Feasibility study of a novel molecular-pore-stacking (MPS), SiOCH film in fully-scale-down, 45nm-node Cu damascene interconnects

Molecular-pore-stacking (MPS), SiOCH films (k=2.4) are integrated in 45nm-node Cu interconnects with 140nm-pitched lines and 70nm-vias, and the feasibility is confirmed. The MPS film, which is deposited by plasma-polymerization of robust ring-type siloxane molecules, has the self-organized, porous structure with reinforcing the mechanical properties. The low permittivity is sustained in the 140nm-pitched lines by oxidation-damage-free etching, and the inter-line dielectric reliability is confirmed along with the BCB pore-seal technique, estimating 15.9% reduction in the 70nm-spaced, line capacitance refer to that of the 65nm-node SDIs. The MPS/Cu interconnect is one of the strong candidates for 45nm-node ULSI devices.