Method of controlling the formation of metal layers
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- depositing a first layer of metal above a patterned layer of insulating material having a plurality of openings formed therein;
irradiating at least one area of said first layer of metal;
analyzing an x-ray spectrum of x-rays leaving said irradiated area of said first layer of metal to determine a thickness of said first layer of metal;
depositing a second layer of metal above said first layer of metal;
irradiating at least one area of said second layer of metal; and
analyzing an x-ray spectrum of x-rays leaving said irradiated area of said second layer of metal to determine a thickness of said second layer of metal.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method of controlling the formation of metal layers. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises depositing a layer of metal above a structure, irradiating at least one area of the layer of metal, and analyzing an x-ray spectrum of x-rays leaving the irradiated area to determine a thickness of the layer of metal. In further embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of areas, and in some cases at least five areas, of the layer of metal are irradiated. The layer of metal may be comprised of, for example, titanium, cobalt, nickel, copper, tantalum, etc.
17 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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depositing a first layer of metal above a patterned layer of insulating material having a plurality of openings formed therein;
irradiating at least one area of said first layer of metal;
analyzing an x-ray spectrum of x-rays leaving said irradiated area of said first layer of metal to determine a thickness of said first layer of metal;
depositing a second layer of metal above said first layer of metal;
irradiating at least one area of said second layer of metal; and
analyzing an x-ray spectrum of x-rays leaving said irradiated area of said second layer of metal to determine a thickness of said second layer of metal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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performing at least one of a physical vapor deposition process, a chemical vapor deposition process and a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process to deposit a first layer of metal comprised of at least one of titanium, cobalt, nickel, tantalum, molybdenum, copper and platinum above a patterned layer of insulating material having a plurality of openings formed therein;
irradiating at least one area of said first layer of metal;
analyzing an x-ray spectrum of x-rays leaving said irradiated area of said first layer of metal to determine a thickness of said first layer of metal;
performing at least one of a physical vapor deposition process, a chemical vapor deposition process and a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process to deposit a second layer of metal above said first layer comprised of at least one of titanium, cobalt, nickel, tantalum, molybdenum, copper and platinum above a structure of metal;
irradiating at least one area of said second layer of metal; and
analyzing an x-ray spectrum of x-rays leaving said irradiated area of said second layer of metal to determine a thickness of said second layer of metal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification