Fabrication process for low resistivity tungsten layer with good adhesion to insulator layers

Abstract

A process for forming a low resistivity tungsten layer, for use as a metal gate structure, or a metal damascene structure, has been developed. The process features initial deposition of a metastable tungsten nitride layer, via a plasma enhanced, or metal organic chemical vapor deposition procedures, resulting in good adhesion, in addition to good step coverage, of the tungsten nitride layer, to underlying or adjacent insulator layers. The high resistivity, tungsten nitride layer is then converted to a lower resistivity tungsten layer, via a rapid thermal anneal procedure, performed in an argon ambient, or in vacuum.

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