Patent Abstract:
Method for reducing resist poisoning. The method includes the steps of forming a first structure in a dielectric on a substrate, reducing amine related contaminants from the dielectric and the substrate prior to a formation of a second structure on the substrate such that the amine related contaminates will not diffuse out from either the substrate or the dielectric, wherein the reducing utilizes a plasma treatment which one of chemically ties up the amine related contaminates and binds, traps, or consumes the amine related contaminates during subsequent processing steps, forming the second structure on the substrate, and after the forming of the first structure, preventing poisoning of a resist layer in subsequent processing by the reducing.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/537,378, filed on Sep. 29, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/605,926, filed on Nov. 6, 2003, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/429,828, filed on Nov. 27, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates a semiconductor device and method of manufacture and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device and method of manufacture which reduces the occurrence of resist poisoning. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    To fabricate microelectronic semiconductor devices such as an integrated circuit (IC), many different layers of metal and insulation are selectively deposited on a silicon wafer. The insulation layers may be, for example, silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, fluorinated silicate glass (FSG), carbon doped, silicon dioxide or organosilicad glass (OSG) and the like. These insulation layers are deposited between the metal layers, i.e., intermetal dielectric (IMD) layers, and may act as electrical insulation therebetween or serve other known functions. These layers are typically deposited by any well known method such as, for example, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or other processes. 
         [0004]    The metal layers are interconnected by metallization through vias etched in the intervening insulation layers. To accomplish this, the stacked layers of metal and insulation undergo photolithographic processing to provide a pattern consistent with a predetermined IC design. By way of example, the top layer may be covered with a photo resist layer of photo-reactive polymeric material for patterning via a mask. A photolithographic process using either visible or ultraviolet light is then directed through the mask onto the photo resist layer to expose it in the mask pattern. An antireflective coating (ARC) layer such as PECVD SiON or spin on coating materials may be provided at the top portion of the wafer substrate to minimize reflection of light back to the photo resist layer for more uniform processing. The spin on ARCs may include AR-1 4™ (manufactured by Shipley Company, LLC of Marlborough, Mass.) or sacrificial light absorbing material (hereinafter referred generally as SLAM). 
         [0005]    To form vias, for example, etching may be used to connect the metal layers deposited above and below the insulation or dielectric layers. The etching may be performed by anisotropic or isotropic etching as well as wet or dry etching, i.e., RIE (reactive ion etching), depending on the physical and chemical characteristics of the materials. To maximize the integration of the device components in very large scale integration (VLSI), it is necessary to increase the density of the components. This requires very strict tolerances in the etching and photolithographic processes. 
         [0006]    However, it is known that resist poisoning can occur during the photolithographic processes. One example of resist poisoning during the lithographic process is caused by amine-induced poisoning of chemically amplified resists created during the patterning step. This may be caused when low k dielectrics are used for the IMD and interlevel dielectric (ILD). In a more general example, during the photolithographic process, contaminants that are incompatible with the photo-reactive polymeric material can migrate into the photo resist layer from the deposited film on the wafer, itself. These contaminants then poison the photo resist layer, which may result in a non-uniformity of the reaction by extraneous chemical interaction with the polymeric material. The resist poisoning also may result in poor resist sidewall profiles, resist scumming and large CD variations. This leads to the formation of a photo resist footing or pinching, depending on whether a positive negative or photo resist, respectively, is used during the process. This may also lead to an imperfect transfer of the photo resist pattern to the underlying layer or layers thus limiting the minimum spatial resolution of the IC. 
         [0007]    One known method to solving this problem is to run a totally free nitrogen or nitrogen containing molecule free process. Examples of nitrogen containing molecules include N 2 , NH 3 , NO, NO 2 , etc. However, all released FSG films are known to require either N 2 O (silane films) or N 2  (TEOS) films. In addition, silicon nitride or silicon carbon nitride is commonly employed as a copper cap under the IMD due to its superior electromigration performance as compared to silicon carbide. Finally, even if totally nitrogen free films are used, nitrogen from the ambient air, ARC/photoresist or nitrogen impurities contained in the deposition or etch gases can result in the presence of amines. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In a first aspect of the invention, a method for reducing resist poisoning is provided. The method includes forming a first structure such as, for example, a trench or via in a dielectric on a substrate and reducing amine related contaminants from the dielectric and the substrate created after the formation of the first structure. The method further includes forming a second structure in the dielectric. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the invention, the first structure such as, for example, a trench or via in a dielectric on a substrate. A first organic film is formed on the substrate which is then heated and removed from the substrate. A second organic film is formed on the substrate and patterned to define a second structure in the dielectric. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for reducing resist poisoning includes forming a first structure such as, for example, a trench or via in a dielectric on a substrate and performing DHF wet etch with an approximate ratio of 100:1 on the dielectric. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) is formed on and then removed from the dielectric and the substrate. A second organic film is then formed on the substrate and patterning of the second organic film is performed to define a second structure in the dielectric. 
         [0011]    In still another aspect of the invention, the first structure is formed in a dielectric on a substrate. A wet etching is provided on the formed first structure at approximately 3 nm 100:1 ratio of DHF. An organic film is applied on the exposed portions of the first structure, the dielectric and the substrate. The applying step includes spin coating of the organic film on the exposed portions, baking the organic film at approximately 100 degrees Celsius to 250 degrees Celsius and removing the organic film by dry stripping or plasma etching. The structure thus formed is then capped and a second organic film is formed on the substrate and patterned to define a second structure in the dielectric. 
         [0012]    In an aspect of the invention, the structure is embedded in the dielectric with a vertical dielectric adjacent to a vertical sidewall of the structure. The vertical dielectric is deposited after the patterning and etching of a structure into the dielectric. The dielectric includes one of SiO 2 , F-doped SiO 2 , and CH 3 -doped SiO 2 . The vertical dielectric includes one of SiO 2 , P-doped SiO 2 , F-doped SiO 2 , B-doped SiO 2 , and B- and P-doped SiO 2 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1   a  through  1   e  represent a typical fabrication technique for forming a layered structure using standard reactive ion etching (RIE) technique; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  represents a first aspect of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  represent another aspect of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  represent another aspect of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5   a  through  5   d  show a trough lithographic process after contaminants are constrained, bound or capped in lower layers; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6   a  is a representation of a top view of a device using the methods of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6   b  is a representation of a cross sectional side view of a device using methods of the invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the structure of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    This invention is directed to a semiconductor device and method of manufacture and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device and method of manufacture which reduces the occurrence of resist poisoning in the device. By reducing poisoning effects, the invention also significantly reduces photo resist footing or pinching, depending on the use of a positive negative or photo resist, respectively. The reduction of the poisoning allows for the fabrication of more densely packed integrated circuits (IC) with better resolution of interconnects and the like thereon. This, in turn, results in a superior performance of the IC. The formation of vias and troughs can be characterized as either a first structure or a second structure, depending on the architecture of the device. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1   a  through  1   e  represent a typical fabrication technique for forming a layered structure using standard reactive ion etching (RIE) technique. The RIE process should be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and is not discussed in great detail herein. In the schematics, a multilayer arrangement on a semiconductor substrate, which is typically a silicon substrate, is shown. The substrate may equally represent any type of film having known contaminants such as amines, for example. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1   a  shows a target layer  12  such as an oxide layer deposited on the substrate  10 . In one embodiment, the oxide layer is approximately 8000 Å. Any known photo-resist or ARC/photo-resist  14  is then deposited on the oxide layer.  FIG. 1   b  represents a photolithographic process performed on the photo-resist layer  14 . In this representation, the photo-resist layer  14  is exposed to light through a mask  16  to form an image on the photo-resist layer  14 . Once the exposure is complete, the exposed photo-resist layer  14  is developed in order to remove those portions of the exposed photo-resist. This is typically performed by a wet develop process using, for example, TMAH, as known in the art. The resulting pattern is shown in  FIG. 1   c.    
         [0024]    A reactive ion etching is then performed on the target layer  12  in order to form a first structure such as a via  16 , for example ( FIG. 1   d ). The first structure may equally be a wire trough, in some applications. The remaining portions of the photo-resist layer  14  are then removed by, for example, dry strip techniques ( FIG. 1   e ) using, for example, O 2 , H 2 , N 2 , plasmas or damascene plasmas, all known in the art. In one embodiment, the first structure (i.e., a via) is at a depth of about 7500 Å. It should be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, though, that other depths are also contemplated by the invention. At the end of this process, contaminants are known to be associated with the substrate  10  or target layer  12  basically due to the etching process, to this stage. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is representative of a first embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 2 , the structure of  FIG. 1   e  is subjected to a plasma wafer treatment. In one embodiment, the plasma wafer treatment is an N 2 O plasma treatment performed at approximately 400 degrees Celsius. In one aspect, the N 2 O will chemically tie up the contaminants such that the contaminants will not diffuse out from either the substrate layer  10  or the target layer  12 , i.e., oxide layer. In another aspect, it is assumed that the N 2 O passivates the exposed layer in order to bind, trap or consume the contaminants such that amine, for example, will not diffuse out from the exposed layers during subsequent etching processes. In either scenario, it is known that the plasma wafer treatment of the invention prevents poisoning of the resist layer in subsequent processing steps. An alternative embodiment uses a N 2 O, O 2  or H 2  plasma with no deposition in order to achieve the same effect. The time for the N 2 O, O 2  or H 2  plasma may be from one to 60 seconds, for example, alternative, the wafer may be baked for approximately 0.1 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees Celsius to partially outgas amines. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  represent another aspect of the invention. In  FIG. 3   a , an optional wet etching of approximately 30 seconds at 25 degrees Celsius, 100:1 ratio of DHF (dilute hydrofluoric acid) is performed on the device of  FIG. 1   e . It should be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that other ratios, times or temperatures of the DHF may also be used in accordance with the principles of the invention. In  FIG. 3   b , an organic film such as an antireflective coating  18  (ARC) is applied to the device of  FIG. 1   e , with or without the optional wet etching being performed. In one aspect, the ARC is spin coated onto the entire exposed surfaces of the target layer  12  and the substrate  10 . The ARC is then baked at approximately 100 degrees Celsius to 250 degrees Celsius and more preferably between 150 degrees Celsius to 220 degrees Celsius in order to diffuse the amine based contaminants into the ARC. The ARC is removed by dry stripping or plasma etching, similar to that described above with reference to the photo-resist layer  14 . This latter step is shown in  FIG. 3   c . The ARC may be exposed to UV light. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  represent another aspect of the invention.  FIGS. 4   a  through  4   c  are substantially identical to those steps shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c , and are not described again.  FIG. 4   d  shows the deposition of a thin plasma cap  20 . The cap  20  can be deposited by any known method such as, for example, PECVD, HDPCVD, SACVD, APCVD and the like at a temperature ranging from 25 degrees Celsius to 500 degrees Celsius, and preferably at 400 degrees Celsius. In one aspect, the oxide cap  20  is approximately 25 nm; however, other thicknesses are also contemplated for implementation by the invention. In one embodiment, prior to the deposition of the oxide cap, an annealing process is performed at about 400 degrees Celsius for about 60 seconds. In another embodiment, prior to the deposition of the oxide layer, a N 2 O or O 2  plasma etch at an approximate temperature of 400 degrees Celsius is performed. (These steps may be represented by  FIG. 4   c .) The silicon dioxide cap will seal any of the remaining amine based contaminants in the layers  10  and  12 . In the process described with reference to  FIGS. 4   a - dc , any amine based contaminants will not diffuse out during subsequent processing steps to contaminate the resulting device. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5   a  through  5   d  show a typical trough lithographic process after the contaminants such as, for example, amine based contaminants, are constrained, bound or capped in the lower layers  10  and  12 . This process will now provide a second structure such as channels or troughs in the target layer  12 , but without any contaminants from the resist or other device layers contaminating the device during this further processing stage. In another aspect, the second structure may be a via. In accordance with the invention, more accurate troughs can be achieved, increasing the density of the device in addition to its performance. 
         [0029]    In particular,  FIG. 5   a  shows a known photo-resist  20  deposited on the oxide layer  12 .  FIG. 5   b  represents a photolithographic process performed on the photo-resist layer  20 . In this representation, the photo-resist layer  20  is exposed to light through a mask  22  to form channels or troughs in the photo-resist layer  20 . Once the exposure is complete, the exposed photo-resist layer  20  is developed in order to remove those portions of the exposed photo-resist. The resulting pattern is shown in  FIG. 5   c . A reactive ion etching is then performed on the target layer  12  in order to form one or more channels  24 , for example ( FIG. 5   d ). The remaining portions of the photo-resist layer  18  are then removed by, for example, dry strip techniques ( FIG. 5   d ) to form the channels “C” of the final device structure. 
         [0030]    It should be understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c  or  FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  may be repeated if other structures are to be formed on any overlaying layers. Likewise, in any multilayered structure, the steps shown and described herein may be repeated to reduce or eliminate contaminants during further processing. This is mainly due to the fact that more contaminants may have formed on or diffused into the layers, now shown, or additionally formed layers due to the use of additional resist layers and etching or other processing steps. 
         [0031]    Table 1, reproduced below, is representative of the advantages achieved by the aspects of the invention, compared to conventional methods. The data in Table 1 and table 2 were generated using duel damascene wires and vias with 200 nm minimum critical dimension. In Table 1, it is shown that a conventional method of fabrication yields approximately 15% non-defective devices (chips). In stark improvement, the use of the aspect of  FIG. 2  shows a yield of 60% of non-defective devices (chips). Of even greater yield is the aspect of the invention of  FIGS. 3   a  through  3   d  which show a yield of 75% of non-defective devices (chips). The aspect of the invention of  FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  shows a yield of 90% of non-defective devices (chips). This improvement over the standard fabrication processes is attributable to the elimination of contaminants during the fabrication processes. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 % chips with greater 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 than 0 resist poisoning 
               
               
                   
                 Process 
                 #lots 
                 defect yield 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Standard process 
                 6 
                 15% 
               
               
                   
                 Added lithographic work 
                 24 
                 60% 
               
               
                   
                 Added DHF clean and 
                 38 
                 75% 
               
               
                   
                 lithographic work 
               
               
                   
                 Added DHF clean + 
                 50 
                 90% 
               
               
                   
                 litho work + thin oxide 
               
               
                   
                 cap 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0032]    Table 2 represents the critical dimension (CD) or diameter of the via using either a 40 mJ or 70 mJ dose. As seen in Table 2, below, the standard fabrication process, at 40 mJ, provides an approximate via size of 200 nm with “scummed” edges. That is, the edges of the via using the standard fabrication process has resist that does not completely clear out thus resulting in blurred edges. In stark contrast, the aspects of the invention result in vias with clearly defined edges. Additionally, the via are also larger due to the suppression of the poisoning. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Process 
                 Via 40 mJ dose 
                 Via cd 70 mJ dose 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Standard 
                 Scummed approx. 
                 360 nm 
               
               
                   
                   
                 200 nm 
               
               
                   
                 400C oxygen plasma 
                 400 nm 
               
               
                   
                 DHF + thin oxide cap 
                 400 nm 
                 500 nm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the formation of the via on the target layer is a first structure and the formation of the trough is a second structure. The first and second structure, however, can be switched, depending on the design of the device. In one aspect, the dimension of the first structure is about 200 nm and the photolithographic exposure wavelength is about 248 nm. Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other dimensions and photographic minimums are also contemplated by the invention and that the above example is only one illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6   a  shows a top view of an example of the device of the invention with both a first structure and a second structure.  FIG. 6   b  shows a cross sectional view of an example of the device of the invention. The views of  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are taken in a scanning electron microscope of a dual damascene copper wire and via with resist poisoning. 
         [0035]    It is contemplated by the invention that the SiO 2  thin oxide cap can be a sacrificial film (i.e., it is removed during the post via RIE clean, trough RIE, post trough RIE clean, or other steps). Alternatively, the SiO 2  thin oxide cap can remain on the wafer post-metallization, as shown in  FIG. 7 , layer  7 , for example. More particularly,  FIG. 7  shows dual damascene wire  2  and via  3  contacting the previous metal level  4 . The wire  2  and via  3  are embedded in dielectric  1  and the wire  4  is embedded in dielectric  6 . An optional via RIE stop layer or copper diffusion barrier  5  is deposited over dielectric layer  6  and wire  4 . If the SiO 2  thin oxide cap is not removed during processing, then it will remain on the wafer as shown by layer  7 . 
         [0036]    In an aspect of the invention, the structure is embedded in the dielectric with a vertical dielectric adjacent to a vertical sidewall of the structure. The vertical dielectric is deposited after the patterning and etching of a structure into the dielectric. The dielectric includes one of SiO 2 , F-doped SiO 2 , and CH 3 -doped SiO 2 . The vertical dielectric includes one of SiO 2 , P-doped SiO 2 , F-doped SiO 2 , B-doped SiO 2 , and B- and P-doped SiO 2 . 
         [0037]    While the invention has been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications and in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7