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EP0881673A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Sub-quarter-micron copper interconnections with improved electromigration resistance and reduced defect sensitivity

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1998-05-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-05-08
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Abstract

Abstract A method of providing sub-half-micron copper interconnections with improved electromigration and corrosion resistance. The method includes double damascene using electroplated copper, where the seed layer is deposited by chemical vapor deposition, or by physical vapor deposition in a layer less than about 800 angstroms.

Inventors

  • 👤 Leon Ashley
  • 👤 Hormazdyar M. Dalal
  • 👤 Du Binh Nguyen
  • 👤 Hazara S. Rathore
  • 👤 Richard G. Smith
  • 👤 Alexander J. Swinton
  • 👤 Richard A. Wachnik

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 02:30
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; H10W20/032; H10W20/033; H10W20/035; H10W20/036; H10W20/037; H10W20/042; H10W20/043; H10W20/047; H10W20/049; H10W20/055; H10W20/056

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 107 words
A method for forming multilevel interconnections of copper lines isolated from one another by dielectric insulation for making contacts to electrical features in a substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a substrate having a dielectric insulation layer to receive copper lines in a defined pattern; (b) subsequently depositing in said pattern a seed layer of copper by a process selected from the group consisting of chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition, wherein said seed layer has a thickness less than about 2000 angstroms; (c) depositing over the copper seed layer by a different process a layer of copper to substantially fill said pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the step of depositing a metallic liner in said pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 78 words
The method of claim 1 further including, prior to depositing the copper seed layer, the step of: (i) depositing in said pattern a layer of an element capable of forming an intermetallic compound with copper; and subsequent to depositing the layer of copper which substantially fills said pattern, the step of: (ii) heating the substrate to react the intermetallic forming element with said layer of copper which substantially fills said pattern to form a layer of intermetallic compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the intermetallic forming element is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, lanthanum, titanium, tin and zirconium.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 18 words
The method of claims 1 to 4 wherein the copper seed layer is deposited by chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the chemical vapor deposition copper layer has a thickness of about 50 to 2000 angstroms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the chemical vapor deposition copper layer has a thickness of about 100 to 700 angstroms.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 18 words
The method of claims 1 to 4 wherein the copper seed layer is deposited by physical vapor deposition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the physical vapor deposition is by copper sputtering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the physical vapor deposition is by copper evaporation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the physical vapor deposition copper layer has a thickness below about 600 angstroms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the copper seed layer has a thickness less than about 800 angstroms.

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