Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention generally relates to the manufacturing of integrated circuit chip wiring structures, especially dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips, and more specifically relates to a method of producing these chips without the use of vias between some layers, while still providing cross-over and contact capabilities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Integrated circuit (IC) chips, for example dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), require different resistance and capacitance limits in the cell array wiring and the sense amplifier/decode and support circuits. In the array wiring, the conductor is customized for low capacitance. For example, in a typical 4 Megabit(M) DRAM the capacitance (C) is less than or equal to (≦) 0.15 femptofarads per micron (ff/μm) in bitline-to-bitline wiring at the expense of resistance (R), which is less than or equal to 1 ohm per square (Ω/□). On the other hand, in the supports and decode circuits (the logic circuits), the resistance is optimized (R≦0.07 Ω/□), while capacitance is less crucial (C≦0.25 ff/μm). 
     In order to achieve these resistance and capacitance limits, the pitch, which is defined as the width of the line plus the space between the lines, of the wiring structure must be carefully controlled. In order for the wiring to be suitable for the array requirements (capacitance and resistance), the pitch must be as near as possible to the smallest photolithographically achievable size (minimum pitch). Although some minimum pitch wiring is needed in the supports, for the most part the logic circuitry has a pitch about two times the minimum pitch in order to carry the signals with the requisite lower resistance. Various ways of creating the necessary line widths have been suggested. See Cronin, J. and C. Kaanta, “Thickness Controlled Thick and Thin Lines in One Damascene Level”,  IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin  (TDB) No. 7, at 393-94 (Dec. 1990); Cronin, John, “Method to Make Thin and Thick Lines Within a Single Level of Damascene Wiring Using a Single Photomask”,  IBM TDB  No. 7 at 387 (Dec. 1990); Cronin et al., “Optimum Metal Line Structures for Memory Array and Support Circuits”,  IBM TDB  Vol. 30, No. 12, at 170-71 (May 1988); Cronin et al., Method for Obtaining Low Resistance and Low Capacitance Metalization (Sic) Using Single Metal Deposition,  IBM TDB  Vol. 30, No. 12, at 142-43 (May 1988); and Anonymous, Process to Make Thick and Narrow Conductive Lines,  IBM Research Disclosure , No. 313 (May 1990) 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the necessary line widths were initially constructed by depositing and defining a first metal layer Ml that was thin, covering the first metal layer M 1  by depositing a layer of an insulating material I, followed by depositing and defining a second metal layer M 2  that was thick. Contacts between the first and second metal layers M 1 , M 2  were formed by etching a tapered via V through the insulator I and then depositing the second metal layer M 2  over the insulator I. Thus, contact was made between the first and second layer M 1 , M 2  through the tapered via V. 
     It was then found that a planarized layer of insulative material was desirable for improved photolithographic resist image definition (the planar surface minimized depth of field problems). FIG. 2 illustrates the solution wherein a first metal layer (thin) M 1  was deposited and defined. The insulator I was next deposited over the entire surface and planarized. Studs S were formed by etching a vertical via V through the insulator layer I, depositing a stud via metal M 3  therein, and planarizing the surface. The second metal layer (thick) M 2  was then applied and patterned so that connection between first and second metal M 1 , M 2  was made through the stud via S. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, further improvements to minimize cost by eliminating processing steps and materials were made by combining the stud via metal with the second metal layer M 2 . In this method, the first metal layer (thin) M 1  was defined and deposited followed by an insulator layer I which was deposited and planarized. The second metal layer&#39;s M 2  wiring lines in the insulator I were defined as trenches T and stud vias S were defined as holes H. Metal was deposited to fill the trenches T and holes H and the metal was then planarized. (see also FIG.  13 ). By defining the trenches T first and then the studs S, before metallizing, the one metal deposition filled both the trenches T and holes H thereby saving costs. This approach to wiring is known as the “damascene approach”. 
     The “damascene” approach to wiring is well known in the industry. It comprises depositing an insulator over the semiconductor device structures, e.g. M 1 . Next, the insulator is planarized by a chemical-mechanical polish (CMP) process. A resist material is applied, exposed to an energy source, and developed, leaving openings in certain regions. These openings define wiring channel regions/trenches. The insulator exposed in the resist openings is subjected to a reactive ion etch (RIE) to remove the exposed areas of insulator. The remaining resist material is then removed, leaving the planar insulator with channels or trenches cut into it. A conformal metal is applied over the entire surface, filling all the trenches and covering all the insulator surfaces. The metal is removed by a planarization, e.g., a CMP, process. The metal is only left in the trenches, forming wiring channels. 
     Adding a via level requires extra layers which must be sequentially defined. Each additional step to the process requires another alignment step, which increases the likelihood of failure of the final product. Additionally, each processing step requires further handling of the chips which increases cycle time. By reducing the number of steps and layers, there is a reduction in handling and delays, which also tends to increase the yield of the chips because there are fewer defects introduced through handling. In addition, yield is enhanced by the elimination of process variables related to the uncontrolled delays which are created when the chips are processed with several extra steps in the production line. The processing characteristics of the materials used in the production of the chips can vary depending on extent of time elapsed from one processing step to the next. By reducing the number of steps, these delays are reduced and more repeatable, thus reducing process variability. These increases in yield result in cost savings to the manufacturer. Additionally, the removal of the intervening insulator results in cost savings both because of the reduced material costs and because of the reduced handling costs. 
     In the manufacture of dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) chips, containing the costs of production is essential. One way of reducing cost is to eliminate as many process steps as possible. One possibility is to eliminate a separate, trapped via level between the first metal and the second metal, if possible. Typically the first metal is a thin layer while the second metal is thick. Since the thin metal is required only in the DRAM array for low capacitance and the thick metal is required in the supports for low resistance, one could limit the design rules so that a cross-over between the thin and thick lines is not required and therefore a via connection between the thick and thin layers is not required. However, it should be noted that a via level between two wiring levels allows the two levels to cross each other, and connect when a via is defined at the cross-over, but not connect if there is no via at the cross-over. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show two variations of an approach called the “multi-damascene” approach, that create thick and thin wiring levels without both a separate, trapped via level and cross-over capability. The method, as shown in the FIGS. 4 and 5, creates thin lines M 1  by the damascene method in a thin insulator I thin , followed immediately by a second, thick line M 2  in a thick insulator I thick  by the damascene method. Where the thin and thick lines M 1 , M 2  cross, at the intersection, they electrically connect C. A via which is normally used between the thin line and the thick line, is left out, since crossing over without connection is not needed in the DRAM design case. By removing the intervening insulator and via connection level, cost is reduced. However, there are times in more complex, logic intensive DRAMs (high density synchronomous DRAMs and video DRAMs) when some amount of cross-over is necessary. 
     That is, standard interconnection systems use two levels of damascene, a first level and a second level. These levels are insulated from each other by an intervening insulator material. When a second level crosses over a first level, no electrical connection is made because the levels are insulated from each other by the intervening insulator. When electrical connection is required between the first and second level, a conductive via is defined in the intervening insulator at the intersection where electrical connection is to be made. This gives the designer total wiring flexibility and is, therefore, more desirable than the previous instance, in which every time crossover occurs, there is electrical connection. 
     Other ways of obtaining thick and thin lines were explored including, manufacturing the chip to have the thick and thin lines in different areas of the chip, so they were decoupled from each other. The lines were either manufactured as part of the same plane, as shown in IBM TDB Vol. 30, No. 12 at 142-43 (May 1988) or, using various methods, as a thick portion and a thin portion in different planes, as discussed above. Typically, wherever the lines were there was no via between them. On the other hand, whenever connections were needed, the vias were used with a layer of an insulative material between the two metallization planes. As can be seen, the methods described of creating the thick lines in one area and thin lines in a different area either: a.) consume a lot of “real estate” on the chip surface or b.) do not allow cross-over unless an intervening insulative layer is used, in which case the vias were necessary. 
     There exists a need for a structure in which the second level is normally insulated from the first level at cross-overs, but a via would not be required when the electrical connection of the thin and thick lines was desirable. This specific case occurs in DRAM and SRAM circuits, where two wiring levels are needed for electrical design considerations, i.e., low capacitance (thin) array wiring and low resistance (thick) support wiring. These thick and thin levels are defined by the damascene technique. When some insulated cross-over of thin and thick lines is needed, particularly in those regions between arrays and for running thick power buses in the array, it would be most effective to do so without the need for an entire level of via wiring (insulator/mask/via/conductor). Fortunately, these insulative cross-over regions do not require the layout considerations (density) that adding a via would allow for. Therefore, a method for wiring thin and thick wires with some low density (large layout area) cross-over capability is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a novel integrated circuit (IC) chip wiring structure and the method for producing it. The IC chip&#39;s wiring structure is laid out in such a manner that the thick or low resistance plane may cross over the thin or low capacitance plane by manipulating the design of the interconnect structure and/or device layout on the substrate. The use of vias, with the associated mask alignment problems, processing steps and associated costs, is obviated by this new method of applying the various layers to the substrate surface. 
     The method consists of using an already existing underpass and designing the metal levels. This process is performed simultaneously with the contact layer metal. A main layer of wiring and passivating material is then applied, which may be thick or thin but is typically a thin layer, with some of the connections being made by simple overlap with the metallized areas of the contact metal. The contact metal connections would be utilized whenever crossover without contact with a third or upper layer was desired. The third layer, typically of the opposite thickness of the main layer, is then applied, patterned, and etched in the desired areas. The third layer is metallized and all crossover areas for the main layer should then be complete, the passivating areas of the main layer insulating the first layer from the third layer. The third layer can crossover the contact layer without “contact”. 
    
    
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the drawings, and the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is a prior art schematic of tapered via; 
     FIG. 2 is a prior art schematic of a stud via; 
     FIG. 3 is a prior art schematic of a dual damascene via; 
     FIG. 4 is a prior art schematic of a “multi-damascene” approach showing an area where connection is made; 
     FIG. 5 is a prior art schematic of the “multi-damascene” approach showing an area without contact; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic of a cross-over in a wiring structure embodying the present invention from the top; and 
     FIGS. 7-16 are cross-sectional schematics taken across line A-A′ of FIG. 6 depicting in a step-wise fashion a method of manufacturing the cross-over in the wiring structure embodying the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of this invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. 
     A wiring structure  10  of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. A first wire/line  12  and a second wire/line  14  are shown with the first wire  12  running in an east-west direction and the second wire  14  running in a north-south direction. The first wire comprises a first leg  12 A, a second leg  12 B, and a connection stud  16 . A third wire  18  runs parallel to the second wire  14  but, in this case, connection between the first wire  12  and the third wire  18  is made, as indicated by the “X”. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7-16, there is shown a stepwise series of cross-sectional schematics depicting a preferred method of arriving at the final structure, as shown in FIG.  6 . Each view is taken across line A-A′ of FIG. 6 at various stages of production. 
     FIG. 7 shows the first step of the progression. An insulative substrate  20  is provided on top of which a layer of a first insulative material  22  is applied. The first insulative material  22  is preferably a borophospho-silicate glass, however, other reflowable insulating or passivating materials may also be used. The first insulative material  22  may be applied in a number of different ways such as chemical vapor deposition (“CVD”) and physical vapor deposition (“PVD”). The most preferred of these methods is CVD. A first photoresist layer  24  is applied to a surface of the first insulative material  22  in the desired manner, typically a spin apply. 
     The first photoresist layer  24  is exposed and developed, and the first insulative material  22  is etched to form the pattern that will subsequently be metallized. This step-wise progression of forming the appropriate pattern to metallize will hereinafter be referred to as “defining” the area to be metallized. As shown in FIG. 8, the first photoresist layer  24  is then stripped from the surface of the first insulative material to form a hole or trench  26 . The process steps (not shown) are normally carried out to create contacts between silicon devices below and wiring levels above. When used for the present invention, care must be taken during device layout to ensure the connection studs in-the contact layer are only located above isolation areas of the substrate and not areas where devices occur. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, stud metallization  28  is then applied across the entire surface of the first insulative material  22  and also filling the hole  26 . The application of the stud metallization  28  is accomplished by any one of a number of methods commonly known in the art, preferably by PVD, such as evaporation or sputtering, CVD or by plating. The exposed surface is preferably coated with a layer of metallization  28  that is at least half as thick as the hole  26  is wide. The stud layer  28  may comprise a number of different conductive metals as known in the art. Preferred metals include CVD tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), Al—Cu, titanium nitride (TiN), Ti—Al—Cu, and tantalum copper (Ta-Cu). 
     As shown in FIG. 10, the stud layer that overlies the layer of the first insulative material is removed to coplanarize the surfaces of the stud layer  28  and the first insulative material  22 . Thus forming a connection stud  16  in the layer of first insulative material  22 . The combination of the connection studs and first insulative material is collectively referred to as a contact layer  29 . This may be accomplished by damascene method, which are commonly known in the art, as described above. 
     As shown in FIG. 11, a second layer of insulative material  32  and a second photoresist layer  34  are deposited in the same manner as the first layer of insulative material  22  and first photoresist  24  overlying the contact layer  29  i.e., the coplanar connection stud  16  and first insulative material  22 . This second insulative layer  32  may either be a thick layer or a thin layer, whichever is desirsed. For illustration purposes, a thin layer of insulative material and wiring material having a first pitch is shown for transmitting electrical current at relatively low capacitance. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, the second photoresist layer is exposed and developed, the second layer of insulative material  32  is etched, and the photoresist layer is removed. The areas that are removed will form the first wire  12  in the wiring structure  10 , as shown running in the east-west direction in FIG.  6 . The selective etching process is a repetition of the process described above and is well known by those skilled in the art. 
     As shown in FIG. 13, the etched portions are metallized and the excess metal removed in the same manner as described above thereby forming a first metallization layer  33 . The first leg  12 A of the first wire  12  is shown overlapping a first end of the connection stud  16 . The second leg  12 B of the first wire  12  is shown overlapping a second end of the connection stud  16 . The first and second legs  12 A and  12 B are spaced from each other by the insulative material  32  and are not in direct contact with each other, i.e., first and second legs  12 A and  12 B do not touch each other. In this manner, electrical connection is made between the first leg and the second leg  12 A and  12 B without the use of vias, the necessary alignment steps and another layer of a passivating material between the contact layer and the first metallization layer. 
     As shown in FIG. 14, a third layer of an insulative material  42  is then applied to the surface of the second layer on top of the first leg  12 A, the second insulative material  32  and the second leg  12 B, i.e., the first metallization layer  33 . This third layer of insulative material  42  and wiring material  14 ,  18  is shown as a thick layer (see also FIG. 16) typically two times as thick as the thin layer for transmitting electrical current at relatively low resistance, albeit a thin layer could be used if appropriate. A third photoresist material  44  is then applied to the surface of the third layer of insulative material  42 . 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the third photoresist material is patterned so as to etch openings wherever metallization is desired in the third layer, the openings are etched and the third photoresist material is stripped off. The metallization is used for the north-south lines. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, the metal is deposited over the entire surface and then planarized to give a second metallization layer  43 , resulting in a wiring structure. The metal forms second wire  14  and third wire  18 , as shown in FIG. 6, which run in the north-south direction. 
     It should be understood that this wiring structure could be presented in a number of different ways. For example, the thin layer could be the third layer and the thick layer could be the second layer. The connection stud layer could be a completely separate layer above the third layer, i.e., a fourth layer, however, it should be noted that the present embodiment lends itself well to the manufacturing process of IC chips because these layers are used presently and are simply being adapted for the purpose of removing steps in the process. Additionally, the main wires need not run north-south and east-west, this has been done merely as a matter of convenience and for the sake of clarity in description. The only restriction on the directionality of the main wires is that there must be two pairs which would otherwise intersect. These main wires are not connected to the connection stud and the connection portion by means of vias, instead they are electrically connected by direct contact achieved by selective overlapping of the layers. 
     The foregoing specification is intended as illustrative and is not intended to be taken as limiting. Still other variations within the spirit and scope of this invention are possible and will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 5