Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080233765 | Method for enhancing adhesion between layers - A novel method for enhancing interface adhesion between adjacent dielectric layers, particularly between an etch stop layer and an overlying dielectric layer having a low dielectric constant (k) in the formation of metal interconnects during the fabrication of integrated circuits on semiconductor wafer substrates. The method may include providing a substrate, providing an etch stop layer on the substrate, providing an oxygen-rich dielectric pre-layer on the etch stop layer and providing a major dielectric layer on the oxygen-rich dielectric pre-layer. Metal interconnects are then formed in the dielectric layers. The oxygen-rich dielectric pre-layer between the etch stop layer and the upper dielectric layer prevents or minimizes peeling and cracking of the layers induced by stresses that are caused by chemical mechanical planarization of metal layers and/or chip packaging. | 09-25-2008 |
20080272493 | Semiconductor device - A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a first porous SiCOH dielectric layer, a second porous SiCOH dielectric layer, and an oxide layer. The first porous SiCOH dielectric layer overlies the substrate. The second porous SiCOH dielectric layer overlies the first porous SiCOH dielectric layer. The oxide layer overlies the second porous SiCOH dielectric layer. The atomic percentage of carbon in the second porous SiCOH dielectric layer is between 16% and 22% of that in the first porous SiCOH dielectric layer. | 11-06-2008 |
20090258487 | Method for Improving the Reliability of Low-k Dielectric Materials - A method for forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a low-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; generating hydrogen radicals using a remote plasma method; performing a first hydrogen radical treatment to the low-k dielectric layer using the hydrogen radicals; forming an opening in the low-k dielectric layer; filling the opening with a conductive material; and performing a planarization to remove excess conductive material on the low-k dielectric layer. | 10-15-2009 |
20100120253 | Post Etch Dielectric Film Re-Capping Layer - Methods for improving post etch in via or trench formation in semiconductor devices. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a re-capping layer over a dielectric film following an initial etch to form a feature in the dielectric film, followed by additional etch and etch back processing steps. The re-capping method provides protection for underlying films and prevents film damage post etch. Uniform feature profiles are maintained and critical dimension uniformity is obtained by use of the methods of the invention. The time dependent dielectric breakdown performance is increased. | 05-13-2010 |
20100213518 | Impurity Doped UV Protection Layer - An ultra-violet (UV) protection layer is formed over a semiconductor workpiece before depositing a UV curable dielectric layer. The UV protection layer prevents UV light from reaching and damaging underlying material layers and electrical devices. The UV protection layer comprises a layer of silicon doped with an impurity, wherein the impurity comprises O, C, H, N, or combinations thereof. The UV protection layer may comprise SiOC:H, SiON, SiN, SiCO:H, combinations thereof, or multiple layers thereof, as examples. | 08-26-2010 |
20110195576 | DOUBLE PATTERNING STRATEGY FOR CONTACT HOLE AND TRENCH IN PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY - A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first etch stop layer, a second etch stop layer, and a hard mask layer on a material layer. The materials of the first etch stop layer and the second etch stop layer are selected by the way that there is a material gradient composition between the second etch stop layer, the first etch stop layer, and the material layer. Hence, gradient etching rates between the second etch stop layer, the first etch stop layer, and the material layer are achieved in an etching process to form etched patterns with smooth and/or vertical sidewalls within the second and the first etch stop layers and the material layer. | 08-11-2011 |
20110207329 | DOUBLE PATTERNING STRATEGY FOR CONTACT HOLE AND TRENCH IN PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY - A method of lithography patterning includes forming a mask layer on a material layer and forming a capping layer on the mask layer. The capping layer is a boron-containing layer with a higher resistance to an etching reaction of patterning process of the material layer. By adapting the boron-containing layer as the capping layer, the thickness of the mask layer can be thus reduced. Hence, a better gap filling for forming an interconnect metallization in the material layer could be achieved as well. | 08-25-2011 |
20110217840 | Method for Forming Self-Assembled Mono-Layer Liner for Cu/Porous Low-k Interconnections - A method for fabricating an integrated circuit comprises forming a low-k dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the low-k dielectric layer to form an opening, and treating the low-k dielectric layer with a gaseous organic chemical to cause a reaction between the low-k dielectric layer and the gaseous organic chemical. The gaseous organic chemical is free from silicon. | 09-08-2011 |
20110223759 | Low-k Cu Barriers in Damascene Interconnect Structures - In the formation of an interconnect structure, a metal feature is formed in a dielectric layer. An etch stop layer (ESL) is formed over the metal feature and the dielectric layer using a precursor and a carbon-source gas including carbon as precursors. The carbon-source gas is free from carbon dioxide (CO | 09-15-2011 |
20110256715 | BARRIER LAYER FOR COPPER INTERCONNECT - A copper interconnect includes a copper layer formed in a dielectric layer. A liner is formed between the copper layer and the dielectric layer. A barrier layer is formed at the boundary between the liner and the dielectric layer. The barrier layer is a metal oxide. | 10-20-2011 |
20120077339 | METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVE ENERGY ASSIST BAKING - A method of and apparatus for forming interconnects on a substrate includes etching patterns in ultra-low k dielectric and removing moisture from the ultra-low k dielectric using active energy assist baking. During active energy assist baking, the ultra-low k dielectric is heated and exposed to light having only wavelengths greater than 400 nm for about 1 to about 20 minutes at a temperature of about 300 to about 400 degrees Celsius. The active energy assist baking is performed after wet-cleaning or after chemical mechanical polishing, or both. | 03-29-2012 |
20130052755 | Automatically adjusting baking process for low-k dielectric material - A method includes etching a low-k dielectric layer on a wafer to form an opening in the low-k dielectric layer. An amount of a detrimental substance in the wafer is measured to obtain a measurement result. Process conditions for baking the wafer are determined in response to the measurement result. The wafer is baked using the determined process conditions. | 02-28-2013 |
20130052818 | Methods for Forming Interconnect Structures of Integrated Circuits - A method includes forming a hard mask over a low-k dielectric layer, and patterning the hard mask to form an opening. A stress tuning layer is formed over the low-k dielectric layer and in physical contact with the hard mask. The stress tuning layer has an inherent stress, wherein the inherent stress is a near-zero stress or a tensile stress. The low-k dielectric layer is etched to form a trench aligned to the opening, wherein the step of etching is performed using the hard mask as an etching mask. | 02-28-2013 |
20130062774 | Semiconductor Device and Method for Forming the Same - A method includes forming a metal hard mask over a low-k dielectric layer. The step of forming the metal hard mask includes depositing a sub-layer of the metal hard mask, and performing a plasma treatment on the sub-layer of the metal hard mask. The metal hard mask is patterned to form an opening. The low-k dielectric layer is etched to form a trench, wherein the step of etching is performed using the metal hard mask as an etching mask. | 03-14-2013 |
20130137261 | METHOD OF MODIFYING A LOW K DIELECTRIC LAYER HAVING ETCHED FEATURES AND THE RESULTING PRODUCT - A dielectric layer having features etched thereon and a low dielectric constant, and that is carried by a semiconductor substrate. The etched dielectric layer is modified so its surface energy is reduced by at least one of: (a) applying thermal energy to the layer to cause the layer temperature to be between 100 C and 400 C; (b) irradiating the layer with electromagnetic energy; and/or (c) irradiating the layer with free ions. | 05-30-2013 |
20130273732 | METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVE ENERGY ASSIST BAKING - An Active Energy Assist (AEA) baking chamber includes an AEA light source assembly and a heater pedestal. The AEA baking chamber further includes a controller for controlling a power input to the AEA light source assembly and a power input to the heater pedestal. A method of forming interconnects on a substrate includes etching a substrate and wet cleaning the etched substrate. The method further includes active energy assist (AEA) baking the substrate after the wet-cleaning. The AEA baking includes placing the substrate on a heater pedestal in an AEA chamber, exposing the substrate to light having a wavelength equal to or greater than 400 nm, wherein said light is emitted by a light source and controlling the light source and the heater pedestal using a controller. | 10-17-2013 |
20130337651 | Double Patterning Strategy for Contact Hole and Trench in Photolithography - A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first etch stop layer, a second etch stop layer, and a hard mask layer on a material layer. The materials of the first etch stop layer and the second etch stop layer are selected by the way that there is a material gradient composition between the second etch stop layer, the first etch stop layer, and the material layer. Hence, gradient etching rates between the second etch stop layer, the first etch stop layer, and the material layer are achieved in an etching process to form etched patterns with smooth and/or vertical sidewalls within the second and the first etch stop layers and the material layer. | 12-19-2013 |
20140264923 | INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE WITH KINKED PROFILE - Among other things, one or more interconnect structures and techniques for forming such interconnect structures within integrated circuits are provided. An interconnect structure comprises one or more kinked structures, such as metal structures or via structures, formed according to a kinked profile. For example, the interconnect structure comprises a first kinked structure having a first tapered portion and a second kinked structure having a second tapered portion. The first tapered portion and the second tapered portion are both situated at an interface between two layers. Current leakage at the interface is mitigated because a length of the interface corresponds to a distance between the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion that is relatively larger than if the first kinked structure and the second kinked structure were merely formed according to a non-tapered shape. | 09-18-2014 |
20150054170 | Semiconductor Devices and Methods of Manufacture Thereof - Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes conductive features disposed over a workpiece, each conductive feature including a conductive line portion and a via portion. A barrier layer is disposed on sidewalls of each conductive feature and on a bottom surface of the via portion of each conductive feature. The barrier layer includes a dielectric layer. A first insulating material layer is disposed beneath a portion of the conductive line portion of each conductive feature. A second insulating material layer is disposed between the conductive features. A third insulating material layer is disposed beneath the first insulating material layer and the second insulating material layer. A lower portion of the via portion of each of the conductive features is formed within the third insulating material layer. The second insulating material layer has a lower dielectric constant than a dielectric constant of the first insulating material layer and a dielectric constant of the third insulating material layer. | 02-26-2015 |