The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 01, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 20, 1996
Lawrence J Charneski, Vancouver, WA (US);
Tue Nguyen, Vancouver, WA (US);
Sharp Microelectronics Technology, Inc., Camas, WA (US);
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A method has been provided for improving the adhesion of Cu to a diffusion barrier material, such as TiN, in an integrated circuit substrate. The diffusion barrier material is exposed to either a reactive gas species, or a plasma containing a reactive gas. By removing contaminants on the surface of the diffusion barrier, and forming weak molecular bonds between the diffusion barrier surface and the reactive gas, the diffusion barrier surface is protected and prepared for Cu adhesion. Cu, breaking the bonds between the reactive gas and diffusion barrier surface, readily bonds to the diffusion material for improved adhesion between surfaces. The diffusion barrier surface, prepared with the reactive gas, allows the IC to be stored, delaying the Cu deposition to more convenient times in the IC fabrication process. An Cu conductor interface adhered to the diffusion barrier of an integrated circuit is also provided.