Abstract:
A method for developing and characterizing a polish process for polishing an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer (12) for a specific product or a specific patterned metal layer (14) is provided. A statistically-based model for ILD planarization by chemical mechanical polish (CMP) is used as a guide to determine, in an empirical manner, the proper amount of ILD polishing that will be required to planarize an ILD layer (12). The statistically-based model also shows the resulting ILD thicknesses to be expected. By relating the blank test wafer polished amount to the maximum amount of oxide removed from the field areas in the die and the total indicated range across the die, the ILD deposition thickness can be adjusted to attain the desired planarized ILD thickness. The attainment of local planarity, however, must be confirmed by an independent measurement technique. The polish process development methodology is extendible with respect to minimum interconnect feature size. This polish process development methodology can also be applied to products requiring mulitple planarizations for multiple levels of interconnects.
Abstract:
A tungsten chemical-mechanical polishing slurry formulated from small median diameter abrasive particles having a very tight diameter variation and by thoroughly premixing the abrasive with a surfactant suspension agent before combining the oxidizer.
Abstract:
A method is provided for manufacturing an integrated circuit on a semiconductor wafer (200) having a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor device thereon. A dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate and an opening is formed in the dielectric layer. A barrier (226, 232) layer is deposited to line the opening. A seed layer (228, 234) is deposited on the barrier layer and securely bonds to the barrier layer. A conductor (230, 236) layer is deposited to fill the channel opening over the barrier layer. A planarization technique is used to planarize the barrier, seed layer, and conductor layers to be coplanar with the dielectric layer to form a conductor channel. The semiconductor wafer is then subjected to a two step timed anneal.
Abstract:
A system for characterizing a chemical mechanical polishing process is provided. The system includes a wafer (610) that has a metal, polysilicon, and/or dielectric layer and/or substrate and electrical resistance member(s) and/or electrical resistance entities (110) located in and/or on the metal, polysilicon and/or dielectric layer and/or substrate. The system also includes a electrical resistance monitoring system (630) that can read the wafer (610) electrical resistance(s) from the electrical resistance member(s) and/or electrical resistance entities and that can determine wafer stress(es) based upon the electrical resistance(s) to characterize the chemical mechanical polishing process. Such characterization includes producing information concerning relationships between wafer electrical resistance(s) and polishing rate, polishing uniformity and introduction of defects during polishing. Such relationships are correlated with wafer electrical resistance(s) and polishing uniformity and introduction of defects during polishing. Such relationships ips are corrlated with wafer electrical resistance(s) (e.g., wafer stress(es) as related to parameters like polishing time, pressure, speed, slurry properties and wafer/metal layer properties.
Abstract:
A precursor (30) of a low-k porous dielectric is applied to an integrated circuit substrate (20). The precursor comprises a host thermosetting material and a porogen. Crosslinking of at least some of the first host thermosetting material is produced to form a low-k dielectric matrix without decomposing all of the porogen. This leaves a solid nonporous layer of the low-k dielectric matrix. Conductive elements (54) are then inlaid in the low-k dielectric matrix. After the conductive elements are formed, remaining porogen is decomposed to leave a porous low-k dielectric layer (58, 60). The resulting conductive elements are smooth walled.
Abstract:
A precursor (30) of a low-k porous dielectric is applied to an integrated circuit substrate (20). The precursor comprises a host thermosetting material and a porogen. Crosslinking of at least some of the first host thermosetting material is produced to form a low-k dielectric matrix (31) without decomposing all of the porogen. This leaves a solid nonporous layer of the low-k dielectric matrix. Conductive elements (36) are then inlaid in the low-k dielectric matrix. After the conductive elements are formed, remaining porogen is decomposed to leave a porous low-k dielectric layer (42). The resulting conductive elements are smooth walled.
Abstract:
A process and solution for cleaning Fe contaminants bound to a metallized semiconductor surface after CMP planarization. The solution comprises a pH buffered solution including hydrofluoric acid and a ligand selected from a group consisting of citrates and EDTA.
Abstract:
An article and method of manufacturing a semiconductor flash cell. The method includes producing an isolation formation layer (10) on a silicon substrate (12), forming an oxide (14) on the isolation formation layer (10), growing a tunnel oxide layer (16) thereon, depositing a first poly silicon layer (18), masking and etching the first poly silicon layer (18), depositing a second poly silicon layer (22) and performing a blanket etch back step, forming an oxide/nitride/oxide layer (26) forming a third poly-silicon layer (28) and depositing a silicide layer (30) thereon.
Abstract:
An article and method of manufacturing a semiconductor flash cell. The method includes producing an isolation formation layer (10) on a silicon substrate (12), forming an oxide (14) on the isolation formation layer (10), growing a tunnel oxide layer (16) thereon, depositing a first poly silicon layer (18), masking and etching the first poly silicon layer (18), depositing a second poly silicon layer (22) and performing a blanket etch back step, forming an oxide/nitride/oxide layer (26) forming a third poly-silicon layer (28) and depositing a silicide layer (30) thereon.
Abstract:
A tungsten chemical-mechanical polishing slurry formulated from small median diameter abrasive particles having a very tight diameter variation and by thoroughly premixing the abrasive with a surfactant suspension agent before combining the oxidizer.