Patent ID: 7964506

Claim:
A semiconductor processing method for depositing copper comprising: providing a semiconductor wafer having a semi-noble metal layer thereon; depositing a seed layer of copper onto the metal layer using an electroplating process with a first electrolyte comprising a copper salt and a copper complexing agent, wherein the resistivity of the first electrolyte is at least about 200 ohms cm, thereby promoting a generally uniform deposition rate across a plating surface of the wafer, and wherein depositing the seed layer comprises applying a current waveform, comprising: a first step of applying a forward direct current for a first duration, a second step of alternating forward and reverse current pulses for a second duration, and a third step of applying a forward direct current for a third duration, wherein substantially all of the copper seed layer is deposited during the third step; annealing the seed layer; and depositing a bulk-layer of copper onto the annealed seed layer of copper using an electroplating process employing a second electrolyte.