Abstract:
Embodiments of a ball assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a ball assembly includes a housing, a ball, a conductive adapter and a contact element. The housing has an annular seat extending into a first end of an interior passage. The conductive adapter is coupled to a second end of the housing. The contact element electrically couples the adapter and the ball with is retained in the housing between seat and the adapter.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided for depositing and planarizing a material layer on a substrate. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a partial enclosure, a permeable disc, a diffuser plate and optionally an anode. A substrate carrier is positionable above the partial enclosure and is adapted to move a substrate into and out of contact or close proximity with the permeable disc. The partial enclosure and the substrate carrier are rotatable to provide relative motion between a substrate and the permeable disc. In another aspect, a method is provided in which a substrate is positioned in a partial enclosure having an electrolyte therein at a first distance from a permeable disc. A current is optionally applied to the surface of the substrate and a first thickness is deposited on the substrate. Next, the substrate is positioned closer to the permeable disc and a second thickness is deposited on the substrate. During the deposition, the partial enclosure and the substrate are rotated relative one another.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for planarizing a substrate surface are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided for planarizing a substrate surface including polishing a first conductive material to a barrier layer material, depositing a second conductive material on the first conductive material by an electrochemical deposition technique, and polishing the second conductive material and the barrier layer material to a dielectric layer. In another aspect, a processing system is provided for forming a planarized layer on a substrate, the processing system including a computer based controller configured to cause the system to polish a first conductive material to a barrier layer material, deposit a second conductive material on the first conductive material by an electrochemical deposition technique, and polish the second conductive material and the barrier layer material to a dielectric layer.
Abstract:
Aspects of the invention generally provide a method for polishing a material layer using electrochemical deposition techniques, electrochemical dissolution techniques, polishing techniques, and/or combinations thereof. In one aspect of the invention, the polishing method comprises applying a separate electrical bias, such as a voltage, to each of a plurality of zones of an electrode. Determining the separate biases comprises determining a time that at least one portion of the material layer is associated with each of the zones of the counter-electrode.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a polishing article for processing a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, a polishing article for processing a substrate comprises a fabric layer having a conductive layer disposed thereover. The conductive layer has an exposed surface adapted to polish a substrate. The fabric layer may be woven or non-woven. The conductive layer may be comprised of a soft metal and, in one embodiment, the exposed surface may be planar.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for planarizing a surface of a substrate using a chamber separated into two parts by a membrane, and two separate electrolytes is provided. The embodiments of the present invention generally provide an electrochemical mechanical polishing system that reduces the number of defects found on the substrate surface after polishing. An exemplary electrochemical apparatus includes a physical barrier that prevents any trapped gas or gas generated during processing from residing in areas that can cause defects on the substrate. The process can be aided by the addition of various chemical components to the electrolyte that tend to reduce the gas generation at the cathode surface during the ECMP anodic dissolution process.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process sequence and related hardware for filling a hole with copper. The sequence comprises first forming a reliable barrier layer in the hole to prevent diffusion of the copper into the dielectric layer through which the hole is formed. One sequence comprises forming a generally conformal barrier layer over a patterned dielectric, etching the bottom of the hole, depositing a second barrier, and then filling the hole with copper. An alternative sequence comprises depositing a first barrier layer over a blanket dielectric layer, forming a hole through both the barrier layer and the dielectric layer, depositing a generally conformal second barrier layer in the hole, removing the barrier layer from the bottom of the hole, and selectively filling the hole with copper.
Abstract:
A method of forming a copper layer with increased electromigration resistance. A doped copper layer is formed by controlling the incorporation of a non-metallic dopant during copper electroplating.
Abstract:
Methods, articles of manufacture, and apparatus are provided for depositing a layer, planarizing a layer, or combinations thereof, a material layer on a substrate. In one embodiment, an article of manufacture is provided for polishing a substrate, comprising a polishing article having a polishing surface, a plurality of passages formed through the polishing article for flow of material therethrough, and a plurality of grooves disposed in the polishing surface. The article of manufacture may be used in a processing system. The article of manufacture may be used in a method for processing a substrate, comprising positioning the substrate in an electrolyte solution containing a polishing article, optionally depositing a material on the substrate by an electrochemical deposition method, and polishing the substrate with the polishing article.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for polishing a substrate surface. In one aspect, an apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a pad assembly having a conductive pad, a backing and a conductive layer adapted to be biased by a power source. In another embodiment, an apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a pad assembly disposed in a basin. The basin has two electrodes coupled to opposite poles of a power source. Each electrode extends partially through a respective aperture formed in the pad assembly. The apparatus may be part of an electro-chemical polishing station that may optionally be part of a system that includes chemical mechanical polishing stations.