PE-ALD OF TaN DIFFUSION BARRIER REGION ON LOW-K MATERIALS

摘要

Methods of depositing a tantalum nitride (TaN) diffusion barrier region on low-k materials. The methods include forming a protective layer (104) on the low-k material substrate (102) by performing plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD) from tantalum-based precursor and a nitrogen plasma in a chamber. The protective layer (104) has a nitrogen content greater than its tantalum content. A substantially stoichiometric tantalum-nitride layer is then formed by performing PE-ALD from the tantalum-based precursor and a plasma including hydrogen and nitrogen. The invention also includes the tantalum-nitride diffusion barrier region (108) so formed. In one embodiment, the metal precursor includes tantalum penta-chloride (TaC1₅). The invention generates a sharp interface between low-k materials and liner materials.