Low-temperature sputtering system and method for salicide process
US6627543B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/2855
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are methods and systems for forming salicide, in which a semiconductor substrate is provided with at least one exposed silicon surface. The semiconductor substrate is placed into a sputtering chamber. A silicide-forming metal layer, formed of a metal such as Co, Ni, is sputter-deposited over the exposed silicon surface. A process temperature is controlled below room temperature during the sputter deposition and preferably between approximately 0° C. to 10° C. The silicide-forming metal layer formed on the exposed silicon surface is first annealed to convert the silicide-forming metal layer into a salicide layer. Also, the system of the present invention is comprised of a sputter chamber including a mount for mounting a semiconductor substrate and a cooling mechanism coupled with the mount for cooling the semiconductor substrate. The cooling mechanism includes a controller to maintain a process temperature below room temperature. Improved device characteristics such as increased charge-to-breakdown can be achieved in the devices according to the present invention compared to the devices with high-temperature sputtered salicide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.