Abstract
Ruthenium (Ru) and ruthenium nitride (RuN) thin films have been investigated as candidates for barrier layers in copper (Cu) damascene processes. In order to study the thermal stability of the Ru and RuN films, the as-deposited films were annealed by rapid thermal annealing (RTA), and the film resistance was real-time measured by a four-point probe, which was embedded in the RTA tool. The X-ray diffraction data show that the grain size of Ru decreased with the increase of the nitrogen (N) content. The Ru phases gradually changed to the RuN phases, and the resistivity of the RuN films decreased with annealing time due to nitrogen effusion. Discontinuous RuN films were found when the annealing temperature was higher than 800°C and then caused a poor Cu diffusion barrier property. We also demonstrated that the Cu film could be directly electroplated on the RuN films with adequate adhesion.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of the Electrochemical Society |
Volume | 158 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 Feb 8 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Chemistry