Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080282535 | METHOD OF FABRICATING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A method of fabricating an integrated circuit, including a functional layer on a substrate is disclosed. One embodiment includes providing a substrate in a process atmosphere. A first precursor and a second precursor are provided in the process atmosphere. The first precursor is removed from the process atmosphere. A third precursor is provided in the process atmosphere. | 11-20-2008 |
20080316675 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A DIELECTRIC INTERLAYER AND STORAGE CAPACITOR WITH SUCH A DIELECTRIC INTERLAYER - A dielectric interlayer, especially for a storage capacitor, is formed from a layer sequence subjected to a temperature process, wherein the layer sequence has at least a first metal oxide layer and a second metal oxide layer formed by completely oxidizing a metal nitride layer to higher valency. | 12-25-2008 |
20100090264 | INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor body having interconnect between source/drain regions of a first and second transistor. The interconnect includes a metal body arranged underneath the surface of the semiconductor body. A contact element establishes electrical contact between the metal body and the source/drain regions of the first and second transistor. The contact element extends along a connecting path between the source/drain regions of the first and second transistors. Other methods, devices, and systems are also disclosed. | 04-15-2010 |
20130203266 | Methods of Forming Metal Nitride Materials - Disclosed herein are various methods of forming metal nitride layers on various types of semiconductor devices. In one example, the method includes forming a layer of insulating material above a semiconducting substrate, performing a physical vapor deposition process to form a metal nitride layer above the layer of insulating material, wherein the metal nitride layer has an intrinsic as-deposited stress level, and performing at least one process operation on the metal nitride layer to reduce a magnitude of the intrinsic as-deposited stress level in the metal nitride layer. | 08-08-2013 |
20140273436 | METHODS OF FORMING BARRIER LAYERS FOR CONDUCTIVE COPPER STRUCTURES - One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a trench/via in a layer of insulating material, forming a barrier layer in at least the trench/via, after forming said barrier layer, performing at least one process operation to introduce manganese into the barrier layer and thereby define a manganese-containing barrier layer, forming a substantially pure copper-based seed layer above the manganese-containing barrier layer, depositing a bulk copper-based material above the copper-based seed layer so as to overfill the trench/via, and removing excess materials positioned outside of the trench/via to thereby define a copper-based conductive structure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140349478 | METHOD INCLUDING AN ETCHING OF A PORTION OF AN INTERLAYER DIELECTRIC IN A SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE, A DEGAS PROCESS AND A PRECLEAN PROCESS - A method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a frontside and a backside, an electrically conductive feature including copper provided at the frontside of the substrate and a low-k interlayer dielectric provided over the electrically conductive feature. A portion of the interlayer dielectric is etched. In the etch process, a surface of the electrically conductive feature is exposed. A degas process is performed, wherein the semiconductor structure is exposed to a first gas, and wherein the semiconductor structure is heated from the backside and from the frontside. A preclean process may be performed. The preclean process may include a first phase wherein the semiconductor structure is exposed to a substantially non-ionized second gas and a second phase wherein the semiconductor structure is exposed to a plasma created from the second gas. | 11-27-2014 |
20140349479 | METHOD INCLUDING A REMOVAL OF A HARDMASK FROM A SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE AND RINSING THE SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE WITH AN ALKALINE RINSE SOLUTION - A method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes an electrically conductive feature including a first metal, a dielectric material provided over the electrically conductive feature and a hardmask. The hardmask includes a hardmask material and is provided over the dielectric material. An opening is provided in the interlayer dielectric and the hardmask. A portion of the electrically conductive feature is exposed at a bottom of the opening. The hardmask is removed. The removal of the hardmask includes exposing the semiconductor structure to an etching solution including hydrogen peroxide and a corrosion inhibitor. After the removal of the hardmask, the semiconductor structure is rinsed. Rinsing the semiconductor structure includes exposing the semiconductor structure to an alkaline rinse solution. | 11-27-2014 |
20150111316 | METHOD FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN A DIFFUSION BARRIER LAYER - A method of providing a semiconductor structure comprising a diffusion barrier layer and a seed layer, the seed layer comprising an alloy of copper and a metal other than copper, depositing an electrically conductive material on the seed layer, performing an annealing process, wherein at least a first portion of the metal other than copper diffuses away from a vicinity of the diffusion barrier layer through the electrically conductive material, and wherein, in case of a defect in the diffusion barrier layer, a second portion of the metal other than copper indicative of the defect remains in a vicinity of the defect, measuring a distribution of the metal other than copper in at least a portion of the semiconductor structure, and determining, from the measured distribution of the metal other than copper, if the second portion of the metal other than copper is present. | 04-23-2015 |