Patent ID: 6159857
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of passivating a copper damascene structure, comprising:providing a wafer having a layer of first dielectric formed thereon;etching trenches in said layer of first dielectric;depositing a layer of barrier metal on said layer of first dielectric and on all sides and bottoms of said trenches;depositing a layer of copper on said layer of barrier metal, thereby more than filling said trenches with copper;removing said copper and said barrier metal down to the level of the top of said layer of first dielectric thereby forming a damascene structure having exposed copper;annealing said copper in a reducing atmosphere after forming said damascene structure having exposed copper;depositing a layer of silicon nitride, SiN, on said wafer immediately after annealing said copper, thereby covering said first dielectric and said damascene structure having exposed copper with silicon nitride, SiN; andforming a layer of second dielectric on said layer of silicon nitride.