Patent · US Expired

Method to improve mechanical strength of low-k dielectric film using modulated UV exposure

US7253125B1 · kind B1 · utility

68Cited by
64References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 16, 2004
Grant dateAug 7, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 2, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/02274
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for improving mechanical properties of a dielectric film on a substrate are provided. In some embodiments, the dielectric film is a carbon-doped oxide (CDO). The methods involve the use of modulated ultraviolet radiation to increase the mechanical strength while limiting shrinkage and limiting any increases in the dielectric constant of the film. Methods improve film hardness, modulus and cohesive strength, which provide better integration capability and improved performance in the subsequent device fabrication procedures such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and packaging.

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