Process for CMP removal of excess trench or via filler metal which inhibits formation of concave regions on oxide surface of integrated circuit structure
US6391768B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/7684
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A process-is disclosed for planarizing an integrated circuit structure by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) after filling, with at least one metal, a plurality of trenches and/or vias formed in a silicon oxide layer on the integrated circuit structure. The process, which is capable of inhibiting formation of concave surface portions on the silicon oxide surface, during the CMP process, in regions where said trenches and/or vias are closely spaced apart, comprises forming, over a layer of silicon oxide of an integrated circuit structure, an antireflective coating (ARC) layer of dielectric material capable of functioning as a stop layer in a CMP process to remove metal; and using this ARC layer as a stop layer to assist in removal of excess metal used to fill trenches and/or vias formed in the oxide layer. The particular material chosen for the ARC layer should have a lower etch rate, in a CMP process to remove metal, than does the underlying oxide dielectric layer. Trenches and/or vias are formed through the ARC layer and the oxide dielectric layer. These trenches and/or vias are then filled by depositing at least one metal layer over the ARC layer. Excess trench and/or via filler…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.