Abstract
This work has investigated the electrical and material characteristics of post-chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ). Experimental results have shown that the dielectric properties of low k MSQ deteriorate after the CMP process. However, by applying H2-plasma post-treatment, the degraded characteristics can be restored to a similar state as that of a pre-CMP MSQ film. Material and electrical analyses were performed to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of H2-plasma treatment on post-CMP MSQ. H2-plasma treatment provides active hydrogen radicals to passivate the dangling bonds exposed in the MSQ after the CMP process. The hydrogen-rich passivation layer is hydrophobic and effectively prevents further moisture uptake. Therefore, a degradation-free CMP process can be achieved employing H2-Plasma treatment.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4313-4317 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of the Electrochemical Society |
Volume | 147 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Nov 2000 |