Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit utilizes a thin film substrate. The method includes providing a mask structure on a top surface of the thin film, depositing a semiconductor material above the top surface of the thin film and the mask structure, removing the semiconductor material to a level below the top surface of the mask structure, siliciding the semiconductor material, and providing a gate structure in an aperture formed by removing the mask structure. The transistor can be a fully depleted transistor having material for siliciding source and drain regions.

Abstract: Methods are presented for fabricating MOS transistors, in which a sacrificial material such as silicon germanium is formed over a gate contact material prior to gate patterning. The sacrificial material is then removed following sidewall spacer formation to provide a recess at the top of the gate structure. The recess provides space for optional epitaxial silicon formation and suicide formation over the gate contact material without overflowing the tops of the sidewall spacers to minimize shorting between the gate and the source/drains in the finished transistor.

Abstract: A method for forming word line of semiconductor device wherein a lower portion of the word line on the channel region is a I-type and a upper portion of the word line is a line-type is disclosed. The method comprises (a) forming a sacrificial insulation film on a semiconductor substrate including an active region; (b) etching the sacrificial insulation film to form an I-type sacrificial insulation film pattern whereon a channel region is to be formed; (c) forming a source/drain region; (d) forming a first interlayer insulation film; (e) planarizing the first interlayer insulation film to expose the sacrificial insulation film pattern; (f) sequentially forming a insulation film and a second interlayer insulation film; (g) etching the second interlayer insulation film and insulation film using a word line mask; (h) removing the sacrificial insulation film pattern; (i) growing a gate oxide film; (j) forming a conductive layer; and (k) planarizing the conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is provided which results in a SiGe HBT that has a controllable current gain and improved breakdown voltage. The SiGe HBT having these characteristics is fabricated by forming an in-situ P-doped emitter layer atop a patterned SiGe base structure. The in-situ P-doped emitter layer is a bilayer of in-situ P-doped a:Si and in-situ P-doped polysilicon. The SiGe HBT structure including the above mentioned bilayer emitter is also described herein.

Abstract: An aluminum interconnect which extends adjacent to and is insulated from a stacked capacitor structure to facilitate electrical communication between an active device region of a semiconductor substrate of a semiconductor device structure and a bit line extending above the semiconductor substrate. The aluminum interconnect is disposed within a trench and may include a metal silicide layer adjacent the active device region to form a buried metal diffusion layer. The aluminum interconnect may also include a metal nitride layer disposed between the metal silicide and aluminum. The invention also includes methods of fabricating aluminum interconnects adjacent stacked capacitor structures and semiconductor device structures which include the aluminum interconnects.

Abstract: High dielectric films of mixed transition metal oxides of titanium and tungsten, or titanium and tantalum, are formed by sequential chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of the respective nitrides and annealing in the presence of oxygen to densify and oxidize the nitrides. The resulting film is useful as a capacitative cell and resists oxygen diffusion to the underlying material, has high capacitance and low current leakage.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device and method of manufacturing thereof, a semiconductor device having an SOI structure is provided with a capacitor including a first electrode in an SOI layer, a second electrode opposing the first electrode, and a dielectric film therebetween. An isolation region is provided as contained in the SOI layer to electrically isolate the first electrode from remaining areas of the SOI layer, such as active areas or the like. The method includes forming the isolation regions in the SOI layer, forming the first electrode in the SOI layer as electrically isolated from the remaining areas of the SOI layer by the isolation regions, forming the dielectric film on the first electrode, and forming the second electrode on the dielectric film opposite the first electrode.

Abstract: A method and a semiconductor wafer configuration for producing an alignment mark for semiconductor wafers. In the method, an alignment mark region surrounded by a metal frame is formed on the semiconductor wafer. Subsequently, the alignment mark region and the metal frame are completely buried in at least one dielectric layer, in order to define an alignment mark area in the alignment mark region on the dielectric layer with a photolithography process. The boundary of the alignment mark area lies at a uniform distance within the boundary of the alignment mark region, defined by the metal frame. Subsequently (to uncover the alignment mark area by an anisotropic etching of the dielectric layer), the etching depth is defined in such a way that the alignment mark opening extends at least as far as the level of the metal frame.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and an internal circuitry which is formed on the semiconductor substrate and which executes a predetermined operation. The device also includes a terminal which is connected to the internal circuitry and which receives an external signal and a protection circuitry which is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The protection circuitry includes a transistor having a first region of a first conductivity type, a second region of the first conductivity type and a third region of a second conductivity type. The first region is connected to the terminal. The second region is provided at a scribe line of the semiconductor substrate. The third region is defined by a region between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises a step of depositing a crystalline insulating layer oriented in a predetermined crystal face orientation by epitaxial growth on an amorphous semiconductor layer, a step of depositing a second amorphous semiconductor layer on the crystalline insulating layer, a step of growing said first and second semiconductor layers into a polycrystal or single crystal layer in a solid phase, using said crystalline insulating film as core, and a step of forming a functional element containing said first and second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating polysilicon film by Nickel and Copper induced lateral crystallization for the TFT-LCD, comprising the step of: a) a thin (˜4 nm) Copper and Nickel being evaporated onto the substrate; b) a amorphous-silicon film (˜50 nm) being evaporated onto thereof obtained according to a); c) applying annealing at less than 600° C. to thereof obtained according to b) for fast fabricating poly-silicon film. It is approximately 10 times faster than that of Ni induced polysilicon. The present invention is to provide a low-temperature (<600° C.) fast growth rate process to convert the hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) films to polysilicon film for substantially time-saving process and industrial applicability.

Abstract: A light-emitting element (24) is disclosed. A light emitting diode (LED) includes a sapphire substrate (26) having front and back sides (33, 35), and a plurality of semiconductor layers (28, 30, 32) deposited on the front side (33) of the sapphire substrate (26). The semiconductor layers (28, 30, 32) define a light-emitting structure that emits light responsive to an electrical input. A metallization stack (40) includes an adhesion layer (34) deposited on the back side (35) of the sapphire substrate (26), and a solderable layer (38) connected to the adhesion layer (34) such that the solderable layer (38) is secured to the sapphire substrate (26) by the adhesion layer (34). A support structure (42) is provided on which the LED is disposed. A solder bond (44) is arranged between the LED and the support structure (42). The solder bond (44) secures the LED to the support structure (42).

Abstract: Methods for reducing the contact resistance presented by the interface between a silicide and a doped silicon region are presented. In a first method, a silicide layer and a doped silicon region form an interface. Either a damage-only species or a heavy, metal is implanted through the silicide layer into the doped silicon region immediately adjacent the interface. In a second method, a second metal is added to the refractory metal before formation of the silicide. After annealing the refractory metal and the doped silicon region, the second metal diffuses into the doped silicion region immediately adjacent the interface without forming additional phases in the silicide.

Abstract: A high voltage insulated gate field-effect transistor includes an insulated gate field-effect device structure having a source and a drain, the drain being formed with an extended well region having one or more buried layers of opposite conduction type sandwiched therein. The one or more buried layers create an associated plurality of parallel JFET conduction channels in the extended portion of the well region. The parallel JFET conduction channels provide the HVFET with a low on-state resistance.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device is provided which includes a contact structure interposed between a pair of electrodes arranged beneath a beam. In some embodiments, the device may include additional contact structures interposed between the pair of electrodes. For example, the device may include at least three contact structures between the pair of electrodes. In some embodiments, the beam may be suspended above the pair of electrodes by a support structure affixed to a first end of the beam. Such a device may further include an additional support structure affixed to a second end of the beam. In some cases, the device may be adapted to pass a signal from the first end to the second end of the beam. In addition or alternatively, the device may be adapted to pass the signal between one or both ends of the beam and one or more of the contact structures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a fin structure on an insulator. The fin structure may include side surfaces and a top surface. The method may also include depositing a gate material over the fin structure and planarizing the deposited gate material. An antireflective coating may be deposited on the planarized gate material, and a gate structure may be formed out of the planarized gate material using the antireflective coating.

Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming on a substrate a buffer layer and a high-k gate dielectric layer, oxidizing the surface of the high-k gate dielectric layer, and then forming a gate electrode on the oxidized high-k gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of depositing indium oxide or indium tin oxide thin film on a polymer substrate is disclosed. In the method, oxygen or argon ion beam is radiated on a polymer substrate by a constant accelerating energy in a vacuum state to modify the surface of the polymer substrate, on which an IO thin film or an ITO thin film is deposited while oxygen ion beam, argon ion beam or their mixture ion beam is being radiated in a vacuum state. In addition, ion beam is generated from a cold cathode ion source by using argon, oxygen or their mixture gas and sputtered at a target substance composed of In2O3 or In2O3 and SnO2, thereby an IO or an ITO thin film can be deposited on the surface-modified polymer substrate.

Abstract: By a solder bump, a CSP is bonded to a first electrode of the module substrate of a multi-chip module. For this solder bump, a solder added with an alkaline earth metal such as Ba, Be, Ca or Mg is used. Accordingly, upon solder reflow, phosphorous (P) reacts with the alkaline earth metal, thereby forming a P compound. Owing to dispersion of this P compound inside of the solder bump, no P concentrated layer is formed on the Ni film, making it possible to prevent peeling of the solder bump from the first electrode upon solder reflow. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to improve the solder bonding property.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a vented blind via in pad of a printed circuit board (PCB). A vent in the blind via in pad to allow gases formed during reflow soldering to escape from the solder joint. In one embodiment, the vent extends from the outer edge of the pad to the blind via. In another embodiment, a method includes forming a blind via in pad having a vent.

Abstract: A novel, high performance, high reliability interconnection structure for an integrated circuit. The interconnection structure of the present invention is formed on a first insulating layer which in turn is formed on a silicon substrate or well. A first multilayer interconnection comprising a first aluminum layer, a first refractory metal layer, and a second aluminum layer is formed on the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first multilayer interconnection. A conductive via is formed through the second insulating layer and recessed into the first multilayer interconnection wherein a portion of the via extends above the second insulating layer. A second interconnection is formed on the second insulating layer and on and around the portion of the via extending above the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing organic film is deposited on a semiconductor substrate using a material gas containing fluorocarbon as a main component in a reactor chamber of a plasma processing apparatus. The fluorine-containing organic film is then exposed to plasma of a rare gas in the same reactor chamber to densify the fluorine-containing organic film.

Abstract: The following defects are suppressed: when an interlayer insulating film including a silicon carbide film and an organic insulating film is dry-etched to form interconnection grooves over underlying Cu interconnections, an insulating reactant adheres to the surface of the underlying Cu interconnections exposed to the bottom of the interconnection grooves, or the silicon carbide film or the organic insulating film exposed to the side walls of the interconnection grooves are side-etched.

Abstract: Semiconductor processing methods of forming integrated circuitry are described. Embodiments provide a substrate having circuit devices. At least three layers are formed over the substrate and through which electrical connection is to be made with at least two of the circuit devices. The three layers comprise first and second layers having an etch stop layer interposed therebetween. Contact openings are formed through the three layers and a patterned masking layer is formed over the three layers to define a conductive line pattern. Material of an uppermost of the first and second layers is selectively removed, relative to the etch stop layer, to define troughs joined with the contact openings. Conductive material is subsequently formed within the joined troughs and contact openings. In some embodiment, contact openings are formed that have an aspect ratio of no less than about 10:1.

Abstract: A metal interconnection for an integrated circuit device is fabricated by forming a trench in an integrated circuit substrate and a via hole beneath a portion of the trench. The trench includes a trench sidewall and the via hole includes a sacrificial film therein. A buffer layer is formed on the trench sidewall. At least some of the sacrificial film is removed from the via hole by etching the sacrificial film through the trench that includes the buffer layer on the trench sidewall. The metal interconnection is formed in the via hole from which at least some of the sacrificial film has been removed, and in the trench. The buffer layer may use material having etch selectivity to an etchant which is used when removing the sacrificial film, to thereby protect the trench sidewall when removing the sacrificial film.

Abstract: A method for use in the fabrication of integrated circuits includes providing a substrate assembly having a surface. A diffusion barrier layer is formed over at least a portion of the surface. The diffusion barrier layer is formed of RuSixOy, where x and y are in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The barrier layer may be formed by depositing RuSixOy by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or physical vapor deposition or the barrier layer may be formed by forming a layer of ruthenium or ruthenium oxide over a silicon-containing region and performing an anneal to form RuSixOy from the layer of ruthenium and silicon from the adjacent silicon-containing region. Capacitor electrodes, interconnects or other structures may be formed with such a diffusion barrier layer. Semiconductor structures and devices can be formed to include diffusion barrier layers formed of RuSixOy.

Abstract: A method is described for filling of high aspect ratio contact vias provided over silicon containing areas. A via is formed in an insulating layer over the silicon containing area and a silicide forming material is deposited in the via. A silicide region is formed over the silicon containing area, the silicide forming material is removed from the via leaving the silicide region. The via is then filled with a conductor using an electroless plating process.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an FET having a gate insulation film with an SiO2 equivalent thickness of 2 nm or more and capable of suppressing the leak current to {fraction (1/100)} or less compared with existent SiO2 films, an SiO2 film of 0.5 nm or more is formed at a boundary between an Si substrate (polycrystalline silicon gate) and a high dielectric insulation film, and the temperature for forming the SiO2 film is made higher than the source-drain activating heat treatment temperature in the subsequent steps. As such, a shifting threshold voltage by the generation of static charges or lowering of a drain current caused by degradation of mobility can be prevented so as to reduce electric power consumption and increase current in a field effect transistor of a smaller size.

Abstract: An improved method of controlling a critical dimension during a photoresist patterning process is provided which can be applied to forming vias and trenches in a dual damascene structure. An amorphous carbon ARC is deposited on a substrate by a PECVD method. Preferred conditions are a RF power from 50 to 500 Watts, a bias of 500 to 2000 Watts, a chamber and substrate temperature of 300° C. to 400° C. with a trimethylsilane flow rate of 50 to 200 sccm, a helium flow rate of 100 to 1000 sccm, and an argon flow rate of 50 to 200 sccm. Argon plasma imparts an amorphous character to the film. The refractive index (n and k) can be tuned for a variety of photoresist applications including 193 nm, 248 nm, and 365 nm exposures. The &agr;-carbon layer provides a high etch selectivity relative to oxide and can be easily removed with a plasma etch.

Abstract: A method for treating a dielectric material using hydrocarbon plasma is described, which allows for thinner films of barrier material to be used to form a robust barrier.

Abstract: A via hole is formed to reach a Cu interconnection through an interlayer insulating film that covers the Cu interconnection. A conductive polymeric member is buried in the via hole electrolytically. A resist pattern is formed on the interlayer insulating film by photolithography, and a trench is formed, connected to the via hole, by etching, using the resist pattern as a mask. The resist pattern and the conductive polymeric member are removed thereafter.

Abstract: A method for semiconductor device feature development using a bi-layer photoresist including providing a non-silicon containing photoresist layer over a substrate; providing a silicon containing photoresist over the non-silicon containing photoresist layer; exposing said silicon containing photoresist layer to an activating light source an exposure surface defined by an overlying pattern according to a photolithographic process; developing said silicon containing photoresist layer according to a photolithographic process to reveal a portion the non-silicon containing photoresist layer; and, dry developing said non-silicon containing photoresist layer in a plasma reactor by igniting a plasma from an ambient mixture including at least oxygen, carbon monoxide, and argon.

Abstract: Inter-connectors are typically used for interconnecting electronic components. Interconnections between electronic components are generally classified into at least two broad categories of “relatively permanent” and “readily demountable”. A “readily demountable” connector includes a spring-like contact structure of one electronic component for connecting to a terminal of another electronic component. The spring-like contact structure, also known as an inter-connector, generally requires a certain amount of contact force to effect reliable pressure contact to a terminal of an electronic component. Therefore, the shape and metallurgy of the inter-connector are important factors in determining the effectiveness of the inter-connector for making pressure connection to a terminal of the electronic component. Conventional methods of making such an inter-connector use lithographic and planarisation methods to “make” the inter-connectors in segments.

Abstract: A portion, positioned at an opening portion of a resist, of an anti-reflection film is etched using an etching gas containing a substituted hydrocarbon with a halogen. At the time of etching of the anti-reflection film, a carbon component of the substituted hydrocarbon with a halogen is formed as a carbonaceous deposit on side walls, less irradiated with ions, of the opening portion of the resist, and on side walls of an opening portion, formed by etching, of the anti-reflection film. The deposit acts as a side wall blocking film, to suppress lateral extension of the opening portion of the resist and the opening portion of the anti-reflection film by etching, thus allowing anisotropic etching of the anti-reflection film. With this etching method, it is possible to etch the anti-reflection film with a resist taken as a mask while suppressing a variation in pattern dimension.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of fabricating a polymer memory device in a via. The method involves providing a semiconductor substrate having at least one metal-containing layer thereon, forming at least one copper contact in the metal-containing layer, forming at least one dielectric layer over the copper contact, forming at least one via in the dielectric layer to expose at least a portion of the copper contact, forming a polymer material in a lower portion of the via, and forming a top electrode material layer in an upper portion of the via.

Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor device whereby fine patterns are formed with high dimensional accuracy by means of multiple exposures, using a phase shift mask and a trim mask. Phases are periodically assigned to shifter patterns within a given range from patterns generated with the phase shift mask, respectively.

Abstract: Methods of forming a metal layer in integrated circuit devices using selective electroplating in a recess are disclosed. In particular, a recess is formed in a surface of an insulating layer. The recess has a side wall inside the recess, a bottom inside the recess, and an edge at a boundary of the surface of the insulating layer and the side wall. A selective electroplating mask is formed on the side wall to provide a covered portion of the side wall and an exposed portion of the side wall. The exposed portion of the side wall can be electroplated with a metal. Related conductive contacts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Perform an atomic layer deposition (ALD) at least once to form a continuous metal seed layer (CMSL) on the barrier layer, wherein the atomic layer deposition comprises: a mixing gas of hydrogen and silane, such as hydroxy silane or tetrahydroxy silane, is transported on the barrier layer; next, perform a purge/vacuum process; then a reactive gas, such as WF6, is transported to form the continuous metal seed layer (CMSL); the cycle step of the atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be repeated to form the thickness of the continuous metal seed layer (CMSL) about 20 to 40 Å.

Abstract: A metal wiring buried in an insulating layer is subjected to a reducing treatment prior to formation of a second insulating layer on the insulating layer under the condition that the total partial pressure of oxygen and water vapor is sufficiently low.

Abstract: The invention includes reactive gaseous deposition precursor feed apparatus and chemical vapor deposition methods. In one implementation, a reactive gaseous deposition precursor feed apparatus includes a gas passageway having an inlet and an outlet. A variable volume accumulator reservoir is joined in fluid communication with the gas passageway. In one implementation, a chemical vapor deposition method includes positioning a semiconductor substrate within a deposition chamber. A first deposition precursor is fed to an inlet of a variable volume accumulator reservoir. With the first deposition precursor therein, volume of the variable volume accumulator reservoir is decreased effective to expel first deposition precursor therefrom into the chamber under conditions effective to deposit a layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various methods of forming metal silicide regions on transistors based upon gate critical dimensions. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a layer of refractory metal above a plurality of transistors, reducing a thickness of at least a portion of the layer of refractory metal above at least some of the transistors and performing at least one anneal process to form metal silicide regions above the transistors. In another illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a layer of refractory metal above the plurality of transistors, reducing the thickness of the layer of refractory metal above a first of the transistors having a gate electrode with a critical dimension that is less than a critical dimension of a gate electrode structure of another of the plurality of transistors, and performing at least one anneal process to form metal silicide regions on the plurality of transistors.

Abstract: A method for forming a contact capable of tolerating an O2 environment up to several hundred degrees Celsius for several hours is disclosed. To slow down the metal oxide front of the metal layer at the metal-polysilicon interface, the metal layer is surrounded by one or more oxygen sink spacers and layers. These oxygen sink spacers and layers are oxidized before the metal layer at the bottom of the plug is oxidized. Accordingly, the conductive connection between the polysilicon and any device built on top of the barrier layer is preserved.

Abstract: A method for the formation of a refractory metal nucleation layer (e.g., a tungsten nucleation layer) on a semiconductor device substrate that includes first depositing a metallic barrier layer (e.g., a titanium-nitride barrier layer) on the substrate. Next, the metallic barrier layer is exposed to a silicon-containing gas (e.g., monosilane) to form a layer of silicon (e.g., a monolayer of silicon) on the metallic barrier layer. The layer of silicon is then exposed to a refractory metal-containing gas (e.g., WF6) in a manner such that the refractory metal-containing gas undergoes a reduction reaction with the layer of silicon. The result of this reaction is the formation of a refractory metal layer (e.g., a tungsten metal layer) on the metallic barrier layer. Subsequently, an alternating exposure of the refractory metal layer to the silicon-containing gas and the refractory metal-containing gas is conducted.

Abstract: Embedded interconnections of copper are formed by forming an insulating layer, forming embedded interconnections of copper in the insulating layer, making an exposed upper surface of the insulating layer and an exposed surface of the embedded interconnections of copper coplanar according to chemical mechanical polishing, and forming a protective silver film on the exposed surface of the embedded interconnections of copper. These steps are repeated on the existing insulating layer thereby to produce multiple layers of embedded interconnections of copper. The exposed surface of the embedded interconnections of copper is plated with silver according to immersion plating.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a recess region in an insulation layer on a silicon substrate, comprising the steps of depositing a barrier metal over the entire surface of the insulation layer including the substrate surface in the recess region, depositing selectively an anti-nucleation layer on the barrier metal except in the recess region, depositing a CVD-Al layer on the barrier metal in the recess region, depositing a metal or a metal alloy inhibiting aluminum migration on the anti-nucleation layer and the barrier metal except in the recess region, and depositing a PVD-Al layer and re-flowing the PVD-Al layer, for improving the quality of aluminum grooves. The present method inhibits PVD-Al migration and grain growth, which results in preventing abnormal patterning in the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a mixed voltage integrated circuit is disclosed in which a gate is provided that contains a gate oxide and a gate conductor on a substrate. A first mask is deposited to pattern the length of the gate by etching, and a second mask pattern is deposited and used to etch the width of the gate, with or without a hard mask.

Abstract: A sacrificial semiconductor feature for preventing corrosion that can result during chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) is disclosed. A semiconductor device of the invention is fabricated at least in part by performing CMP. The device includes a desired semiconductor feature and a sacrificial semiconductor feature. The desired semiconductor feature may have an unbalanced geometric pattern that includes a metallic line ending in at least one tip. The at least one tip is susceptible to corrosion resulting from performing CMP. The sacrificial semiconductor feature is preferably located off the metallic line of the desired semiconductor feature. The sacrificial semiconductor feature attracts charge induced during CMP that is otherwise attracted by the at least one tip of the desired semiconductor feature. The presence of the sacrificial semiconductor feature thus substantially prevents corrosion of the desired semiconductor feature, including its tip(s).

Abstract: A silicon nitride film is first formed on a semiconductor substrate and serves as a polishing stopper film. Then, the silicon nitride film and the semiconductor substrate are etched in a predetermined region to form an isolating trench which partitions an active region. Next, a silicon dioxide film is deposited on the semiconductor substrate so that the isolating trench is filled with the silicon dioxide film. Next, first-stage chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is performed with a SiO2-contained slurry which can efficiently polish the surface of the silicon dioxide film regardless of level difference. Finally, second-stage CMP is performed with a CeO2-contained slurry ensuring a large polishing selectivity ratio of the silicon dioxide with regard to silicon nitride films.

Abstract: A method of forming structures in semiconductor devices through a buffer or insulator layer comprises the use of a silicon hard mask between a patterned resist layer for etching the structures and an underlying barrier layer. The silicon hard mask acts as a backup to the resist layer, preventing the potential etching of the barrier layer which is protected by the resist layer by acting as an etch stop if the first resist layer is ablated away during the etching of the openings for the structures. This allows for a thinner layer of resist material to be used. After etching, a layer of silicidable material is deposited over the silicon hard mask and the resulting structure is annealed to turn the silicon hard mask into a silicide material. The silicide material is removed by an abrasive method, such as by chemical mechanical planarization.

Abstract: Methods for removing residuals from the surface of an integrated circuit device. Such methods find particular application in the fabrication of a dual damascene structure following removal of excess portions of a silver-containing metal layer from a device surface. The methods facilitate removal of particulate residuals as well as unremoved portions of the metal layer in a single cleaning process. The cleaning solutions for use with the methods are dilute aqueous solutions containing hydrogen peroxide and at least one acidic component and are substantially free of particulate material. Acidic components include carboxylic acids and their salts.