Patent ID: 7323408

Claim:
A method of forming a copper interconnect, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate, at least one first copper point of electrical contact having been provided through a layer of dielectric deposited over said substrate; creating a layer of barrier material overlying said at least one first copper point of interconnect; comprising: (i) creating a patterned layer of polymer over said layer of dielectric, at least one opening there-through being aligned with said at least one first copper point of electrical contact; (ii) argon sputtering said at least one first copper point of electrical contact, creating copper deposits over sidewalls of said at least one opening created through said patterned polymer layer; (iii) depositing a layer of barrier material over said patterned polymer layer, thereby including inside surfaces of said at least one opening created through said patterned polymer layer; and (iv) removing said patterned polymer layer from said substrate, thereby leaving said layer of barrier material in place overlying said at least one first copper point of electrical contact, thereby forming a protective layer overlying said at least one first copper point of electrical contact; and creating a patterned layer of second copper aligned with said layer of barrier material overlying said at least one first copper point of electrical contact.