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:
Oct. 05, 2010
Filed:
Jul. 11, 2008
Guoqing Chen, Shanghai, CN;
Guoqing Chen, Shanghai, CN;
Abstract
An integrated circuit interconnect structure. The structure includes a substrate and a layer of transistor elements overlying the substrate. A first interlayer dielectric layer is formed overlying the layer of transistor elements. An etch stop layer is formed overlying the first interlayer dielectric layer. A contact structure including metallization is within the first interlayer dielectric layer and a metal layer is coupled to the contact structure. A passivation layer is formed overlying the metal layer. Preferably, an air gap layer is coupled between the passivation layer and the metal layer, the air gap layer allowing a portion of the metal layer to be free standing. Depending upon the embodiment, a portion of the air gap layer may be filled with silicon bearing nanoparticles, which may be oxidized at low temperatures. This oxidized layer provides mechanical support and low k dielectric characteristics. Preferably, a portion of the air gap layer is filled with a low k dielectric material as well.