Patent ID: 6638853
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for improving a dual damascene etching process to block the out diffusion of nitrogen containing photoresist contaminating species to avoid photoresist poisoning in a semiconductor manufacturing process comprising the steps of:providing a semiconductor wafer having a process surface including a via opening extending through a semiconductor wafer thickness portion including an uppermost dielectric anti-reflectance coating (DARC) layer and an underlying dielectric insulating layer to make closed communication with an underlying conductive region; blanket depositing a polymeric resinous layer over the DARC layer to include filling the via opening; curing the polymeric resinous layer by exposing the polymeric resinous layer to at least one of thermal or photonic energy to initiate polymer cross linking; chemically mechanically polishing (CMP) the polymeric resinous layer to substantially remove the polymeric resinous layer thickness above the via opening level to expose the DARC layer and form a via plug substantially filling the via opening; forming a photolithographically patterned photoresist layer over the DARC layer; and, forming a trench line opening overlying and encompassing the via opening to form a dual damascene opening according to a plasma etching process while leaving at least a portion of the via plug in place.