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Improved tantalum-containing barrier layers for copper

Assignee: Applied Materials Inc
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Filing: 1998-04-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-04-29
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Abstract

Abstract An improved barrier layer of tantalum to prevent diffusion of copper into a dielectric layer is made by alternately sputter depositing a thin amorphous tantalum layer and a tantalum nitride layer. The wholly amorphous tantalum-containing layer prevents formation of a columnar structure in thick tantalum layers which tend to peel, destroying the barrier. The sputter depositions of tantalum and tantalum nitride can be repeated until the desired thickness of the barrier is obtained.

Inventors

  • 👤 Peijun Ding
  • 👤 Tony Ping-Chen Chiang

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 06:21
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P14/00; H10P14/40; H10P14/42; H10P14/44; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; H10W20/032; H10W20/033; H10W20/035

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 13 words
A tantalum-containing barrier film comprising alternate layers of amorphous tantalum and tantalum nitride.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 14 words
A contact comprising alternating layers of amorphous tantalum and tantalum nitride coated with copper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
A conductive via comprising a first layer of amorphous tantalum, a second layer of tantalum nitride and copper to fill the via.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 42 words
A method of making amorphous barrier layers in an opening to be filled with copper comprising a) sputter depositing a first amorphous tantalum layer; b) sputter depositing a second amorphous tantalum nitride layer to line the bottom and sidewalls of the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein steps a) and b) are repeated until the desired thickness of the liner is obtained.

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