Patent ID: 6984294

Claim:
A method of forming a barrier layer, comprising: depositing a first layer of conductive material comprising said barrier layer onto a substrate having formed therein an opening in a sputter deposition atmosphere having a first state with a pressure of a first valve and a bias power of a first value for accelerating target ions towards said substrate, wherein a bias voltage and a pressure of said deposition atmosphere in said first state is selected so as to obtain a thickness of said first layer is greater at an upper portion of said opening as compared to a bottom portion of said opening; establishing a second state for said sputter deposition atmosphere by increasing at least one of said bias power and said pressure to a second value, wherein a bias voltage and a pressure of said deposition atmosphere in said second state is selected so as to obtain a thickness of said second layer that is greater at a bottom portion of said opening as compared to a top portion of said opening, wherein a material composition of said deposition atmosphere in said first state differs from that in said second state; and depositing a second layer of conductive material comprising said barrier layer in said sputter deposition atmosphere, said sputter deposition atmosphere being in said second state.