At Least One Layer Of Molybdenum, Titanium, Or Tungsten Patents (Class 257/763)
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Publication number: 20040195695Abstract: A method of reducing the contact resistance of metal suicides to the p+ silicon area or the n+ silicon area of the substrate comprising: (a) forming a metal germanium (Ge) layer over a silicon-containing substrate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of Co, Ti, Ni and mixtures thereof; (b) optionally forming an oxygen barrier layer over said metal germanium layer; (c) annealing said metal germanium layer at a temperature which is effective in converting at least a portion thereof into a substantially non-etchable metal silicide layer, while forming a Si—Ge interlayer between said silicon-containing substrate and said substantially non-etchable metal silicide layer; and (d) removing said optional oxygen barrier layer and any remaining alloy layer. When a Co or Ti alloy is employed, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Cyril Cabral,, Roy Arthur Carruthers, James McKell Edwin Harper, Christian Lavoie, Ronnen Andrew Roy, Yun Yu Wang
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Patent number: 6794753Abstract: A semiconductor device containing at least one transistor and at least one heater resistor in a heater resistor area adjacent the at least one transistor on a semiconductor substrate. The device includes a silicon substrate containing contact openings for metal contacts to the at least one transistor. A barrier layer is in the contact openings and in the heater resistor area and provides a diffusion barrier/heater resistor layer. The barrier layer is selected from a group consisting of TaN, Ta/TaAl, TaN/TaAl, TiWN, TaAlN, TiN, Ta(Nx, Oy), WSi(Nx, Oy), TaSi, TaSiN, WSiN, and TaSi(Nx, Oy). A conductive layer is adjacent at least a portion of the barrier layer for providing connection between a power source and the at least one heater resistor and at least one transistor. The semiconductor device is devoid of a patterned and etched barrier layer in the heater resistor area.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Byron Vencent Bell, Yimin Guan
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Patent number: 6794757Abstract: The contact opening through an insulating layer is formed having a straight sidewall portion and a bowl shaped sidewall portion. The bowl shaped sidewall portion is near the top of the insulation layer to provide an enlarged diameter of the contact opening at the top relative to the bottom. A conductive material is then formed in the contact opening in electrical contact with a lower conductive layer. The conductive material forms a plug having an enlarged head, such as a nail head or a flat heat screw shape. The enlarged head protects the silicon and a barrier layer, if present, within the contact from being etched by any subsequent anisotropic etches. Thus, when an electrical interconnection layer such as aluminum is formed overlying the contact plug, the plug acts as an etch stop to prevent etching of a barrier layer of the barrier layer within the contact opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventor: Gregory C. Smith
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Publication number: 20040178505Abstract: An integrated circuit device, e.g., a memory device, includes a substrate, a first insulation layer on the substrate, and a contact pad disposed in the first insulation layer in direct contact with the substrate. A second insulation layer is disposed on the first insulation layer. A conductive pattern, e.g., a damascene bit line, is disposed in the second insulation layer. A conductive plug extends through the second insulation layer to contact the contact pad and is self-aligned to the conductive pattern. An insulation film may separate the conductive pattern and the conductive plug. A glue layer may be disposed between the conductive pattern and the second insulation layer. The device may further include a third insulation layer on the second insulation layer and the conductive pattern, and the conductive plug may extend through the second and third insulation layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Hee-Sook Park, Gil-Heyun Choi, Sang-Bom Kang, Kwang-Jin Moon, Hyun-Su Kim, Seung-Gil Yang
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Patent number: 6791187Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; an insulating laminate formed over the semiconductor substrate, and including a lower part and a higher part formed over the lower part; a first conductor formed in the higher part of the insulating laminate, an insulator, having an etching characteristic different from the lower part and the higher part of the insulating laminate, formed between the lower part of the insulating laminate and the first conductor, a first contact hole formed through the higher part of the insulating laminate, penetrating inside peripheral edges of the first conductor, reaching the insulator; and a second conductor filled in the first contact hole and electrically connected to the first conductor at its side wall exposed in the first contact hole.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Taiji Ema, Tohru Anezaki
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Patent number: 6787913Abstract: A sputtering method of depositing a titanium nitride film on a titanium film in contact with a silicon at a bottom of a contact hole is provided, wherein the sputtering method is carried out at a temperature of the silicon region of not less than 450° C., so that the titanium nitride film has a compressive stress of not higher than 5×109 dyne/cm2 whereby the titanium film has such a high stability as preventing any crack upon changing the compressive stress to a tensile stress by a heat treatment.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: NEC Electronics CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Yamada, Takashi Yokoyama
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Patent number: 6787908Abstract: Metal bond pads are formed over active circuitry in a semiconductor chip in a reliable and cost effective manner. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a metal bond pad is formed over circuitry in the semiconductor chip. A metal layer is formed over the circuitry and the metal bond pad, and a diffusion barrier layer is formed between the metal layer and the metal bond pad. In this manner, additional metal can be formed on the pad site using only one additional mask step, and thicker metal at the pad site improves the reliability of the chip by providing for a metal cushion at the pad useful in subsequent wire bonding processes.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Steven L Skala, Subhas Bothra, Emmanuel Demuizon
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Patent number: 6784528Abstract: In order to simplify a providing method of a wiring that electrically connects a semiconductor integrated circuit to a substrate, the semiconductor integrated circuit that is covered with an insulating layer except for an electrode area having an electrode pad is fixed on a formation side of the substrate having a terminal connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit so that the electrode pad is exposed. Next, a metallic thin film is provided on a wiring area on which a wiring for electrically connecting the electrode pad to the terminal is provided. Further, the wiring is provided on the metallic film of the wiring area in accordance with plating.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Toshiya Ishio, Katsunobu Mori
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Publication number: 20040164420Abstract: The invention described herein relates to new titanium-comprising materials which can be utilized for forming titanium alloy sputtering targets. The titanium alloy sputtering targets can be reactively sputtered in a nitrogen-comprising sputtering atmosphere to form an alloy TiN film, or alternatively in a nitrogen-comprising and oxygen-comprising sputtering atmosphere to form an alloy TiON thin film. The thin films formed in accordance with the present invention can have a non-columnar grain structure, low electrical resistivity, high chemical stability, and barrier layer properties comparable to those of TaN for thin film Cu barrier applications. Further, the titanium alloy sputtering target materials produced in accordance with the present invention are more cost-effective for semiconductor applications than are high-purity tantalum materials and have superior mechanical strength suitable for high-power sputtering applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Jianxing Li, Stephen Turner, Lijun Yao
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Publication number: 20040159948Abstract: A new method and structure for an improved contact using doped silicon is provided. The structures are integrated into several higher level embodiments. The improved contact has low contact resistivity. Improved junctions are thus provided between an IGFET device and subsequent metallization layers. The improvements are obtained through the use of a silicon-germanium (Si—Ge) alloy. The alloy can be formed from depositing germanium onto the substrate and subsequently annealing the contact or by selectively depositing the preformed alloy into a contact opening. The above advantages are incorporated with relatively few process steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Randhir P.S. Thakur
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Patent number: 6777807Abstract: A method of forming a metal interconnect in an integrated circuit. A copper layer is formed over dielectric structures on the integrated circuit, where the dielectric structures have an upper level. The copper layer is planarized to be no higher than the upper level of the dielectric structures, without reducing the upper level of the dielectric structures. An electrically conductive capping layer is formed over all of the copper layer, without the capping layer forming over any of the dielectric structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: LSI Logic CorporationInventors: Valeriy Sukharev, Wilbur G. Catabay, Hongqiang Lu
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Patent number: 6777810Abstract: An interconnection of an aluminum-copper-titanium alloy containing about 0.1 atomic percent titanium.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Donald S. Gardner, Thomas N. Marieb
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Patent number: 6774495Abstract: A solder terminal and a fabrication method thereof are provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a solder terminal structure includes an adhesion metal layer formed on an electrode pad of a semiconductor device, a thermal diffusion barrier, a solder bonding layer, and a solder bump formed on upper portion of the solder bonding layer. With the thermal diffusion layer, the characteristic deterioration caused by the probe mark generated on the electrode pad can be prevented during a semiconductor reliability test, and at the same time, material movement between the layers of the electrode pad, the solder bonding layer and the adhesion metal layer can be reduced. Also, by having the thermal diffusion barrier act as a solder dam (a layer to confine the melted solder area to prevent the solder from being wetted), an additional deposition or etching process can be omitted.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: CCUBE Digital Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jong-Heon Kim
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Patent number: 6774487Abstract: A first layer of titanium nitride (TiN) is formed on a semiconductor structure, such as an interconnect via. Then, a second layer of TiN is formed on the first layer of TiN. The first layer of TiN is amorphous. The second layer of TiN is polycrystalline, having a mixed grain orientation. Finally, an aluminum film is formed on the second layer of titanium nitride. Optionally, a titanium silicide layer is formed on the semiconductor structure prior to the step of forming the first layer of titanium nitride. Interconnects formed according to the invention have polycrystalline aluminum films with grain sizes of approximately less than 0.25 microns.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wing-Cheong Gilbert Lai, Gurtej Singh Sandhu
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Patent number: 6774458Abstract: Interconnection structures for integrated circuits have first cells disposed in a first plane, at least second cells disposed in at least a second plane parallel to the first plane, and vertical interconnections disposed for connecting conductors in the first plane with conductors in the second plane, at least some of the vertical interconnections initially incorporating antifuses. The antifuses may be disposed over conductors that are disposed on a base substrate. The antifuses are selectively fused to prepare the integrated circuit for normal operation. Methods for fabricating and using such vertical interconnection structures are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Peter Fricke, Andrew L. Van Brocklin
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Patent number: 6770974Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device in which a capacitance element is mounted on a semiconductor substrate as well as a method of fabricating the device. According to the present invention, a substantial lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate through a first insulation film; a peripheral electrode, i.e. the periphery of the lower electrode or a dummy electrode, which has the surface higher than the surface of the lower electrode being formed integrally with or separately from the lower electrode; an upper electrode being formed on the lower electrode through a dielectric film; a capacitance element being formed so that at least the surface of the dielectric film may lie on a level lower than the surface of the peripheral electrode; and a recess surrounded by the peripheral electrode being filled with a smoothing film.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Hirokazu Ejiri
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Patent number: 6770972Abstract: A method for forming within a substrate employed within a microelectronics fabrication an electrical interconnection cross-over bridging between conductive regions separated by non-conductive regions formed within the substrate. There is formed over a substrate provided with conductive and non-conductive regions a blanket dielectric layer and a blanket polysilicon layer. After patterning the polysilicon and dielectric layers. A portion of the dielectric layer at the periphery of the polysilicon layer is etched away, leaving a gap between the polysilicon patterned layer and the underlying substrate contact region. There is formed over the substrate a layer of refractory metal and after rapid thermal annealing, there is formed a surface layer of refractory metal silicide over the surfaces of the polysilicon layer and within the gap between the polysilicon layer and the substrate, completing the electrical connection.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shih-der Tseng, Kuo-Ho Jao
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Patent number: 6765277Abstract: Within a method for fabricating a microelectronic, and a microelectronic fabrication fabricated in accord with the method, there is formed upon a bond pad formed over a substrate a conductor passivation layer. Within the method and the microelectronic fabrication, the bond pad is formed from a conductor material selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloy conductor materials, and the conductor passivation layer is formed from a noble metal conductor material. The invention provides particular value for fabricating color filter sensor image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrications with attenuated bond pad corrosion.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yen-Ming Chen, Chia-Fu Lin, Yang-Tung Fan, Hong-Wen Huang, Cheng-Yu Chu
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Patent number: 6764774Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for manufacture includes a substrate having a top first layer of dielectric material; a second layer of material selected from the group including: amorphous Silicon (a-Si), amorphous Ge (a-Ge) or alloys thereof, located on top of the first layer; and, a third layer located on top of the a-Si, a-Ge, or alloys thereof layer, wherein the second layer provides adhesion between the first and third layers of the structure. Additionally, a semiconductor device structure and method for manufacture includes an insulating structure comprising a multitude of dielectric and conductive layers with respective a-Si, a-Ge, or alloys thereof bonding layers disposed to enhance adhesion between the different layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alfred Grill, Michael Lane, Vishnubhai V. Patel
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Patent number: 6759748Abstract: A wiring structure of a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The wiring structure according to the present invention includes a body formed of a first conductive material in a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate and a protrusion formed of a second conductive material in a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film, connected to the upper surface of the body, formed to have a width less than that of the body, and having a planarized upper surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-hwan Moon, Gyu-chul Kim
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Patent number: 6759599Abstract: A circuit board comprising a first metal layer formed in patterns on a ceramic substrate, a second metal layer formed in patterns on the first metal layer, and a third metal layer formed covering the top surface of the second metal layer and the majority of the side surface, wherein the first and partial second metal layers not covered by the third metal layer are reduced in width by etching. The circuit board has a fine and high-resolution wiring pattern and makes it possible to realize a miniature high-performance high-output module by mounting at least one high-output semiconductor element thereon.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyoshi Tatoh, Jun Yorita
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Patent number: 6759683Abstract: A composite Pt/Ti/WSi/Ni Ohmic contact has been fabricated by a physical deposition process which uses electron beam evaporation and dc-sputter deposition. The Ni based composite Ohmic contact on n-SiC is rapid thermally annealed (RTA) at 950° C. to 1000° C. for 30s to provide excellent current-voltage characteristics, an abrupt, void free contact-SiC interface, retention of the as-deposited contact layer width, smooth surface morphology and an absence of residual carbon within the contact layer and/or at the Ohmic contact-SiC interface. The annealed produced Ni2Si interfacial phase is responsible for the superior electrical integrity of the Ohmic contact to n-SiC. The effects of contact delamination due to stress associated with interfacial voiding has been eliminated. Wire bonding failure, non-uniform current flow and SiC polytype alteration due to extreme surface roughness have also been abolished.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Melanie W. Cole, Pooran C. Joshi
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Patent number: 6759332Abstract: A method (and structure) of forming an interconnect on a semiconductor substrate, includes forming a relatively narrow first structure in a dielectric formed on a semiconductor substrate, forming a relatively wider second structure in the dielectric formed on the semiconductor substrate, forming a liner in the first and second structures such that the first structure is substantially filled and the second structure is substantially unfilled, and forming a metallization over the liner to completely fill the second structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Larry A. Nesbit
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Patent number: 6756672Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first metallization level, a first diffusion barrier layer, a first etch stop layer, a dielectric layer and a via extending through the dielectric layer, the first etch stop layer, and the first diffusion barrier layer. The first diffusion barrier layer is disposed over the first metallization level. The first etch stop layer is disposed over the first diffusion barrier layer, and the dielectric layer is disposed over the first etch stop layer. The via can also have rounded corners. A sidewall diffusion barrier layer can be disposed on sidewalls of the via, and the sidewall diffusion barrier layer is formed from the same material as the first diffusion barrier layer. The first etch stop layer can be formed from silicon carbide. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Lu You, Dawn M. Hopper, Suzette K. Pangrle
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Patent number: 6756682Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Paul A. Morgan
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Patent number: 6756640Abstract: Memory elements, switching elements, and peripheral circuits to constitute a nonvolatile memory are integrally formed on a substrate by using TFTs. Since semiconductor active layers of memory element TFTs are thinner than those of other TFTs, impact ionization easily occurs in channel regions of the memory element TFTs. This enables low-voltage write/erase operations to be performed on the memory elements, and hence the memory elements are less prone to deteriorate. Therefore, a nonvolatile memory capable of miniaturization can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Keisuke Hayashi
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Patent number: 6756138Abstract: A device having electrical and mechanical components. The device comprises multiple layers in which: a first layer or set of layers arranged is to function as one or more electrodes or conductors; and a second layer is arranged to function as one or more press contracts or wire contacts or wire bond pads. The second layer has different physical properties than the first layer, wherein the first layer or set of layers is relatively hard or tough and the second layer is relatively soft or malleable. A corresponding method is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Sensonor ASAInventors: Henrik Jakobsen, Svein Moller Nilsen, Soheil Habibi, Timothy Lommasson
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Patent number: 6753605Abstract: A bumped wafer for use in making a chip device. The bumped wafer includes two titanium layers sputtered alternatingly with two copper layers over a non-passivated die. The bumped wafer further includes under bump material under solder bumps contained thereon.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Rajeev Joshi
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Patent number: 6750542Abstract: A sputter target is made of a Ti—Al alloy containing Al in the range of 1 to 30 atm %. In the Ti—Al alloy constituting the sputter target, Al exists in at least one of a solid solution state in Ti and a state in which Al forms an intermetallic compound with Ti, and variation in Al content in the entire target is limited within 10%. Furthermore, an average crystal grain diameter of the Ti—Al alloy is 500 &mgr;m or less, and variation in crystal grain diameter in the entire target is limited within 30%. A Ti—Al—N film as a barrier film is formed by using the sputter target made of the Ti—Al alloy as described above. An electronic component includes a barrier film formed on a semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yukinobu Suzuki, Takashi Ishigami, Yasuo Kohsaka, Naomi Fujioka, Takashi Watanabe, Koichi Watanabe, Kenya Sano
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Publication number: 20040108599Abstract: By using a high purity target as a target, using a single gas, argon (Ar), as a sputtering gas, setting the substrate temperature at 300° C. or less, setting the sputtering power from 1 kW to 9 kW, and setting the sputtering gas pressure from 1.0 Pa to 3.0 Pa, the film stress of a film is made from −1×1010 dyn/cm2 to 1×1010 dyn/cm2. By thus using a conducting film in which the amount of sodium contained within the film is equal to or less than 0.03 ppm, preferably equal to or less than 0.01 ppm, and having a low electrical resistivity (equal to or less than 40 &mgr;&OHgr;·cm), as a gate wiring material and a material for other wirings of a TFT, the operating performance and the reliability of a semiconductor device provided with the TFT can be increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Takayama, Keiji Sato, Shunpei Yamazaki
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Patent number: 6747354Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first metal interconnection layer on a semiconductor substrate, an intermetal dielectric layer on the first metal interconnection layer and a second metal interconnection layer formed on the intermetal dielectric layer. A contact stud electrically connects the first and second metal interconnection layers through the intermetal dielectric layer, and includes a titanium/aluminum (TiAlx) core extending from the first metal interconnection layer toward the second metal interconnection layer. In method embodiments, a portion of an insulating layer of a semiconductor substrate is removed to form a hole that exposes an underlying conductive layer. A glue layer, e.g., a titanium (Ti) layer, is formed on bottom and sidewalls of the hole. A Ti seed layer is formed on the glue layer in the hole. An aluminum-containing layer is formed on the Ti seed layer. The substrate is thermally treated to form a contact stud including a TiAlx core.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun-young Kim, In-sun Park, Hyeon-deok Lee
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Patent number: 6744070Abstract: In a thin-film transistor to be used in an active matrix liquid crystal display device, each of a gate signal line, a source signal line, and a drain extraction electrode has a three-layer structure. Specifically, each of these members is made up of a lower layer made of a titanium film, an intermediate layer made of an aluminum film, and an upper layer made of a titanium film containing nitrogen. Since the respective upper layers, in contact with a gate insulating film or an interlayer insulating film made of a silicon nitride film, are made of titanium films containing nitrogen, they have superior adhesion to the silicon nitride film. Consequently, film peeling, etc. during the manufacturing process can be suppressed. Further, providing the titanium film beneath the aluminum film contributes to reduction of the resistance of the aluminum film.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Shimada, Masao Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Ishibashi, Yukinobu Nakata, Keiichi Akamatsu
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Patent number: 6737353Abstract: A semiconductor device having a bump electrode comprising a substrate having a dielectric layer formed thereon, an aluminum contact pad on the substrate wherein at least a portion of the aluminum contact pad is exposed through the dielectric layer on the substrate. The aluminum contact pad is provided with an under bump metallurgy including a aluminum layer formed on the exposed portion of the aluminum contact pad, a nickel-vanadium layer formed on the aluminum layer and a titanium layer formed on the nickel-vanadium layer. A gold bump formed on the titanium layer acts as the bump electrode.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Jen Kuang Fang, Ching Hua Chiang, Shih Kuang Chen, Chau Fu Weng
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Patent number: 6737692Abstract: A method for improving the adhesion between a noble metal layer and an insulation layer includes configuring a silicon layer between the noble metal layer and the insulation layer. The silicon layer is siliconized and oxidized by a thermal treatment in an oxidative environment, resulting in an oxidized silicide layer with high intermixing of the noble metal and the formed oxide. The relatively large inner surface achieved as a result improves the adhesion between the noble metal layer and the insulation layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Zvonimir Gabric, Werner Pamler, Volker Weinrich
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Patent number: 6737748Abstract: In the fabrication of stacked vias, metal islands referred to as landing pads are introduced for the purpose of contact-connection between the vias that are arranged one above the other. The metal islands project laterally beyond the vias to a significant extent on account of the line shortening effect. The vias arranged in layers lying one above the other are laterally offset with respect to one another. The landing pad of the invention is configured as an interconnect running between the vias. On account of the line shortening effect, which is less critical for longer tracks, contact areas provided at the ends of the interconnect do not have to be chosen to be as large as the square contact areas of conventional metal islands and can therefore be accommodated to save more space on a circuit layout to be miniaturized. The shrink factor of such a semiconductor structure is increased.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Lothar Bauch, Thomas Zell, Matthias Uwe Lehr, Albrecht Kieslich
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Patent number: 6730982Abstract: A process of making an interconnection structure of Cu FBEOL semiconductor devices that does not rely upon Al-wirebond pads which require additional patterning steps (for Al-via to Cu, Al-pad), including: a) providing a substrate having Cu wires and Cu pads embedded therein; b) selectively depositing a first metallic passivation layer on the top copper surfaces sufficient to prevent Cu oxidation and/or Cu out diffusion; c) depositing a final passivation layer; d) employing lithography and etching of the final passivation layer to cause pad opening of the fuses by exposing the passivated Cu in the bond pad area and in the fuse area; and e) causing additional passivation of open pad and open fuse areas by selective immersion deposition of Au.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Hans-Joachim Barth, Petra Felsner, Erdem Kaltalioglu, Gerald Friese
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Patent number: 6731007Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, upon connection of an interconnection made of aluminum or aluminum alloy and another interconnection made of Cu or Cu alloy, a barrier conductor film or plug is disposed at the joint portion between these interconnections. Among the interconnection layers, the uppermost one is made of a wiring material such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, while the lower one is made of Cu or Cu alloy. The lowest interconnection is made of a conductive material other than Cu or Cu alloy. For example, the conductive material which permits minute processing and has both low resistance and high EM resistance such as tungsten is employed.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Junji Noguchi, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada
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Patent number: 6727592Abstract: A Cu interconnect, e.g.; a dual damascene structure, is formed with improved electromigration resistance and increased via chain yield by depositing a barrier layer in an opening by CVD, depositing a flash layer of &agr;-Ta by PVD, at a thickness less than 30 Å, on the bottom of the barrier layer, depositing a seedlayer and then filling the opening with Cu. Embodiments include depositing a thin &agr;-Ta layer, as at a thickness less than 10 Å, and/or as discontinuous regions of clusters of atoms on sides of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Christy Mei-Chu Woo, John E. Sanchez, Darrell M. Erb, Amit P. Marathe
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Patent number: 6727589Abstract: A method and structure for protecting a flowable oxide insulator in a semiconductor by oxidizing sidewalls of the FOX insulator, optionally nitridizing the oxidized FOX sidewalls, and then covering all surfaces of a trough or plurality of troughs in the FOX insulator, including the sidewalls, with a conductive secondary protective layer. In a multiple layer damascene structure, the surface of the FOX insulator is also oxidized, an additional oxide layer is deposited thereon, and a nitride layer deposited on the oxide layer. Then steps are repeated to obtain a comparable damascene structure. The materials can vary and each damascene layer may be either a single damascene or a dual damascene layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stephen E. Greco, John P. Hummel, Joyce Liu, Vincent J. McGahay, Rebecca Mih, Kamalesh Srivastava
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Patent number: 6727593Abstract: A semiconductor device, which is comprised of a copper wiring layer which is formed above a semiconductor substrate, a pad electrode layer which conducts electrically to the copper wiring layer and has an alloy, which contains copper and a metal whose oxidation tendency is higher than copper, formed to extend to the bottom surface, and an insulating protective film which has an opening extended to the pad electrode layer, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroshi Toyoda, Mitsuhiro Nakao, Masahiko Hasunuma, Hisashi Kaneko, Atsuko Sakata, Toshiaki Komukai
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Patent number: 6724089Abstract: A dual damascene process is disclosed, in which a contact via and trench pattern is etched into insulating layer(s). The via is first partially filled by selective metal (e.g., tungsten) deposition, thereby forming a partial plug that raises the floor and reduces the effective aspect ratio of the trench and via structure. The remaining portion of the contact via is then filled with a more conductive material (e.g., aluminum). This deposition also at least partially fills the overlying trench to form metal runners. In the illustrated embodiment, hot aluminum deposition fills the portion of the contact via left unoccupied by the selective deposition and overfills into the trench. A further, cold aluminum deposition then follows, topping off the trench prior to planarization.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jigish D. Trivedi, Mike P. Violette
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Patent number: 6720659Abstract: Insulating films 21 through 24 of CF films (fluorine-contained carbon films) are formed on a substrate (not shown). In addition, Cu wiring layers 25 and 26 are formed on the CF films 21 and 23 via an adhesion layer 29 which comprises a Ti layer and a TiC layer. By forming the insulating films 21 through 24 of CF films, Cu in the wiring layers is prevented from diffusing into the insulating films 21 through 24. The relative dielectric constant of the CF film is smaller than the relative dielectric constant of a BCB film.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2000Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Takashi Akahori
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Patent number: 6710413Abstract: An improved borderless contact structure for salicide field effect transistors (FETs) has been achieved. Salicide FETs are formed on device areas surrounded by a shallow trench isolation (STI) using a first rapid thermal anneal to form a metal silicide on the source/drain contacts and the gate electrodes. An interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer is deposited, and borderless contact openings, extending over the STI, are etched in the ILD to the source/drain areas. When the contact openings are etched, this results in over-etched regions in the STI at the source/drain-STI interface that result in source/drain-to-substrate shorts when metal plugs are formed in the contact openings. A contact opening implant is used to dope the junction profile in the source/drain contact around the STI over-etched region to prevent electrical shorts. The second RTA is then used to concurrently reduce the silicide sheet resistance and to electrically activate the contact opening implanted dopant.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kong-Beng Thei, Ming-Ta Lei, Shou-Gwo Wuu
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Patent number: 6700200Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a reliable via hole in a semiconductor device layer, and a reliable via structure having internal wall surface layers that are hydrophobic, and thereby are non-moisture absorbing. The inner wall of the via structure has a layer of material having a characteristic of spin on glass (SOG), such that the characteristic is that the outer layer of the SOG oxidizes during photoresist ashing to form a surface layer of silicon dioxide in the via hole wall. In the method, the via structure is placed through a chemical dehydroxylation operation after the ashing operation, such that the layer of silicon dioxide in the via hole wall is converted into a hydrophobic material layer. The conversion is performed by introducing a halogen compound suitable for the chemical dehydroxylation operation, wherein the halogen compound may be NH4F or CCl4.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Rao V. Annapragada
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Patent number: 6696761Abstract: An encapsulated copper plug on a doped silicon semiconductor substrate has a substrate surface, covered with insulation, with a plug hole with a diffusion barrier formed on the walls and the bottom of the hole to the top of the hole. The plug hole is partially filled with an electrolessly deposited copper metal plug. An encapsulating metal deposit caps the plug without any intervening oxidation and degradation. In a transition from copper to a codeposit of copper, an encapsulating Pt, Pd, and/or Ag metal deposits in the electroless bath without oxidation and degradation followed by a pure deposit of the encapsulating metal layer to cap the plug.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.Inventors: Lap Chan, Sam Fong Yau Li, Hou Tee Ng
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Patent number: 6693353Abstract: A package to be mounted with semiconductor chips has a heat-radiating substrate having a thickness of smaller than 0.4 mm of a Cu—Mo composite as prepared by impregnating from 30 to 40% by mass of copper (Cu) melt into a green compact of molybdenum. The heat-radiating substrate is produced by preparing an Mo green compact through isostatic molding, mounting Cu on the Mo green compact, heating it to thereby impregnate copper into the Mo green compact to give a Cu—Mo composite, and rolling the Cu—Mo composite into a sheet substrate. In the isostatic molding process, at least two or more plates.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1999Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Tokyo Tungsten Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norio Hirayama, Mitsuo Osada, Akira Ichida, Yoshinari Amano, Kiyoshi Asai, Hidetoshi Maesato, Tadashi Arikawa, Kenji Sakimae
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Patent number: 6690077Abstract: Titanium aluminum nitrogen (“Ti—Al—N”) is deposited onto a semiconductor substrate area to serve as an antireflective coating. For wiring line fabrication processes, the Ti—Al—N layer serves as a cap layer which prevents unwanted reflection of photolithography light (i.e., photons) during fabrication. For field emission display devices (FEDs), the Ti—Al—N layer prevents light originating at the display screen anode from penetrating transistor junctions that would hinder device operation. For the wiring line embodiment an aluminum conductive layer and a titanium-aluminum underlayer are formed beneath the antireflective cap layer. The Ti—Al underlayer reduces the shrinkage which occurs in the aluminum conductive layer during heat treatment.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Everett A. McTeer, Russell C. Zahorik, Scott G. Meikle
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Patent number: 6686282Abstract: Using plating, metal gates for N channel and P channel transistors are formed of different materials to achieve the appropriate work function for these N and P channel transistors. The plating is achieved with a seed layer consistent with the growth of the desired layer. The preferred materials are selected from the platinum metals, which comprise ruthenium, ruthenium oxide, iridium, palladium, platinum, nickel, osmium, and cobalt. These are attractive metals because they are relatively high conductivity, can be plated, and provide a good choice of work functions for forming P and N channel transistors.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Cindy Simpson, Hsing H. Tseng, Olubunmi O. Adetutu
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Patent number: 6677647Abstract: The electromigration characteristics of patterned metal features, such as metal lines, in semiconductor devices is improved by applying a conductive layer to substantially surround and encapsulate the patterned metal features. A portion of the conductive layer may be removed to form conductive sidewall spacers on the side surfaces of the patterned metal features. In an embodiment of the invention, the conductive layer comprises a first layer of titanium and a second layer of titanium-nitride thereon.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1998Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventor: Robert Dawson
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Patent number: RE38383Abstract: A method of forming a via plug in a semiconductor device is disclosed. Metal nuclei are formed on the surface of the metal layer underlying the via hole. The metal layer, which is partially exposed between metal nuclei, is etched by means of a wet etching method, and accordingly, a plurality of etching grooves is formed on the partially exposed surface of the metal layer. As a result, the formation of such grooves has the effect of increasing the bottom surface area of the via hall, thereby increasing the adhesive strength to a contact surface of the via hall and decreasing the via resistance.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co. Ltd.Inventor: Kyeon K. Choi