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:
Nov. 25, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 27, 2001
Yehiel Gotkis, Fremont, CA (US);
Rodney Kistler, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Leonid Romm, Fremont, CA (US);
Te Hua Lin, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Lam Research Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods for fabricating semiconductor structures having LowK dielectric properties are provided. In one example, a copper dual damascene structure is fabricated in a LowK dielectric insulator including forming a capping film over the insulator before features are defined therein. After the copper is formed in the features, the copper overburden is removed using ultra-gentle CMP, and then the barrier is removed using a dry etch process. Following barrier removal, a second etch is performed to thin the capping film. The thinning is configured to reduce the thickness of the capping film without removal, and thereby reducing the K-value of the LowK dielectric structure.