Patent ID: 9245797
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: forming an opening in a dielectric layer over a substrate, an upper portion of the opening being distal from the substrate, a lower portion of the opening being proximate the substrate; performing a cleaning process on the dielectric layer with the opening, after the cleaning process, a byproduct portion being on a sidewall of the opening, the byproduct portion forming a necking portion in the opening disposed between the upper portion of the opening and the lower portion of the opening; forming a nucleation layer in the opening and on the byproduct portion; etching the nucleation layer in the opening, wherein after the etching, a thickness of an upper portion of the nucleation layer in the upper portion of the opening is less than a thickness of a lower portion of the nucleation layer in the lower portion of the opening; and forming a conductive material in the opening and on the nucleation layer after the etching.