US6140231A
Expired / Lapsed
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Robust diffusion barrier for Cu metallization
Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co TSMC Ltd
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Filing: 1999-02-12
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Granted: 2000-10-31
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Expires: 2019-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A new method of forming a stacked tantalum nitride barrier layer to prevent copper diffusion is described. Semiconductor device structures are provided in and on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structures are covered with an insulating layer. A via is opened through the insulating layer to one of the underlying semiconductor device structures. A stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer is conformally deposited within the via. A layer of copper is deposited overlying the stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer to complete copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device. The stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer has misaligned grain boundaries. This prevents diffusion of copper into the dielectric layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Chung-Shi Lin
- 👤 Shau-Lin Shu
- 👤 Chen-Hua Yu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:23
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; H10W20/032; H10W20/033; H10W20/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein said semiconductor device structures include silicided gate electrodes and associated silicided source and drain regions and lower level metallization; covering said semiconductor device structures with an insulating layer; opening a via through said insulating layer to one of said underlying semiconductor device structures; conformally depositing a stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer within said via wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises a first layer of TaN and a second layer of Ta 2 N and wherein grain boundaries of said TaN layer and said Ta 2 N layer are misaligned; and depositing a layer of copper overlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer to complete said copper metallization in the fabrication of said integrated circuit device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein said semiconductor device structures include silicided gate electrodes and associated silicided source and drain regions and lower level metallization; covering said semiconductor device structures with an insulating layer; opening a via through said insulating layer to one of said underlying semiconductor device structures; conformally depositing a stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer within said via wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises a first layer of TaN and a second layer of Ta 2 N and wherein grain boundaries of said TaN layer and said Ta 2 N layer are misaligned; and depositing a layer of copper overlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer to complete said copper metallization in the fabrication of said integrated circuit device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising depositing a tantalum layer underlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of depositing said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises: depositing a first layer of TaN within said via opening; and depositing a second layer of Ta 2 N overlying said TaN layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of depositing said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises: depositing a first layer of Ta 2 N within said via opening; and depositing a second layer of TaN overlying said Ta 2 N layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said TaN layer has a face-centered cubic structure and wherein said Ta 2 N layer has a hexagonal closed package structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said TaN layer has a face-centered cubic structure and wherein said Ta 2 N layer has an amorphous structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer prevents copper diffusion into said insulating layer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein said semiconductor device structures include silicided gate electrodes and associated silicided source and drain regions and lower level metallization; covering said semiconductor device structures with an insulating layer; opening a via through said insulating layer to one of said underlying semiconductor device structures; conformally depositing a stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer within said via wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises a first layer of TaN and a second layer of Ta 2 N wherein said TaN layer has a face-centered cubic structure and wherein said Ta 2 N layer has a hexagonal closed package structure and wherein grain boundaries of said TaN layer and said Ta 2 N layer are misaligned; and depositing a layer of copper overlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer to complete said copper metallization in the fabrication of said integrated circuit device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein said semiconductor device structures include silicided gate electrodes and associated silicided source and drain regions and lower level metallization; covering said semiconductor device structures with an insulating layer; opening a via through said insulating layer to one of said underlying semiconductor device structures; conformally depositing a stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer within said via wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises a first layer of TaN and a second layer of Ta 2 N wherein said TaN layer has a face-centered cubic structure and wherein said Ta 2 N layer has a hexagonal closed package structure and wherein grain boundaries of said TaN layer and said Ta 2 N layer are misaligned; and depositing a layer of copper overlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer to complete said copper metallization in the fabrication of said integrated circuit device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising depositing a tantalum layer underlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said step of depositing said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises: depositing a first layer of TaN within said via opening; and depositing a second layer of Ta 2 N overlying said TaN layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said step of depositing said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises: depositing a first layer of Ta 2 N within said via opening; and depositing a second layer of TaN overlying said Ta 2 N layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer prevents copper diffusion into said insulating layer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein said semiconductor device structures include silicided gate electrodes and associated silicided source and drain regions and lower level metallization; covering said semiconductor device structures with an insulating layer; opening a via through said insulating layer to one of said underlying semiconductor device structures; depositing a tantalum layer within said via; conformally depositing a stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer within said via overlying said tantalum layer wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises a layer of TaN overlying a layer of Ta 2 N wherein said TaN layer has a face-centered cubic structure and wherein said Ta 2 N layer has an amorphous structure and wherein the grain boundaries of said TaN and said Ta 2 N layers are misaligned; and depositing a layer of copper overlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer wherein said misaligned grain boundaries prevents said copper from diffusing through said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer into said insulating layer to complete said copper metallization in the fabrication of said integrated circuit device.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of copper metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein said semiconductor device structures include silicided gate electrodes and associated silicided source and drain regions and lower level metallization; covering said semiconductor device structures with an insulating layer; opening a via through said insulating layer to one of said underlying semiconductor device structures; depositing a tantalum layer within said via; conformally depositing a stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer within said via overlying said tantalum layer wherein said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer comprises a layer of TaN overlying a layer of Ta 2 N wherein said TaN layer has a face-centered cubic structure and wherein said Ta 2 N layer has an amorphous structure and wherein the grain boundaries of said TaN and said Ta 2 N layers are misaligned; and depositing a layer of copper overlying said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer wherein said misaligned grain boundaries prevents said copper from diffusing through said stacked mode tantalum nitride barrier layer into said insulating layer to complete said copper metallization in the fabrication of said integrated circuit device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said TaN layer is formed by reactive ion sputtering using a tantalum target and N 2 gas flowed at between about 15 and 20 sccm and wherein said Ta 2 N layer is formed by reactive ion sputtering using a tantalum target and N 2 gas flowed at between about 10 and 25 sccm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said TaN layer is formed by reactive ion sputtering using a tantalum target and N 2 gas flowed at between about 15 and 20 sccm and wherein said Ta 2 N layer is formed by reactive ion sputtering using a tantalum target and N 2 gas flowed at between about 10 and 25 sccm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said TaN layer is formed by reactive ion sputtering using a tantalum target and N 2 gas flowed at between about 15 and 20 sccm and wherein said Ta 2 N layer is formed by reactive ion sputtering using a tantalum target and N 2 gas flowed at between about 10 and 25 sccm.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |