Patent ID: 6693040
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of cleaning a contact area of a metal line comprising the steps of:sequentially depositing the metal line and an insulating interlayer on a substrate; forming the contact area by selectively removing the insulating interlayer; forming a nitride barrier layer on the sidewalls of the insulating interlayer by introducing a nitrogen-based radical into the contact area, said nitride barrier layer acting as a diffusion barrier to prevent said insulating interlayer from being deteriorated by redeposited metal; removing residue formed on a surface of the metal line by sputtering Ar+ ions into the contact area; removing a metal oxide layer formed on the exposed metal line by reactive cleaning of the contact area; and removing byproducts formed at the sidewall of the insulating interlayer by performing a plasma surface process using the nitrogen-based radical on the contact area.