Patent ID: 8975187
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: B81B,B81C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method comprising: providing a stack of layers comprising a substrate, an etch stop layer formed over the substrate, and an insulating layer formed over the etch stop layer; determining a number of a titanium nitride (TiN) sub-layers and a duration of a plasma gas treatment to be performed in the formation of each of the TiN sub-layers, wherein the determination is made in such a way that when the TiN hard mask is formed in accordance with the TiN sub-layer number and the duration of the plasma gas treatment, the TiN hard mask will have an internal stress that counter-balances an external stress to be exerted on the TiN hard mask to be formed over the insulating layer; and forming the TiN hard mask over the insulating layer, wherein the TiN hard mask is formed of TiN sub-layers of the determined TiN sub-layer number, and wherein each of the TiN sub-layers is successively formed by a cycle of processes that includes depositing TiN mixed with chlorine and performing a plasma gas treatment for the determined duration.