摘要:
The present invention is directed to a structure of a gradient barrier layer. The gradient barrier with a composite structure of metal/metal salt of different composition/metal such as Ta/TaxN1−x/TaN/TaxN1−x/Ta (tantalum/tantalumx nitride1−x/tantalum nitride/tantalumx nitride1−x/tantalum) is proposed to replace the conventional barrier for copper metallization. The gradient barrier can be formed in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process or a multi-target physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. For CVD process, using the characteristics of well-controlled reaction gas injection, the ratio of tantalum (Ta) and nitrogen (N) can be modulated gradually to form the gradient barrier. For the multi-target PVD process, the gradient barrier is formed by depositing multi-layers of different composition TaxN1−x films. After subsequent thermal cycle processes such as metal alloy, the inter-layer diffusion occurs and a more smooth distribution of Ta and N is achieved for the gradient barrier. The advantages of forming the gradient barrier include a well-controlled process, a strong adhesion between via and landing metal, more uniform step coverage, and less brittle to reduce crack.
摘要翻译:本发明涉及梯度阻挡层的结构。 具有不同成分/金属的金属/金属盐的复合结构的梯度屏障,例如Ta / Ta x N 1-x / TaN / Ta x x 1 / x 1 / x 3/1 / x 2/1 / x 3 / 提出了替代传统的铜金属化屏障的方法。 梯度屏障可以在化学气相沉积(CVD)工艺或多目标物理气相沉积(PVD)工艺中形成。 对于CVD工艺,使用良好控制的反应气体注入特性,可以逐渐调节钽(Ta)和氮(N)的比例,形成梯度屏障。 对于多目标PVD工艺,通过沉积多层不同组成的Ta x N 1 x-x膜形成梯度屏障。 在随后的热循环过程如金属合金之后,发生层间扩散,并且对梯度屏障实现了更平稳的Ta和N分布。 形成梯度屏障的优点包括良好控制的工艺,通孔和着陆金属之间的牢固粘附,更均匀的台阶覆盖,并且较不易碎以减少裂纹。
摘要:
A method is provided for depositing aluminum thin film layers to form contacts in a semiconductor integrated circuit device. All or some of the deposition process occurs at relatively low deposition rates at a temperature which allows surface migration of the deposited aluminum atoms. Aluminum deposited under these conditions tends to fill contact vias without the formation of voids. The deposition step is periodically interrupted.
摘要:
A method is provided for forming improved quality interlevel aluminum contacts in semiconductor integrated circuits. A contact opening is formed through an insulating layer. A barrier layer is deposited over the surface of the integrated circuit. An aluminum layer is then deposited at relatively low deposition rates at a temperature which allows improved surface migration of the deposited aluminum atoms. Aluminum deposited under these conditions tends to fill contact vias without the formation of voids. The low temperature deposition step can be initiated by depositing aluminum while a wafer containing the integrated circuit device is being heated from cooler temperatures within the deposition chamber.
摘要:
A method is provided of forming a small geometry via or contact of a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit formed according to the same, is disclosed. According to a first disclosed embodiment, an opening is formed partially through an insulating layer overlying a conductive region. Sidewall spacers are formed along the sidewalls of the opening. The remaining insulating layer is etched to expose the underlying conductive region. The contact dimension of the opening is smaller than the opening which can be printed from modern photolithography techniques. According to an alternate embodiment, the opening in the insulating layer expose the underlying conductive region. A polysilicon layer is formed over the insulating layer and in the opening. The polysilicon is oxidized to form a thick oxide in the opening and is etched back to form oxidized polysilicon sidewall spacers which decrease the contact dimension of the opening. According to a further alternate embodiment, an etch stop layer is formed between the insulating layer and conductive region and an opening is formed in the insulating layer exposing the etch stop layer. A sidewall spacer film is formed over the insulating layer and the etch stop layer, both layers having a similar etch rate for a given etchant. The etch stop and spacer layers are etched in the opening to expose the underlying conductive layer thereby forming a contiguous sidewall spacer and etch stop layer on the sides of and under the insulating layer, thereby decreasing the contact dimension of the opening.
摘要:
A method is provided of forming a small geometry via or contact of a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit formed according to the same, is disclosed. According to a first disclosed embodiment, an opening is formed partially through an insulating layer overlying a conductive region. Sidewall spacers are formed along the sidewalls of the opening. The remaining insulating layer is etched to expose the underlying conductive region. The contact dimension of the opening is smaller than the opening which can be printed from modern photolithography techniques. According to an alternate embodiment, the opening in the insulating layer expose the underlying conductive region. A polysilicon layer is formed over the insulating layer and in the opening. The polysilicon is oxidized to form a thick oxide in the opening and is etched back to form oxidized polysilicon sidewall spacers which decrease the contact dimension of the opening. According to a further alternate embodiment, an etch stop layer is formed between the insulating layer and conductive region and an opening is formed in the insulating layer exposing the etch stop layer. A sidewall spacer film is formed over the insulating layer and the etch stop layer, both layers having a similar etch rate for a given etchant. The etch stop and spacer layers are etched in the opening to expose the underlying conductive layer thereby forming a contiguous sidewall spacer and etch stop layer on the sides of and under the insulating layer, thereby decreasing the contact dimension of the opening.
摘要:
A method for forming integrated circuit structures includes the formation of high-value resistive elements and low resistance interconnect in a single polycrystalline layer. In one embodiment, interconnect regions of the polycrystalline silicon layer are masked, and resistive element regions are partially oxidized to reduce the thickness of the polycrystalline layer in such regions. Resistivity of the interconnect regions may then be reduced by implanting a high level of impurities in them, or by forming a refractory metal silicide layer over the interconnect regions. The oxide formed over the resistive elements during the oxidation thereof protects them from either of the following process steps, so that no masking is required. In an alternative embodiment, silicidation of the interconnect regions of the polycrystalline silicon layer may be performed without the prior local oxidations of the resistive element regions.
摘要:
A method for forming aluminum metallization for contacting a conductive element in an integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit formed according to the same, is disclosed. According to a first disclosed embodiment, a first aluminum alloy layer is formed within the contact, optionally with a barrier layer between it and the underlying electrode. An etch stop layer is formed thereover, of a material which has a low etch rate to an aluminum etchant species. A second, thicker, aluminum alloy layer is formed thereover. The second aluminum layer is etched until the etch stop layer is reached; the mask for defining the metal line may have an edge within the dimensions of the contact opening. After removal of the exposed etch stop layer, a timed etch removes the first aluminum alloy layer, without exposing the bottom of the contact. The metal line may thus be safely formed, without requiring an enclosure around the contact opening. According to an alternate embodiment, conductive or semiconductive sidewall spacers may be formed, upon which the metal etch can stop, leaving a metal line within the contact dimensions. A further alternative embodiment uses a conductive etch stop layer which covers the entire contact, and upon which the metal etch can stop within the contact opening.
摘要:
A method for forming integrated circuit structures includes the formation of high-value resistive elements and low resistance interconnect in a single polycrystalline layer. In one embodiment, interconnect regions of the polycrystalline silicon layer are masked, and resistive element regions are partially oxidized to reduce the thickness of the polycrystalline layer in such regions. Resistivity of the interconnect regions may then be reduced by implanting a high level of impurities in them, or by forming a refractory metal silicide layer over the interconnect regions. The oxide formed over the resistive elements during the oxidation thereof protects them from either of the following process steps, so that no masking is required. In an alternative embodiment, silicidation of the interconnect regions of the polycrystalline silicon layer may be performed without the prior local oxidations of the resistive element regions.
摘要:
Local interconnect is defined in a polycrystalline silicon layer. Openings to underlying conducting regions are made through an insulating layer after the local interconnect conductor definition. A thin extra polycrystalline silicon layer is then deposited over the device and etched back to form polycrystalline silicon sidewall elements. These sidewalls connect the polycrystalline silicon local interconnect conductors to the underlying conductive regions. Standard silicidation techniques are then used to form a refractory metal silicide on the exposed underlying conductive regions, the polycrystalline silicon sidewall elements, and the polycrystalline silicon local interconnect conductors. This results in a complete silicided connection between features connected by the local interconnect conductors.
摘要:
A magnetoresistive sensor is provided. Specifically, multiple layers of or single layer of conductor line are formed at the same level as an insulating layer on a substrate as a bottom conductive layer. A magnetoresistive structure is formed on the bottom conductive layer and has opposite first surface and second surface. The second surface faces toward the substrate and is contacted with the bottom conductive layer. Afterward, another insulating layer is formed on the first surface, a slot is formed at the same level as the another insulating layer and a conductor line is formed in the slot and contacted with the first surface, so that one layer or multiple layers of conductor line can be formed as a top conductive layer. A lengthwise extending direction of each of the bottom and top conductor layers is intersected a lengthwise extending direction of the magnetoresistive structure with an angle.