Micro Materials Inc.

Applied Materials, Inc.

Mirocmaterials LLC

Uday Mitra

Regina Germanie Freed

Ho-yung David Hwang

Ying Di Zhang

Abhijit Basu Mallick

Amrita B Mullick

Nitin K Ingle

He Ren

Susmit Singha Roy

Sanjay S Natarajan

Madhur Sachan

Srinivas D Nemani

Srinivas Gandikota

Hua Chung

Mehul B Naik

Praburam Gopalraja

Swaminathan T Srinivasan

Qingjun Zhou

Yung-chen Lin

Yingli Rao

Ellie Y Yieh

Thorsten B Lill

Xikun Wang

Meihua Shen

Weimin Zeng

El Mehdi Bazizi

Nicolas Gani

Lequn Liu

Angada Bangalore Sachid

Noel Sun

Sushant Mittal

Han-Hsiang Chen

Eric Pei

Gabriela Alva

Methods of etching a metal layer and a metal-containing barrier layer to a predetermined depth are described. In some embodiments, the metal layer and metal-containing barrier layer are formed on a substrate with a first dielectric and a second dielectric thereon. The metal layer and the metal-containing barrier layer formed within a feature in the first dielectric and the second dielectric. In some embodiments, the metal layer and metal-containing barrier layer can be sequentially etched from a feature formed in a dielectric material. In some embodiments, the sidewalls of the feature formed in a dielectric material are passivated to change the adhesion properties of the dielectric material.

Methods for controllable metal and barrier-liner recess

Apparatuses and methods to provide a fully self-aligned via are described. A first metallization layer comprises a set of first conductive lines extending along a first direction on a first insulating layer on a substrate, the set of first conductive lines recessed below a top portion of the first insulating layer. A capping layer is on the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer is on the capping layer. A second metallization layer comprises a set of second conductive lines on the second insulating layer and on a third insulating layer above the first metallization layer. The set of second conductive lines extend along a second direction that crosses the first direction at an angle. At least one via is between the first metallization layer and the second metallization layer. The via is self-aligned along the second direction to one of the first conductive lines. The tapering angle of the via opening may be in a range of from about 60&#xb0; to about 120&#xb0;.

Fully self-aligned via

Processing methods to etch metal oxide films with less etch residue are described. The methods comprise etching a metal oxide film with a metal halide etchant, and exposing the etch residue to a reductant to remove the etch residue. Some embodiments relate to etching tungsten oxide films. Some embodiments utilize tungsten halides to etch metal oxide films. Some embodiments utilize hydrogen gas as a reductant to remove etch residues.

Methods of etching metal oxides with less etch residue

Methods of forming and processing semiconductor devices are described. Certain embodiments relate to the formation of self-aligned DRAM capacitors. More particularly, certain embodiments relate to the formation of self-aligned DRAM capacitors utilizing the formation of self-aligned growth pillars. The pillars lead to greater capacitor heights, increase critical dimension uniformity, and self-aligned bottom and top contacts.

DRAM capacitor module

Apparatuses and methods to provide a fully self-aligned via are described. Some embodiments of the disclosure utilize a cap layer to protect an insulating layer in order to minimize bowing of the side walls during metal recess in a fully self-aligned via. The cap layer can be selectively removed, thus increasing the aspect ratio, by exposing the substrate to a hot phosphoric acid solution.

Selective removal process to create high aspect ratio fully self-aligned via

Apparatuses and methods to provide a fully self-aligned via are described. Some embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device having a bridging via between a first metallization and a third metallization layer, the bridging via not contacting a second metallization layers. Methods of providing self-aligned bridging vias are also described.

Method for creating a fully self-aligned via

Methods to remove metal oxides from substrate surfaces are described. Some embodiments of the disclosure utilize an aqueous alkaline solution to remove metal oxides from substrate surfaces using a wet method. Some embodiments of the disclosure are performed at atmospheric pressure and lower temperatures. Methods of forming self-aligned vias are also described.

Methods for removing metal oxides

Apparatuses and methods to provide a fully self-aligned via are described. Some embodiments of the disclosure provide an electronic device having a liner that is selectively removable when compared to conductive lines. The liner may be selectively removed by utilizing one or more of a base (e.g. sodium hydroxide) and hydrogen peroxide.

Methods and apparatus to form fully self-aligned vias are described. A seed gapfill layer is formed on a recessed first insulating layers positioned between first conductive lines. Pillars are formed from the seed gapfill layer and a second insulating layer is deposited in the gaps between pillars. The pillars are removed and a third insulating layer is deposited in the gaps in the second insulating layer to form an overburden of third insulating layer. A portion of the overburden of the third insulating layer is removed to expose the first conductive lines and form vias.

Methods of producing self-aligned vias

Methods of forming a self-aligned via comprising recessing a first metallization layer comprising a set of first conductive lines that extend along a first direction on a first insulating layer on a substrate. A second insulating layer is formed on the first insulating layer. A via is formed through the second insulating layer to one of the first conductive lines. Semiconductor devices comprising the self-aligned via and apparatus for forming the self-aligned via are also disclosed.

Selectively etched self-aligned via processes

Methods and apparatus to form fully self-aligned vias are described. Portions of first conductive lines are recessed in a first insulating layer on a substrate. A first metal film is formed in the recessed portions of the first conductive lines and pillars are formed from the first metal film. A second insulating layer is deposited around the pillars. The pillars are removed to form vias in the second insulating layer. A third insulating layer is deposited in the vias and an overburden is formed on the second insulating layer. Portions of the overburden are selectively etched from the second insulating layer to expose the second insulating layer and the filled vias and leaving portions of the third insulating layer on the second insulating layer. The third insulating layer is etched from the filled vias to form a via opening to the first conductive line.

Methods of producing self-aligned grown via

Methods and apparatus to form fully self-aligned vias are described. First conductive lines are recessed in a first insulating layer on a substrate. A first metal film is formed in the recessed first conductive lines and pillars are formed from the first metal film. Some of the pillars are selectively removed and a second insulating layer is deposited around the remaining pillar. The remaining pillars are removed to form vias in the second insulating layer. A third insulating layer is deposited in the vias and an overburden is formed on the second insulating layer. Portions of the overburden are selectively etched from the second insulating layer to expose the second insulating layer and the filled vias and leaving portions of the third insulating layer on the second insulating layer. The third insulating layer is etched from the filled vias to form a via opening to the first conductive line.

Methods of producing fully self-aligned vias and contacts

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Uday Mitra