The present invention relates generally to chemical rinse systems and more particularly to non-corrosive chemical rinse systems.
As integrated circuits become ubiquitous, demands grow for smaller, higher performing and lower cost devices. These demands continue to require improvements in the integrated circuit manufacturing processes. To produce the desired integrated circuits, processes must provide higher quality including improved cleaning. As smaller particles and the effects of cleaning on the desired materials become less tolerable, more complete cleaning while reducing the corrosive effects of cleaning has become increasingly important. Manufacturing processing including photoresist, etching, and planarization, all produce materials and particles that must be removed for further processing. Failure to remove the unwanted materials and particles contaminates the integrated circuits, preventing proper functioning and reliability of the integrated circuit devices.
An integral part of integrated circuit fabrication is the formation of metal lines and vias. Photoresist is used to transfer an image to the desired circuit layer. After the desired image transfer has been achieved, an etching process is used to form the desired structures. The metal lines are used to form electrical connections between various parts of the integrated circuit that lie in the same fabrication layer. The metal lines are often leveled or planarized to provide a more consistent surface for further processing. The vias are holes that are etched through dielectric layers and later filled with a conductive metal. These are used to make electrical connections between different vertical layers of the integrated circuit. After the etching process has been completed, the photoresist and metals particles should be removed. Unfortunately, the etching processes produce insoluble metal-containing residues that are not easily removed.
Many different rinses using a wide variety of chemicals have been attempted to clean the wafers containing the integrated circuits. From very complicated chemistries to simple rinses, many manufacturers have attempted to solve the cleaning issues. In the past, de-ionized or carbonated water was used for cleaning thin metal containing surfaces during semiconductor manufacturing. Often, a final rinse of de-ionized or carbonated water is used to wash off particles from metal or dielectric areas of a semiconductor wafer that are the result of processing the semiconductor wafer, during either pre-metal or post-metal processing operations used during semiconductor processing.
It is challenging to rinse very thin, 0.001-100 nm metal film (copper, cobalt, tungsten, aluminum, the metals mentioned later), and films without corroding the metal film. Water or most water or acidic water based solutions often corrode the metal resulting in reduced film thickness, pitting, and residue or particles that are left on the film surface after processing. This results in yield losses in microelectronic device manufacturing
However, de-ionized water corrodes certain metals such as copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) restricting the rinse time, limiting particle performance of the process, and resulting in relatively high metal contamination on dielectric surfaces on patterned wafers, where the surface is composed of a combination of metal and dielectric materials. Carbonated water has the disadvantage of being acidic, resulting in high affinity of the wafer surface to particles. Particles from some processing materials, such as photoresist, can precipitate out of an acidic rinse, such as carbonated water. The carbonated water also has the disadvantage of very limited capacity due to limitations of carbon dioxide solubility in water.
Both effective cleaning and limiting corrosion are critical to providing improved density and performance of integrated circuits. Across virtually all applications, there continues to be growing demand for reducing size, increasing performance and lower costs of integrated circuits. The seemingly endless demands are no more visible than with products in our daily lives. Smaller and denser integrated circuits are required in many portable electronic products, such as cell phones, portable computers, voice recorders, etc. as well as in many larger electronic systems, such as cars, planes, industrial control systems, etc. As the demand grows for smaller electronic products with more features, manufacturers are seeking ways to improve manufacturing processes for the integrated circuit. To meet these needs, manufacturers continue to seek improved processes to reduce contaminants and corrosion.
Thus, a need still remains for a rinse system to provide improved cleaning and reduced corrosion. In view of the increasing demand for improved integrated circuits and the electronic products containing them, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.
The present invention provides a chemical rinse including a corrosion inhibitor, and rinsing a wafer with the chemical rinse reducing defects on silicon and a dielectric, and maintaining integrity of a metal.
Certain embodiments of the invention have other aspects in addition to or in place of those mentioned or obvious from the above. The aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known circuits, and process steps are not disclosed in detail.
Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the apparatus/device are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown greatly exaggerated in the drawing FIGs. Similarly, although the sectional views in the drawings for ease of description show the invention with surfaces as oriented downward, this arrangement in the FIGs. is arbitrary and is not intended to suggest that invention should necessarily be in a downward direction. Generally, the device can be operated in any orientation. In addition, the same numbers are used in all the drawing FIGs. to relate to the same elements.
The term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the conventional plane or surface of the invention, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “on”, “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane. The term “on” refers to direct contact among the elements.
The term “processing” as used herein includes deposition of material or photoresist, patterning, exposure, development, etching, cleaning, and/or removal of the material or photoresist as required in forming a described structure.
Referring now to
The chemical rinse 102 can include hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof (such as H2NOH or R1R2NOR3 where R1, R2 or R3=H, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9, C5H11, or C6H5), triazole or a derivative thereof (such as RC7N3H4 where R=H, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9, C5H11, C6H5, CO2H, CH2OH, CH3S, C2H6N, C4H10N, CHO or C2H3O), an oxime (with the structure R1R2C=NOR3 where R1, R2 or R3=H, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9, C5H11, or C6H5), de-ionized water with an inert gas (such as He, Ar, N2, CO2, methane), a silicon based corrosion inhibitor (such as SiR1R2R3R4, [NR1R2R3R4]2SiO4, where R1, R2, R3, R4=H, CH3, OCH3, OC2H5, OC3H7, OC4H9, Cl, F, Br, NC2H6, NC4H10, or NC6H14), a chelating molecule with N—O bonds (such as 2,3 Butane-dione, dioxime, C4H8N2O2), a sulfide (R1SR2 where R1 or R2=H, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9, C5H11, or C6H5), a nitrite (RNO2, where R=NH4, NC4H12, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9 or C5H11), or any combination thereof.
The chemical rinse 102 can also include de-ionized water with in part or completely replaced dissolved gas, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or a combination thereof, such as air. Dissolved gas can be removed by several processes, such as a vacuum, boiling, reacting with a chemical additive, absorbing using a gas absorbing material, using osmosis, using reverse osmosis, or displacement of the dissolved gas by purging, bubbling, or mixing with another gas. In addition to the chemical rinse 102, the rinse system 100 can also reduce defects on the wafer and inhibit corrosion by rinsing the wafer in a controlled environment. The controlled environment can include He, Ar, N2, CO2, methane, a vacuum, or a combination thereof. The controlled environment can also include a pressure controlled between a vacuum (10E-6 atmosphere) and 10 bar.
The rinse system 100 can include a tank 106 having an inlet 108, such as a gas inlet, and a return 110 for the chemical rinse 102. The rinse system 100 can also include a pressure-sensing device 112, a pump 114, a filter 116, and a valve 118, such as a needle valve. A circulating loop is provided with the tank 106, the pump 114, the filter 116, including an option to bubble saturate the chemical rinse 102 with a gas through the inlet 108. A rinse chamber 120 holds the wafer 104 for the chemical rinse 102 through front-side rinse nozzles 122. The rinse chamber 120 also includes backside rinse nozzles 124. As an option, a chamber gas purge 126 can be provided for the rinse chamber 120. A de-ionized water rinse system can be used or a separate system can be used to rinse the substrate with the chemical rinse 102.
Referring now to
Referring now to
After 200 minutes, the hydroxylamine exposed coupon 306 and the de-ionized water exposed coupon 308 were removed and dried with clean, dry air. The results show that the de-ionized water has corroded the cobalt-tungsten-boride layer 302 to reveal the copper layer 304 on the de-ionized water exposed coupon 308. The hydroxylamine exposed coupon 306 does not shown signs of corrosion maintaining the integrity of the cobalt-tungsten-boride layer 302. It has been discovered that the chemical rinse 102 of
Referring now to
The chemical rinse test coupons 400 were immersed into six different chemical rinses with solutions of 10%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, 0.001%, and 0% hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof, such as H2NOH, in de-ionized water. The chemical rinse test coupons 400 were immersed for 180 minutes, removed, and dried with pressurized clean, dry air. The results show the 1% hydroxylamine exposed coupon 408 with no signs of corrosion, maintaining the integrity of the cobalt-tungsten-boride layer 402. The remaining coupons all show some corrosion of the cobalt-tungsten-boride layer 402 revealing a portion of the copper layer 404. It has been discovered that the chemical rinse 102 of
Referring now to
The chemical rinse test coupons 500 provide a full factorial design of experiment with solutions containing 1000 ppm, 100 ppm, and 10 ppm of triazole or a derivative thereof, such as Cobratech 939 or any chemical containing a six atom aromatic ring where three neighboring atoms are nitrogen and the remaining three are carbon, and 1%, 0.1% hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof, such as H2NOH. The chemical rinse test coupons 500 were immersed for 4200 minutes, removed, and dried with pressurized clean, dry air. The results show that at 1% hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof, 1000 ppm of triazole or a derivative thereof is required to maintain the integrity of the cobalt-tungsten-boride layer 502. At 0.1% hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof, only 100 ppm of triazole or a derivative thereof is required to maintain the integrity of the cobalt-tungsten-boride layer 502.
It has been unexpectedly discovered that there is an unusual synergistic effect between triazole or a derivative thereof and hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof wherein less of triazole or a derivative thereof is required to prevent corrosion if less of hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof is used. Further, it has been discovered that triazole or a derivative thereof is more effective in combination with hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof within a range of 0.01% to 10% hydroxylamine or a derivative thereof and 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm of triazole or a derivative thereof in de-ionized water.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In greater detail, a method to fabricate the rinse system 100, in an embodiment of the present invention, is performed as follows:
It has been discovered that the present invention thus has numerous aspects.
An aspect is that present invention provides a rinse that does not corrode metal. The major chemical constituent is generally de-ionized water. The de-ionized water contains <10% of a chemical that lowers the corrosion rate of the metal compared to that in de-ionized water. The chemistry can be vaporized such as hydroxylamine, ammonia, amines, and alcohols. In addition, a small amount of corrosion inhibitor may be added such a triazole and its derivatives.
Another aspect is that the present invention provides alternate solvents. The chemical rinse can include alternate solvents that can be used instead of de-ionized water. Some of the alternate solvents include non-water based solvents such as alcohols, supercritical CO2, organic solvents and liquefied gases (butane, carbon dioxide) or mixtures of any of these with de-ionized water.
Yet another aspect is that the present invention provides a controlled environment that reduces metal corrosion. Alternatively, the atmosphere where the substrate resides can be controlled to contain a gaseous composition that reduces metal corrosion. An example is an environment purged with an inert gas such as nitrogen, argon, helium, carbon dioxide, or methane. The rinse can also include gases such as nitrogen, argon, helium, carbon monoxide, methane, or other gaseous hydrocarbon in the chemical rinse replacing the dissolved gases, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or a combination thereof, such as air.
It has been discovered that the disclosed structure provides an extended rinse time. De-ionized water corrodes certain metals such as copper and cobalt resulting in short rinses with limited particle performance and relatively high metal contamination on dielectric surfaces of patterned wafers, where the surface is composed of a combination of metal and dielectric materials. The disclosed structure is compatible many metals including copper and cobalt resulting in significantly longer rinse times.
It has also been discovered that the disclosed structure provides less metal contamination. Metal being lifted off the metal surface is deposited on bare silicon or dielectric surfaces. The disclosed structure is a non-corrosive chemical rinse such that improved particle performance can be achieved and in the case of patterned wafers, the dielectric areas have a lower amount of metal contamination.
Yet another discovery of the disclosed structure is that it provides a cleaner metal surface. The disclosed structure prevents corrosion of thin metal films during rinse processes after wafer processing. The improved rinse times and corrosion inhibition provide significantly cleaner metal surfaces by removing more residue and contaminants.
Yet another discovery of the disclosed structure is that it provides fewer defects on the metal surface. The improved anti-corrosion and cleaning performance of the disclosed structure removes more residue and does not corrode the metal surface. The defects from corrosion and residue on the metal surface are significantly reduced.
Yet another discovery of the disclosed structure provides retaining the deposited thickness of the metal. The improved anti-corrosion significantly reduces metal loss due to corrosion of the metal surface. The integrity of the metal including the deposited thickness is retained.
Yet another discovery of the disclosed structure provides compatibility with electroless plated cobalt providing lower line-to-line leakage and thereby improving film integration. The disclosed structure improves cleaning and corrosion inhibition for many metals including cobalt. Retaining the integrity of cobalt films provides performance enhancement to the metal lines.
Yet another discovery of the disclosed structure provides a smaller amount of corrosion inhibitors. The disclosed structure provides a reduced amount of corrosion inhibitors when used in combination with other chemicals. A combination of chemicals allows significantly reduced quantities required for corrosion inhibitors while improving cleaning and anti-corrosion performance.
Yet another discovery of the disclosed structure is that it provides compatibility with standard rinse systems. While the disclosed structure uses a chemical mixture instead of de-ionized water (DIW) for rinsing, the chemical mixture can be applied in a standard DIW rinse system. A separate system can also be introduced to rinse the wafer with or without a standard DIW rinse system.
These and other valuable aspects of the present invention consequently further the state of the technology to at least the next level.
Thus, it has been discovered that the non-corrosive chemical rinse system method and apparatus of the present invention furnish important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects. The resulting processes and configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, and effective, can be implemented by adapting known technologies, and are thus readily suited for efficient and economical manufacturing.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations, which fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/661,197 filed Mar. 11, 2005, and the subject matter thereof is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/596,716 filed Oct. 14, 2005, and the subject matter thereof is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60661197 | Mar 2005 | US | |
60596716 | Oct 2005 | US |