Abstract:
The present invention relates to a containment chamber that is used for carrying out multiple processing steps such as depositing on, polishing, etching, modifying, rinsing, cleaning, and drying a surface on the workpiece. In one example of the present invention, the chamber is used to electro chemically mechanically deposit a conductive material on a semiconductor wafer. The same containment chamber can then be used to rinse and clean the same wafer. As a result, the present invention eliminates the need for separate processing stations for depositing the conductive material and cleaning the wafer. Thus, with the present invention, costs and physical space are reduced while providing an efficient apparatus and method for carrying out multiple processes on the wafer surface using a containment chamber.
Abstract:
The methods and systems described provide for radiation assisted material deposition, removal, and planarization at a surface, edge, and/or bevel of a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer. Exemplary processes performed on a workpiece surface having topographical features include radiation assisted electrochemical material deposition, which produces an adsorbate layer outside of the features to suppress deposition outside of the features and to encourage, through charge conservation, deposition into the features to achieve, for example, a planar surface profile. A further exemplary process is radiation assisted electrochemical removal of material, which produces an adsorbate layer in the features to suppress removal of material from the features and to encourage, through charge conservation, removal of material outside of the features so that, for example, a planar surface profile is achieved.
Abstract:
A particular anode assembly can be used to supply a solution for any of a plating operation, a planarization operation, and a plating and planarization operation to be performed on a semiconductor wafer. The anode assembly includes a rotatable shaft disposed within a chamber in which the operation is performed, an anode housing connected to the shaft, and a porous pad support plate attached to the anode housing. The support plate has a top surface adapted to support a pad which is to face the wafer, and, together with the anode housing, defines an anode cavity. A consumable anode may be provided in the anode cavity to provide plating material to the solution. A solution delivery structure by which the solution can be delivered to said anode cavity is also provided. The solution delivery structure may be contained within the chamber in which the operation is performed. A shield can also be mounted between the shaft and an associated spindle to prevent leakage of the solution from the chamber.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods for repairing defects on a semiconductor substrate. This is accomplished by selectively depositing the conductive material in defective portions in the cavities while removing residual portions from the field regions of the substrate. Another method according to the present invention includes forming a uniform conductive material overburden on a top surface of the substrate. The present invention also discloses a method for depositing a second conductive material on the first conductive material of the substrate.
Abstract:
Methods of fabricating a multi-layer semiconductor device such as a multi-layer damascene or inverted multi-layer damascene structure using only a single or reduced number of exposure steps. The method may include etching a precursor structure formed of materials with differential removal rates for a given removal condition. The method may include removing material from a multi-layer structure under different removal conditions. Further disclosed are multi-layer damascene structures having multiple cavities of different sizes. The cavities may have smooth inner wall surfaces. The layers of the structure may be in direct contact. The cavities may be filled with a conducting metal or an insulator. Multi-layer semiconductor devices using the methods and structures are further disclosed.
Abstract:
A wire structure, which may be configured for a semiconductor device, is disclosed. The wire may include an elongate flexible core formed of a conductor material and a cladding layer covering an outer surface of the core. The cladding layer may be a conductor. In various aspects the cladding layer and core have a different grain sizes. An average grain size of the core material may several orders of magnitude greater than an average grain size of the cladding layer material. The cladding layer may be an alloy having a varying concentration of a minor component across its thickness. Methods of forming a wire structure are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A component can include a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface remote therefrom, an opening extending from the rear surface towards the front surface, and a conductive via extending within the opening. The substrate can have a CTE less than 10 ppm/° C. The opening can define an inner surface between the front and rear surfaces. The conductive via can include a first metal layer overlying the inner surface and a second metal region overlying the first metal layer and electrically coupled to the first metal layer. The second metal region can have a CTE greater than a CTE of the first metal layer. The conductive via can have an effective CTE across a diameter of the conductive via that is less than 80% of the CTE of the second metal region.
Abstract:
Methods of fabricating a multi-layer semiconductor device such as a multi-layer damascene or inverted multi-layer damascene structure using only a single or reduced number of exposure steps. The method may include etching a precursor structure formed of materials with differential removal rates for a given removal condition. The method may include removing material from a multi-layer structure under different removal conditions. Further disclosed are multi-layer damascene structures having multiple cavities of different sizes. The cavities may have smooth inner wall surfaces. The layers of the structure may be in direct contact. The cavities may be filled with a conducting metal or an insulator. Multi-layer semiconductor devices using the methods and structures are further disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for forming a planar conductive surface on a wafer. In one aspect, the present invention uses a no-contact process with electrochemical deposition, followed by a contact process with electrochemical mechanical deposition.