US5776831A
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Method of forming a high electromigration resistant metallization system
Assignee: Bell Semiconductor LLC
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Filing: 1995-12-27
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2015-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming a metallization system in which ohmic contact is made to a silicon surface is described. A first layer of titanium is formed over the silicon surface. This first titanium layer is subsequently annealed in a nitrogen atmosphere to convert a first portion of the layer to a layer of titanium silicide, and a second portion to a first layer of titanium nitride. The titanium silicide layer provides for the formation of an ohmic contact between the metallization system and the silicon surface. The first titanium nitride layer provides for a degree of spike resistance between the silicon surface and the metallization system. A second layer of titanium nitride is formed over the first titanium nitride layer. This second titanium nitride layer provides further spike resistance between the silicon surface and the metallization system. A second titanium layer is then formed over the second titanium nitride layer, and acts to wet the surface of the second layer of titanium nitride, and aides in the flow of subsequently deposited layers across the second titanium nitride layer. An aluminum layer is formed over the second titanium layer, for providing a low ohmic resistance path for the flow of electrons through the metallization system. Finally, a third titanium nitride layer is formed over the aluminum layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Gobi R. Padmanabhan
- 👤 Prabhakar P. Tripathi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:20
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D64/00; H10D64/01; H10D64/011; H10D64/0111
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of forming a multiple layer metallization system for making ohmic contact to a silicon surface, comprising: a) depositing a first layer of titanium over the silicon surface, b) annealing the first titanium layer in a nitrogen bearing atmosphere to convert a first portion of the first titanium layer which is adjacent the silicon surface to a titanium silicide layer, and to convert a second portion of the first titanium layer which is exposed to the nitrogen bearing atmosphere to a first titanium nitride layer with a (111) orientation, c) depositing a second titanium nitride layer with a (200) orientation over the first titanium nitride layer, d) depositing a second titanium layer with a (002) orientation over the second titanium nitride layer, e) depositing an aluminum or aluminum alloy layer with a (111) orientation over the second titanium layer, and f) depositing a third titanium nitride layer over the aluminum or aluminum alloy layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of forming a multiple layer metallization system for making ohmic contact to a silicon surface, comprising: a) depositing a first layer of titanium over the silicon surface, b) annealing the first titanium layer in a nitrogen bearing atmosphere to convert a first portion of the first titanium layer which is adjacent the silicon surface to a titanium silicide layer, and to convert a second portion of the first titanium layer which is exposed to the nitrogen bearing atmosphere to a first titanium nitride layer with a (111) orientation, c) depositing a second titanium nitride layer with a (200) orientation over the first titanium nitride layer, d) depositing a second titanium layer with a (002) orientation over the second titanium nitride layer, e) depositing an aluminum or aluminum alloy layer with a (111) orientation over the second titanium layer, and f) depositing a third titanium nitride layer over the aluminum or aluminum alloy layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first titanium layer has a thickness of from about 100 Å to about 600 Å.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first titanium layer is formed by sputtering titanium over the silicon surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the first titanium layer is about fifty percent of the thickness of the entire first titanium layer, and the second portion of the first titanium layer is about fifty percent of the thickness of the entire first titanium layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the anneal of the first titanium layer is accomplished by rapid thermal anneal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nitrogen bearing atmosphere during the anneal of the first titanium layer is provided by nitrogen gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nitrogen bearing atmosphere during the anneal of the first titanium layer is provided by ammonia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second titanium nitride layer has a thickness of between about 200 Å and about 1,000 Å.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second titanium nitride layer is formed by reactively sputtering titanium in a nitrogen environment over the first titanium nitride layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the second titanium layer is between about 100 Å and about 600 Å.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second titanium layer is formed by sputtering titanium over the second titanium nitride layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the aluminum layer is between about 6,000 Å and about 10,000 Å.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aluminum layer is formed by sputtering aluminum over the second titanium layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aluminum alloy layer further comprises an alloy of aluminum and copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aluminum alloy layer further comprises an alloy of aluminum, copper, and silicon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the third titanium nitride layer is at least about 250 Å.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the third titanium nitride layer is deposited by reactively sputtering titanium in a nitrogen atmosphere over the aluminum layer.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of forming a multiple layer metallization system for making ohmic contact to a silicon surface, comprising: a) annealing the silicon surface in a furnace at a temperature of between about 420° C. to about 450° C., b) depositing a first layer of titanium over the silicon surface, c) annealing the first titanium layer in a nitrogen bearing atmosphere to convert a first portion of the first titanium layer which is adjacent the silicon surface to a titanium silicide layer, and to convert a second portion of the first titanium layer which is exposed to the nitrogen bearing atmosphere to a first titanium nitride layer, d) depositing a second titanium nitride layer over the first titanium nitride layer, e) annealing the second titanium nitride layer in a furnace at a temperature of between about 420° C. to about 450° C., f) depositing a second titanium layer over the second titanium nitride layer, g) depositing an aluminum or aluminum alloy layer over the second titanium layer, and h) depositing a third titanium nitride layer over the aluminum or aluminum alloy layer.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of forming a multiple layer metallization system for making ohmic contact to a silicon surface, comprising: a) annealing the silicon surface in a furnace at a temperature of between about 420° C. to about 450° C., b) depositing a first layer of titanium over the silicon surface, c) annealing the first titanium layer in a nitrogen bearing atmosphere to convert a first portion of the first titanium layer which is adjacent the silicon surface to a titanium silicide layer, and to convert a second portion of the first titanium layer which is exposed to the nitrogen bearing atmosphere to a first titanium nitride layer, d) depositing a second titanium nitride layer over the first titanium nitride layer, e) annealing the second titanium nitride layer in a furnace at a temperature of between about 420° C. to about 450° C., f) depositing a second titanium layer over the second titanium nitride layer, g) depositing an aluminum or aluminum alloy layer over the second titanium layer, and h) depositing a third titanium nitride layer over the aluminum or aluminum alloy layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |