Patent attributes
Interconnect structures in which a noble metal-containing cap layer is present directly on a non-recessed surface of a conductive material which is embedded within a low k dielectric material are provided. It has been determined that by forming a hydrophobic surface on a low k dielectric material prior to metal cap formation provides a means for controlling the selective formation of the metal cap directly on the non-recessed surface of a conductive material. That is, the selective formation of the metal cap directly on the non-recessed surface of a conductive material is enhanced since the formation rate of the metal cap on the non-recessed surface of a conductive material is greater than on the hydrophobic surface of the low k dielectric material. It is observed that the hydrophobic surface may be a result of treating a damaged surface of the dielectric material with a silylating agent prior to the selective formation of the noble metal cap or, as a result of forming a hydrophobic polymeric layer on the surface of the dielectric material prior to the selective deposition of the noble metal cap. The hydrophobic polymeric layer typically includes atoms of Si, C and O.
