Abstract:
A method of forming metal carbide barrier layers for fluorocarbon films in semiconductor devices is described. The method includes depositing a fluorocarbon film on a substrate and depositing a metal-containing layer on the fluorocarbon film at a first temperature, where the metal-containing layer reacts with the fluorocarbon film to form a metal fluoride layer at an interface between the metal-containing layer and the fluorocarbon film. The method further includes heat-treating the metal-containing layer at a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature, wherein the heat-treating the metal-containing layer removes fluorine from the metal fluoride layer by diffusion through the metal-containing layer and forms a metal carbide layer barrier layer at the interface between the metal-containing layer and the fluorocarbon film, and wherein the metal-containing layer survives the heat- treating at the second temperature without blistering or pealing.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention described herein generally provide methods for forming cobalt silicide layers and metallic cobalt layers by using various deposition processes and annealing processes. In one embodiment, a method for forming a metallic silicide containing material on a substrate is provided which includes forming a metallic silicide material over or on a silicon-containing surface during a vapor deposition process by sequentially depositing a plurality of metallic silicide layers and silyl layers on the substrate, depositing a metallic capping layer over or on the metallic silicide material, heating the substrate during an annealing process, and depositing a metallic contact material over or on the barrier material. In one example, the metallic silicide layers and the metallic capping layer both contain cobalt. The cobalt silicide material may contain a silicon/cobalt atomic ratio of about 1.9 or greater, such as greater than about 2.0, or about 2.2 or greater.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to methods and systems for fabricating semiconductor devices. One aspect of the present invention is a method of depositing a gapfill copper layer onto barrier layer for semiconductor device metallization. In one embodiment, the method includes forming the barrier layer on a surface of a substrate and subjecting the barrier layer to a process condition so as to form a removable passivated surface on the barrier layer. The method further includes removing the passivated surface from the barrier layer and depositing the gapfill copper layer onto the barrier layer. Another aspect of the present invention is an integrated system for depositing a copper layer onto a barrier layer for semiconductor device metallization. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises at least one process module configured for barrier layer deposition and passivated surface formation and at least one other process module configured for passivated surface removal and deposition of copper onto the barrier layer. The system further includes at least one transfer module coupled so that the substrate can be transferred between the modules substantially without exposure to an oxide-forming environment.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an integrated-circuit device that has at least one Copper-containing feature in a dielectric layer, and a diffusion-barrier layer stack arranged between the feature and the dielectric layer. The integrated-circuit device of the invention has a diffusion-barrier layer stack, which comprises, in a direction from the Copper-containing feature to the dielectric layer, a CuSiN layer and a SiN layer. This layer combinat ion provides an efficient barrier for suppressing Copper diffusion from the feature into the dielectric layer. Furthermore, a CuSiN/SiN layer sequence provides an improved adhesion between the layers of the diffusion-barrier layer stack and the dielectric layer, and thus improves the electromigration performance of the integrated-circuit device during operation. Therefore, the reliability of device operation and the lifetime of the integrate- circuit device are improved in comparison with prior-art devices. The invention further relates to a method for fabricating such an integrated-circuit device.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention described herein generally provide methods and apparatuses for forming cobalt silicide layers, metallic cobalt layers, and other cobalt-containing materials. In one embodiment, a method for forming a cobalt silicide containing material on a substrate is provided which includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, depositing a metallic cobalt material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the substrate. In another embodiment, a method includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, expose the substrate to an annealing process, depositing a barrier material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the barrier material.