Abstract: A method to integrate low dielectric constant dielectric materials with copper metallization is described. A metal line is provided overlying a semiconductor substrate and having a nitride capping layer thereover. A polysilicon layer is deposited over the nitride layer and patterned to form dummy vias. A dielectric liner layer is conformally deposited overlying the nitride layer and dummy vias. A dielectric layer having a low dielectric constant is spun-on overlying the liner layer and covering the dummy vias. The dielectric layer is polished down whereby the dummy vias are exposed. Thereafter, the dielectric layer is cured whereby a cross-linked surface layer is formed. The dummy vias are removed thereby exposing a portion of the nitride layer within the via openings. The exposed nitride layer is removed. The via openings are filled with a copper layer which is planarized to complete copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal capacitor wherein top metal corner shaping during patterning is eliminated is described. An insulating layer is provided overlying a semiconductor substrate. A composite metal stack is formed comprising a first metal layer overlying the insulating layer, a capacitor dielectric layer overlying the first metal layer, a second metal layer overlying the capacitor dielectric layer, and a hard mask layer overlying the second metal layer. A first photoresist mask is formed overlying the hard mask layer. The composite metal stack is patterned using the first photoresist mask as an etching mask whereby the patterned first metal layer forms a bottom electrode of the capacitor. A portion of the first photoresist mask is removed by plasma ashing to form a second photoresist mask narrower than the first photoresist mask. The hard mask layer is patterned using the second photoresist mask as an etching mask.