Sven Zimmermann

Quantum cascade laser based monitoring of CF2 radical concentration as a diagnostic tool of dielectric etching plasma processes

Dielectric etching plasma processes for modern interlevel dielectrics become more and more complex by the introduction of new ultra low-k dielectrics. One challenge is the minimization of sidewall damage, while etching ultra low-k porous SiCOH by fluorocarbon plasmas. The optimization of this process requires a deeper understanding of the concentration of the CF2 radical, which acts as precursor in the polymerization of the etch sample surfaces. In an industrial dielectric etching plasma reactor, the CF2 radical was measured in situ using a continuous wave quantum cascade laser (cw-QCL) around 1106.2 cm−1. We measured Doppler-resolved ro-vibrational absorption lines and determined absolute densities using transitions in the ν3 fundamental band of CF2 with the aid of an improved simulation of the line strengths. We found that the CF2 radical concentration during the etching plasma process directly correlates to the layer structure of the etched wafer. Hence, this correlation can serve as a diagnostic tool ...

Characterization of Sputtered Ta and TaN Films by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Spectroscopic ellipsometry is emerging as a routine tool for in-situ and ex-situ thin-film characterization in semiconductor manufacturing. For interconnects in ULSI circuits, diffusion barriers of below 10 nm thickness are required and precise thickness control of the deposited layers is indispensable. In this work, we studied single films of tantalum and two stoichiometrics of tantalum nitride as well as TaN/Ta film stacks both on bare and oxidized silicon. Spectroscopic ellipsometry from the UV to the NIR was applied to determine the optical properties of the films for subsequent modeling by a Lorentz-Drude approach. These models were successfully applied to TaN/Ta thin-film stacks where the values of the film thickness could be determined exactly. Moreover, it is shown that considerable differences in the optical properties arise from both film thickness and substrate

Thermal stability of CoSi2 layers implemented in a silicon-on-insulator substrate

A silicon-on-metal-on-insulator substrate, consisting of a top Si layer, a buried CoSi2 layer and a buried SiO2 layer on a Si (1 0 0) substrate was formed using Co silicidation, wafer bonding and wafer splitting. It is shown that the buried silicide layers in this structure exhibit a much higher thermal stability than surface layers. Resistivity measurements and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed that buried CoSi2 layers withstand furnace anneals at 1000 °C up to 2 h, while surface CoSi2 layers started to degrade after 10 min anneals at 1000 °C. The proposed substrate is most useful for BiCMOS applications.

Optimized Wetting Behavior of Water-Based Cleaning Solutions for Plasma Etch Residue Removal by Application of Surfactants

Wet chemical plasma etch residue removal is a promising alternative to low-k dielectric degrading plasma cleaning processes. With decreasing feature dimensions the wetting behavior of the liquid on low energetic surfaces present after dielectric patterning will be an important issue in developing wet cleaning solutions. High surface energy liquids may not only be unable to wet low energetic surfaces, but can also cause nonwetting of small structures or pattern collapse. The improvement of the wetting behavior of a cleaning liquid by lowering its surface energy by the addition of surfactants is the strategy followed in this study. We show that with choosing the appropriate rinsing solution a wet chemical process using surfactant aided cleaning solutions compatible to the materials used in BEOL (porous low-k, copper, barriers) can be found. The results show a distinct improvement of the wetting behavior of the modified solutions on several low energetic solid surfaces like copper or polymers deposited during dry etching.

CF3Br plasma cryo etching of low-k porous dielectric

Process of plasma etching of CVD low-k dielectric was studied. We used CF3Br low pressure ICP plasma for etching at cryo temperatures (-20°C — -100°C), pressures (5-20 mTorr) and RF bias with effective DC voltage 80-140 V. Refractive index of film and its thickness were measured by spectral ellipsometry. Ellipsometric porosimetry was employed to compare pore size distribution before and after etching of films. Measurements show increasing of etch rate increase with decreasing sample temperature.

Experimental investigations on a plasma assisted in situ restoration process for sidewall damaged ultra low-k dielectrics

With the insertion of evaporated repair liquids into remote plasmas, a novel method to restore plasma damaged ultra low-k (ULK) materials will be introduced. The main advantage of this approach is the enhanced repair efficiency due to the formation of small plasma activated multiple repairing fragments. In this study Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) and Bis(dimethylamino)dimethylsilane (DMADMS) were chosen for blanket samples with a k-value of 2.4. Furthermore OMCTS with the addition of oxygen, methane or nitrogen was investigated on patterned ULK trench structures with 62 nm feature size.

Wake up MEMS for inertial sensors

A piezoelectric MEMS with wake up function, Power down interrupt generator (PDIG), for inertial sensor systems is reported. The aluminum nitride based MEMS generates electric signals intrinsically in result of an inertial accelerations. The PDIG is optimized for maximum charge and voltage sensitivity. The charge sensitivity for a single electrode designed PDIG is measured with 40.1 pC/g and the maximum voltage sensitivity with 1.273 V/g. The device shows a high linearity and reproducibility. The PDIG is merged with a CMOS electronic, designed for low current consumption in sleeping mode. The minimum acceleration to wake up the system is adjustable and measured with 0.08 g.

Wetting Behavior of Plasma Etch Residue Removal Solutions on Plasma Damaged and Repaired Porous ULK Dielectrics

Porous ultra low constant materials (ULK) for isolation within the interconnect system of integrated circuits are a promising approach to reduce crosstalk and RC-delays due to shrinking feature sizes [1]. Due to their porosity and the integration of carbon rich species like methyl groups into the Si-O-Si backbone of currently fabricated PECVD SiCOH dielectrics those materials are highly sensible towards plasma processing, e.g. dry etching or resist stripping [2]. Metal hard mask approaches, e.g. using TiN hard masks are widely used to prevent the resist stripping plasma directly attacking the low-k material [3]. To reduce further plasma damage like carbon depletion and formation of polar silanol groups the development of less aggressive etching processes is in the focus of research and development activities. Nevertheless dry etching will attack the sidewalls and cause a material degradation. That is why repair processes, mainly based on silylation, are considered to follow the patterning step to reintegrate carbon rich species and to recover the dielectric’s properties [3]. Subsequently to dry etching and repairing the dielectric the wet chemical plasma etch residue removal process is performed. Besides material compatibility and effectiveness in residue removal the wetting behavior of the applied cleaning solutions towards the surface which has to be cleaned is crucial, especially looking on wetting issues like the incomplete wetting of very small via holes or pattern collapse. In this study we investigate in which way different silylation based repair processing regimes are affecting the wettability of the dielectric by water based cleaning solutions using contact angle based surface energy calculations.

Determination of Surface Energy Characteristics of Plasma Processed Ultra Low-K Dielectrics for Optimized Wetting in Wet Chemical Plasma Etch Residue Removal

The integration of porous ultra low dielectric constant materials (ULK) for isolation within the interconnect system of integrated circuits is a promising approach to reduce RC-delays and crosstalk due to shrinking feature sizes [1]. Actually the focus is on porous CVD-SiCOH materials, which consist of a Si-O-Si backbone and organic species (e.g. CH3) to lower polarizability and prevent moisture uptake to remarkably decrease the k-value [2]. The integration of porous low-k materials is very challenging, especially looking at patterning, resist stripping and etch residue removal, where commonly plasma processing has been applied. But plasma processing of ULK materials, especially using oxygen plasmas, is known to degrade electrical, optical and structural material properties by removing carbon from the film and densification of the surface near areas of the ULK [5]. Carbon depletion may also lead to the incorporation of-OH groups, which easily form silanols and therefore increase moisture absorption and k-values [2]. Besides the development of nondamaging plasma processes, wet cleaning is a promising alternative to avoid ULK damage while removing organic plasma etch residues. Additionally wet cleaning steps are always necessary to remove inorganic residues, which do not form volatile reaction products and can therefore not be removed by plasma processing.