Patent ID: 7851353
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: (a) forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate; (b) forming a dielectric first capping layer on a top surface of said first dielectric layer; (c) forming a silicon-rich layer on a top surface of said first capping layer; (d) forming a dielectric second capping layer on a top surface of said silicon-rich layer; (e) forming a second dielectric layer over said second capping layer; (f) forming a trench through said second dielectric layer and said second capping layer, a region of said top surface of said silicon-rich layer exposed in a bottom of said trench; (g) forming a metal layer on said top surface of said second dielectric layer, said metal layer completely filling said trench; and after (g), (h) converting said silicon-rich layer to an electrically conductive metal silicide layer by heating said metal layer and silicon rich layer to a temperature greater than room temperature to diffuse metal atoms from said metal layer into said silicon-rich layer.