Patent ID: 7727890
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: C25D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a metal structure comprising: forming an opening through a dielectric layer to a substrate; lining said opening with a metal-plating seed layer; forming a protective layer on said metal-plating seed layer; removing said protective layer from a bottom surface of said opening; and performing an electroplating process to fill said opening with an electroplated layer comprising one of a metal and a metal alloy, wherein said protective layer on sidewalls of said opening comprises a material pre-selected to have a metal-plating over-potential sufficient to selectively prevent electroplating of said one of said metal and said metal alloy, and an exposed portion of said metal-plating seed layer at said bottom surface of said opening promotes electroplating of said one of said metal and said metal alloy such that said electroplating process fills said opening with said electroplated layer from said bottom surface up.