Papers by Keyword: Low-k Dielectrics

Abstract: For patterned TiN/silicon oxide/low-k dielectric stack, fluorinated etch residues were detected on the TiN surface, the dielectric sidewall and bottom, regardless of the low-k material used in the stack. XPS results showed that they consisted of polymer-based (CFx) residues deposited on trench sidewall and bottom, and metal-based (TiFx) residues mainly deposited on top surface. In terms of post-etch residue removal, the efficiency of various wet clean solutions can be clearly distinguished for CFx, and TiFx using the same patterned porous low-k stack. These results also demonstrate that the removal of both TiFx and CFx residues generated during the plasma is possible in one step with optimized chemical and process.

Abstract: Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) deposition is being recently explored to help sealing the pores of a k=2.0 material. In order to enable a covalent chemical low-k surface functionalization by SAMs, a hydroxyl groups density as high as 1 to 2.5 OH groups/nm² is required. This surface modification must be carefully controlled to confine the k below 10%. In this paper, the effects of plasma temperature, time and power on the SAMs deposition and plasma-induced damage are investigated. The main findings are that there is always a trade-off between surface hydroxyl groups density and bulk damage. A thick modified layer allows the SAM molecules to penetrate inside the pores which results in a decreased porosity and an increased k value with respect to correspondent plasma-treated pristine substrates.

Abstract: The integration of porous ultra low dielectric constant materials (ULK) for isolation within the interconnect system of integrated circuits is a promising approach to reduce RC-delays and crosstalk due to shrinking feature sizes [1]. Actually the focus is on porous CVD-SiCOH materials, which consist of a Si-O-Si backbone and organic species (e.g. CH₃) to lower polarizability and prevent moisture uptake to remarkably decrease the k-value [2]. The integration of porous low-k materials is very challenging, especially looking at patterning, resist stripping and etch residue removal, where commonly plasma processing has been applied. But plasma processing of ULK materials, especially using oxygen plasmas, is known to degrade electrical, optical and structural material properties by removing carbon from the film and densification of the surface near areas of the ULK [5]. Carbon depletion may also lead to the incorporation of-OH groups, which easily form silanols and therefore increase moisture absorption and k-values [2]. Besides the development of nondamaging plasma processes, wet cleaning is a promising alternative to avoid ULK damage while removing organic plasma etch residues. Additionally wet cleaning steps are always necessary to remove inorganic residues, which do not form volatile reaction products and can therefore not be removed by plasma processing.

Abstract: Low-k dielectric improves the switching speed by reducing the parasitic capacitance in integrated circuits. However it suffers the problem of copper diffusion. Forming gas (H2 + N2) plasma treatment on the surface of HSG-7000 low-k dielectric thin film has demonstrated to improve copper diffusion resistance. Two techniques using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) have been used to examine the copper diffusion on this thin film. A thin layer of 10 nm with C-N bonds near the HSG-7000 surface were believed to be created by the plasma treatment and confirmed with XPS and SIMS and acts as barrier.