Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for improving the hardness and/or modulus of elasticity of a dielectric layer and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. The process for improving the hardness and/or modulus of elasticity of a dielectric layer, among other steps, includes providing a dielectric layer having a hardness and a modulus of elasticity, and subjecting the dielectric layer to an energy beam, thereby causing the hardness or modulus of elasticity to increase in value.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed, in general, to a process for improving packaging reliability and, more specifically, to a process for improving packaging reliability using an energy beam treatment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is a fundamental goal in the field of integrated circuit manufacturing to design and manufacture integrated circuits to be as small as possible. As is fundamental in this field, the manufacturing cost of an integrated circuit corresponds strongly to the wafer area occupied by each integrated circuit die, not only by increasing the number of possible integrated circuits per manufactured wafer, but also by generally providing an increased theoretical yield for a given manufacturing defect density. In addition, the smaller device feature sizes involved in decreasing chip area also provide improved performance, and increased functionality per unit area.  
         [0003]     Recent advances in the area of integrated circuit metallization technology have been important in decreasing the necessary chip area for modern integrated circuits. One such advance is the increased number of metal levels that are manufacturable in a device, providing both dramatic reduction in necessary chip area and corresponding dramatic increases in device density. Recent technological advances have also provided significant reductions in the line pitch of conductors in these multiple metal levels, also greatly increasing the functional density of the chip. The advent of copper metallization has also been important in providing reliable small line width conductors in modern integrated circuits.  
         [0004]     It is of course important to ensure good electrical isolation between adjacent metal conductors. By way of definition, the insulating material between conductors in the same metallization level is commonly referred to as the intermetal dielectric, or IMD, and the insulating material between conductors in adjacent metallization levels is referred to as the interlayer dielectric, or ILD. For performance and cost reasons, it is desirable to have adjacent conductors as close as possible to one another. This has necessitated the use of so-called “low-k” dielectric materials for the insulator layers between metal conductors. Low-k dielectric materials refer to those insulating materials that have a dielectric constant lower than that of silicon dioxide. Because the capacitance between adjacent conductors depends on the dielectric constant (k) of the insulating material that separates the conductors, as well as the thickness of this insulating material, a low-k dielectric material can be thinner than a higher-k dielectric material, while providing the same or better electrical isolation. The use of low-k dielectric materials is especially important in modern high-frequency integrated circuits.  
         [0005]     For 90 nm node devices and beyond, the integration of low-k dielectric materials is required to maintain and improve device performance. Examples of modern low-k dielectric materials include fluorine-doped silicon dioxide (also referred to as fluorinated silicate glass, or FSG), organosilicate glass (OSG), thermoplastic organic polymers, aerogel, xerogel, and other conventional low-k insulator materials. These films, and particularly OSG, have many benefits. However, recently it has been observed that they also have certain drawbacks. Unfortunately, during the manufacturing process, a potential failure mechanism for low-k insulator materials is catastrophic fracture due to fracture resistance (e.g., including but not limited to channel cracking, tunnel cracks, lateral cracks, etc.). The driving force for channel cracking is dependent upon several material properties, with the residual tensile stress, density, hardness, and film modulus of elasticity serving as key factors.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a new low-k dielectric material, or a method for manufacturing or treating the traditional low-k dielectric materials, that would reduce or eliminate the aforementioned problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a process for improving the hardness and/or modulus of elasticity of a dielectric layer and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. The process for improving the hardness and/or modulus of elasticity of a dielectric layer, among other steps, includes providing a dielectric layer having a hardness and a modulus of elasticity, and subjecting the dielectric layer to an energy beam, thereby causing the hardness or modulus of elasticity to increase in value.  
         [0008]     As indicated above, another embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. The method for manufacturing the integrated circuit may include, without limitation: (1) forming transistor structures over a substrate, (2) forming at least one dielectric layer over the transistor structures, the at least one dielectric layer having a hardness and a modulus of elasticity, and (3) subjecting the at least one dielectric layer to an energy beam, thereby causing the hardness or modulus of elasticity to increase in value.  
         [0009]     The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying FIGUREs. It is emphasized that in accordance with the standard practice in the semiconductor industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a chip undergoing an energy beam treatment in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  illustrate two cross-sectional views of the chip illustrated in  FIG. 1A  taken through the lines B-B and C-C, respectively;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1D  illustrates a graph showing a power law relationship that might be used to determine the proper energy beam exposure time for a given scenario;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of an integrated circuit (IC) that might be exposed to an energy beam treatment in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded view of a portion of the bond pad area illustrated in  FIG. 2A .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     The present invention is based, at least in part, on the recognition that an energy beam treatment (e.g., curing) of a dielectric layer, and particularly an intermetal or interlevel dielectric layer, may be used to improve the mechanical strength of such dielectric layers. More specifically, the present invention has recognized that such energy beam treatments, whether an ultraviolet (UV) energy beam treatment, an electron beam treatment or another type of energy beam treatment, may be used to improve the hardness and/or modulus of elasticity of such dielectric layers. The present invention observed that by substantially increasing the dielectric layer&#39;s hardness and/or modulus using the energy beam treatment, with a minimal rise in residual tensile stress, the potential for catastrophic fracture and failure due to fracture resistance is significantly reduced. The present invention therefore concluded that the structural modifications to the dielectric layers by the energy beam treatment leads to tougher and more robust materials.  
         [0017]     It is believed that the substantial improvement of energy beam treated dielectric layers is directly related to molecular structural changes induced during the energy beam treatment. For example, it is believed that most, if not all, of the physical changes observed in these dielectric layers are a direct result of molecular structural rearrangements induced by the energy beam treatment process. This process selectively removes and replaces weak bonding structures in the dielectric layers with more stable structural arrangements, increasing the hardness and/or modulus. By removing bulky methyl ligands (—CH 3 ) and forming more compact Si—O network bonds, the dielectric layers are essentially cross-linked and densified during processing. The mechanical properties of these dielectric layers are, thus, dramatically improved, leading to lower fracture resistance rates and higher film adhesion strengths.  
         [0018]     The present invention has recognized, however, that the energy beam treatment may also increase the dielectric constant (k) of the dielectric layers that it affects. Accordingly, the present invention recognized that in certain circumstances those portions of the chip that might be negatively affected by the increased dielectric constant (k) might be masked off from the energy beam treatment. For example, it is generally known that the active die area of the chip should have as low of a dielectric constant (k) as possible. In this instance the active die area may be masked off prior to the energy beam treatment.  
         [0019]     On the other hand, it is generally known that the dielectric constant (k) of the bond pad area of the chip is less important than say the mechanical strength of the bond pad area of the chip. In this instance, the bond-pad area of the chip could be exposed to the energy beam treatment. Similarly, the scribe seal area of the chip benefits more from the increased mechanical strength than the low dielectric constant (k). Accordingly, the scribe seal area of the chip is also often exposed to the energy beam treatment.  
         [0020]     Turning now to  FIG. 1A , illustrated is a plan view of one embodiment of a chip  100  undergoing the energy beam treatment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The chip  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A  includes an active die area  110 , a bond pad area  120  and a scribe seal area  130 . As those skilled in the art are aware, the active die area  110  typically includes the active circuitry that comprises a majority of the chip  100 . As those skilled in the art are also aware, the bond pad area  120  typically includes the bond pads  125  used to electrically contact the active circuitry in the active die area  110 . Additionally, the scribe seal area  130  typically contains neither the active circuitry nor the bond pads  125 , but is used somewhat as a buffer region for cleaving the chip  100  from a wafer it is contained within. While the scribe seal area  130  does not typically include active circuitry, it may include non-active circuitry, such as test circuitry or other circuitry used in the chip  100  that is not significantly susceptible to the increased dielectric constant (k) values.  
         [0021]     As is illustrated in  FIG. 1A , and in accordance with that described directly above, a mask  140 , such as a photoresist mask, hardmask or another mask suitable for blocking the energy beam treatment, is formed over the active die area  110 . Accordingly, the mask  140  substantially, if not totally, exposes the bond pad area  120  and the scribe seal area  130  to the energy beam treatment. Thus, while the active die area  110  is protected from the energy beam treatment, and therefore maintains its low dielectric constant (k), the bond pad area  120  and the scribe seal area  130  are exposed to the energy beam treatment, thereby causing one or both of their hardness and/or modulus to increase, and thus improve. In addition to the hardness and/or modulus improvement, the density of the exposed portions of the dielectric layers may also improve, thus providing improved hermeticity.  
         [0022]     Turning now to  FIGS. 1B and 1C , illustrated are two cross-sectional views of the chip  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A , taken through the lines B-B and C-C, respectively. As is illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the chip  100  further includes a substrate  150 , such as a silicon or wafer substrate. Located over the substrate  150  are the active die area  110 , the bond pad area  120 , including the bond pads  125 , and the scribe seal area  130 . In accordance with the principles disclosed herein, the mask  140  is uniquely placed to protect the active die area  110  and not the bond pad area  120  or scribe seal area  130 .  
         [0023]     The energy beam, according to the present invention, may comprise a plurality of different energy beams. For instance, one embodiment exists wherein the energy beam is an ultraviolet (UV) energy beam. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention the UV energy beam would operate using a power of about 6 kW. In such embodiments, the UV energy beam could be projected through the mask  140  using a wavelength between about 130 nm and about 650 nm. Similarly, the UV energy beam could be projected using a plurality of wavelengths between the aforementioned ranges. The UV energy beam may also generally be conducted for a time period ranging from about 60 seconds to about 60 minutes. Likewise, the temperature associated with the UV energy beam exposure should be less than or equal to about 500° C. Other processing conditions outside of the disclosed ranges may, nevertheless, also be used.  
         [0024]     Another embodiment of the invention exists wherein the energy beam is an electron beam. In one exemplary embodiment the electron beam is a less than focused electron beam that is projected through the mask  140 . In another embodiment, however, the electron beam is a focused electron beam that is accurately moved across the portions of the chip  100  that need treatment (e.g., direct writing of the focused electron beam). In this embodiment the mask  140  would most likely not be needed.  
         [0025]     In the embodiment wherein the electron beam is used to treat the chip  100 , the electron beam might use a dose ranging from about 5 μC/cm 2  to about 5000 μC/cm 2 . In an alternative embodiment, however, the dose might range from about 50 μC/cm 2  to about 500 μC/cm 2 . Those skilled in the art understand that these doses are representative of the amount of energy per unit area that is being imparted on the dielectric layer. Other conditions that might be used include conducting the electron beam in an enclosure maintained at a pressure approaching a vacuum (e.g., about 0.01 mT). Similarly, the chamber may be maintained at a temperature of less than or equal to about 500° C. Likewise, a voltage differential between two plates of about 3.5 kV might cause the electron beam to have a current of about 3 mA. Other processing conditions outside of the previously discussed ranges are, however, within the purview of the present invention.  
         [0026]     What desirably results after exposing the chip  100  to the energy beam is the active die area  110  still having a low dielectric constant (k), as well as the bond pad area  120  and/or scribe seal area  130  having improved hardness and/or modulus. For example, in one advantageous embodiment the dielectric constant (k) of the dielectric layers in the active die area  110  are less than or equal to about 3.0, and even more advantageously less than or equal to about 2.5. On the other hand, in one advantageous embodiment the hardness of the dielectric layers in the bond pad area  120  and scribe seal area  130  is at least about 0.5 GPa, with an exemplary value of at least about 1.5 GPa. Likewise, in one advantageous embodiment the modulus of the dielectric layers in the bond pad area  120  and scribe seal area  130  is at least about 5.0, with an exemplary value of at least about 8.0. Similarly, the densification of the dielectric layers in the bond pad area  120  and the scribe seal area  130  should increase, for example causing a porosity of the dielectric layers to be less than or equal to about 10%. If one or more of the aforementioned properties are improved using the energy beam treatment, the crack velocity of the dielectric layers should decrease, and possibly dramatically decrease.  
         [0027]     In an ideal situation the energy beam treatment is optimized to provide dielectric layers having the best possible mechanical strength in the bond pad area  120  and the scribe seal area  130 , while allowing the dielectric layers to have the lowest possible dielectric constant (k) in the active die area  110 . In one embodiment this is accomplished by optimizing the energy beam treatment process according to a power law relationship. One illustration of a power law relationship is shown in the graph  160  depicted in  FIG. 1D . The graph  160  compares crack growth velocity (microns/second) versus energy beam exposure time (minutes) for a 1.3 micron thick dielectric film, conducted at about 400° C. As is illustrated, as the exposure time increases the crack growth velocity decreases.  
         [0028]     However, once the dielectric film has been subjected to the energy beam treatment for a time period of about 5 minutes, the ramp rate of the graph goes somewhat flat, thereby indicating that the amount of improvement is thereby decreasing. The power law relationship, thus, indicates that in the given situation, a time period of about 5 minutes balances both the crack growth velocity and the dielectric constant (k) value of the dielectric layer. Exposing the dielectric layer to the energy beam treatment beyond the five minutes would provide limited crack growth velocity improvement, but could conceivably detrimentally increase the dielectric constant (k) of the dielectric layer.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , illustrated is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an integrated circuit (IC)  200  that might be exposed to an energy beam treatment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The IC  200  may include devices, such as transistors used to form CMOS devices, BiCMOS devices, Bipolar devices, as well as capacitors or other types of devices. The IC  200  may further include passive devices, such as inductors or resistors, or it may also include optical devices or optoelectronic devices. Those skilled in the art are familiar with these various types of devices and their manufacture. In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the IC  200  includes an active die area  210 , which may encompass the aforementioned devices. The active die area  210 , as one would typically expect, includes transistor devices  220  having dielectric layers  230  located thereover. Additionally, interconnect structures  240  are located within the dielectric layers  230  to interconnect various devices, thus, forming the operational integrated circuit  200 .  
         [0030]     The IC  200  further includes a bond pad area  250 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the bond pad area  250  may include bond pads  255 . In an exemplary embodiment, it is the bond pad area  250  that is subjected to the energy beam treatment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. While not shown, a scribe seal area may also be subjected to the energy beam treatment.  
         [0031]     Turning now to  FIG. 2B , illustrated is an exploded view of a portion  260  of the bond pad area  250  illustrated in  FIG. 2A . The portion of the IC  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2B  includes four different metal levels  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278 . While only four different metal levels  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278  are illustrated, those skilled in the art understand that any number may be used. As is illustrated, each of the metal levels  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278  may include an interlevel dielectric  280 , one or more etch stop layers  283 , an intermetal dielectric  285 , and a conductive feature  288 . The portion of the IC  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2B  further includes a wire bond  290  coupled to the bond pad  255 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 2B  is being illustrated to show that each of the different metal levels  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278  may benefit from performing the energy beam treatment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. One aspect of the present invention uses an individual energy beam treatment after forming each individual metal level  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278  to properly improve the mechanical strength of each metal level  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278 . For example, a mask and energy beam treatment could be used to improve the mechanical strength of the first metal level  270  prior to forming the second metal level  273 . This process could continue after forming each metal level  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278  until each of the metal levels  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278  has been subjected to the energy beam treatment. Alternatively, a single mask and single energy beam treatment could be used to concurrently improve the mechanical strength of each of metal levels  270 ,  273 ,  275 ,  278 . While this embodiment may save time and expense, it is believed that the multiple energy beam treatment embodiment may provide better results. Nevertheless, the present invention should not be limited to one embodiment or the other.  
         [0033]     The unique aspects of the present invention provide many different benefits. First, and possibly foremost, the unique use of the energy beam allows the improvement of the mechanical strength (e.g., hardness, modulus, density, etc.) of the dielectric layers within the chip. In turn, the unique aspects reduce crack initiation, and thus crack propagation and other cohesive failures. Similarly, the unique aspects of the present invention improve the interface adhesion between the different interlevel dielectric and intermetal dielectric layers. Thus, it further reduces the delamination initiation. Moreover, it is believed that the energy beam treatment increases the hermeticity of the various exposed layers within the chip, thereby reducing the moisture, and thus oxygen diffusion within the chip. Furthermore, the unique aspects of the present invention allow for completely masking off, or alternatively providing a lower energy beam dose, to the active die area of the chip, thus allowing those portions of the chip needing a low dielectric constant (k) to have a low dielectric constant (k).  
         [0034]     Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.