Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A semiconductor device, comprising: a substrate; an insulating layer formed on said substrate; an opening formed in said insulating layer, said opening including a bottom surface comprised of a portion of said substrate; a diffusion barrier layer formed on said bottom surface of said opening and on walls of said insulating layer defining said opening, said diffusion barrier layer being comprised of at least first and second sub-layers; a nucleation layer formed on said diffusion barrier layer, said nucleation layer containing hydrogen; a first metal layer formed on said nucleation layer, said first metal layer including a plug portion filling said opening; an intermediate layer formed on said first metal layer, upper edges of said diffusion barrier layer and said nucleation layer, and surface portions of said insulating layer adjacent to said opening; and, a second metal layer formed on said intermediate layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A semiconductor device, comprising: a substrate; an insulating layer formed on said substrate; an opening formed in said insulating layer, said opening including a bottom surface comprised of a portion of said substrate; a diffusion barrier layer formed on said bottom surface of said opening and on walls of said insulating layer defining said opening, said diffusion barrier layer being comprised of at least first and second sub-layers; a nucleation layer formed on said diffusion barrier layer, said nucleation layer containing hydrogen; a first metal layer formed on said nucleation layer, said first metal layer including a plug portion filling said opening; an intermediate layer formed on said first metal layer, upper edges of said diffusion barrier layer and said nucleation layer, and surface portions of said insulating layer adjacent to said opening; and, a second metal layer formed on said intermediate layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said nucleation layer is comprised of a silylation layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said nucleation layer comprises silicon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said nucleation layer comprises copper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said nucleation layer comprises a silicon-copper composite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first sub-layer of said diffusion barrier layer is comprised of a refractory metal, and said second sub-layer of said diffusion barrier layer is comprised of a refractory metal composite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said refractory metal is titanium, and said refractory metal composite is titanium nitride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second sub-layers of said diffusion barrier layer are each comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of refractory metals and refractory metal composites.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a semiconductor substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said nucleation layer is comprised of a hydrogen-treated layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a further diffusion barrier layer having a <111>crystal orientation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
A semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; an insulating layer formed on said substrate; an opening formed in said insulating layer, said opening including a bottom surface comprised of a portion of said substrate; a diffusion barrier layer formed on said bottom surface of said opening and on walls of said insulating layer defining said opening, said diffusion barrier layer being comprised of at least first and second sub-layers and an oxide layer; a nucleation layer formed on said diffusion barrier layer; a first metal layer formed on said nucleation layer, said first metal layer including a plug portion filling said opening; an intermediate layer comprising at least one of titanium and titanium nitride, formed on said first metal layer, upper edges of said diffusion barrier layer and said nucleation layer, and surface portions of said insulating layer adjacent to said opening; and, a second metal layer formed on said intermediate layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
A semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; an insulating layer formed on said substrate; an opening formed in said insulating layer, said opening including a bottom surface comprised of a portion of said substrate; a diffusion barrier layer formed on said bottom surface of said opening and on walls of said insulating layer defining said opening, said diffusion barrier layer being comprised of at least first and second sub-layers and an oxide layer; a nucleation layer formed on said diffusion barrier layer; a first metal layer formed on said nucleation layer, said first metal layer including a plug portion filling said opening; an intermediate layer comprising at least one of titanium and titanium nitride, formed on said first metal layer, upper edges of said diffusion barrier layer and said nucleation layer, and surface portions of said insulating layer adjacent to said opening; and, a second metal layer formed on said intermediate layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The semiconductor device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said substrate comprises a semiconductor substrate.