Abstract:
A method of using diamond or a diamond-like carbon layer as a polish-stop for patterning a metal level into an inter-level dielectric substrate using a damascene process flow. The diamond or diamond-like carbon layer is deposited onto the surface of the substrate before patterning the metal level. A protective layer is then deposited over the diamond or diamond-like carbon polish-stop layer, wherein such protective layer may act as an additional polish-stop layer. Together, the diamond or diamond-like carbon polish-stop layer and the protective layer are used as a hard-mask for patterning the trenches that will become the metal features, wherein such protective layer protects the diamond or diamond-like carbon polish-stop layer during the patterning process. After deposition of a conductive metal layer, the dielectric substrate is polished to remove excess conductive material, as well as topography. In the polishing process, the diamond or diamond-like carbon polish-stop layer and any remaining protective layer are used as polish-stop layers. The diamond or diamond-like carbon polish-stop layer allows for an improved planar surface, thereby resulting in an sufficient decrease in topography at the surface of the inter-level dielectric.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory architecture, in which coupling noise between bit lines is small at CMOS intersection coupling sensing operation, and which operates at a high speed. SOLUTION: In a single bit-line direct sensing architecture, a sense amplifier circuit, having four transistors arranged for each memory array, is used. In this circuit, the transistor functions so that a data bit from a true bit-line of a pair of bit line or an auxiliary bit line is transferred selective to a data line. The data line is preferably arranged on a plurality of memory arrays, and the data line may not be required, to share in read operation and write operation. Furthermore, digital sensing scheme function is performed, by charging a data line during read-out operation using one more current source detecting the ratio of a current source, driving by a bit line of a corresponding array and resistance of a transistor. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for forming a topography extremely reduced on a semiconductor surface formed by a damascene process. SOLUTION: A diamond or diamond like carbon film is adhered to the surface of a substrate as a polishing stop layer before a metal level pattern is formed. Next, a protective film is adhered on the diamond or diamond like carbon polishing stop layer. The protective film can be used as another polishing stop layer. Both the diamond or diamond like carbon film and the protective film are used as a hard mask so that a pattern is formed in a trench that has metallic features. The protective film protects the diamond or diamond like carbon polishing stop layer during a pattern forming process. After a conductive metal layer is adhered, the substrate is polished, and redundant conducting materials and the topography are removed.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce or remove the nonuniformity in polishing speed between chemical and mechanical polishing(CMP) methods, by providing a device which raises the with temperature of the first part of a semiconductor wafer with respect to the temperature of a second part of the semiconductor wafer. SOLUTION: A part of a wafer carrier 15 is heated up or cooled down by a temperature controller. Annular heating tapes 18 and 19 are attached to the back side 16 of the carrier 15 to perform local heating. When the heating tapes 18 and 19 are activated, heat is conducted through a wafer carrier 15, and imparts different heatings to the wafer wafer. Accordingly for example, the part 10a of the wafer 10 is cooler than the adjacent part 10b which is affected by the heating tape 19. The part 10b is relatively hot, when it is compared with the adjacent part 10a which is not affected by the heating tapes 18 and 19. The part 10b is maintained at a temperature higher than these of the parts 10c and 10e by receiving the affection of the heating tape 18.
Abstract:
An electrical fuse structure comprises a semiconductor substrate; at least one electrically insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate having a portion thereof containing electrical wiring and another, adjacent portion thereof substantially free of electrical wiring; optionally, a further electrically insulating layer over the at least one electrically insulating layer. The electrically insulating layer(s) have a depression formed over the portion substantially free of electrical wiring, with the depression having a lower surface level than an adjacent portion of the electrically insulating layer. The fuse structure also includes a fuse insulator disposed over the depression and a fuse over the fuse insulator. Preferably, the fuse insulator is disposed only in the depression to elevate the fuse to the same level as the adjacent portion of the electrically insulating layer. The fuse structure may have a single layer or comprise alternating layers having different degrees of reflectivity to a laser beam, such as alternating layers of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The preferred fuse structure comprises an electrically and thermally resistive fuse insulator in the depression, such that the fuse insulator substantially prevents heat of an energy beam directed at the fuse from being transmitted to the semiconductor substrate. More preferably, the fuse formed has a width less that that of the fuse insulator. The fuse structure may further include additional wiring over the electrical insulating layer at the same level as the fuse.
Abstract:
The method of polishing metal layers on wafers comprises the steps of: using a chemical-mechanical polisher (50) to polish the metal layers (32) to remove material therefrom, inspecting indicator areas on the wafer to determine an amount of material removed from said areas (80), and adjusting the operation of the chemical-mechanical polisher (50) in response to the inspection of the indicator areas (80). The indicator areas (80) may include macroblocks comprised of a multitude of individual blocks (82). The wafer may be inspected by optically identifying the polishing state of the blocks (82) in the macroblock (80). Additionally, the process may be automated for mass production. A feedback loop to the polisher can be formed where data from optical inspection of macroblocks on a polished wafer can be immediately fed back to the polisher in order to adjust process parameters.
Abstract:
An electrical fuse structure comprises a semiconductor substrate; at least one electrically insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate having a portion thereof containing electrical wiring and another, adjacent portion thereof substantially free of electrical wiring; optionally, a further electrically insulating layer over the at least one electrically insulating layer. The electrically insulating layer(s) have a depression formed over the portion substantially free of electrical wiring, with the depression having a lower surface level than an adjacent portion of the electrically insulating layer. The fuse structure also includes a fuse insulator disposed over the depression and a fuse over the fuse insulator. Preferably, the fuse insulator is disposed only in the depression to elevate the fuse to the same level as the adjacent portion of the electrically insulating layer. The fuse structure may have a single layer or comprise alternating layers having different degrees of reflectivity to a laser beam, such as alternating layers of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The preferred fuse structure comprises an electrically and thermally resistive fuse insulator in the depression, such that the fuse insulator substantially prevents heat of an energy beam directed at the fuse from being transmitted to the semiconductor substrate. More preferably, the fuse formed has a width less that that of the fuse insulator. The fuse structure may further include additional wiring over the electrical insulating layer at the same level as the fuse.
Abstract:
The method of polishing metal layers on wafers comprises the steps of: using a chemical-mechanical polisher (50) to polish the metal layers (32) to remove material therefrom, inspecting indicator areas on the wafer to determine an amount of material removed from said areas (80), and adjusting the operation of the chemical-mechanical polisher (50) in response to the inspection of the indicator areas (80). The indicator areas (80) may include macroblocks comprised of a multitude of individual blocks (82). The wafer may be inspected by optically identifying the polishing state of the blocks (82) in the macroblock (80). Additionally, the process may be automated for mass production. A feedback loop to the polisher can be formed where data from optical inspection of macroblocks on a polished wafer can be immediately fed back to the polisher in order to adjust process parameters.