Patent ID: 6488509
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a dual-damascene structure, comprising the steps of:providing a structure having a patterned low-k material layer formed thereover; the patterned low-k material layer having an upper surface and at least one via hole formed therethrough; forming a plug material layer over the patterned low-k material layer and filling the at least one via hole; developing the plug material layer to form a plug within the respective at least one via hole having a height below the upper surface of the patterned low-k material layer; baking the plug to crosslink the plug material comprising the plug; forming and patterning a trench masking layer to form a patterned trench masking layer having at least one trench substantially centered over the respective at least one via hole and exposing a portion of patterned low-k material layer adjacent the at least one via hole; wherein the crosslinked plug material comprising the plug does not adversely interact with the trench masking layer; etching the patterned low-k material layer at the exposed portion using the patterned trench masking layer as a mask to form a trench opening substantially centered over the via hole; the patterned low-k material layer etching also removing some of the plug to form a partially etched plug; the trench opening and the via hole comprising a dual-damascene opening; removing the partially etched plug from the via hole; and forming a planarized dual-damascene structure within the dual-damascene opening.