Abstract: A wiring structure for a semiconductor device includes a multilayer metallization having a total thickness of at least 5 ?m and an interlayer disposed in the multilayer metallization with a first side of the interlayer adjoining one layer of the multilayer metallization and a second opposing side of the interlayer adjoining a different layer of the multilayer metallization. The interlayer includes at least one of W, WTi, Ta, TaN, TiW, and TiN or other suitable compound metal or a metal silicide such as WSi, MoSi, TiSi, and TaSi.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of forming a copper portion surrounded by an insulating material in an integrated circuit structure, the insulating material being a first oxide, the method having steps including forming a composite material over a region of the insulating material where the copper portion is to be formed, the composite material having first and second materials, annealing such that the second material reacts with the insulating material to form a second oxide that provides a diffusion barrier to copper; and depositing a copper layer over the composite material by electrochemical deposition to form the copper portion.

Abstract: A film forming method includes mounting a substrate on a mounting member after loading the substrate into a reaction chamber, adsorbing a compound of a first metal on a surface of the substrate by supplying a source gas containing the compound of the first metal into the reaction chamber, reducing the compound of the first metal adsorbed on the substrate by making a reducing gas contact therewith to thereby obtain a first metal layer, and alloying the first metal and a second metal to obtain an alloy layer of the first metal and the second metal by injecting the second metal into the first metal layer. The second metal is ejected from a target electrode facing the substrate by making a sputtering plasma contact with the target electrode, and at least a surface of the target electrode is formed of the second metal different from the first metal.

Abstract: A semiconductor electroplating process deposits copper into the through silicon via hole to completely fill the through silicon via in a substantially void free is disclosed. The through silicon via may be more than about 3 micrometers in diameter and more that about 20 micrometers deep. High copper concentration and low acidity electroplating solution is used for deposition copper into the through silicon vias.

Abstract: A metallic liner stack including at least a Group VIIIB element layer and a CuMn alloy layer is deposited within a trench in a dielectric layer. Copper is deposited on the metallic liner stack and planarized to form a conductive interconnect structure, which can be a metal line, a metal via, or a combination thereof. The deposited copper and the metallic liner stack are annealed before or after planarization. The Mn atoms are gettered by the Group VIIIB element layer to form a metallic alloy liner including Mn and at least one of Group VIIIB elements. Mn within the metallic alloy liner combines with oxygen during the anneal to form MnO, which acts as a strong barrier to oxygen diffusion, thereby enhancing the reliability of the conductive interconnect structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of in-situ vapor phase deposition of self-assembled monolayers as copper adhesion promoters and diffusion barriers. A copper region is formed in a dielectric layer. A diffusion barrier comprising a self-assembled monolayer is deposited over the copper region. A capping layer is deposited over the self-assembled monolayer. In some embodiments, the capping layer and self-assembled monolayer are deposited in the same process chamber.

Abstract: A method of making a sputtering target includes providing a backing structure, and forming a copper indium gallium sputtering target material on the backing structure by spray forming.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which can prevent a deterioration in the electrical properties by preventing sputters generated by laser welding from adhering to a circuit pattern or a semiconductor chip and a method for fabricating such a semiconductor device are provided. A connection conductor is bonded to a copper foil formed over a ceramic by a solder and resin is injected to a level lower than a top of the connection conductor. Laser welding is then performed. After that, resin is injected. This prevents sputters generated by the laser welding from adhering to a circuit pattern or a semiconductor chip. As a result, a deterioration in the electrical properties can be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of depositing and annealing a copper seed layer. A copper seed layer may be deposited on a ruthenium layer disposed on a surface of a wafer and on features in the wafer. The thickness of the ruthenium layer may be about 40 Angstroms or less. The copper seed layer may be annealed in a reducing atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of about 2 parts per million or less. Annealing the copper seed layer in a low-oxygen atmosphere may improve the properties of the copper seed layer.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus formed thereby, to construct shallow recessed wells on top of exposed conductive vias on the surface of a semiconductor. The shallow recessed wells are subsequently filled with a conductive cap layer, such as a tantalum nitride (TaN) layer, to prevent or reduce oxidation which may otherwise occur naturally when exposed to air, or possibly occur during an under-bump metallization process.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer detects voltage applied across electrodes, and judges whether voltage value falls within set voltage range. When the detected voltage value is lower than minimum value of set voltage range, the analyzer calculates the deficient amount of base solution based on the detected voltage value, controls a valve to supply the deficient amount of base solution, then, performs operation control of the valve so as to keep the prescribed amount of plating solution in plating solution tank, and discharges plating solution. When the detected voltage value is higher than maximum value of set voltage range, the analyzer calculates the excess amount of base solution based on the detected voltage value, controls a valve, and supplies pure water into the tank so that the base solution concentration falls within prescribed range to dilute plating solution, then controls a valve, and discharges plating solution so as to keep prescribed amount.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a silicon layer; etching the substrate to form a cavity; filling a first conductor in part of the cavity; performing a first thermal treatment on the first conductor; filling a second conductor in the cavity to fill-up the cavity; and performing a second thermal treatment on the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: Self-assembled polymer technology is used to form at least one ordered nanosized pattern within material that is present in a conductive contact region of a semiconductor structure. The material having the ordered, nanosized pattern is a conductive material of an interconnect structure or semiconductor source and drain diffusion regions of a field effect transistor. The presence of the ordered, nanosized pattern material within the contact region increases the overall area (i.e., interface area) for subsequent contact formation which, in turn, reduces the contact resistance of the structure. The reduction in contact resistance in turn improves the flow of current through the structure. In addition to the above, the inventive methods and structures do not affect the junction capacitance of the structure since the junction area remains unchanged.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and systems for making and/or cleaning semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device can be formed including a metal layer and a photoresist polymer. During formation, the semiconductor device can be cleaned in a cleaning chamber by a first cleaning solution provided from a solution supply device. After this cleaning process, a second cleaning solution containing metal ions and/or polymer residues can be produced and processed in a solution processing device to at least partially remove the metal ions and/or polymer residues to produce a third cleaning solution for re-use. In an exemplary fabrication or cleaning system, the solution processing device may be configured connecting to either an inlet or an outlet of the cleaning chamber. After cleaning, the semiconductor device can be processed to include a metal plug or an interconnect wiring.

Abstract: A method of filling of vias and trenches in a dual damascene structure with a filling comprising copper or copper alloy is provided. An electroless deposition filling of the vias with a via filling comprising copper or copper alloy is provided. A trench barrier layer is formed over the via filling with a trench barrier layer comprising Mn or Al. The trench barrier layer is annealed at a temperature that causes a component of the trench barrier layer to pass into the via filling. The trenches are filled with a trench filling comprising copper or copper alloy.

Abstract: Films having high hermeticity and a low dielectric constant can be used as copper diffusion barrier films, etch stop films, CMP stop films and other hardmasks during IC fabrication. Hermetic films can protect the underlying layers, such as layers of metal and dielectric, from exposure to atmospheric moisture and oxygen, thereby preventing undesirable oxidation of metal surfaces and absorption of moisture by a dielectric. Specifically, a bi-layer film having a hermetic bottom layer composed of hydrogen doped carbon and a low dielectric constant (low-k) top layer composed of low-k silicon carbide (e.g., high carbon content hydrogen doped silicon carbide) can be employed. Such bi-layer film can be deposited by PECVD methods on a partially fabricated semiconductor substrate having exposed layers of dielectric and metal.

Abstract: An interconnect structure is provided that has enhanced electromigration reliability without degrading circuit short yield, and improved technology extendibility. The inventive interconnect structure includes a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 3.0 or less. The dielectric material has at least one conductive material embedded therein. A noble metal cap is located directly on an upper surface of the at least one conductive region. The noble metal cap does not substantially extend onto an upper surface of the dielectric material that is adjacent to the at least one conductive region, and the noble cap material does not be deposited on the dielectric surface. A method fabricating such an interconnect structure utilizing a low temperature (about 300° C. or less) chemical deposition process is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a substrate having an upper surface, at least one active device formed in a first area of the upper surface of the substrate, and a plurality of layers formed on the upper surface of the substrate above the at least one active device. A first stacked heat conducting structure is provided, spanning from a point proximate the first area of the upper surface of the substrate through the plurality of layers. A lateral heat conducting structure is formed above the uppermost layer of the plurality of layers and in thermal contact with the first stacked heat conducting structure. The invention advantageously facilitates the dissipation of heat from the integrated circuit die, particularly from high-power sources or other localized hot spots.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least two conductive pads, one of the conductive pads being formed above another of the at least two conductive pads, and a redistribution layer extending from at least one of the conductive pads. The semiconductor device also includes a bump structure formed over the conductive pads and electrically coupled to the conductive pads.

Abstract: A copper interconnect includes a copper layer formed in a dielectric layer, having a first portion and a second portion. A first barrier layer is formed between the first portion of the copper layer and the dielectric layer. A second barrier layer is formed at the boundary between the second portion of the copper layer and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer is a dielectric layer, and the second barrier layer is a metal oxide layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming wiring. The method includes the steps of: depositing a metal thin film (12) of copper (Cu) on a glass substrate (11) serving as a base; forming an insulating film or a metal insulating film (131) containing no Cu on the metal thin film (12); patterning a photoresist (14) by photolithography on the insulating film (131); etching a liner film (13) by isotropic dry etching using the photoresist (14) as an etching mask; and after the etching of the liner film (13), removing the photoresist (14), and then removing part of the metal thin film (12) by isotropic wet etching using the liner film (13) as an etching mask, thereby forming metal wiring (12a).

Abstract: A method for bonding a first copper element onto a second copper element including forming a crystalline copper layer enriched in oxygen on each of surfaces of each of the first and second elements through which the elements will be in contact, the total thickness of both layers being less than 6 nm, which includes: a) polishing the surfaces so as to obtain a roughness of less than 1 nm RMS, and hydrophilic surfaces, b) cleaning the surfaces to suppress presence of particles due to the polishing and the major portion of corrosion inhibitors, and c) putting both crystalline copper layer enriched in oxygen in contact with each other.

Abstract: Small particle compositions including nanoparticle compositions are provided. The particle compositions, in some cases, are characterized by having an extremely small average particle size (e.g., 150 nanometers or less). The small particles may comprise a semiconductor material and/or a light-emitting material. In some embodiments, the particles may be in the form a preferred shape including platelets, amongst others. The small particle compositions may be produced in a milling process. In some embodiments, the milling process uses preferred types of grinding media to form milled particles having desired characteristics (e.g., particle size, shape). The small (or nano) particle compositions may be used in a variety of different applications including light-emitting applications. In certain applications, it may be desirable to form thin films from the small particle compositions.

Abstract: A generation of a void in a recessed section is inhibited. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: an operation of forming recessed sections in an insulating film, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate; an operation of forming a seed film in the recessed section; an operation of forming a cover metal film in the recessed section; an operation of selectively removing the cover metal film to expose the seed film over the bottom section of the recessed section; and an operation to carrying out a growth of a plated film to fill the recessed section by utilizing the seed film exposed in the bottom section of the recessed section as a seed.

Abstract: Interconnect structures including a graphene cap located on exposed surfaces of a copper structure are provided. In some embodiments, the graphene cap is located only atop the uppermost surface of the copper structure, while in other embodiments the graphene cap is located along vertical sidewalls and atop the uppermost surface of the copper structure. The copper structure is located within a dielectric material.

Abstract: An etchant includes about 50% by weight to about 70% by weight of phosphoric acid, about 1% by weight to about 5% by weight of nitric acid, about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of acetic acid, about 0.1% by weight to about 2% by weight of a corrosion inhibition agent including an azole-based compound and a remainder of water.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a substrate, a semiconductor device, a protection layer, a bonding wire, and a molding compound is provided. The substrate has a contact pad and a solder mask, and the contact pad is exposed from the solder mask. The semiconductor device is disposed on the substrate. The protection layer is disposed on the contact pad. The bonding wire connects the semiconductor device to the contact pad. An end of the bonding wire penetrates the protection layer and bonds with a portion of a surface of the contact pad to form a bonding region. The protection layer covers an entire surface of the contact pad except the bonding region. The molding compound covers the semiconductor device, the contact pad, and the bonding wire.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a semiconductor device are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a method of forming an interconnect structure that results in the interconnect structure having a top surface and portions of the side walls of the interconnect structure covered in a dissimilar material. In some embodiments, the dissimilar material can be a conductive material or a nano-alloy. The interconnect structure can be formed by removing a portion of the interconnect structure, and covering the interconnect structure with the dissimilar material. The interconnect structure can comprise a damascene structure, such as a single or dual damascene structure, or alternatively, can comprise a silicon-through via (TSV) structure.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a copper-containing seed layer on a wafer, and performing a descum step on an exposed surface of the copper-containing seed layer. The descum step is performed using a process gas including fluorine and oxygen. A reduction/purge step is then performed on the exposed surface of the copper-containing seed layer using a nitrogen-containing gas. A copper-containing layer is plated on the copper-containing seed layer.

Abstract: A process for overcoming extreme topographies by first planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate in order to create a planar surface for subsequent lithography processing. As a result of the planarizing process for extreme topographies, subsequent lithography processing is enabled including the deposition of features in close proximity to extreme topographic surfaces (e.g., deep cavities or channels) and, including the deposition of features within a cavity. In a first embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate includes the application of dry film resists having high chemical resistance. In a second embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity includes the filling of cavity using materials such as polymers, spin on glasses, and metallurgy.

Abstract: A method for forming semiconductor devices on a substrate under a porous low-k dielectric layer, wherein features are formed in the porous low-k dielectric layer and wherein a barrier layer is formed over the porous low-k dielectric layer is provided. Contacts are formed in the features. The barrier layer is planarized. A cap layer is formed over the contacts, wherein the forming the cap layer provides metal and organic contaminants in the porous low-k dielectric layer. The metal contaminants are removed from the porous low-k dielectric layer with a first wet process. The organic components are removed from the porous low-k dielectric layer with a second wet process.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a circuit structure is provided. A metal layer having an upper surface is provided. A surface passivation layer is formed on the metal layer. The surface passivation layer exposes a portion of the upper surface of the metal layer, and a material of the metal layer is different from a material of the surface passivation layer. The metal layer and the surface passivation layer are dipped into a modifier, and the modifier is selectively absorbed and attached to the surface passivation layer, so as to form a covering layer. The covering layer has a plurality of nanoparticles and covers the surface passivation layer.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to the design, fabrication, and manufacture of gallium arsenide (GaAs) integrated circuits are disclosed. Copper can be used as the contact material for a GaAs integrated circuit. Metallization of the wafer and through-wafer vias can be achieved through copper plating processes disclosed herein. Various protocols can be employed during processing to avoid cross-contamination between copper-plated and non-copper-plated wafers. GaAs integrated circuits can be singulated, packaged, and incorporated into various electronic devices.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a method for forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: providing a workpiece; forming a dielectric barrier layer over the workpiece; forming an opening through the dielectric barrier layer; forming a seed layer over the dielectric barrier layer and within the dielectric barrier layer opening; and electroplating a first fill layer on the seed layer.

Abstract: A copper interconnection structure includes an insulating layer, an interconnection body including copper in an opening provided on the insulating layer, and a diffusion barrier layer formed between the insulating layer and the interconnection body. The diffusion barrier layer includes an oxide layer including manganese having a compositional ratio of oxygen to manganese (y/x) less than 2.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device having doped conductive contacts, and methods for its fabrication, are provided. One such method involves depositing a dielectric layer on the surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate, and photolithographically patterning a plurality of contact trenches on the dielectric layer. A tantalum barrier is deposited in the trenches, followed by a copper seed layer. The trenches are then plated with copper, including an overburden. A layer of doping material is deposited atop the overburden, and diffused into the copper by a heat treatment process. The overburden is then removed through chemical mechanical planarization, resulting in usable conductive interconnects in the trenches.

Abstract: Methods for substrate processing are described. The methods include forming a material layer on a substrate. The methods include selecting constituents of a molecular masking layer (MML) to remove an effect of variations in the material layer as a result of substrate processing. The methods include normalizing the surface characteristics of the material layer by selectively depositing the MML on the material layer.

Abstract: By moderately introducing defects into a highly conductive material, such as copper, the resistance versus temperature behavior may be significantly modified so that enhanced electromigration behavior and/or electrical performance may be obtained in metallization structures of advanced semiconductor devices. The defect-related portion of the resistance may be moderately increased so as to change the slope of the resistance versus temperature curve, thereby allowing the incorporation of impurity atoms for enhancing the electromigration endurance while not unduly increasing the overall resistance at the operating temperature or even reducing the corresponding resistance at the specified operating temperature. Thus, by appropriately designing the electrical resistance for a target operating temperature, both the electromigration behavior and the electrical performance may be enhanced.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for depositing copper and other metals are provided. In some implementations, a wafer substrate is provided to an apparatus. The wafer substrate has a surface with field regions and a feature. A copper layer is plated onto the surface of the wafer substrate. The copper layer is annealed to redistribute copper from regions of the wafer substrate to the feature. Implementations of the disclosed methods, apparatus, and systems allow for void-free bottom-up fill of features in a wafer substrate.

Abstract: A line trough and a via cavity are formed within a dielectric layer comprising a fluorosilicate glass (FSG) layer. A fluorine depleted adhesion layer is formed within the line trough and the via cavity either by a plasma treatment that removes fluorine from exposed surfaces of the FSG layer, or by deposition of a substantially fluorine-free dielectric layer. Metal is deposited within the line trough and the via cavity to form a metal line and a metal via. The fluorine depleted adhesion layer provides enhanced adhesion to the metal line compared with prior art structures in which a metal line directly contacts a FSG layer. The enhanced adhesion of metal with an underlying dielectric layer provides higher resistance to delamination for a semiconductor package employing lead-free C4 balls on a metal interconnect structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interlayer dielectric with a single-layer structure having a plurality of pores. The porosity of the interlayer dielectric per unit volume varies in a thickness direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing the IC is provided, and more particularly, a method of fabricating a cap for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects that substantially eliminates electro-migration (EM) damage. The method includes forming an interconnect in an insulation material, and selectively depositing a metal cap material on the interconnect. The metal cap material includes RuX, where X is at least one of Boron and Phosphorous.

Abstract: A new interconnection scheme is described, comprising both coarse and fine line interconnection schemes in an IC chip. The coarse metal interconnection, typically formed by selective electroplating technology, is located on top of the fine line interconnection scheme. It is especially useful for long distance lines, clock, power and ground buses, and other applications such as high Q inductors and bypass lines. The fine line interconnections are more appropriate to be used for local interconnections. The combined structure of coarse and fine line interconnections forms a new interconnection scheme that not only enhances IC speed, but also lowers power consumption.

Abstract: A memory device has multiple dielectric barrier regions. A memory device has multiple barrier regions that provide higher or lower current-voltage slope compared to a memory device having a single barrier region. The device also has electrode regions that provide further control over the current-voltage relationship.

Abstract: A treatment method for reducing particles in a Dual Damascene Silicon Nitride (DDSN) process, including the following steps: forming a seed layer of copper on a silicon wafer; depositing a deposition layer of copper to cover the seed layer of copper; planarizing the deposition layer of copper; providing the silicon wafer into a reaction chamber and performing a pre-treatment on a surface of the deposition layer of copper using NH3 gas under a plasma condition so as to reduce copper oxide (CuO) to copper (Cu) formed on the deposition layer of copper; in the reaction chamber, generating an etching block layer on the deposition layer of copper using a DDSN deposition process; cleaning the reaction chamber using NF3 gas; and directing N2O gas into the reaction chamber and removing the remaining hydrogen (H) and fluorine (F) in the reaction chamber using the N2O gas under the plasma condition.

Abstract: A connection contact layer (4) is disposed between semiconductor bodies (1,2). In the second semiconductor body (2), a recess is provided. A connection layer (7) on the top face extends as far as the recess, in which a metallization (10) is present that conductively connects the connection contact layer (4) to the connection layer (7) in an electrical manner. A polymer (8) or a further metallization is present in the recess.

Abstract: A device including a first body (101) with terminals (102) on a surface (101a), each terminal having a metallic connector (110), which is shaped as a column substantially perpendicular to the surface. Preferably, the connectors have an aspect ratio of height to diameter of 2 to 1 or greater, and a fine pitch center-to-center. The connector end (110a) remote from the terminal is covered by a film (130) of a sintered paste including a metallic matrix embedded in a first polymeric compound. Further a second body (103) having metallic pads (140) facing the respective terminals (102). Each connector film (130) is in contact with the respective pad (140), whereby the first body (101) is spaced from the second body (103) with the connector columns (110) as standoff. A second polymeric compound (150) is filling the space of the standoff.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a metal line over a substrate and depositing an alloying material layer over a top surface of the metal line. The method further includes forming a protective layer by combining the alloying material layer with the metal line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing technology of damascene copper interconnection in the semiconductor manufacturing field, and especially relates to a method to manufacture by trench-first copper interconnection. The method to manufacture trench-first copper interconnection forms metal trench and VIA hole structures in the photoresist which can form a hard mask through exposure and development processes, and then forms metal interconnection lines via etching metal trench and VIA hole in one etch process. The above method replaces the existing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of depositing a copper seed layer to be used for subsequent electroplating a bulk-layer of copper thereon. A copper seed layer may be deposited with different processes, including CVD, PVD, and electroplating. With electroplating methods for depositing a copper seed layer, disclosed are methods for depositing a copper alloy seed layer, methods for depositing a copper seed layer on the semi-noble metal layer with a non-corrosive electrolyte, methods of treating the semi-noble metal layer that the copper seed layer is deposited on, and methods for promoting a more uniform copper seed layer deposition across a semiconductor wafer.