Patent ID: 7670945

Claim:
A method of forming a silicon carbide layer on a substrate, comprising: depositing a silicon carbide material by generating a plasma of a silicon source, a carbon source, and a noble gas by applying a first RF power at a first frequency and applying a second RF power at a second frequency less than the first frequency; depositing a first dielectric layer in situ on the silicon carbide layer; and depositing a silicon carbide etch stop in situ on the first dielectric layer; depositing a second dielectric layer in situ on the silicon carbide etch stop; patterning and etching the substrate to form a damascene structure; forming a conductive material in the damascene structure; and removing a contaminant on the substrate surface by: introducing a reducing agent comprising nitrogen and hydrogen into a chamber; initiating a reducing plasma in the chamber; and exposing an oxide on the substrate layer to the reducing agent.