A semiconductor interconnect structure having a first electrically conductive structure having a plurality of bottom portions; a dielectric capping layer, at least a portion of the dielectric capping layer being in contact with a first bottom portion of the plurality of bottom portions; and a second electrically conductive structure in electrical contact with a second bottom portion of the plurality of bottom portions. A method of forming the interconnect structure is also provided.

Provided is a method of etching a copper layer. The method includes generating plasma of a processing gas within a processing container which accommodates an object to be processed that includes the copper layer and a metal mask formed on the copper layer. The metal mask contains titanium. In addition, the processing gas includes CH.sub.4 gas, oxygen gas, and a noble gas. In an exemplary embodiment, the metal mask may include a layer made of TiN.

Provided is a method of etching a copper layer. The method includes generating plasma of a processing gas within a processing container which accommodates an object to be processed that includes the copper layer and a metal mask formed on the copper layer. The metal mask contains titanium. In addition, the processing gas includes CH.sub.4 gas, oxygen gas, and a noble gas. In an exemplary embodiment, the metal mask may include a layer made of TiN.

Methods of etching metal by depositing a material reactive with a metal to be etched and a halogen to form a volatile species and exposing the substrate to a halogen-containing gas and activation gas to etch the substrate are provided. Deposited materials may include silicon, germanium, titanium, carbon, tin, and combinations thereof. Methods are suitable for fabricating MRAM structures and may involve integrating ALD and ALE processes without breaking vacuum.

The dry etching method of the present invention etches a metal film formed on a surface of a workpiece by bringing etching gases each containing a β-diketone into contact with the metal film. The method includes: a first etching step of bringing a first etching gas containing a first β-diketone into contact with the metal film; and a second etching step of bringing a second etching gas containing a second β-diketone into contact with the metal film after the first etching step. The first β-diketone is a compound capable of forming a first complex through a reaction with the metal film. The second β-diketone is a compound capable of forming a second complex having a lower sublimation point than the first complex through a reaction with the metal film.

The dry etching method of the present invention etches a metal film formed on a surface of a workpiece by bringing etching gases each containing a β-diketone into contact with the metal film. The method includes: a first etching step of bringing a first etching gas containing a first β-diketone into contact with the metal film; and a second etching step of bringing a second etching gas containing a second β-diketone into contact with the metal film after the first etching step. The first β-diketone is a compound capable of forming a first complex through a reaction with the metal film. The second β-diketone is a compound capable of forming a second complex having a lower sublimation point than the first complex through a reaction with the metal film.

Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals. Certain methods involve activating a substrate surface comprising at least one transition metal, wherein activation of the substrate surface comprises exposing the substrate surface to heat, a plasma, an oxidizing environment, or a halide transfer agent to provide an activated substrate surface; and exposing the activated substrate surface to a reagent comprising a Lewis base or pi acid to provide a vapor phase coordination complex comprising one or more atoms of the transition metal coordinated to one or more ligands from the reagent. Certain other methods provide selective etching from a multi-layer substrate comprising two or more of a layer of Co, a layer of Cu and a layer of Ni.

Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals. Certain methods involve activating a substrate surface comprising at least one transition metal, wherein activation of the substrate surface comprises exposing the substrate surface to heat, a plasma, an oxidizing environment, or a halide transfer agent to provide an activated substrate surface; and exposing the activated substrate surface to a reagent comprising a Lewis base or pi acid to provide a vapor phase coordination complex comprising one or more atoms of the transition metal coordinated to one or more ligands from the reagent. Certain other methods provide selective etching from a multi-layer substrate comprising two or more of a layer of Co, a layer of Cu and a layer of Ni.

A method of etching a copper (Cu) thin film and a Cu thin film prepared therefrom, the method including patterning a hard mask layer on the Cu thin film to form a hard mask on the Cu thin film; forming a plasma of a mixed gas, the mixed gas including an inert gas and an organic chelator material including an amine group, the mixed gas not including a halogen gas or a halide gas; and etching the Cu thin film through the hard mask using the plasma generated in the forming of the plasma of the mixed gas.

A method of etching a copper (Cu) thin film and a Cu thin film prepared therefrom, the method including patterning a hard mask layer on the Cu thin film to form a hard mask on the Cu thin film; forming a plasma of a mixed gas, the mixed gas including an inert gas and an organic chelator material including an amine group, the mixed gas not including a halogen gas or a halide gas; and etching the Cu thin film through the hard mask using the plasma generated in the forming of the plasma of the mixed gas.