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:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 09, 1999
Srinivas Gandikota, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Dennis Cong, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Liang Chen, Foster City, CA (US);
Sesh Ramaswami, Saratoga, CA (US);
Daniel Carl, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for improving the adhesion of copper and other metal-comprising conductive metals to a barrier layer. A barrier layer is provided that has a first surface that is substantially unoxidized, wherein at least a portion of the first surface is free from the presence of oxygen atoms. A conductive layer is then deposited onto the first surface of the barrier layer. The substantially unoxidized state of the first surface enhances the adhesion of the metal-comprising layer to the barrier layer. The method is particularly useful in obtaining excellent adhesion of a copper nucleation layer to an underlying barrier layer surface.