Processes and systems for engineering a barrier surface for copper deposition
US8241701B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/76879
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The embodiments fill the need to enhance electro-migration performance, provide lower metal resistivity, and improve metal-to-metal interfacial adhesion for copper interconnects by providing improved processes and systems that produce an improved metal-to-metal interface, more specifically barrier-to-copper interface. An exemplary method of preparing a substrate surface of a substrate to deposit a metallic barrier layer to line a copper interconnect structure of the substrate and to deposit a thin copper seed layer on a surface of the metallic barrier layer in an integrated system to improve electromigration performance of the copper interconnect is provided. The method includes cleaning an exposed surface of a underlying metal to remove surface metal oxide in the integrated system, wherein the underlying metal is part of a underlying interconnect electrically connected to the copper interconnect. The method also includes depositing the metallic barrier layer to line the copper interconnect structure in the integrated system, wherein after depositing the metallic barrier layer, the substrate is transferred and processed in controlled environment to prevent the formation of metallic…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.