Patent ID: 6977221
Filing Date: 2005-12-20
Classification: C30B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming an electrically conductive line comprising: forming a semiconductive material having a first thickness over a substrate; forming a refractory metal having a second thickness over and in ohmic electrical connection with the semiconductive material; forming a refractory metal silicide from the semiconductive material and the refractory metal, the refractory metal silicide having a first crystalline phase and having a first thermal coefficient of expansion as initially formed; prior to forming the semiconductive material, providing a compressive stress inducing material over the substrate to underlie the refractory metal silicide to lower an energy of activation for transformation of the first crystalline phase to a second crystalline phase, the compressive stress inducing material being a layer of material having a third thickness which is greater than or equal to the combined first and second thicknesses, the compressive stress inducing material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient being less than the first coefficient; annealing the refractory metal silicide at a temperature of less than 750° to transform the first crystalline phase to a more dense and more electrically conductive second crystalline phase; and after forming the refractory metal silicide, patterning the semiconductive material and the refractory metal silicide into a conductive line.