Abstract: An apparatus and a method for operating the same. The method includes providing an apparatus which includes a chamber, wherein the chamber includes first and second inlets, an anode and a cathode structures in the chamber, and a wafer on the cathode structure. A cleaning gas is injected into the chamber via the first inlet. A collecting gas is injected into the chamber via the second inlet. The cleaning gas when ionized has a property of etching a top surface of the wafer resulting in a by-product mixture in the chamber. The collecting gas has a property of preventing the by-product mixture from depositing back to the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for operating the same. The method includes providing an apparatus which includes a chamber, wherein the chamber includes first and second inlets, an anode and a cathode structures in the chamber, and a wafer on the cathode structure. A cleaning gas is injected into the chamber via the first inlet. A collecting gas is injected into the chamber via the second inlet. The cleaning gas when ionized has a property of etching a top surface of the wafer resulting in a by-product mixture in the chamber. The collecting gas has a property of preventing the by-product mixture from depositing back to the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A method of forming a liner (and resultant structure) in a contact includes depositing a first layer of refractory metal, annealing the first layer, and sputter depositing a second layer of refractory metal or a compound or an alloy thereof, over the first layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a Ti-containing liner having good contact resistance and coverage of a contact hole is provided. The method which converts an amorphous region of ionized metal plasma deposited Ti into a substantially crystalline region includes (a) providing a structure having at least one contact hole formed therein, said at least one contact hole exposing at least a portion of a cobalt disilicide contact formed in a semiconductor substrate; (b) depositing a Ti/TiN liner in said at least one contact hole by ionized metal plasma deposition; (c) annealing said Ti/TiN liner under conditions effective to recrystallize any amorphous region formed during said annealing into a crystalline region including a TiSi2 top layer and a CoSix bottom layer; and (d) optionally forming a conductive material on said Ti/TiN liner.