Patent ID: 6653222
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: C23C,H01L

Abstract:
A process of forming a refractory metal liner, comprising:depositing a layer of refractory metal on a first conductive layer, wherein a first portion of said depositing comprises depositing said refractory metal, wherein a second portion of said depositing is carried out in the presence of an amount of passivating agent that is less than an amount of passivating agent necessary to form a stoichiometric combination of said refractory metal and said passivating agent, wherein a third portion of said depositing comprises depositing said refractory metal, wherein both of said first and third portions of said depositing are free of said passivating agent, and wherein said method further comprises annealing said refractory metal and said first conductive layer in a first element ambient, thereby forming a stoichiometric refractory metal with said first element in at least a portion of a top half of said layer of refractory metal without forming a stoichiometric refractory metal with said elements throughout portions of said refractory metal formed during said second portion of said depositing step.