Patent · US Active

Multistep method of depositing metal seed layers

US7682966B1 · kind B1 · utility

26Cited by
120References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 1, 2007
Grant dateMar 23, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 3, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/76873
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Metal seed layers are deposited on a semiconductor substrate having recessed features by a method that involves at least three operations. In this method, a first layer of metal is deposited onto the substrate to cover at least the bottom portions of the recessed features. The first layer of metal is subsequently redistributed to improve sidewall coverage of the recessed features. Next, a second layer of metal is deposited on at least the field region of the substrate and on the bottom portions of the recessed features. The method can be implemented using a PVD apparatus that allows deposition and resputtering operations. This sequence of operations can afford seed layers with improved step coverage. It also leads to decreased formation of voids in interconnects, and to improved resistance characteristics of formed IC devices.

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