Abstract: A method of fabricating an opening or plug. In the process of forming the opening, before a photoresist layer is formed over a dielectric layer, a treatment process is performed to form a film on the dielectric layer, wherein the film can suppress the outgasing phenomenon of the dielectric layer and prevent the later formed photoresist layer from reacting with the running-off composition component from the dielectric layer. Therefore, the problem of incomplete development due to outgasing of the dielectric layer can be solved. Additionally, in the procedure for forming a plug, before a block layer is forming on a surface of a via, a treatment process is performed to form a film on the surface of the via. Therefore, the problem of having defects inside the block layer caused by outgasing of the dielectric layer can be overcome.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an opening or plug is provided. In the process of forming the opening, before a photoresist layer is formed over a dielectric layer, a treatment process is performed to form a film on the dielectric layer, wherein the film can suppress the outgasing phenomenon of the dielectric layer and prevent the later formed photoresist layer from reacting with the running-off composition component from the dielectric layer. Therefore, the problem of incomplete development due to outgasing of the dielectric layer can be solved. Additionally, in the procedure for forming a plug, before a block layer is forming on a surface of a via, a treatment process is performed to form a film on the surface of the via. Therefore, the problem of having defects inside the block layer caused by outgasing of the dielectric layer can be overcome.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an opening or plug. In the process of forming the opening, before a photoresist layer is formed over a dielectric layer, a treatment process is performed to form a film on the dielectric layer, wherein the film can suppress the outgasing phenomenon of the dielectric layer and prevent the later formed photoresist layer from reacting with the running-off composition component from the dielectric layer. Therefore, the problem of incomplete development due to outgasing of the dielectric layer can be solved. Additionally, in the procedure for forming a plug, before a block layer is forming on a surface of a via, a treatment process is performed to form a film on the surface of the via. Therefore, the problem of having defects inside the block layer caused by outgasing of the dielectric layer can be overcome.

Abstract: A method for removing polymer as an etching residue is described. A substrate with polymer as an etching residue thereon is provided, and a hydrogen-containing plasma is used to treat the substrate. A wet clean step is then performed to remove the polymer from the substrate. The treatment using hydrogen-containing plasma can change the chemical property of the polymer, so that the polymer can be removed more easily in the subsequent wet clean step.

Abstract: A plasma processing device has a housing, a metal plate, an inner ring, and an outer ring. A vacuum chamber is formed in the housing. An air vent is installed on an upper end of the vacuum chamber for venting gaseous reactants into the vacuum chamber when performing a plasma process. The metal plate has a channel for venting gaseous matter and at least a vertical vent hole for guiding the gaseous reactants into the vacuum chamber. The inner ring and the outer ring are positioned between the housing and the metal plate, and the inner ring is surrounded by the outer ring. An air chamber formed between the inner ring and the outer ring connects with the channel of the metal plate.

Abstract: A method for removing polymer as an etching residue is described. A substrate with polymer as an etching residue thereon is provided, and a hydrogen-containing plasma is used to treat the substrate. A wet clean step is then performed to remove the polymer from the substrate. The treatment using hydrogen-containing plasma can change the chemical property of the polymer, so that the polymer can be removed more easily in the subsequent wet clean step.

Abstract: In damascene processing, metal hardmask sputtering redeposition that occurs during reactive ion etching (RIE) is exploited to produce, during the RIE process, a desired barrier metal liner on the etched feature.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical three-dimensional metal-insulator-metal capacitor (MIM capacitor) structure is disclosed. The present invention utilized a vertical three-dimensional MIM capacitor structure on the substrate to decrease the structure area of the MIM capacitor in logic integrated circuit and integration for copper dual damascene process at an identical capacitance on a chip; therefore, the capacitance density of the vertical three-dimensional capacitor can be increased. Furthermore, the present invention is provided a method for fabricating the vertical three-dimensional MIM capacitor structure that compatible with the fabrication of the copper dual damascene structure such that the number of the photomask during the fabrication process can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a high-density capacitor. At least one first trench is formed in a dielectric layer positioned on a semiconductor substrate. A first liner layer and a first conductive layer are formed on the semiconductor substrate followed by a first planarization process. At least one second trench having a joint side wall with the first trench is formed in the dielectric layer. A capacitor dielectric layer, a second liner layer, and a second conductive layer are formed on the semiconductor substrate followed by a second planarization process. The surfaces of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are then exposed to form a high-density capacitor having a three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical three-dimensional metal-insulator-metal capacitor (MIM capacitor) structure is disclosed. The present invention utilized a vertical three-dimensional MIM capacitor structure on the substrate to decrease the structure area of the MIM capacitor in logic integrated circuit and integration for copper dual damascene process at an identical capacitance on a chip; therefore, the capacitance density of the vertical three-dimensional capacitor can be increased. Furthermore, the present invention is provided a method for fabricating the vertical three-dimensional MIM capacitor structure that compatible with the fabrication of the copper dual damascene structure such that the number of the photomask during the fabrication process can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention shows a method of a surface treatment on a fluorine silicate glass film. At first a fluorine silicate glass layer is deposited on a semiconductor wafer. Partial fluorine ions in the fluorine silicate glass layer are in-situ removed to form a silicon oxide layer of a pre-determined thickness. Then, a photoresist layer is coated on the silicon oxide layer. After an exposing process, a pre-determined latent pattern is formed in the photoresist layer. Finally, after a developing process, the pre-determined latent pattern of the photoresist is removed so as to expose corresponding portions of the silicon oxide layer underneath the latent pattern of the photoresist layer. As a result, the present invention solves a problem that fluorine ions in the fluorine silicate glass layer 24 diffuse to a surface of the fluorine silicate glass layer 24 to combine with water to form hydrofluoric acid, that contaminates the photoresist and leads to reliability issues.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene structure. A first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer are sequentially formed over a substrate. A first photoresist layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. Photolithographic and etching operations are conducted to remove a portion of the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer so that a via opening is formed. A conformal third dielectric layer is coated over the surface of the second dielectric layer and the interior surface of the via opening. The conformal third dielectric layer forms a liner dielectric layer. A second photoresist layer is formed over the second dielectric layer and then the second photoresist layer is patterned. Using the patterned second photoresist layer as a mask, a portion of the second dielectric layer is removed to form a trench. The patterned second photoresist layer is removed. Conductive material is deposited over the substrate to fill the via opening and the trench.

Abstract: A method of forming a multiple layer damascene structure. A substrate comprising of a multi-layered stack that includes, from bottom to top, a metallic layer, a first etching stop layer, a first dielectric layer, a second etching stop layer and a second dielectric layer is provided. A photoresist layer having large area openings and vias pattern is formed over the substrate. Large area openings and vias that expose a portion of the first etching stop layer are formed in the substrate. A barrier layer that fills all the large area openings and vias is formed over the substrate. Chemical-mechanical polishing is conducted to remove a portion of the barrier layer and expose the second dielectric layer. A second photoresist having a trench pattern thereon is formed over the substrate. Using the second photoresist as a mask, etching is conducted so that the second etching stop layer around the vias is exposed. Lastly, the barrier layer is removed.