Patent ID: 6806184
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for creation of a copper interconnect, comprising steps of:creating a copper interconnect surrounded by a layer of barrier material in an opening created in a first layer of dielectric that has been deposited over a substrate, the layer of barrier material overlying said first layer of dielectric; stimulating stress release in the copper interconnect and therewith stimulating the formation of copper hillocks over the surface of the copper interconnect by annealing said copper interconnect, thereby preventing formation of hillocks during additional high temperature processing of said copper interconnect; and removing the copper hillocks by polishing said annealed copper interconnect and said layer of barrier material overlying said first layer of dielectric down to said first layer of dielectric, thereby additionally removing the copper interconnect from above a plane of the surface of the first layer of dielectric, thereby assuring additional removal of copper interconnect irregularities close to the surface of the copper interconnect, thereby further improving planarity of the copper interconnect and further decreasing potential formation of copper hillocks over the copper interconnect.