silicon carbide. Another method includes introducing methyl silane precursor materials with an inert carrier gas into the process chamber with oxygen. These materials are ignited into a plasma, and silicon oxycarbide material is deposited onto the substrate. By regulating the oxygen flow rate, the optical properties of the silicon oxycarbide layer can be adjusted. In another embodiment, the silicon oxycarbide layer can be treated with oxygen plasma.

Abstract: A three step process for planarizing an integrated circuit structure comprising one or more dielectric layers having trench and/or via openings therein lined with a layer of electrically conductive barrier liner material and filled with copper filler material.

Abstract: A process for forming an integrated circuit structure comprises forming a layer of low k dielectric material over a previously formed integrated circuit structure, and treating the upper surface of the layer of low k dielectric material with a plasma to form a layer of densified dielectric material over the remainder of the underlying layer of low k dielectric material, forming a second layer of low k dielectric material over the layer of densified dielectric material, and treating this second layer of low k dielectric material to form a second layer of densified dielectric material over the second layer of low k dielectric material. The layer or layers of densified dielectric material formed from the low k dielectric material provide mechanical support and can then function as etch stop and mask layers for the formation of vias and/or trenches.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming an integrated circuit structure characterized by formation of a combined dielectric layer and antireflective coating layer. The process comprises forming a layer of dielectric material over an integrated circuit structure, and treating the surface of the layer of dielectric material to form an antireflective coating (ARC) surface therein. When a layer of photoresist is then formed over the ARC surface, and the layer of photoresist is exposed to a pattern of radiation, the ARC surface improves the accuracy of the replication, in the photoresist layer, of the pattern of radiation. Preferably, the surface of the dielectric layer is treated with a plasma comprising ions of elements and/or compounds to form the ARC surface.

Abstract: A process for forming a non-porous dielectric diffusion barrier layer on etched via and trench sidewall surfaces in a layer of porous low k dielectric material comprises exposing such etched surfaces to a plasma formed from one or more gases such as, for example, O2; H2; Ar; He; SiH4; NH3; N2; CHxFy, where x=1-3 and y=4-y; H2O; and mixtures of same, for a period of time sufficient to form from about 1 nanometer (nm) to about 20 nm of the non-porous dielectric diffusion barrier layer which prevents adsorption of moisture and other process gases into the layer of porous low k dielectric material, and prevents degassing from the porous low k dielectric material during subsequent processing.

Abstract: A process for forming an integrated circuit structure characterized by formation of an improved barrier layer for protection against migration of copper from a copper-containing layer into low k dielectric material while mitigating undesired increase in dielectric constant and mitigating undesirable interference by materials in the barrier layer with subsequent photolithography.

Abstract: A composite layer of dielectric material is first formed over the integrated circuit structure, comprising a thin barrier layer of dielectric material, a layer of low k dielectric material over the barrier layer, and a thin capping layer of dielectric material over the layer of low k dielectric material. A photoresist mask, formed over the capping layer, is baked in the presence of UV light to cross-link the mask material. The composite layer is then etched through the resist mask using an etchant gas mixture including CO, but not oxygen. Newly exposed surfaces of low k dielectric material are then optionally densified to harden them. The resist mask is then removed using a plasma of a neutral or reducing gas. Exposed surfaces of low k dielectric material are then passivated by a low power oxygen plasma. Preferably, optional densification, mask removal, and passivation are all done in the same vacuum apparatus.

Abstract: A composite layer of low k dielectric material for integrated circuit structures comprising a thick lower conformal barrier layer of low k dielectric material, a low k center layer of carbon-doped silicon oxide dielectric material having good gap filling capabilities, and a thick upper conformal barrier layer of low k dielectric material. The thick lower conformal barrier layer of low k dielectric material protects the lower surface of the main low k dielectric layer and also protects against misaligned vias entering the main low k dielectric material below the height of the metal line without raising the capacitance of the structure as would a lower barrier layer of non-low k dielectric material.

Abstract: A composite layer of dielectric material is first formed over the integrated circuit structure, comprising a thin barrier layer of dielectric material, a layer of low k dielectric material over the barrier layer, and a thin capping layer of dielectric material over the layer of low k dielectric material. A photoresist mask, formed over the capping layer, is baked in the presence of UV light to cross-link the mask material. The composite layer is then etched through the resist mask using an etchant gas mixture including CO, but not oxygen. Newly exposed surfaces of low k dielectric material are then optionally densified to harden them. The resist mask is then removed using a plasma of a neutral or reducing gas. Exposed surfaces of low k dielectric material are then passivated by a low power oxygen plasma. Preferably, optional densification, mask removal, and passivation are all done in the same vacuum apparatus.

Abstract: A capping layer of an insulator such as silicon oxynitride is formed over horizontally closely spaced apart metal lines on an oxide layer of an integrated circuit structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. Low k silicon oxide dielectric material which exhibits void-free deposition properties in high aspect ratio regions between the closely spaced apart metal lines is then deposited over and between the metal lines and over the silicon oxynitride caps on the metal lines. After the formation of such void-free low k silicon oxide dielectric material between the closely spaced apart metal lines and the silicon oxynitride caps thereon, the structure is planarized to bring the level of the low k silicon oxide dielectric material down to the level of the tops of the silicon oxynitride caps on the metal lines. A further layer of standard k silicon oxide dielectric material is then formed over the planarized void-free low k silicon oxide dielectric layer and the silicon oxynitride caps.

Abstract: A capping layer of an insulator such as silicon oxynitride is formed over horizontally closely spaced apart metal lines on an oxide layer of an integrated circuit structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. Low k silicon oxide dielectric material which exhibits void-free deposition properties in high aspect ratio regions between the closely spaced apart metal lines is then deposited over and between the metal lines and over the silicon oxynitride caps on the metal lines. After the formation of such void-free low k silicon oxide dielectric material between the closely spaced apart metal lines and the silicon oxynitride caps thereon, the structure is planarized to bring the level of the low k silicon oxide dielectric material down to the level of the tops of the silicon oxynitride caps on the metal lines. A further layer of standard k silicon oxide dielectric material is then formed over the planarized void-free low k silicon oxide dielectric layer and the silicon oxynitride caps.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming low k dielectric material between and over a plurality of spaced apart metal lines previously formed over a dielectric layer of an integrated circuit structure. The steps include: depositing, over and between the plurality of metal lines, a layer of a first low k dielectric material resistant to via poisoning; then planarizing the layer of first low k dielectric material sufficiently to open voids formed in. the first low k dielectric material between the metal lines; then depositing, over the layer of first low k dielectric material and into the opened voids, a layer of second low k dielectric material capable of filling the opened voids in the layer of first low k dielectric material; and then depositing a layer of a third low k dielectric material resistant to via poisoning over the first low k dielectric material and the voids filled with the second low k dielectric material.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which inhibits cracking of the layer of low k silicon oxide dielectric material on an integrated circuit structure during subsequent processing of the layer of low k silicon oxide dielectric material. The process comprises: forming a layer of low k silicon oxide dielectric material on an integrated circuit structure on a semiconductor substrate, and forming over the layer of low k silicon oxide dielectric material a capping layer of dielectric material having: a dielectric constant not exceeding about 4, a thickness of at least about 300 nm, and a compressive stress of at least about 3×109 dynes/cm2. In a preferred embodiment, the capping layer comprises silicon oxide formed by reaction of silane and N2O in a PECVD process carried out within a pressure range of from about 600 milliTorr to about 1000 milliTorr; and a temperature range of from about 300° C. to about 400° C.

Abstract: Damaged surfaces of a low k carbon-containing silicon oxide dielectric material are treated with one or more carbon-containing gases, and in the absence of an oxidizing agent, to inhibit subsequent formation of silicon-hydroxyl bonds when the damaged surfaces of the low k dielectric material are thereafter exposed to moisture. The carbon-containing gas treatment of the invention is carried out after the step of oxidizing or “ashing” the resist mask to remove the mask, but prior to exposure of the damaged surfaces of the low k dielectric material to moisture. Optionally, the carbon-containing gas treatment may also be carried out after the initial step of etching the low k carbon-containing silicon oxide dielectric material to form vias or contact openings as well, particularly when exposure of the damaged surfaces of the low k dielectric material to moisture after the via etching step and prior to the resist removing oxidation step is possible.

Abstract: A method of forming titanium nitride barrier layers that are highly conformal, have high step coverage and low resistivity through a two stage deposition process is described. Low temperature deposition of titanium nitride barrier layer provides material of high conformity and good step coverage but of high resistivity. High temperature deposition of titanium nitride barrier layer yields material of low resistivity. Thus, a titanium nitride barrier layer deposited in separate steps at low temperature and high temperature by the method of the present invention is particularly suited for use in modern devices of increasing density that are characterized by narrow and deep contact holes.