Patent ID: 6261942
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for introducing air into the gaps between adjacent conducting structures in a microelectronics fabrication comprising:depositing a patterned conducting layer on a substrate;forming a liner layer of thickness between 100 angstroms and 2000 angstroms on all exposed surfaces of the conducting layer and substrate;depositing a disposable gap-filling material on said liner layer so that the gap-filling material fills all gaps between adjacent conducting structures and rises to at least the level of the top surfaces of the liner where it covers the tops of the conducting structures;depositing a first material layer over said disposable gap-filling material;depositing a second material layer over said first material layer;exposing said second material layer to a first chemical process;removing said second material layer by a second chemical process;exposing the first material layer to a reactive plasma, which penetrates said layer and reacts with the disposable gap-filling material beneath it;dissolving the disposable gap-filling material through its reaction with the plasma;removing the reaction products of the dissolved disposable gap-filling layer by diffusion through the first material layer, leaving the gaps filled with air.