Patent ID: 6479381
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
A process for forming a diffusion barrier material nitride film, the process comprising:providing a surface layer located on a semiconductor substrate; sputtering a layer of a diffusion barrier material on the surface layer in an environment with a first nitrogen content, wherein: nitride nuclei of the diffusion barrier material are incorporated in the layer of the diffusion barrier material; the nitride nuclei of the diffusion barrier material are formed to be uniformly dispersed throughout the layer of the diffusion barrier material; and there is substantially no growth of grains of a nitride of the diffusion barrier material in the layer of the diffusion barrier material; and growing grains of a nitride of the diffusion barrier material in the layer of the diffusion barrier material in an environment with a second nitrogen content to form a layer of a nitride of the diffusion barrier material.