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US5283206A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of removing germanium particles precipitated in an aluminum/germanium alloy film

Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1992-06-04
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Granted: 1994-02-01
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Expires: 2012-06-04
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Abstract

Abstract A method of removing Ge particles precipitated in an Al/Ge alloy film formed over the surface of a substrate in fabricating a semiconductor device forms a Cu film over the surface of the Al/Ge alloy film in a laminate structure, subjects the laminate structure to heat treatment to make the Ge particles migrate toward the Cu film and to make the Ge particles and the Cu film interact to produce a Ge/Cu compound layer. Thus, the Ge particles precipitated in the Al/Ge alloy film are removed from the Al/Ge alloy film and, consequently, the contact resistance of the Al/Ge alloy film is reduced and the migration resistance of the Al/Ge alloy film is enhanced.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yukiyasu Sugano

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 17:52
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P95/00; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/058; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/927

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 105 words
A method of removing germanium particles precipitated in an aluminum/germanium alloy film, comprising: a first process of forming a metal film of a metal capable of producing a compound together with germanium over the surface of an aluminum/germanium alloy film formed over the surface of a substrate; and a second process of subjecting the substrate carrying the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the metal film to heat treatment at 300° C. for 30 minutes so that germanium particles precipitated in the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the metal forming the metal film interact to produce a compound, thereby removing the germanium particles from the aluminum/germanium alloy film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 105 words
A method of removing germanium particles precipitated in an aluminum/germanium alloy film, comprising: a first process of forming a metal film of a metal capable of producing a compound together with germanium over the surface of an aluminum/germanium alloy film formed over the surface of a substrate; and a second process of subjecting the substrate carrying the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the metal film to heat treatment at 300° C. for 30 minutes so that germanium particles precipitated in the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the metal forming the metal film interact to produce a compound, thereby removing the germanium particles from the aluminum/germanium alloy film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
A method of removing germanium particles according to claim 1, wherein said metal film is a copper film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method of removing germanium particles according to claim 1, wherein a barrier metal film is formed under the aluminum/germanium alloy film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the metal film is selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zr, Nb, Mo, Pd, Te, Hf, Ta, Ir and Pt.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 82 words
A method of removing germanium particles precipitated in an aluminum/germanium alloy film, comprising: forming a copper film over a surface of an aluminum/germanium alloy film formed over a surface of a substrate; and then subjecting the substrate carrying the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the copper film to a heat treatment so that germanium particles precipitated in the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the copper forming the copper film interact to produce a compound, thereby removing the germanium particles from the aluminum/germanium alloy film.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 82 words
A method of removing germanium particles precipitated in an aluminum/germanium alloy film, comprising: forming a copper film over a surface of an aluminum/germanium alloy film formed over a surface of a substrate; and then subjecting the substrate carrying the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the copper film to a heat treatment so that germanium particles precipitated in the aluminum/germanium alloy film and the copper forming the copper film interact to produce a compound, thereby removing the germanium particles from the aluminum/germanium alloy film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein a barrier metal film is formed under the aluminum/germanium alloy film.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3222630A Cited
US4908685A Cited
US4965656A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-01-31 1997-08-02 1998-02-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-01-31 2001-08-02 2002-02-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-01-31 2005-08-02 2006-02-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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