Fluorine contamination control in semiconductor manufacturing process

Abstract

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin over a substrate, forming a polysilicon gate structure over the fin, and replacing the polysilicon gate structure with a metal gate structure. Replacing of the polysilicon gate structure includes depositing a work function metal layer over the fin, performing a sublimation process on a non-fluorine based metal precursor to produce a gaseous non-fluorine based metal precursor, and depositing a substantially fluorine-free metal layer over the work function metal layer based on the gaseous non-fluorine based metal precursor. The substantially fluorine-free metal layer includes an amount of fluorine less than about 5 atomic percent. An example benefit includes reduction or elimination of diffusion of fluorine contaminants from a gate metal fill layer into its underlying layers and from conductive layers into diffusion barrier layers and silicide layers of source/drain contact structures and consequently, the reduction of the negative impact of these fluorine contaminants on device performance.