Abstract:
The embodiments provide processes and integrated systems that produce a metal-to-metal or a silicon-to-metal interface to enhance electro-migration performance, to provide lower metal resistivity, and to improve metal-to-metal or silicon-to-metal interfacial adhesion for copper interconnects. An exemplary method of preparing a substrate surface to selectively deposit a thin layer of a cobalt-alloy material on a copper surface of in an integrated system to improve electromigration performance of a copper interconnect is provided. The method includes removing contaminants and metal oxides from the substrate surface in the integrated system, and reconditioning the substrate surface using a reducing environment after removing contaminants and metal oxides in the integrated system. The method also includes selectively depositing the thin layer of cobalt-alloy material on the copper surface of the copper interconnect in the integrated system after reconditioning the substrate surface. System to practice the exemplary method described above are also provided.
Abstract:
A cluster architecture and methods for processing a substrate are disclosed. The cluster architecture includes a lab-ambient controlled transfer module that is coupled to one or more wet substrate processing modules. The lab-ambient controlled transfer module and the one or more wet substrate processing modules are configured to manage a first ambient environment. A vacuum transfer module that is coupled to the lab-ambient controlled transfer module and one or more plasma processing modules is also provided. The vacuum transfer module and the one or more plasma processing modules are configured to manage a second ambient environment. And, a controlled ambient transfer module that is coupled to the vacuum transfer module and one or more ambient processing modules is also included. The controlled ambient transfer module and the one or more ambient processing modules are configured to manage a third ambient environment. The cluster architecture therefore enables controlled processing of the substrate in either the first, second or third ambient environments, as well as during associated transitions. The embodiments also provide for efficient methods for filling a trench of a substrate.
Abstract:
A method of etching a conductive layer includes converting at least a portion of the conductive layer and etching the conductive layer to substantially remove the converted portion of the conductive layer and thereby expose a remaining surface. The remaining surface has an average surface roughness of less than about 10 nm. A system for etching a conductive layer is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber (100) having a top opening. A window (16) seals the top opening of the chamber, and the window has an inner surface that is exposed to an internal region of the chamber. A window protector (20) for protecting the inner surface of the window is disposed within the chamber. The window protector (20) is configured to prevent conductive etch byproducts from being deposited on the inner surface of the window in the form of a continuous loop. In one alternative embodiment, a plurality of window protectors (20') is affixed to the inner surface of the window. In another embodiment, the window has a plurality of T-shaped or dovetail slots formed therein. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of rectangular slots is formed in the window and a window protector having corresponding slots is mounted against the inner surface of the window.
Abstract:
A plasma processing chamber for processing a substrate to form electronic components thereon is disclosed. The plasma processing chamber includes a plasma-facing component (602) having a plasma-facing surface oriented toward plasma in the plasma processing chamber during processing of the substrate, the plasma-facing component being electrically isolated from a ground terminal. The plasma processing chamber further includes a grounding arrangement (600) coupled to the plasma-facing component, the grounding arrangement including a first resistance circuit (610) disposed in a first current path between the plasma-facing component and the ground terminal. The grounding arrangement further includes a RF filter arrangement (604, 610) disposed in at least one other current path between the plasma-facing component and the ground terminal, wherein a resistance value of the first resistance circuit is selected to substantially eliminate arcing between the plasma and the plasma-facing component during the processing of the substrate.
Abstract:
A plasma processing chamber for processing a substrate to form electronic components thereon is disclosed. The plasma processing chamber includes a plasma-facing component having a plasma-facing surface oriented toward plasma in the plasma processing chamber during processing of the substrate, the plasma-facing component being electrically isolated from a ground terminal. The plasma processing chamber further includes a grounding arrangement coupled to the plasma-facing component, the grounding arrangement including a first resistance circuit disposed in a first current path between the plasma-facing component and the ground terminal. The grounding arrangement further includes a RF filter arrangement disposed in at least one other current path between the plasma-facing component and the ground terminal, wherein a resistance value of the first resistance circuit is selected to substantially eliminate arcing between the plasma and the plasma-facing component during the processing of the substrate.
Abstract:
The embodiments provide processes and integrated systems that produce a metal-to-metal or a silicon-to-metal interface to enhance electro-migration performance, to provide lower metal resistivity, and to improve metal-to-metal or silicon-to-metal interfacial adhesion for copper interconnects. An exemplary method of preparing a substrate surface to selectively deposit a thin layer of a cobalt-alloy material on a copper surface of in an integrated system to improve electromigration performance of a copper interconnect is provided. The method includes removing contaminants and metal oxides from the substrate surface in the integrated system, and reconditioning the substrate surface using a reducing environment after removing contaminants and metal oxides in the integrated system. The method also includes selectively depositing the thin layer of cobalt-alloy material on the copper surface of the copper interconnect in the integrated system after reconditioning the substrate surface. System to practice the exemplary method described above are also provided.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber (100) having a top opening. A window (16) seals the top opening of the chamber, and the window has an inner surface that is exposed to an internal region of the chamber. A window protector (20) for protecting the inner surface of the window is disposed within the chamber. The window protector (20) is configured to prevent conductive etch byproducts from being deposited on the inner surface of the window in the form of a continuous loop. In one alternative embodiment, a plurality of window protectors (20') is affixed to the inner surface of the window. In another embodiment, the window has a plurality of T-shaped or dovetail slots formed therein. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of rectangular slots is formed in the window and a window protector having corresponding slots is mounted against the inner surface of the window.
Abstract:
A method for removing a substrate that is attached to a bipolar electrostatic chuck (ESC) by application of a bipolar ESC voltage is provided which includes discontinuing the bipolar ESC voltage after processing a current substrate, and determining a monopolar component error of the processing. The method also includes correcting the monopolar component error for a subsequent substrate.
Abstract:
The embodiments provide processes and integrated systems that produce a metal-to-metal or a silicon-to-metal interface to enhance electro-migration performance, to provide lower metal resistivity, and to improve metal-to-metal or silicon-to-metal interfacial adhesion for copper interconnects. An exemplary method of preparing a substrate surface to selectively deposit a thin layer of a cobalt-alloy material on a copper surface of in an integrated system to improve electromigration performance of a copper interconnect is provided. The method includes removing contaminants and metal oxides from the substrate surface in the integrated system, and reconditioning the substrate surface using a reducing environment after removing contaminants and metal oxides in the integrated system. The method also includes selectively depositing the thin layer of cobalt-alloy material on the copper surface of the copper interconnect in the integrated system after reconditioning the substrate surface. System to practice the exemplary method described above are also provided.