Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having multilevel interconnections comprising: forming a lower interconnecting layer through a first interlayer insulation film on a semiconductor substrate wherein the lower interconnecting layer is an Al-based metal layer, forming a second interlayer insulation film on said lower interconnecting layer and forming a contact hole in said second interlayer insulation film so as to expose a portion of said lower interconnecting layer; removing a native oxide film formed on said lower interconnecting layer, said removing being performed by non-oxidative plasma processing using a plasma processing device having a plasma generation source generating a plasma density of between 1×10 11 /cm 3 and 1×10 14 /cm 3 , while applying a substrate bias voltage; and forming an upper interconnecting layer after removing the native oxide film so as to fill said contact hole and contact said lower interconnecting layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having multilevel interconnections comprising: forming a lower interconnecting layer through a first interlayer insulation film on a semiconductor substrate wherein the lower interconnecting layer is an Al-based metal layer, forming a second interlayer insulation film on said lower interconnecting layer and forming a contact hole in said second interlayer insulation film so as to expose a portion of said lower interconnecting layer; removing a native oxide film formed on said lower interconnecting layer, said removing being performed by non-oxidative plasma processing using a plasma processing device having a plasma generation source generating a plasma density of between 1×10 11 /cm 3 and 1×10 14 /cm 3 , while applying a substrate bias voltage; and forming an upper interconnecting layer after removing the native oxide film so as to fill said contact hole and contact said lower interconnecting layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 1, wherein the substrate bias voltage is between 200 V and 800 V.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 1, wherein the plasma processing device is constructed such that a power source for said plasma generation source and a substrate bias voltage can be controlled independently.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 1, wherein the plasma processing device is a ECR plasma processing device, an ICP processing device, a TCP processing device or a helicon wave plasma processing device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 1, wherein said removing the native oxide film and forming the upper interconnecting layer are conducted in sequence while said semiconductor device is constantly exposed to a vacuum.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having multilevel interconnections comprising: forming a lower interconnecting layer through a first interlayer insulation film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a second interlayer insulation film on said lower interconnecting layer and forming a contact hole in said second interlayer insulation film so as to expose a portion of said lower interconnecting layer; removing a native oxide film formed on said lower interconnecting layer, said removing being performed by non-oxidative plasma processing using a plasma processing device having a plasma generation source generating a plasma density of between 1×10 11 /cm 3 and 1×10 14 /cm 3 , while applying a substrate bias voltage; and forming an upper interconnecting layer after removing the native oxide film so as to fill said contact hole and contact said lower interconnecting layer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having multilevel interconnections comprising: forming a lower interconnecting layer through a first interlayer insulation film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a second interlayer insulation film on said lower interconnecting layer and forming a contact hole in said second interlayer insulation film so as to expose a portion of said lower interconnecting layer; removing a native oxide film formed on said lower interconnecting layer, said removing being performed by non-oxidative plasma processing using a plasma processing device having a plasma generation source generating a plasma density of between 1×10 11 /cm 3 and 1×10 14 /cm 3 , while applying a substrate bias voltage; and forming an upper interconnecting layer after removing the native oxide film so as to fill said contact hole and contact said lower interconnecting layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein the substrate bias voltage is between 200 V and 800 V.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein the plasma processing device is adapted such that a power source for said plasma generation source and a substrate bias voltage can be controlled independently.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said removing the native oxide film and forming the upper interconnecting layer are conducted in sequence while said semiconductor substrate is constantly exposed to a vacuum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said removing a native oxide film further comprises: placing said semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber of said plasma processing device; and generating a plasma with an induction coupling coil disposed on lateral sides of said plasma processing chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said removing a native oxide film further comprises: placing said semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber of said plasma processing device; and generating a plasma with TCP coils disposed on an upper surface of said plasma processing chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said removing a native oxide film further comprises: placing said semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber of said plasma processing device to which is connected a plasma generation chamber; and generating a plasma with microwaves emitted into said plasma generation chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said removing a native oxide film further comprises: placing said semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber of said plasma processing device to which is connected a plasma generation chamber; and generating a plasma with a helicon wave antenna disposed on said plasma generation chamber, wherein solenoid coils are disposed around said plasma generation chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said removing a native oxide film further comprises: placing said semiconductor substrate on a stage in a plasma processing chamber of said plasma processing device; adjusting the position of said stage within said plasma processing chamber to expose said semiconductor substrate to a plasma.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said substrate has a diameter of 8 inches or more.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 14, wherein said substrate bias voltage is 250 V.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device as defined in claim 6, wherein said substrate bias voltage is 200 V.