Patent ID: 7611972
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method comprising: providing a workpiece; forming a barrier layer over the workpiece; before forming the barrier layer over the workpiece, forming a layer of oxide over the workpiece, and exposing the layer of oxide to nitrogen to form an oxynitride layer; forming a rare earth element-containing insulating material layer over the barrier layer, wherein at least the barrier layer and the rare earth element-containing insulating material layer comprise a dielectric material; and forming a gettering layer over the rare earth element-containing insulating material layer, wherein forming the gettering layer comprises causing at least a portion of oxygen of the oxynitride layer to move through the barrier layer and the rare earth element-containing insulating material and combine with a material of the gettering layer.