Advanced copper interconnect system that is compatible with existing IC wire bonding technology
First Claim
1. A process for forming electrical connection between metal wires and metal interconnects which cannot otherwise be bonded to form electrical contact therebetween, said metal wires and said metal interconnects supported over an integrated circuit structure, said metal interconnects supported in an interlayer dielectric, said process comprising:
- (a) forming at least one of said metal interconnects within said interlayer dielectric;
(b) depositing a layer of aluminum on said metal interconnects and said interlayer dielectric;
(c) patterning and etching said layer of aluminum to form an aluminum pad;
(d) depositing an insulating layer over said aluminum pad, said metal interconnects, and said interlayer dielectric;
(e) patterning and etching said insulating layer to form a bonding pad opening in said insulating layer above said aluminum pad; and
(f) bonding one of said metal wires to said aluminum pad.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process is provided which enables electrical connection to be formed between gold and aluminum wires and copper interconnects. Conventional techniques for wire bonding are ineffective for bonding gold wires or aluminum wires to copper pads or copper interconnects. A process is provided to modify the copper pads so that conventional wire bonding techniques can be employed. In the process of the present invention an aluminum pad is formed over the copper interconnects. The metal wire is then bonded to the aluminum pad using conventional wire bonding techniques. No new hardware and/or technology is required for the metal wire bonding. No new technology is required to integrate the process of the invention into existing IC fabrication processes.
75 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A process for forming electrical connection between metal wires and metal interconnects which cannot otherwise be bonded to form electrical contact therebetween, said metal wires and said metal interconnects supported over an integrated circuit structure, said metal interconnects supported in an interlayer dielectric, said process comprising:
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(a) forming at least one of said metal interconnects within said interlayer dielectric; (b) depositing a layer of aluminum on said metal interconnects and said interlayer dielectric; (c) patterning and etching said layer of aluminum to form an aluminum pad; (d) depositing an insulating layer over said aluminum pad, said metal interconnects, and said interlayer dielectric; (e) patterning and etching said insulating layer to form a bonding pad opening in said insulating layer above said aluminum pad; and (f) bonding one of said metal wires to said aluminum pad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A process for forming electrical connection between metal wires and metal interconnects which cannot otherwise be bonded to form electrical contact therebetween, said metal wires and said metal interconnects supported over an integrated circuit structure, said metal interconnects supported in an interlayer dielectric, said process comprising:
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(a) forming at least one of said metal interconnects within said interlayer dielectric; (b) depositing a first insulating layer on said metal interconnects and said interlayer dielectric; (c) patterning and etching said first insulating layer to form openings is said first insulating layer; (d) blanket depositing a layer of aluminum on said first insulating layer and said openings in said first insulating layer; (e) patterning and etching said layer of aluminum to form an aluminum pad; and (f) bonding one of said metal wires to said aluminum pad. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification