Method for depositing an amorphous carbon layer

• US 6,573,030 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2000
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Inventors: Fairbairn, Kevin, Latchford, Ian Scot, Ngai, Christopher S, Wang, Yuxiang May, Weidman, Timothy, Rice, Michael, Bencher, Christopher Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Baxter, Janet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walke, Amanda C.
• Application Number:
  US09/590,322
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 430/311, 430/314, 430/315, 430/317, 430/322, 430/323, 430/324
• US Class Current: 430/323
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 16/26 Deposition of carbon only
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/02115 the material being carbon, e.g. alpha-C, diamond or hydrogen doped carbon
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/022 the layer being a laminate, i.e. composed of sublayers, e.g. stacks of alternating high-k metal oxides adhesion layers or buffer layers H01L21/02304, H01L21/02362
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/02205 the layer being characterised by the precursor material for deposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/02274 in the presence of a plasma [PECVD]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/0276 using an anti-reflective coating anti-reflective coating for lithography in general G03F7/09
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/28035 the final conductor layer next to the insulator being silicon, e.g. polysilicon, with or without impurities H01L21/28105 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/3081 characterised by their composition, e.g. multilayer masks, materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/3088 Process specially adapted to improve the resolution of the mask
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/31138 by dry-etching
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/31144 using masks
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/3146 Carbon layers, e.g. diamond-like layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/31612 on a silicon body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/32137 of silicon-containing layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/76802 by forming openings in dielectrics
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/76807 for dual damascene structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/76829 characterised by the formation of thin functional dielectric layers, e.g. dielectric etch-stop, barrier, capping or liner layers

Abstract

A method of forming an integrated circuit using an amorphous carbon film. The amorphous carbon film is formed by thermally decomposing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon compound and an inert gas. The amorphous carbon film is compatible with integrated circuit fabrication processes. In one integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is used as a hardmask. In another integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography. In yet another integrated circuit fabrication process, a multi-layer amorphous carbon anti-reflective coating is used for DUV lithography.

Claims

1. A method of forming an amorphous carbon layer on a substrate comprising:

positioning a substrate in a deposition chamber;

providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas;

maintaining the deposition chamber at a pressure between about 1 Torr to about 20 Torr; and

heating the gas mixture to thermally decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form an amorphous carbon layer on the substrate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture have the general formula C_xH_y, wherein x has a range of 2 to 4 and y has a range of 2 to 10.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds is selected from the group consisting of propylene (C₃H₆), propyne (C₃H₄), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), butylene (C₄H₈), butadiene (C₄H₆), acetylene (C₂H₂) and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has a carbon:

hydrogen ratio in the range of about 10% hydrogen to about 60% hydrogen.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, argon and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas mixture further comprises an additive gas.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the additive gas is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, nitrogen, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is heated to a temperature between about 100°

C. and about 500°

C.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas mixture is provided to the deposition chamber at a flow rate in a range of about 50 sccm to about 500 sccm.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas mixture is heated by applying an electric field thereto.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the electric field applied the gas mixture is a radio frequency (RF) power.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the RF power is in a range of about 3 W/in² to about 20 W/in².

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has an index of refraction in the range of about 1.5 to about 1.9.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has an absorption coefficient in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.0, at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

15. A method of forming a device, comprising:

forming one or more amorphous carbon layers on a substrate by providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas, maintaining the deposition chamber at a pressure between about 1 Torr to about 20 Torr and heating the gas mixture to thermally decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form the one or more amorphous carbon layers on the substrate;

defining a pattern in at least one region of the one or more amorphous carbon layers; and

transferring the pattern defined in the at least one region of the one or more amorphous carbon layers into the substrate using the one or more amorphous carbon layers as a mask.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing the one or more amorphous carbon layers from the substrate.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers are removed from the substrate using an ozone, oxygen, or NH₃plasma.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate has one or more material layers formed thereon.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein definition of the pattern in the at least one region of the one or more amorphous carbon layers, comprises:

forming a layer of energy sensitive resist material adjacent the one or more amorphous carbon layers;

introducing an image of the pattern into the layer of energy sensitive resist material by exposing the energy sensitive resist material to patterned radiation;

developing the image of the pattern introduced into the layer of energy sensitive resist material; and

transferring the pattern through the one or more amorphous carbon layers using the layer of energy sensitive resist material as a mask.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

forming an intermediate layer on the one or more amorphous carbon layers prior to forming the layer of energy sensitive resist thereon, introducing the image of a pattern therein, and developing the image of the pattern;

transferring the image of the pattern developed in the layer of energy sensitive resist material through the intermediate layer using the energy sensitive resist material as a mask; and

transferring the pattern through the one or more amorphous carbon layers using the intermediate layer as a mask.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the patterned radiation has a wavelength less than about 250 nanometers (nm).

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers are anti-reflective coatings at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have an absorption coefficient in the range of about 0. 1 to about 1.0 at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the absorption coefficient varies across the thickness of the one or more amorphous carbon layers from about 0.1 to about 1.0.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have an index of refraction in the range of about 1.5 to about 1.9.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers are formed on the substrate by

positioning the substrate in a deposition chamber;

providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas; and

heating the gas mixture to thermally decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form the one or more amorphous carbon layers on the substrate.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture have the general formula C_xH_y, wherein x has a range of 2 to 4 and y has a range of 2 to 10.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds is selected from the group consisting of propylene (C₃H₆), propyne (C₃H₄), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), butylene (C₄H₈), butadiene (C₄H₆), acetylene (C₂H₂) and combinations thereof.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have a carbon:

hydrogen ratio in the range of about 10% hydrogen to about 60% hydrogen.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, argon and combinations thereof.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the gas mixture further comprises an additive gas.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the additive gas is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, nitrogen, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein the substrate is heated to a temperature between about 100°

C. and about 500°

C.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein the gas mixture is provided to the deposition chamber at a flow rate in a range of about 50 sccm to about 500 sccm.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein the gas mixture is heated by applying an electric field thereto.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the electric field applied to the gas mixture is a radio frequency (RF) power.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the RF power is in a range of about 3 W/in² to about 20 W/in².

38. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have a thickness in the range of about 50 Å

to about 1500 Å

.

39. A method of forming a device, comprising:

forming one or more amorphous carbon layers on a substrate by providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas, maintaining the deposition chamber at a pressure between about 1 Torr to about 20 Torr and heating the gas mixture to thermally decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form the one or more amorphous carbon layers on the substrate;

forming an intermediate layer on the one or more amorphous carbon layers, wherein the intermediate layer is an oxide;

forming a first layer of energy sensitive resist material on the intermediate layer;

introducing an image of a pattern into the layer of energy sensitive resist material by exposing the energy sensitive resist material to patterned radiation;

developing the image of the pattern introduced into the layer of energy sensitive resist material;

transferring the pattern to the intermediate layer using the layer of energy sensitive resist material as a mask;

transferring the pattern through the one or more amorphous carbon layers using the intermediate layer as a mask; and

transferring the pattern defined in the at least one region of the one or more amorphous carbon layers into the substrate using the one or more amorphous carbon layers as a mask.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of removing the one or more amorphous carbon layers from the substrate.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers are removed from the substrate using an ozone, oxygen, or NH₃ plasma.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the substrate has one or more material layers formed thereon.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, and amorphous silicon.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers are anti-reflective coatings at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have an index of refraction in the range of about 1.5 to about 1.9.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have an absorption coefficient in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.0 at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the absorption coefficient varies across the thickness of the one or more amorphous carbon layers from about 0.1 to about 1.0.

48. A method of forming a device, comprising:

forming one or more amorphous carbon layers on a substrate by providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas, maintaining the deposition chamber at a pressure between about 1 Torr to about 20 Torr and heating the gas mixture to thermally decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form the one or more amorphous carbon layers on the substrate; and

defining a pattern in at least one region of the one or more amorphous carbon layers.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising transferring the pattern defined in the at least one region of the one or more amorphous carbon layers into the substrate using the one or more amorphous carbon layers as a mask.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of removing the one or more amorphous carbon layers from the substrate.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers are removed from the substrate using an ozone, oxygen, or NH₃ plasma.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the substrate has one or more material layers formed thereon.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein definition of the pattern in the at least one region of the one or more amorphous carbon layers, comprises:

forming a layer of energy sensitive resist material adjacent the one or more amorphous carbon layers;

introducing an image of the pattern into the layer of energy sensitive resist material by exposing the energy sensitive resist material to patterned radiation;

developing the image of the pattern introduced into the layer of energy sensitive resist material; and

transferring the pattern through the one or more amorphous carbon layers using the layer of energy sensitive resist material as a mask.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

forming an intermediate layer on the one or more amorphous carbon layers prior to forming the layer of energy sensitive resist thereon, introducing the image of a pattern therein, and developing the image of the pattern;

transferring the image of the pattern developed in the layer of energy sensitive resist material through the intermediate layer using the energy sensitive resist material as a mask; and

transferring the pattern through the one or more amorphous carbon layers using the intermediate layer as a mask.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the intermediate layer is an oxide.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, and amorphous silicon.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein the patterned radiation has a wavelength less than about 250 nanometers (nm).

58. The method of claim 48, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers are anti-reflective coatings at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have an absorption coefficient in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.0 at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the absorption coefficient varies across the thickness of the one or more amorphous carbon layers from about 0.1 to about 1.0.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have an index of refraction in the range of about 1.5 to about 1.9.

62. The method of claim 48, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture have the general formula C_xH_y, wherein x has a range of 2 to 4 and y has a range of 2 to 10.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds is selected from the group consisting of propylene (C₃H₆), propyne (C₃H₄), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), butylene (C₄H₈), butadiene (C₄H₆), acetylene (C₂H₂) and combinations thereof.

64. The method of claim 48, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have a carbon:

hydrogen ratio in the range of about 10% hydrogen to about 60% hydrogen.

65. The method of claim 48, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, argon and combinations thereof.

66. The method of claim 48, wherein the gas mixture further comprises an additive gas.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the additive gas is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, nitrogen, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the electric field applied to the gas mixture is a radio frequency (RF) power.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the RF power is in a range of about 3 W/in² to about 20 W/in².

70. The method of claim 48, wherein the substrate is heated to a temperature between about 100°

C. and about 500°

C.

71. The method of claim 48, wherein the gas mixture is provided to the deposition chamber at a flow rate in a range of about 50 sccm to about 500 sccm.

72. The method of claim 48, wherein the gas mixture is heated by applying an electric field thereto.

73. The method of claim 48, wherein the one or more amorphous carbon layers each have a thickness in the range of about 50 Å

to about 1500 Å

.

74. A method of fabricating a damascene structure, comprising:

forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, wherein the dielectric layer has a dielectric constant less than about 4.5;

forming an amorphous carbon layer on the dielectric layer by positioning the substrate in a deposition chamber, wherein the substrate has a dielectric layer thereon, maintaining the deposition chamber at a pressure between about 1 Torr to about 20 Torr, providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas, and heating the gas mixture to thermally decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form the amorphous carbon layer on the dielectric layer;

patterning the amorphous carbon layer to define contacts/vias therethrough;

transferring the pattern formed in the amorphous carbon layer through the dielectric layer to form contacts/vias therein;

removing the amorphous carbon layer from the patterned dielectric layer; and

filling the contacts/vias formed in the dielectric layer with a conductive material.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the conductive material filling the contacts/vias has a resistivity less than about 5 μ

Ω

-cm.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein the dielectric layer is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide and fluorosilicate glass.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein the conductive material filling the contacts/vias is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tungsten, and combinations thereof.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture have the general formula C_xH_y, wherein x has a range of 2 to 4 and y has a range of 2 to 10.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds is selected from the group consisting of propylene (C₃H₆), propyne (C₃H₄), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), butylene (C₄H₈), butadiene (C₄H₆), or acetelyne (C₂H₂) and combinations thereof.

80. The method of claim 74, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has a carbon:

hydrogen ratio in the range of about 10% hydrogen to about 60% hydrogen.

81. The method of claim 74, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, argon and combinations thereof.

82. The method of claim 74, wherein the gas mixture further comprises an additive gas.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the additive gas is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, nitrogen, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.

84. The method of claim 74, wherein the substrate is heated to a temperature between about 100°

C. and about 500°

C.

85. The method of claim 74, wherein the gas mixture is provided to the deposition chamber at a flow rate in a range of about 50 sccm to about 500 sccm.

86. The method of claim 74, wherein the gas mixture is heated by applying an electric field thereto.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the electric field applied to the gas mixture is a radio frequency (RF) power.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the RF power is in a range of about 3 W/in² to about 20 W/in².

89. The method of claim 74, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has a thickness in the range of about 200 Å

to about 1000 Å

.

90. A method of forming an amorphous carbon layer on a substrate comprising:

positioning a substrate in a deposition chamber;

providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas;

maintaining the deposition chamber at a pressure between about 1 Torr to about 20 Torr; and

generating a plasma of the gas mixture to decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form an amorphous carbon layer on the substrate.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture have the general formula C_xH_y, wherein x has a range of 2 to 4 and y has a range of 2 to 10.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds is selected from the group consisting of propylene (C₃H₆), propyne (C₃H₄), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), butylene (C₄H₈), butadiene (C₄H₆), acetylene (C₂H₂) and combinations thereof.

93. The method of claim 90, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has a carbon:

hydrogen ratio in the range of about 10% hydrogen to about 60% hydrogen.

94. The method of claim 90, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, argon and combinations thereof.

95. The method of claim 90, wherein the gas mixture further comprises an additive gas.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the additive gas is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, nitrogen, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.

97. The method of claim 90, wherein the substrate is heated to a temperature between about 100°

C. and about 500°

C.

98. The method of claim 90, wherein the gas mixture is provided to the deposition chamber at a flow rate in a range of about 50 sccm to about 500 sccm.

99. The method of claim 90, wherein generating a plasma comprises applying a radio frequency (RF) power in a range of about 3 W/in² to about 20 W/in² to the processing chamber.

100. The method of claim 90, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has an index of refraction in the range of about 1.5 to about 1.9.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has an absorption coefficient in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.0, at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the absorption coefficient varies across the thickness of the amorphous carbon layer from about 0.1 to about 1.0.

103. The method of claim 90, further comprising defining a pattern in at least one region of the amorphous carbon layer.

104. The method of claim 103, further comprising transferring the pattern defined in the at least one region of the amorphous carbon layer into the substrate using the amorphous carbon layer as a mask.

105. The method of claim 104, further comprising the step of removing the amorphous carbon layer from the substrate.

106. The method of claim 103, wherein the substrate has one or more material layers formed thereon.

107. The method of claim 103, wherein defining the pattern in the at least one region of the amorphous carbon layer comprises:

forming a layer of energy sensitive resist material adjacent the amorphous carbon layer;

introducing an image of the pattern into the layer of energy sensitive resist material by exposing the energy sensitive resist material to patterned radiation;

developing the image of the pattern introduced into the layer of energy sensitive resist material; and

transferring the pattern through the amorphous carbon layer using the layer of energy sensitive resist material as a mask.

108. The method of claim 107, further comprising:

forming an intermediate layer on the amorphous carbon layer prior to forming the layer of energy sensitive resist thereon, introducing the image of a pattern therein, and developing the image of the pattern;

transferring the image of the pattern developed in the layer of energy sensitive resist material through the intermediate layer using the energy sensitive resist material as a mask; and

transferring the pattern through the amorphous carbon layer using the intermediate layer as a mask.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein the intermediate layer is an oxide.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, and amorphous silicon.

111. The method of claim 107, wherein the patterned radiation has a wavelength less than about 250 nanometers (nm).

112. The method of claim 103, wherein the amorphous carbon layer is removed from the substrate using an ozone, oxygen, or NH₃ plasma.

113. The method of claim 103, wherein the amorphous carbon layer is anti-reflective coatings at wavelengths less than about 250 nm.

114. The method of claim 90, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has a thickness in the range of about 50 Å

to about 1500 Å

.

115. A method of fabricating a damascene structure, comprising:

forming a dielectric layer on a substrate;

forming an amorphous carbon layer on the dielectric layer by positioning the substrate in a deposition chamber, wherein the substrate has a dielectric layer thereon, providing a gas mixture to the deposition chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises one or more hydrocarbon compounds and an inert gas, maintaining the deposition chamber at a pressure between about 1 Torr to about 20 Torr, and generating a plasma of the gas mixture to decompose the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture to form an amorphous carbon layer on the substrate;

patterning the amorphous carbon layer to define contacts/vias therethrough;

transferring the pattern formed in the amorphous carbon layer through the dielectric layer to form contacts/vias therein;

removing the amorphous carbon layer from the patterned dielectric layer; and

filling the contacts/vias formed in the dielectric layer with a conductive material.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the dielectric layer has a dielectric constant less than about 4.5.

117. The method of claim 115, wherein the conductive material filling the contacts/vias has a resistivity less than about 5 μ

Ω

-cm.

118. The method of claim 115, wherein the dielectric layer is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide and fluorosilicate glass.

119. The method of claim 115, wherein the conductive material filling the contacts/vias is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tungsten, and combinations thereof.

120. The method of claim 115, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture have the general formula C_xH_y, wherein x has a range of 2 to 4 and y has a range of 2 to 10.

121. The method of claim 115, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon compounds is selected from the group consisting of propylene (C₃H₆), propyne (C₃H₄), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), butylene (C₄H₈), butadiene (C₄H₆), acetylene (C₂H₂) and combinations thereof.

122. The method of claim 115, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has a carbon:

hydrogen ratio in the range of about 10% hydrogen to about 60% hydrogen.

123. The method of claim 115, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of helium, argon and combinations thereof.

124. The method of claim 115, wherein the gas mixture further comprises an additive gas.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein the additive gas is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, nitrogen, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.

126. The method of claim 115, wherein the substrate is heated to a temperature between about 100°

C. and about 500°

C.

127. The method of claim 115, wherein the gas mixture is provided to the deposition chamber at a flow rate in a range of about 50 sccm to about 500 sccm.

128. The method of claim 115, wherein generating a plasma comprises applying a radio frequency (RF) power in a range of about 3 W/in² to about 20 W/in ² to the processing chamber.

129. The method of claim 115, wherein the amorphous carbon layer has a thickness in the range of about 200 Å

to about 1000 Å

.