IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,456,677
Granted Patent B2
US 12,456,677 · App. 18/353,997 · Granted Oct 28, 2025

Via landing on first and second barrier layers to reduce cleaning time of conductive structure

Inventors: Te-Hsien Hsieh (Kaohsiung, TW); Yu-Hsing Chang (Taipei, TW); Yi-Min Chen (Hsinchu, TW)
Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
H01L23/5226H01L21/76814H01L23/53223H01L23/53295
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,456,677
App. No.
18/353,997
Granted
Oct 28, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a conductive structure arranged within a substrate or a first dielectric layer. A first barrier layer is arranged on outermost sidewalls and a bottom surface of the conductive structure. A second barrier layer is arranged on outer surfaces of the first barrier layer. The second barrier layer separates the first barrier layer from the substrate or the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is arranged over the substrate or the first dielectric layer. A via structure extends through the second dielectric layer, is arranged directly over topmost surfaces of the first and second barrier layers, and is electrically coupled to the conductive structure through the first and second barrier layers.

Claims (47)

1. An integrated chip, comprising:

a conductive structure arranged within a substrate or a first dielectric layer;

a first barrier layer arranged on outermost sidewalls and a bottom surface of the conductive structure;

a second barrier layer arranged on outer surfaces of the first barrier layer, wherein the second barrier layer separates the first barrier layer from the substrate or the first dielectric layer;

a second dielectric layer arranged over the substrate or the first dielectric layer; and

a via structure extending through the second dielectric layer, arranged directly over topmost surfaces of the first and second barrier layers, and electrically coupled to the conductive structure through the first and second barrier layers, wherein the via structure has a smaller width than the conductive structure as viewed in a cross-sectional view.

2. The integrated chip of claim 1 , wherein the via structure directly contacts the topmost surfaces of the first and second barrier layers.

3. The integrated chip of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third barrier structure arranged on outermost sidewalls and a bottom surface of the via structure, wherein the third barrier structure directly contacts the topmost surfaces of the first and second barrier layers.

4. The integrated chip of claim 1 , wherein the first barrier layer comprises a first conductive material, wherein the second barrier layer comprises a second conductive material, wherein the conductive structure comprises a third conductive material, and wherein the first conductive material and the second conductive material are more resistant to oxidation than the third conductive material.

5. The integrated chip of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third dielectric layer arranged over the via structure;

an additional conductive structure extending through the third dielectric layer and electrically coupled to the via structure;

a third barrier layer arranged on outermost sidewalls and a bottom surface of the additional conductive structure, wherein the third barrier layer comprises a same material as the first barrier layer; and

a fourth barrier layer arranged on outer surfaces of the third barrier layer, wherein the fourth barrier layer separates the third barrier layer from the third dielectric layer and the via structure.

6. The integrated chip of claim 1 , wherein the conductive structure comprises aluminum, and wherein the first barrier layer comprises titanium.

7. The integrated chip of claim 1 , further comprising:

a source region within the substrate and on a first side of the conductive structure; and

a drain region within the substrate and on a second side of the conductive structure, wherein the source and drain regions are spaced apart from the conductive structure by the first and second barrier layers.

8. The integrated chip of claim 1 , wherein a bottommost surface of the via structure directly overlies a top surface of the conductive structure.

9. The integrated chip of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the conductive structure is completely covered by the second dielectric layer.

10. An integrated chip, comprising:

a conductive structure arranged within a substrate or a first dielectric layer;

a first barrier layer arranged on outermost sidewalls and a bottom surface of the conductive structure;

a second barrier layer arranged on outer surfaces of the first barrier layer, wherein the second barrier layer separates the first barrier layer from the substrate or the first dielectric layer;

an additional conductive structure arranged within the substrate or the first dielectric layer and laterally separated from the conductive structure;

a first additional barrier layer arranged on outermost sidewalls and a bottom surface of the additional conductive structure;

a second additional barrier layer arranged on outer surfaces of the first additional barrier layer;

a second dielectric layer arranged over the substrate or the first dielectric layer;

a via structure extending through the second dielectric layer, having a bottommost surface arranged directly over topmost surfaces of the first and second barrier layers, and electrically coupled to the conductive structure, wherein the via structure is arranged directly over a sidewall of the first barrier layer facing away from the additional conductive structure; and

an additional via structure extending through the second dielectric layer, having a bottommost surface arranged directly over topmost surfaces of the first and second additional barrier layers, and electrically coupled to the additional conductive structure, wherein the additional via structure is arranged directly over a sidewall of the first additional barrier layer facing towards the conductive structure.

11. The integrated chip of claim 10 , wherein the topmost surface of the first barrier layer has a first width, wherein the topmost surface of the second barrier layer has a second width, wherein the bottommost surface of the via structure has a third width, and wherein a sum of the first width and the second width is greater than or equal to the third width.

12. The integrated chip of claim 10 , wherein the conductive structure has an outermost sidewall comprising copper and the first barrier layer comprises titanium nitride contacting the outermost sidewall of the conductive structure.

13. The integrated chip of claim 10 , wherein the bottommost surface of the via structure directly overlies the substrate or the first dielectric layer.

14. The integrated chip of claim 10 , wherein the bottommost surface of the via structure directly contacts the first and second barrier layers.

15. The integrated chip of claim 10 , wherein the topmost surface of the first barrier layer has a first width, wherein the topmost surface of the second barrier layer has a second width, wherein the bottommost surface of the via structure has a third width, and wherein a sum of the first width and the second width is less than the third width.

16. The integrated chip of claim 15 , wherein a top surface of the conductive structure is completely covered by the second dielectric layer, and wherein the bottommost surface of the via structure directly overlies the substrate or the first dielectric layer.

17. The integrated chip of claim 10 , wherein the via structure is laterally off-centered from the conductive structure and centered upon the topmost surfaces of the first and second barrier layers.

18. An integrated chip, comprising:

a conductive structure arranged within a substrate or a first dielectric;

source/drain regions disposed within the substrate along opposing sides of the conductive structure;

a first barrier layer arranged along one or more outer surfaces of the conductive structure;

a second barrier layer arranged along one or more outer surfaces of the first barrier layer, wherein the first barrier layer physically separates the second barrier layer from the conductive structure;

a second dielectric arranged over the substrate or the first dielectric; and

a via structure extending through the second dielectric to the first and second barrier layers, wherein the via structure laterally extends past an outermost sidewall of the second barrier layer.

19. The integrated chip of claim 18 , wherein a bottom of the via structure extends to over the substrate or the first dielectric.

20. The integrated chip of claim 18 , wherein the first barrier layer is titanium nitride.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2023
From: HSIEH, TE-HSIEN; CHANG, YU-HSING; CHEN, YI-MIN
To: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 064294/0956 →
Continuity (2)
Division 17197381 · Mar 10, 2021
Related Publication 20230361024A1 · Nov 9, 2023
References Cited (19)
US 6674170B1 · Ngo et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7291558B2 · Geffken et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 8304343B2 · Choi et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 10522399B2 · Yang et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20020016063A1 · Chen et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20050263891A1 · Lee et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20080265417A1 · Kawamura et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20120299188A1 · Chen et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130249045A1 · Kang et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20180233444A1 · Adusumilli et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190148294A1 · Ting et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190363048A1 · Zhao · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20200105664A1 · Han et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200227313A1 · Choi et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
Wikipedia.org “Ellingham Diagram.” Published on Jan. 22, 2021. [cited by applicant]
Wenger et al. “Influence of the electrode material on HfO2 metal-insulator-metal capacitors.” J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B27 (1), Jan./Feb. 2009, published on Feb. 9, 2009. [cited by applicant]
Wittmer et al. “Oxidation kinetics of TiN thin films” Journal of Applied Physics 52, 6659 (1981), published on Jul. 21, 1981. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action dated Feb. 2, 2023 for U.S. Appl. No. 17/197,381. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 5, 2023 for U.S. Appl. No. 17/197,381. [cited by applicant]