Advanced Micro Devices Corporation

Globalfoundries Inc.

Jonathan B Smith

Paul Raymond Besser

Eric M Apelgren

Jeremy Isaac Martin

Christian Zistl

Srikanteswara Dakshina-Murthy

Nicholas John Kepler

Lie Larry Zhao

Ming-Ren Lin

James N Pan

Nick Kepler

Fred Cheung

Larry Zhao

C Bradford Hopper

Srikantewara Dakshina-Murthy

The present invention is directed to a method of forming semiconductor devices. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises defining a photoresist feature having a first size in a layer of photoresist that is formed above a layer of dielectric material. The method further comprises reducing the first size of the photoresist feature to produce a reduced size photoresist feature, forming an opening in the layer of dielectric material under the reduced size photoresist feature, and forming a conductive material in the opening in the layer of dielectric material.

Resist trim process to define small openings in dielectric layers

Methods are provided for fabricating a semiconductor device having an impurity doped region in a silicon substrate. The method comprises forming a metal silicide layer electrically contacting the impurity doped region and depositing a conductive layer overlying and electrically contacting the metal silicide layer. A dielectric layer is deposited overlying the conductive layer and an opening is etched through the dielectric layer to expose a portion of the conductive layer. A conductive material is selectively deposited to fill the opening and to electrically contact the impurity doped region.

Methods for fabricating a semiconductor device, which include selectively depositing an electrically conductive material

A method is provided, the method comprising forming a first conductive structure, and forming a first dielectric layer above the first conductive structure. The method also comprises densifying a portion of the first dielectric layer above at least a portion of the first conductive structure, and forming a first opening in the densified portion of the first dielectric layer.

Sidewall treatment for low dielectric constant (low K) materials by ion implantation

The present invention is directed to a method of forming semiconductor devices. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a layer of dielectric material, forming a hard mask layer above the layer of dielectric material, and forming an opening in the hard mask layer. The method further comprises forming a sidewall spacer in the opening in the hard mask layer that defines a reduced opening, forming an opening in the layer of dielectric material below the reduced opening, and forming a conductive interconnection in the opening in the dielectric layer.

Method of defining small openings in dielectric layers

The present invention is directed to semiconductor processing operations. In one illustrative embodiment, the invention comprises providing a wafer having a layer of photoresist formed thereabove, positioning the layer of photoresist in contact with a polishing pad or a polishing tool, and rotating at least one of the wafer and the polishing pad to remove substantially all of the layers of photoresist.

Photoresist removal using a polishing tool

A method includes providing at least one wafer having a process layer formed thereon for polishing. The process layer is polished using a first polishing process that is associated with a slurry having a first abrasive particle size. The process layer is polished using a second polishing process that is associated with a slurry having a second abrasive particle size that is different from the first abrasive particle size. A system includes a polishing tool and a process controller. The polishing tool is adapted to receive at least one wafer having a process layer formed thereon for polishing. The polishing tool is adapted to polish the process layer using a first polishing process that is associated with a slurry having a first abrasive particle size. The polishing tool is adapted to polish the process layer using a second polishing process that is associated with a slurry having a second abrasive particle size that is different from the first abrasive particle size. The process controller is coupled to the polishing tool and adapted to communicate with at least one of a slurry controller and the polishing tool.

Dual slurry particle sizes for reducing microscratching of wafers

A method is provided for forming a conductive interconnect, the method comprising forming a first dielectric layer above a structure layer, forming a first opening in the first dielectric layer, and forming a first conductive structure in the first opening. The method also comprises forming a second dielectric layer above the first dielectric layer and above the first conductive structure, forming a second opening in the second dielectric layer above at least a portion of the first conductive structure, the second opening having a side surface and a bottom surface, and forming at least one barrier metal layer in the second opening on the side surface and on the bottom surface. In addition, the method comprises removing a portion of the at least one barrier metal layer from the bottom surface, and forming a second conductive structure in the second opening, the second conductive structure contacting the at least the portion of the first conductive structure. The method further comprises forming the conductive interconnect by annealing the second conductive structure and the first conductive structure.

Reverse electroplating of barrier metal layer to improve electromigration performance in copper interconnect devices

Spin-on coatings are applied by ramping-up the exhaust level in the spin coating chamber to achieve a predetermined minimum exhaustion level prior to accelerating rotation of the coating substrate to a high speed to effect spreading of the coating fluid. The resulting spun-on coatings exhibit reduced defect formation and reduced aerosol particle redeposition thereon.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Jonathan B Smith