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US6069072A
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US
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CVD tin barrier layer for reduced electromigration of aluminum plugs
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1998-04-15
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2018-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A structure and method incorporating a CVD TiN barrier layer 230 over the aluminum plug 220 in order to prevent the high plug resistance caused by the blanket metal film stack 240, 250, and 260 deposition process. Unlike physical vapor deposited (PVD) TiN, CVD TiN 230 does not react with the aluminum 220 during annealing. CVD TiN has also been shown to be a better diffusion barrier for aluminum than PVD TiN. In addition, CVD TiN will disrupt any unfavorable grain boundary propagation through the aluminum plug which may act as a source of electromigration failure. Therefore, the CVD TiN 230 can increase the electromigration resistance, without increasing the contact/via resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J. Konecni
- 👤 Girish Anant Dixit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:54
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/06; C23C16/18; C23C16/20; C23C16/22; C23C16/30; C23C16/34; H; H10; H10P; H10P14/00; H10P14/40; H10P14/412; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; H10W20/032; H10W20/40; H10W20/41; H10W20/425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit structure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a dielectric having at least one opening; (b) depositing a first metal layer consisting primarily of aluminum within said at least one opening of said dielectric layer; (c) chemical vapor depositing a layer comprising predominantly titanium nitride directly onto said said first metal layer at a temperature less than 400 degrees C. without ion bombardment; and (d) depositing at least a second metal layer comprising predominantly aluminum over said layer of titanium nitride; whereby the electromigration resistance of said structure is increased without increasing the resistance of said first metal layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit structure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a dielectric having at least one opening; (b) depositing a first metal layer consisting primarily of aluminum within said at least one opening of said dielectric layer; (c) chemical vapor depositing a layer comprising predominantly titanium nitride directly onto said said first metal layer at a temperature less than 400 degrees C. without ion bombardment; and (d) depositing at least a second metal layer comprising predominantly aluminum over said layer of titanium nitride; whereby the electromigration resistance of said structure is increased without increasing the resistance of said first metal layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer has at least 0.5 percent atomic of silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer has at least 0.5 percent atomic of copper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer is deposited using a sputter-reflow process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer is deposited using a high pressure extrusion process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said layer of titanium nitride is titanium nitride carbide deposited from an aminotitanium source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, after said step of depositing said layer of titanium nitride, depositing a conductive barrier layer over said layer of titanium nitride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, after said step of depositing said second metal layer, depositing an additional conductive nitride layer over said second metal layer.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit structure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a dielectric having at least one opening; (b) depositing a first aluminum based metal layer within said at least one opening of said dielectric layer; (c) forming a region of chemical vapor deposited titanium nitride and optional non-chemically vapor deposited titanium nitride over and in contact with said first metal layer at a temperature less than 400 degrees C.; and (d) depositing a second aluminum based layer over and in contact with said region of titanium nitride; whereby the electromigration resistance of said structure is increased without increasing the resistance of said first layer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit structure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a dielectric having at least one opening; (b) depositing a first aluminum based metal layer within said at least one opening of said dielectric layer; (c) forming a region of chemical vapor deposited titanium nitride and optional non-chemically vapor deposited titanium nitride over and in contact with said first metal layer at a temperature less than 400 degrees C.; and (d) depositing a second aluminum based layer over and in contact with said region of titanium nitride; whereby the electromigration resistance of said structure is increased without increasing the resistance of said first layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said first metal layer has at least 0.5 percent atomic silicon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said first metal layer has at least 0.5 percent atomic copper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |