Effects of anti-corrosion of the Al alloy film by the post-etch treatment

플라즈마 식각후 처리에 의한 Al alloy막의 부식 억제 효과

In this study, chlorine(Cl)-based gas chemistry is generally used to etching for AlCu films metallization. The corrosion phenomena of AlCu films were examined with XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), and TEM (Transmission electron microscopy). SF$\sub$6/ plasma treatment subsequent to the etch process prevents the corrosion effectively in the pressure of 300 mTorr. It is found that the chlorine atoms on the etched surface are not substituted for fluorine atoms during SF$\sub$6/ treatment, but a passivation layer on the surface by fluorine-related compounds would be formed. The passivation layer prevents the moisture penetration on the SF$\sub$6/ treated surface and suppresses the corrosion successfully.