Hughes Aircraft Company

Spectrum Cvd, Inc.

Other

Yu C Chow

Maw-Rong Chin

J B Price

Schyi-Yi Wu

Kuan Y Liao

John Mendonca

Charles S Rhoades

Kuan-Yang Liao

A method of fabricating higher-order metal interconnection layers in a multi-level metal semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has at least one metal layer, an oxide layer disposed on the metal layer, and a metal plug disposed in the oxide layer connected to the metal layer. A reverse photoresist mask is formed on the oxide layer that is etched to form trenches therein that define the higher-order metal layer. An adhesion layer that comprises titanium tungsten or aluminum is deposited on top of the photoresist mask that contacts the metal plug. A low viscosity photoresist layer is then deposited on top of the adhesion layer. The adhesion layer and low viscosity photoresist layer are then anisotropically etched, and the low viscosity photoresist layer is then removed to expose the adhesion layer. Finally, selective metal, such as tungsten or molybdenum, for example, is deposited on top of the adhesion layer in the trench to form the higher-order metal interconnection layer. Subsequent metal levels may be fabricated by repeating the method starting with the steps of depositing the oxide over the formed higher-order metal lines and forming the metal plugs in the oxide layer.

Fully recessed interconnection scheme with titanium-tungsten and

Methods of fabricating metal interconnection lines in an integrated circuit. In general, one method comprises the steps of depositing a layer of metal on an inter-dielectric oxide layer. The layer of metal is patterned and etched to form metal interconnection lines over the oxide layer. Tungsten is selectively deposited onto the etched layer to completely form the metal interconnection lines. Additionally, in a second method, a layer of tungsten may be deposited prior to the layer of metal. This forms a metal line that is completely encapsulated in tungsten. In addition, selective tungsten employed to repair broken metal lines in a fabricated integrated circuit. The selective tungsten is deposited using a chemical vapor deposition process and is deposited onto masked and etched second level (or higher) metal lines formed in the integrated circuit. The method of selectively depositing tungsten comprises the steps of exposing the metal interconnection lines to a mixture of SiH.sub.4 at a rate between 3-10 standard cubic centimeters per minute, WF.sub.6 at a rate between 3-25 standard cubic centimeters per minute, and H.sub.2 at a rate between 25-100 standard cubic centimeters per minute. Then the exposed metal interconnection lines are processed at a pressure between 50-200 m Torr, a temperature between 250-350 degrees Celsius, and a deposition rate between 2000-10000 Angstroms per minute to form the fully interconnected metal lines. The present method improves the yields of multi-level metal integrated circuits and maximizes the potential gate usage therein. The conformal deposition of selective tungsten enhances the yields of integrated circuits and tungsten capping on aluminum metal lines, for example provides for a better electromigration resistance interconnection.

Selective tungsten interconnection for yield enhancement

A process for forming a diffusion barrier on exposed silicon and polysilicon contacts of an integrated circuit including the step of chemically vapor depositing a layer of tungsten in a self-aligned manner on the exposed contact areas. The layer of tungsten is plasma nitridated to form a tungsten nitride layer and to partially form a tungsten silicide layer adjacent the contact areas. The formation of the tungsten silicide layer is completed by thermal annealing.

Plasma-nitridated self-aligned tungsten system for VLSI interconnections

A process is disclosed for depositing tungsten non-selectively on conductors and dielectrics without the use of an adhesive interlayer. The process comprises an argon pre-treatment followed by low power plasma deposition to nucleate the tungsten. A thick, adherent layer of tungsten is then deposited.

Blanket tungsten deposition for dielectric

A process for forming a bonding layer comprising amorphous silicon, titanium, chromium, or tungsten, between the silicide and the N+ polysilicon layer is disclosed. The bonding layer is preferably less than 50 nm. thick. After the bonding layer is deposited, a silicide layer is deposited and the wafer is then sintered at 900.degree.-1000.degree. C. for ten minutes or less.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Yu C Chow