Integrated CVD/PVD Al planarization using ultra-thin nucleation layers
US6139905A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/76877
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming an interconnect with application in small feature sizes (such as quarter micron widths) having high aspect ratios. Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for depositing a wetting layer for subsequent physical vapor deposition to fill the interconnect. In one aspect of the invention, the wetting layer is a metal layer deposited using either CVD techniques or electroplating, such as CVD aluminum (Al). The wetting layer is nucleated using an ultra-thin layer, denoted as .di-elect cons. layer, as a nucleation layer. The .di-elect cons. layer is preferably comprised of a material such as Ti, TiN, Al, Ti/TiN, Ta, TaN, Cu, a flush of TDMAT or the like. The .di-elect cons. layer may be deposited using PVD or CVD techniques, preferably PVD techniques to improve film quality and orientation within the feature. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the .di-elect cons. layer is not continuous to nucleate the growth of the CVD wetting layer thereon. A PVD deposited metal is then deposited on the wetting layer at low temperature to fill the interconnect.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.