Patent · US Expired

Solution to black diamond film delamination problem

US6483173B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
2References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 31, 2001
Grant dateNov 19, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 31, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Low k dielectrics such as black diamond have a tendency to delaminate from the edges of a silicon wafer, causing multiple problems, including blinding of the alignment mark. This problem has been overcome by inserting a layer of silicon nitride between the low k layer and the substrate. A key requirement is that said layer of silicon nitride be under substantial compressive stress (at least 5×109 dynes/cm2). In the case of a layer of black diamond, on which material the invention is particularly focused, a nucleating layer is also inserted between the silicon nitride and the black diamond. A process for laying down the required layers is described together with an example of applying the invention to a dual damascene structure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.