Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-m42fx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-25T01:24:23.228Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Stress-Voiding and Electromigration in Multilevel Interconnect Metallizations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

M.A. Korhonen
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, NY 14853
D.D. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, NY 14853
C.-Y. Li
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, NY 14853
H.S. Rathore
Affiliation:
IBM - East Fishkill, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Get access

Abstract

Stress-voiding or stress migration (SM), and electromigration (EM) are urgent problems in ULSI microcircuits with features in the submicron range. Severe stress-voiding arises in multilevel metallizations because of the high constraint offered by the refractory metal layers, the ceramic insulation, and the rigid contact and via structures which prevent plastic relaxation of the thermally induced stresses. Also, W-plugs and/or refractory barrier layers block entirely the EM flux, resulting in an enhanced probability of EM damage. We review the physical bases of a recently introduced unified SM and EM model [1,2]. We apply the model to an interconnect line confined by vias at both ends and derive equations which explicitly show the effects of external conditions and microstructural parameters on the evolution of SM and EM damage. Particularly we analyze the effects of Cu depletion on void growth rate at vias. We also show how the shifts in the line resistance are related to void growth. Finally we demonstrate that the model predictions compare well with the recently published experimental EM data.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1 Korhonen, M.A., Borgesen, P., Tu, K.N., and Li, C.-Y., J. Appl. Phys. 73, 3790 (1993)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2 Korhonen, M.A., Borgesen, P., and Li, C.-Y., J. Appl. Phys. 74, 4995 (1993)Google Scholar
3 Burrell, L.G. and Kapur, S., Proc. SPIE 1805, 188 (1992)Google Scholar
4 Larche, F.C. and Cahn, J.W., Acta Metall. 33, 331 (1985)Google Scholar
5 Korhonen, M.A., Borgesen, P., and Li, C.-Y., MRS Symp. Proc. 239, p. 695Google Scholar
6 Oates, A., J. Appl. Phys. 70, 5369 (1991)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8 Kwok, T. and Ho, P.S., in “Diffusion Phenomena in Thin Films”, edited by Gupta, D. and Ho, P.S., (Noyes, Park Ridge, NJ, 1988), p. 369 Google Scholar
7 Rosenberg, R., J. Vacuum Science and Technology 9, 263 (1971)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9 Rodbell, K.P., DeHaven, P.W., and Mis, J.D., MRS Symp. Proc. 225, 91 (1991)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10 Rathore, H.S., Filippi, R.G., Wachnik, R.A., Estabil, J.J., and Kwok, T., Proc. SPIE 1805, 251 (1991)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11 Filippi, R.G., Biery, G.A., and Wood, M.H., MRS Symp. Proc. 309, 141 (1993)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12 Hu, C.-K., Ho, P.S., and Small, M.B., J. Appl. Phys. 72, 291 (1992)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13 Hu, C.-K., Small, M.B., and Ho, P.S., J. Appl. Phys. 74, 969 (1993)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14 Kaur, I., Gust, W. and Kozma, L., “Handbook of Grain and Interface Boundary Diffusion Data” (Ziegler, Stuttgart, 1989)Google Scholar