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Enhancing Interconnect Reliability and Performance by Converting Tantalum to 2D Layered Tantalum Sulfide at Low Temperature
Author(s) -
Lo ChunLi,
Catalano Massimo,
Khosravi Ava,
Ge Wanying,
Ji Yujin,
Zemlyanov Dmitry Y.,
Wang Luhua,
Addou Rafik,
Liu Yuanyue,
Wallace Robert M.,
Kim Moon J.,
Chen Zhihong
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201902397
Subject(s) - materials science , diffusion barrier , tantalum , interconnection , bilayer , optoelectronics , resistive touchscreen , stack (abstract data type) , dielectric , reliability (semiconductor) , node (physics) , diffusion , tantalum nitride , composite material , engineering physics , nanotechnology , layer (electronics) , membrane , electrical engineering , metallurgy , computer science , computer network , engineering , biology , genetics , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics , programming language , physics , structural engineering
The interconnect half‐pitch size will reach ≈20 nm in the coming sub‐5 nm technology node. Meanwhile, the TaN/Ta (barrier/liner) bilayer stack has to be >4 nm to ensure acceptable liner and diffusion barrier properties. Since TaN/Ta occupy a significant portion of the interconnect cross‐section and they are much more resistive than Cu, the effective conductance of an ultrascaled interconnect will be compromised by the thick bilayer. Therefore, 2D layered materials have been explored as diffusion barrier alternatives. However, many of the proposed 2D barriers are prepared at too high temperatures to be compatible with the back‐end‐of‐line (BEOL) technology. In addition, as important as the diffusion barrier properties, the liner properties of 2D materials must be evaluated, which has not yet been pursued. Here, a 2D layered tantalum sulfide (TaS x ) with ≈1.5 nm thickness is developed to replace the conventional TaN/Ta bilayer. The TaS x ultrathin film is industry‐friendly, BEOL‐compatible, and can be directly prepared on dielectrics. The results show superior barrier/liner properties of TaS x compared to the TaN/Ta bilayer. This single‐stack material, serving as both a liner and a barrier, will enable continued scaling of interconnects beyond 5 nm node.