Patent ID: 7229923

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 and a second barrier layer 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 at least two barrier layers; 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 at least two barrier layers and the copper seed layer to form a final barrier layer.