Patent ID: 6727589
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An integrated circuit semiconductor device includinga substrate having a substrate surface, a flowable oxide (FOX) insulator layer formed of a flowable oxide material having a lower dielectric constant than SiO2 upon said substrate surface, a trough in said flowable oxide insulator layer having sidewalls of said flowable oxide material, a primary protective layer on said sidewall of said flowable oxide insulator layer, said primary protective layer being a thin oxidized surface layer of said flowable oxide insulator material on said sidewalls within said trough, said thin surface layer preventing the exposure of said flowable oxide insulator layer to moisture and lithographic resist developers, said primary protective layer being substantially impervious to copper extrusion, and a secondary protective layer on said primary protective layer and on said substrate surface, said secondary protective layer being electrically conductive.