Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of forming an electrical interconnect, comprising the steps of: forming a first electrically insulating layer on a substrate; forming a contact hole in the first electrically insulating layer; forming a first electrically conductive region in the contact hole; removing a portion of the first electrically insulating layer to define a recess therein which exposes a sidewall of the first electrically conductive region; and forming a second electrically conductive region in the recess.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of forming an electrical interconnect, comprising the steps of: forming a first electrically insulating layer on a substrate; forming a contact hole in the first electrically insulating layer; forming a first electrically conductive region in the contact hole; removing a portion of the first electrically insulating layer to define a recess therein which exposes a sidewall of the first electrically conductive region; and forming a second electrically conductive region in the recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming a first electrically conductive region comprises forming a first electrically conductive region in the contact hole and on an upper surface of the first electrically insulating layer; and wherein said removing step is preceded by the step of planarizing the first electrically conductive region to expose the first electrically insulating layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said removing step comprises etching the first electrically insulating layer to define a recess which surrounds the first electrically conductive region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of forming a first electrically conductive region in the contact hole is preceded by the step of conformable depositing a first barrier metal layer on the upper surface of the first electrically insulating layer and in the contact hole; and wherein said removing step comprises removing a portion of the first electrically insulating layer to define a recess therein which exposes the first barrier metal layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said step of forming a second electrically conductive region in the recess is preceded by the step of conformable depositing a second barrier metal layer in the recess, in ohmic contact with the first barrier metal layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of forming a second electrically conductive region in the recess is followed by the step of planarizing the second electrically conductive region and the second barrier metal layer to expose the first electrically conductive region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said step of forming a first electrically insulating layer on the face is preceded by the step of forming an underlying metal layer on the substrate; and wherein said step of forming a contact hole comprises forming a contact hole in the first electrically insulating layer to expose the underlying metal layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of forming a first electrically conductive region comprises depositing a metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten, titanium, titanium nitride and aluminum and alloys thereof, in the contact hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said step of forming a second electrically conductive region comprises forming a second electrically conductive region comprising a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, tungsten, titanium, tantalum and cobalt and alloys thereof, in the recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said step of planarizing the second electrically conductive region comprises chemically-mechanically polishing or etching the second electrically conductive region and the second barrier metal layer to expose the first electrically conductive region.