A Bilayer Diffusion Barrier of ALD-Ru/ALD-TaCN for Direct Plating of Cu

Diffusion barrier performances of atomic layer deposited (ALD)-Ru thin films between Cu and Si were improved with the use of an underlying 2 nm thick ALD-TaCN interlayer as diffusion barrier for the direct plating of Cu. Ru was deposited by a sequential supply of bis (ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium and plasma and TaCN by a sequential supply of ( tert -butylimido-trisdiethylamido-tantalum), and plasma. Sheet resistance measurements, X-ray diffractometry, and Auger electron spectroscopy analysis showed that the bilayer diffusion barriers of ALD-Ru (12 nm)/ALD-TaCN (2 nm) and ALD-Ru (4 nm)/ALD-TaCN (2 nm) prevented the Cu diffusion up to annealing temperatures of 600 and for 30 min, respectively. This is because of the excellent diffusion barrier performance of the ALD-TaCN film against the Cu, due to its amorphous structure. A 5 nm thick ALD-TaCN film was even stable up to annealing at between Cu and Si. Transmission electron microscopy investigation, combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis, revealed that the ALD-Ru/ALD-TaCN diffusion barrier failed by the Cu diffusion through the bilayer into the Si substrate. This is due to the ALD-TaCN interlayer preventing the interfacial reaction between the Ru and Si.