Patent ID: 7413984

Claim:
A method for forming a copper interconnect having a robust copper barrier layer, the method comprising: providing a substrate having an insulating layer and an opening in the insulating layer configured to receive an inlaid conducting structure; forming at least two barrier layers on the insulating layer and in the opening, wherein the two barrier layers include a first barrier layer having a second barrier layer formed thereon wherein each of the barrier layers are fabricated so each have a different material composition wherein the second barrier layer consists of a material selected from the group: palladium, magnesium, and molybdenum; forming a copper seed layer on the second barrier layer; implanting the seed layer with barrier material ions to form an implanted seed layer; forming a bulk copper containing layer on the implanted seed layer; and annealing the substrate, so that the barrier material ions migrate through the seed layer to the interface between the second barrier layer and the copper seed layer to form a final barrier layer.