Plasma cleaning process for openings formed in at least one low dielectric constant insulation layer over copper metallization in integrated circuit structures
First Claim
1. A process for removing etch residues from at least one opening formed in at least one layer of a low dielectric constant insulation material over a copper metal interconnect layer of an integrated circuit structure being formed on a semiconductor substrate which includes cleaning exposed portions of the surface of said copper interconnect layer at the bottom of said at least one opening, said process comprising providing a plasma to thereby remove said etch residues and to clean said exposed portions of said copper surface without causing copper to deposit on the sidewalls of said at least one opening formed in said at least one layer of said dielectric constant insulation material.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process is provided for removing etch residues from one or more openings formed in one or more layers of a low dielectric constant insulation material over a copper metal interconnect layer of an integrated circuit structure which includes cleaning exposed portions of the surface of the copper interconnect layer at the bottom of the one or more openings, the process comprising providing an anisotropic hydrogen plasma to cause a chemical reaction between ions in the plasma and the etch residues in the bottom of the one or more opening, including copper oxide on the exposed copper surface, to thereby clean the exposed portions of the copper surface, and to remove the etch residues without sputtering the copper at the bottom of the opening.
185 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A process for removing etch residues from at least one opening formed in at least one layer of a low dielectric constant insulation material over a copper metal interconnect layer of an integrated circuit structure being formed on a semiconductor substrate which includes cleaning exposed portions of the surface of said copper interconnect layer at the bottom of said at least one opening, said process comprising providing a plasma to thereby remove said etch residues and to clean said exposed portions of said copper surface without causing copper to deposit on the sidewalls of said at least one opening formed in said at least one layer of said dielectric constant insulation material.
- 9. A process for removing etch residues from at least one opening formed in at least one layer of a low dielectric constant insulation material over a copper metal interconnect layer of an integrated circuit structure being formed on a semiconductor substrate which includes cleaning exposed portions of the surface of said copper interconnect layer at the bottom of said at least one opening, said process comprising providing an anisotropic hydrogen plasma to cause a chemical reaction between ions in the plasma and the etch residues in the bottom of said at least one opening, including copper oxide on said exposed copper surface, to thereby clean said exposed portions of said copper surface and to remove said etch residues without sputtering the copper at the bottom of said at least one opening and without causing copper to deposit on the sidewalls of said at least one opening.
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13. A process for removing etch residues from at least one opening formed in at least one layer of a low dielectric constant insulation material over a copper metal interconnect layer of an integrated circuit structure substrate which includes cleaning exposed portions of the surface of said copper interconnect layer at the bottom of said at least one opening formed in said at least one layer of said low dielectric constant insulation material, said process comprising:
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a) providing an anisotropic hydrogen plasma to cause a chemical reaction between ions in the plasma and the etch residues in the bottom of said at least one opening formed in said at least one layer of said low dielectric constant insulation material, including copper oxide on said exposed copper surface, to thereby clean said exposed portions of said copper surface and to remove said etch residues without sputtering the copper at the bottom of said at least one opening, and without causing copper to deposit on the sidewalls of said at least one opening; and
b) applying a negative bias, ranging from about −
200 volts to about −
400 volts, to said substrate to urge said anisotropic hydrogen plasma to reach the bottom of said at least one opening adjacent said copper surface.- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification