Plasma induced depletion of fluorine from surfaces of fluorinated low-k dielectric materials
US6846737B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A low dielectric constant material having a first fluorine concentration in a near-surface portion and a second fluorine concentration in an interior portion provides an insulator suitable for use in integrated circuits. In a further aspect of the present invention, fluorine is depleted from a near-surface portion of a fluorine containing dielectric material by a reducing plasma. Fluorine in fluorinated low-k dielectric materials, such as SiOF, amorphous fluorinated carbon (a-F:C) and parylene-AF4, can react with surrounding materials such as metals and Si3N4, causing blisters and delamination. Treatment of these fluorinated low-k dielectric materials in a reducing plasma, which may be produced from precursor gases such as H2 or NH3, depletes the surface region of fluorine and hence reduces reaction with surrounding materials and F outgassing. By selecting an appropriate point in the integration flow, specific interfaces which are most susceptible to F-attack can be targeted for depletion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.