Intel Corporation

National Semiconductor Corporation

Digital Equipment Corporation

Sematech, Inc.

Sing-Mo H Tzeng

Chien Chiang

David B Fraser

Janos Farkas

Rahul Jairath

Chuanbin Pan

Vicky M Ochoa

Matt Stell

A process for forming air gaps in an interconnect system is disclosed. At least two conductive lines are formed upon a substrate. A low-dielectric constant material (LDCM) is formed between the at least two conductive lines. Formation of the LDCM creates first and second adhesive forces between the LDCM and the at least two conductive lines and between the LDCM and the substrate, respectively. The LDCM is expanded. A dielectric layer is formed onto the LDCM and the at least two conductive lines. Formation of the dielectric layer creates a third adhesive force between the LDCM and the dielectric layer. The LDCM is contracted. Contraction of the LDCM resulting from a fourth force within the LDCM. Each of the first, second, and third adhesive forces are substantially stronger than the fourth force.

Method for forming air gaps for advanced interconnect systems

A method of using additives with silica-based slurries to enhance metal selectivity in polishing metallic materials utilizing a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process. Additives are used with silica-based slurries to passivate a dielectric surface, such as a silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) surface, of a semiconductor wafer so that dielectric removal rate is reduced when CMP is applied. The additive is comprised of at least a polar component and an apolar component. The additive interacts with the surface silanol group of the SiO.sub.2 surface to inhibit particles of the silica-based slurry from interacting with hydroxyl molecules of the surface silanol group. By applying a surface passivation layer on the SiO.sub.2 surface, erosion of the SiO.sub.2 surface is reduced. However, the metallic surface is not influenced significantly by the additive, so that the selectivity of metal removal over oxide removal is enhanced.

Method of using additives with silica-based slurries to enhance

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Sing-Mo H Tzeng